“There have been times when I have had enough of the pain and asked God to take me.”

That is how Patti Dunaway describes a bad day with arthritis.  And she’s had her fair share of those.  In fact, Patti’s been living with severe rheumatoid arthritis for 25 years now.

“I was just 23… I was in a car accident,” she said.  “My jaw was broken in four places.  Lots of surgeries and stress followed; stress that eventually triggered the arthritis.”

“There are literally hundreds of forms of arthritis,” said Ted Mikuls, Associate Professor, Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology.  “All have unique attributes and effect populations differently.  No age group is spared from the burden.”

In fact, arthritis affects more than 50 million adults and 300,000 children in the United States.

The two most common forms are Osteoarthritis or OA and the type that Patti lives with: Rheumatoid arthritis or RA.

“OA can be very gradual,” said Kaleb Michaud, an Assistant Professor, also with UNMC.  “Some joint pain triggers once in a while during certain movements which then leads to more consistent and even chronic pain.  For RA there is often a quick inflammation of several joints, like fingers, associated with lots of pain.  If there is no clear explanation for it, such as a sports injury or infection, it’s best to see a doctor as soon as possible.”

“Once diagnosed, it took seven years and 19 different medications to get the pain under control so that I don’t have pain on a daily basis,” said Dunaway.  “During those seven years, there were days when my husband had to help me get dressed, days when every part of my body hurt, days when it hurt to pull the bed sheet off of myself.”

“Traditional treatment for most forms of arthritis pain is Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs,” said Professor Michaud.  “For RA and other autoimmune forms of arthritis, there are Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drugs which target specific pieces of the immune system, often suppressing it in order to reduce the inflammation and damage to the joints.”

“There are so many areas of interest and lots of reasons for excitement in arthritis research,” said Dr. Mikuls.  “Frankly, too many to enumerate here; however, a few examples would be an increasing emphasis on individualized medicine with the understanding that the same disease may manifest quite differently from patient to patient and a ‘one size fits all’ approach to treatment is fraught with problems and, secondly, the substantial increase in our understanding of how genetic and environmental risks interact in disease risk.”

“Expectations are raised,” said Professor Michaud.  “Doctors are looking toward disease remission as the goal instead of palliative care. We are learning more about what causes arthritis, what helps arthritis, and what could prevent arthritis now more than ever, though funding continues to be an issue.”

Enter the Arthritis Foundation… “Since 1948, it has committed more than $400 million toward research in all areas of arthritis and its related diseases,” said Marzia Puccioni Shields, Area Vice President.  However, to put it in perspective, Puccioni Shields adds, “As the most common cause of disability in this country, the price tag is $128 billion for 2012 alone.”

The Arthritis Foundation is the only national, voluntary health organization that works on behalf of all people affected by arthritis and related diseases.  The Nebraska office is part of the Heartland Region, a six-state area comprised of local offices in Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, and Indiana.  Each state serves constituents with at least one service office with dedicated staff and volunteers like Dunaway.

“Patti is a very dedicated volunteer,” said Puccioni Shields.  “Her personal story is an inspiration to so many people who suffer from arthritis and her positive outlook on life brings joy to anyone who meets her.”

“Having this disease for as long as I have has made me much more aware of what is truly important in life; being with the ones I love.  The little things in life really do mean more to me now. I appreciate pain free days and days when I’m well rested.  I bowl in a bowling league, help take care of my elderly parents, spend time with my two step-children and grandchildren, and enjoy warm days riding with my husband on our motorcycle.”

“I share my story with others to let them know that I understand because I’ve been there,” Dunaway said.  “If I can make one other person’s life easier or day better; then my journey living with this disease hasn’t been in vain.  I currently serve on the Arthritis Walk committee for this year’s walk on May 12^th.”

As for her advice to others battling arthritis:  “Stay strong and educate yourself with what works for you to manage your daily life with the disease.  Often, one of the hardest parts is learning to say no to others who want your time and energy.  Utilize the resources available to you in the community; especially the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org).  We are here to help you.”

Do You Experience Shoulder And/Or Elbow Pain?

GIKK Ortho Specialists Can Help

Shoulder and elbow pain is very common, which is not surprising since you use your shoulders and arms for so many common tasks throughout the day.

There are a number of causes for shoulder and elbow pain, including arthritis, trauma, injury, sprains, strains, sports injuries and fractures.

Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of pain in the shoulder and elbow joints. As arthritis develops, the protective cartilage on the ends of the bones in a joint can wear away. Without the protective cartilage lining, the bones of the joints rub against each other, which is a major source of pain. Severe shoulder and elbow arthritis are other common causes for shoulder and elbow pain, and can also inhibit movement.

