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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

HANDS Across Medina County FoundationP.O. Box 868 • Brunswick, Ohio • 44212

www.HANDS-Foundation.org

Non-Profi tU.S. Postage

PAIDWilliamsport, PA

Permit #4

Celebrating our 20th Anniversar y – 1995 to 2015 Volume 19, No. 5

October / November 2015

Summer Breezes atPlum Creek

By Angela Huston / Photos by Russ Huston

(Continued on page 2)

2011115

Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Medina County Seniors!

One of the most antici-pated events of the season, Summer Breezes at Plum Creek, was held August 4. The senior assisted living community at 891 Marks

Road in Brunswick, under the leadership of Dan and Nancy Ihrig and Nate and Kathy Elseser, once again graciously opened its doors for this worthy event that

benefi ts the HANDS Foun-dation.

The casually comfort-able evening was fi lled with delicious appetizers prepared by the Plum Creek staff, refreshing wine served by Lou, Kathy, and Mandy De-Loss, easy-listening music by Keyboardist Dave Young, and friendship, lots and lots of friendship.

At least 120 guests, many who have become regular attendees, many bearing non-perishable food items, fi lled the inviting lounge area of Plum Creek, knowing they would be sharing a delight-ful evening while at the same time helping to support the mission of the HANDS Foundation: “Helping Im-prove the Quality of Life of

Medina County Seniors.” It is all about “taking care of the people who took care of us.” The guests were joined by

many Plum Creek residents who shared in the evening’s fellowship.

The menu of hot and cold appetizers and desserts included assorted miniature quiches and quesadilla wraps, breaded broccoli-cheese bites, two kinds of pizza, jumbo shrimp, a variety of cheeses and crackers, a wide assortment of pastries, and trays of delightfully creative arrangements of fresh fruits and vegetables.

A highlight of the evening was the drawing of many door prizes that had gener-ously been donated. Among the many lucky winners were Ellen Young, Lori Richards, Judy Curren, David Parish, Marty Tegowski, Denise Vaca, Ron Fritz, Phil Frate, Laniece Hood, Mary Ohlin, and Lois Bennett

According to HANDS

Foundation Executive Direc-tor Cindie Schneider, this fundraiser was originally the brainchild of Medina County Home Director Joyce Giles,

and was named by Wad-sworth Chamber of Com-merce Director Janie Parish.

Schneider thanked ev-eryone for attending and supporting Summer Breezes, and especially thanked the

Page■ HANDS Happenings ..................................................... 4 & 5■ SENIOR CENTER CALENDARS ............................... 6,7 & 8■ CELEBRATING LIFE: Bollinger Funeral Goods/Services ....9■ YOUR HEALTH ..................................................................10■ INVESTMENT IDEAS ........................................................ 11■ LEGISLATIVE ARTICLES ..................................................12■ COMMISSIONER’S CORNER ...........................................19■ VETERANS & THEIR BENEFITS ......................................21■ FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS ...................................26■ LEGAL ISSUES......................................................... 27 & 28■ TRUE ROMANCE ..............................................................30

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(Cover Story article – Continued on next page)

staff at Plum Creek for as-suming full responsibility for the preparation and pre-sentation of the event. She also invited everyone to take a minute to check out the newly-designed HANDS website.

Summer Breezes at Plum Creek was generously spon-sored by Avenue at Medina, Brunswick Hills Police De-partment, Brunswick Smile Keepers/Dr. Matt Gaebelein DDS, Buehler’s Fresh Foods-Brunswick, Carlson Funeral Homes and Cremation Ser-vices, Clear Path Home Care and Hospice, Faith in Action, Friends of Mayor Dennis Hanwell, Griswold Home Care, Home Instead Senior Care, Joyce M. Giles, JUDY CURREN, Medina Mead-ows, MedinaCountyLife.com, Mike Kovack/Medina County Auditor, Pearlview Rehab and Wellness Center, PLUM CREEK Senior As-sisted Living Community, Pro Touch Lawn Care, Se-ville Meadows, Sprenger Hospice, Stifel/The Hanna-

It’s more than just a myth that men aren’t al-ways the best at taking care of their health, especially when it means going to the doctor for an annual physi-cal. The reality is that for many men, the need for a yearly checkup just doesn’t

Early Warning Signs of Prostate Cancer You Should Know AboutArticle By: Griswold Home Care

resonate. Unlike women who typically begin seeing a physi-cian regularly after puberty, men have no such marker to encourage them to see their family physician on a routine basis. According to the experts at WebMD, 30% of all men said they “pushed it to the limit” and delayed going to the doctor for as long as possible.

Unfortunately, this practice means chronic health condi-tions like diabetes or high blood pressure can go unde-tected. Screenings for life-threatening diseases like pros-tate cancer are also neglected. It can prevent physicians from intervening early and keeping smaller health problems from becoming bigger ones.What Men Should Know: Recognizing the Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

Knowing the signs of pros-tate cancer can literally save a man’s life. Caught before it ad-vances too far, prostate cancer can be treatable. Here are the warning signs the Mayo Clinic says may indicate a problem:

• Trouble urinating and/or decreased force in the stream of urine

• Blood in the semen• Pain or discomfort in

the pelvic area• Bone pain• Erectile dysfunctionUnfortunately, the signs

of prostate cancer don’t often appear until the disease has progressed. This is why it is important to know more about

prostate screenings and what the experts recommend.Screening for Prostate Cancer

There are two primary screening tests for prostate cancer: the digital rectal exam (DRE) and the prostate spe-cifi c antigen (PSA) blood test. There is much disagreement among the leading cancer and men’s health organizations as to which one — if any — should be used. Because pros-tate cancer is a slow-growing form of cancer and the PSA test may lead to false positives, some experts believe men may be subjected to unneces-sary treatments and surgeries. Others believe that despite the drawbacks to the tests, men should still be screened for prostate cancer.

The CDC recommends that, in an effort to make an informed decision, men talk with their family physician to be sure they:

• Understand the na-ture and risk of prostate cancer

• Understand the risks of, benefi ts of, and alternatives to screening

• Participate in the de-cision to be screened or not at a level he desires

• Make a decision con-sistent with his preferences and valuesLearn More About Prostate Cancer

To learn more, we encour-age you to visit the Prostate Cancer Foundation which is www.pcf.org. Their site is rich with the latest research and fi ndings including guides to help men learn about nutrition during cancer treatment, on-going clinical trials, warning signs of prostate cancer and much more.

(Cover Story – Continued)

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• Services to meet your family’s needs & fi nances

• We operate the only crematory in Medina County – your loved one never leaves our care

• Services catering to all faiths & worldviews

• Highly qualifi ed & compassionate staff members

• 2 modern locations with multiple chapels & community rooms to host meals

• Pre-need arrangements to help ease fi nancial & emotional burdens

• 5 generations of earned trust & quality service

w w w. w a i t e f u n e r a l h o m e . c o m

Medina765 N. Court St.330-723-3229

Brunswick3300 Center Rd.330-225-1770

The Law Offi ce of Gwen Perry

750 E. Washington Street • Suite D-3 • Medina, OH 44256330-591-0076 • www.gwenperrylaw.com

Elder Law & Estate Planning Attorney

The Law Offi ce of Gwen Perry provides top quality, client-focused Medicaid planning, wills and trusts, probate and guardianships in a comfortable, caring environment.

Attorney Perry is celebrating four years in the Medina location! Call the offi ce to schedule your consultation.

Poling Financial Group, Western Reserve Masonic Community, Willowood Care Center, and HANDS Foundation. Request a Se-nior Wish application. Call 330-225-4242, or e-mail handsfoundation@aol.com.

Photo Credits: Front cover far left, Lou and Kathy DeLoss with their daughter Mandy, serving wine; 3rd column, Cleverly decorated fresh foods; note the cantaloupe turtle; upper right, Medina City Mayor Dennis Hanwell, Director of Hospital Security Jim Bigam, Chris Hanwell, Ruth Ann Bigam, and Sheriff Tom Miller; and lower right, Kel ly Rose Stal lard and Roberta Gifford greet arriving guests. This page, top, On the patio: HANDS Board member Joe Hanna, Wadsworth Senior Center Director Nancy Likens, Medina Senior Center Director Laura Toth, and HANDS Board member Rick Davidson; middle photo, Dr. Mike Carlson greeting an old friend, resident Dick Dolby; and bottom photo, Sheriff ’s wife Lori Miller with Pat and Bob Drum.

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(Cover Story Article – Continued from previous page)

Recognizing the Early Symptoms of Glaucoma

One of the most diffi cult and worrisome issues for an older adult can be losing one’s eye sight. With the loss of sight, es-pecially at an older age, comes less independence, as well as a sense of isolation. That’s why it is important to understand the early warning signs of glaucoma. By doing so, you can expect better outcomes and keep vision loss to a minimum.

There are several types of glaucoma, but all of them be-long to a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. Once this damage occurs, it is irreversible. The best option is to recognize the symptoms of glaucoma as soon as possible to prevent further damage. This can be diffi cult as the signs are not always clear until it is too late.

Types of GlaucomaThere are two main types of glaucoma. The fi rst is called

(Continued on next page)

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4 H A N D SCheck out the NEW HANDS website: www.HANDS-Foundation.org

SAVE THESE DATES

primary open-angle glauco-ma. This type of glaucoma is caused due to blocked drain-age channels that don’t allow fl uid to drain out of your eyes quickly enough. This leads to fl uid back up in the eye which leads to a pressure increase in the eye.

The second most common type of glaucoma is called angle-closure glaucoma. This is caused by the iris bulg-ing forward which, in turn, causes the drainage angle to become blocked or narrowed. This typically happens quite suddenly.

Symptoms of GlaucomaEarly glaucoma signs can

be diffi cult to detect as a re-duction in vision is not always noticeable at fi rst. Instead, it is important to watch for other signs and to encourage

your loved one to visit their optometrist to schedule an eye exam as soon as possible. If your loved one experiences symptoms such as diffi culty adjusting their eyes when walking into a dark room, a change in the color of the iris area of their eyes, double vision, or watery eyes not as-sociated with allergy season, these can be early signs that they are developing glauco-ma.

Additional symptoms can include the following:

• Itching or burning eyes• Dry eyes• Swollen eye lids or

crustiness around the eyes• Severe light sensitivity• Pain in the eye area• A dark spot in the mid-

dle of the viewing area• Seeing ghost-like im-

ages

(Glaucoma Article – Continued from previous page)

(Continued on next page)

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5H A P P E N I N G S

President: Dolores Suing

Vice President: Kelly Rose-Stallard

Secretary: Alanna Arnold

Treasurer: Ted Halkovich

Trustees: Lori Betz Rick Davidson Kathy DeLoss Pat Drum Ed Elkins Joe Hanna Dan Ihrig Deb Lougheed Christina Waller Pete Rademacher, Honorary Trustee

Founder: In Memory of Don Simpson

Executive Director: Cindie Schneider

Executive Assistant: Roberta Gifford email: robertahands@aol.com

Mailing: P.O. Box 868, Brunswick, OH 44212Physical: 3511 Center Rd., Brunswick, OH 44212E-mail: handsfoundation@aol.comWeb: www.HANDS-Foundation.org Offi ce: 330.225.4242 • Cell: 216.780.4135 Fax: 330.225.4249

Advertising & Content: Susan Bloch, ID Creative Group, Ltd. Phone: 330.723.4324 • 330.483.0075Email: susan@idcreativeltd.com

Ad/Content Deadline for next issue: 10/30/15

HANDS Board Members / Staff

HANDS FoundationP.O. Box 868 • Brunswick, OH 44212

Offi ce: 330-225-4242 • Cell: 216-780-4135

Contributors To This Issue:Alanna Arnold, Mark Bollinger, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Kimberly Corrigan, Heather Denney, Marie Mirro Edmonds, Dr. Matthew Gaebelein, Patricia Geissman, Joseph Hanna, Judi Haven, Robert Heiser, Donna Holmes, Angela Huston, Mike Kovack, Michael Laribee, Nancy Likens, Stephanie Manning, Cindy McQuown, Brian Nowak, Mary Olson, Congressman Jim Renacci, Thomas Sigel, Laura Toth, and Edward Zackery.

P.O. Box #868 • Brunswick, OH 44212 • 330.225.4242 • Fax 330.225.4249

Circulation: 16,000+ direct mail / additional miscellaneous distribution throughout community)

HELPING HANDS is a non-profi t newspaper published six times a year in October, December, February, April, June and August. The HANDS Foundation reserves the right to edit information published in the HELPING HANDS Newspaper. The articles published in the HELPING HANDS newspaper do not necessarily refl ect the opinions or beliefs of the HANDS Foundation.

Counting Our Blessings...The HANDS Foundation welcomes donations, including memorial contributions. Thank you to these individuals, organizations and businesses for their kind support. These generous donations make it possible to provide quality programs and services to our seniors.

“Team Huston” – Russ & Angie Huston

Anonymous

Brunswick Eagles #3505Brunswick Eagles #3505

Ladies AuxiliaryJeff & Susan Bloch –

ID Creative Group, Ltd.Karl Kastl

Kurt CostantinoLou & Kathy DeLoss

R. A. Tielke Tax & Accounting

In Memory of Rosemary MiktukJoe & Lena Knight

Michael & Gull Schneider-Dust Control Company

Summer Breezes at Plum Creek –Sponsors & Door

Prize DonorsA Taste of Summer at

Skyview LodgeAnonymous

Avenue at MedinaBerndt & Cindie Schneider

Bob & Pat DrumBrunswick Hills Police

DepartmentBrunswick Smile Keepers, Dr. Matt Gaebelein, DDS

Buehler’s Fresh Foods-Brunswick

Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services

ClearPath Home Care & Hospice

Dean Holman, Medina County Prosecutor

Faith In Action Medina County Caregivers

Friends of Mayor Dennis Hanwell

Griswold Home CareGTB Medical Service, Inc.

HANDS FoundationHome Instead Senior Care

Jack & Alanna ArnoldJoyce M. Giles

Judy Curren

Medina Meadowsmedinacountylife.com

Michael Kovack, Medina County AuditorNancy Likens

Pearlview Rehab & Wellness Center

Plum Creek Senior Assisted Living

CommunityPro Touch Lawn CareRuss & Angie Huston

Sarah VanadiaSeville Meadows

Sprenger Hospice CareStano Law Firm

Steve & Cheryl Hambley

Stifel The Hanna-Poling Financial

GroupTaylor Miklos

Western Reserve Masonic Community

Willowood Care Center

Also, certain signs of glau-coma may indicate that you need to take your loved one to the emergency room imme-diately. These include sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one eye, rainbows around light sources, and black spots or fl ashes of light.

According to the Glauco-

ma Research Foundation, it is important to keep in mind that the symptoms for the two main types of glaucoma are completely different. In the angle-closure glaucoma form, it is normal to experi-ence severe head and eye pain accompanied with vomit-ing or nausea as well as sud-den vision loss. In the case of open-angle glaucoma, there are few early warning signs, so it is important for you, as the

family caregiver, to watch for the symptoms listed above.

