The Senior Voice - December 2009

The Senior

I O C V E December 2009

Local Attractions • Scenic Places • History • Money • Health • News

Famous Frontier Ghost Trail

Town North

InColorado Northern Colorado

They Danced Longs All Peak Night Pioneer Pioneer Memories

Climbers

Great Outlaws InGolf Early Stories Colorado Bob Hope Classic

Skiing Cover Steamboat Picture: Springs

Bent’s Fort

2 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

Social Security State Legislation By Stephen Clifton, Director Social Security Office, Greeley

I

f you are a teacher or other government employee covered by state or local government retirement plans instead of Social Security, here are two important provisions that may affect you: the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Government employees who didn’t pay Social Security taxes on their government earnings are affected by the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which reduces the potential Social Security spouse’s/widow’s/ widower’s benefit amount someone could receive if he or she also receives a pension from a federal, state or local government for work on which no Social Security taxes were paid. The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) can reduce a worker’s monthly Social Security benefit amount if he or she also receives a pension from work not covered by Social Security. GPO and WEP are designed to ensure that all American workers are

treated equally under the Social Security program. GPO generally requires that Social Security spouses’ or surviving spouses’ benefits be reduced by two-thirds of the entitled person’s government pension. Why? Because GPO removes an advantage that some government workers once had. Before GPO, a person who worked in a government job that was not covered under Social Security could receive, in addition to a government pension, a full Social Security spouse’s or surviving spouse’s benefit. No other workers had that option. Similarly, WEP takes away an advantage that the regular Social Security benefit formula would give people who have substantial pensions from non-Social Security covered jobs. Without WEP, a worker who spent most of his career in employment not covered by Social Security and who worked for a short time to get Social Security coverage would end up with much higher benefits than if all of his or her work were done under Social Security. ■

By Senator Bob Bacon Colorado Senate

I

n the current economic downturn, we are all feeling the strain. Families across the state are making tough decisions about how to pay for needs. Colorado’s elected officials are having the same discussions and making the same tough decisions to provide for the needs of Colorado citizens. In the midst of these difficult times, there is a small group of people working to erode and dismantle the vital state services on which the people of Colorado depend. They are circulating three petitions which would seriously harm the state. • Petition #10 (Motor Vehicle, Income and Telecommunication Taxes and Fees) seeks to roll back “FASTER,” a bill tht will create tens of thousands of jobs in Colorado and fund repairs of Colorado’s roads and 126 aging bridges. • Petition #12 (Property Taxes) would eliminate half of K-12 school districts’ property taxes, which would transfer the cost of local schools to the state general fund. Already, the economic shortfall has required us to consider a $260

million reduction to K-12. Until now, K-12 education has been fully protected; but with the shortfall, the state cannot support the increased burden. • Petition #21 (State and Local Debt Limitations) would limit the State’s ability to construct and maintain buildings by eliminating nearly all the tools used to finance construction projects, and would effectively eliminate the state’s ability to maintain or expand state buildings such as schools, prisons, or Department of Motor Vehicle locations. Legislators have already made tough choices about funding and continue to work to support services for people with disabilities, colleges and our children. Those proposed November 2010 ballot issues seek to roll back progress we have made toward making Colorado the best place to start a business and raise a family. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves and our neighbors about these dangerous ballot measures. ________________ You can call Senator Bob Bacon at 970-221-4552; email bbacon14@ comcast.net. ■

You need some qualified Medicare advice. Our specialists can help. Over decades we’ve developed a strong rapport with the health care community. As we’ve built upon this relationship, we’ve been able to deliver a better value for your Medicare benefits. A new $0 premium plan, for one. With us, you’ll have more flexibility. More control. And, at the end of the day, you’ll truly understand what can be a confusing process. Our licensed Medicare specialists will see to that. Toll Free: 888-251-1330 Hearing Impaired: TTY 800-704-6370

To request more information: www.coloradomedicareinfo.com www.rmhp.org

Rocky Mountain Health Plans is a not-for-profit, Colorado-based health plan with a Medicare contract and a Medicare approved Part D sponsor. Medicare & Medigap plans are available for people with Medicare, regardless of their age. CMS S5860 H0602_4028002 • MCAd150 • © 2009

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 3

Famous Pioneer Trail

Published Locally Since 1980 VOL. 30, NO. 1

970-229-9204 Email: [email protected] www.theseniorvoice.net PUBLICATION INFORMATION The Senior Voice newspaper has been published locally the first of each month since 1980 for residents age 50-plus.

ADVERTISING Ad deadline is 20th of month. For rates, call 970-229-9204; email [email protected] or see theseniorvoice.net.

Wolfgang Lambdin Advertising Director/Editor Fort Collins, Colorado (970) 229-9204 [email protected] The Virginia Dale stage station, built in 1862, still stands. Senior Voice photo. By Bill Lambdin

T

he historic Cherokee Trail was established in northern Colorado and southern Wyoming in 1849 by some Cherokee Indians and a few white men headed for the California gold fields. They followed a route now used by Highway 85 from Denver to Greeley. Then the trail went west to Windsor and Fort Collins, north along what is now Highway 287 to Laramie, Wyoming, and west to California. A second group of Cherokees came a year later, in 1850, and followed a similar route that is now Highway 287 through Longmont, Loveland, Fort Collins and Laramie. One early traveler described the plains near Greeley as “a howling wilderness with little indications of its having been occupied or traversed by white men.” Another said, “I only wondered that man could be tempted to tarry here, where animals come not even for shelter.” The Cherokee Trail was later called the Overland Trail after Ben Holladay established the Overland Stage Line through northern Colorado and southern Wyoming in 1862. But the Cherokees were here before the stage line or the Colorado gold seekers. The Cherokees had been driven out of Georgia after gold was discov-

ered there in the early 1800s. They settled in what became Oklahoma Territory, traveling the “Trail of Tears” west from Georgia during a brutal winter that killed many of their people. But the Cherokees remembered their experience with gold mining in Georgia, and some headed for the California gold fields in 1849. They went past Bent’s Fort in southeastern Colorado and north along the front range. It was a long trip through a bleak landscape in those days. “Some say this country has a soil, but the difficulty lies in the dry climate,” wrote one traveler. “It is certainly a barren, desolate country. We come hundreds of miles and see scarcely an Indian or an animal.” As their wagons lumbered along the Platte River south of Greeley, the Cherokees passed several old furtrading posts: Fort Vasquez, built in 1837; Fort Lupton, 1836; and Fort St. Vrain, 1837. You can still see the walls of Fort Vasquez one mile south of Platteville on Highway 85. The site is maintained by the Colorado Historical Society, and a plaque there reads: “Fort Vasquez, established in 1837 by Louis Vasquez and Andrew Sublette. Maintained until 1842 as a post for trade in buffalo robes and beaver skins with the Arapahos and Cheyennes. Rendezvous of early trappers.”