At GIKK Ortho Specialists, physicians have specific expertise in a broad spectrum of shoulder, elbow and upper extremity problems, and they employ the latest in surgical and non-surgical techniques to treat these problems. With their subspecialty approach, surgeons are teachers as well as practitioners. These surgeons not only use the most up-to-date techniques for treatment, but have been instrumental in the development of many of today’s modern solutions to shoulder and elbow problems. That means at GIKK Ortho Specialists, you’ll be getting a physician who understands your problem inside and out.

Omaha Lifestyles 50+ had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Charles Rosipal, a fellowship trained shoulder surgeon with GIKK.

OL: How do I know if I have arthritis?

Dr. Rosipal: Shoulder arthritis generally presents as increased pain, decreased range of motion, as well as crepitus or grinding of the shoulder.  Strength is generally maintained but night pain and limitations in the arc of motion can be significant.

OL: What tests can be done to see if arthritis is present?

Dr. Rosipal: Generally plain x-rays are the best test for arthritic change of the shoulder.

OL: What treatment options are available for arthritis of the shoulder?

Dr. Rosipal: Treatment options run the gamut from conservative management to surgical intervention.  Conservative management for shoulder arthritis is generally stretching exercises, anti-inflammatories and possibly intra-articular steroid injections.  Surgical options include a shoulder arthroplasty.

OL: If total shoulder joint replacement is needed, are there risks?

Dr. Rosipal: There definitely are risks to total shoulder arthroplasty including but not limited to infection, dislocation, continued pain, and loosening of the prosthesis.

OL: What is the postoperative treatment after shoulder replacement?

Dr. Rosipal: Current techniques at shoulder replacement involve releasing one of the four rotator cuff tendons in order to access the joint surface.  Postoperatively significant limitations in the patient’s ability to utilize the arm actively are put in place to allow the released tendon to heal to its repaired position.  This generally takes 6 to 10 weeks to heal.  Thereafter, active range of motion and increased use can be instituted if motion allows.

OL: How long will it take my shoulder to improve to its maximum?

Dr. Rosipal: Generally I tell my patients that it takes approximately 6 months to a year to get back to their full activities and realize the full potential following their arthroplasty procedure.

The team at GIKK Ortho Specialists gives patients with arthritic shoulders and elbows the opportunity to once again live and work in a fuller capacity. In addition to osteoarthritis and shoulder and elbow orthopedics, GIKK also has specialists that are specifically trained in other types of arthritis and orthopedic related issues in areas such as hands and wrist, hip and knee, and foot and ankle.  GIKK also provides specialized care in sports medicine and related injuries.

For more information on GIKK Ortho Specialists, or to contact Dr. Rosipal, visit www.gikk.com.

By Leah Parodi

For over 115 years, Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) has served Omaha, Council Bluffs and surrounding communities, becoming The Face of Care.  What began in 1896 with immunizations, aiding children with disabilities and delivering babies, while tending to new mothers, has grown and adapted to serve all peoples and generations in our area.  Adapting to the times, the VNA now offers a wide variety of services that includes breast cancer support, family services, nurses, telehealth and in-home companions. In short, VNA offers a complete line of services to improve the lives and health of those in our community and looks for ways to serve in the future.

James C. Summerfelt, M.Ed, MSPT and President and CEO of VNA is passionate about all of the services that the VNA provides as well as the changing future of in-home care.  Especially now, as in-home care currently centers on the largest generation referred to as the Sandwich Generation or Baby Boomers.  “VNA is 115 years old but yet we have evolved to meet the needs of the community that are ever changing,” he says.  “We were there when Baby Boomers were born and we are re-tooled to take care of them now.  We educate ourselves on the needs of this age group so that we stay in tandem as they age.  We are ready to take care of this generation as they near retirement age.”

Summerfelt says that the first step in caring for Boomers is to take a step back and establish what is needed to help live better, healthier lives.  It is estimated that there are close to 77 million Boomers in the US today with over 96 thousand living in the Omaha metropolitan area.

Boomers, those born roughly between 1946 and 1964, are also referred to as the Sandwich Generation as many simultaneously provide support and care to dependent and college-aged children as well as their older, senior parents.

“When people think of the VNA they think of nurses, but not comprehensive in-home care.  Because the family unit has changed, we are providing a wide range of services to meet the needs of so many families.”  Summerfelt says that many families are now spread out all over the country, leaving older parents behind. And as our older parents want to be able to stay in their own homes, that creates worry, stress and sometimes guilt for their adult children who may also be tending to the needs of their own family.  “People want to stay in their home and be independent while their children want them to be safe.”

To help, VNA provides services that include nurses, IV therapy, physical therapists, telehealth, hospice and palliative care, post hospital care as well as in-home companions.  And according to Summerfelt, in-home care and companionship is quickly becoming a well-sought-after service.  “Non-medical services make up about 70% of homecare.”

