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October 2013
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NEIGHBORS
http://www.CassNeighbors.com
A Cass County Newspaper distributed in Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Edwardsburg, Vandalia, Jones,
Marcellus, Decatur, Union, Sister Lakes, Three Rivers, Elkhart and Mishawaka
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FIELD TRIP:
THE HEDDON
MUSEUM
inside...
Regional News.....................Pages 2-3
Regional Events........................Page 4
Recipes ...........................Pages 10, 11
Floyd’s Postcards..............Page 15-17
The Last Word ........................Page 19
Neighbors is published monthly from
March through December.
Neighbors
D OWAGIAC
PAGE 14
102 S. Broadway
Cassopolis, MI 49031
(269) 445-9200
http://www.cassneighbors.com
[email protected]
jack @beanstalk.net
PAGE 2
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
REGIONAL NEWS
Federal Employees to meet
The National Association of Active &
Retired Federal Employees SW Michigan
Chapter will hold their next meeting on
Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6 pm at the Super
Buffet in Benton Harbor (next to Big
Lots). All retired /current federal employees, spouses/families are welcome. For
information, call Jean Rowe, 782-2769 or
e mail [email protected].
Harvest Fest set for Oct 12
The Cass County Parks and
Recreation Department and The Friends
of the Cass County Parks will host this
year’s Harvest Fest at Dr. T.K. Lawless
Park on Saturday, Oct. 12 from 2:30 -5:30
pm. Admission is $3 per person which
will include a pumpkin and all activities
(children two years and younger are
FREE of charge).
As in years past, this family event
promises to offer something for everyone… from the young, to the young at
heart, including:
■ Inflated Obstacle Course
■ Face Painting
■ Scavenger Hunt (2-10 year olds)
■ Games & Crafts
■ Balloon Animals
■ Pumpkin Painting
■ Wagon Rides
■ Arden Wither’s Choo-Choo Train Ride
■ Music
For more event information or to volunteer, contact the Cass County Parks &
Recreation Department at 445-4456 or email [email protected].
Board training program
The City of Niles through a grant
from the US Department of Housing and
Urban Development is providing four
courses on Non-profit Board and
Executive Leadership Training in partnership with the Nonprofit Alliance at
Kellogg Community College.
The first session will be on Friday
Oct. 4, from 8-11 am at 1345 E. Main
Street Niles. There is no cost to attend
but registration is required due to limited
seating. This 3-hour interactive course
will provide participants with an in-depth
overview of the legal duties and responsibilities of board members.
To register or for more information
contact Sanya Phillips via email at
sphillips@)nilesmi.org or call 683.4700 ext
3021.
Children’s Halloween Parade
The Dowagiac Optimist Club will
sponsor the annual Children’s Halloween
Parade in downtown Dowagiac on
Saturday, Oct. 26, starting at 10 am at
the Gazebo on Beeson St. The parade
will travel south on Front St. to Park
Place, pass City Hall, north on Depot St.
and back to the Gazebo. Prizes will be
awarded for the best costumes in age
groups ranging from newborn to age 11.
All participant will be given a bag of
candy donated by local merchants.
Third annual Halloween ‘Off the
Street Trunk or Treat’ event set
The Cass County 4-H Youth
Development Program will host “Off the
Street Trunk or Treat” on Saturday, Oct.
26, from 4-6 pm at the Cass County fairgrounds and will include educational
safety topics for the whole family.
For more information call the
Michigan State University Extension Cass County office at 445-4438. The
office is located at 120 N. Broadway,
Suite 209, Cassopolis.
Spaghetti, Fish Fry, Craft Bazaar
Our Lady of the Lake Catholic
Church will host its 23rd annual spaghetti dinner October 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm
at the church, 24832 US 12 East of
Edwardsburg. The dinner will include
spaghetti with meat sauce, salad bar,
garlic bread and ice cream dessert. Wine
will be available. Cost is $8 for adults, $4
for children age 3-11 (free under age 3).
Carry-outs are available.
On Oct. 12, The Knights of
Columbus will host the third annual fish
fry from 5:30 - 8 pm. The dinner includes
locally caught pan fish, french fries, sides,
roll, beverage, and dessert for $9 adults;
$6 kids 5-12; and free for kids 4 and
under. Carry outs are also available. For
further information please contact 269873-8118.
The church will also host its annual
Craft Bazaar Nov. 2 from 9 am to 3 pm.
Over 70 vendors will show items including gifts, handmade baked goods, holiday
decor. Breakfast, lunch and treats will be
available. For information call 699-5870
or visit ourladyedwardsburg.org.
Public transportation millage
The Cass County Transportation
Authority (CCTA) has a county-wide millage on the Nov. 5 ballot. The request is
for .28 mills. This millage request will
cost the owner of a home with a taxable
value of $50,000 (approximately ½ of
market value) an additional $14 per year
in taxes.
Both the CCTA and Dowagiac DART
have been using reserve funds to supplement the cost of operating their bus systems due to increasing costs for fuel,
insurance, maintenance and supplies coupled with a decline in state and federal
funding. Once these reserves are depleted, both transit systems will be forced to
cease operation. With a county-wide
millage and a merging of the two systems, administrative, operating and purchasing efficiencies can be achieved. The
merger will allow for better coordination
of rides throughout Cass County as well
as into adjacent counties. Expanded
service can be provided in the most cost
effective manner. Currently riders
include seniors, youth, college students,
people with disabilities and families with
limited access to cars.
For more information call 445-2455.
CUMC to celebrate 175 years
The Cassopolis United Methodist
Church (CUMC) will celebrate its 175th
birthday during the 10 am Worship service on Oct. 27. Special features of the
service will be music by an Andrews
University string quartet and special
guests such as past CUMC pastors.
Attendees are invited to stay for
lunch in the Wood Fellowship Hall.
Kindly rsvp at 445-3107 or
[email protected].
The church is located at 209 S.
Rowland Street.
Walk to Defeat ALS
On Oct. 12 The ALS Association
Michigan Chapter will host The Walk to
Defeat ALS® at the Portage Central
Middle School from Noon - 4 pm.
The ALS Association Michigan
Chapter hosts the event annually around
Michigan to raise funds to sustain care
services it provides and support ongoing
research for the cause of and a cure for
DISCOVER
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Private Dining Room
Homemade Daily Specials
Outdoor Patio Dining with Fire Pit
Full take out menu available
Football Fans: Monday and Thursday night,
Saturday and Sunday all day
Special pricing on food and drink
Mondays: $2.50 spaghetti & meatballs
w/ beverage purchase
Wednesday: Live trivia at 7 pm
1/2 off featured appetizers 7-9 pm
Thursday Date Night
Buy one entrée get the second half off
Live music Friday nights
(call ahead)
Monday - Thursday 3-6
Early Bird Dinner Menu — All Items $6.29
Friday Kids Eat Free 3-7
(12 and under with the purchase of an adult meal, one child per adult)
Open Monday - Thursday 11 am to 11 pm
Friday 11 - 12:30 am; Saturday 11 am to 1:30 am
Sunday Noon to 9 pm
601 Hoffman
(just off 131)
Three Rivers, MI
(269)
279-9800
www.brewstersfoodandspirits.com
ON GUMWOOD RD., 1/4 MILE NORTH
OF STATE ROAD 23, MISHAWAKA, IN
BUDGET BLINDS “a style for every point of view” — Custom Window Coverings
Shutters - Draperies - Blinds all the BEST Brands plus Shaw Area Rugs & much more!
