Who needs a Christmas candle?
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially at the home of the appropriately named Gay family, of Lagrangeville, New York. The Gays topped the Guinness World Record for the most lights on a residential property the first time in 2012 bright-lighting their neighborhood with 346,283 multi-colored Christmas lights. They did it again with a 601,736 bulb display in 2014 and this year they called Guinness in once more to show off their 2021 Christmas display that lights up their quarter of their community with no less than 687,000 holiday lights.
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Who dunnit!
It’s a mystery! How did hundreds of envelopes containing cash and checks wind up inside a bathroom wall at the Lynwood Church in Houston, Texas? The church had been robbed of an estimated $600,000 about seven years ago and the perpetrators were never caught. Could the find be all or part of the loot that went missing in the break in in 2014? Police are investigating. Meanwhile, the plumber told reporters, "There was a loose toilet in the wall, and we removed the tile," the plumber said. "We went to go remove the toilet, and I moved some insulation away and about 500 envelopes fell out of the wall, and I was like 'Oh wow’."
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Growing old is not hard to do
Frances Kompus, Lucy Pochop and Julia Kopriva are sisters. They live in Atwood, KS a few blocks apart. Lucy and Julia threw a birthday party for Frances recently when she turned 100 years old. After all, she is their baby sister. Lucy is 102 and Julia is 104, you see. What’s the trick to becoming a centenarian? Middle child, Julia, said, "We eat well … pray and try to stay out of mischief."
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5 reasons why a multi-brand franchise might be your ticket in the new economy
Between The Great Resignation and a changing economy, more people are considering new career options and some are striking out on their own.
While a high percentage are starting businesses, others are buying into established franchises, becoming “franchisees'' as they start off with one business unit and perhaps invest in more as they find success. The next phase, which is growing in popularity, is becoming a “multi-brand franchisee,” says Chris Buitron, CEO and president of Mosquito Authority®.
A multi-brand franchisee invests in and runs business units of two or more brands that are owned by one parent company.
“The venture entails more responsibility but also brings the possibility of great financial success,” Buitron says. “As franchisees become successful owning and managing their first franchise, many look for new avenues of growth. Multi-brand franchising can be lucrative and has become a growing trend in the franchise industry.
“For the right kind of entrepreneur, the benefits of being a multi-brand franchisee can be many. But it’s important to realize that while fast-growing multi-brand franchises create exciting opportunities, they can also present extra risk. Before investing in or considering a multi-brand franchise, get professional advice from experts in the franchise industry.”
Buitron says franchisees can experience the following benefits from investing in a multi-brand franchise:
A centralized and knowledgeable support system. The existing infrastructure needed to support one franchise can often support other business units in the franchise’s other brands, such as human resources, accounting, and operations. “Multi-brand franchisors offer franchisees access to a wide breadth and depth of knowledge,” Buitron says. “Their head office staff has experience in different business models and can pass that on to their franchisees. Existing franchisees can get up to speed quickly with the new brand due to their experience and familiarity with the franchisor’s practices and training procedures.”
Cross-selling opportunities. Brands operated by the same umbrella franchise and aimed at the same customer provide cross-selling opportunities that can gain business for all of those brands. “A customer who trusts someone from one company will welcome recommendations from that company’s representative about another brand within the franchise,” Buitron says. “That cross-recommendation system works as long as the umbrella company maintains high standards across all of its brands.”
Borrowing resources. Given the staffing shortages that are plaguing many industries, being able to utilize some of the same employees for different brands without compromising overall efficiency is important. With two or more brands, a franchisee can offer employees cross-training and an expanded growth path as their skill sets improve. This helps attract and retain talent.
Diversification and protection from economic slumps. In an uncertain economy, operating brands in different market segments can balance each other out if one sector gets hit harder than another. “If a multi-brand franchisee sees one of its brands performing poorly, they can use revenue from their other brands to stay on an even track,” Buitron says. “Rather than adding on more units of the same brand, it makes sense to reduce risk by investing in a second brand that doesn’t compete with the first.”
Excitement. “Franchisees with high energy and enthusiasm relish running different brands,” Buitron says. “It captures their entrepreneurial spirit in dealing with challenges, learning and running different businesses, growing them for the long haul and building wealth for retirement, and increasing their relationships with employees and customers.”
“Multi-brand franchising has grown significantly in the last few years,” Buitron says. “And as more people consider new options to solidify their financial future in our changing economy, the trend doesn’t figure to slow down anytime soon.”
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Medal of Honor: Navy Ensign Herbert C. Jones
By KATIE LANGE
Department of Defense News
The 1941 attacks on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, killed more than 2,400 U.S. personnel and thrust the U.S. into World War II. Many of the service members who died that day were heroes. One of those men was Navy Ensign Herbert C. Jones.
Jones was born Jan. 21, 1918, and grew up in Los Angeles, California. His father, Herbert A. Jones, was a Navy captain, which may have inspired the younger man to join the Naval Reserve in 1935 when he was only 17.
Jones completed two years of college before receiving his midshipman's training. He was then commissioned as an ensign on Nov. 14, 1940, and sent to join the battleship USS California at Pearl Harbor. His fiancee, Joanne, eventually joined him, and they married the following summer.
Jones was still stationed on the California on Dec. 7, 1941, when the island was attacked. Pearl Harbor's Battleship Row, where the ship was moored alongside many others, became the prime target of the Japanese. Like many other ships that day, the California's commanding and executive officers weren't aboard since the night before was a liberty night for many.
Jones had just relieved the junior officer of the deck and had begun his duties when the raid started. Quickly, the ship was hit by two torpedoes. In the first few minutes of the attack, Jones rescued a sailor from a smoke-filled compartment and led an anti-aircraft battery in firing on Japanese planes, according to the National World War II Museum.
When Jones realized a torpedo had damaged the mechanical hoists that load ammunition to the ship’s antiaircraft gun battery, he led a group of men on a mission to manually supply the ammo.
Jones and the other men were on the third deck passing ammunition up ladders to the battery -- each piece was 5 inches long and weighed about 50 pounds — when a bomb exploded on the second deck. The young officer was severely injured by the explosion, which plunged the third deck compartment — where the men were — into smoke-filled darkness.