Non-medical in-home care covers a wide range of services.  Light housekeeping, meal preparation, laundry, errands and shopping are but a few of the needs that can be met with a companion.  For some, more personal services such as bathing, assistance with dressing, taking of vital signs, medication reminding, catheter care and ambulation and transfer services are also available.  But more than the actual services are the personal interactions that the client receives through companionship. And the companionship aspect gives the adult child comfort that their senior parent is being cared for when they are unable to be there.  “It is peace of mind for the adult children,” says Summerfelt.  “They see the need and many times will do the hiring for their parent.  Companions can be available for a couple hours each day, a couple hours during the week or for vacations, whatever the needs are.”

“VNA companions are taking over when family can’t,” says Summerfelt. “Our non-medical (non-nursing) home care and personal care is nice because the companions have the support of VNA nurses and Home Health Aides.  The companions, while not administering medications or serving in a medical capacity, are able to be the eyes and ears and can notify the client’s doctor or VNA nurse if problems arise.”

Summerfelt says that VNA works hard to match the right care provider with the client and adds that continuity of companions is very important.  “We do not want the client to see a different face every time,” he says.  “We send companions based on clients’ needs and preferences of who they want because the client and companion do become close.”

“We hire people who fit our needs and the needs of the client, those who are caring, compassionate and responsible,” Summerfelt adds. “We have a range of caregivers from young to Baby Boomers themselves looking to be employed.”  Thorough background checks and physicals are only part of the hiring process.  Once hired, all companions attend monthly in-service sessions that cover areas of basic knowledge for Alzheimer’s, cancer, chronic diseases and other continuing educational areas.

“We don’t cut corners; it is our goal to always offer what our customers need.  So we survey the customers to re-tool our services to meet the needs of the community.”  As a result, VNA employs over 350 employees and are often hiring.  “Requests for in-home care and companionship services are growing rapidly.”

In keeping with the VNA commitment to educate, they offer an innovative aging speaker series of lectures that are open to the public.  The next lecture in June is entitled: Designing Your Home to Age with You.  For more on the lecture series or information about VNA call toll free at 1-800-456-8869 or visit the VNA website at www.theVNAcares.org.

The Sandwich Generation is a busy one.  And caring for both parents and children does not leave them much time to care for themselves.  But the VNA is there to help them and their families as well as continue to work on ways to better serve this amazing generation.

All-important China  

I’m reading the newspaper when I realize that there are almost as many articles about Beijing as there are about Washington DC. That’s when it hits me. If one of the main purposes—and pleasures—of travel is education, then I have to go to China. I need to learn more about the country whose actions will affect the way I live and, more importantly, the way my children will live.

A friend recommends China Spree, a company that offers 12-day tours to Beijing and Shanghai that include air from San Francisco; all meals, admissions and transportation within China; guide service; and, as I soon find out, very nice hotels. I do the math. Why, I can visit China for not a lot more than I’d have to pay for an all-inclusive two-week vacation in California. I take a deep breath and sign on the dotted line.

In Beijing our guide leads our small group to the must-sees: Tiananmen Square, where Mao proclaimed the birth of the People’s Republic of China in 1949; the Forbidden City, which was home to 24 emperors; and of course, the Great Wall, which was designed to protect the country against foreign invaders.

To learn about more current endeavors, we visit a jade factory, a silk factory, tea plantation and herbal medicine museum.

But my favorite moments occur when we mingle with ordinary folks, like the 76-year-old woman who hosts us for lunch. She shows us her home, which is in a hutong, one of Beijing’s fast-disappearing old neighborhoods.

The next day we visit a park where we see seniors doing tai-chi, dancing, fencing and matchmaking. Their children, explains our guide, work such long hours that they don’t have time to search for a spouse. Therefore, the parents must help. They make big signs proclaiming their child’s attributes and network with other parents. If the seniors spot a potential match, they arrange a date for their children. It’s a low-tech eHarmony.

My husband and I deliberately chose an itinerary that included two free days for personal exploration. In Beijing we go to the Art District, where world-class galleries occupy Communist-era factory buildings. One heart-stopping exhibition focuses on prostitution; another has a disturbing display of soldiers toting machine guns camouflaged by flowers. There’s no thought suppression here.

In Shanghai, the energy is palpable. We walk along the riverfront, through a shopping thoroughfare and over to a public park that has carnival-style rides. After visiting a market, we go to an acrobatic show. Our days are packed.

During our free day, we explore two contrasting neighborhoods: a working-class area filled with small, slightly grubby shops and the French Concession, which has upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants.

Our guides are remarkably forthcoming. They criticize their government but at the same time make clear that they admire it. They say that a U.S. style democracy could never work in China because there are too many people.