The Cherokee Trail crossed the Platte River just east of Greeley and headed west, along the north side of the Cache la Poudre River, through what are now Windsor and Timnath. When you drive through those towns today, you are on the old trail. On Highway 287 north of Fort Collins, you are also near the trail all the way from LaPorte to Laramie. At LaPorte, the trail went north to what is now Ted’s Place, Livermore, Virginia Dale and Laramie. Much of the trail was less than a mile from present Highway 287. From Laramie, the trail headed west. Interstate 80 closely follows some of it to Rawlins, Rock Springs and Fort Bridger where it joined the California-Oregon Trail. Between Fort Collins and Laramie, at Virginia Dale, a historical marker on the Cherokee Trail reads: “Virginia Dale, famous stage station on the overland route to California, 1862-1867...Located on the Cherokee Trail of 1849. Favorite campground for emigrants…” The old stage station still stands, maintained by the Virginia Dale Club on private land. There is much history in our area, and we follow ancient trails in many places. ________________ COVER PICTURE: A covered wagon at Bent’s Fort near the Cherokee Trail in southeastern Colorado. Courtesy the Colorado Tourism Office. ■

SALES OFFICES:

Ft. Collins and Loveland (970) 229-9204 Greeley (970) 454-3789 EDITORIAL DEADLINE Announcements and stories must be received by the 10th of the month.; ads by the 20th of the month. READER INFORMATION Subscriptions $48 a year. The Senior Voice welcomes readers' letters and contributions. The Senior Voice assumes no responsibility for damaged or lost material submitted by readers.

© Copyright 2009 The Senior Voice EDITORIAL OFFICE:

1471 Front Nine Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 223-9271 email [email protected] www.theseniorvoice.net No material may be reproduced by any means without permission of the Senior Voice.

Dr. William and Peggy Lambdin Founders, 1980

4 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

Medicare Drug Plans in 2010

Prostate Research M

ost men who take a “waitand-see” approach to an early diagnosis of prostate cancer live normal lives and are not bothered by anxiety or depression, according to a report in the journal Cancer. Some people have assumed that men who are told they have prostate cancer and choose not to have treatment right away are emotionally upset and fearful. But that’s not the case, said researchers. More doctors are recommending a wait-and-see approach nowadays because they and patients realize that many prostate cancers progress so slowly they will never be a problem. The cancer strikes nearly 200,000 men a year and causes about 27,000 deaths, said the American Cancer Society. One in six men in America will have it. More than 2 million U.S. men have been diagnosed with prostate cancer but are still alive. This does not mean, however, that all men should ignore an early diagnosis. “I don’t think anyone under 60

is a great candidate for watchful waiting unless they have another condition that is going to do them in within ten years,” said Dr. Richard Greenberg with the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. Men with a family history of prostate cancer or who develop aggressive tumors should not take a watchful waiting approach, said Greenberg. They should seek aggressive treatment. He was commenting on a study that said men who were diagnosed with prostate cancer when they were over age 65 did pretty well by waiting and not having surgery or radiation treatment. That study was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It analyzed data on more than 14,000 men over age 65 and found that the death rate from prostate cancer was only 8.3 percent among those who had what appeared to be not very aggressive tumors. Aggressive tumors are another matter, of course, said researchers. ■

C

hoosing a Medicare Part D drug plan hasn’t gotten any easier for 2010, according to a report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. There is still a confusing array of plans people must wade through to find a plan that’s right for them—i.e., one that covers the drugs they take, has an affordable premium, doesn’t require too much cost sharing, doesn’t impose too many restrictions on drugs, and works through a pharmacy they can use. It’s a mess for many people. There

is “too much choice,” said David Lipschutz with the advocacy group California Health Advocates. More than 1,500 plans are available nationwide, and in most states there are at least 40 plans to choose from. For 2010 most of the Part D plans require higher deductibles, fewer plans cover the so-called doughnut hole, and some monthly premiums have increased more than 20 percent. Researchers advise people to examine their current plan carefully for 2010 changes. ■

Influences of Lobbyists I n the Washington healthcare debate, both Democrat and Republican legislators have been making speeches that were ghost-written by lobbyists from a big drug company. A New York Times investigation shows that Genetech, a branch of Roche pharmaceuticals, had their lobbyists give legislators speeches that were read into the Congressional Record. Times investigators noticed that many speeches contained the same statements, even word for word, which prompted the inquiry and revealed that

more than a dozen legislators used statements written by the lobbyists. A staff member in Pennsylvania Rep. Robert A. Brady’s office said he received a lobbyist’s speech, “tweaked a couple of words” and gave it to the congressman to use. “There’s not much reason to re-invent the wheel in a Congressional Record entry,” he said. The Times said Genetech is a frequent financial contributor to legislators’ campaigns, but company official Evan L. Morris said, “There was no connection between the contributions and the statements.” ■

>H[JO@V\Y:H]PUNZ.YV^ 0[WH`Z[VSP]L^P[O/VSPKH`9L[PYLTLU[ -YVTV\YH^HYK^PUUPUNHJ[P]P[PLZWYVNYHT[VV\YKLSPJPV\ZJOLMWYLWHYLKTLHSZ`V\»SS L_WLYPLUJL[OL¸NL[\WHUKNV¹¸JHU»[^HP[[VZ[HY[[OLKH`¹RPUKVMSP]PUN[OH[/VSPKH` 9L[PYLTLU[PZRUV^UMVY(SSMVYSLZZ[OHU^OH[`V\TH`J\YYLU[S`ILZWLUKPUN[VSP]L PU`V\YV^UOVTL 6UJL`V\HKK\WHSS[OLZH]PUNZHUKKPZJV]LY^OH[HZPTWSLHMMVYKHISLHUKL_JP[PUN SPMLZ[`SL:\NHY=HSSL`,Z[H[LZOHZ[VVMMLY`V\»SSZH`^OH[V\YYLZPKLU[ZZH`L]LY`KH` ¸0ZOV\SKOH]LKVUL[OPZZVVULY¹

 /630+(@9,;09,4,5;

*(33;6+(@(5+(:2()6<;6<946=,05:7,*0(3:

