Senior SQUARE

Issue II
April 25, 2012

Horse therapy proves to be beneficial for area senior citizens

By Katie Collins
Brush News-Tribune Staff Writer

For Eben Ezer Activities Director Shaire Chavez, the bright smiles that beamed from the faces of her residents made the first-ever outing to the Dillehay Ranch well worth the trip. I cant believe how much the neighbors opened up here this morning, she said with a smile. It is a beautiful morning to visit and I just hope that the community will reach out with even more unique activities that we can bring our neighbors out to. For Don and Kristi Dillehay, owners of the Dillehay Ranch and organizers of the Blue Horizons Inc. youth organization, providing this sort of horse therapy is nothing new, but even they couldnt have foreseen just how much interacting with the horses would mean to local senior citizens from Brush who took their very first trip to the Dillehay Ranch on April 16. Through their Blue Horizons organization, the Dillehays have been providing horse therapy to a

number of area children with special needs and found the sessions a successful way to get kids to come out of their shells, develop social, emotional and mental skills that linger for a lifetime. Horse therapy has also proven an exciting new way to develop those same skills with senior citizens. Those who are familiar with horses recognize and understand the power of the animals to influence people in powerful ways. Developing relationships, unearthing fond memories and caring for horses naturally affects the people involved in a positive manner. Just ask the residents of Eben Ezer who were graced with the opportunity to relive childhood memories and to even make some new memories of their own. Along for the ride that warm Monday morning were Eben Ezer Lutheran Care Center residents Gladys Walker, Sam Schwindt, Charlie Dukart, Joy Kjeldgaard, Shirley Gregory and Patty Basher, all of whom started off their session by relating their own stories and memories

Katie CollinsNews-Tribune

Activities Coordinator Marcia Gibson, along with resident Gladys Walker, get some grooming tips with Don and Kristi Dillehay.
of working with and riding horses. For Joy Kjeldgaard, Brushs first rodeo queen of 1956, her connection with horses is infamous and she told the group of her days as a trick rider. Her signature move, standing up on a horse without holding the reigns, was a crowd pleaser back in her day and she was also known for her infamous move which had Kjeldgaard ride two horses at once, standing with a foot on each steed`s rear. Shirley Gregory told the group that she had once been a rider for 10 years in the Greeley Stampede and even won a few trophies at the Brush Rodeo in the past. Shirley fondly remembered her horse, Big Red Teton, saying, He was beautiful and I sure do miss him.

See Therapy page 3

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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE SENIOR SQUARE