The ship began to flood from the damage. When a large, drifting mass of burning oil from other ravaged ships threatened to set the California on fire, the order went out to abandon ship. Two men tried to drag Jones out of the fire-filled compartment, but he refused, fearing more for their lives than his own. The 23-year-old reportedly said to them, "Leave me alone! I'm done for. Get out of here before the magazines go off."
Jones’ actions inspired the men around him, including Marine Corps Pvt. Howard Haynes, who was awaiting a misconduct discharge and had been confined on the ship before the attack. A remorseful Haynes later told one of his superiors that he was alive because of what Jones did.
"God, give me a chance to prove I'm worth it," he said.
A few days after the attack, the California settled on the bottom of Pearl Harbor; however, parts of the upper deck were still above water. The ship was raised a few months later and underwent repairs that weren't completed until January 1944.
In March 1942, Jones posthumously received the Medal of Honor for his bravery and sacrifice. Navy records show he was one of 15 sailors to have earned the nation's highest honor at Pearl Harbor; only five of them survived the day.
Jones was one of nearly 100 men from the USS California who died at Pearl Harbor. He is buried beside his parents in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.
In 1943, the destroyer escort USS Herbert C. Jones was launched in his honor. His widow, Joanne, christened the ship, which spent much of the rest of the war serving off the coast of North Africa and Italy.
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Plant a terrarium for a unique winter garden or gift
By MELINDA MYERS
Create a garden under glass to enjoy or give as a gift to new, experienced, and even reluctant gardeners. This self-contained system makes it easy to be a successful gardener with minimal care.
Purchase a terrarium or repurpose something hiding on a shelf in the basement, garage or shed. Even a cool glass container, cloche or bell jar turned open side down and placed on a shallow planting tray will work. Just glue a decorative doorknob or handle on the top for easy access.
Make it more festive for the holidays. Visit the ornament aisle in your favorite craft store. Create a mini terrarium from DIY Christmas orbs for holiday decoration or the perfect hostess gift.
Use closed terrariums like this when growing tropical plants. They thrive in the high humidity and moist soil.
Leave the top off or use open containers like glass vases, or mason jars for cacti and succulents. Use a cacti and succulent mix for these drought tolerant plants. They prefer the lower humidity and drier soil that open terrariums and cacti potting mix provide.
Once you have the container, you need to fill it with potting mix, plants, and other decorative items. Consider a layer of decorative stone, twigs, sea glass or sand at the bottom for added color and interest. Some gardeners include a layer of charcoal to help absorb any odor. The key is not overwatering as the decorative stone and charcoal won’t prevent waterlogged soil from killing your plants.
Consider covering the stone layer with black landscape fabric to prevent the potting mix from filtering through and covering up these items. Cover this with a layer of well-drained potting mix for tropical plants and cacti and succulent mix for drought tolerant plants. Add contours to the soil level if space allows for added interest.
Select a variety of plants of different heights, textures, and colors to create an attractive terrarium garden. Many garden centers now sell small specimens perfect for these mini gardens.
Low growing tropical plants such as baby’s tears, creeping fig, moss, and ivies make excellent groundcovers. Small specimens of dracaenas, crotons, palms and podocarpus make nice upright features. Fill in the middle ground with ferns, nerve plants, polka dot plants and more.
Once assembled, terrariums are relatively easy to manage. Moisten the soil and cover. Crack the lid open if condensation builds up on the glass. Then replace the cover and monitor the soil moisture and condensation. Add additional moisture carefully. A turkey baster is an easy way to water only the plants in need of a drink.
Place your terrariums in a bright location away from direct light. Heat can build up in this covered ecosystem and cook your plants when placed in a sunny location.
Now is the perfect time to gather or purchase fun glassware, planting and decorating supplies, and, of course, plants. Then take a break from the hectic holiday season to plant up a few holiday decorations and green gifts for your loved ones.
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5 holiday survival tips for divorced parents
Dads’ Resource Center offers ways to successfully co-parent to create the best holiday experience
STATE COLLEGE, Pennsylvania – Many people find this time of the year to be more stressful, because they are busy trying to fit in so much around the holidays. For millions of divorced parents there are additional challenges they face, as they try to make the holidays a success, while splitting custody of the children. The good news is that there are things that co-parents can do in order to make the holiday more enjoyable and less stressful for everyone.
“What children in separated families want more than anything in the world is for mom and dad to work together on their behalf,” explains Dads’ Resource Center executive director Jeff Steiner. “The greatest present that separated parents can give their children at any time, and most particularly during the holidays, is the gift of getting along.”
The first knee-jerk reaction that many co-parents have is to essentially grab a rope and invite the other parent to a game of tug-of-war. Both parents fight about who will have the kids over the holidays and there’s very little compromise and flexibility involved. That’s not going to create a great holiday experience for anyone, and may even have a detrimental impact on the children.
When parents can successfully work together to create a great holiday experience the child will benefit, as will the parents. The effort to work together will show the child a great lesson in how to get along with others, how to work together, and how to put their family first. It’s important for families to not put the pressures or stresses of co-parenting during the holidays onto the child, as it will only make them feel like they are a burden. Rather, focus on working together to make it a great month, and working through any challenges with a good attitude.
Here are 5 holiday survival tips for divorced parents to help them work together to make the best experience:
Plan it out. Make a list of the events that people want to do for the holiday, including for each side of the family, and if the child has any special event they want to attend. Map and calendar it all out to include as many as possible. If there are conflicts on particular days, work out which one will be attended. Having a plan that everyone agrees to is the first major step to ensuring a smooth holiday month.
Discuss the gifts. It’s important that both parents are okay with the gifts that the other one wants to purchase. If both parents don’t agree to a certain gift then it should be left off the table. For example, if one parent wants to purchase the teen a pellet gun and the other disagrees, then that gift should be avoided. Work out the bigger gifts so there’s no problems that arise after they have been opened.
Be patient. Co-parents or not it’s important to practice patience during this time of the year. As people find it to be a more stressful time it is a good idea to do things to relax and reduce stress, such as meditation, reading, taking a walk, etc. Make time during the month to relax and simply do nothing.