:\NHY=HSSL`,Z[H[LZ 0UKLWLUKLU[9L[PYLTLU[3P]PUN

.LVYNL[V^U+YP]L3V]LSHUK*6 ^^^Z\NHY]HSSL`LZ[H[LZJVT

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 5

Great Golf Stories By Bill Lambdin

I

f you like golf and remember comedian Bob Hope, you’ll probably enjoy a new book, “50 Years of Hope,” celebrating 50 years of the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament near Palm Springs, California. Hope made it one of the most popular events on the PGA tour, where fans could watch the best professional golfers, celebrities, and even U.S. presidents enjoy the game. It was where David Duvall scored his famous 59 in 1999 and where Presidents Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush and Gerald Ford played together in 1995. Bob Hope was probably the only person in America at that time who could have convinced political rivals Clinton and Bush to play together in a game of golf. Bush shot 92, Clinton 94, Ford 102. The book’s author, Larry Bohannan, says those scores were actually probably higher. Hope played with the group and tended to be generous. Arnold Palmer, a close friend of Hope’s, was always a major supporter of the tournament, convincing many other professionals to participate,

drawing huge crowds and television coverage. Palmer won the first tournament held in 1960 and four more times over the years. His last win there was in 1973 when he beat Jack Nicklaus. Palmer was age 43, and that was his last win on the PGA tour. But it was Hope who really made the tournament successful. He personally invited celebrities, called the presidents, attracted sponsors like Chrysler, and did many other things. He was America’s best-loved comedian, and he made the tournament one of golf’s best events. Gerald Ford played in it for years after he left the presidency, and he graciously accepted Hope’s jokes about his game: “Gerald Ford could lose a ball in a ball washer,” said Hope. “The best way to keep track of Ford’s score was just to count the number of people he hit in a round.” Arnold Palmer remembered a crowded party one night at the tournament when he accidentally bumped into a woman, and her blonde wig fell off onto the floor. In an attempt to save her embarrassment, he picked up the wig and put it on his head.

Arnold Palmer, left, Bob Hope and President Gerald Ford. From the book “50 Years of Hope.” The crowd roared with laughter. From across the room, Jack Nicklaus blew Palmer a kiss. “Since he threw me a kiss,” said Palmer, “I said, ‘Well come on, we’ll dance.’ And he came over. As soon as he got to the dance floor, I took off the wig and put it on him, and put my

arms around him. It was a riot. Everyone just went crazy laughing.” This colorful, hard-cover coffeetable book contains many stories and a great collection of photographs. It is available for $39.95 from bookstores or Pediment Publishing, www.pedimentbooks.com. ■

ATTN: SENIOR CITIZEN GROUPS, CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS & SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS Take your group on a retreat to

From October thru April, Stay 2 nights between Monday & Thursday and receive 1/2 OFF OF YOUR 2nd NIGHT, 15% OFF A SPA TREATMENT IN THE HEALING WATERS SPA & 15% OFF AN ENTREE IN THE SILVER SADDLE RESTAURANT! Enjoy spending some time in our Hot Springs located in our beautiful courtyard, relax by our cozy indoor/outdoor fireplace or have some fun playing games in our lounge or conference room

For more information or to book your stay, CALL 1 800 594 0178 EXT 4 *Must book 10 rooms or more to receive this special offer!

Saratoga Resort & Spa | 601 Pic Pike Rd | PO Box 869 | Saratoga, Wyoming 82331 | 1 800 594 0178 | www.saratogaresortandspa.com

6 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

Rocky Mountain Travel King Book With Experience! 43 Years, 1966-2009

They Danced All Night By Peggy Hunt

2010 ALASKA PREVIEW December 10, 2009 2:00 & 6:00 p.m. 516 South College Avenue Fort Collins, Colorado

RSVP 970-484-5566 or 1-800-525-5306 Sylvia Mucklow — Alaska expert will present all cruise and tour information for your Alaska holiday

7-DAY NORTHBOUND ALASKA CRUISE May 31, 2010. Aboard the Island Princess.

CRUISE FARE ONLY: INSIDE (JJ) $549 • BALCONY (BD) $1,299

13-DAY ALASKA WILDERNESS/COPPER RIVER CRUISE & TOUR May 31, 2010. Aboard the Island Princess. 7 day NB cruise and 6 nt land tour featuring 2 nts. Copper River, 2 nts. Denali, 1 nt Anchorage, 1 nt McKinley Princess Lodge.

TOUR FARE: INSIDE (JJ) $1,787 • OUTSIDE (G) $2,807

7-DAYS MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE October 20, 2010. Aboard the Ocean Princess. Rt. Rome, Scorrento-Nice-Portofino-Florence-Barcelona.

CRUISE ONLY FARES: INSIDE (L) $1,099 • OUTSIDE (G) $1,099 Princess Ship’s Registries — Bermuda & Gibraltar All rates are per person based on double occupancy and may change without notice. Fares are cruise only unless listed from Fort Collins.

14-DAY RUSSIA WATERWAYS CRUISE & TOUR July 29, 2010. Aboard the MS Tolstoy. Airfare & port charges add’l. Book by November 30th for best price.

CRUISE & TOUR FARE FROM $3,040 *All rates are per person based on double occ. and may change without notice. Fares are sailing date and space available.

970-484-5566 800-525-5306

516 S. College Ave. • Ft. Collins, CO 80524 [email protected] Visit us at www.rkymtntravelking.us

W

hat was life like for the pioneers who settled northern Colorado in the 1800s? Here are two brief stories about ranchers north of Fort Collins, excerpted from the book “Among These Hills” published by the Livermore Women’s Club. C.T. Woods remembered a dance at a Livermore ranch in 1872: “E.W. Whitcomb gave a free dance at his old place...I believe I was the only fiddler in that part of the country at that time, about 18 years old...I could play jigs for 24 hours straight, providing someone could keep the spirits on the move. “So my brother and I (he played second fiddle) were engaged by Mr. Whitcomb to furnish music for the dance... “There were about 200 people there, some of whom had traveled for 30 or 40 miles. The old log house, which was probably 100 feet long, had a table full length that was loaded with grub of the very best, and everyone who got hungry went out and helped themselves. “We started playing before dark and played pretty steady until about 2 am, when Mr. Whitcomb came over with a gallon demijohn, which he gave me with strict orders to keep it for use of the fiddlers, as that was all he had left in the house and he would want us to play until noon the next day...I think Bill Calloway danced every set until 5 am.” But pioneers knew sad times, too. John McNey and his young wife, Frances, arrived in 1875 and settled in the Livermore area. They crossed the plains in a covered wagon pulled by an ox team that Frances drove. One day on the long journey, she

North Colorado settlers. Photo Colorado Historical Society. felt so lonely and far from home that she tied the reins to the wagon seat, let the oxen plod along, and climbed into the back of the wagon. She opened her trunk and laid out her wedding dress and other treasures on a box. A wagon wheel dropped into a hole, and her keepsakes slid out of the wagon into a mud hole. Her husband looked back and saw her in tears, standing on the side of the trail next to her beautiful wedding dress that was covered with mud. Those stories and others were collected by the Livermore Women’s Club, which published “Among These Hills.” A new edition of this fine book is available at Jax Ranch Store and some other local bookstores. Email [email protected] or write the club at PO Box 3, Livermore, CO 80536. ■

Are your dentures comfortable? Now dentures can be made that are comfortable, look natural and fit well. Please call today for a

FREE consultation today!