When it comes to having and coping with glaucoma, early detection is what is most important. As your loved one ages, be sure that they have regular vision checkups with their optometrist. This is the best line of defense in detect-ing and treating glaucoma before it is too late and vision loss has occurred.

(Glaucoma Article – Continued from previous page)

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All Senior Center events are listed on the calendar day in which they occur. Any questions about specifi c events or other details can be directed to the Senior Center. Contact information is listed to the left. See menu for dates and times of Friday programs.

MEDINA COUNTY OFFICE FOR OLDER ADULTS & SENIOR CENTER

246 Northland Drive • Medina, Ohio 44256(330) 723-9514 • (330) 336-6657 • (330) 225-7100E-mail: LlToth@medinaco.org • www.mcooa.org

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8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling11:30 Lunch1 Jam Session: Leo’s Jammers1:00 Watercolor Class

8:00 Billiards10:00 Painting10:00 Bingo w/Elmcroft11:30 Lunch $2/12 Pinochle12:15 Movie: “Love & Mercy”1:00 Readers Theater Group3:00 Yoga Class

8:00 Billiards10:00 Painting10:00 Medina Meadows Bingo11:30 Lunch $2 by Ave. at Med1:00 Readers Theater Group3:00 Yoga Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Altenheim Bingo9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis10:30 Wheel of Fortune11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 Health Talk/Crossroads12:00 Pinochle1:30 Tai Chi

LAURA TOTH

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis11:30 Lunch1:00 Leo’s Jammers Concert1:00 Watercolor Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis11:30 Lunch1:00 Leo’s Jammers Concert1:00 Watercolor Class1:00 Writing Your Story Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Bingo w/Copley Health9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis10:30 Wheel of Fortune11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 Prevention Bingo12:00 Pinochle 1:30 Tai Chi Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Copley Health Bingo9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis10:30 Wheel of Fortune11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 90 & Over Party12:00 Pinochle / 1:30 Tai Chi

8:00 Billiards9:30 Bingo9:30 & 10:30 Exer. Arthritis10:30 Wheel of Fortune11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 Speaker12:00 Pinochle1:30 Tai Chi

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis10 Wii Bowling/11:30 Lunch 1 Jam Session: Leo’s Jammers1:00 Watercolor Class1:00 Writing Your Story Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study Group9:30 & 10:30 Exer for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch/12 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo w/Life Care10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

Center Closedfor Veterans Day

8:00 Billiards9:30 Willowood Bingo9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis10:30 Wheel of Fortune11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 Solutions Speaker12:00 Pinochle / 1:30 Tai Chi

If you are in need of legal help, call our offi ce to make an appointment. Atty G. Perry is here Tuesday, October 20th from 1-3pm. Elder law questions only.

A rep from Community Legal Aid will be here Friday, Oct. 23 from 10-11:30. Call to make your 30 min. appointment. See if you qualify for free legal services.

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch12:00 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards10:00 Painting 10:00 Bingo Sanctuary Medina11:30 $2 Lunch by Sanctuary Medina11:30 Feel Good Bingo12 Pinochle/1 Rdrs Theat Grp3:00 Yoga Class

8:00 Billiards10:00 Painting 10:00 Bingo by Life Care11:00 Free Lunch by Life Care11:15 Speaker - Med. Hospital12 Pinochle/1 Rdrs Theat Grp3:00 Yoga Class

8:00 Billiards10:00 Painting 10:00 Bingo by Med. Meadows11:30 Lunch $2 by Ave at Med12:00 Pinochle1:00 Readers Theater Group3:00 Yoga Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exer for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling11:30 Lunch/1 Writng Your Story 1 Parkinsons SG / 1 Watercolor

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

8 Billiards / 10 Painting 10:00 Bingo by Elmcroft11:30 Lunch $2 Velocity Adv. 12:00 Pinochle12:15 Movie: “Elsa & Fred”1:00 Readers Theater Group3:00 Yoga Class

Special Event 9:30-12:30Harvesting Good HealthA Mini Fair: Speakers, Flu

Clinic, Cooking DemoFREE Lunch & Door Prizes

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arth10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch12:00 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling11:30 Lunch1:00 Watercolor Class1:00 Writing Your Story Class

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo w/Sanctuary Wadsworth10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo w/Life Care10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch/12 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards10:00 Painting10:00 Bingo w/Sanctuary Med.11:00 Lunch $2 by Sanct.Med.12 Pinochle/1 Readers TheaterGroup / 3:00 Yoga Class

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exercises for Arthritis10 Wii Bowling/11:30 Lunch1:00 Watercolor Class1:00 Parkinsons Spt. Grp.

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study Group9:30 & 10:30 Exercise for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch/12 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study Group9:30 & 10:30 Exercise for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch/12 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study Group9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League11:30 Lunch12:00 Hand & Foot

The Offi ce for Older Adults is Closed for

Columbus Day

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 Bible Study Group9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling League10:30-11:30 Blood Pressure11:30 Lunch/12 Hand & Foot

8:00 Billiards9:30 Bingo 10:30 Wheel of Fortune9:30 & 10:30 Exer. for Arthritis11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 Medina Dist. Library12 Pinochle / 1:30 Tai Chi

Join us on Friday, Nov. 20th for our Thanksgiving meal. Turkey and all the fi xin’s and homemade pumpkin roll. Call to make your reserva-tion. On Friday, Nov. 18, a nurse from ComfortKeepers will be here from 10-11am taking blood pressures. If you’re in need of legal help, call our offi ce to make an appointment. Atty. G. Perry is here Tues., Nov 17 1-3pm. Elder law questions only. A rep from Community Legal Aid will be here on Fri, Nov. 20th from 10-11:30am. Call to make your 30 minute appt and see if you qualify for free legal services.

8:00 Billiards9:30 Nifty Needleworkers9:30 & 10:30 Exer for Arthritis10:00 Wii Bowling11:30 Lunch1:00 Watercolor Class1:00 Writing Your Story Class

Center Closed for Fall Festival at

the Commmunity Centerat the Fairgrounds

8:00 Billiards9:30 Bingo by Willowood9:30 & 10:30 Exer. Arthritis10:30 Wheel of Fortune11:30 Lunch $3.5011:45 Halloween Party12:00 Pinochle/1:30 Tai Chi

8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing 8:00 Billiards10:00 Bingo10:00 Painting Class10:30 Exercise11:30 Lunch2:00 Line Dancing

Center Closedfor Thanksgiving

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NANCY LIKENS617 School Drive (Door #28) • Wadsworth, OH 44281

(330) 335-1513 • (330) 335-2804 FaxEmail: nlikens@wadsworthcity.org

All Senior Center events are listed on the calendar day in which they occur. Any questions about specifi c events or other details can be directed to the Senior Center. Contact information is listed to the right.

SOPREMA SENIOR CENTER & CAFE

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9:30 Photography Outing10:00 Book Chat12-2:00 Walking Track2:00 Diabetes Support2:45-3:30 Computer Clinic3:00 Sign Language

9-11:00 Walking Track9:30 Cards & Games11:00 Blood Pressure Check1:30 Grief Education Workshop

10:00 Bingo12-2:00 Walking Track

9:30 Legal Aid10:00 Bingo11:30 Blood Pressure Check12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Senior Theater Practice

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9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg10-11:00 Sewing Seniors11:00 Bridge12:30 Food Distribution

10:00 Bingo12-2:00 Walking Track3:00 Sign Language11:30-1:30 Cafe Customer Appreciation “Happy Thanksgiving!”

8:30 Breakfast Out9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Watercolor Class12:15 Parkinson’s Caregiver Support1:30 Coupon Clippers

10:00 Arthritis Exercise12-2:00 Walking Track12:30 Pinochle1:00 Veterans Benefi ts Seminar3:00 Yoga

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg11:00 Bridge1:00 County Assistance

9-11:00 Walking Track9:30 Cards & Games11:00 Blood Pressure Check1:30 Grief Education Workshop

10:00 Arthritis Exercise12-2:00 Walking Track12:30 Euchre3:00 Yoga

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg11:00 Bridge1:00 County Assistance

9-11:00 Walking Track9:30 Cards & Games10:30 Blood Pressure Check1:00 Ask an Attorney

10:00 Arthritis Exercise12-2:00 Walking Track12:30 Euchre1:30 Coupon Clippers3:00 Yoga

12-2:00 Walking Track10:00 Knitting Group1:00 Make & Take Craft3:00 Sign Language

10:00 Arthritis Exercise12-2:00 Walking Track12:30 Euchre3:00 Yoga

Please call to RSVP for programs and

classes

9-11:00 Walking Track9:30 Cards & Games10:30 Blood Pressure Check1:00 Ask An Attorney

Center & CafeClosed

Veterans Day

10:00 Arthritis Exercise12-2:00 Walking Track11:30-12:30 Garden Friends12:30 Euchre3:00 Yoga

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg Play10-12:00 Sewing Seniors11:00 Bridge1:00 Alzheimer’s Support

10:00 Arthritis Exercise12-2:00 Walking Track12:30 Pinochle3:00 Yoga

We are open for business 7:30am to 3:30pmCenter Hours: 8:30-4:30 Mon-FriCafe Hours: 7:30-3:30 Mon-Fri

Please call the Center to RSVP 330-335-1513

10:00 Photography Class12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Movie Matinee at Library

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Watercolor Class12:15 Gen’l Caregiver Sprt.1:30 Coupon Clippers

10:00 to 1:00 - Senior/Caregiver Expo12-2:00 Walking Track3:00 Sign Language

8:30 Breakfast Out9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Watercolor Class12:15 Parkinson’s Caregiver Support1:30 Coupon Clippers

We are open for business 7:30am to 3:30pmCenter Hours: 8:30-4:30 Mon-FriCafe Hours: 7:30-3:30 Mon-Fri

Please call the Center to RSVP 330-335-1513

10:00 Bingo12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Senior Theater3:00 Sign Langue

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg11:00 Bridge2:00 Cooking w/Liberty

10:00 Arthritis Exercise11:30-12:30 Garden Friends12-2:00 Walking Track12:30 Euchre3:00 Yoga

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg10-12:00 Sewing Seniors11:00 Bridge1:00 Alzheimer’s Support2:30 Veteran’s Pinning

12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Cardmaking1:00 Prevention Bingo

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg10-11:00 Sewing Seniors11:00 Bridge12:30 Food Distribution

10:00 Photography Outing10:00 Book Chat12-2:00 Walking Track2:00 Diabetes Support2:45-3:30 Computer Clinic3:00 Sign Language

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Watercolor Class12:15 General Caregiver Support1:30 Coupon Clippers

10:00 Bingo12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Senior Theater Practice3:00 Sign LanguageLeaf Raking Day

10:00 Knitting Group12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Make & Take Craft2:45 Library Services Class3:00 Sign Language

9-11:00 Walking Track10:00 Mah Jongg11:00 Bridge

10:00 Bingo12-2:00 Walking Track

10:00 Bingo12-2:00 Walking Track3:00 Sign LangueCafe Customer Appreciation

“Howling Halloween!” 11:30 - 1:30

10:00 Photography Class12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Feel Good Bingo3:00 Sign Language

12-2:00 Walking Track1:00 Movie at Library1:00 Cardmaking2:45 Smart Phone Apps3:00 Sign Language

12-2:00 Walking Track3:00 Sign Language

Center & CafeClosed

Happy Thanksgiving

Center & CafeClosed

Happy Thanksgiving

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BRUNSWICK COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTERFor more details and the most up-to-date information on

the activity schedules, please pick up a copy of The Tattler at the Brunswick Rec Center or call Pearlview at 330-225-9121 to have a copy mailed to you. You can fi nd also fi nd all information on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PearlviewRehabWellnessCenter?ref=hl

3637 Center Rd • Brunswick, OH 44212 (Rec Center)(330) 273-8000 • (330) 273-8389 – Fax (Rec Center)

Email: kcorrigan@PearlviewCareCenter.com • Kim 330-225-9121

KIMBERLY CORRIGAN

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9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:30 Hiker’s Club-Hunt Farm10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition / 12:30 Cards

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards / 8:00 Splash9:30 Line Dancing10:00 Writing Story of Your Life Advance registration required11:00 Weights & Strength Trng1:00 AARP Social Group - Auction

8:00 Silver Sneakers Classic8 Blood Pressure/Diabetes SWGH9:00 Prime Time Exercise10:00 Richard Simmons10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition12-2:30 Knitting Club12:15 Mah Jongg

The Senior Program for the City of Brunswick is operated on a volunteer basis by Pearlview. Questions? Call 330-7225-9121. SAVE THE DATE: Brunswick Senior Expo January 18, 2016 10am to 1pm at the Brunswick Rec Center.

8:00 Cards8:00 Splash10:00 Strength Training10:00 Book Club11 Weights & Strength Trng2:00 Free Taste of Pie Party at Pearlview! All invited!

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Splash / 8:00 Cards8:30 Silver Sneakers Yoga9:30 Line Dancing10:00 Writing Story of Your Life11:00 Weights & Strength Trng.1:00 Bingo by Altenheim

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic9:00 Prime Time Exercise10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn Willowood11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:00 Cookies & Cream-Utd Hlth12:15 Mah Jongg1:00 Price is Right by Plum Creek8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic9:00 Prime Time Exercise10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch by Pearlview & Phys. Therapist Ray Shijo11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:15 Mah Jongg12:30 Bakers Club

8:00 Splash8:00 Cards11:00 Weights & Strength Training1:00 Free Bingo by Willowood

8:00 Splash8:00 Cards10:00 Book Club11:00 Weights & Strength Training1:00 Free Bingo by Willowood

8:00 Splash8:00 Cards11:00 Weights & Strength Trng1:00 Free Bingo by Willowood2:00 FREE Everyone’s invited Oktoberfest @ Pearlview

8:00 Splash8:00 Cards10:00 Book Club11 Weights & Strength Trng.1:00 Free Bingo by Willowood

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio8 Blood Pressure/Diabetes SWGH9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:00 Fine Arts Painting Club10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition / 11 Fishing Club12:00 Richard Simmons 12:15 Mah Jongg 4:30 Couples Out @ Macaroni Grill8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition12:00 Richard Simmons12-2:30 Knitting Club12:15 Mah Jongg

9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:30 Hiker’s Club - Medina Lake10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition11:00 Romeos Club12:30 Cards9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:30 Hiker’s Club - Hinckley Lake10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition12:30 Cards

9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:30 Hiker’s Club - Ludwig Mugrage Park10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition

8:00 Silver Sneakers Classic8 Blood Pressure/Diabetes SWGH9:00 Prime Time Exercise9:00 Fine Arts Painting Club10:00 Richard Simmons10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition12:15 Mah Jongg4:30 Couples Dinner Ruby Tuesday

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:00 Prime Time Exercise9:00 Fine Arts Painting Club10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11 Nutrition/12 Richard Simmons12:15 Mah Jongg

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic9:00 Prime Time Exercise9:00 Fine Arts Painting Club10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition 12 R Simmons / 12:15 Mah Jongg5:00 Single Ladies Ruby Tuesday

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards / 8:00 Splash8:30 Silver Sneakers Yoga9:30 Line Dancing10:00 Writing Story of Your Life11:00 Weights & Strength Trng.1:00 Bingo by Altenheim

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards9:30 Line Dancing10 Writing Story of Your Life11:00 Weights & Strength Trng1:00 AARP Social Group - State of the City

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards / 9:30 Line Dancing10 Writing Story of Your Life11 Weights & Strength Trng.12:00 Potluck - Bring a dish & join us for Bingo & Turkey & Gravy by Pearlview 12-2:00 Ask an Attorney

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10 & 11:00 Richard Simmons10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition12:30 Cards

The Senior Program for the City of Brunswick is operated on a volunteer basis by Pearlview. Questions? Call 330-7225-9121. Note - Friday Hiker’s Club - bring a lunch.