Senior Slices...Operating in the dark

By Rich Biren When my wife and I visit our grandsons, funny things happen. On one occasion one of them hurried into the house covered in mud. He looked bewildered as if he didnt have a clue how it happened. He said innocently, I was only moving some dirt. Often I shake my head and smile. But sometimes things happen that border on the paranormal. One evening we played Hearts with our daughter and son-in-law. We needed a short rules refresher before starting. After several hands, everything appeared normal. I was losing. About an hour after the kids went to bed, we broke for a bite to eat. The grandchildren were tucked under the covers. The quiet was a pleasant change from the hectic activities of the day. The sleeping arrangements had the seven-yearold sleeping in our bedroom until someone (usually me) carried him back to the boys room. This worked well with all three able to sleep until the wakeup call at 7:00 for school. It was time to transport the oldest back to his room. Tiptoeing down the hall, I slowly pushed the bedroom door open where the 2 and 5 year-olds slept. The room was dark. The older one slept on the top bunk and the other one always found space on the larger bottom mattress. I didnt dare flip the light switch and wake them. With the door slightly ajar, I felt my way in the dark to the end of the bottom mattress. I grabbed the quilt. Oh! I felt a small leg. I had done this same exercise every night for two weeks. This space had always been vacant except when the oldest didnt get to sleep immediately, he walked himself to the room. I suspected he moved himself. I retreated from their room. Walking back towards the card table, I thought mischievously of pretending to knock on our bedroom door, peek inside, and shout, What happened? Hes gone. It might get a semi-hysterical parental reaction. Remember, Im a senior. I can get away with it by pleading temporary confusion. But for some reason I chose not to. Maybe it was the fear of mandatory attendance to grandparents school for creating unnecessary parental worry. Maybe the authorities would insist my visits with the grandkids be supervised. Thats embarrassing! After pushing our door open, I flipped the switch expecting to see an empty bed. WHAT! I couldnt believe my eyes. The seven-yearold slept soundly on our bed. Who was wrapped under the cover in the other room? I hurried back to the other bedroom determined to get to the bottom of the situation. (Remember, it was the bottom bunk.) Opening the door, I waited briefly for my eyes to adjust to the dark before kneeling at the end of the mattress. I grabbed the cover and felt only the smooth sheet underneath. Nothing else! Confused, I continued to search without feeling any body. What was going on? I worried I was loosing it. (Im sure some of you are already thinking that.) Recently I read a book on Ghosts Of The Old West and admit the idea of paranormal experiences was fresh in my mind. Had I experienced one or was my mind playing tricks? Only a minute had elapsed between when I initially felt the body and when it disappeared. Would anyone believe me if I reported a missing body. And who was missing? Maybe I needed to keep this to myself. After pushing the covers off to the side, I returned to my bedroom and carried the oldest to his room. I set him down on the mattress, covered him up, and left the dark room shaking my head. I was definitely operating in the dark. I returned to the table hoping the passage of time might clear my confusion. Its not everyday a body disappears. There must be an explanation. Later, my daughter gathered some clean laundry and delivered it to the boys room. When she returned she announced, He took off all his clothes! My daughter explained the two year old sometimes took off his pajamas and diaper and then rolled up in the quilt to stay warm. My confusion cleared. It wasnt paranormal. It wasnt my mind playing tricks on me. It was only my grandson operating in the dark. Thank goodness!

How to find the right contractor

(ARA) If youre planning a home improvement project, youve probably heard some horror stories: contractors who overcharge, underestimate the actual cost of a job, drag a project out weeks longer than it should take, or simply leave a job unfinished. While the majority of contractors are honest, you still need to check a contractors business license, and the businesss financial stability, before you hire anyone for your spring home improvement project. Online resources like ContractorCheck.com, by Experian, can help you check a contractors credentials. Experian maintains a database of more than 5 million contractors and their businesses' information, and ContractorCheck.com allows you to view this data, which includes critical information such as: * Company name, address and phone number * Multiple operating addresses * How long the company has been in business * License, bonding and insurance information * Contractor specialties * A credit review that will reveal any past collection or derogatory credit events * An easy-to-understand contractor rating Additionally, ContractorCheck.com reports include public record information such as liens or judgments against the business.

BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012

Therapy
Gladys Walker trained trick horses together with her late husband Jacob Walker, also known as Horse Jake, whose tricks he taught to his horses were infamous and displayed in rodeos throughout the country, including Cheyenne Frontier Days. Among their famous tricks were training a horse to push a baby buggy with baby in tow, teaching horses to sit like a dog and even to smoke a pipe. Sam Schwindt recalled his early days, which saw Schwindt raising and breaking in a few quarter horses for his family. Patty Basher, also a former Rodeo Queen, fondly remembered a time when her parents raced wild horses in Wyoming and looked back on her days in 4-H and horsemanship clubs with a bright smile. Although Charlie Dukarts family did live on a farm near Sterling in his day, horses werent an animal he was too familiar with, but when it came to brushing, grooming and feeding the horses on the Dillehay Ranch, Dukart lit up just as bright as all his fellow neighbors. Horses are indeed large and powerful and can be naturally intimidating to many, creating the opportunity for some to overcome fear and develop confidence. Equine-assisted activities and therapies have also been proven to help people of all ages to experience the emotional and physical rewards of working with horses. Elderly patients in many areas of the world can overcome anxiety and depression, work on building nonverbal communication, decrease a sense of isolation and empower themselves to take on other challenges in their lives. At the Dillehay Ranch, Kristi Dillehay brought out four of her quarter horses including Storm, Annie, a colt named Kyota and even Leta, a 24-year-old horse who the Dillehays received from Wiggins after shed contracted a case of the West Nile Virus, but was able to get through the illness. Sandy Chapin also brought her horse Sara for the residents to visit with. The Dillehays also brought out grooming brushes, apples and grains for the seniors to use in interacting with the horses. In this horse therapy, as in other forms of animal therapy, patients learned how to groom, feed and lead the horse while discussing and processing feelings. When the Dillehays cat Zeus came out to pay a visit to the seniors, the benefits of all kinds of animal therapies were enlightened, as even the furry feline brought about a change in disposi-