FREE in-home consultation, “Expert Fit” Measuring & Installation!
Mon - Sat 10 am - 5 pm or by appt
budgetblinds.com 574-277-6800 or 888-882-8343
FOOT SOLUTIONS — “Better Health Through Your Feet”. Foot solutions is more than a shoe
store. All clients are given a free 10 step foot and gait analysis by our Board Certified Pedorthist
in order to determine the correct footwear and support for your feet. We carry comfort shoes
and sandals, custom insoles, a variety of over the counter insoles and other various foot care
products. Appts recommended. Tues. - Fri. 10 am - 6 pm, Sat. 11 am - 5 pm;
footsolutions.com/granger 574-272-3668
NUTRITION WORKS — Organic produce, herbal supplements, whole food vitamins, health and
beauty aids, natural fruit smoothies, fresh vegetable juices. Mon. thru Sat. 9 am - 7 pm
www.nutritionworksinc.net 574-271-2076
THE OLIVE BRANCH — Tastings of the finest imported oils and vinegars from around the world
let you try before you buy. · Gift Baskets · Cruets, dipping dishes, pasta sets and related
products. Mon. thru Thur. 10 am - 7 pm, Fri. & Sat. 10 am - 8 pm, Sun 12 pm - 6 pm;
theolivebranchinc.net 574-855-1059
SIMPLY YOURS BRIDAL AND FORMALWEAR — A full service Bridal and Formalwear Boutique.
Wedding gowns, bridesmaids, mothers, flowergirls and tuxedos. Simply Yours is also the exclusive
for Disney Forever Enchanted Prom along with Xcite and Xtreme Prom. Find us on Facebook
www.simplyyoursboutiques.com 574-215-8544
SIMPLY YOURS BOUTIQUE — A unique boutique-style gift and bridal shoppe —your boutique for
everything girly — offering a wide variety of jewelry, fashion wear and personalized gifts and wedding essentials. Tues. thru Sat. noon - 6 pm
simplyyoursboutique.com 574-204-2912
PAGE 3
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
REGIONAL NEWS
the disease.
The walk is 2 miles long, beginning
and ending at Portage Central Middle
School. Registration begins at noon and
the walk starts at 1 pm.
Go to www.walktodefeatals.org and
register to join a team, start a team or
walk individually.
For information call 248-680-6540 or
email [email protected].
Pioneer Log Cabin Museum
The public is invited to attend the
monthly meetings regarding the Pioneer
Log Cabin Museum in Cassopolis.
Meetings are held the third Thursday of
every month at the Cass District Library.
Upcoming meeting dates are Oct. 17 and
Nov. 21.
Dowagiac Museum Lecture Series
The Dowagiac Area History
Museum’s next presentation in its Fall
Lecture Series will be Oct. 2 with Bob
Myers of the History Center at
Courthouse Square doing his program
Gangsters of Berrien County; and
Christina Hirn Arseneau of the Heritage
Museum and Cultural Center will present Three Michigan Women in the Civil
War on Nov. 6. The Dec. 4 program has
yet to be determined.
All programs begin at 6:30 pm in the
museum’s lower level. Programs are free
to museum members and cost $5 to nonmembers. The museum is at the corner of
Division and West Railroad streets. For
more information, call 269.783.2560 or
visit www.dowagiacmuseum.info.
Art show, sale planned
The Underground Railroad Society of
Cass County will host an art show and
sale by world acclaimed portrait artist
Paul Collins at the historic Bonine House
at Penn Rd and M60 in Vandalia , on
Friday Oct. 4 Saturday Oct. 5 from 2 to
6pm. More information on Paul Collins
and his art can be found on
www.collinsart.org. More information on
the Underground Railroad Society of
Cass County can be found on
www.urscc.org; call 269-646-0401 with
questions about this event.
Thursday, October 3, 12:30 - 2:30 pm
Ceramics Made Easy $8
Monday, October 14, 1-3 pm Free!
Movies for Grownups, “Hitchcock”
Popcorn free.
Thursday, October 3, 2:30 – 5 pm, and
October 17, 5 – 7:30 pm, Fruitbelt
Woodcarvers
Monday, October 21, 1 – 2:30 pm
Yesteryear in Cass County
Fridays, October 4 and 18, 9:30 – Noon
Great Decisions discussion group
Monday, October 21, 4 – 6 pm Breast
Cancer Awareness Day
Mondays, October 7 & 21 from 10 am – 1
pm Quilting Club
Friday, November 1, 2 – 3:30 pm
Parkinson’s Support Group
Tuesday, October 8, 1-3 pm Fun with Art
Wednesday, October 9, 9 am COA
Volunteer Kick-Off Breakfast.
FRONT STREET CROSSING
Wednesdays, October 2 – 23, 1 – 3 pm
The Life and Times of the First Ladies of
the United States
Wednesday, October 9, 1 – 3 pm Card
Making Class
Friday, October 4, 11:30 am Personal
Museum Tour at Front Street Crossing.
Friday, October 18, 1 – 2:30 pm Book
Club “The Paris Wife”; November is “All
the King’s Men” by Robert Penn Warren
Fridays, 1 – 3 pm Fibre Friends
COA October Events listed
LOWE CENTER, CASSOPOLIS
Tuesdays, 11 am Computer Class.
Wednesday, October 30, Noon Halloween
Party; lunch about $5
Wednesdays, Autobiography: Telling the
Story of Life. $75 includes materials.
Fridays, 10 – Noon Knitting &
Crocheting Group
Tuesday, October 15, Free Movies for
Grown Ups, “Hitchcock”
Tuesday, October 22, 1 – 3 pm Social
Media Computer Class Bring your laptop
or tablet and follow along.