12-2:00 Healing Hearts - Bruns-wick Library - All widows & widow-ers welcome

Brunswick Senior Center Closed for

Thanksgiving!

8:00 Cards8:00 Splash10:00 Book Club10:00 Strength Training11 Weights & Strength Trg.1:00 Free Bingo / Willowood

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:00 Prime Time Exerercise10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn VITAS Hosp. Ty Pannel on PTSD11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:15 Mah Jongg

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic9:00 Prime Time Exerercise10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn Marlene Kurz When my world turned upside down11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:15 Mah Jongg

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic9:00 Fine Arts Painting Club10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Nutrition12:00 Richard Simmons12:00 Mah Jongg5:00 Single Ladies Club Night Out @ Longhorn Steakhouse

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio8 Blood Pressure/Diabetes SWGH9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11 Nutrition / 12 Richard Simmons 12-2:30 Knitting Club12:15 Mah Jongg

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards / 8:00 Splash9:30 Line Dancing10:00 Writing Story of Your Life Advance registration required11:00 Weights & Strength Trng12 Potlock - Oktoberfest @ Pearl-view / 12-2 Ask an Attorney

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards8:00 Splash9:30 Line Dancing10:00 Writing Story of Your Life Advance registration required11:00 Weights & Strength Trng

Hickory Ridge $5 Movie Day8:00 Cards / 8:00 Splash9:30 Line Dancing10:00 Writing Story of Your Life Advance registration required11:00 Weights & Strength Trng12-2 Ask an Attorney1:00 Feel Bingo Party @ Pearlview

9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic9:30 Hiker’s Club - Towpath10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition12:30 Cards

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn Willowood11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:15 Mah Jongg1:00 Price is Right by Plum Creek

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch by Pearlview - Southwest General Hospital11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:00 Cookies & Cream-Utd. Hlth.12:15 Mah Jongg12:30 Bakers Club8 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn - Pearlview11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:15 Mah Jongg

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn - Elmcroft11:15 Intermed. Line Dance12:15 Mah Jongg

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Lunch & Learn - Kim @ Southern Hills Nursing & Rehab11:15 LinDance/12:15 Mah Jongg

8:00 Cards8:00 Splash10:00 Strength Training11 Weights & Strength Trg.1:00 Free Bingo / Willowood

8:00 Cards9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Book Club11 Weights & Strength Trg.1:00 Free Bingo / Willowood

8 Silv Snkrs Cardio/9 SS Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition11:00 ROMEOS Club12:30 Cards

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition12:30 Cards

8:00 Silver Sneakers Cardio9:00 Silver Sneakers Classic10:00 Silver Sneakers Yoga10:00 Dominoes10:30 Arthritis Aquatics11:00 Richard Simmons11:00 Nutrition12:30 Cards

12-2:00 Healing Hearts - Bruns-wick Library - All widows & widow-ers welcome

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9Celebrating Life

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Featured Funeral Home3325 Center Road • Brunswick • 330.273.6001 • www.bollingerfuneral.com

Not too many people like to talk about funerals, especially their own, but it is the one inevitable event in all of our lives. In days past, it was pretty straight forward – 1 or 2 days of visitation followed by the funeral service the next day and the procession to the cemetery. Well, those days are mostly gone. Today, people are opting for shorter times and more creative remembrances. We as funeral directors are here to assist you in any way to make the funeral experience as meaningful as possible. But what exactly does that mean?

Fo r s o m e p e o p l e , a meaningful funeral is still the traditional way, with some visitation, a funeral service, and burial in a cemetery. To others, they may choose a visitation

and service, but then follow that with cremation. Others still may choose cremation followed by a memorial service or celebration of life. Some p e o p l e m a y choose a private ceremony, just for the family, whi le others p r e f e r t h e more pub l i c remembrance. A n d s o m e people choose not to have a funeral service at all.

Our fully licensed store-front funeral home is equipped to assist people no matter what option they choose. We work with people to provide them the type of service they want, at the most reasonable

cost. We believe in being practical, and not selling you anything that you don’t need. We work with families to get them any benefi ts that they

may have coming, and furnish them with all the available options. For instance, we have a beautiful national cemetery in Rittman where veterans, their spouses, and dependent children are eligible to be buried – either in a casket or in the case of cremation, in an urn. The best part of this is that there is no charge for the burial plot; opening and closing of the grave or niche; a government liner (outer burial container); headstone or marker with inscriptions; flag (for the veteran); and perpetual care of the gravesite. These are provided for the veteran and the spouse and dependent children, all at no cost. There are other benefi ts that we assist people in getting as well.

You may have seen some of our ads where we compare our prices with other funeral home prices. We can charge considerably less for our services because we are a store-front facility. We don’t have large overhead and we pass the savings onto you. We can still provide you with the services you require, but

maybe in a slightly different way. We often have visitations and funerals in a church. In addition to an individual’s church, we have a couple of locations in Brunswick where we can hold visitations and services. For those people who choose not to have any services whatsoever, or a memorial service or celebration of life in a location other than a funeral home, we can save them the most amount of money, making their services meaningful and affordable.

Just like a traditional

funeral home, we can offer pre-need funeral plans. People who pre-arrange their funerals make the process much easier on their loved ones that they leave behind. Pre-paying for funeral services locks in funeral prices at today’s rates. Just like other funeral homes, the funds for a pre-paid funeral go either into an insurance policy or a trust set up solely for pre-paid funerals. This protects the consumer should the funeral home go out of business or if the individual moves away and the funeral services are held elsewhere. The funds can be transferred from one funeral home to another as well.

Basically, in a time when everything costs so much, we are offering lower cost funeral options to save you money and still provide a meaningful remembrance as defined by you. We encourage you to check us out and compare Bollinger Funeral Goods & Services with others. We are confident you will find not only lower price options, but the same caring, individual attention that you get at any more traditional funeral home.

Meaningful Remembrances ...Affordable Rates

Direct Cremation – $1,078

Complete Burial Packages, including casket and vault, starting at $4,500

Grave Markers as low as $695

By Mark Bollinger, Bollinger Funeral Goods & Services

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Flu FactsBy the Medina County Health Department

YOUR HEALTH

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Health Services

Don’t Let The Flu Tie You Down This Season.

The fl u can be seri-ous, sometimes leading to hospitalization or even death. Every fl u season is different and affects ev-eryone differently. Even healthy people can get very sick from the fl u and spread it to others. Dur-ing a regular fl u season,

about 90 percent of fl u re-lated deaths occur in people 65 years and older. “Flu Sea-son” in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. During this time, fl u viruses are being passed from one person to the next. An annual seasonal fl u vaccine (either the fl u shot or the nasal-spray) is the best way to reduce the chances that you will get seasonal fl u

and lessen the chance that you will spread it to others. When more people are vac-cinated against the fl u, less fl u can spread through our com-munity.How Do Flu Vaccines Work?

The seasonal fl u vaccine protects against infl uenza vi-ruses that researchers and sci-entists feel will be most com-mon during the upcoming season. The vaccine causes antibodies to develop in your body about two weeks after receiving it. These antibodies protect you against the virus-es that are in the vaccine.Who Should Get The Flu Vaccine?

We recommend that ev-eryone six months of age or

older get vaccinated. It is es-pecially important for those with asthma, diabetes, and chronic lung disease to be vaccinated as they are already at high risk for developing serious complications from the fl u. Pregnant women, in-dividuals 65 years and older, and anyone who lives with or cares for others who are at high risk, including infants younger than 6 months, are also strongly urged to protect themselves and others from the fl u by receiving an annual vaccine. Who Should NOT Get Vaccinated?

While most are encour-aged to get vaccinated, some should seek the advice of a medical professional fi rst.

Those include:• Individuals who have an

allergy to eggs.• Those who have had se-

vere reactions to the vaccine in the past.

• Children younger than 6 months of age.

• Anyone who may have a moderate-to-severe illness. Wait until you are feeling better before you get the vac-cine.Will Medicare Pay For The Flu Vaccine?

Yes. If you are 65+ years old or are disabled, Medicare will cover the cost of both the fl u and pneumonia vaccine.Where Can I Get My Seasonal Flu Vaccine?

Actually, there are many places administering the vac-cine: doctors’ offi ces, phar-macies, grocery stores, and

medical centers. Beginning October 5, 2015 (based on vaccine supply and avail-ability), the Medina County Health Department will also be making the vaccine avail-able through various walk-in and community clinics. For times, locations and further information, visit our full event calendar on our web site at www.medinahealth.org or call (330)723-9688 option 1.

The Medina County Health Department has pro-tected your health since 1918. Services are partially funded by your local property tax health levy. We are an equal opportunity provider.

Resource: Centers for Disease Control and Preven-tion: Key Facts About Sea-sonal Flu Vaccine

C o m m u n i t y A c t i o n Wayne/Medina is gearing up for the cold weather. The Winter Crisis program begins November 2 as an appoint-ment ONLY day. Clients may call to schedule appointments starting October 20.

For any of the programs, we offer appointments Mon-day, Thursday, and Friday. We take walk-ins on Tuesday and Wednesday. Walk-ins are tak-en in the order in which they arrive. We suggest arriving by 8 a.m. or 12 p.m. in order to get a number to be screened.

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) – helps low income Ohioans with a onetime credit to their heat-ing bill.

Winter Crisis Program (WCP) – provides finan-cial assistance to low income households that are threatened with the disconnection of their heating source; have already had service disconnected; need to establish new service or pay to transfer service; or have 25% or less of the fuel capac-ity of their heating source. The program runs November 1 - March 31.

Percentage of Income Pay-ment Plan (PIPP) Plus – establishes a budget, based on income, for low income households that use a regu-lated utility company.

Complete documentation must be brought at the time of the intake in order to be deter-

mined eligible for assistance. Documentation needed is:

• Social security cards for everyone in the household;

• Photo ID for the ap-plicant;

• Proof of income for the last 90 days for EVERYONE in the household;

• Current gas bill;• Current electric bill;• Fuel oil or Propane pro-

vider information;• Copy of your lease/ rental

agreement;• Landlord contact infor-

mation.Applications are available

at Community Action Wayne/ Medina, 820 B Lafayette Rd, Medina. Call 330-723-2229 for more information.

Upcoming Winter Programs

by: Donna Holmes, Director ofHousing & Economic Assistance

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INVESTMENT IDEAS Trying to Time the Market? Think Again!Joseph Hanna, Vice President/Investments Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated

MedicalService, Inc.

Serving Medina & its surrounding areas 30+ years

366 Pearl Rd.Brunswick330-225-2551GTBMedical.netM-F 9-6 | Sat 9-4 Accreditation

2007

Stay in your home with a stair elevator& save $100 with ad

Benjamin Franklin once stated, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” As an investor, you should take this advice to heart when considering your fi nancial future, as being caught un-prepared for changes in the market could potentially dis-rupt the progress you’ve made toward your long-term goals, such as retirement. It is never too early to ask yourself, “Am I prepared for the future, or am I prepared to fail?”

Timing the MarketAt some point or an-

other, investors typically ask, “When is the best time to invest in the stock or bond markets?” Some fi nancial professionals and economists will argue that there are ways to “time” the market, believ-ing that analytical strategies can be used to determine the best time to buy or sell certain securities. However, many experts will also agree that determining the “best” time to get in or out of the mar-ket can be nearly impossible, and that for most investors, attempting to time the mar-ket is not a practical investing

strategy. Trying to determine exactly when one should ag-gressively invest or back out of the market takes a consid-erable amount of expertise, and monitoring market con-ditions can require a major time commitment. Even the savviest investors and advi-sors can’t be sure that their predictions will be correct, since there are no guarantees when it comes to how the fi -nancial markets will perform.

It’s human nature to let emotion infl uence investment decisions, especially during times of market instability. Uncertainty in the markets due to economic volatility and national or global po-litical concerns often clouds investors’ judgment, causing many to stop investing or pull out of the market entirely. However, individual crises don’t necessarily have long-term negative impacts on the market. While past history cannot predict future results, historically, the market does decline immediately after a crisis, but typically rebounds within a relatively brief pe-riod of time.

Many professionals dis-courage investors from trying to time the market and sug-gest utilizing dollar-cost av-eraging instead. Simply put, dollar-cost averaging is the act of investing equal or fi xed amounts of money at regular-ly scheduled intervals. With this investment strategy, an investor will buy more shares when the price of an invest-ment has declined and fewer shares when the price has risen. Over a period of time, the average cost of the invest-ment may be lower than if the investor had tried to time one large purchase to a specifi c price and date. While dollar-cost averaging does not assure a profi t or protect against a loss, it may reduce investment risk by preventing you from investing substantial amounts at the wrong time.

An added benefi t to dol-lar-cost averaging is that by investing on a regular basis,

investors can avoid making decisions based on emotions, such as acting on the natu-ral tendency to stop invest-ing during a weak market. In order for this strategy to be effective, investors must continue investing during periods of falling prices. If you currently contribute to a 401(k) plan, you’re already putting the dollar-cost av-eraging concept into action,

since regular contribu-tions are withheld from each paycheck.

Joseph A. Hanna is a Branch Manager, Vice Pres-ident of Investments with Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, member SIPC and New York Stock Ex-change, and can be contacted in the Medina offi ce at 330-721-2101.

COOKIES’N CREAM with HerbYou are invited for Ice Cream and Homemade Cookies with Herb Kosser at the Brunswick

Senior Center on:

October 5, 2015 from 1:00PM to 3:00PMNovember 9, 2015 from 1:00PM to 3:00PM

Herb Kosser, sales agent for UnitedHealthcare, will present the 2016 AARP UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage programs. Herb will also be available to answer your questions on Medicare and its options, including:

Traditional Medicare AARP Medicare SupplementsPart D Prescription Drug Coverage LIS (extra help) for Drug CoverageSNP Advantage Programs (Special Needs) Enrollment Periods

Please call to register if you are planning to attend so we will have enough cookies.