Agree to not fight. It’s common for co-parents to want to fight to get their way on every issue, often times taking it to court. Instead of that route, which is more difficult for the kids, too, agree to work together. In doing so, you will need to compromise, but it will be worth it. Remember, the kids are watching what battles are waged and how they are fought, and will often repeat those patterns later on in life. Make sure what you are teaching them is something you’d want them repeating.
Put the kids first. The years of co-parenting during the holidays are fleeting. It’s imperative to put the kids first and give them the best possible experience. Ask yourself what is in the child’s best interest when challenges arise. Being able to have some traditions and see family and extended family members are positive ways to help give the child a good foundation.
“Study after study shows what we already know – children develop more fully and have a greater chance of being successful in life when both of their parents are actively involved in their lives,” said Dads’ Resource Center founder Dr. Joel N. Myers. “It is my most sincere wish that all children are given the opportunity to benefit so greatly from their fathers’ engaged presence.”
Dads’ Resource Center was started by Dr. Myers, a father of eight and the founder and CEO of AccuWeather. The mission is to help combat the issues associated with children growing up without their fathers in the home.At its heart, the center is a child advocacy organization that aims to ensure that each child has the appropriate involvement and contributions from both parents.
Dads’ Resource Center has been established to benefit children of separated or divorced parents by advocating the importance of fathers having adequate opportunities to fulfill their role of fatherhood. The group helps get information regarding the issues out to the public and works with fathers to help make improvements. To get more information, visit the site at: https://dadsrc.org.
About Dads’ Resource Center
The Dads’ Resource Center is committed to providing education, resources and advocacy for dads who are separated or divorced and are determined to uphold their sacred responsibility as fathers. The Dads’ Resource Center was founded by Dr. Joel N. Myers, who is the founder and CEO of AccuWeather. His own experience as a single father led him to start the group. To get more information, visit the site at: https://dadsrc.org.
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Social Security Matters
By National Social Security Adviser at the AMAC Foundation,
Ask Rusty – How Do I Apply for Social Security Benefits?
Dear Rusty: I would like some advice concerning Social Security. In January I will be 62.5 years old. I was laid off two years ago and have not had a steady income since (though I still have bills to pay). I also did not qualify for unemployment. Therefore, what little I had for “retirement” is now gone. For this reason, I have been seriously considering applying for Social Security as soon as I’m able. I remember reading something that said I should begin the “paperwork” three months ahead of time. I’d like to begin that process, but don’t know where to begin. Could you guide me to the right place? Signed: Ready to Claim Benefits
Dear Ready to Claim: Sorry to hear of your loss of employment and your current financial struggle, but the Social Security benefits you earned from a lifetime of working are there for you. Here’s what you need to know about applying for Social Security:
Since you are already 62 years of age, you can apply for your Social Security at any time now. The process is fairly simple, especially if you apply online, which you can do at www.ssa.gov. Just click on the “Retirement” icon and you’ll see a link to the online application. You simply fill out the application, save it if you need more time to work on it, and later when you’re done submit it online to Social Security. Before you do that, however, you’ll need to create your personal “my Social Security” online account, which is easy to do at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. Once you have your online account set up you can fill out and submit the online application. Of course, you can also apply via telephone by calling either the national Social Security service center at 1.800.772.1213 or your local Social Security office to make an appointment to apply but applying online at www.ssa.gov is by far the most efficient way.
You can apply for your SS benefits up to 4 months before the month you wish your payments to start. On the application you will tell them which month you want your benefits to begin so you can apply before you want to start benefits. Since you’re applying before your full retirement age of 66 years and 10 months, there are a couple of things to keep in mind:
• By claiming at age 62 ½ your benefit amount will be permanently reduced by about 29%. You only get your full benefits if you wait to claim until your full retirement age (FRA) which for you is 66 years and 10 months; claiming any earlier means a permanently reduced benefit.
• If you claim before your FRA and you return to work, you’ll be subject to an “earnings test” which limits how much you can earn from working while collecting early SS benefits. The 2022 earnings limit is $19,560 and if that is exceeded SS will take back $1 for every $2 you are over the limit (half of what you exceed the limit by). The earnings limit will apply until you reach your full retirement age, and the allowable earnings are more in the year you reach FRA.
Applying online for Social Security benefits is a reasonably easy process, and if you have even moderate computer skills you shouldn’t be intimidated by the thought. But if you are, simply call Social Security and request an appointment to apply. They will walk you through the application process.
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Her wish was his command
A dutiful 72-year-old Serbian husband Vojin Kusic built his house according to his wife’s specifications soon after they got married many years ago. Since then, he’s been rebuilding it and rebuilding it to fulfill his wife’s wishes. Not long ago Mrs. Kusic complained that she was not particularly happy with the view from her window prompting her devoted husband to build a completely new home. This time he devised a way to allow his better half to change her views whenever the notion struck by simply activating a device that rotates the whole house a full 360 degrees. He built it by himself atop a rotating mechanism with electric motors and wheels from a military transport vehicle. The new home can make a complete about face at its fastest speed in 22 second or 24 hours at its slowest speed.
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Good catch
Amanda Rissman and her husband, Chad, traveled from Utah to Florida to visit with family in Pinellas County. Being a fisherman, Chad could not pass up a chance try his luck at a nearby beach; Amanda joined him and began videotaping just in time to catch him land a small shark. She caught it all on tape, even the part when an eagle came out of the clear blue sky, grasped the shark and claimed it for himself.
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A Thanksgiving gesture
Michelle Kaiser, owner of the Omaha Bakery in Nebraska, says her workers were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic and was grateful when a customer decided to show them he cared, Ms. Kaiser said. “He knew that people were struggling in general. He noticed our staff was working really, really hard." And that’s why he used his credit card to pay $5 for two turnovers, so he could say thanks by adding a $2,000 tip.
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History Matters
A feature courtesy of
The Grateful American Book Prize
America’s “second” Revolution—the Industrial of the 19th and 20th centuries—was pioneered by inventors, engineers, scientists, and—Henry Ford—arguably the most prolific. In 1908, he reset the way in which people traveled with the debut of his Model T, a “simple, sturdy and relatively inexpensive” motor car, according to History.com.