Mon 8-7 ● Tues-Fri 8-5 ● Sat 8-2
PAGE 4
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
REGIONAL EVENTS CALENDAR
October 2 — Dowagiac Area History Museum
Fall Lecture Series presentation on the The
Gangsters of Berrien County, 6:30 pm,
Museum’s lower level, 783-2560
October 2 — The Life and Times of the First
Ladies of the United States, COA Front Street
Crossing, Dowagiac, 1-3 pm. 445-8110, casscoa.org
October 3 — Travelogue: Lake Michigan in a
Dugout Canoe, 6:30 pm, free, Cass District
Library Howard Branch, 684-1680
October 4 — Free Non-Profit Board and
Executive Leadership Training, 8-11 am, 1345
E. Main, Niles, 683-4700, [email protected]
to register
October 4 — Diabetes Support Group, COA
Lowe Center, Cassopolis, 1-3 pm. 445-8110,
casscoa.org
October 5 — Our Lady of the Lake Catholic
Church 23rd annual spaghetti dinner, 5:30-7:30
pm, 24832 US 12 E, Edwardsburg, $8/$4, 6995870
October 10 —Steve Barber: Music and
Storytelling, 6:30 pm, free (CDs available for
purchase), Cass District Library Main Branch,
445-3400
October 12 — Cass County Parks Harvest
Fest, Dr. TK Lawless County Park, 2:30-5:30
pm, $3 (under 2 free) 445-4456, [email protected]
October 24 — Fall Family Fun Night, 6:30 pm,
free, includes making caramel apples, Cass
District Library Edwardsburg Branch, 663-5875
October 12 — ALS Association Michigan
Chapter annual Walk to Defeat ALS, Portage
Central Middle School, noon-4 pm, 248-6806540, [email protected]
October 26 — Downtown Dowagiac Children’s
Halloween Parade, 10 am
October 12 — Under the Harvest Moon, 10 am
- 4 pm, Dowagiac, http://www.dowagiacchamber.com, 782-8212
October 12 — The Lighthouse Chorus men’s
barbershop chorus of Nile performing at
Brandywine Middle School, 2428 S. 13th St.,
Niles, 6:59 pm, $15/$12, 616-836-4881
October 14 — SCORE seminar on Obamacare
— Small Business Strategies for 2014, 6 pm,
National College, 1030 E. Jefferson Blvd.,
South Bend
October 17 — Monthly meeting of Pioneer Log
Cabin Museum, Cass District Library,
Cassopolis
October 26 — Cass County 4-H Off the Street
Trunk or Treat, 4-6 pm, Cass County
Fairgrounds, 445-4438
October 27 — Cassopolis United Methodist
Church’s 175th birthday celebration, 10 am,
209 S. Rowland, 445-3107
October 29 —Family Movie, 6 pm, free, popcorn provided free; call for title. Cass District
Library Howard Branch, 684-1680
October 30-31 — Book Sale, 11-7, proceeds
benefit Cass District Library, Cass District
Library Mason/Union Branch, 641-7674
Halloween week — Trunk ‘n Treat, Dowagiac,
http://www.dowagiacchamber.com
October 19 — Cassopolis Fall Fest, 10 am - 5
pm
November 1 — Diabetes Support Group, COA
Lowe Center, Cassopolis, 1-3 pm. 445-8110,
casscoa.org
October 22 — National Association of Active &
Retired Federal Employees SW Michigan
Chapter meeting, 6 pm, Super Buffet, Benton
Harbor, 782-2769, [email protected]
November 2 — Our Lady of the Lake Catholic
Church annual Craft Bazaar, 9 am - 3 pm,
24832 US 12 E., Edwardsburg, 699-5870, ourladyedwardsburg.org
November 5 — Cass County Transportation
Authority Millage election, 445-2455
November 6 — Dowagiac Area History
Museum Fall Lecture Series presentation on
Three Michigan Women in the Civil War, 6:30
pm, Museum’s lower level, 783-2560
November 21 — Monthly meeting of Pioneer
Log Cabin Museum, Cass District Library,
Cassopolis
November 22-24 — Old-Fashioned Christmas
Celebration, Dowagiac, http://www.dowagiacchamber.com
November 23 — Theta Mu Sorority Craft Show,
Dowagiac, http://www.dowagiacchamber.com
November 30 — Dowagiac White Saturday,
Dowagiac, http://www.dowagiacchamber.com
December 7 — Smith’s Chapel Christmas
Program, December 7, 7 PM 29858 Redfield
Road, Niles Christmas Music, Bell ringers, the
Christmas Story, and Santa for the kids. Free
December 12 — Candle-light Christmas
Parade, 7 pm, Dowagiac, http://www.dowagiacchamber.com
SENIOR FITNESS
Work that Booty!
by Brenda Harris
Cass COA
s your booty firm and tight? There is
no excuse for skipping workouts that
work your rear end. Learn how to
tighten your booty with simple exercises.
Let’s review the anatomy of the
glutes. It is one of the strongest muscle
in the body. Gluteus maximus is one of
the most outstanding parts of the muscular system, connected as it is with the
power of keeping your trunk in an
upright position. The gluteus maximus
allows your leg to extend behind you and
permits outward rotation of the thigh
bone. It is the gluteal muscle involved in
cycling, jumping rope, squatting, climbing stairs and running. It is also the
largest of the three gluteal muscles that
make up our buttocks-the other two
being the gluteus medius and gluteus
minimus.
Whether you want it to be larger,
smaller or rounder, the overall shape of
your butt depends on three factors.
1. The size of our gluteus maximus mus-
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cle. Remember that muscle mass is lean
and doesn’t take up a lot of space.
Strengthening your glutes can improve
muscle tone and result in a tighter,
firmer appearance.
2. How much fat lies on top of that muscle. It is not possible to spot reduce this
layer of fat from the buttocks. However,
cardio exercise will help reduce your
overall body fat.
3. Genetic factors. Individuals are genetically predisposed to store fat in specific
regions of their body-one of these areas is
the buttock. Women tend to have larger
and rounder butts than men. Genes also
play a role in the shape if your butt.
Genetics determine whether your rear is
bubble, pear-shaped, or flat. You can
slightly change your overall composition
of body fat and muscle mass, you most
likely will always have the same shape.
Larger or smaller depends on changes in
your body fat and muscle tone.
Every body responds differently to
exercise, so it’s important to try a variety
of butt exercises to see which ones work
the best for you.
Weight training is unlikely to make a
women’s butt bigger. The average
woman doesn’t bulk up from strength
training because she lacks a significant
amount of hormone testosterone, which is
essential to develop large amounts of
muscle. It would take hours of time in
the gym on a daily basis to change your
physique to look like a bodybuilder. So,
using heavier weights with fewer repetitions when training their glutes at the
gym is more effective.
Here are some booty firming exercises. Maintain slow and controlled movements instead of going fast, and focus on
the quality of each repetition over the
quantity of reps.
For the following exercises do 2-3 sets of
10 repetitions for each exercise, three
times a week.
■ Step-ups: using stairs steps, to target
your glutes go up stairs, remember to
push down with your heel while straightening your leg.
■ Lunges: When doing your lunge, lift
your front toes off the floor, shifts your
weight onto the heel. This will increase
the work of the glutes.
■ Squats: Squats will kick it in the rear!
Try single-leg squats to increase challenge or hold onto hand weights for add
resistance.
■ Quadruped leg lifts: On your hands
and knees, tuck your belly button to your
spine to stabilize your torso and spine.
Lift one leg up, keeping the knee bent at
90 degrees, until the upper leg is parallel
to the ground. If you straighten the leg,
this creates more resistance and prevents
the hamstring from taking over the work
of the butt muscles.
■ Stair climbing: Climbing stairs as a
means of cardio also targets the butt.
Another way is to go up a hill or an
inclined treadmill works the glutes more
than walking or running on a flat road.
Committing to a glute program will
improve your health and not cost much
money, only your time. If having a great
looking rear isn’t enough to add the exercises, consider the fact that having a
strong rear also means a strong back.
Consistency is the key-to a stronger,
firmer, great looking booty.
PAGE 6
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
BUSINESS & FINANCE
What constitutes a “successful” retirement?
Provided by Greg Schoenfeld, CFP®
Compass Wealth Advisors
ow do you know if your retirement is living up to
its potential? There isn’t a standard definition of
a successful retirement. (Maybe there should be,
but there isn’t.) It is interesting to see how different people define it.
Maybe income is the yardstick. Make that income
replacement. A recent article in Financial Advisor
Magazine put it this way: “Successful retirement is
defined as the ability to replace current income in retirement.” The Employee Benefit Research Institute, which
tracks workplace retirement savings trends in America,
defines retirement success in similar, if narrower, terms.