We wish you the gift of faith, the blessing of hope and peace during this holiday season and always.

John S. Shepard, DDS introducing

The Goes Family and Staff

Ryan D. McCall, DDS McCall Family Dentistry We Welcome Families

970.493.9001

1525 Riverside, Suite B • Fort Collins, CO

482-2221

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 7

Old Jake Kohler: Early Settler (Editor’s Note: Greeley historian Hazel E. Johnson wrote the following story years ago.) By Hazel Johnson

J

ake Kohler was a homesteader on the plains northeast of Greeley and told many stories about life in early 1900s. “It was quite exciting out on the prairie during Prohibition,” he recalled. “Bootleggers seemed to be able to pick up bottled liquor in Cheyenne and, using the back roads, sneak it into Denver. “One night a big old car drove into our yard with all its tires hot and one flat. The driver asked if I had a tire pump. I did and he pumped up the tire. “He gave me a snort of liquor, raised the trunk and showed me several cases of booze.”

“He said he was a pilot for seven other cars, and he asked if I’d accept $1 a cup for coffee for his men. I said I would. Times were tough. What they probably were seeking was a hideout.” When Jake first moved to the plains, he had no neighbors. It was lonesome, and he made pets of all sorts of animals. A mother rabbit lived under his bed. Her babies came out and played around Jake’s cabin, which delighted him. One night he came home and found that someone had entered his cabin, killed and eaten all the rabbits, using his kitchen and utensils. Later when he had neighbors, a friend came to spend the night. Upon entering the cabin, Jake and his friend found a huge rattlesnake coiled on the floor.

Bring Your Gift List ... We’ll Help You Fill It!

Senior Shopping Day! Wednesday, Dec. 8th 9am-3pm For everyone 65+, we have one stop, uncrowded shopping. Friendly, knowledgeable assistance and carry out service.

10% Discount on All Purchases Cannot be combined with any other offers. Excludes ¿UHDUPVDPPXQLWLRQOLFHQVHV JLIWFDUGV

All Store Locations: -D[2XWGRRU*HDU‡)RUW&ROOLQV (970) 221-0544 -D[5DQFK +RPH‡)RUW&ROOLQV (970) 484-2221 -D[2XWGRRU*HDU‡5DQFK +RPH‡/RYHODQG (970) 776-4540

FREE

Refreshments & Gift Wrap On All Purchase s

Greeley in the late 1800s. Hazel Johnson Collection. “That was not one of my pets,” Jake recalled. “We had a restless night after we dispatched him, wondering if others were around.” A young man and his wife arrived to homestead near Jake. They camped in a tent their first night on the plains, and a terrible windstorm came up. It blew away everything the couple had, and they decided that

life on the plains wasn’t for them. But Jake loved it. After he married, he taught his wife to make rabbit stew. Neighbors said it was the best stew in northern Colorado in those days. He also taught his wife to make something called “vinegar pie.” But neighbors didn’t recall raving about that. ■

8 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

Common Mistakes in Estate Plans By Ron Rutz, Attorney Legal Correspondent Q: What are some mistakes you see people making in their estate planning? A: First, I want to clarify a point from the last two Senior Voice columns. One spouse can gift and/or bequeath any amount to the other spouse. The limits mentioned in the columns apply to gifts or death transfers to anyone else, including children.

Common mistakes: Joint Ownership/Beneficiaries. Anything held in joint tenancy or assets with beneficiary designations take priority over the Will, thus passing that property or sums outside of what the Will provisions provide. Thus the desired inheritance pattern may be distorted if the testamentary and non-testamentary distributions are not coordinated because, for example, if the desire is

A New Generation of Nursing Care Today’s nursing homes are pleasant residences that promote social and emotional health as well as physical well-being. Our staff works together to ensure that your loved one will experience a comfortable, fulfilling stay. For your convenience, we contract with Medicare, Medicaid and most Private Insurance carriers. Please contact us for more information. Applewood Living Center 1800 Stroh Place Longmont, CO 80501 (303) 776-6081 Berthoud Living Center 855 Franklin Berthoud, CO 80513 (970) 532-2683 Boulder Manor Health Care 4685 East Baseline Road Boulder, CO 80303 (720) 304-2240 * Centennial Health Care Center 1637 29th Avenue Place Greeley, CO 80634 (970) 356-8181 Fort Collins Health Care Center 1000 South Lemay Avenue Fort Collins, CO 80524 (970) 482-7925 Garden Square 1000 East Stuart Street Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 494-3276

Kenton Manor 850 27th Avenue Greeley, CO 80634 (970) 353-1018 * Sierra Vista Health Care Center 821 Duffield Court Loveland, CO 80537 (970) 669-0345 Spring Creek Health Care Center 1000 East Stuart Street Fort Collins, CO 80525 (970) 482-5712 * Windsor Health Care Center 710 3rd Street Windsor, CO 80550 (970) 686-7474 Cheyenne Health Care Center 2700 East 12th Street Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 634-7986 * Select locations offer specialized memory impairment care for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.

to treat all children the same, then the goal is short-circuited if one or more, but not all, children have been named as a beneficiary. Problems also arise when one child is added to the checking account in order to be able to write checks after death or is named a beneficiary of a policy so burial money will be available. Such funds actually belong to the surviving recipient unless timely disclaims are made or gifting back to the estate occurs. Another problem concerns who receives proceeds if one of the beneficiaries dies first. Instead of the deceased’s share passing to his descendants, the deceased’s amount may go to the other beneficiaries. Some people are still are doing living trusts to avoid probate. But probate is needed if real estate was not deeded into the trust but the title remains in the name of the creator of the trust and title is not held in joint tenancy, or if other non real estate assets make up part of the estate and are not held in joint tenancy, or there is no beneficiary designations, and if all such assets

total more than $50,000. All kinds of trusts are being used, but unless all the technicalities are followed, bad things happen. Many estate planners, insurance companies, CPAs, and brokers set up gifting trusts or irrevocable life insurance trusts (ILET) which receive annual transfers from the maker into the trust. However, to avoid gift tax problems, notices must be properly prepared and given to the trust beneficiaries. If not, the annual transfer amounts may be added back to the taxable estate at death. Be sure that your computer codes and passwords are available. Otherwise, the computer contents are lost to your Personal Representative. Additionally, on the list of assets and contacts you prepare for your Personal Representative, list social networking sites, e-mail accounts, etc. ________________ Attorney Ron Rutz will answer questions sent to 2625 Redwing Road, #180, Fort Collins, CO 80526. Phone 970-223-8388. Email [email protected]. ■