Herb Kosser, sales person for UnitedHealthcare, will be present with information and applications. For accommodations of persons with special needs at sales meetings, please call 555-555-1234 TTY 711. Herb Kosser can be reached at 330-835-9432 or via email at hkosser@roadrunner.com.�

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12 FROM YOUR SENATORFighting to Reduce Prescription Drug Costs

By: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH)

Congress Must Act to Protect the Health Insurance of Hard Working AmericansCongressman Jim Renacci (OH-16)

FROM YOUR CONGRESSMAN

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Starting in 2018, employ-ers will have some serious decisions to make about the benefi ts they provide for their employees. Rising health care costs have been a problem for decades, and it’s not a prob-lem that will be going away anytime soon. While these growing costs are a threat to the quality of health in-surance coverage offered to employees, there is another looming threat that will limit the options even more, an ex-cise tax colloquially known as the “Cadillac Tax”. This new tax is the largest, least well-known threat to insurance coverage for the majority of Americans. Congress has a responsibility to the Ameri-can people to protect their coverage, and we have to act before it’s too late.

The nickname “Cadillac Tax” doesn’t fi t with its ac-tual effect. The idea behind

the tax, which was part of the President’s health care law, is to force employers that offer gold plated “Cadillac plans” to reduce overly generous health care benefi ts to fi ght wasteful over-utilization of services. The way the tax is talked about, you could be forgiven for thinking it only applies to the richest of the rich; high paid executives with concierge doctors who make house calls for belly aches. That couldn’t be fur-ther from the truth. In fact, according to the Kaiser Fam-ily Foundation, when the tax takes effect in 2018, over one-quarter of employers that of-fer health insurance will face the tax. By the year 2028, the number affected is over 40%. Each year that the tax is in effect, more and more health insurance plans will be sub-ject to it, which means more and more employers will have

to reduce the benefi ts of their employees in order to avoid big federal tax bills.

The tax is poorly de-signed, and uses an arbitrary premium threshold to deter-mine whether or not a health insurance plan is a “Cadillac plan”: $10,200 total premium cost for single coverage, or $27,500 for family coverage. However, premium costs vary based on a number of factors that have nothing to do with how robust the benefi ts of a plan are. For example, the ex-act same package of benefi ts may cost $5,000 per employee for a company that employs mostly young, healthy people in their 20’s, but cost $13,000 per employee for a company

that employs mostly older, sicker employees in a more rural part of the country. Those older, sicker employees would most likely lose many of their benefi ts once the Ca-dillac tax is in effect. Because the thresholds aren’t indexed to medical infl ation, more and more plans will be subject to the tax every year.

Make no mistake, those hardest hit by the tax will not be the richest of the rich, they will be those unfortu-nate enough to have high health care costs, or that live in areas that have less access to care. This is not a partisan issue, Democrats and Re-publicans alike are concerned about the impact this tax will

have on their constituents unless Congress acts to pro-tect them. I intend to be a leader on this issue, and will do everything in my power to protect the health insurance of the millions of Americans that would be affected by this tax.

If you need any additional information, please visit my website at renacci.house.gov or call my Washington offi ce: (202) 225-3876, Wadsworth offi ce: (330) 334-0040, or Parma offi ce: (440) 882-6779. I also encourage you to subscribe to my Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages to get updates on my work in Washington and the 16th District.

Just like Medicare – which celebrated its 50th Anniversary in July – prescription drugs have helped Americans live longer and healthier lives.

But fo r too many Americans, the high cost of

prescription drugs forces them to choose between taking their full dosage and putting food on the table or keeping their lights on.

And drug costs are on the rise. A report released by the Medicare Trustees found an alarming 10.9 percent increase in the cost of drugs off ered through Medicare’s prescrip-tion drug plans last year – pri-

marily due to the high prices of new and specialty drugs.

That’s why I’m cospon-soring legislation that would increase access to more aff ord-able prescription medications for seniors. Th is wo uld drive down the costs for more than 24 million Americans, includ-ing the more than one million Ohioans enrolled in one of Medicare’s Part D prescription drug plans.

Th e Medicare Prescription Drug Savings and Choice Act would allow seniors to enroll in a Part D prescription drug plan administered directly by Medicare, instead of a private insurance company.

You should be able to get drug coverage directly through Medicare, not be forced to buy from a middle man. Unfor-tunately, in order to get drug

coverage through Medicare, you must join a plan run by an insurance company or another private company. Th ese plans vary in cost and coverage.

My legislation would pro-vide for a consistent Part D plan administered directly by the Medicare program, and would allow Medicare to negotiate the best prescription

medication prices for seniors.Current law expressly bans

Medicare from negotiating with pharmaceutical compa-nies for the best possible prices – even though the government can often negotiate bigger dis-counts than private insurance companies.

For example, the Depart-ment of Veterans Aff airs uses this type of negotiating au-thority and has cut name brand drug prices by as much as 50 percent. My legislation would save taxpayers money while providing seniors with a high-quality, aff ordable pre-scription drug plan.

It’s not enough to just cel-ebrate the 50th Anniversary of the creation of the Medi-care and Medicaid. We must defend Medicare for future generations and make sure it works for today’s seniors. �

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LIBRARY PROGRAMS By: Mary Olson

Medina County District Library

Thank Yous Received:Dear HANDS:I would like to thank everyone involved in this wonderful blessing.

– From a very happy lady______________________________________________

Dear HANDS Foundation:Thank you so much for the gift card from Wal-Mart. It was a great help to me. The HANDS Foundation is a wonderful program. It really helps the seniors of Medina..

– Senior Wish Recipient______________________________________________

Dear HANDS:Thank you for the gift. I just fi nished ordering the DNA kit. I appreciate this more than you will ever know. God Bless You all.

– Senior Wish Recipient______________________________________________

Dear HANDS:A big thank you to the HANDS Foundation for generously donating the First Aid kits for the bags at Senior Safety Day.

– SOPREMA Senior Center & Cafe______________________________________________

Dear HANDS:I sincerely want to thank the HANDS Foundation for your care to me and others who may be in need. Being on the top fl oor in an apartment building, the sun beams straight in the front window door and wall each afternoon. There were some 95 degree days inside my living and bedroom. I surely appreciate the new fan you helped me purchase helped with the hot days this year.

– Senior Wish Recipient

Autumn is an outstand-ing season for readers—an amazing variety of new books arrives at your Library every week. Here are some new titles that are sure to make your fall reading time enjoyable.

Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart (historical fi c-tion). Th e story of the young woman who became the fi rst female sheriff in the U.S. – the

courageous, spunky, outspoken and daring Constance Kopp.

Th e Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young (suspense). Southern Gothic, romance, and supernatural intrigue all combine in this dark novel of a woman whose visions lead to a 30-year-old missing person case and the Louisiana planta-tion at its heart.

Th e Spy House by Mat-thew Dunn (espionage thrill-er). Freelance intelligence op Will Cochran is drawn into a deadly game of Middle East-ern politics when four agents are killed in a locked-from-inside safe house.

Trigger Mortis by An-thony Horowitz. (spy thriller). Previously undiscovered mate-rial penned by Ian Fleming is the starting point for this new Bond novel, set in the 1950s and bringing back M and Miss Moneypenny. Fresh off his vic-tory against Goldfi nger, James Bond is back in Europe where Cold War tensions are brew-ing. A West German Grand Prix race is about to be sabo-taged by the Soviets, but Bond learns it’s only the beginning of their diabolical plan. Bond fans will be transported back to 007’s glory days.

Year of Fear: Machine Gun Kelly and the Manhunt That Changed the Nation by Joe Urschel (nonfi ction). Th e case that spurred the cre-ation of the FBI is told here in riveting fashion. In 1933, a wealthy oilman, Charles Urschel, was kidnapped and held for ransom. Kidnapping was gaining notoriety among

gangsters who were morph-ing from mere bank robbers into more seasoned criminals. When Urschel was found, he was able to give enough information on his captors to J. Edgar Hoover, whose force traveled 20,000 miles through 16 states to apprehend George “Machine Gun” Kelly and his wife. Crime and history buff s will not be able to put this one down.

A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn (mystery). A new mystery series from the author of the Lady Julia Grey series features another resourceful and strong-willed heroine, Veronica Speedwell. Orphaned as a child and raised

by two aunts,  Veronica has always been indepen-dent. Collecting rare but-terfl ies and selling them on the “black market” of the insect trade has af-forded her the means to see the world and engage in some whirlwind aff airs. Back home now for her last aunt’s funeral, Ve-ronica is nearly abducted, and help comes from a Baron who may know the secret to her parents’ deaths. Witty dialogue, romantic suspense, and a solid mystery combine to make this a charming start to a new series.

Brunswick, Ohio – Me-dina Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) and Miller-Valentine Group are proud to announce, in con-junction with their partner organizations, the Grand Opening of Southwick Manor Apartments, a brand new community built for the lifestyle, needs and wants of adults 55 and over. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at 11:00 am on Friday, Septem-ber 25, 2015 at 4326 South-wick Boulevard, Brunswick, Ohio 44212; property tours and a reception immediately followed the ceremony.

We were honored to have several distinguished speakers at this event, including:

Thomas Queen, Community Relations Coordinator, US Congressman James Renacci’s Offi ce; State Representative Steve Hambley of the Ohio House of Representatives; Ron Falconi, Mayor, City of Brunswick; Kelan Craig, Business Manager, Ohio Housing Finance Agency; Jack Kukura, Chief of Acquisitions, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing; and Julie Batey, Chairperson, Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

Medina Metropoli-tan Housing Authority (MMHA) and Miller-Val-entine Group, worked with the Ohio Housing Finance

Agency, Ohio Capital Cor-poration for Housing, City of Brunswick, and First Merit Bank to bring this remarkable property to fruition.

Southwick Manor is a brand new, maintenance-free, pet-friendly community of 54 one- and two-bedroom apart-ment homes which were de-signed to serve adults 55 and over who desire high-quality, affordable rental housing. All apartment homes feature amenities you would expect to fi nd in a luxury apartment home, at an affordable price; spacious fl oor plans, fully-equipped gourmet kitchens, energy-effi cient design and

Medina Metropolitan Housing Authority & Miller-Valentine Group Proudly Announce the Grand Opening

of Southwick Manor Apartments in Brunswick, Ohioby: Heather Denney, Marketing Manager

(Article continued on page 15)

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14 The Power of Grandparents

By: Brian Nowak, DirectorMedina County Drug Abuse Commission

Vaccines for Seniors

Series featured on Crossroads Hospice online blogwww.crossroadshospice.com, click blog

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(Vaccines for Seniors Article continued on page 16)

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Feeding Medina County is a non-profi t that serves the food insecure in Medina County. We provide food to those in our community in a number of different ways. At this time, we are URGENTLY seeking individuals who could drive our truck or be an assistant to pick up and deliver food to area pantries. Individuals who have experience driving large vehicles (buses, military/city vehicles, fi re engines, semi-trucks, box trucks)

would make great candidates. CDL not required. Contact Dan Meagher, Operations Manager, at 330-421-3051 about this opportunity.

We also have other opportunities to help:• Pack bags of food on Wednesdays, Thursdays or Fridays.• Help distribute food at monthly distributions.• Help in our garden during growing season.• Assist with fund raisers throughout the year.• Help with special projects as needed.For more information on any of these opportunities, contact Melody Costello at

330-421-4816 or via email at melody@feedingmedinacounty.org. Visit our website at www.feedingmedinacounty.org to view additional information or sign up through VolunteerSpot.

Volunteer With Feeding Medina County

Every day, 2,500 teenagers use a prescription drug to get high for the fi rst time. Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescription medication to create an altered state, to get high or

for reasons other than those intended by the prescribing doctor.

According to research conducted by The Partnership at DrugFree.org, as many as one in fi ve teens say they have taken a prescription drug without having a prescription for it themselves. Teens abuse prescription drugs for a variety of reasons. To party and get high, in some cases, but also to manage and regulate their lives.

There are both immediate and longer term risks. In the short term, overdosing

(especially on prescription pain relievers) can be fatal. In the longer term, prescription medicines are potentially addictive. Coming to rely at a young age on prescription medicine (or any drug) to manage your life can lead to a learned, lifelong pattern of

dependency and can prevent the learning of necessary coping skills.

The vast majority of teens abusing prescription drugs are getting them from the medicine cabinets of friends, family and acquaintances. Here are three tips to help safeguard your pills and safely dispose of expired or unused medicines.

MONITOR: Start by taking note of how many pills are in each of your prescription bottles or pill packets. SAFEGUARD: Keep prescription medicine in a secure place. DISPOSE: Discard expired or unused prescription drugs.

Medina County has a Dispose of Unused Medication Properly

(D.U.M.P.) Program. For more information go to www.mcd ac.com.

Take a Shot at Good Health

Vaccinations are a key piece of preventing the spread of in-fectious disease — in children AND adults — including those over 65. In fact, some are more important for seniors than any-one else.

It is also essential that caregivers maintain current treat-ments. When you are caring for others, it is easy to neglect your own health: not exercising, not eating a healthy diet and being overly stressed. These habits can lower your immune system, which can open you up to illness. This will not only make caring for others diffi cult, but can expose seriously ill, immunocompromised individuals to the risk of catching what you have. What might be “just a cold” for you could have seri-ous consequences for them.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends all seniors have six vaccinationsto help maintain their health.

1. Infl uenza (Flu)The fl u has been particularly nasty in recent years, and a fl u

shot is your best protection against contracting this illness. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months receive a fl u vaccination, but it is especially important for se-niors who are at a higher risk of catching the fl u and develop-ing more serious complications.

Seniors have two options for receiving the fl u vaccine — the regular dose and a high-dose option designed specifi cally for those over 65.

Medicare will cover the fl u shot once a year. Flu season starts in October. Be sure to get your vaccines as soon as this year’s doses are available in your area.

2. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)Shingles is a painful rash that is caused by the same vari-

cella zoster virus that causes chickenpox. While chickenpox is a one-time illness, for some people, the virus reasserts itself later in life as shingles.

Nearly one in three people will experience shingles later in life. Those who already have a weakened immune system are particularly susceptible to the painful rash and blisters of shingles.

All adults over 60 years of age should get the shingles vac-cine — even if they don’t recall having chickenpox in their youth. If you have had shingles, you should still receive the shingles vaccination to prevent future outbreaks. Protection lasts approximately fi ve years.

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15Real True Romance

Congratulations to:Joyce & Larry Zak

Medina, OHMarried: October 21, 1950Married in Cleveland, OH

Married 65 years. Larry is retired from Keystone and Joyce from Marymount Hospital. One

daughter Linda (Jack deceased), two grandchildren Jack, Jr. (Hannah) in Columbus, and Stacy (Stan)

with two great grandchildren Jonathan and Jordan in China.

Congratulations to:Patrick & Shirley Wethern

Brunswick, OHMarried: March 11, 1954

Shirley & Pat eloped after 3 months together. Family said it will never last. They have

3 children and 3 grandchildren.

appliances, a laundry room with full-size washer/dryer connections, exceptional closet space, and central air conditioning. Community amenities include a multi-

purpose room with a kitchen/dining area, business center, media room and fi tness cen-ter.