To EBRI, “success” equals a combination of Social
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Security income and 401(k) savings that replace 80% of
preretirement income after adjusting for inflation.1,2
Maybe health matters most. Perhaps a successful
retirement equates to successful aging staving off mental and physical decline. In a poll of 768
non-retired investors conducted for the John Hancock
Financial Network, 49% of respondents said being
healthy best signifies retirement success. (Just 27% said
having enough income represented success.) While we’d
all like to feel like we are 30 when we reach 80,
MarketWatch’s Elizabeth O’Brien notes that physical
and mental independence shouldn’t be the only definition of successful aging: “We lionize the person living
alone at 95, and while that’s certainly laudatory, we
could also celebrate those who remain connected to their
communities despite their infirmities, or those
who have saved enough to afford whatever care is needed.3,4
Or maybe our capacity to make a difference or grow
matters most. We can make the most of the “second act”
in many ways — through service, through adventure,
through learning, via some blend of personal growth and
leaving a legacy. Many baby boomers expect nothing
less.
A successful retirement is ultimately one meeting
your expectations. Within months or years after you
retire, you will probably consider how things are pro-
ceeding — and if your retirement looks something like
the life you had in mind or the life you planned for, then
you can call it a success.
Greg Schoenfeld may be reached at 574-522-3738 or www.compasswa.com
This material was prepared by MarketingLibrary.Net Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. All information is
believed to be from reliable sources; however we make no representation as to
its completeness or accuracy. Please note - investing involves risk, and past performance is no guarantee of future results. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed,
the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This
information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may
not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty. This is neither a solicitation nor recommendation to purchase or sell any investment or
insurance product or service, and should not be relied upon as such. All indices
are unmanaged and are not illustrative of any particular investment.
Citations
1 - fa-mag.com/news/working-with-advisor-important-to-retirement--success-study-shows-14074.html [4/25/13]
2 - kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T001-C022-S001-automatic-401k-saving-features-no-fail-safe-to-ret.html [5/14/13]
3 - johnhancockfinancialnetwork.com/blog-entry/survey-non-retired-investors
[1/11/13]
4 - marketwatch.com/story/successful-aging-protects-health-and-wealth-2013-0531 [5/31/13]
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PAGE 7
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
BUSINESS & FINANCE
Medicare Open Enrollment Period
by DEAN R. JOHNSON
Kemner-Iott Agency
he Medicare Open Enrollment
Period “OEP” is coming up quickly
and I want to share a few frequently asked questions and answers with you.
Q. When is the OEP?
A. The OEP begins on Oct. 15, 2013 and
ends on Dec. 7, 2013.
Q. What can Medicare Beneficiaries
do during this OEP?
A. During the OEP Medicare beneficiaries can join, switch, or drop a Medicare
Advantage Plan or Medicare Prescription
Drug Plan. If any plan changes are made
during this OEP, the coverage with the
new plan will be effective January 01,
2014 as long as your request is received
by Dec. 7, 2013.
Q. Can I make changes to my plan
after December 7?
A. Yes, but with limitations; between
January 1 through Feb. 14, 2014, if you
are in a Medicare Advantage Plan you
can leave your plan and switch to
Original Medicare. If you switch to
Original Medicare during this period,
you’ll have until Feb. 14, 2014 to also join
a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to add
drug coverage. Your coverage will begin
the first day of the month after the date
of your enrollment. During this period
you CAN’T switch from Original
Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan,
switch from one Medicare Advantage
Plan to another, switch from one
Medicare Prescription Drug Plan to
another, or join, switch, or drop a
Medicare Medical Savings Account Plan.
T
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Q. Are there any other times I can
change my Medicare Advantage
Plan or Prescription Drug Plan?
A. The other times you can, in certain situations, be able to join, switch, or drop a
Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan is during Special
Enrollment Periods known as “SEP.”
You can use the SEP if you move out of
your plan’s service area, if you have
Medicaid, if you qualify for Extra Help or
if you live in an institution like a nursing
home
Q. How are the Medicare Advantages
rated and who does the rating?
A. Medicare uses information from member satisfaction surveys, plans and health
care providers to give overall performance star ratings to the plans from 1-star
to 5-stars. A 5-star rating is considered
excellent. These ratings are updated
each fall and change every year. You can
switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan
that has a 5-star plan rating from Dec. 8,
2013 through Nov. 30, 2014. Regretfully
there are no 5-star rated plans in our
area and very few in the entire country.
Q. When can I initially enroll in a
Medicare Supplement or Medicare
Advantage Plan or Prescription
Drug Plan?
A. You can join a Medicare Advantage
Plan or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan
or a Medicare Supplement Plan during a
7 month period that begins 3 months
before the month you turn 65 and ends 3
months after you turn 65.
Q. If I am receiving Medicare as a
result of a disability, when can I initially enroll in a Medicare
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Advantage Plan or Prescription
Drug Plan?
A. If you receive Medicare due to a disability you can join a Medicare
Advantage Plan or a Medicare
Prescription Drug Plan during a 7 month
period that begins 3 months before your
25th month of disability and ends 3
months after your 25th month of disability.
Q. What is the relationship of the
Medicare OEP and Healthcare
Reform Act?
A. Given that the Oct. 1, 2013 Healthcare
Reform Act will launch its Marketplace
and will be calling it an “Open
Enrollment Period,” there is likelihood for
some confusion among senior citizens
that have Medicare. Basically citizens
eligible for Medicare will not be subject to
the rules and regulations of the
Healthcare Reform Act. Do not let anyone convince you of anything different. If you have Medicare you will not
face any potential penalties for being
uninsured.
Q. Is the Healthcare Reform Act part
of Medicare?
A. No. I know that all of you have heard
about new National Health Insurance
Program that will be launching on Oct. 1,
2013 as a result of the Healthcare Reform
Act. Please do not confuse this Program
with Medicare as the Healthcare Reform
Act is not a part of Medicare. Many
scams are going through our area now
claiming they are Government Agents
telling all types of stories in order to
obtain your Medicare Number, Social
Security Number and Bank
Account/Credit Card Information. Please
remember the Government does not call
to request this type of information over
the telephone, so beware and do business
with people you know and trust.
The enrollment in Medicare
Advantage Plans has grown by 30 percent since 2010, and this growth appears
to be continuing in the future. Since
2005 over 14 million people are choosing
Medicare Advantage Plans which can
provide a combination of coverage equal
to all of the benefits provided under
Original Medicare, and most Medicare
Advantage Plans include a Part D benefit
for prescription drugs.
Please remember this OEP beginning on Oct.15 through Dec. 7, 2013 is
the only time most of us can join or
switch your Part D Medicare Prescription
Drug Plans. This is a good time to analyze your prescription drug usage to
make sure you are getting the best benefit from your Medicare Prescription Drug
Plan.
I would suggest that you contact
your independent insurance agency for
questions regarding this OEP and the
Plans available in your area for 2014.
Experienced agents are continually training to provide the most updated information on the plans available. This is a
time to do business with people you know
and trust.
Dean R. Johnson
Kemner-Iott Agency of Cass County
269-445-2425
[email protected]
PAGE 8
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
OUR CHILDREN
Twenty ways to keep your cool
by Sandy Fleming
t’s been an outrageous day, and you’ve
had it! That one child pushes you just
a little bit too far. Everything seems
to be going wrong at once. You’re not feeling your best. You had a rough night or
you think you may be getting sick. You’ve
had a rough time in a key relationship in
your life. These things just scratch the
surface of the list of situations that can
cause anyone’s anger to boil over.
It happens to most of us once in a
while. It happens to some of us more
often than it should. We get so angry,
frustrated, or upset that we are stretched
to the limit. Everyone has THOSE days,
when life seems to throw curves and the
self-control stretches thin. This is the
kind of emotional scene that can lead to
child abuse. Don’t take chances when
your self-control is frazzled! Here are
twenty quick and easy ways to back off,
to keep your cool, and to maintain your
loving and nurturing self.