They speak to us about China’s one child policy, religion, education, medical care, the lack of a social safety net and, most of all, how hard they have to work in order to survive. “We work much harder than people in America,” says Chang.*

We’re amazed at their misconceptions. Chang owns a condominium, can afford to fly his family from his village on the Yangtze to Shanghai for a holiday, and has a car that he bought new two years ago. His daughter has a new iPad as well as an iPod. I tell him that this is more than many people his age in the United States can afford, and yes, they work as many or more hours than he does.

Another guide dreams of living on Wisteria Lane, the home of ABC’s “Desperate Housewives,” and we realize how television shapes Chinese views of the United States as well as our views on China. This, says my husband, is why it’s important for people to travel, to see things for themselves.

We’re aware that we saw only two cities, and we spoke with only a handful of people. We didn’t visit the countryside, which, despite China’s rapid urbanization, is still home to the majority of the population. We didn’t visit the factory towns that are churning out goods that are flooding the world’s markets. That will have to wait until next time.

But in the meantime, we treasure the glimpse we got of a country that is, and will continue to be, a major player on the world’s stage.

www.chinaspree.com

*Name has been changed

Providing Convenience, Comfort and Quality Care by Leah Parodi

Nestled just off Blondo and 135th Street, Sunridge Village Retirement Community is a great find for those looking for a lifestyle of ease, comfort and style.  Owned and operated by Richard Anzalone, grandson of the founder, Emilie Jonusas, Sunridge is dedicated to providing its residents with all the comforts of independent living sprinkled with extra amenities creating a community of convenience and downright fun.

Michale Kavan, Marketing Director, has been with Sunridge for over ten years and talks about some of the benefits that go along with residing at Sunridge.  At the top of her list are the employees.  “There is longevity with the staff here,” she says.  “The chefs, support staff, maintenance, we all enjoy what we do and the residents see that.”

The residents at Sunridge enjoy open floor plans and a wide variety of services available to them.  “The apartments are very roomy and each one has a full kitchen as opposed to a kitchenette,” Michale says.  “And there are plenty of walk-in closets and lots of storage space.”  Michale notes that the apartments have been designed to age gracefully in. Housekeeping, maintenance and utilities are just a few services that are included with Sunridge apartment living.

Sunridge is continually looking at different ways to better serve residents and as a result they added on-site health care in September of 2011.  Teaming with Primus Health Care, Sunridge now has a nurse practitioner two days a week.  “Here, the nurse practitioner can assist residents with lab work, prescriptions and diagnosis as well as many other types of medical services.  This is a huge convenience factor.  Our residents can go in for a five minute blood draw instead of spending two hours going to a doctor’s office.”  Michale adds that the nurse practitioner communicates with the residents primary care physician and that most services are covered by insurance and Medicare.

As an independent living facility, Sunridge does not staff medical professionals.   But they do have 24 hour staff that can assist residents by contacting emergency services in an instance.  “When new residents move in, we gather their medical history as well as all emergency contact information,” says Michale.  “This way we can notify family in case of an emergency.” 

Another benefit for the residents of Sunridge is the community feel and comfortable surroundings.  The lobby is bright with a fire place and grand piano.  And just beyond the lobby is a private, secure, beautifully landscaped courtyard featuring a koi pond, waterfall, putting green and seating areas.

There is a library, community room, billiards room, fitness & exercise room and main and private dining rooms.  Residents will also find an ice cream parlor, Chapel and beauty & barber shop.  But more than all of the amenities listed, it is the activities that provide the most fun.

“We have many active seniors who play Wii bowling,” smiles Michale.  “We have a book club, craft classes and many exercise classes.  There are also card groups who like to play bridge and pinochle.”  And during dinner on some nights Sunridge will bring in live entertainment like Johnny Ray Gomez and Joe Taylor.  There are also seminars that offer tips on health care, financial topics and the VA Aid and Attendance Benefit.  Michale adds that Sunridge assists all new residents with their move by getting them connected to the clubs and groups that they have interest in.

Residents can be as active as they wish to be.  Sunridge offers transportation Monday through Friday that will take residents to doctor and dentist appointments, various malls and shopping centers, museums, movies and grocery stores.  And as an added convenience, groceries will even be brought to the resident’s apartment for them.

“We want independent living to be no stress,” says Michale.  “We take away everyday worries so that our residents can enjoy life. Sunridge has 85 apartments, so we feel that we are not too big or too small.  We are family owned and ran and strive to make Sunridge feel like home for the residents and their families that visit.  We are home with a lot of perks.”

One great perk for visiting families of residents is an on-site guest apartment.  For a nominal fee, families can stay a few doors away in a comfortable, two bedroom completely furnished apartment with a full kitchen.  Michale says that this is a great way for families and residents to share time together and still have space to relax, especially for those families with small children.  She laughs as she recalls a family of a resident that stayed for three weeks.  “They didn’t want to leave!”

Michale and employees at Sunridge realize that it can be hard for seniors to give up their homes.  “This generation is very tied to their homes,” she says.  “But time and time again I hear from our residents: I don’t know why I waited so long!” 