Confusing Medical Bills

D

ealing with hospital and doctor bills after an illness can be a nightmare. It can also be expensive if you don’t have someone checking on billing errors, which occur nine out of ten times, according to Medical Billing Advocates of America. Patients are sometimes charged for things like closing a surgical incision, which should be included in the surgery fee but might be billed separately even though Medicare officials say that is a violation of the program’s guidelines.

Or your insurance company might refuse to pay for something you think should be covered. Or you might need to negotiate a lower fee with a provider. Patients needing help with such things sometimes use medical billing specialists who charge a fee (e.g. 30% of the money recovered) to wade through the confusing paperwork and decipher the billing codes. For information in northern Colorado, you can email [email protected], or call 970-663-1735 in Loveland. ■

Kidney Transplant Research

M

any kidney patients are put on dialysis and not told that a kidney transplant would give them a longer life. It would also be cheaper, according to a report in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Why are they not told? Because dialysis providers need patients. That seems odd, but it’s true said researchers who found that nearly one-third of the 106,000 people who began treatment for kidney failure in 2006 were not told about the option of

a transplant. “The biggest dialysis providers need large numbers of patients covered by insurance to offset lower payments the providers get for dialysis from Medicare,” said researchers. A patient with kidney failure who receives a transplant will live an average of 10 years longer than one put on dialysis. And the cost is about $50,000 cheaper, said researchers. Yet thousands of patients each year are not told of the option. ■

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 9

Early Cheyenne By Margaret Laybourn

Cheyenne in 1868. Wyoming History Museum.

T

he night that Pat Mullaly and Limber Jim were killed in Cheyenne was, according to C.G. Coutant in the first history of Cheyenne, the turning point that put the town on its way to becoming a civilized city. Up to that time, there was little semblance of order, and the town folk were even afraid of being in their own homes at night. It was a “hell-onwheels” railroad town. On the night of September 16, 1867, Pat Mullaly was the owner of a successful saloon. Limber Jim was a hanger-on at the saloon and a questionable character. Mullaly got into a quarrel with a woman called Lead Beader, who operated a saloon and brothel nearby. On the fatal night, Mullaly, Limber Jim and two ladies went over to Lead Beaders. The door was shut, but Pat Mullaly forced it open and entered the establishment. As he did, a shot was fired, striking him in the chest and killing him

almost instantly. Several other shots were fired, and Limber Jim was fatally hit. Before he died, he managed to shoot Bead Leader in the arm. A crowd quickly gathered. Marshal Kykendalin arrived and sent for the volunteers because the crowd was growing into an unruly mob. After learning who had been killed, the mob burned down Lead Beader’s place and several surrounding buildings. A ring-leader named Wall was seized by volunteers and locked up. The mob set out to break into the building to get Wall, but the volunteers managed to hold them in back. Word was sent to the military at Fort Russell and three companies of soldiers came “on the double jump,” followed by the cavalry who put an end to the rioting. This night of lawlessness turned the tide in making Cheyenne the Magic City of the Plains instead of a lawless Hell-on-Wheels town. ■

Stationary Bikes, Treadmills & Ellipticals! • Buy • Sell • Rent • Try Before You Buy!

Breast Cancer Treatments

N

early half of the women who have breast cancer treatments experience long-term pain afterwards, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That includes women who have a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, dissection of the lymph nodes or breastconserving surgery. The pain usually occurs in the breast area, armpit, arm or side of the body, said researchers. Women who have cancer treatment before age 40 are much more likely to have pain than older women.

Researchers said they are unable to explain why such pain occurs. It might be caused by nerve damage, but they are unsure. Women who have radiation therapy are more likely to have pain than those who have chemotherapy. Fifty-two percent of the women surveyed said they had severe or moderate pain. Most women do not tell their doctors about the pain, though researchers say they should. More than 3,000 breast cancer patients were surveyed for the study.treatments. ■

SOUTH STORE:

(970) 223-1969 • (877) 214-1811 4031-A South Mason • Fort Collins, CO 80525 Mon - Sat: 9am - 8pm • Sun: 10am - 6pm

www.recycled-cycles.com

10 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

See Your Best...

MEDICAL SURGICAL

Eye Care Professionals

Colorado Crosswords By Tony Donovan

ROUTINE EXAMS CONTACT LENS

Jennifer Cecil, MD, LLC

669-8998 ACROSS

2902 Ginnala Drive Loveland, CO

3.

Across from the Post Office on 29th Street

Jennifer Cecil, MD

www.cecil.yourmd.com

Board Certified Ophthalmologist

Distinctive Eyewear Optical Shop 669-2488

6. 9. 13. 14. 15.

Brandy Morrow, OD Contact Lens Specialist

17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 25. 26. 28. 29. 30. 32. 34. 38. 39. 40. 43. 45. 47. 48. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57.

Take this exit off I-70 to access Beaver Creek Trojans’ campus, for short Give a thumbs up Steamboat Springs ski mountain Love poetry muse Site of The Little Nell, Jerome Hotel and the Wheeler Opera House ‘50’s hit song of Johnnie Ray Banned insecticide Wild ox of Tibet Number prior to “lift off ” “Leo the ___ “ Durocher of baseball lore International geophysical year, briefly Hosp. areas Brothers of trading post fame List heading Operation Desert Storm peril Haven of Broncos lore; part of the M & M connection before Elway’s tenure Garfield County town on I-70 south of Meeker Moffat County site north of Meeker originally called “Yampa” Larimer County fishing and camping mecca west of Livermore Group of islands in the South Pacific “...and a ___ old soul was he.” Straight ___ (No foolin’ around) town west of Yuma near the Nebraska line Driving aids? Part of a Latin I conjugation Tonight Show host who preceded Carson Kingston Trio hit about a man named Charlie who couldn’t get off the subway Handy man’s vehicle Arafat’s org. Stat for Hawpe or Helton ___ Hagler Reservoir “Green” prefix Indians made soap from this desert shrub Came down the slopes

ANSWERS

59. 60. 61. 62.