When you feel the pressure building
up inside of you to lash out, stop, take a
deep breath, and try one or more of these
ideas instead:
■ The old adage to “count to 10” is a good
one. It gives you time to pause and avoid
rash actions. You can even keep counting
if you’re still feeling out of control.
■ Remember that discipline is a LOVING
act that will HELP the child learn selfcontrol. When your child looks back on
this incident, will he or she see the love
and the help?
■ Take a deep breath. The very act of
breathing deeply will relax your muscles
and drain away some of the stressful
energy built up in your body. Do it two or
three or four or more times, until you
start to feel more in charge.
■ Remember that you are the adult!
What is behind this anger that you feel?
I
Did the child really make you this angry,
or is there something else in the background (like a bad day, or feeling uncomfortable, or relationship problems, or...)
that is pushing the feelings out of control?
■ Close your eyes. Shutting out visual
input can help you relax. While you have
your eyes closed, think about what the
child is seeing and hearing, and what he
or she is about to see and hear. Is this the
memory that you want the child to take
with them into their adult life? Visualize
instead the positive actions that you
could take: yourself calmly and coolly
helping the child to learn the correct
behavior.
■ Use your time-out system. Separating
from the child who has triggered your
anger will help you calm down and help
you feel like you have taken some action.
Remember that the accepted guideline
for using time-out is one minute for each
year of the child’s age.
■ Call someone you care about. Let the
voice on the other end of the line become
your life preserver. Tell that person that
you just wanted to have a momentary
distraction to help settle your nerves. Ask
for advice, if you want. Talk about the
weather. Anything to take the edge off of
your current situation.
■ Try putting yourself in time-out! If you
have another adult assistant, go completely away for a minute or two. If not,
sit in a chair where you can still watch
and keep everyone safe, but declare yourself off limits. Ignore demands and
requests for just a few minutes while you
take some deep breaths and relax.
■ If someone else can take over for a few
minutes, try going for a walk. The fresh
air and exercise will help clear your head
and relax your body.
■ Sometimes it can help to exercise. Get
the group going with some spur of the
moment calisthenics. Movement will
help you to feel more in control, the activity will distract both you and the youngster who is aggravating you, and the
change of pace will shift
everyone’s focus onto more positive activities and thoughts.
■ Splash water on your face. The sharp
sensory input will help clear your mind
and allow you to take charge of your emotions. When you are in control, you will
be more able to deal with the situation
rationally and in a positive way.
■ Hug or punch a pillow. Releasing
strong emotions is very important for
your mental health. This is an acceptable and safe way to do just that.
■ Sing a song. Try something loud and
vigorous, or something soft and gentle.
Making music can provide an emotional
release that will help you cope with
strong feelings. Put your heart into it,
and SING!
■ Turn on some music. Even listening
to music will ease your body’s tension
level. Music can calm and soothe both
you and the children.
■ Try putting your angry feelings down
on paper. Write down what you want to
say or do, then be sure to destroy the
paper.
■ Do an activity that you really enjoy.
You can even scrap the schedule and get
the group started with that fun game or
art project.
■ Write down as many positive points
about the target of your anger as you can.
Save this list, and look at it lots. It will
help you see that person as a valuable
and unique individual, instead of a provoking annoyance.
■ Make a list of positive and helpful
words. Post it in a prominent place.
The human mind is a powerful tool, and
simply making an effort to change our
internal dialogue will help change
actions!
■ If you can get away for a little while
and leave someone else in charge of the
children, take a hot bath. Taking care of
yourself is vital to maintaining self-control. When you feel more at peace with
the world, you will be able to cope with
the stresses of parenting or childcare.
■ Again, if you can get away for a while,
try taking a drive.
Driving is one of the situations
where we feel totally in control. You can
go where you want and take your time
getting there. The car is private and
peaceful, just the thing to soothe a harried parent. Just be sure that you don’t
transfer your angry feelings into any
form of road rage!
These ideas aren’t magical cure-alls,
of course, but they will help most of us.
At least one or two from the list should be
workable in all situations. Try printing
the list up in bold print and posting it
where you can see it to remind yourself of
alternatives.
If extreme feelings are a problem for
you, or if you are concerned about the
way you or another adult interacts with
children, there are resources available to
help. Check with your physician, pediatrician, local school district, child care
resource and referral agency, or clergy
person for resources in your local area.
You can also contact the National Council
on Child Abuse and Family Violence at:
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW
Suite 1000
Washington, D.C. 20036
1-202-429-6695
Let’s all work to make every child’s
childhood a safe and nurturing time of
learning instead of a nightmare that
never goes away.
HEALTH & FITNESS
Eliminating the notion that S’Matters
trol.
By GARY ANDERT
Outpost Sports
n my attempt to dissuade the
European notion that all
Americans believe that bigger is
better, I will use “S’Matters” in lieu of
size matters.” And while super-size does
have many negative connotations, i.e.
obesity, un-healthy fast foods, gigantic
gas-sucking S.U.V.’s and some peoples
egos, super-size in some sports uses
makes total sense.
For example, a 29”-diameter-wheel
mountain bike. These bikes are faster,
roll over objects (trees, rocks, etc.) better
and corner with more confidence than a
26”-wheel bike.
With the knowledge that “bike guys”
have great difficulty with the status quo,
several manufacturers have come out
with “fat tire” bikes — 26” x 4 - 41/2”
width tires. Surly, Trek, Specialized and
Salsa bike brands have all pounced on
the latest trend in super-size.
The Surley Pugsley is one such
model. Surley bike designers, based in
the snowy Minnesota north woods, decided a bike with mega fat width tires was
needed to navigate snow in the winter
months. Riders found that not only did
I
the Pugley float on the snow but also was
a great sand riding bike. Think of the
Pugsley as your extended season or sand
bike. Racers were among the first to
embrace these bikes because of the difficulty they found with their 2”-tire-width
bikes in sandy terrain.
One thing I will guarantee on the
test ride of said bike is the huge smile
gracing your mug! The first impression
you have is the impression the super-size
width tires leave in the terra firma. The
bikes rolls much faster that it seems it
should, considering the extra weight of
the wheels. But oh, such fun.
Design and technology have also
given us oversize-head tennis rackets and
golf clubs. Increased head size gives the
user a larger sweat spot and greater con-
I am still amazed with the fantastic
skiability of Rossignol’s new Soul 7 ski.
As a mostly Mid-Western skier, I surprised myself with how fast and easy it is
to initiate a turn on a ski with a 136-106126 sidecut measurement on the runs of
Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas this past
Spring. Not only does this fat ski float
through powder and blow through crud,
it also carves a turn on hardpack.
Once again a product when you first
see it, does things its appearance tells
your eyes it should not do what it can do.
This ‘Best in Test’ winner in this season’s
reviews is an example of what has caused
ski area operators to expand their terrain.
With the advent of “shape skis” 15
years ago, skiers found that these new
skis enabled them to ski terrain that
challenged them with their old skis.
Wider ski tips, tapering to a narrower
waist dimension gave these skis the characteristics to ski steeper, tougher terrain
that there driver would have bailed on
with their previous narrow skis.
Conversely, electronics have gone in
the opposite direction of large. As cell
phones have gotten thinner and lighter,
their operating systems seem to have
grown with ability to perform more tasks.
Apps abound for almost any sport.