Southwick Manor has provided over $4.7 million in income for the local econo-my. This includes wages for workers and revenue for local

proprietors, small businesses, and corporations. In addition, Southwick Manor generated 81 new jobs during its con-struction for local contractors and sub-contractors.

Skip Sipos, MMHA Executive Director states, “Southwick Manor is the result of the hard work and determination of many of Medina County’s leaders. It is because of the collaborative efforts of the City of Bruns-wick, the County’s business community, and the many local organizations serving Medina County’s seniors that this new building is here. The best news is it will be here for many, many years providing a wonderful place for the resi-dents to call home.”

Brian McGeady, Partner & President of Miller-Val-entine Affordable Housing Development said, “At Mill-er-Valentine Group we build communities such as South-wick Manor with a vision to provide a high quality of life and peace of mind to each of our residents. We are greatly honored to touch the lives of residents in the Brunswick area.”

For more information about the Southwick Manor

Apartments Grand Opening event, please call us at (513) 444-5883, email us at south-wick.manor@mvg.com, visit YourNextPlacetoLive.com

or contact the Medina Met-ropolitan Housing Authority offi ce at (330) 725-7531.

(Southwick Manor – continued from page 13)

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3., 4. and 5. Diphtheria/Pertussis (Whooping Cough)/Tetanus (DPT)

Diphtheria is a respira-tory disease that starts as a sore throat, but can lead to breathing problems, paralysis, heart failure and even death. Pertussis is also a respiratory disease that leads to severe coughing bouts.

Tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria. It can lead to complications like lock-jaw. Adults should receive a booster of the tetanus shot every 10 years to maintain their protection.

These can be combined into a single shot. Td is a tetanus-diphtheria vaccine given as a booster shot every 10 years, or after an exposure to tetanus under some cir-cumstances. Tdap is similar, but also contains the vaccine for pertussis. Tdap can be received no matter when Td (tetanus-diphtheria vaccine)

was last administered.

6. Pneumococcal disease (Pneumonia)

Pneumococcal disease is a leading cause of vaccine-preventable illness and death in the United States. Each year, it causes approximate-ly 50,000 deaths — most of them to people over the age of 65.

There are two types of pneumo-coccal vac-c i n a t i o n s a v a i l a b l e for seniors: pneumococ-cal conju-gate vaccine (PCV13) and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPSV23). PCV13 protects against 13 types of pneumococcal bacteria in-cluding the lung infection pneumonia. PPSV23 protects against 23 types. Both pro-vide protection for meningitis

and bacteremia.It is recommended that

most seniors receive one dose of PCV13 followed up by a dose of PPSV23 six to 12 months later.

The end of summer is an excellent time to review your current vaccinations, and

those of your loved ones, with your doctor to ensure you’re all up to date before cold and fl u season sets in. Make sure to talk through all your op-tions with your healthcare provider to make sure you are receiving the dose that is right for you.

(Vaccines for Seniors Article continued from page 14)

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www.hands-foundation.orgWhat you can do on our new website? You can: sponsor

an event, register for an event, view our advertising media kit, read recent Helping HANDS publications, download a Senior Wishes Grant application, see upcoming events, see articles and photos from past events, read Senior Wish recipi-ent thank you’s, make a donation, get on the list to receive our bi-monthly publication Helping HANDS, and learn how YOU can make a difference in the lives of Medina County seniors. Visit us online today!

Hair Cuts Sets Styling Pedicures Manicures

All this and more available at:

Cosmetology Center Medina County Career Center 1101 West Liberty Medina, OH 44256 330-725-8461 Ext. 222

S A LO N H O U RS :Salon Opens Tuesday ,October 6, 2015 Tuesday – Friday Start at 9 a.m. All services must be be completed by 1 p.m.

Appointments not required but accepted for your convenience.

At Bollinger, we offer the assistance of a Funeral Director without the expense of a funeral home.

When cost is a concern, compare direct cremation:

Bollinger ............... $1,070Waite ..................................$2,595Carlson ...............................$2,985

Similar savings on all types of funeral services.

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Wee Wit & Wisdom

Contributed byHANDS Board

MemberAlanna Arnold

(Article continued on page 29)

Medicare Advantage PlansMedicare Supplement PlansMedicare Part D, Rx Plans

Your Agent:Mark Herwickm.herwick@homesteadins.com

1324 Pearl Rd. | Brunswick, OH 44212330.725.3100 | 330.225.3100

While riding in the car one day, Ashton (age 5) asked Grandpa Jack and Grandma Alanna how to get a car. Our response was that a car had to be bought and one had to get a job to earn money to buy a car. After a few seconds, Ashton’s for-lorn retort from the backseat came. He sadly said, “But I don’t know HOW to get a job.”

Apparently, Ashton gave the idea of getting a job a lot of thought because some time later, he told Mommy Shanna that he was going to be a construction worker when he grows up. “Yes, he said, “I’ll make $5 a day when I’m a construction worker.”

Ashton hasn’t thought his construction job through because it won’t support his $2 hot dog habit. At his sis-ter Maddy’s (age 10) softball game, he wants two hotdogs, a bottle of water, and candy (at least $5 habit). He got $2 from his Grandpa Jack for a hotdog and then came back and asked “Do you have any more $2s, Grandpa? I need another hotdog.”

Immediately, after both Maddy and Ashton had hit Mommy Shanna up for money for the snack bar while Maddy played girls’ softball at the park, little Noah (4), the brother of one

of the other softball team members, decided to give it a try. He walked shyly up to Shanna and asked for $1 for a popsicle. We asked if his mommy said he could have one and that he should ask his mommy fi rst. He replied, “But, I want one now.” (She was sitting 20 feet away and he would have to pass her to get to the snack window to buy a popsicle. Could it be he knew the answer would be “no” ?)

When picking up Alastair (7) from camp one day, Mommy Cassandra was complimented on his behav-ior. She told him, “Alastair, your counselors said you were very respectful today saying things like ‘yes ma’am & ‘no ma’am’. Can I take credit?” His disappointing reply was “No way mom! I learned it from tv!”

While attending sis-ter Maddy’s (10) two-hour evening girls’ softball game, brother Ashton (5) grew bored. At one point, he be-gan throwing a softball into the air and catching it in front of the bleachers. His Mommy Shanna told him twice not to throw the ball in front of people but to go be-hind and away from people so he wouldn’t hit anyone. The second time he moved

in front of Grandma and Grandpa. I asked, “Wait a minute, what about Grandma and Grandpa?” As he walked casually by me, he leaned over and said, “You’re human but you’re NOT people.”

Hearing poor Ashton getting fussed at—not only for throwing a ball too close to people but for other in-

fractions and distractions during the softball game, one of the young coaches took pity on Ashton and of-fered him the important job of batboy. He had to wear a helmet and listen to every word the coach said. After retrieving two bats at a run, he asked the coach, “Do I get to line up and slap hands

with everyone at the end, too?” When the game ended, Ash-ton not only was in the line to shake hands with the op-posing team, but he was in the post-game huddle and returned with a post-game Oreo. He was in heaven: he had a job to do and nine

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19COMMISSIONERS CORNERCelebrating 90+ YearsSubmitted by Patricia GeissmanMedina County Commissioner

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Recently, I had the plea-sure of helping the Offi ce for Older Adults recognize members of the community celebrating a birthday of 90 years or more. Eighteen se-niors 90 and over were pres-ent for a wonderful lunch prepared by staff at the Offi ce for Older Adults. The room was full of friends, families and supporters to help them celebrate their special birth-days!

I had the privilege of in-terviewing the honorees and their responses were quite interesting and humorous. I asked what they attributed their longevity to. Answers included – good clean liv-ing, no smoking, no drinking, working hard on the farm, simply good genes, sense of humor, sex, and, of course, there was “Stan the Man” who grabbed the microphone from me, jumped up, and said he contributed his longevity

to guzzling the booze, smok-ing his Cuban cigars, and chasing wild women! He said that when he was 97 he caught a woman but couldn’t remember what to do with her. Stan will be 98 in De-cember and one of the spryest men I’ve ever met. If you go to the senior events held at the fairgrounds, you’ve seen Stan. He loves to dance and likes to grab me to dance with him. (I’m not a dancer, but Stan keeps telling me he will teach me to dance). He’s fun to be around. We should all be so fortunate to be physically and mentally as sound as Stan and live well into our 90’s.

Those celebrating their 90th year were Stanley Barth, Fred Hatch and Steve Jeziorski. Celebrating their 91st birthday this year were Rita Carniello, Mary Neal, Irene Petonic, and John Sero. Those celebrating their 92nd year were George

Davis, Alice Jenkins, Louella McIntosh, Wayne Townsend, and Mae White. Alice Shelton celebrates her 94th birthday. Lewis Jenkins and Jane Smalley are in their 95th year. Eddie Mercing turned 97 this year and Stanley Wolczyk celebrates his 98th!

Congratulations to all these seniors reaching these milestones!

Laura Toth, the direc-tor of the Offi ce for Older Adults, will add any senior 90 and over to this list for next year’s celebration to be held in September. Let her know if you or someone you know is turning 90 or over; we’d like to include them in this celebration.

God Bless Your Little Heart!

The teacher in little John-ny’s class asked the students to stand and put their hand over their hearts for the Pledge of

Allegiance. The teacher no-ticed little Johnny with his hand on his fanny and asked him to explain himself. John-ny said that when Grandma comes over she always puts her arms around him for a big hug and pats his fanny, saying “God bless your little heart!”

And a big thank you to Irene Petonic who shared this humor with all of us at the 90+ Birthday Celebration.

Stay ActiveThe Medina County Park

system is celebrating their 50th Anniversary this year. Congratulations! All your ac-complishments over the years are very much appreciated in making our quality of life so much better.

As a reminder, please re-member that there are self-guided hiking trails that can be enjoyed up until Novem-ber 30th. Backpacks are given to fi rst-year participants. En-joy the refreshing tempera-

tures and changing colors of fall. To participate go to www.MedinaCounty Parks.com or call the Park District Headquarters at 330-722-9364 and ask for a Trekking Through Au-tumn form.

Are You Recycling?Recycling Bins are in

place all over the county. If you are not aware of one near you, please call our Board Clerk Peggy Folk at 330-722-9210 and she will guide you to the nearest one or help you get a copy of all the bins throughout the county.

Remembering Mom’s Clothesline

Good old days! Can you remember? This is fun to read and quite true. We are probably the last generation that will remember what a clothesline was.

Ohio Regional Music Arts and Cultural Outreach (ORMACO) continues to bring world music to the area this fall and next spring. Thanks to a generous grant from the Ohio Arts Coun-cil, the season will open on October 17, 2015 at 8pm at Highland High School in Medina with the award-win-ning throat singing ensemble, Alash. Hailing from Tuva in Central Asia, the musicians have won numerous interna-tional awards in Tuvan throat singing, a technique which allows vocalists to sing mul-tiple pitches at one time. En-

semble members also play a variety of Tuvan traditional instruments, contributing to an overall musical experience that a Washington Post re-view described as “absolutely stunning.” Alash has also col-laborated with such diverse musical groups as Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, beat boxer Shodekeh and Ameri-can classical musicians. With their “new old” Tuvan music, Alash stays true to the cultur-al traditions of their musical heritage, while blending new infl uences, to create a cap-tivating and utterly unique musical experience. This con-

cert is free, but requires reg-istration.

On November 7, 2015 at 8pm at Black River Middle School in Sullivan, experi-ence Russian Duo, an inter-national project, born out of a love of traditional music and classical elegance. Oleg Kruglyakov, balalaika vir-tuoso, and Terry Boyarsky, masterful pianist, team up for an exuberant performance of soulful, passionate music. Their collaboration high-lights the mysterious sounds

2015-16 Concert SeriesBy: Thomas Sigel

(Article continued on page 31)

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20 “AGING WELL” SERIESFlu Season is NOT Just for the Flu

By: Cindy McQuown, LPCC-S, LICDCCornerstone Wellness, Inc.

www.cstonecwc.org • 330-722-9326As Fall approaches, so

do the notices about get-ting your fl u shots. But there is another health concern that can also be effected by the seasons. Depression is a condition that aff ects 6.5 of the 35

depression, but there are some things that older adults expe-rience more frequently than other age groups that can leave the older adults more vulner-able to depression. Some of the common risk factors for depression in aging adults include:Changes in physical

health or functioning like:Presence of a new or

chronic physical disorder, such as diabetes, or development of multiple chronic physical disorders Stroke, bypass opera-

tion, or hip fracturePoor health, physical

or functional disability, and sensory impairment Severe and chronic

painChanges in mental

health

Prior episodes of de-pressionFamily history of ma-

jor depressionCognitive impair-

mentAt risk drinking, alco-

hol abuse, or illicit drug abuseMedication misuse

or abuse Side eff ects of some

medicationChanges in medica-

tions or newly prescribed medications for other disor-dersChanges in circum-

stances or social support Income changes, such

as retirement or fi nancial dif-fi cultyMoving from inde-

pendent living to semi-in-dependent or nursing care facilityRecent surgery Social changesRecent loss of a loved

oneLiving along or social

isolationDiminished social

network Recognizing the signs of

depression is the key to getting the right kind of help. Some of the signs of depression may be overlooked or treated like other conditions that occur with aging like dementia, thy-roid problems, heart disease, or Parkinson’s disease. It is very important to recognize and treat depression as soon as possible, because depres-sion left untreated can worsen other health conditions. Left untreated, depression can increase the risk of develop-ing various physical disorders, including heart attacks. It can make recovery from other health problems more compli-

million adults over 65 in the United States. Shorter days, and less opportunity for sun-light is a factor for seasonal depression. Lack of money, isolation from family, loss of loved ones, and increased health problems from the season, may bring greater pain during this time of year. It is important to recognize the signs of a depressive episode and to not think that depres-sion is just “a part of getting older.”

Aging per se, is not syn-onymous with decline and

cated. Chronic health condi-tions like diabetes, hyperten-sion, Parkinson’s disease, and stroke are all conditions that may contribute to a person experiencing depression. De-pression is not just a “side ef-fect”, but an additional illness that, if left untreated, can not only worsen the other health problems, but possibly lead to additional declines in health.

Did you know that there are many physical illness-es that actually increase the likelihood of experiencing a depressive episode? Many physical disorders place older adults at risk for developing depression. These include common medical conditions that affect older adults like hip fracture, heart attack, stroke, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive heart dis-ease, cancer, arthritis, diabetes, and macular degeneration.

One symptom of depres-sion is lack of energy and fatigue, no matter how much you sleep or rest. Although this disrupts any routine, a decline in activity, especially physical activity, is more dam-aging to an aging adult as it takes longer to restore physical fi tness in an aging body and fi tness declines more quickly in an aging body. Fitness is also associated with mobility and declines in fi tness create other problems, like unsteadi-ness or falling. Depression can act like a domino effect on fi tness. Another symptom of depression can be poor sleep. Sleep complaints are already one of the more common experiences in aging. Depres-sion can further disrupt sleep in aging adults, either making them wake more frequently, never feeling like they have enough sleep, or sleeping a lot during the day. Lack of sleep can have harmful eff ects on memory and attention, which again, are factors that are al-ready changing with age.

