Callie Ellis may be petite in stature but there is nothing small about her ability to bowl. The 76-year-old wields her 12-pound ball like a pro. Ellis has been a member of the Tuesday Mixed Senior League at the Family Fun Lanes in Bangor for… Read More
Festive centerpieces make holiday meals a little more special. For some people, colorful flowers or the soft glow of candles to do the trick, but Rebecca Hawkins, 16, had other ideas. And the Meals for Me home delivery recipients in the Bangor area couldn’t be… Read More
The ball has dropped in Times Square, Dick Clark has gone home and a new year has begun. Time to start keeping the resolutions so carefully planned last year. Well, except for the losing weight one because, in my opinion, dieting on a holiday is just wrong. Read More
BREWER – Shortly after New Year’s Day, the daytime pizza delivery driver for the Brewer Pizza Hut will turn 80. Brewer resident Walden Lawson, who likes to be called “Wally,” said he loves to drive. That’s the main reason he stays behind the wheel and… Read More
I recently bought a new winter coat. While I really like this pristine – read: no cat hair yet – heavy, black jacket, I realized as I modeled it in front of my full-length mirror, I look just a little, well, boxy. No matter; it will keep me… Read More
FRENCHVILLE – Starting his eighth decade, Fernand Martin doesn’t want to think of not having something to do each day, especially during the warmer months of May through November when he can work outside. So unless something else happens to his health, Martin still will… Read More
Those who think Latin is dead have never met Bill Beck. Enchanting in his enthusiasm for the language, Beck, 61, regales his Bangor Adult Education students with many examples of English words that are derivatives of Latin. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes… Read More
BREWER – There are those who work a job 20 years and then retire. Then there are those, like Brewer resident Bernice Winslow, who work a job for 28 years and then retire to take on another job for 22 years – and counting. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
If you’re in the position of providing care for an older person, you may occasionally be faced with terms that, until now, have had little meaning. The word “caregiver” itself can cause shudders in some family members, especially spouses who say, “I am just doing… Read More
BANGOR – Today, Anna Bart turns 89. Even though it’s her birthday, Bart did not take the day off from her job at Bangor Motor Inn. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for… Read More
Now that Thanksgiving is behind us, it is time to kick our holiday spirit into high gear. Colorful department store fliers abound, promising shoppers the lowest prices of the season on things they can’t possibly live without. The holidays are hectic for everyone, except those… Read More
MILFORD – The only medicine Horace “Spike” Moffatt takes are the vitamins his wife puts on the table each day, and at 72 he says slowing down isn’t in his plan to get to heaven. Moffatt can be found Monday through Friday working at the… Read More
BROWNVILLE JUNCTION – Even on the nastiest day of the year when few would venture out, John Bishop Sr. can be found cruising the highways. Seated behind the wheel of a dump truck, the 74-year-old is as comfortable plowing local roads and hauling cement from… Read More
A couple of months ago I fell in my home. While I am embarrassed to reveal how it happened – I tripped on my pajama bottoms – I realized, as I lay on the floor reassuring my cats that all was well, that emergency call systems are a… Read More
Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Traditionally, it is a time to indulge in food items that, for a variety of reasons, may be off limits any other day. As a career dieter, I have spent decades assigning food to “good” and “bad” categories. For… Read More
On any given day, you can find Mary Cheney Gould of Brooksville glued to a computer at the Bagaduce Music Lending Library in Blue Hill, her fingers tapping the keys with the same dedication that she shows when she tickles the ivories. Though still an… Read More
My grandfather was diabetic. I remember him needing insulin injections every day. Being a child and not fond of needles, I was quietly horrified at the very thought of this daily regimen. He managed well and endured the disease bravely, as he did everything else in his life. Read More
Recently, I was studying my mother’s Medicare Explanation of Benefits forms in what turned out to be a futile attempt to understand them. While admittedly, I may not be the brightest bulb in the chandelier, I figured, “How hard can these forms really be?” After… Read More
“Pose, and hold it,” are directions typically uttered by photographers. Following these instructions can help ensure a better picture. Yoga teachers, using similar language, can guide their students to better health. “Hatha yoga employs breathing techniques, gentle exercises and meditation to achieve physical health and… Read More
The holiday season is almost here. For me it starts on Halloween, which means with all the bite-sized chocolate bars and candy corn readily available, holiday pounds have packed their bags and are just waiting to move into my already crowded self. But there may… Read More