A shot in ___ ___. (Big boost) ___ Town in Jefferson County He lost to DDE in 1952 and 1956 Slippery ones

DOWN 1.

2. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 10. 11. 12. 14. 16. 24. 25. 27. 28. 29. 31. 33. 35. 36. 37. 40. 41. 42. 44. 46. 48. 49. 52. 58.

Irish Baronet whose hunting exploits in the 1850’s brought widespread attention to the wilderness areas of the Northern and Central Rockies ___ Masterson was a part time resident of the mining town of Creede Ritter’s predecessor Nugget big man Tom and Sam, for two Crystalline amino acid found in many proteins Tombs Large, long-horned grasshopper Toy on a string He retired as the 8th leading scorer in NHL history Change the copy Word before Canyon, City or River Town southwest of Walsenburg and one time site of ski area He won the Oscar for his role in “The African Queen” Kind of printing or lithography Clothing line? ___ High Salute introduced by Terrell Davis Not as pricey as silver or gold, this mineral accounted for about 10% of the state’s mining revenues The “Black Nights of the Hudson” This community of the Ute Mountain Indian Reservation is located near the Four Corners area Red building? How agreeing parties see things Town north of #24 down Colorado relocation camp during WW II Lake or river transports Rich tapestry ___ Creek Massacre Silver ___, near Idaho Springs Canyon near Ft. Collins Funeral fire? Christopher Carson, to friends

Colorado Crosswords are created exclusively for The Voice by Tony Donovan, who lives in Loveland.

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 11

Early Mailmen

You can afford the BEST. Come in and COMPARE!

By Arlene Ahlbrandt

Rick & Bill Allnutt

Call and tell us how we can meet your needs. Estes Park 586-3101 An early 1900s photograph of Sam Puleston ready to deliver mail in the Wellington area on his motorcycle. Courtesy of Arlene Ahlbrandt.

W

CLEANING & HOME MAINTENANCE FROM THE INSIDE OUT! • Full Residential Cleaning • Weekly/Monthly • Yard & Gutter Clean-Up • Snow Removal • Home Maintenance • Landscaping Services • Home Rental Services • Property Management

One-Stop Shopping! Enjoy the Holidays & We’ll Worry About the Rest! • Professional• Reliable • Affordable CALL US FOR FREE ESTIMATES:

970-493-4052 Bonded• Licensed• Insured

2643 Midpoint Dr., Suite A Fort Collins

hen the post office was established in Wellington in 1903, there was a postmaster and a “special carrier” named Frank Anderson, who brought mail from Fort Collins to Wellington in a horse-drawn coach. In 1911 the population had grown; so two rural routes were established. Sam Puleston delivered mail by horseback on the north and west route. Later he had a motorcycle. He and his family of seven children moved from Waverly to Wellington in 1910, and he was well known. Sam’s area included the Buckeye valley with homesteads and ranches almost to the Wyoming state line. Sometimes ranchers would ask Sam to pick up supplies from town and deliver them with the mail. William Blanchard had the south and east routes. At first he used a horse-drawn carriage, then a Model T Ford. He delivered for over 20 years. When he retired, Sam Puleston covered the entire route of 54 miles. Sam died in 1936 and his son, Raymond, delivered mail for a year, until another carrier could be appointed. ■

Fort Collins 482-3208

Greeley 352-3366

Loveland 667-1121

www.allnutt.com

Sierra Coach Lines, Inc. Black Hawk Colorado Central Station Hotel & Casino

(970) 834-1153

Every Wed. & Sun. $20 per person (Roundtrip) COMPLIMENTARY COFFEE & DONUTS Departing Ault @ 7:00 AM • Departing Eaton @ 7:15 AM Departing Greeley @ 8:00 AM • Departing Loveland @ 8:30 AM

Please call for reservations. • Local & Nationwide Group Charters • Casino Packages • School & Senior Groups

• Ski & Sporting Events • Airport Transfers • Wedding & Reunions

[email protected]

12 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

Give a Gift. Give the Best Gift of your Life. Give the Gift of Hospice. Call to find out how – 970-346-9700

Serving Weld, Larimer and Boulder Counties

Events and Announcements Stove Prairie Festival December 5, 10 am to 4 pm, at the historic Stove Prairie school west of Fort Collins. Crafts, art, handmade quilt raffle, silent auction, food and more. Call 484-1233 for information. Greeley Newcomers Club Meets December 8 at noon, Eaton Country Club, with a holiday music program. Call 330-4525. Music Performance The Rocky Mountain Chamber Singers will perform holiday songs plus old favorites like Singin’ in the Rain,

December 19, 7:30 pm, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 305 E. Elizabeth Street, Fort Collins. For tickets, call 484-3915. Free Forum on Russia Richard Life will speak on “Understanding Russian Leaders,” December 6 at 7 pm, Loveland’s Ferguson High School. Call 203-0649. New Cookbook “Country Cookin’” is a collection of over 350 recipes from members of the Pioneer Association of northern Colorado, available for $10 by calling 482-4647 or 482-5819. ■

Help with Medicare and More

I

f you or family members need help with Medicare, long-term care and other matters, contact your local Area Agency on Aging or State Health Insurance Program (SHIP). Their services are free and they provide trained consultants to answer questions. The agencies are tax-supported and not affiliated with insurance companies or other businesses. They can help you choose a Medicare Part D drug plan, a Medicare supplemental insurance plan, or answer questions about confusing aspects of Medicare. You can find the local Area Agency on Aging office through your senior center. Contact the following SHIP offices

in Colorado or Wyoming: Colorado Insurance Division, 1560 Broadway, Suite 850, Denver, CO 80202. Phone 800-554-9181. Email [email protected]. See www. dora.state.co.us/insurance/senior/senior. htm. Wyoming Insurance Division, PO Box BD, Riverton, WY 82501. Phone 800-8564398. Email mailto:ljchey@wyoming. com. See www.wyomingseniors.com/ wship.htm. Another helpful source might be the Patient Advocate Foundation

(www.patientadvocate.org). They can direct you to numerous agencies in your state. ■

Treatment for Keratoconus

“Dr. Colvin will forever be my eye doctor. His dedication allows me to have excellent and comfortable vision while I work and play.” — Joan Creed, Loveland

J

oan Creed is a busy working mom, who loves watching her children participate in football, volleyball and basketball.