Additional symptoms of depression in older adults include:Feeling down or de-

pressed most of the time and can’t “snap out of it”Confusion, more eas-

ily frustrated IrritabilityLoss of pleasure or

loss of interest in activities that one usually enjoys Sleep problems-either

sleeping too much or too little, or feeling fatiqued no matter how much sleep you getWeight loss or gain/

changes in appetiteFeelings of extreme

guilt or of worthlessnessDiffi culty concentrat-

ing, difficulty making deci-sionsRestlessness, or very

slowed movementThoughts of not

wanting to live anymore or of ending one’s life

Th e great news is that de-pression is TREATABLE. Th e best combination is BOTH talk therapy and medication. Th ough older adults need to be aware of what medications can cause problems with other medicines they may already be taking. I have a dear loved one who had recently been diag-nosed with Parkinson’s disease and though she was respond-ing well to her treatment for her Parkinson’s, she began to feel fi lled with hopelessness and had a feeling of being a burden to her loved ones. She began to stop her regular activities, that used to bring her great joy and began staying in, avoiding phone calls and not writing letters. She even had thoughts that she wished she would just not wake up. As soon as I heard what shewas experiencing I knew she was clinically depressed. She agreed to discuss what was happening with her doctor

(Article continued on page 22)

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21VETERANS & THEIR BENEFITS

Edward ZackeryVeterans Service Offi cer330-722-9368veterans@medinacountyveterans.org

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The 2008 National De-fense Authorization Act au-thorized the Secretary of De-fense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the

Vietnam War began on Memorial Day 2012 and will run through November 11, 2025. Proclaimed by the President of the United Sates. Fed-eral, State, and local government are called to honor our Vietnam veterans, our fallen, our wounded, those unac-counted for, former prisoners of war, their families, and all who served with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

Although here in Me-dina County we have always taken time to honor all of our veterans, we will pay spe-cial tribute to our Vietnam Veterans and their families throughout the upcoming year of 2016. The Medina County Veterans Service Offi ce will collaborate with the Medina County Veterans Coalition

and other Veterans organiza-tions throughout the county. Our mission is to thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifi ce on behalf of the United States, as well as thank and honor

their families. We will highlight the ser-

vice of the Armed Forces dur-ing the Vietnam War and pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during that time.

We are planning three major events in 2016 starting with Vietnam Veterans day on March 29, 2016. Our fi rst event, “The Vietnam War and Our History,” will recognize the thirty-three men from Medina County who made the ultimate sacrifi ce and gave

their lives for our nation. “The Healing” is our second event which will take place in June 2016 at which time Medina County will host “The Mov-ing Wall” for a weekend. The third and fi nal event is a “Wel-come Home, Passing of the Torch” featuring the “Eyes of Freedom” paintings. We hope to have a large welcome home event for our Vietnam veterans as they pass the torch from one generation of veterans to today’s veterans, assuming the responsibility of guarding our nation’s freedom.

This is an enormous un-dertaking and we hope to incorporate people of all ages from Medina County. We want everyone to understand our history here in Medina County and how it relates to our nation’s history during the Vietnam War.

Donations are being ac-cepted, please make your tax-deductible donation to “The Medina County Veterans Memorial Fund,” and send it to The Medina County Vet-erans Memorial Fund C/o: Joe Destro, 3698 Center Rd. Brunswick, Ohio 44212

If you have, any questions about veteran’s benefi ts contact the Medina County Veterans’ Service Office at 330-722-9368 or email us at veterans@medinacountyveterans.org or catch us on the web at http://www.medinacountyveteransserviceoffi ce.org/

Writing The Story Of Your LifeTen week guided autobiography group. This group will give participants the opportunity to:

• Explore where you have been, where you are now, and where you are going

• Sharpen your memories

• Write your autobiography

• Broaden your own experiences by listening to and sharing with others

Using guided writing activities each week, participants will learn techniques for putting life recollections into writing. Such creative writing experiences can help improve memory, deci-sion-making skills, problem solving abilities and deepen spirituality. Others have found that writing helps maintain a positive mood, reduces stress, and promotes a feeling of well-being. Journals will be provided.

“Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward.” – Kierkegaard

Enrollment is limited to 10 people. To register - please call the HANDS Foundation at 330.225.4242. If you reach our voice mail, please leave a message with your name and phone number and we will get back to you soon.

Starts October 1, 2015 Group meets for 10 weekly 2-hour sessions.

10:00 a.m. – Noon | Lunch & Refreshments providedHeld at: Pearlview Rehab & Wellness CenterConference Room, 4426 Homestead Drive

Brunswick, Ohio 44212

If you miss this session, the Spring Class will start on 1/14/2016. Hurry! Space is limited.

Funded by a grant from the Medina County Drug Abuse Commission.

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Hearing Aid Issues: Helpful Qs & As

• People seem to mumble frequently.• During a conversation, you cannot understand the words.• You have to ask people to repeat themselves frequently.

Recapture the sounds you have been missing.

Bob Heiser and his team will provide you with the compassion and personalized care you deserve by off ering hearing tests,

ear and aid cleaning, and in-home service.

by BobHeiser, Hearing Health Centers

Q. Why should I wear a hearing aid?

A. There are lots of reasons why you should wear hearing aids if you need them.

• First and probably the most important, it will enhance the quality of your life and of the people you love around you.

• Hearing aids help prevent the feeling of isolation and depression.

• Wearing hearing aids also decreases the risk of dementia and memory problems.

• It has been scientifi cally proven that the lack of sound stimulation to your brain causes serious problems such as decreased cognitive function and a fi ves-times greater increased risk of falling or losing your balance.

• Technology advances have made hearing devices so small, you hardly notice them. And they can even interact with your telephone, television and other electronic devices.

As you can see, there are lots of reasons to wear a hearing aid if you need one - not just because you can hear better.

Do it for your family! Do it for yourself! Get your hearing tested and if hearing aids are needed, purchase and wear them. Make sure you go to your hearing specialist for your regular check-ups and cleanings. Hearing aids can help achieve a brighter future for you and your loved ones. Get your hearing tested

today. HANDS readers can get a FREE hearing test. Just mention this ad when setting your appointment.

Any questions regarding this article or those wanting information on what is involved with getting a hearing test, please call me, Bob Heiser, at 330-725-3259 at Hearing Health Centers. We are located at 754 N. Court Street in Medina, Ohio (Comstock Junction).

(Aging Well - Flu - Cont’d from page 20)

754 N. Court St., MedinaComstock’s Junction

330.725.3259www.hearinghealthcenters.com

Call for your FREE• Aid Cleaning & Tune-Up

• Hearing Test

and started medication and some counseling and her mood began to return to normal. Hearing her say “I feel like my old self ” was proof that she was resolv-ing the depression.

Sometimes people feel embarrassed or ashamed and then don’t tell anyone. Stigma interferes with help seeking. I tell people that I see that depression and other mental health is-sues, like anxiety, are not

get involved in community activities, and resume social activity with their peers. Ef-fective treatment for depres-sion is also likely to lead to improvement in physical and functional ability and shorten time for recovery from ill-nesses and surgery. Th e types of treatment that are eff ective for older adults include many types of psychotherapy or “talk” therapies, antidepres-sant medication, coordinated medical and mental health care, and multidisciplinary ge-riatric mental health outreach services.

You may not know that Depression Screening is now a service covered under Medi-care. You can obtain screening at your primary care doctor’s offi ce. A Depression Screen-ing usually involves specifi c questions asked by your doctor or a questionnaire that you complete to see what symp-toms of depression you may be experiencing. Recogniz-ing and responding to the signs of depression by talking with your doctor or a licensed mental health professional, is another part of taking care of your health. Just as you would not ignore a cough that won’t go away or a fever, don’t ignore the signs of depression. Talk about it!

Everyone deserves to age well! Questions? Suggestions for future articles? Contact Cindy McQuown, LPCC-S, LICDC, Beyond Driving with Dignity Professional at 330-722-4166.

signs of “weakness”. Nor is it an indication that a person should just “tough it out”. Th e longer a person goes without treating a depressive episode, the longer it will take to begin feeling better!

Th e fact is that 60-80% of older adults who receive ap-propriate treatment will have lower severity of depressive symptoms. Treatment for depression can improve an older adult’s ability to engage in self-care, participate in meaningful activities related to work or their relationships,

P R E V E N T I O N

Looking for a fun yet educational program for your next group / organization monthly meeting?

Contact Cindie Schneider at the HANDS Foundation at 330-225-4242 or email at handsfoundation@aol.com

An interactive game to create awareness about the use/misuse of prescription drugs, alcohol, over-the-counter medications

and herbal supplements. We bring door prizes too!

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Puzzle Level: HARD - Answers on page 30

Wags &

Whiskers

Real Life Pet Stories

Interviewed & Written

By Judi Haven

Lovey Dovey is short for my doves in the back yard. Several years ago, we had one pair build a nest in our pine tree next to the porch. The tree gets bigger each year and so does our dove family. Each pair has two babies, and doves mate for life.

They are so soft looking, grey and white. Their tum-mies are pink and blue. I just want to smooch all over their bodies. They have come to know my voice and will come down off the neighbor’s roof when I call them for feeding time. They have an automatic clock, 7:30 in the morning and 7:30 at night. I don’t plan on sleeping in late if I don’t get the morning food out. They will sit on the wires

front and back of the house, back porch and the feeder with their cooing little noises until I feed them. Now with 12, it can be quite noisy.

I love how they get along with the other birds. They al-ways make sure there is room in the feeder for the smaller birds like the sparrows and wrens.

The squirrels are a dif-ferent story, if they don’t eat ain’t nobody going to get to eat and they send all the birds off in a fl urry. They never go very far for when the squirrels are done they all come back. I think they have someone watching.

This year we had really tall sun fl owers and they loved it. It was like a “woods in the

city” for them. I did tell them it would not be a good idea to try and build a nest as the squirrels chewed all our sun fl owers to pieces.

Doves mate for life and we sure have enjoyed mom and pop dove over the past few years. Especially when they try to show the babies how to fl y down to the feeder. Some times it takes the ba-bies several attempts to land in the feeder. No problem, I make sure there is extra food

on the ground.I enjoy sitting on the

back porch taking pictures of them. I come up with some interesting scenes. Last year I caught one in mid fl ight and it looked like it was sitting in mid air. This year I tried to do black and white bird picture for the fair and guess what!!!!! My lovey dovey took fi rst place. The picture with this article is the one I had at the fair.

Doves have had special

My Lovey Dovies

meanings over the years for many people. There is a country western song, “He sent His love on the wings of a dove.” On Highway to Heaven their usually is a dove. Some people link this white dove to the dove that landed on Jesus when he was baptized. I like to think of them as God continually saying, “Hey Wooster I am still with you.”

Doves show up at weddings even in the most modern of ceremo-nies. As well as baptisms, and even funerals.

Doves are a sign of peace and love, purity and gentleness. And that is exactly what my doves are. I hope you enjoy the picture and we will see you in the next issue of Helping Hands with a very, very special article. Sorry no hints, see you then.

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24 Flu & You: Know the Facts, Know Your Options

Brought to you by Stephanie Manning, Development Coordinatorfor the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging

As the immune system weakens with age, those 65+ are more likely to catch the fl u and experi-ence complications. As a result, flu can be severe and even life-threatening for older adults, and is especially dangerous for

people with chronic health conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Older adults account for more than half (about 60%) of flu-related hospitalizations and almost all (90%) of fl u-related deaths. Flu and pneumonia combined are the seventh leading cause of death in adults 65 years of

age and older in the United States. The 2014-2015 flu season recorded the highest hospitalization rates among older adults in recent history.

According to the U.S. Cen-ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the single best way to help prevent the fl u is to get an annual fl u shot, which is recommended for everyone six months of age and older, with rare exception. During the 2013-2014 fl u sea-son, nearly 50,000 hospitaliza-tions were averted due to vac-cination in those 65 years of age and older, but vaccination rates for older adults could

be better. Many misconcep-tions about the fl u shot often prevent people from getting

vaccinated. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you sort out the facts:

I’m a healthy older adult who has never had the fl u or suffered any serious fl u-related consequences. Do I still need to worry about catching the disease?

Yes. Anyone can catch the flu. The flu is easily passed from person to person through coughing, sneezing, or contact with fl uids from an infected person’s mouth or nose.

If I have a chronic health condition, like heart disease or diabetes, should I get the fl u vaccine?

Yes. Anyone who has or is around someone with a chron-ic health condition should get vaccinated annually. People with chronic health conditions are at high risk for developing complications from the fl u.

I spend a lot of time with my grandchildren. Does my greater risk for the fl u impact them?

Yes. The flu is a highly contagious illness and can easily be passed from person to person. Anyone who gets the fl u is putting those around

them at risk. It is important for grandparents to protect them-selves by getting vaccinated - and for the children they care for to get vaccinated, too.

When should I get vac-cinated?

Get your fl u shot early in the season. It takes approxi-mately two weeks following immunization to produce a

protective immune response. Flu activity typically peaks in the U.S. between December and February and may con-tinue to circulate well into the spring.

Do I need to get the fl u vac-cine every year?

Yes. The types of fl u viruses usually change from season to season, and protection from the vaccine decreases over time.

What are the side effects that may occur from a fl u vac-cine?

Side effects may include soreness, pain and swelling at the injection site; muscle aches, fatigue, headache and fever. The fl u shot does not contain the live virus, so it is impossible to get the fl u from the vaccine.

Talk to your health care provider about fl u prevention and your vaccine options. In addition to getting the flu vaccine, practice good health habits to help protect yourself. Get plenty of sleep and exer-cise, manage your stress, and drink plenty of fl uids. Wash your hands often with soap, try to avoid close contact with sick people, and cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze. Visit www.ncoa.org/Flu for more information and resources. �

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25Pets Bring Benefi ts to Seniorswww.medinacountyauditor.orgMike Kovack, Medina County Auditor

FROM YOUR AUDITOR

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Age 62+ & looking for a great place to call home?

Accepting applications for our spacious one and two-bedroom affordable suites.

Close to shopping, banks and restaurants with easy access to I-71, I-271 and I-77.

• Service Coordinator • Library• Laundry Rooms • Game Room• Large Community Room • Plenty of Storage• Transit Curb Service

Rental assistance for those who qualify.

Income restrictions apply.

R.H.M. Manor1685 Stoneybrook Lane | Brunswick, OH 44212 | 330.273.4985

Because my offi ce handles the county’s dog license pro-gram, it’s not unusual to see an occasional pet on the third fl oor of the county administra-tion building. We love animals and work closely with the Me-dina County Animal Shelter and local rescue groups. Many of our senior citizen customers have told us that their lives just wouldn’t be the same without their pet’s companionship.

Research has shown that pets can help their human owners reduce their stress, lower their blood pressure and

increase their social interac-tion and physical activity. Pets can also reduce depression and lessen loneliness.