BANGOR – If you’ve run out of heating fuel after business hours or on a holiday, chances are good you’ve spoken with Arthur Lutton. The 74-year-old Bangor resident is one of the night dispatchers employed at Webber Energy Fuels’ corporate headquarters on Main Street. googletag.cmd.push(function… Read More
John started taking his wife, Jane, who is living with dementia, to a day service program once a week – just as a “try it and see” venture, not knowing how Jane would react. Their experience was positive and now Jane attends twice a week. Read More
GOULDSBORO – Edith Woodward, who has held her job for 47 years, says she has no plans to leave her position as head cook at the local grammar school. “I’m 86 years old and I’ve never retired,” Woodward said recently. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define… Read More
There is a definite chill in the air, and some low-lying areas have had frost warnings. I need no such indicators of autumn’s arrival, however. I can always tell that fall is fast approaching when my older cat, Dixie, starts burrowing under the bedspread. This… Read More
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. But, the other 11 months should be regarded as breast cancer awareness months as well, considering the importance of monthly breast self-exams. And time is not on your side. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes =… Read More
ORONO – When you devote your life to studying ice ages, the matter of your own age tends to be insignificant by comparison. That may help explain why University of Maine professor Harold W. Borns Jr. hasn’t really thought about retiring, even though he’s approaching his 76th birthday. Read More
Remember when you were a child and your mother kept after you to wash your hands? She was wise beyond her years. Along with cleanliness, a little soap and water can go a long way to keeping you healthy. “Frequent hand washing is very important,”… Read More
BREWER – Earl Sherwood retired three years ago as an appraiser for the city of Bangor but now is behind the desk again, this time for the city of Brewer. At 70, Sherwood has taken a part-time job assisting Brewer assessor Mary Lynne Hunter. His… Read More
PITTSFIELD – “I’m retired, you know,” Leroy Starbird says as he climbs up the ladder and begins rolling primer on a newly sheet-rocked wall. He works in silence, no radio or distractions, just the swoosh, swoosh of the roller punctuated now and then by the scrape of the… Read More
Is it just me, or is driving more frustrating than ever before? There seems to be a steady stream of traffic no matter which way I turn. Not to mention road construction. I’ve been known to “white-knuckle” my way home more than once. Spotting the… Read More
ELLSWORTH – Robert “Bob” Wessel had been doing enough kayaking. That’s why he took an opportunity to come out of retirement and help sell kayaks at the L.L. Bean Factory Store on High Street. googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var… Read More
As summer dissolves into a fond memory, it is time to think about taxes. Lest you think I have lost my calendar (or worse) let me assure you I am not referring to income taxes, but to tax and rent refunds from the Maine Revenue Service. Read More
DEBLOIS – He keeps coming back. It’s not just for the money, but for the love of the job. Henry Dean, 77, of Bucksport has been raking blueberries off and on since 1949. He has raked berries every year for Jasper Wyman & Son since… Read More
It wasn’t too many decades ago that the term massage conjured up visions of wealthy women at exclusive spas, or heavyweight champs getting a rubdown after a particularly tough match. Fast forward to today. What was once reserved for “someone else” is now available to… Read More
Editor’s Note: The Bangor Daily News is profiling people age 70 and older who choose to remain in the work force, examining why they still feel the need to work and how they feel about their jobs. The profiles will run occasionally. MILFORD – Each… Read More
For men and their loved ones, two of the many issues surrounding prostate cancer are fear and confusion. An estimated 220,900 men in the United States will be diagnosed with prostate cancer this year, 900 in Maine. According to the American Cancer Society, uncertainty over… Read More
Here are questions and answers about prostate cancer from the American Cancer Society. 1.What is prostate cancer? googletag.cmd.push(function () { // Define Slot var slot_sizes = [[300,250]]; var new_slot_sizes = []; var has_banner = false; for (var i = 0; i < slot_sizes.length; i++) {… Read More
The course of Pam Stokes’ life changed one evening in 1977. A typical teenager, she flipped on the television. It was there, on the small screen, that she discovered what became her life’s passion. “I watched “Roots” [Alex Haley’s miniseries] and I wanted to find… Read More
Let’s talk about eagles. Not the bird nor the band, but the Fraternal Order of Eagles club. To be exact, the Penobscot Eagles Aerie 3177, commonly known as the Brewer Eagles. After attending their annual meeting to accept a generous donation to the Eastern Agency… Read More
Advertisements are firmly in place touting “back to school” sales. Most of them show children loading up on new clothes, pens and notebooks. But the back to school sentiment isn’t just for children anymore. The Penobscot Valley Senior College, an affiliate of the University of… Read More