Five years later—on December 1, 1913--Ford transformed his “horseless carriage” into a faster, cheaper machine, and incorporated an assembly line that permitted efficient mass production; up until then half a day was required to build each automobile; now, with the modernized manufacturing methods, only an hour and a half was necessary.
Ford was determined to ensure that “everybody will have one.”
“By 1920, there were over eight million registrations. The 1920s saw tremendous growth in automobile ownership, with the number of registered drivers almost tripling to twenty-three million by the end of the decade,” observed the U.S. History Website.
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends I Invented the Modern Age: The Rise of Henry Ford by Richard Snow.
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On December 4, 1783--three months after the official end of the American revolution, George Washington threw a party for his officers. It was a bittersweet occasion for the General, who had conducted a six-year battle against the Redcoats to ensure a free American homeland; now, he was traveling to Annapolis, MD, to resign his commission.
History.com noted that “Observers of the intimate scene at Fraunces Tavern in New York City, described Washington as ‘suffused in tears,’ embracing his officers one by one after issuing his farewell.”
That night, Washington told them: “With a heart full of love and gratitude, I now take leave of you. I most devoutly wish that your latter days may be as prosperous and happy as your former ones have been glorious and honorable. I cannot come to each of you but shall feel obliged if each of you will come and take me by the hand.”
For more information, the Grateful American Book Prize recommends Washington's Farewell to His Officers After Victory in the Revolution by Stuart Murray.
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The rough and tumble Buffalo Bill Cody of the Wild West gave up his life on the American frontier, but he held on to his six-guns for an 1872 trip to Chicago; on December 11 of that year, he starred in a stage production of The Scouts of the Prairie. The play was panned by the critics, but audiences thronged to see him at the theatre.
By that time, Buffalo Bill was a national folk hero because a dime novel author, Ned Buntline, had portrayed him as “a mixture of incredible fact and romantic fiction,” according to the World History Project. His books glorified Cody’s life and times, chronicling his role “taming the wild, wild west,” in 1,700 volumes.
Cody liked show business so much, that he performed for another decade; then, in 1883, he created Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, about his real-life adventures. It toured the country 30 years, and barnstormed Europe eight times.
He died in 1917.
The Grateful American Book Prize recommends Buffalo Bill Cody: The Man Behind the Legend by Robert A. Carter.
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Sports heroes who served: Minor league baseball player earned distinction during World War II
BY DAVID VERGUN
DOD News
Sports Heroes Who Served is a series that highlights the accomplishments of athletes who served in the U.S. military.
Keith Bissonnette played infield and outfield baseball in the minor leagues from 1940 to 1942.
He played for the Leesburg Anglers in the Florida State League, batting .277 with 67 runs batted in 134 games as the first baseman.
In 1941, he played 32 games with the Utica Braves of the Canadian-American League, batting .286.
He was then optioned to the Augusta Tigers of the South Atlantic League, playing as an outfielder and first baseman and batting .291.
In 1942, he played second base for the Jacksonville Tars, batting .326 in 59 games. Later that year, he played for the St. Paul Saints, batting .237 in 42 games.
The itinerant baseball player's sporting days were over when the Army issued him a draft notice at the beginning of 1943, as World War II was happening.
In February 1943, he was assigned to the Army Air Force, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.
In April 1944, he was assigned to the 88th Fighter Squadron, 80th Fighter Group, which was based in Karachi, India, then relocated in October 1943 to Nagaghuli, India, then relocated to Tingkawk Sakan, Burma in August 1944; with another relocation in January 1945 to Myitkyina, Burma.
Bissonnette flew more than 200 missions, first in a Curtiss-built P-40 Warhawk fighter and then in a Republic Aviation-built P-47 Thunderbolt fighter-bomber.
The P-40 was a single-engine, single-seat fighter and ground-attack aircraft, flown in all theaters of operation.
Its armament consisted of two .50 in Browning AN/M2 "light-barrel" dorsal nose-mount synchronized machine guns and two .303 Browning machine guns in each wing.
The P-47 was effective as a short-to-medium-range escort fighter in high-altitude air-to-air combat and ground attack in all theaters of operation.
Its primary armament was eight .50-caliber machine guns. In the fighter-bomber ground-attack role it could carry five-inch rockets or a bomb load of 2,500 lb. When fully loaded, the P-47 weighed up to eight tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war.
Missions included supporting Allied ground forces during the battle for northern Burma and the push south to Rangoon, bombing and strafing troop concentrations, supply dumps, lines of communication and artillery positions.
The 88th also flew military supplies from Assam, India to Kunming, China. It was called "flying the hump" because aircraft had to fly over the towering Himalayan Mountains which lay between India and China.
On March 28, 1945, Army 1st Lt. Bissonnette was killed when his P-47 crashed near Keng Tung, Burma. It was not determined if it was an accident or if he was shot down. The Enderlin, North Dakota native was 44.
During his time in the China-Burma-India Theater, Bissonnette was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart Medal.
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3 tips for deciding whether to accept or reject an early retirement offer
By Calvin Goetz
You’ve spent years planning and saving for your retirement. And then, out of the blue, your employer hands you an early retirement offer that could change everything.
An early retirement offer is a financial incentive to resign when an employer needs to reduce payroll costs. It could be a boon, giving you the freedom to pursue other activities. Or it could be an unwanted complication that throws a wrench in your retirement plans.
What should you do if you’re offered early retirement? Here are some important questions to ask:
1) Do you understand what’s in the package? Early-retirement offers commonly include severance pay, which is usually distributed in a lump-sum payment. For example, your boss might offer one or two weeks’ salary for every year you’ve worked for the company. Also, your employer may offer to extend your job-based health care coverage to help bridge the gap between leaving your job and qualifying for Medicare. You may receive a pension bridge, which includes temporary retirement payments to keep cash flowing until your pension or Social Security kicks in. Additional offerings can include perks such as free financial planning or career counseling to help you move on to another job if you choose.
2) Do you need expert financial advice? Analyzing how early retirement can affect your retirement plans, including health coverage, can be complicated. Therefore, it’s a good idea to consider finding a financial advisor. An advisor can help you determine the adjustments you would need to make if taking the offer, such as perhaps downsizing. Additional considerations could include the impact of early retirement on your Social Security, and whether you have the finances to cover a new healthcare plan.