Pets benefi t, too, particu-larly when older folks adopt older pets. Those lucky pets go from the pound to para-dise. Since the adopters are retired, they have lots of time to devote to a previously un-wanted pet.

Here are some things for seniors to consider when

adopting a pet:• Are you set in your

ways? If you don’t like change, you may not be a good candi-date to adopt a pet.

• Have you had a pet before? It’s an easier transition for seniors if they have some experience.

• Do you have disabili-ties? For those who are physi-cally challenged, cats often need less care than dogs. A small dog that’s paper-trained or an indoor bird are also sometimes preferable.

• Is the pet the right age? A puppy or kitten may not be the best choice for e lder l y owners be-cause of the care they re-quire.

• A r e finances an issue? Pets cost money.

A small puppy can run more than $810 its first year for food, medical care, toys and grooming, according to the ASPCA. Groups are available to help allay costs.

• Where can I find a pet? We suggest adopting a pet from our local animal shel-ter or one of our local rescue groups like Save Ohio Strays, SPCA or Kitten Krazy. These organizations often know the pet’s personality well and can

make a good match.Of course, if you adopt a

dog as your new pet, make sure you visit my offi ce to purchase a license. It’s your pet’s ticket home should it get lost. The Medina County Auditor’s website contains a secure, online database of all Medina County dog license numbers. People who fi nd your dog can visit this database and reunite you with your pet. Our web-site also contains information about various rescue groups and their pets that are available for adoption.

For more information about dog licensing, log on to www.medinacountyauditor.org, call 330-725-9755 or visit our offi ces at 144 N. Broadway St., Medina.

21st Annual Top Dog Essay Contest

Have any fourth grade grandchildren in your family this year? This is their op-

portunity to enter Auditor Kovack’s Annual Top Dog Essay Contest!

Each year fourth grad-ers throughout the county take the opportunity to tell the world why their dog (or your dog) is the Top Dog in Medina County! Fourth graders can write their essay about any dog, but it has to be a living dog in Medina County. The contest helps kick off dog licensing season, December 1. Entries need to be submitted by November 16. There are many great prizes for the winners, including the prestigious dog tag numbers 1,2,3,4 and 5! So encourage your grandchildren to tell us why their dog is number one in Medina County! Information available at www.medinac-ountyauditor.org.

County OperationsInterested in what’s going

on with your county gov-

ernment and how your money ’s being spent? You can keep tabs on us through your county audi-tor’s website. Go to www.medinacountyauditor.org and click on “County In-formation” on the left hand side. Among the information available here are the weekly expenditures of all county offi ces (Weekly County Ex-penses Docket). You can also see how much money is expended each week and how many houses sold in the county and for how much under the “Weekly Statistics Report.” Interested in the other areas of the county? You can access all the public officials in the county and the websites of all the town-ships, villages and cities via the directories located here. Government is your responsi-bility too! Take a few minutes to see how your government is working for you.

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26 Food Assistance Programs in Medina

CountyThe Churches and

organizations listed be-low are members of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank Networking offering food pantry assistance to residents in Medina County.

Brunswick Food Pantry 1255 N. Carpenter Rd. Brunswick (330) 220-8299Every Tues. 6-7pm & 2nd Tues. 1-3 each month.

Brunswick United Methodist Church 1359 Pearl Rd. Brunswick (330) 225-3179Every Thurs. 9-11am, must be resident of Bruns., Bruns. Hills, Valley City or Hinck.

Buckeye Christian Assy. 3159 Columbia Rd. Medina (330) 764-40992nd & 3rd Wed. pantry & hot meals 10am-1pm.

Church at Stony Hill 2756 Stony Hill Rd. Medina (330) 239-98582nd Tues. 6-8pm walk-in.

Community Action Wayne / Medina 110 S. Main St. Rittman (330) 264-8677Every Thurs 8:30am-3:30pm

Community Services Ctr. 655 N. Broadway St. Medina - (330) 725-4690Mon 6-8pm, Tue, Wed, Fri 10-12 & 1-3pm appt only.

First Baptist Church 3646 Medina Rd. Medina - (330) 725-5853By appointment.

Helping Hands - NCC 7615 Ridge Rd. Wadsworth (330) 336-46223rd Thurs. 5-7pm

Humbolt House/SVDP 260 Broad St. Wadsworth (330) 336-3049Mon & Thurs 6-8pm - limited to 2x per mo. for Wads. & Rittman residents.

Lafayette United Methodist Church 6201 Lafayette Rd. Lafayette (330) 725-61764th Sat or by appointment

Life Spring Community Church 1638 Lester Rd. Valley City (330) 483-47743rd Sat 10:30am-Noon. Hot meal 3rd Wed. 11am-Noon.

Living Hope Church 6288 Wooster Pike Medina - (330) 725-77303rd Sat. 9:30-11:30am

Lodi United Methodist Church 320 Medina St. Lodi - (330) 948-15933rd Sat & 4th Thurs 5-7pm, hot meal @ hospital 3rd Thurs 5-7pm.

Oaks Family Care Center 4196 Center Rd. Brunswick (330) 220-7777Mon, Tue, Thur 11am-5pm, Wed 4-8pm, Fri 9am-2pm

Second Baptist Church 451 Bronson St. Medina(330) 722-0073By appointment

St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church 606 E. Washington St. Medina - (330) 725-4968By appointment

St. Paul Lutheran Church 6462 Ridge Rd. Sharon Center (330) 239-1340Fri 6:15 pm til all are served.

St. Paul’s Free Farmers Market 317 E. Liberty St. Medina (330) 722-0564Last 2 Sat. each month 8:30-10am.

Seville Community Food Pantry 74 W. Main St. Seville (330) 769-28362nd & 4th Mon 10am-12 & 6-7pm, hot meals 3rd Thurs. 4:30-6:30pm

York Methodist Church 6566 Norwalk Rd. Medina - (330) 725-81474th Sat. 11am-12:30pm

FREE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS7:30 am – 10:00 am or until supplies run out

Community Center at the Medina County

FairgroundsFood Distributions will be held at the above location

on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Dates are:

October 15, 2015November 19, 2015December 17, 2015

Any household or individual under the 200% of Federal

Poverty Guideline is eligible!Anyone receiving benefi ts

from Job and Family Services is under 200% of poverty.

Food will be distributed on a fi rst come fi rst serve basis.

Please bring your own bags.NOTE: Does not affect your

Food Stamp Benefi t

M.U.N.C.H.(Medina United Neighbors Challenging Hunger)

Join us for a great mealfor the whole family!

Dinner is served Wednesdays & last full week of the month

from 4-6pm at

The Salvation Army425 W. Liberty St., Medina

2015 ScheduleOctober 7, 14,

21, & 25-31

November 4, 11, 18, & 25

December 2 & 9

Watch for 2016 dates.

Everyone is Welcome!FREE Transportation

Availableto and from

MUNCHthrough the

Medina CountyTransit

Call Transit offi ce for schedule

330-723-9670If you have any questions, call The Salvation Army

330-722-6488

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FREE Dinner every 3rd Sunday

Saint Ambrose Church929 Pearl Road, Brunswick, OH 44212

Cost is FREE – All Are Welcome1:00 to 2:30 pm – RSVP to 330-225-3116

LEGAL ISSUESHave You Planned For Your Digital Assets?Marie Mirro Edmonds330.725.5297 | marie@marieedmonds.com

�

Working on your computer skills? Practice your skills and

visit our new website at:www.HANDS-Foundation.org

EEMarie Mirro Edmonds Co. LPACounselor at law

807 E. Washington St. | Suite 200 | Medina, Ohio 42456Phone 330 725 5297 | Fax 330 722 5932

E-Mails: marie@marieedmonds.comann@marieedmonds.com

Elder Law & Estate Planning

Pictured Marie Mirro Edmonds* (left) and

Ann E. Salek.

*OSBA Board Certified in Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law.

Do you own digital assets? If you have online bank and brokerage accounts or keep your music and photos stored on your home computer or “the cloud,” then yes, you do own digital assets. And if you do, you should account for those in your estate plan. If you haven’t, your executor, trustee or beneficiaries may not be able to access those without going to court, and may not even realize they exist.

Usually, when someone dies, family members look for personal and business documents, like tax returns, bank and investment account statements, stock certifi cates, life insurance policies, etc. They may gather up photo albums, safe deposit box keys,

and other valuable personal items. Do they know about your digital assets? Where will they fi nd them and how will they access them?

Since many of us have moved to be “paperless,” you may have certain statements you access online but don’t print out or save on your com-puter. Do you have photos saved on your computer? Do you need a password to access your computer?

Probably the most impor-tant questions to answer (and make sure someone has those answers) are:

What social media plat-forms do you use?

What accounts do you ac-cess online and for which you receive no paper statements?

What are your passwords, not only for your computer but for each of these accounts and sites, including your email account?

What would you like to happen to these accounts when you die?

One suggestion is to cre-ate a list or inventory of those places or devices where the assets are stored. Make a list of the accounts, web address, account numbers, username and passwords. And make sure someone knows where this list is. I’d also suggest you make sure that list is updated on a regular basis. An alterna-tive to this list is to establish a master password that gives the person you’ve appointed access to a list of passwords

for all of your accounts, either on your computer or through a “password vault.”

There are also companies that offer online services for passing on digital assets to your loved ones. These com-panies have their own proce-dures for releasing passwords and other information to your designated benefi ciary. They may require a death certifi cate or other confi rmation, or they may release information to your designated representa-tive if you fail to respond to periodic emails.

Identify who you want to have access to these digital as-sets. Your Executor? Trustee? A family member?

In addition to identify-ing these assets and giving

someone you trust access to them, your estate plan should address ownership issues. You should identify to whom you wish these digital assets transferred.

Upon your death, if you haven’t outlined your wishes regarding these digital assets, each of the social media channels will request legal documenta-tion in order to begin either closing those accounts or transferring them.

This is one area which you may not think about, but you don’t want to put your loved ones in an awk-ward position of either not knowing what digital assets you own or having to de-cide what to do with them.

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28 Insolvent Estates: Who Gets What?Michael L. Laribee, Esq.Laribee & Hertrick, LLP – Attorneys At Law 330-725-0531 • 330-225-0531

LEGAL ISSUES

325 North BroadwayMedina, Ohio 44256330.725.0531330.225.0531www.laribee-hertrick.com

General Practice of Law, including:• Wills and Estate Planning• Divorce / Dissolution• Personal Injury • Real Estate• Probate Administration• DUI / Traffi c• Business and Corporate Law

LARIBEE & HERTRICK, LLPAttorneys at Law

Serving Medina since 1938 �

The laws governing the administration of estates are designed for the orderly collection of probate assets, payment of debts, and distribution to benefi ciaries according to a decedent’s will. But what happens if an estate has more debts than assets? Who gets paid and who doesn’t? Do cer tain creditors have priority

over others? What will the beneficiaries receive? Will the executor get paid for his services?

An insolvent estate is one whose assets are insuffi cient to pay its debts, taxes, and administrative expenses. If an executor determines that an estate is insolvent, he must follow a very precise order when paying debts. The Ohio Revised Code establishes the following ten classes of claims and priorities which must be paid in the order listed.

1) Costs and expenses of administration. The expenses in the fi rst category receive top priority and include all probate court fees, appraisal

fees, and any court costs related to litigation in which the estate is involved. They also include fiduciary fees paid to the executor who is administering the estate and fees paid to the attorney representing the executor. By Ohio statute, fi duciaries are entitled to receive four percent of the fi rst $100,000 of probate assets, three percent on the next $300,000, and two percent of all amounts over $400,000. Attorney fees are governed by state and local probate court rules and must be approved by the probate court.

(2) Funeral and cemetery expenses. This second category provides up to $4,000.00 for funeral expenses and up to $3,000.00 for burial and cemetery expenses. The funeral expenses must be reasonable based upon the amount of the estate and general customs. Estate creditors may chal lenge extravagant funeral expenses that limit their chance of recovery from the remaining estate assets. Burial and

cemetery expenses are limited to the purchase of a right of interment (cemetery lot or mausoleum), monument markers, the outer burial container, the cost of opening and closing the place of interment, and the urn. Funeral expenses paid by the decedent prior to death are not included as they are not a debt of the estate.

(3) Family allowance. The third category provides for payment of a total of $40,000 in money or property to the surviving spouse or the decedent ’s minor children. This priority is intended to provide necessary living expenses to the surviving spouse or minor children following the decedent’s death.

(4) Debts entitled to a preference under the laws of the United States. The fourth category includes the decedent’s debts owed to the federal government. The most common examples include delinquent income taxes, overpayments of social security, veteran, or federal retirement programs, and non-payment of federal agency loans.

(5) Expenses of the last sickness of the decedent. While this fi fth category is not limited to a specifi c time period, Ohio courts generally include those medical expenses related to the illness which terminated a patient’s death. Expenses incurred through a protracted illness may not qualify for this priority unless the decedent received medical treatment when he could no

longer carry on his normal affairs or is bedridden.

(6) Funeral expenses ($4,001 to $6,000). This sixth category involves funeral expenses again. If the total funeral expenses exceeds $4,000 in the second category above, then the funeral director can receive up to $2,000 more toward the decedent’s funeral bill in this category.

( 7 ) N u r s i n g h o m e expenses. This category includes expenses of the decedent’s last continuous stay in a nursing home, residential facility, or hospital long-care unit which includes up to thirty consecutive days during which the decedent was temporarily absent from the facility.

(8) Obligations to the State of Ohio. This eighth category includes personal property taxes, claims made under the Medicaid estate recovery program, and any obligations for which the decedent was personally liable to the state.

(9) Debts for manual labor. The ninth category includes up to $300 owed to any one laborer for services performed for the decedent w i t h i n t w e l v e m o n t h s preceding the decedent ’s death. An example is debt owed to a contractor for work performed at the decedent’s home before death.

(10) Other debts. This last category serves as the “catch-all” and includes all other debts that do not qualify for the fi rst nine categories. It also includes any part of

the funeral bill that exceeds $6,000 and any part of any manual laborer’s claim that exceeds $300.

The law is very clear that payments must be made in the specifi c order listed. No payments may be made to creditors of one class until all those of the preceding class are fully paid. If the assets are insuffi cient to pay all the claims of one class, then the creditors of that class must be paid ratably. It is important to note that if an executor disregards the order of priority and pays one creditor more than the allowed share, then other creditors may be entitled to recover the debt directly from the executor.

And what about the benefi ciaries listed in the will? Unfortunately, insolvency means that they receive nothing unless they have a priority claim that falls within the ten listed categories. The good news is that benefi ciaries will not inherit the decedent’s debt , un le s s they have personally agreed to pay it. Before you become involved with an insolvent estate, it is important to consult with a trusted probate attorney to provide guidance and assist you.

Michael Laribee is a partner in the Medina law firm of Laribee & Hertrick, LLP. This article is intended to provide general information about the law. It is not intended to give legal advice. Readers are urged to seek advice from an attorney regarding their specific issues and rights.