What do the Louvre in Paris, the Guggenheim and Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Bangor Public Library have in common? They are all places where you can see breathtaking works of art. Students of the Hammond Street Senior Center art classes… Read More
For many people, radio is considered a source of entertainment. Others tune in for news and weather updates, for company while driving, or for background noise. For some visually impaired individuals, however, the simple act of listening goes beyond the normal reasons. googletag.cmd.push(function () {… Read More
Etta Porter knows a thing or two about wedded bliss. After all, she’s seen enough of it – well, at least its first few minutes. Porter, 92, has performed more than 300 marriage ceremonies since she became a justice of the peace in 1973, while… Read More
The “Secret Garden” is more than a book or movie to me. It is actually every garden I see. Not having a green thumb myself, I marvel at the wondrousness of it all. My attempts at gardening are limited to growing cat grass for my… Read More
Daily temperatures are rising and the air is often dripping with humidity. As Nat King Cole crooned in 1963, it’s time to “Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer.” But as enjoyable as summer is, it does not come without some risks, especially… Read More
The fabric of Bonnie Spather’s life could best be described as a quilt square. The year was 1972 in Annandale, Va., she said, when a neighbor gave her a book picturing the quilt block design called Job’s Tears. It was so beautiful, said Spather, 77,… Read More
Summer is one of the most popular times of year to get together with family and friends. Warm temperatures, long days, fresh produce and hosting a cookout are things the season is made for. But if you’re not careful, you may have some uninvited guests at your next… Read More
A colorful, heart-shaped braided rug rests outside the front door welcoming visitors. It’s a hint to the nature of the woman inside. For Carolyn Kinnard Ziffer, 72, home is her sanctuary. And everything in it has a special meaning or story to tell – including… Read More
Visiting my mother, 75, is always an experience but sometimes it can be cause for concern. She never met a garage sale she didn’t like. Venturing into her home is not unlike an archaeologist beginning a dig. You’re never really sure what you’ll find. As… Read More
Down in the dumps, having the blues or being woebegone are terms seniors may use when describing feelings of sadness. But depression, by any other name, is still a serious illness. “Depression doesn’t get enough attention,” said Pam Taylor, geriatric mental health specialist for the… Read More
Recently, a friend was lamenting to me that her mother, after a doctor’s visit, was somewhat confused about his suggested course of action. I heard basically the same story from my hairstylist, whose mother also left her physician’s office with unasked questions and unclear directions. Read More
The cars themselves could be called seniors. But with some adjustments, they’re still going strong. “It’s all about more power,” said Lee Van Dyne, 62, long-standing member of the Central Maine Street Rods club, along with her husband, Tom. “It’s like that old TV show… Read More
When a group of women gets together with an idea, you never know what can happen. One thing’s for sure, however, the possibilities should not be underestimated. The year was 1913. A few representatives from the Bangor Federation of Women’s Clubs attended a seminar on… Read More
Lynn Leighton has always loved detective work. She thrives on ferreting out information and putting the pieces together to solve a problem. Even though Leighton is not a police officer, she has no shortage of sleuthing opportunities as a caregiver resource specialist at Eastern Agency on Aging for… Read More
May is upon us and that can only mean one thing: The May Festival is imminent. And why not? May is, after all, Older Americans Month. Sponsored by the University of Maine Center on Aging, with a healthy dose of good will and hard work… Read More
I think spring has finally sprung. I have spotted the first robin in my yard – and so have my cats, who live in hope that one day they will be on the other side of the window. I also have seen the first determined flower buds inch… Read More
A long time ago, a wise and older woman said to me, “The best way to help yourself is to help someone else. The joy that comes from focusing on the needs of others can make your own needs and troubles seem much less important.”… Read More
Fraud can strike anyone, but seniors are at particular risk. It’s not something you like to think about, but remember that knowledge is power – and despite what you may have heard, ignorance is not bliss. In order to educate seniors and their families on… Read More
Imagine being admitted to a hospital, lying in a strange bed in a strange room, waiting for a return call from your recently paged doctor. You are assured that the reply will come shortly, but every minute seems like an hour. Anxiety mounts as the nurses try to… Read More
Snow rests firmly atop the once lovingly tended vegetable garden. But that doesn’t matter to these gardeners. They’re busy doing other things. “It’s very active here,” said Debra Calderwood, registered nurse for the Senior Treatment and Respite Services program located at the Bangor Mental Health… Read More