John D. Kirk, MD, FACS & John W. Colvin, OD

3650 East 15th Street Loveland, Colorado

669-1107

When Joan went back to work, she needed a better contact prescription for close-up work on the computer. She came to Dr. Colvin and asked for his help. Keratoconus, a thinning of the cornea, keeps Joan from good vision with glasses and makes contact fitting difficult. “He took the time to fit my contacts more comfortably and made sure that my vision was the very best it could be. My specialized soft contacts are expensive and he worked with my prescription for the best fit and vision possible.” If you’d like to see your future more clearly choose Kirk Eye Center as your eye care provider. You’ll be glad you did.

w w w. K i r k E y e C e n t e r. c o m

SHOP WEDNESDAYS, WHEN THE CURRENT WEEK’S AD AND THE PREVIOUS WEEK’S AD OVERLAP. ENJOY A DAY OF VIRTUALLY TWICE THE AMOUNT OF SAVINGS.

All Natural Meat, Fresh Seafood and Produce. No Preservatives Added. Consistently Checked for Antibiotics. Pharmacy and Post Office at Our Store.

2601 S. Lemay Avenue At Drake Road, Fort Collins Phone 282-8003

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 13

Touching Stories About Children H

ere are two touching stories about children, submitted by Senior Voice readers: Years ago, when things cost much less, a little boy entered a cafe and sat at a table. The waitress put a glass of water in front of him. “How much is an ice cream sundae?” he asked. “Fifty cents,” she replied. The child slowly counted the coins in his hand. “How much is a dish of just plain

ice cream?” he asked. Customers were waiting, and the waitress was getting impatient. “Thirty-five cents,” she snapped. “I’ll have the plain ice cream,” said the child. She brought it and walked away. He finished, counted his money again, paid the cashier and went out the door. When the waitress picked up the little boy’s dish, she swallowed hard at what she saw. There on the counter were two nickels and five pennies—her tip.

About Blood Thinner Plavix

P

eople who take the blood thinner Plavix should not take the heartburn drug Prilosec, according to Food and Drug official Mary Ross Southworth with the FDA’s cardiovascular division. They should also not take drugs similar to Prilosec, which include Nexium, Prevacid and other so-called proton-pump inhibitors when taking Plavix. Such drugs can cut the effectiveness of Plavix in half and possibly lead to a heart attack or stroke, said the FDA. And a number of other drugs make

Plavix less effective: Tagamet, Luvox, Felbatol, Nizoral, Diflucan, and Vfend. People take heartburn drugs with Plavix because it often upsets the stomach. Researchers said people can safely take alternatives such as Zantac, Mylanta or Maalox. The other drugs like Prilosec might increase the risk of death especially after angioplasty. The maker of Plavix, Bristol-Myer, has added warnings on the drug’s label and hopes people who might be accustomed to taking other drugs with Plavix will read the label. ■

Doctors Overuse Pap Tests? M

131 South College Fort Collins 482-2205 www.garwoodsjewelers.com

ost doctors recommend more pap tests for women than are necessary, according to a report in the Annals of Internal Medicine. That means doctors do more pap tests than recommended by the American Cancer Society and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Those groups say women over age 21 should have annual pap tests until age 30. After that, they should have the test every two or three years if their test results are normal. Women can stop having the test after age 65 or 70 if results are normal. But of the 1,200 doctors surveyed, only 16 percent of obstetrician/gynecologists followed the guidelines. About 20 percent of general practitioners did. Researchers aren’t sure why doctors ignore the guidelines. Perhaps it’s because many disagree with the them or are worried about malpractice. Some might benefit financially from doing more tests, said researchers. Doctors under age 40 were more likely to follow the guidelines. ■

A little girl, whose parents had died, lived in a small town with her grandmother and slept in an upstairs bedroom. One night, the house caught on fire and the grandmother perished trying to rescue the child. Neighbors called the firemen, but they were delayed by another fire. The child stood at the upstairs window, crying desperately for help. The crowd stood by helplessly, unable to enter the house because flames blocked the entrances. Suddenly a man appeared with a ladder, slammed it against the roof, quickly climbed up and disappeared inside the house. In a moment, he reappeared with the child in his arms. He handed her to the people below, then faded into the night. Authorities learned the child had no other living relatives, so several weeks later they held a town meeting to determine who would take care of her. A teacher offered to raise her. So did several others, including the town’s wealthiest citizen. Throughout the proceedings, the little girl remained silent, her eyes on the floor. Finally the chairman said, “Does anyone else want to speak?”

A man from the back of the room came forward and stood in front of the child. He had tears in his eyes. His face, arms and hands were terribly scarred. Suddenly the little girl recognized him. She threw her arms around his neck and hung on for dear life, just as she had that fateful night. The chairman quietly adjourned the meeting. That little girl grew to be a beautiful woman with a deep understanding of human kindness. ■

Happy Holidays! The Wexford Tour one of our independent living facilities this Holiday Season!

:HVWWK6WUHHW /RYHODQG&2 

The Winslow &HQWUH$YHQXH )RUW&ROOLQV&2 

The Worthington :RUWKLQJWRQ&LUFOH )RUW&ROOLQV&2 

ZZZFROXPELQHKHDOWKFRP

14 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

Origins of North Colorado Towns By Lois Hall

W

hen I travel in northern Colorado, I often see the name of a place and wonder, “Why did they call it that?” That’s why I like to know the origins of places like these:

Milliken, south of Greeley, was named for John D. Milliken, an early attorney with the Denver-LaramieNorthwestern Railway. The town was founded in 1909, and residents were so glad to get train service that they named the place for the railroad official. Masonville, west of Horsetooth Reservoir in Fort Collins, took the name of early settler J.R. Mason. He operated the Masonville Hotel in the late 1800s, and a post office was

Milliken residents in the late 1800s. Hazel Johnson Collection. established there in 1896. You can still see parts of the old hotel building. Nederland, west of Longmont and Boulder, was an early mining town developed by the Nederland Mining Company, a Dutch group from the Netherlands. It had a post office as early as 1871 and was once a major supply center for many mines in the mountains west of Boulder. Platteville, south of Greeley, was built on the banks of the South Platte River and took its name from the river. The town was established in

Happy Holidays from the Senior Voice William E. Condon Jr. Estate Planning • Conservatorships Wills • Elder Law Home and Hospital Appointments Available

