E-cigarettes: We’ve been down this road before – Lynn Kellogg – 11/16/2019
In the 1950s and 60s, it seemed cigarettes were everywhere. Restaurants, stores, homes; smoke was so common you never even noticed the smell or the fog – hard to imagine now. There were no non-smoking sections or smoke free public places. Movie stars made smoking look sexy and glamorous. Helping my parents host a card […]
Resources to consider during National Family Caregivers Month – Lynn Kellogg -November 10, 2019
At the recent 45th anniversary celebration of the Area Agency on Aging there was laughter and fun, and many things to think about. One moment seemed to touch everyone in the room. That was when Connie Rice, recipient of a Caregiver of the Year Award shared her thoughts. After caring for her father and mother […]
Two days in the surgery waiting room – November 3, 2019 – Pat Arter
My husband recently had surgery (he’s doing great.). He was three days, two nights in the hospital, which is not an entirely new experience for us. He’s already had both hips replaced, a pacemaker put in, knees scoped, cancer surgery…and I’m probably forgetting some. Someone said to me recently, “At this age, we have to […]
‘You people on the west side of the state are so nice!’ – Christine Vanlandingham – October 28, 2019
Sitting by a campfire with friends last weekend, we observed a group of what looked to be 18- or 19-year-olds at a nearby campsite attempting to build a fire. They had only twigs and a few small limbs they’d scrounged from the surrounding area. Apparently, the group missed the notice from the campground indicating they […]
Inpatient care, observation services and how they relate to Medicare – Sara Duris – October 19
Q: What inpatient hospital care does Medicare cover? Part A covers medically necessary inpatient hospital care, which is care that you receive as a formally admitted hospital inpatient. You must be formally admitted into the hospital by a physician for your care to be considered inpatient. You may face different costs if you are a […]
Iceland provides example of interconnected world – Lynn Kellogg – October 12, 2019
Mitch Albom, an internationally renowned and best-selling author among other credits, is coming to Benton Harbor through the Southwest Michigan Economic Club on December 2nd. Themes of his work focus and inspire on the theme that every life matters. It promises to be a very interesting evening. Mitch has served as a shot in arm […]
Never forget’: 18 years after 9/11, sentiment still rings true for so many – September 29, 2019 – Pat Arter
Its been a couple of weeks now, but the 18th anniversary of 9/11 is still weighing heavily on me. First, how can it have been eighteen years ago? For many of us it’s fresh in our hearts and minds. My kids were 14 and 12 years old. Old enough to realize what they were seeing […]
Take stock this fall, and rightsize your life – Christine Vanlandingham – September 22, 2019
It’s been said that Fall is nature’s way of showing us how beautiful letting go can be. I like that. Autumn is a wonderful opportunity to explore what we’ve been clinging to that might merit bidding a fond farewell. With the passage of time, change happens. Possessions, activities, habits and even thought patterns that fit […]
The Real ID deadline is coming; here’s what you need to know – Sara Duris – September 15, 2019
What are the changes taking place with air travel security? I have heard everyone will have to have a passport even to take a flight inside the United States? On Oct. 1, 2020, the federally mandated REAL ID law goes into full enforcement, and if you travel by air, this law will impact you. If […]
Today, we celebrate National Grandparents Day – Lynn Kellogg – September 8, 2019
Like many, my husband and I enjoyed time with grandchildren over the Labor Day weekend. They climbed a tree I’d never thought of climbing, timed themselves in self-made obstacle courses, swam multiple times in Lake Huron at temperatures no else thought about swimming in, and generally displayed energy I could only dream of nowadays. They […]