3) Are there red flags? Is your company’s offer a sign that the business could be in trouble as they look to cut payroll? Another part of the equation is considering whether refusing the company’s offer could lead to being laid off and being given an inferior financial package you have no choice about. If you don’t have confidence in the short to medium-term viability of the company, taking the offer could prove to be the best move.
Even if you can’t afford to retire early, it could be worth it to accept the offer and then find a comparable job elsewhere, pocketing the package as a windfall. But the success of this strategy hinges on your ability to find another job with a salary similar to the one you had, and in a reasonably short amount of time. It behooves you to research the job market, and to reasonably assess your own company’s prospects, as well as the potential consequences for you if you turn the offer down.
Remember, when your employer offers you voluntary severance, you don’t have to choose to simply decline or accept it. You can also negotiate the package higher or offer an alternative, such as working part-time. If you’re amenable to retiring early but the package on the offer leaves you with a gap in health coverage or too little severance pay, your employer may be willing to sweeten the deal.
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Housecalls
By Dr. Daniel Knight associate professor in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine in the College of Medicine at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Q. Now that cold and flu season is here, how can I tell the difference between a cold, the flu, seasonal allergies and COVID-19?
A. It is difficult for your doctor to determine what type of infection you may have, and unless you take a COVID-19 test, you can’t be sure you don’t have it. These illnesses all have similar symptoms, so it is very important that anyone with any type of respiratory illness symptoms be tested.
Many symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are similar – cough, muscle aches, tiredness, sore throat, runny or stuffy noise, fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and sometimes also nausea or vomiting and diarrhea. Because of this, it’s especially important that everyone who is 6 months old and older be vaccinated for the flu, and anyone who can also get a COVID-19 vaccine do so.
Standard precautions to reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, colds and the flu also include avoiding close contact with anyone outside your household, wearing a mask both inside and outdoors in crowds or large gatherings, and washing your hands frequently.
Those who are sick should stay at home until they are better to avoid infecting others.
Q. With the recent recall of some continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) devices and long waiting lists for replacement devices, what alternative treatments are available to help those with sleep apnea?
A. CPAP and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP) machines provide pressurized air through a mask to those who have breathing problems and common sleep disorders like obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder in which someone repeatedly stops and then restarts breathing at night.
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has warned of potential health risks from certain CPAP and BiPAP machines due to the possibility of the polyester-based polyurethane foam inside the machine deteriorating, allowing the user to breathe in chemicals and inhale or swallow black debris. Possible risks include skin and respiratory-tract irritation, asthma and “toxic and carcinogenic effects” to organs, including the liver and kidneys.
Alternative treatments for sleep apnea include dental appliances and a stimulator implanted under the skin to keep the airway open by preventing the tongue from blocking the throat.
Surgeries are also available. Some of them reduce the soft tissue in the upper airway, the back of the throat and palate while others correct nasal obstructions like a deviated septum.
Q. What health screenings should all men have?
A. Men who are 55 to 80 years old and have a history of heavy smoking should be screened for lung cancer, and every man should have a conversation with his doctor about whether to be screened for prostate cancer based on his risk factors and preferences for screening. Black men and those with a family history of the disease should start earlier.
Every man should be screened for colon cancer when he is 50 and earlier if he is at higher risk. Testicular cancer is less common and typically checked for during a routine check-up. Skin cancer screenings are also important.
High blood pressure, high LDL cholesterol levels and Type 2 diabetes screenings with blood tests are also important. Your weight, age and lifestyle all affect your risk of developing these treatable conditions. Healthy adults should be tested every three years, beginning at age 45.
Those younger than 40 should be screened for glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that gradually damages the optic nerve and may lead to blindness, every two to four years, while those 65 and older should be checked every six to 12 months.
Q. Why is it so hard to lose belly fat?
A. There are two types of belly fat — subcutaneous, which is found right under the skin, and visceral fat, which is found deeper under abdominal muscles and around vital organs. The deeper fat makes cardiovascular disease and diabetes more likely. Eating smaller portions can help reduce that deeper fat.
One of the biggest reasons weight collects around the belly is from an unhealthy diet, including too many carbohydrates, which are founds in grains, pastas and sugars, and unhealthy fats such as those found in red meats. Focus on reducing carbohydrates and eating more vegetables, lean proteins and healthier fats like nuts, fish and avocados. Alcohol can also pack on the pounds, so if you drink, do so in moderation.
One study showed that smoking leads to more abdominal and visceral fat. Those who are stressed or not sleeping well produce more of the stress hormone cortisol, which also leads to fat collecting in the belly. Exercise, meditation and yoga can help manage stress.
People who need to lose belly fat (greater than 35 inches around the waist for women and more than 40 inches for men) should ask their doctor about beginning an aerobic exercise and strength training program.
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Senior Nutrition on a Budget
Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging
A lot of things change as we age, including our definition of healthy eating. As we age, our metabolisms slow down, requiring fewer calories. And as our bodies lose their ability to process or retain certain nutrients efficiently, we may need to be more intentional about consuming nutrient-dense foods with calcium, fiber, or vitamin D.
Unfortunately, for many seniors, this is easier said than done–especially if they’re living on a fixed income. Coupled with the diet restrictions that come with certain medications and medical conditions—like diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, etc.—and creating a weekly shopping list that is both healthy and on-budget can be a daunting task.
Luckily, we’ve gathered these tips and tricks from the senior nutrition specialists from the Arkansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging to help you create delicious, healthy meals that don’t break the bank!
1. Meal Prep and Planning Can Cut Down on Cost and Waste
Meal planning guidelines for elderly people are pretty much the same as for everyone else. Be realistic about your ability in the kitchen, don’t choose more than two or three big recipes per week, and choose something that you like to eat from each major food group.
Doing a little planning before you head to the grocery store can help you save a significant amount of money. Make a list of the meals you’ll be having this week, and create your shopping list from those ingredients. If you live alone, make sure you take into account how many servings the recipe makes and include leftovers in your meal plans. Once you make your shopping list, stick to it! This will help keep you from impulse buying.