The old saying, “Let the good times roll,” may not have been the inspiration for the name of the Glenburn Good Times Club, but the sentiment was certainly taken to heart. What began as a strictly social group in 1977 is still going strong today. Read More
Alan Shawn Feinstein, a millionaire from Cranston, R.I., is very interested in Eastern Agency on Aging’s nutrition program. Why would someone so far away be concerned with Meals for Me, you ask? The answer is simple. Feinstein has a goal of ending hunger in the… Read More
Recently, while watching a television show in which people have their possessions appraised, Roberta Macko, director of volunteer services at Eastern Agency on Aging, began glancing around her own home. “I have some things that I have had for decades,” Macko said. “And then there… Read More
We’ve heard everyone from physicians to health spa gurus tell us to take care of ourselves. Not bad advice. However, when busy lives get in the way, watching out for No. 1 – as the old saying goes – can be a little hard to… Read More
When Gloria Nadeau was 17, taking the civil service exam, it never occurred to her the state job she was hoping to get would still be her livelihood 35 years later. Taken to Augusta by her parents because she couldn’t yet drive, Gloria took the test on the… Read More
I’ve always thought of attics as special, wondrous places that harbor long forgotten, untold treasures. The All Saints Catholic School thrift shop – known as the Attic – is a perfect example. Nestled unassumingly at 170 Center St., Bangor, the small store is brimming with a variety of… Read More
Have you ever peered at the night sky and wondered what was really going on up there? Does all the technology of today leave you feeling a little lost? Do you want to know more about home efficiency and options? These are just a few… Read More
During a chat with Jason Johnson, public education officer for the Bangor Fire Department, I learned something about smoking that surprised me. We all know it’s a dangerous habit, but seniors who smoke face one particular risk more often than their younger counterparts. Smoking is… Read More
For most children a trip to visit their grandparents is laced with fun, special treats and a chance to get a little spoiled. But some youngsters call their grandparents’ house home. The reasons these children no longer live with their parents are varied. Substance abuse,… Read More
They wear blue uniforms that sport eagle logos and lug large bags brimming with envelopes. Six days a week, in rain, sleet and dark of night – well, you know the rest – these dedicated postal workers, known as letter carriers, can be seen walking through neighborhoods delivering… Read More
January is here and with it comes winter weather. If Jack Frost is nipping at your nose, take heart. There are a few things you can do to survive the season and keep warm without taking your own nip. “When the temperature dips, wearing a… Read More
“Life begins at 50,” or so I’ve heard from people who have recently reached the half-century mark. On the other hand, I have been told, “Well, it’s all downhill from here,” by less optimistic folks who are planted firmly in that decade or beyond. Not… Read More
Practice makes perfect – or so they say. If that’s true, Arline Smiley’s piano playing must be close to perfection by now. The 80-year-old musician has been tickling the ivories for more than seven decades. “I started taking lessons when I was 10 years old… Read More
The Maine Discovery Museum, in downtown Bangor, is aptly named. While visitors of all ages are scouring the exhibits and learning new things, the volunteers are making a few discoveries of their own. “When I pair up volunteers, I like to put a teenager with… Read More
Now that Thanksgiving has safely passed – even though there may be remnants of the holiday feast occupying space in the back of your refrigerator – it is time for some serious Christmas spirit. Said spirit is not in short supply if all it takes… Read More
One person in eight will be hearing impaired by age 50. Typically, this person will spend another seven years in denial before getting a hearing aid, said Amanda Samoluk, audiologist for the Warren Center for Communication and Learning in Bangor. “It is too bad because… Read More
Roberta Marsh, 84, is always in a jam. But, after winning 105 ribbons, mostly first place, for her canning skills, she wouldn’t have it any other way. In fact, 12 entries in the Bangor State Fair last summer netted her 11 blue ribbons. Her only… Read More
When Julie Mallett comes to work in the morning, she is never sure what the day will bring. The staff attorney for Legal Services for the Elderly, Mallett is certain of one thing: She and staff paralegal Eleanor Bruchey will be helping elderly people who often have nowhere… Read More
I have always loved Halloween. OK, I have always loved candy. Who can resist chocolate kisses and miniature candy bars in bright, autumn-colored wrappers? (Actually, any wrappers, but I digress.) Halloween is also significant because, at least for me, it is the official start of the holiday season. Read More
Halloween is creeping up on us. Next week, ghosts, goblins and assorted other characters will be prowling the streets in search of treats. Creepy little creatures, lurking in shadows, banging on doors and begging for sweets can be a scary proposition – especially if you run out of… Read More