For more information on Sunridge Village Retirement Community, visit to their website at www.sunridgeomaha.com or call (402) 496-0116.

After nearly a decade of practice at the University of Nebraska Medical Center’s department of oral facial prosthetics, Dr. Sheridan said he was looking for an opportunity to provide both general dental services and prosthetic services to patients. He found that at Millard Hills Dental Health Center/ Nebraska Dental Implants & Prosthetics. ”It is our goal to replace missing teeth and help establish the quality of life that patients enjoyed before the teeth were lost.”

The best way to replace teeth

According to Dr. Sheridan replacing teeth can be done two ways. One, the more conventional method, uses crowns and dentures. The more contemporary method involves placing and restoring dental implants. 

“While the loss of teeth can be a minor issue, loosing multiple teeth and tooth pain can cause a person to stop eating correctly and become less healthy.”  While dentures, partials and other removable teeth are helpful, generally an increase of chewing function is noted with the help of dental implants,” he said. “Dental implants can help provide the stability and retention that most denture-wearers are looking for and have been missing since their teeth were lost.”

Medicines make an impact

According to Dr. Sheridan, today’s modern medicine may be a factor in the need for prosthetic dentistry. It is very common for patients who are in their 50s, 60s and 70s to take multiple medications that may be detrimental to their teeth, Dr. Sheridan said. “Medications often times cause dry mouth that will in turn cause decay and loss of teeth,” he said.

Medication-induced “xerostomia” is the name given for this cause of tooth loss. Dr. Sheridan said that it can be managed and tooth loss prevented with the proper steps and practices.

Even if you are not taking medications, it’s important to talk to your dentist if you notice a decrease in saliva. Working with your dentist may prevent future tooth damage or loss from xerostomia.

A team approach

Dental implants involve the entire staff of Millard Hills Dental Health Center /Nebraska Dental Implants & Prosthetics. Each patient works with a dental surgeon and a restorative team. “We use oral surgeons and periodontists to provide the surgical placement of the implants and we provide the restorative side by connecting the prosthesis to the anchoring dental implant.”

Once the implant restorative is completed, Dr. Sheridan said it is critical patients establish maintenance procedures the office provides them. “It is imperative  that frequent recall appointments( cleanings), and placing a emphasize on keeping your teeth as you grow older will make eating, smiling and maintain a healthy lifestyle attainable,” he said.

Taking care of your teeth

You’ve heard it your whole life: floss, brush, and visit your dentist regularly. However, it bears repeating as you age. A recent WebMD article explained that while teeth are resilient age does affect them. Over time bad habits like diet, grinding or clenching teeth, or lack of proper care may make teeth more vulnerable to decay.

Now is the time to evaluate your dental health care regimen. Here are some simple reminders:

• Avoid sugary foods and carbonated soft drinks.
• Brush twice a day for at least two minutes each time.
• Floss.
• Eat a healthy diet.
• Use antibacterial mouthwash.

Christmas Travel: Colonial Cakes and Spanish Stew

Story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com)

Martha Washington tops Martha Stewart on my list of hostesses extraordinaire. In order to prepare for her Christmas guests, the first Martha whipped forty eggs, four pounds of butter, four pounds of sugar and five pounds of flour into a massive cake.

Meanwhile, almost 2,000 miles away, in a part of the country that was most likely beyond the imagination of the First Family, Native Americans joined Spanish settlers in serving posole and enchiladas.

 Today, modern renditions of these holiday festivities take place at George and Martha’s Mount Vernon home in Virginia and around an adobe plaza in New Mexico.

A Mount Vernon Christmas 

I don’t expect to see a camel at Mount Vernon. Christmas trees, poinsettias, even a gingerbread house….sure. But a camel? Then I learn that when Washington wasn’t off winning wars or fathering a country, he enjoyed playing with exotic animals and often rented a camel to entertain his Christmas guests.

In 1789, George Washington spent his first Christmas as president attending St. Paul’s Church in New York City. The following week he returned to Mt. Vernon where he and Martha relaxed with family and friends.

Camels aside, the President’s Christmas, as most eighteenth-century Christmases, was low-keyed compared to today. There would have been few gifts and certainly no Santas or reindeer, neither of which became popular Christmas symbols until the nineteenth century.

Today Christmas at Mount Vernon is still mostly about welcoming guests. In addition to the regular attractions, which include tours of the mansion as well as the slave quarters, stables, gardens and farm, the holiday season brings a host of special delights.

I go into the mansion, past twelve decorated trees, through the dining room where a table is set to accommodate guests, and up to the garret chamber, which is only open during the holidays. “This is where Martha lived the last years of her life,” says a cheery woman who’s dressed in Colonial garb.  “After George died, she never returned to their shared quarters.”