Buying only what you need saves money on the front end and the back end. When you have a plan for each ingredient, you’re less likely to let food go bad in the fridge or forget about it, which leads to food waste. Meal prep helps with this as well. Choose a day on which to prepare all of your food and ingredients for the week. Make batches of chicken or rice or bite-sized snack that you can portion out and serve yourself throughout the week.
2. Check the Nutrition Labels
Whenever possible, it’s best to stay away from processed foods. Stick to the parameters of the store—meat, produce, and dairy. But if you do pick up some packaged foods, make sure you’re reading the nutrition labels carefully. As a bonus, the produce is often cheaper than the packaged, unhealthier food anyway.
The food pyramid for seniors is a little different. You should choose foods that are low in sodium and high in fiber and vitamin D. You should also avoid food with too much sugar, which can aggravate diabetes and contribute to tooth decay and heart disease.
3. Frozen and Canned Foods Are Your Friends
Fresh produce is very healthy, but when you can’t get to the store as often or as easily as you used to or you’re strapped for cash, frozen and canned foods can be a lifesaver. They’re cheap, shelf-stable, and just as nutritious as fresh vegetables—as long as you choose the right type.
Go for flash-frozen vegetables with no sauce or seasoning added to avoid sodium bombs. When buying canned items, choose fruits and vegetables canned in water or their juices, rather than syrup. This keeps the sugar and fat content in your diet down.
When buying canned tuna, it can be tricky whether to go for the water-packed or oil-packed. Both are great sources of protein. However, water-packed tuna has pure protein while oil-packed has a softer texture, which may be easier for seniors to chew.
It may change the flavor and color a little, but canning and freezing actually do an excellent job of preserving nutrients, which can help prevent common nutritional deficiencies in the elderly.
4. Use Coupons and Store Loyalty Programs
Clipping coupons either physically or digitally can help you save money and plan meals around on-sale ingredients. Scan the newspaper or check out local grocery stores’ websites for coupons for items you use frequently.
5. The Freezer Is Your Friend
If your bananas are looking black, that casserole has been in the fridge for a couple of days, or you’re not sure if you’ll get to the chicken…throw it in the freezer! One of the big nutritional concerns for the elderly is making sure they get enough to eat to meet their nutritional needs.
Your appetite tends to shrink as you get older. This is partially due to your metabolism slowing down and partially due to the appetite-cutting effects of certain medications and conditions. Unfortunately, this can mean costly food waste when you don’t finish as much as you thought you would.
Freezing food can help you cut back on food waste and also give you some variety. Tired of eating the same meal prep every day this week? Heat up some casserole from last week or make a smoothie of frozen fruits!
Most food freezes well, including most meat, fruits, and vegetables. Just don’t try to freeze vegetables with high water content like lettuce and cucumber because they get very mushy as they thaw out. Dairy also freezes poorly.
6. Consider a Meal Delivery Service
If you can’t get to the grocery store as often as you used to or you’re not able to afford nutrient-dense foods, consider applying for a meal delivery program like Meals on Wheels. These meals are made up of the best food for seniors because they are designed based on geriatric nutrition guidelines.
And, best of all, these services are free, which means you’ll get hot, nutritious meals daily no matter what your income looks like. Contact your local Area Agency on Aging to find out more about food delivery programs for seniors in your area.
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Brighten someone’s holiday season with Christmas cactus
By Melinda Myers
The holidays have arrived and so has the Christmas cactus. Set this favorite holiday plant in a basket, decorative pot or foil wrap and it will be ready to give as a gift or add to your holiday décor. With proper care this holiday favorite can flower for four to eight weeks and grow for decades, becoming a family heirloom handed down from one generation to the next.
The plant sold as a Christmas cactus may actually be a Thanksgiving cactus. The true Christmas cactus blooms later and has small segments with rounded edges. The Thanksgiving cactus, though often sold as the Christmas cactus, has toothed or jagged segments and typically blooms prior to Christmas.
Fortunately, their growing requirements and care are basically the same so the plants will do fine no matter the name on the label. These, or hybrids of the two plants, flower with cool nights and long uninterrupted dark periods. A third holiday plant, the Easter cactus, sets flowers in spring as the days start to lengthen.
Christmas and Thanksgiving cacti are epiphytes that naturally grow on trees in shaded and humid forests along the coast of Brazil. They all prefer bright indirect light, high humidity and a thorough watering when the top few inches of soil begins to dry. Don’t over water but don’t let the soil dry completely. Water a bit more often when the plant is in bloom.
Grow them in an organic well-drained potting mix for best results. Water thoroughly and pour off the excess that collects in the saucer to avoid root rot. Reduce maintenance and improve the growing conditions with the help of gravel trays. Place a layer of pebbles, decorative stones or marbles in the saucer or bottom of the foil wrap or basket. The pot will be elevated above any excess water that collects in the pebbles. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant.
Keep your flowering cactus in a cool bright location to extend its bloom time. Avoid drafts of hot and cold air, moisture stress and other changes in the environment that can cause buds and flowers to drop.
Fertilize with a dilute solution of flowering houseplant fertilizer once it has finished blooming and throughout spring and summer as needed. Grow your cactus in a north-facing window or set back from an east- or west-facing window where it receives bright indirect light throughout the year. Too much sun turns the leaf segments dark red.
Don’t be anxious to move these plants to a bigger container. They prefer to be somewhat potbound and can remain in the same pot for years.
Encourage a new flush of flowers with cooler night temperatures around 55 to 60 degrees and slightly drier soil. An uninterrupted dark period will also help promote flowering.
Start the dark treatment in early to mid October for holiday flowers. Cover the plants or move them to a location free of any artificial light, indoors or outside, each night and provide bright indirect light each day. Any interruption in the dark period from outdoor, street or reading lights can delay or prevent flowering.
Many experts find providing the same dark treatment as poinsettias, 14 hours of dark each night, promotes flowering. Michigan State University recommends providing 16 hours of total darkness and eight hours of light for at least eight days to promote flowering.
Add a Christmas cactus to your indoor plant collection and share a few with friends and family over the holidays. These easy-care flowering beauties are sure to brighten the recipient’s mood and holiday décor.