Running, skiing, cycling are those I’m
aware of that have “ apps” that can track
your speed, distance, vertical, mileage,
cadence, etc. that help you train and awe
your friends. Some cyclist have even
replaced their bicycle computer with their
cell phone with the appropriate app.
Small cameras have been installed in
ski goggle frames along with heads up
information displayed on the lens.
In the goal of reducing gasoline consumption, many sports people have purchases small station wagons or small
SUVs. While more fuel efficient than
hauling your sporting equipment around
in a Hummer, many have found they
have to invest in a luggage box roof rack
to carry the necessary toys. Rack manufacturers have responded with shorter,
wider boxes so you may carry an abundance of gear and still are able to open
your hatch.
Size, large or small, does matter
depending on your equipment needs,
travel duration and destination.
But none of this matters unless you
go outside and play.
PAGE 9
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
THE GOLD RUSH DIARY
Continuation of the “Gold Rush Diary” of
Dr. Evan J. Bonine, as he set out across the vast
wilderness of the Great Plains by Conestoga
wagon, on his way to California. Gold had been
discovered there just months before a group of
citizens from Cassopolis, including Bonine, went
to search out their fortune. Between
Independence, Missouri and California, there
were virtually no towns. Bonine and the rest of
his party had to face the elements, wild animals,
bad weather, etc before arriving in California.
Numerous misspellings, grammar and punctuation remain for historical accuracy. This portion
of the diary was written as Bonine and party traveled the Oregon Trail, in present day Wyoming.
Monday, June 25, 1849 — Left camp at 5 [a.m.].
Passed up the river over a heavy, sandy road and
passed Mineral Lake and Spring. At noon we
stopped on the stream 14 miles from camp. We went
14 miles further and encamped. I was very tiard
[tired]. We had mush and milk for supper which went
off well.
Tuesday, June 26, 1849 — This morning I went 10
miles back to see some sick men. That evening I got
back to the same place and encamped with Capt.
Stidger. Some of the boys climbed up into mountains
and fired some old pines which made splendid light.
Wednesday, June 27, 1849 — I started early in the
morning to overtake out train. I passed three hundred
teams during the day and over took my train just in
time to camp. Today we passed Ice spring which had
plenty of ice. The spring is in a low, flat basin. The
road is lined with dead oxen. They died from drinking
alcaline [alkaline] water. We crossed the river 5 times
today and [had] mush and milk for supper.
Thursday, June 28, 1849 — We left camp early and
passed over some high hills which were very rocky.
Went 20 miles and encamped on the river at the last
ford. Today we found snow 15 feet deep. We carried
it with us for drink.
Friday, June 29, 1849 — At 7[a.m.] we pulled up
stakes and struck for the South pass or summit of the
Rocky Mountains which was 9 and 3/4 miles off. It
was a place hard to find for it was a perfect plain but
from this place the water divided and ran into 2 different oceans. To our right were the wind river Mountes
covered with snow. [Ed note: Perhaps meaning: ‘To
our right, the mountains were covered with snow.’?].
Here the nights are very cold and chilly. To day we
came to Pacific Spring which flows into the Colorado
River. We went a few miles further and encamped
near dry sands. The water was so bad the cattle
would not drink it, but those who did were certain to
die in a short time.
Saturday, June 30, 1849 — We left Dry Sands and
passed over to Big sandy and encamped. During the
day we passed lots of dead cattle. The road stunk
with them all the time. Here we had to do all cooking
with small sage.
Sunday, July 1, 1849 — We spent the day on the
bank of the Big Sandy to rest the cattle so as to pass
the 50 miles desert which is our next drive. It is destitute of water and grass. Big Sandy is a swift running
stream 2 feet deep and 8 rods wide. The roads were
rocky and sandy. The weather was fine.
Monday, July 2, 1849 — We left Big Sandy at 4 in
the evening and traveled all night. It was very cold
and the ground froze. We left Big Sandy at 4 in the
evening and traveled all night. It was very cold and
the ground froze. I saw ice 1/2 inch thick. This morning the Centerville boys came up with us. The whole
country about Bid Sandy was covered with dead
oxen.
Tuesday, July 3, 1849 — We drove until we got to
the Green River which took us until 2 O’clock in the
evening. The distance was measured today, it was
found to be 50 [miles]. The dust was 5 or 6 inches
deep. It was a hard trip for oxen but we had the good
luck to get all our cattle all through safe. But many
poor oxen perished before they got to water. When
we got to the river we found no grass. It made our
eyes stick out until they might have been snared with
D cable rope. But after resting them a few minutes
we started to the mountains about 3 miles distant
were we found some wild oats and they done tolerably well. We soon went to bed. I slept very sound
until the sun roasted me out of the tent in the morning.
Wednesday, July 4, 1849 — We fixed our boat and
commenced putting our goods and wagon over the
[Green] river. It is a powerful, swift running stream
about the size of the St. Joseph River. The old lady
Brice got us up a good dinner and we passed a
happy 4th of July. There was a company from
Pittsburg that had a cannon and kept a constant fire
all day. It sounded a little like old times.
To be continued...
NATURE NOTES
Mute Swans flourish here
Provided by the Cass District Library
Local History Branch
Photos by Vicki Liska of Dayton, Michigan.
Taken on Dayton Lake, June 2013
ative to Eurasia, Mute Swans
were introduced to Michigan in
1919, when several pair were let
go in Antrim County, located in the
northwest portion of the Lower Peninsula
of Michigan. By the end of the 1920s, a
small, wild population of mute swans
existed in the Grand Traverse Bay region
and it has been spreading ever since.
In Berrien County, the first mute
swans were reported in the 1950s, but
were not seen regularly until 1968.
Places to look for mute swans are Paw
Paw Lake, and in the man-made lakes
that surround the Benton Township campus of Lake Michigan College. In Cass
County, they around the same time
(1960s) and are found on many of Cass’s
inland lakes.
The species is considered a pest in
many areas and the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources is trying to limit the numbers of the ever-
N
increasing mute swan population.
Currently the mute swan can be found
throughout Michigan Lower Peninsula
and the southeast portion of the Upper
Peninsula (around the Straits of
Mackinac). The species is semi-migratory,
it is found throughout the year on large,
open bodies of water.
Mute swans are more aggressive
than their native cousin, the trumpeter
swan.
Trumpeter swans inhabited the eastern United States, including the Great
Lakes in the 1700s and early 1880s.
Remains of the trumpeter swan have
been unearthed at the Fort St. Joseph
archeological site near Niles. By the time
southwest Michigan was open to settlement in earnest (1830s), the trumpeter
swan had already been wiped out locally.
Beginning in the 1980s, a reintroduction effort of the trumpeter swan into
Michigan was begun by the Michigan
Department of Natural Resources
(Nongame program) and the Kellogg Bird
Sanctuary.
By 2004, trumpeter swans were considered reestablished in Michigan, but
remain “State Threatened.”
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Sunday ~ BBQ Ribs or Lake Perch
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Serving the area for over 18 years!
Fri 8-7
swans is quite easy. Adult mute swans
have orange bills, trumpeter swans have
black bills. Mute swans also tend to display a “S” curve in their long necks.
For more information, go to
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/ and type
“swans” in the search box.
23018 S. Shore Dr.
GOOD THINGS FOR YOU!
14687 SR 23 East, Granger, IN
M-Th 8-8
Locally, most trumpeter swans are
found in Cass and Van Buren Counties. I
am unaware of any nesting trumpeter
swans in Berrien County, although the
species is now seen every year on Paw
Paw Lake, during the winter months.