The thought of a lonely woman huddled in an attic room saddens me, so to lift my spirits, I follow the smell of chocolate and cinnamon. In the kitchen a woman is stirring chocolate by an open fire, just as it was done in colonial days. Nearby there’s a large gingerbread house designed to look like Mount Vernon as well as Martha’s grand cake, which was modeled after those traditionally served on the twelfth day of Christmas (January 6). A guide offers me the recipe, but the mention of forty eggs and four pounds of butter leads to thoughts of calories and cholesterol, and I politely decline.

That night a costumed actor cajoles me into dancing the Virginia reel, and a costumed Martha leads a candlelight tour of the mansion. I sing carols by the fireplace, sip cider and reluctantly bid good-bye to Mount Vernon and George’s Christmas camel.

www.mountvernon.org

A New Mexican Holiday

Santa has an easy time in Taos, New Mexico, where the town’s flat adobe rooftops provide sure footing for his team of reindeer. But while the town welcomes St. Nick, its holiday charm is rooted in its blend of Native American, Hispanic and Anglo traditions.

The Hispanic culture is represented by the farolitos [small bonfires] and luminarias [paper bags lit with votive candles] that shine from streets to rooftops, bathing the town in a soft glow. Las Posadas, a candlelight procession that re-enacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, takes place from December 16 – 24.

 As for Hispanic holiday food, I become addicted to biscochitos, the melt-in-your-mouth Christmas cookies that are flavored with anise and cinnamon. The original recipe dates back to the Spanish colonists. For heartier fare, I try posole, a spicy stew of meat and corn that’s served in most Taos restaurants throughout the holiday season.

After the 16^th century when missionaries converted many of the Natives to Catholicism, Spanish and Native American customs blended and eventually created traditions that are distinctly New Mexican. In this spirit, the 1200 year-old Taos Pueblo has a Christmas Eve vespers service as well as Christmas and New Year’s Day celebrations that feature the Deer or Matachines (animal) dances.

 Anglo customs are highlighted (pun intended) with a gloriously tall Christmas tree that dominates the town plaza. In addition, the Taos Chamber Music Group presents “A Classical Holiday Encore.”

But my favorite holiday activity is the annual Lighting of Ledoux, a tradition of mixed origins during which luminarias guide people up the winding road that’s home to Taos’ famed art galleries and studios. All the while, the piney aroma of piñón smoke wafts through the chilly desert air. For me as for many people, that signals that Christmas has come to Taos.

www.taos.org

“Re-Branding Yourself After Age 50”

Marva L. Goldsmith

It doesn’t really matter how old anyone is; in today’s economy, people have to re-brand themselves. In this excerpt from her book – “Re-Branding Yourself After Age 50: Recharge your Career, Start a Business or Achieve More Professional Success in Midlife” – Marva Goldsmith has some good advice for baby boomers who find themselves in that fix … whether it applies to their professional, or personal, lives.

As of this writing I am single … and looking. Hello?!

I went on a date a few months ago with a man I met over a popular Internet-dating site. My date worked in the entertainment industry. After a couple of hours, we exchanged Internet-dating horror stories—now that’s always fun to do! We talked about how, during your first face-to-face meeting, it quickly becomes obvious (sometimes painfully so) if your date has a much exaggerated sense of self, has used someone else’s pictures for their profile, has led a really hard life since registering with the site, or is a master at reinventing the truth.

My eyes became as big as saucers when my date confessed that he did not tell the truth about two items in his online dating profile. Please don’t tell me you’re married! I can’t remember the first trivial fib he confessed to, but the second was about his age. He had listed himself as 48-years-old, when in fact he had just turned 50. He explained that entertainment is a very competitive industry, and he was sensitive to the stigma of being an “old man” in a “young person’s” industry where people are routinely shuffled in and out of jobs based on others’ perceptions that veterans may not be “fresh.” I was reminded of a lyric from Harry Chapin’s hit WOLD: “They said they wanted the ‘young sound,’ when they let me go.”

For some, the idea of turning 50 is daunting. For others, it’s a new adventure. Clearly my date had an issue with perception. How could he manage the way others perceive him? How could he prepare himself for what he believes to be the inevitable and untimely demise of his career? How could he effectively brand himself as a valuable, contributing player in a youth-focused industry, even after the age of 50?

A new direction

If you are over 50, or approaching the “Golden Age,” you have been developing a set of transferable skills for years. Most likely these skills are still needed somewhere—even if it’s not with your current or former employer. Baby boomers must learn how to apply the rules of commercial branding to their own career and business pursuits.

In the following excerpt from The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding (2002) by Al and Laura Ries, I’ve substituted the word “YOU” where it applies:
“…Branding in the marketplace is very similar to branding on the ranch. A branding program should be designed to differentiate YOU from all the ‘cattle on the range.’ Even if all the other cattle on the range look pretty much alike, the objective is to create in the mind of the prospect the perception that there is no other product on the market quite like YOU.”