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How recognizing top employees can cure the quitting epidemic
A record 4.3 million workers left their jobs in August, continuing a trend in 2021. Reasons for quitting vary, but as one recent survey shows, a lack of appreciation from employers is a common driver.
Appreciation is an especially important factor to a large segment of the workforce – millennials and Gen Z. In a poll taken shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, 79% of millennial and Gen Z respondents said an increase in recognition and rewards would make them more loyal to their employer.
With companies losing talented people and struggling to fill open positions, leaders need to know how to make employee recognition and appreciation a more consistent part of their work culture, says David Friedman (www.culturewise.com), author of Culture by Design: How to Build a High-Performing Culture Even in the New Remote Work Environment.
“Recognition is the best way to boost employee engagement, productivity and profit while significantly strengthening your culture,” Friedman says.
“It may seem intuitive that employees who are thanked and recognized for their work are happier and, as a result, perform better. But unfortunately, managers may be busy with other tasks or have an attitude of ‘If you don’t hear anything, assume you’re doing a good job.’ That approach loses good people who were very valuable.”
There are benefits to company leaders praising teams as well as individuals. A Gallup survey shows giving kudos to teams can encourage collaboration, inspire trust, clarify organizational goals, improve quality, and reinforce a team’s sense of purpose.
“Praise for a job well done should flow across all levels of the organization – peer to peer, manager to their direct report, and direct report to their manager,” Friedman says. “Remember your remote workers – they may already be feeling disconnected from the workplace, so remind them that you notice and appreciate their contributions.”
Friedman offers these thoughts on giving recognition and showing appreciation in the workplace:
It should be authentic and individualized. Friedman observes that employees are savvy and can see through an “everyone gets a trophy” mentality. “Saying ‘great job’ is nice, but it’s much more meaningful if you detail the specifics of the person’s actions and how they helped advance the company’s objectives,” he says. “And if their efforts merit more than a compliment, or such efforts are a trend for them, then leaders need to figure out a fair tangible reward. Promotions with pay raises and increased responsibilities go the next step to show consistent high performers that they are truly valued.”
Tailor recognition to the recipient. Some people enjoy being the center of attention, so a formal public recognition is ideal for them, Friedman says. Others avoid the spotlight and prefer a one-on-one acknowledgement. For a team acknowledgment, a company-wide or departmental meeting might be a fitting forum. “That’s a great way to show the link between the team’s accomplishments, company objectives, and the importance of working well together,” Friedman says.
Convey your appreciation in person. Friedman notes this may be difficult with remote workforces, and sometimes a phone call or email will have to do. “But the in-person touch has a lot more impact,” he says, “especially when it comes from an executive with whom the employee has very little exposure.”
Create a culture of recognition. “Culture change starts with identifying the specific behaviors that drive success in your company,” Friedman says. “One of them should be showing meaningful appreciation. That means regularly recognizing people doing things right, rather than frequently pointing out when they do things wrong.”
“Recognition leads to happy employees, better retention, and better business results,” Friedman says. “When your people know they are appreciated, really valued, it will make a huge difference in your day-to-day culture and in your growth as a company.”
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Social Security Matters
By National Social Security Adviser at the AMAC Foundation
Ask Rusty – Social Security’s WEP is Unfair – I Want My Money Back!
Dear Rusty: How can a foreign company pay into the US Social Security system? I worked in Barbados before I immigrated to the USA and earned a pension there. Now my US Social Security benefits are reduced because I receive a pension from Barbados. One has nothing to do with the other and I want my money back! Signed: Angry Immigrant
Dear Angry: Foreign companies don’t pay into the U.S. Social Security system, and neither do residents of other countries working in their home country. But a resident of a foreign country who earns a pension in their home country, and who later moves to the U.S. and earns an additional U.S. Social Security pension, will have their U.S. Social Security benefit reduced by a provision of U.S. law called the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). WEP was enacted by Congress in 1983 to eliminate what was viewed as “double dipping” – where someone with an extra pension (such as your Barbados pension earned without contributing to US Social Security) had their US Social Security (SS) benefit computed in the same way as a US resident who had no such extra “non-covered” pension. The 1983 WEP rule created a special formula for those entitled to both a U.S. Social Security benefit (earned by contributing to the US program) and another pension earned without contributing to Social Security.
Though you are adamant that one has nothing to do with the other, US law says otherwise. WEP reduces the US Social Security benefit of anyone with a “non-covered” (e.g., foreign) pension so that their US Social Security benefit is more consistent with benefits provided to others without an extra non-covered pension. US Social Security is designed to provide a higher percentage of replacement income to lower income workers, and those with an extra non-covered pension enjoy an unfair advantage because their income artificially appears lower than it truly is. WEP was implemented by Congress to correct that unfair advantage. However, like you, almost everyone affected by WEP (which, by the way, includes many public service employees in 27 U.S. states) believes it to be unfair and often complain about it to their Congressional Representatives.
For information, there is a legislative bill now before Congress which proposes to eliminate WEP (H.R. 82 – The Social Security Fairness Act of 2021). I must, however, let you know that a bill to either eliminate or reform WEP has been introduced in nearly every Congress for many years, and no previous bill has ever made it past being introduced on the floor of the House or Senate and then assigned to a committee for review, where progress seems to end.
Although you want your money back, I’m afraid I can’t offer you much hope that will ever happen. Congress is more focused on other issues, including a much broader reform of the Social Security program to restore it to financial solvency before the SS Trust Fund is depleted in 2034 (which would require an across the board 21% reduction in all benefits). Whether WEP reform will be part of the corrective measures taken to restore Social Security’s finances is anybody’s guess. But registering your objection to the Windfall Elimination Provision with your Congressional Representative would be a step in that direction.
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Medal of Honor: Army Staff Sgt. Robert Pruden
By KATIE LANGE
DOD News
A graphic says "Medal of Honor Monday" shows an Army Medal of Honor.
Army Staff Sgt. Robert Pruden volunteered to join the Army as the Vietnam War raged because he'd told his family he wanted to make a difference there. Pruden never returned from war, but he did make all the difference to the men in his unit who were able to come home because of him. For that selfless sacrifice, he earned the Medal of Honor.