Getting up five or six times a night to use the bathroom was becoming increasingly frustrating for Ann, 76. The sleep interruptions were making her feel lethargic during the day. It wasn’t until she faced knee surgery that she decided to do something about her incontinence. Read More
Every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., a group of about 20 women gather at the Issac Farrar Mansion in Bangor, to talk, laugh, and share personal experiences. While their ages and lifestyles vary widely, there is a common bond. They all have had breast cancer. Some… Read More
When the topic of preplanning funeral arrangements was suggested to me, I wasn’t sure I wanted to tackle it. But the information is certainly important, and talking to friends who are confronting the issue has convinced me that making these plans can provide a measure of relief. Read More
Walk into the main entrance of St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor, and chances are someone wearing a maroon top will greet you. Make your way to central registration and someone else clad in maroon will guide you to your next destination. No, the employees are… Read More
A few short years ago, it was just an empty room at the YMCA in Old Town. The walls were stark and the floor bare. Today this room, which serves as the Active Older Adults room, is bustling with seniors having a grand time. Laughter can be heard… Read More
Autumn is almost upon us. It is the season of craft fairs, apple picking, football and planning for the holidays. Cool nights are followed by clear, crisp days. But, while you’re breaking out all your warm sweaters in preparation for fall, there is something else you should be… Read More
When a loved one enters a nursing home, it can be traumatic for all involved. Regardless of how much research is done, there may still be nagging fears: “Am I doing the right thing? How can I be absolutely sure what kind of care is being given?” It… Read More
Time travel has never been easier. Take a few steps inside the Old Town Museum and be instantly transported back to the days of horse-drawn carriages and birch bark canoes. The elaborate displays demonstrate how vastly different our lives are from our ancestors’, and tell… Read More
“May I take your order?” is a question Cathy Larkin has been asking at Miller’s Restaurant for the last 38 years. On Aug. 9, her 65th birthday, she asked it for the last time. Larkin is hanging up her apron and putting down her order… Read More
Home repair can be daunting for anyone, but for senior citizens who can no longer do even minor work themselves, it may be overwhelming. It’s hard to know where to turn for help. “Unscrupulous people hoping to defraud homeowners, most often choose the elderly,” said… Read More
Just the word retirement conjures up visions of traveling, fishing, golfing, gardening or any other activity that could be done endlessly if one didn’t have to work. For some seniors, this portrayal of their golden years is not accurate. Some find that all that leisure… Read More
Pumping iron, weightlifting, strength training. Call it what you will, but a group of senior ladies is doing it twice a week at the YWCA in Bangor and are having the time of their lives. Angela Potter, fitness trainer for the Y, facilitates the class,… Read More
Remember last February when it was snowy and icy cold and we dreamed of the day summer would arrive? Well, it’s here with a vengeance. We all know how hard cold weather is on the elderly, but extreme heat can be just as dangerous. Hyperthermia,… Read More
In the grocery store recently, I noticed an older woman searching the aisle intently for a certain item. The shelves had her full attention as she drifted ever farther away from her shopping cart and her purse, which was in the child seat. It occurred… Read More
Amy Cotton loved nursing long before she entered the profession. Cotton’s grandmother, Clarice Gooch Hoyt, a nurse in Down East Maine who made house calls on horseback, was a constant source of inspiration. Cotton calls her “a pioneer.” “I have a tape of her talking… Read More
If you’re reading this column over breakfast, good for you. Katherine Musgrave would be pleased. Last week, Musgrave, registered dietitian for the Diabetes and Nutrition Center at St. Joseph Healthcare, emphasized the importance of breakfast for seniors. The body needs glucose in the morning, she… Read More
We have all heard the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” While this simple rhyme may not be completely accurate, the message behind it is clear. Good nutrition is essential for good health. This is true at every age, but especially so for seniors. Read More
Eastern Agency on Aging is the best source of information, options and services for people as they grow older. Have you heard or read that sentence before, but wondered exactly what it meant? You’re not alone. Recently I have been meeting people who, while familiar… Read More
There is a unique bond between a grandparent and grandchild, but sharing a bloodline is not required for making this relationship special. The Penquis CAP Foster Grandparent Program unites senior citizens with disadvantaged or handicapped children and youth in Head Start and day care centers,… Read More
Editor’s Note: The following is the last in a 12-part series of columns from Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. Move & Improve is an outreach program of EMMC’s Community Wellness Service. Just imagine … the vision of healthier and more active Maine people. Eastern… Read More