Identifying mute and trumpeter
(269) 699-5113
Open Wed & Thurs, 5-9:30
Fri & Sat, 5-10:30
Open Sunday at 5 pm
PAGE 10
NEIGHBORS
NEIGHBORS’ RECIPE CORNER
OCTOBER 2013
PAGE 11
NEIGHBORS
NEIGHBORS’ RECIPE CORNER
OCTOBER 2013
PAGE 12
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
FIELD TRIP
Field Trip: T he Heddon Museum
Dowa giac
Open 7 days
a week
Moomba
Wakeboard Boats
Hewitt Roll-a-Dock combines
superior strength with maximum stability.
It can be extended to any length
Roll-a-Dock is low maintenance and
corrosion-resistant.
The Classic Dock offers
great appearance and
flexibility. Perfect for those who
want to make the most of their
time on the water. Aluminum
construction
eliminates painting
with little or no maintenance
SUPRA
2013 BEYOND BETTER
WINTER
STORAGE
SPECIAL
$16 per ft. for
the whole
season
pick up and
delivery
available
Avalon
Catalina
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SOUTHSIDE OF GRAVEL LAKE
15355 96TH AVE
Lawton, Michigan 49065
269.423-6011
1-888-996-BOAT
[email protected]
rent Pontoon Boats
Service to most area lakes!
WWW.APOLLOMARINE.NET
PAGE 13
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
FIELD TRIP
FACTOID:
Drake’s Country Cuts
476-9820
Neighbors
18437 Mt. Zion,
Cassopolis
Farm Processing
& USDA Meats
3rd Generation Butcher
is delivered to
approximately 3,000 homes
on 22 lakes in Cass County
and available at over 100
businesses in Michiana
Advertising
that works!
For information on advertising
here call 228-1080 or 445-9200
M
onuments
Design
BY
LLC
Jeromy Bogue
21945 M60 East
Cassopolis, MI 49031
Phone: 269-445-3848
Fax:
269-445-3828
Custom Monuments, Field Stones, On Site Lettering and more
www.monumentsbydesignllc.com
Complete Lawn Care Maintenance
■ Lawn Fertilization Programs
■ Brush Hog work
■ Spring & Fall clean-ups
■ Mole Treatment
■ Shrub trimming
■ New Lawns Installed
■ Aeration & Dethatching
■ Snow Plowing
269-445-3302
22282 Loupee Dr.
Cassopolis, MI
We Dry Clean Area Rugs
We have moved to
University Gardens
6910 N. Main St.
Unit 26A
Granger, IN 46530
PAGE 14
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
FIELD TRIP
The Heddon Museum is located at 414 West
St. in Dowagiac. Admission is free. Hours
are Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm and the
last Sunday of the month from 1:30 to 4 pm.
Contact Don or Joan Lyons at 782-4068 to
arrange a private, free tour outside of normal
business hours.
Shipshewana Woodworks
Superior, old-world craftsmanship made affordable
Custom Furniture, Kitchens, Baths and Wall Units
Huge variety of wood, colors, glaze paints, stains and finishes
Shipshewana Woodworks
7720 W. 200 N
Shipshewana, IN
(260) 768-7034
Free
Estimates
Visit our showroom and talk
with one of our
craftsmen!
PIZZA!
HOME OF THE 24”
STONE LAKE MONSTER PIZZA
NOW: Free Wi-Fi
Inside!
Dine in or
Carry Out
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For all of your landscape installation needs
● Block & Rock Retaining Walls
● Brick Patios
● Ponds
● Sod & Seeding
● Split & Seasoned Firewood
● Hardscape Specialist
● Bobcat work
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N E W — Concrete Edging
CALL JIM LEACH
IN CASSOPOLIS
445-2111
www.jllandscapingsite.com
Open Wed., Thurs.
& Fri. at 11 am
Saturday at 4 pm
Closed Sunday,
Monday & Tuesday
Before
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[email protected]
tion and
445-2111
quote www.jllandscapingsite.com
After
PAGE 15
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
HISTORIC POSTCARDS
Historic postcards depict rich scenes of early area life
n this issue of Neighbors,
Jerdon Real Estate of
Dowagiac, owned by Floyd
Jerdon and his son Tom, has
provided antique postcards of a
few of the many lakes in our
area. Floyd and his wife
Donna started collecting post
cards more than 20 years ago,
and since Jerdon Real Estate
specializes in marketing lake
I
property, it was a natural fit
that Floyd’s interest be directed to the lake cards. The collection now numbers many
thousands.
Jerdon has recently used
many of his postcards featuring the Sister Lakes area in a
book written by RL
Rasmussen. The book, which
retails for $19.99, is in its sec-
ond printing by the publisher,
Arcadia Publishing.
Among other places, the
book may be purchased at the
Jerdon Real Estate office on
M-62 West, and at Whistlestop
Gifts, which is operated by the
Dowagiac Chamber of
Commerce.
For more information or to
get a copy of Jerdon’s book,
visit the website: www.arcadiapublishing.com
In this edition of Neighbors
we have selected postcards
showing images in and around
Marcellus.
In future issues, we will
couple additional cards from
one or more of the area’s lakes
with views of nearby communities and countryside.
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PAGE 16
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
HISTORIC POSTCARDS
UNION INSURANCE AGENCY
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Independent Agency
(269) 445-2231
269-641-5995
fax: 269-641-5787
email: [email protected]
www.unionins.net
PAGE 17
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
HISTORIC POSTCARDS
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PAGE 18
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
INDEX TO NEIGHBORS’ ADVERTISERS
ALL AREA CODES ARE 269 UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED
Beauty Parlors, Barbers
Dowagiac Vacuum Center .......................13.........................782-0899
Union Insurance Agency..........................16.........................641-5995
Bakeman Barbers.....................................3...........................782-5694
Grover’s Plumbing Service ......................6...........................268-2017
http://www.unionins.net
Cleopatra’s Hair Hut................................13.........................445-2686
Hearth & Home.........................................6 ...................800-769-3031
Salon Ubon ................................................13 .................574-243-8266
http://www.hearthandhome-sb.com
Brewsters ...................................................2...........................279-9800
http://www.salonubon.com
Lutz Concrete ............................................18.........................279-7973
Bullseye......................................................19.........................476-1126
Boats, Marinas, Piers, Sports
Saugatuck Art Gallery .............................6...........................857-1189
http://www.bullseyemarketplace.com
Apollo Marine............................................12...............888-996-BOAT
Shipshewana Woodworks........................14 .................260-768-7034
Down to Earth...........................................9 ...................574-271-1497
http://www.apollomarine.net
Sun and Shade Awnings..........................13.........................244-5307
Drake’s Country Meats ............................13.........................476-9820
Boat Butler ................................................15.........................476-2222
http://www.sunandshadeawnings.com
Hardings.....................................................6...........................445-2607
http://www.boatbutlermarine.com
Food, Restaurants, Liquor, Catering, Markets
Jake’s Country Meats...............................6...........................445-3020
Greg’s Pontoon Transport........................6...........................279-7275
Towne Restoration....................................13 .................574-295-2174
http://www.jakescountrymeats.com
O’Donnell’s Docks .....................................12.........................244-1446
http://www.townerestoration.com
Lindy’s Restaurant ...................................6...........................782-4533
Dental/Medical/Health
Marcello’s ...................................................14.........................445-3900
High’s Marine............................................17.........................423-7065
Afdent .........................................................20 .................574-277-2220
Mareno’s Sports Bar.................................4...........................476-9606
http://www.highsmarine.com
http://www.afdent.com
Shafer’s.......................................................3...........................240-0436
Cass COA...................................................4...........................445-8110
Stacy’s.........................................................9...........................699-5113
http://www.odonnellsdocks.com
Construction, Home Improvement, Home Repair
http://www.casscoa.org
Advantage Plumbing................................13.........................687-7192
BLT Mechanical........................................13 .................574-250-4158
Forest Glen ................................................17.........................782-5300
http://www.leisure-living.com
Bowles Well Drilling.................................13.........................663-2820
http://www.bowlesjwwelldrilling.com
Budget Blinds............................................7 ...................888-882-8343
Lee Memorial Hospital.............................3...........................783-3052
Smile Center..............................................17.........................445-5550
Timbers ......................................................6...........................782-7828
http://www.atriumlivingcenter.com’
Diamond Construction .............................13.........................759-4010
Education
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http://www.jllandscapingsite.com
Mroszek Sod Farm....................................6...........................646-2009
http://www.mroszeksodfarm.com
North Star Landscaping ..........................15........................ 445-9100
http://www.northstarlandscape.net
Wright Way Lawn Service.......................13.........................445-3302
http://www.cass.lib.mi.us
Financial
Cass County Farm Bureau......................14.........................445-3849
Compass Wealth Advisors.......................6 ...................888-820-9100
http://www.compasswa.com
KB VILLAGE EXPRESS
M-60 IN CASSOPOLIS
JL Landscaping.........................................14.........................445-2111
Turf Services..............................................3...........................782-6990
Cass District Library................................13.........................445-3400
SOFT CLOTH
Carter Electric Motor ...............................6...........................476-2220
http://www.smilecentermi.com
http://www.budgetblinds.com
Cass Outdoor Power Equipment ............16.........................445-2231
Lawn/Landscaping
Dowagiac Credit Union............................18.........................782-2410
http://www.dafcu.net
Misc.