Pruden was born Sept. 9, 1949, in St. Paul, Minnesota. He was the second son to Lawrence and Marlys Pruden, who went on to have 11 more kids – four more boys and seven girls. As one of the elder children, Pruden helped out around the house, but he also had time to enjoy life, playing baseball, football and hockey.
Not long after Pruden graduated from Harding High School in 1967, he joined the Army. He went on to complete Ranger school and joined the Rangers of the 75th Infantry Regiment. His unit, Company G, was sent to Vietnam in early February 1969.
Spotlight: Commemorating the Vietnam War
On Nov. 29, 1969, Pruden, a reconnaissance team leader, was on duty in the Quang Ngai Province of South Vietnam. His six-man team had been inserted by helicopter into Viet Cong-controlled territory. Their mission was to gain intelligence on enemy movements and set up an ambush position.
When they reached the area in which they were supposed to set up, Pruden divided his men into two groups on opposite sides of a well-used trail. As they began to set up their defensive positions, one of the team members who was out in the open suddenly got trapped by heavy enemy fire.
Pruden, who quickly realized their ambush position had been compromised, directed his team to fire back. As soon as they did, they were hit with heavy fire from a second enemy position.
Pruden quickly jumped out of hiding and fired back. He ran toward the enemy, hoping to draw their fire away from his men. Pruden was wounded twice, but he continued attacking until he fell for a third time in front of the enemy's position.
The few moments the 20-year-old had left to live were spent directing his men into defensive positions and calling for evacuation helicopters, which safely withdrew his soldiers. Pruden died that day, but his actions took out several Viet Cong soldiers and led to the enemy's withdrawal.
Pruden's body was returned home and buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis.
On April 22, 1971, President Richard M. Nixon presented the Medal of Honor to Pruden's entire family during a White House ceremony. Two other fallen soldiers, Army Sgt. Rodney Evans and Army Spc. Michael Blanchfield, also received the high honor that day.
In 1992, Pruden was inducted into the Army Ranger Hall of Fame, the first year it was established. His unit, now known as the 75th Ranger Regiment, holds a tactical field skills competition every year called the Pruden Competition.
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A compendium of facts, questions and answers
Vader-mania
Some might say that Darth Vader stole the show when the first Star Wars movie premiered in 1977. Certainly, he ranks as one of the most popular movie villains in the history of motion pictures. Texan Bill McBride must think so; Bill would be perhaps the most fanatical member of a die-hard Darth Vader fan club, considering that he has amassed 70,000 pieces of Darth Vader collectables – a cache worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. His hobby gained him a ranking in the Guinness Book of World Records. McBride was just a boy when he saw the first Star Wars film and was introduced to Darth Vader. It triggered a fascination for collecting memorabilia and an urge to begin amassing Vader stuff that has only grown stronger in the ensuing years. "It's something that still brings me joy and still truly makes me happy to do it. We all have our hobbies and our interests, and this is something I truly enjoy," he says.
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When duty calls
It must have been a very uncomfortable return to earth when the crew of a SpaceX spaceship returned recently from a more than 200 day stay on the International Space Station. The toilet broke down. As a result, European Space Agency astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide had to rely on their MAGs, Maximum Absorbency Garments, when duty called. When asked about the broken toilet during a press conference, astronaut McArthur smiled and said: "Of course, that's sub-optimal, but we're prepared to manage. Space flight is full of lots of little challenges, this is just one more that we'll encounter and take care of in our mission."
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This wizard is out of a job
Ian Brackenbury Channell, the official city wizard of Christchurch, New Zeland, for more than 20 years, has been canned. City Council official Lynn McClelland explained that the position of wizard was a way to attract attention to the city and promote tourism. She said that the town has a new strategy that doesn’t require the services of a spokesman/wizard. But the word is that more likely that sexist remarks he made during a local TV interview in which he said women “use cunning to get men who are thick … I love women, I forgive them all the time, I’ve never struck one yet. Never strike a woman because they bruise too easily is the first thing, and they’ll tell the neighbours and their friends and then you’re in big trouble.”
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Three indoor trees for the holidays
By MELINDA MYERS
Add a small-scale living evergreen to your holiday celebrations. Consider one that is suitable for growing indoors so you can enjoy it throughout the year.
The Lemon Cypress makes a great miniature holiday tree, centerpiece, or gift for a friend. The fragrant chartreuse foliage of this dwarf evergreen continues to brighten your winter décor long after the holidays are over. You can find them as topiaries or in their more natural pyramidal form.
Grow them in a sunny window and turn the plants occasionally to ensure all parts receive equal sunlight and grow evenly. You’ll have the best results if you keep your plant in a cool location free of cold and hot air drafts.
Water your mini holiday tree whenever the top few inches of soil are dry. Wait until spring when plants begin to actively grow and need a nutrient boost before applying fertilizer.
The Norfolk Island pine has long been a favorite of indoor gardeners. Its pine-like appearance makes it a great holiday tree. Add a bit of garland and a few small ornaments for a festive effect.
Grow this plant in a cool, well-lit location free of drafts of hot and cold air. Avoid dry air and soil to keep the needles and branches green, flexible, and healthy. Water thoroughly whenever the soil is just slightly moist. Boost the humidity around this and other plants with a gravel tray. Place pebbles and water in the saucer. Set the pot on the pebbles above the water. As the water evaporates, it increases the humidity around the plant.
Switch out the ornaments when celebrating other holidays. Use hearts for Valentine’s Day, eggs for Easter and orange lights for Halloween.
Rosemary wreath and tree topiaries are festive as well as fragrant and edible. Give the leaves a pet to enjoy the fragrance and lift your spirits. Or pluck a sprig to add welcome flavor to your winter meals and beverages.
Rosemary was as popular a Christmas plant as mistletoe and holly until the 20th Century. It’s not clear why this plant fell out of favor, but it is growing in popularity as a holiday plant. You can find it in many garden centers and florists this time of year.
Rosemary represents love and remembrance, a great sentiment to share during the holidays. Growing Rosemary indoors can be challenging. Don’t let pa