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Amputees in Motion – Free monthly meeting the 2nd Wednesday every month, 6-7:30pm, at the Medina Offi ce for Older Adults. Call Jim at 216-244-4604 for more information. Sweet Friday Happy Hour – Every Friday, 3:30pm, Sweet Shop at Emeritus at Camelot Place, 49-A Leisure Lane in Medina. Brunswick Art Works – Free monthly meeting 1st Wednesday each month, 7:30pm, Brunswick City Hall, 4095 Center Rd., Brunswick. Call Rosemary Mihacevich, 330-225-8559, for details. FREE Brown Bag Concerts – 3rd Tuesday each month at 12 Noon, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 317 E. Liberty St., Medina. Bag lunches available $5.00 - Call church offi ce at 330-725-4131 to reserve, or bring your own. Coffee and tea provided. Healing Hearts – A Widow and Widower Social Club, we meet at the Brunswick Library in the Sycamore Room (3649 Center Road). Meetings are Noon to 2pm unless otherwise noted. New members always welcome! Upcoming meeting dates for the balance of the year are October 10, November 14 and December 12. Hinckley Seniors – Meets 1st Monday each month from 1-3pm at Hinckley Town Hall. New members always welcome! Contact Sue Rennecker at 330.225.2326..Brunswick AARP – Meets 2nd Thursday of each month at the Brunswick Rec Center. Meeting begins at 1pm. For more info, call Terry Elzer at 330-225-8406.Medina County AARP Chapter #2095 – Meets 2nd Friday each month, 11:30am, at Moxie’s Grille in Lodi. Lunch is $12. Contact Mary Ann 330-722-5092 if interested in attending. Circle of Friends – A social dinner group for people, age 60+, who have experienced the death of someone close. For additional info, contact The Robertson Bereavement Center, a community outreach of Hospice of Medina County, at 330.725.1900 or 1.800.700.4771.FREE Pancake Breakfast – Held the 3rd Tuesday of every month, from 9-11am, open to the public, seniors only please. Located at Autumnwood Nursing & Rehab, 275 E. Sunset Drive, Rittman, 330.927.2060. Seville Coffee Club – Meets 1st Monday each month starting June 1 at the Seville United Methodist Church, 74 W. Main St. in Seville. Note September will be 2nd Monday due to Labor Day. Meeting begins at 10am and lunch is served ($2 donation). For more info, call 330-769-2836.

Have an event?!? Send details with contact info via email to: handsfoundation@aol.com or by mail to:

HANDS Foundation, P.O. Box #868Brunswick, Ohio 44212-0868

Space provided compliments of the HANDS Foundation.

WHAT’SGOINGON?!?

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(Wee Wit & Wisdom - Cont’d from page 18)

“older” girls to ooh and ahh over him. We had peace to watch the game. And his sister was so proud of her little brother that she kept running to our seats to give “Ashton status reports.” Ap-parently, Ashton is now the fi rst 5-year old male mem-ber of an all-girls’ ten year old softball team. (Way to go, Ash!) Blessed are the coaches!

While vacationing in Eu-rope with Alastair for three weeks, Mommy Cassan-dra told him at the end of the second week, “Alastair, our vacation is nearly over.” Alastair thoughtfully ad-vised, “Mom, let’s make it go slower. Pretend to be bored on

the outside; but, happy on the inside.”

While getting his school supplies ready, Alastair con-fi ded to his Mommy Cassan-dra, “Mom, see this pencil case? This is how I’m going to sneak Legos to school.” His mother replied, “Your poor teacher. She doesn’t know what’s com-ing.” Always quick-thinking, Alastair responded, “She CAN read my fi le!”

While spending the last Saturday before school start-ed with Grandma Alanna and Grandpa Jack, Maddy and Ashton got into an ar-gument over where to play putt-putt. Maddy wanted to play Alien putt-putt and Ashton vehemently wanted to play traditional putt-putt at Rinky Dink. When the argument seemed ready to

erupt into blows, Grand-ma suggested they try to discuss the pros and cons of each. Grandma was ignored. Next, she asked that they try to re-create the behavior that earned them the “Best Siblings” Award at summer camp. Ashton quickly blurted, “I didn’t mean it. It was an accident.”

While driving through Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C., Mommy Cassan-dra advised 7-year old Alastair, to “. . .take a look around. All these leaves will be gone soon and the trees will be naked.” To which Alastair immedi-ately replied, “I’m going to enjoy that. I hope they’re ladies.”

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this upcoming holiday season. May warm memories of your loved one

surround you now and always.

In memory of your loved one, we would like to invite you and your immediate family to our “Holiday Remembrance Service.” The Service

will be conducted at our funeral home in Medina, Ohio.

WHERE:Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation services

3477 Medina Road, Medina, OH 44256

WHEN:Thursday, October 15, 2015 at 6:00 pm

All are invited to join the memorial and balloon release ceremony to honor the memory of your loved one, courtesy of Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services.

Light refreshments will be served immediately following the service.

Please RSVP to Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services at 330.722.5888

From the Carlson Funeral Homes & Cremation Services Staff

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30 a lengthy list of long-time friends; they have also traveled to Italy, the Virgin Islands, St. Croix, and Nassau, and are plan-ning a trip to Hawaii sometime soon.

They travel extensively for friends and relatives’ weddings and other special occasions, and Bob said they rarely ever travel alone. There is always a family member or friend who will join them. They are openly warm people and make lasting friends everywhere they go; they still reunite with a Maryland couple they met on their honeymoon.

The Coppolinos have a wealth of amusing travel anecdotes, briefl y among them: coping with less than adequate accom-modations; fi lling golf bags with fallen lemons; sweltering in the California valley heat and then traveling by cable car the same day up to the cold snowy mountains; but Carol added, “No matter what or where, we still always have a good time.”

Carol’s favorite destination was the Grand Canyon. Not so with Bob, who does not like heights. His “favorite destination” has to include a golf course. Another outstanding moment for Carol was seeing the Giant Redwoods in Eureka, California. “It was awesome! You have no concept of ‘big’ until you’re standing by one of them. Even the slugs around the base of the trees are cat-sized.”

Without question, from the very beginning, family has been the most important focus of Bob and Carol’s life, and family gatherings top their list of favorite highlights. One of their greatest joys is being surrounded by their entire family - every-one manages to “travel home” to be together at Christmas. At times, extended family get-togethers have included as many as 65 people. Bob and Carol’s shared feeling about family: “We’ll always get together. We’re very lucky.”

They offered good, sound advice for anyone contemplating marriage: be tolerant; please be honest; keep no secrets; never argue in front of the children; clean up after yourself; give each other latitude in taking control; make sure there is plenty of give and take; and, for fun, Bob added, “Keep your wife hap-py by learning to say ‘Yes, Dear’ even if it means painting the bathroom chocolate brown or wallpapering the ceiling.”

For this loving couple who are still truly good friends, the goal for the coming years is to stay healthy….and for Carol, to paint pictures.

True Romance

Angela Huston was born and raised on the east side of Cleveland, graduated from Brush High School and Bowling Green State University. Her teaching career began in 1957 in Harlingen, Texas where her husband Russell (of 50+ years) was stationed. They have two children, Andrew (North Carolina) and Ann (Columbus, Ohio).

She retired from teaching (the last 20+ years in Brunswick) in 1990 and began freelancing in 1992. Along with regular columns and features for several papers, she published her fi rst book in May of 2000 - “Looking Through Rose-Tinted Bifocals,” now in its second printing.

True Romance by Angela Huston

Bob & Carol Coppolino

4 8 9 5 1 3 7 6 2

7 2 1 6 8 4 5 3 9

5 3 6 2 9 7 4 8 1

9 5 3 7 6 8 2 1 4

1 4 2 3 5 9 8 7 6

6 7 8 4 2 1 9 5 3

8 6 4 1 7 2 3 9 5

2 1 7 9 3 5 6 4 8

3 9 5 8 4 6 1 2 7

Answers for Sudoku puzzle on page 23

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According to Bob (77) and Carol (76) Coppolino, “We’ve always known each other.” The couple met and became good friends early in elementary school, remained best friends through junior high, and then, in high school, the true friends fell in love.

Bob graduated from Garfi eld Heights High School in 1956, Carol in 1957. He attended Ohio University, but dropped out after a couple of years because he and Carol wanted to get married, which they did 56 years ago, February 7, 1959.

Following a honeymoon in the Pocono Mountains, Bob began working for the Danly Cor-poration in Brookpark, Ohio, steadily working his way up through the managerial ranks, fi nally becoming a Regional Manager with the large responsibility of running a new plant in Michigan, overseeing a 10-state territory. After 18 years, in 2002, he retired and they moved to Medina.

Before they married, and for a short time after, Carol worked as a secretary. Once their fam-ily began arriving, she became a full-time mother to fi ve children, ages now spanning 55 to 37; they have 10 grandchildren, ranging in age from 36 to one year. Carol laughed as she said she was becoming a grandmother while still having babies of her own.

As a younger couple both were always very involved in local organizations, school, and com-munity affairs. Carol was active with PTA responsibilities for many years, and volunteered often for other groups as well. She even taught art as a volunteer. She was a long time member of Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO), and served as its president six years.

Carol loves to garden, cook, have lunch with friends, and paint (mostly fl owers). She always tended a huge fl ower garden in Michigan, but is adjusting to the smaller yard in their Medina home. She said she is presently “on sabbatical from painting” but hopes to start up again soon.

Bob is really into sports, both as a participant and as a spectator. He has always been and still is an avid golfer; he works part-time at Fox Meadow Country Club. He serves on the neighbor-hood association board, and has ushered in their church, but when they retired, he and Carol decided they wanted to focus on and devote more time to their own lives.

They regularly enjoy playing cards and board games with friends, but both have their own favorite spaces. Carol’s is among the fl owers in the garden; she says it is “wonderful therapy.” Bob quipped his favorite space is “the trunk of my car, fi lled with golf clubs.”

The Coppolinos are also seasoned travelers. In fact, the only place in the United States they have not been to is New England. They regularly criss-cross the county touring places of inter-est between visits to widely-scattered children, grandchildren, extended family members, and

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Senior Day at the MCRCFriday, October 23 9:30a-1:00p

Free Event brought to you by:

Visit the Medina Community Recreation Center and discover the great senior programs and services offered in Medina County.•Tours of the Recreation Facility •Free Health Screenings •Ear Analysis testing •Refreshments •Vendors •Raffles

Guest Speaker: Miles Reed Please bring Photo ID to enter the facility.

For more information, call Sue Becks at 330-721-6934Medina Community Recreation Center 855 Weymouth Rd., Medina 330-721-6901

of the balalaika underscored by the vast expressive range of the piano. Featuring vocals and Russian percussion, their extensive repertoire draws from Russian folk music, ro-mances, dances, classical mu-sic, gypsy melodies and Rus-sian songs.

February 2016 is Steel Drum Month. Travel to Trin-idad and Tobago in your own back yard and dance in the aisles to the sizzling sounds of The University of Akron Steel Drum Band as they perform at Wadsworth High School Auditorium on Febru-ary 4, 2016 at 7pm. Founded by Dr. Larry Snider, and di-rected by Matt Dudack, this

award-winning steel drum ensemble is a superb cure for the winter blahs!

Continue to get your steel drum fi x on February 18, 2016 at 7pm at Wellington Middle School Auditorium when OSteel from Oberlin College warms your soul as they play in the tradition of the great steel bands of Trini-dad. They will also present

arrangements of salsa, ca-lypso, and jazz tunes, as well as original compositions and arrangements by band mem-bers. The group has played extensively throughout the United State and Canada, in-cluding appearances at New York’s Avery Fisher Hall, jazz venues in New Orleans, outdoor performances at fes-tivals, and at the Lincoln Me-morial in Washington DC. This concert will inaugurate the new Middle School Au-ditorium.

Rounding out the season is Americana Band, Hey Ma-vis on April 9, 2016 at 8pm at Highland High School. Don’t miss this musical feast that contains a pinch of jazz, bluegrass, old-timey, folk and a heaping spoonful of rock. Laurie Michelle Caner (vo-cals, banjo, song writing) tells the story of life – with all it’s beauty, heartache, disappoint-

ment and joy – weaving a musical tapestry that speaks the truth of love, life and the human condi-tion. Eddie Caner (violin, viola profunda) spent a dozen years performing as a sideman in national touring bands and or-chestras including Page & Plant, Luciano Pava-rotti, Smokey Robinson and Natalie Cole. With his Hendrix-like tone and precision, Eddie soars beautifully over Laurie’s vocals. Bryan Thomas (bass) has toured as bass-ist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and is currently Bass Professor at Kent State University.

For more information about the concerts and the outreach programs and to order tickets, visit www.ormaco.org or call 330-722-2541.

(ORMACO Concert Series Continued from page 19)

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From The Other Side of the Chair

Four Common Bad Dental Habits

To err may be human, but when our occasional mistakes become bad habits, there are often consequences that must be paid. This is particularly true when it comes to your oral health. Too many people fail to take the advice of the American Dental Associa-tion, which advises that pa-tients visit the dentist at least twice a year for professional cleanings and thorough oral exams. The failure to visit the dentist regularly is among the most common bad dental habits, and almost certainly the worst among them.

Once patients come for their semi-annual dental ap-pointments, the dental team is able to educate them more fully about their oral health. Many patients are surprised to learn that certain habits they didn’t realize were harm-ful to their teeth and gums actually constituted bad den-tal habits.

Here are some bad dental habits that you may not have realized were all that bad.Four Common Bad Dental Habits

This list features four bad dental habits that are a bit off the beaten path. Surely you know that you should avoid eating too much sugar, and that if you fail to brush and fl oss after every meal, you are risking cavities. Some of the entries on this list, however, may well surprise you.

• Hard-bristled tooth

brushes are bad for your teeth: Using a hard-bristled tooth brush is not only a bad habit, but a potentially dan-gerous one. Especially when used with heavy force, hard-bristled tooth brushes can ac-tually wear down the enamel that protects your teeth from harm. In fact, even a medi-um-bristled tooth brush, if used too vigorously, can be harmful. It is best to use a soft-bristled tooth brush with gentle force to remove plaque and debris from your teeth, and save the hard-bristled tooth brushes for scrubbing out the bathtub.

• Smoking isn’t merely bad for your breath: If you are a smoker, you already know that you are putting yourself at risk for all types of cancer, including oral cancer. You also know that you are causing your breath to smell less than spring fresh. How-ever, did you know that you are causing other potential oral health problems to de-velop, including dry mouth syndrome, tooth decay, and gum disease?

• Berries may be great for your overall health, but they’re not so great for your oral health: Berries are nat-urally highly acidic, as are fruits such as apples, peaches, and pears. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t eat your fruits; however, you should be certain to brush, fl oss, and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse

after enjoying a handful of delicious blackberries, blue-berries, or raspberries.

• Using your teeth to tear

a loose thread is not a harm-less act: Sure, we’ve all done it at some point. But any time you use your teeth as tools -

Dr. Matt Gaebelein, Professional Dentist Former HANDS Board Vice President

even for something as seem-ingly harmless as tearing a loose thread - you are putting them at risk for damage. �