Uncertain times, surprising opportunities

Many people who face unemployment for the first time after 20 or 25 years of continuous employment are justifiably frightened after having been busily engaged in their careers. It doesn’t matter whether you lose your job in a mass layoff, during a time of economic turmoil, or when everything is booming for everyone else. The moment you lose your job, you are at a crossroad.

John F. Kennedy once observed, “When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger, and the other represents opportunity.” So the question you must ask yourself is, “Will I treat this circumstance as a crisis or as an opportunity?” I myself have learned to create “opportunity” from almost any set of circumstances—whether self-imposed or unplanned. After 20 years, I chose to leave my comfortable corporate position at a major utility company and pursue my dreams. Seven years later, I found myself surrounded by comrades in their 50s who were in the midst of “unplanned career outages.”

Here’s the deal: nothing is going to change the fact that you’ve lost your job, or promotion, or the funds you’ve invested. You cannot wish that job, promotion, pension, or golden parachute back into existence. Once the genie is out of the bottle, it’s not going back inside. So now what?

Consider asking yourself: Is this a crisis … or an opportunity in disguise? It all depends on your perspective. What should you do now that the employment game has changed? How can you position yourself within your current industry (or a new industry) to be selected for the job, contract, or opportunity that you desire? If you fully engage in the process of distinguishing yourself from the competition, being visible in the marketplace, and getting into action, a year from now you may look back and say, job uncertainty was the best thing that ever happened to me.

By Leah Parodi

 Whenever I see toddlers at play I wish that I had one-tenth of their energy.  Then I met Carol Casey and found myself wishing for the very same thing.  Carol is a wife, mother and grandmother who serves on numerous boards and committees.  She is an event planner, very active in her church and in her spare time loves to read, fish and attend activities with her grandchildren.  She is passionate and energetic about everything that she does.

Among Carol’s many passions is a literacy project that she founded and developed in 2009 as an Associate of Sisters of Mercy.  This project, Street Smart Books, distributes books to English and Spanish speaking children ages pre-K to 18. Street Smarts Books grew big and fast.  It became apparent that there was a need and an opportunity to develop a second literacy program, with the now director Linda Leary, called Books & Blessings. 

Street Smart Books works primarily with the Crime Prevention Units of the OPD, Douglas County Corrections, the National Safety’s Council, Omaha Chapter and other non-profit groups to distribute thousands of books.  Books & Blessings provides books to schools, various Missions and refugee programs as well as Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Quality Living and numerous family support organizations.

Carol became inspired to provide books to those in need after watching a news story.  A retired police officer in Wisconsin started distributing books out of her squad car to children that might not otherwise get them.  Eventually, with fellow officers, the program grew and is now able to put thousands of books into the hands of impoverished children. 

Carol, Linda and an army of volunteers have been able to distribute over 30,000 books to readers in and around Omaha.  And it all starts with a book angel.  “We have an anonymous book angel,” says Carol.  “I tell him I need books and he delivers as many palettes as we need.  The books that we get are over-published or out of print, but they are all new books.”  A palette can contain anywhere from 1,000 to 1,200 books.  Carol is, as one can imagine, extremely grateful to her book angel and would like to thank him publicly although he does wish to remain anonymous. 

Carol, it seems, has no shortage of people willing to help her.  The donated books are taken to Gratton warehouse where she pays a nominal monthly fee for storage space.  “Bill “Bo” Gratton keeps them [the books] for us and gives us access to the warehouse whenever we need to fill an order,” she says.  Carol adds that the warehouse employees are fantastic and she could not be able to do her work without them.

The next stop for the books is theCollegeofSt. Mary’s where a shelved storage room is used to sort and stamp the books.  “Volunteers stamp them in the inside cover,” says Carol.  “The stamp says that the books are part of the literacy project and cannot be resold.  The books get boxed into age groups and then we fill the orders.”  Volunteers will, at times, deliver the orders of books.  But Carol says that most times the orders are picked up by the group making the request.

Carol states over and over that she would not be able to do what she does without the Sisters of Mercy and their support and the countless volunteers that help.  Carol’s volunteers come from the 26 Omaha Associates and their families and friends, churches, sororities like Delta Theta Chi, volunteer groups and organizations as well as local high school students.  “This type of work pays you back,” she says.  “There is immediate gratification.” 

And though volunteers provide books to hundreds of families in Omaha, not all books stay in Omaha.  “Someone saw an ad in a church bulletin,” she says.  “From that ad we had a group of doctors take 750 books to Southern Jordan where they were going to provide medical help.”  Another similar ad asked for books for Joplin, MO, and 850 books were sent as a result.

When it comes to orders for both literacy projects there are no shortages of requests.  “Omaha is ranked high across the country when it comes to volunteerism,” says Carol. “There are so many organizations protecting and providing for the young in our community and that keeps us busy.”