970-353-6886

1871 and had a post office by 1875. The Red Feather Lakes community, northwest of Fort Collins, was probably named for an Indian, but no one is sure. A legendary Chief Red Feather supposedly found this scenic spot and took his people to it. Years later in the early 1900s, a singer called Princess Red Feather performed beautiful Indian songs. She was popular and toured the country when the little community of Red Feather was established in 1924. Niwot, south of Longmont, was

certainly named for an Indian. Chief Niwot was well known among early gold seekers who arrived here in 1858. Niwot meant “left hand.” Some said the chief had lost some fingers on his right hand and used his left. Others said he was simply left handed. Many people assume that Left Hand Creek near Boulder was also named for Chief Niwot, but it got its name from another left-hander, pioneer mountain man Andrew Sublette. ■

Issue with Mammograms A recent report on breast cancer says women should probably have mammograms, but they should be aware of the shortcomings of such tests. Mammograms cannot determine which breast cancers are life-threatening and which will likely never cause a problem, says a report in the British Medical Journal. Consequently, many women undergo unnecessary treatments and emotional trauma as a result of mammograms. In fact, for every 2,000 women screened over 10 years, one

will avoid dying from breast cancer and 10 others will receive unnecessary treatments, said researchers. The report echoes the findings of several other recent studies that point out the shortcomings of mammograms. In Europe, experts recommend them every two years for women over age 50. In the U.S., the recommendation has been every year for women over age 40. Disagreement among experts leaves many women in the unfortunate position of having to decide whether to have mammograms and treatments. ■

Governor’s Farm Apartments 701 6th Street • Windsor, CO • (970) 352-5860 Designed for people 62 years of age and older, or disabled. Governor’s Farm is located in a pleasant rural community, offers affordable rent, one-bedroom ground level apartments, laundry facility, free maintenance and small pets are welcome.

1122 9th St., Suite 203 • Greeley USDA-RD

Equal Housing Opportunity

The Senior Voice • December 2009 • 15

Laughter Is the Best Medicine P

enguins mate for life and have close family bonds. If a penguin dies, others will sometimes use their beaks and wings to dig a hole in the ice and roll the dead one into it. This requires a great effort and is difficult for penguins to do. Afterwards they gather around the hole and sing: “Freeze a jolly good fellow.” A man told his friend, “A charity called and asked me to donate some of my clothes to starving people in Africa. I told them no. Anyone who can fit into my clothes is not starving.” A man was walking past a mental hospital and heard people on the other side of a wood fence yelling, “Twelve! Twelve!” He found a hole in the fence and looked through it. Someone poked him in the eye with a stick, and the people yelled, “Thirteen! Thirteen!” A woman said to her husband, “What do you like most about me, my pretty face or beautiful body?” He said, “Your sense of humor.”

A man said to his wife, “You’ve been sitting there staring at our marriage certificate for an hour. What are you doing?” “Looking for an expiration date.” Bubba asked his friend Dilbert, “Why do them scuba divers always fall backwards off da boats?” “Because if they fell forwards, they’d still be in da boat.” Bumper sticker: “Save the earth. It’s the only planet with chocolate.” Don’t mess with the woman whose license plate says, “PMS24-7.” An old Indian’s description of how federal programs work: “Only the government would believe you can cut a foot off the top of a blanket, sew it on the bottom, and think you have a longer blanket.” Years ago, you spoke to a telephone operator to make a call. Herbert McGregor remembered talking to an operator to make a long-distance call, then he hung up and dialed for a local call. He got the same operator and he said, “I’m trying to make a local call,

See it on the web at www.theseniorvoice.net Serving Northern Colorado since 1980.

THE AREA’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED SENIOR NEWSPAPER In news stands and on the web at www.theseniorvoice.net For advertising rates and information, call 970-229-9204 in Fort Collins, 970-454-3789 in Greeley.

not long-distance. So I don’t want you.” She replied, “You wouldn’t say that if you saw me.” A man was waking up after surgery in a hospital, and his wife was sitting beside the bed. He looked at her and said, “You’re beautiful.” She had never heard him say that before, and she continued to sit by his side as he went back to sleep. He woke again later, looked at her

See me about

MEDICARE PART D.

and said, “You’re cute.” “What?” She said. “What happened to beautiful?” He said, “The drugs are wearing off.” From Washington Post readers who were asked to change one letter in a word and provide a new definition: Reintarnation: Coming back to life as a hillbilly. Bozone: The rarified air breathed by stupid people. Glibido: All talk and no action. ■ I am now carrying Medicare prescription drug coverage from Humana®. Call me today to sign up or if you have questions about what’s right for you. MaryM. M Biggers, Biggers,Agent, AgentLUTCF Mary 1318 SS.College CollegeAvenue Avenue Fort Collins, Collins, CO CO80524-4174 80524-4174 Bus: 970-493-9336 970-493-9336 [email protected] [email protected]

Humana Prescription Drug Plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, Louisville, KY, which is financially responsible for these products. No member of the State Farm family of companies is financially responsible for these products. Humana Inc., Humana MarketPoint, Inc. and Humana Insurance Company are not affiliates of State Farm. A Medicare approved Prescription Drug Plan available to anyone entitled to Part A and/or enrolled in Part B of Medicare through age or disability. Copayment, service area, and benefit limitations may apply. Contact your State Farm agent for details on coverage, costs, restrictions and renewability. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company • Bloomington, IL S5884_GH 19213 12/05

P054039 12/05

16 • December 2009 • The Senior Voice

H ome for the holidays

Have you been thinking about making a move? Now is the time to learn more about your options and start getting more out of life while leaving the worries and expense of home maintenance behind. See how 2010 could be the start of something great. We’re more affordable than you think!

Join us for our Holiday Open House Friday & Saturday, Dec. 18 & 19, 1 – 4 p.m. Visit one of our communities listed below during our Holiday Open House and register to win a $500 travel voucher, a free round of golf and many other gifts. Also, Water Valley is showcasing 10 local artisans for your last-minute holiday shopping.

Heritage Senior Apartments | Fox Run Senior Living | Estes Park Loveland Village | Fort Collins | Windsor (Water Valley)

;OL,]HUNLSPJHS3\[OLYHU.VVK:HTHYP[HU:VJPL[`WYV]PKLZOV\ZPUNHUKZLY]PJLZ[VX\HSPÄLKPUKP]PK\HSZ^P[OV\[YLNHYK[VYHJLJVSVYYLSPNPVUZL_KPZHIPSP[`MHTPSPHSZ[H[\ZUH[PVUHSVYPNPUVYV[OLYWYV[LJ[LKZ[H[\ZLZHJJVYKPUN[VMLKLYHSZ[H[LHUKSVJHS SH^Z(SSMHP[OZVYILSPLMZHYL^LSJVTL*VW`YPNO[ ;OL,]HUNLSPJHS3\[OLYHU.VVK:HTHYP[HU:VJPL[`(SSYPNO[ZYLZLY]LK .