Constantine Millage .................................5...........................435-8900
KB Village Express...................................6, 18 ...............................n/a
Monuments by Design .............................13.........................445-3848
Toscana Park.............................................2..............................various
Vetter Chevrolet........................................7...........................278-1485
http://www.vetterchevy.com
Kemner Iott Insurance.............................7...........................445-2425
http://www.kemneriott.com
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PAGE 19
NEIGHBORS
OCTOBER 2013
THE LAST WORD
Splain it to me, Lucy ... and don’t laugh
ver notice that if you stare at something long enough or concentrate
on something really hard or strain
your ears to listen to something that is
just below Belltone level, the whole thing
will often just slip away?
It’s kind of like those weird “floaters”
that you get in your eyes, those squigglyshaped stick figures that float around
and you usually don’t even see them until
you’re looking into a dense fog or trying
to make out something that’s way far
away on the horizon. And even then they
don’t appear right where you can really
make out what they look like, they just
kind of float around just off to the side or
below what you’re looking at, and if you
try to shift your gaze to see them more
clearly they jump away like a dust mote
jumping away from a dry mop under the
bed or something.
Well, the opposite of that can be even
more annoying.
My daughter Erica introduced me to
the expression Ear Worm a couple years
back when one of her children had just
finished singing the song B-I-N-G-O ... for
the 292nd time in one hour.
Believe me when I tell you that no
matter what you do; no matter where you
go; no matter how hard you try, you
won’t be able to get that annoying, repetitive, frustrating ditty out of your head for
at least 24 hours.
I know that listening to other songs
on the radio doesn’t work ... the damn
thing comes back as soon as it gets quiet
again.
I know that singing some other song
doesn’t work (and, worst of all, the other
E
song starts sounding surprisingly similar
to B-I-N-G-O after a short while.
I know diving into a cold lake and
shaking your head doesn’t work. I know
cleaning your ears, blowing your nose
and passing gas don’t work.
And I know that screaming the word
“AAAAAAAAAAAAA” doesn’t help.
Hell, I don’t think cranial burr holes
or a pre-frontal lobotomy would work on
a full-blown, deeply imbedded ear worm.
Once it’s burrowed into your brain,
it’s got you, and you’ll never look at that
song the same way again.
For me, the same thing has happened with the horrid recorded, canned
laugh track they use on television.
You know what I’m talking about,
the sound that you hear after EVERY
SINGLE LINE in modern television
comedies ... regardless of whether what
was said was really funny or not ... to try
to brainwash you into thinking you’re
having a good time so you’ll keep watching (and their ratings will stay high so
they can make a lot more money).
Back in the old days, back when I
was a kid and the only comedies on the
tube were I Love Lucy, You Bet Your Life
and Ernie Kovacs, shows that were mostly filmed before a live audience, even
though they hadn’t discovered the financial power of canned laughter, they were
quickly learning how to capitalize.
I remember when live hosts’ minions
would hold up printed “cue cards” for the
audience, saying things like “applaud,”
“cheer,” or “laugh.”
And like lemmings and Kool-Aid
drinkers of other generations, the audi-
ence would correspondingly applaud,
cheer, or laugh.
Over the years it’s gotten to the point
that I can’t even watch a television comedy without focusing ... without obsessing
on the blasted laugh track.
My neighbors think I’m nuts.
“You never watched a single episode
of Seinfeld?” they ask incredulously.
Nope.
“Arrested Development? Friends?
Frasier?”
Nope, nope, nope.
They shake their heads. Most of
them don’t believe me.
Often they try to tell me what I’m
missing.
Unfortunately their descriptions,
maybe because they’re lacking a laugh
track, universally fail to interest me ...
I know that comedy is a personal
thing — and that one man’s comedy can
be another man’s agony.
But when it comes to the laugh
track, I can’t even concentrate on the
comedy ... just the agony.
And the real tragedy of the whole
thing is that even aside from the financial rewards the comedy-track button
pushers are reaping, and aside from the
fact that they are undeniably alienating
at least a portion of their audience, I’m
afraid that they really are on to something important.
The next big thing in television,
probably.
Imagine ... this twenty-something
guy walks into a room filled with half a
dozen or so, perky, spectacularly beautiful, thin-as-a-rail blondes and says, “Hi
girls, what’s up?”
And for the next 30 seconds, the girls
wait while the recorded laughter fills the
air with the sounds of dozens of people
laughing ... some of whom are so loud
that their laughter verges on screeching.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Then one of the girls (any one, it
really doesn’t matter) replies, “Hi,” and
the laughter resumes.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Now imagine me picking up the
remote control and flipping to another
channel where some red-faced, blue-suited talking head (who is so overweight he
looks like either a cherry-topped blueberry or an embarrassed Oompa-Lumpa) is
bloviating (thanks Rush for inventing
such a great word) about fiscal policy,
Syrian chemical weapons, Obamacare ...
... or a group of over-dressed, postcareer, rugged-looking ex-jocks are shouting at one another about salary caps,
steroids or Tiger Woods’ girlfriends (while
they are holding masks in front of their
faces and pretending to be some currently
playing but equally obscure sports figure
or other) ...
I’m telling you, that’s where the
canned laughter is going to be in the
future.
Just imagine how it would boost the
ratings (and thereby the profits) of those
shows if we could all share the laughs
with those over-paid, egotistical, one-topic
money-making prophets.
It’ll make millions, I tell ya.
Now that’s marketing!