Helping Carol fill her orders is Pat, her husband of over 50 years.  “He helped me stamp 750 in one afternoon,” she laughs.  “But he has asked me to wear clothes with pockets so that when I go to meetings I can put my hands in them and not raise them to volunteer for more things.”  But not helping is hard for Carol.  “I just get so excited, especially if something really catches the spirit.” 

“I want to put books where there aren’t any,” she continues.  “This is truly a literacy project.  The need for parents to be able to provide books for their family is still out there as is the need for them to read to their children.  The need to read will always be there.”

There appears to be no sign of Carol slowing down anytime soon.  In addition to her volunteer work she is serving in her 16^th year as a board member of the National Safety Council, Omaha Chapter chairing the development committee.  And Carol is a board member of Mercy High School serving on the finance committee.   And, she mentions in passing that she is looking for part-time work. 

Carol Casey, ever energetic and passionate, is setting the high standard and shining example of giving back to the community.  Even though her husband does wish that she would sit on her hands every now and then.

The Real First Thanksgiving — St. Augustine, Florida

Story by Andrea Gross (photo shown: credit www.ForidasHistoricCoast.com)

 No offense to the Pilgrims, but their well-publicized dinner party in the fall of 1621 was something of a repeat performance. The first Thanksgiving actually took place 56 years earlier and 1200 miles south of Massachusetts. It’s there, in what is now St. Augustine, Florida, that European settlers first joined with native Indians to say a Mass of Thanksgiving.

A few months later, when their families back in Spain were celebrating the Fiesta de Natividad, the Europeans said another Mass, this time celebrating the birth of Christ. Hence, the first New World Christmas.

My husband and I are standing at the very spot where the festivities occurred, on the edge of Matanzas Bay at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. “This is where the Spanish conquistadors came ashore, creating the first permanent European settlement in what would become the United States,” says our guide. I look at the ground beneath me. It looks very much like the field where my kids used to play soccer. Nevertheless, it’s an awesome feeling to be at such a historic site.

The Park honors early Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon. Legend has it that he was searching for land, treasure and a fountain whose water bestowed eternal youth on those who drank it. I drink some of the fabled water, but there’s no sudden change in either my appearance or energy level. Like de Leon, I give up on the fountain of youth.

More interesting is the Archaeological Park’s Timucuan Indian exhibit.

A woman outfitted in native dress prepares dinner as she tells us about the people who were here when the Spanish landed. The Indians had lived happily for thousands of years, she explains, but were decimated by new infectious diseases that the Spanish inadvertently brought from Europe.

While the Spanish got along well with the natives, pirates were another matter. The most famous raid occurred in 1586 when Sir Francis Drake pillaged the ports of St. Augustine and nearby towns. Drake’s story and that of other rogues is told with dramatic flair at St. Augustine’s newest attraction, the Pirate and Treasure Museum, which houses an extensive collection of pirate memorabilia.

Beleaguered by both pirates and British, in 1695 the Spanish completed a large star-shaped fortification called the Castillo de San Marcos. Today the Castillo, which is the oldest masonry fort in North America, is a national monument, replete with ranger talks, museum exhibits and “soldiers” who fire cannons during scheduled demonstrations. One boom from the cannon nearly shatters our eardrums and shows us why, with the exception of a few years in the mid-1700s, the Spanish were able to control St. Augustine for nearly 200 years.

To learn how ordinary Spanish folks lived during this time, we go to St. Augustine’s Old Town, an area that abounds with shops, restaurants and historic attractions. Our favorite is the Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum, a living history site where costumed interpreters engage in everyday activities, from cooking and blacksmithing to pottery-making and musket-firing. Outside the compound other structures, the so-called Oldest School and Oldest House in America, give other perspectives of daily life during the 1700s.

By 1821 Spain had tired of Florida and in a peaceful settlement ceded the land to the United States. And that is why, says Dr. Michael Cannon, Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Florida, most Americans think the first Thanksgiving took place in Plymouth. “It is the victors who write the histories,” he says.

While its status as the oldest continuously-occupied European town in the United States is what gives the city its fame, St. Augustine has many other attractions. We take a cruise on crystalline waters, shop at boutiques and outlet centers and even, in a burst of bravery, take a ghostly tour of the Old Jail.

And of course we eat — although since we’re staying at the delightful St. Francis Inn, restaurant dining is scarcely necessary. The Inn hosts humungous breakfasts that make lunch an indulgence, plus an afternoon social hour and before-bed dessert that make dinner superfluous.

But we don’t let that stop us. How can we pass up a meal to the Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant in Florida? Their famous 1905 salad is big enough for two.

Finally, we relax. Drinking from the Fountain of Youth didn’t restore us, but a day in the sun most certainly did!

 www.floridashistoriccoast.com