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tion for the Eben Ezer neighbors there before they sat down for a picnic lunch at the ranch. According to Chavez, the outing was a tremendous success and Eben Ezer would love to get involved in even more activities for their residents. Any community interest in helping the neighbors get out would be greatly appreciated. Contact Shaire Chavez at 842-2861 extension 246 with your ideas for more Eben Ezer adventures.

Contact the Brush News-Tribune at 842-5516 if you are interested in participating in our July 2012 edition of Senior Square.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE SENIOR SQUARE

BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012

Outing to Dillehay Ranch

Katie Collins/News-Tribune

Katie Collins/News-Tribune

Sam Schwindt poses with his newest friend, Storm the horse, during an Joy Kildgaard gets wheeled up on trailer in order to groom Sara the horse, Eben Ezer outing to the Dillehay Ranch. along with Eben Ezer Activities Coordinator Marcia Gibson.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE SENIOR SQUARE

MAY Tuesday, May 1 - Beef stroganoff, noodles, layered salad, brussel sprouts onion roll, fruit cocktail. Wednesday, May 2 - Shepherd's pie, confetti cole slaw, onion roll apple sauce. Thursday, May 3 - Tahitian chicken, rice, stir fry vegetables, raisin rolls, apricot halves. Friday, May 4 - Meatloaf w/gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans w/tomatoes, onion rolls, orange. Monday, May 7 - Lasagna rotini casserole, tossed salad, dressing, green beans, French bred, fruit cocktail. Tuesday, May 8 - Roast turkey, yam apple bake, broccoli, roll, pear slices. Wednesday, May 9 - Salmon loaf, chess sauce, mashed potatoes, asparagus cuts, roll, Oregon berry mix. THursday, May 10 - BBQ pork chops, scalloped potatoes, cabbage, rye bread, pineapple tidbits, nature cookie. Friday, May 11 - Hot beef sand-

Brush Meal Site menu...

wich, California vegetables, pear half w/cranberry sauce, lentil cookies w/chocolate chips. Monday, May 14 - Sweet & sour pork, rice, Oriental vegetable, rolls, mandarin orange w/bananas. Tuesday, May 15 - Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, layered salad, onion roll, winter fruit cup. Wednesday, May 16 - Chicken ala king, biscuit, broccoli, fruit cup, nature cookies. THursday, May 17 - Macaroni & cheese, peas, confetti cole slaw, blueberry muffin, pear slices. Friday, May 18 - Soft shell tacos, peas, pineapple orange compote, honey apple cake. Monday, May 21 - Spring garden chicken, asparagus cuts, apple muffin, Oregon berry mix. Tuesday, May 22 - Spaghetti w/meat sauce, tossed salad, dressing, green beans, garlic bread, fruit cup. Wednesday, May 23 - Scalloped potatoes w/ham, layered salad, spinach, rolls, apple. Thursday, May 24 - Potato soup, tuna crossant, peach slices, lentil cookie w/chocolate chips. Friday, May 25 - Braised beef, mashed potatoes, beets, roll, tropical fruit cup. Monday, May 28 - MEMORIAL DAY. Tuesday, May 29 - Chicken salad w/grapes, three bean salad, roll, orange, carrot cake. Wednesday, May 30 - Vegetable beef soup, layered salad, pear slices, banana nut bread. Thursday, May 31 - Oven fried liver, scalloped potatoes, stewed tomatoes, roll, applesauce.

JUNE Friday, June 1 - Tuna noodle casserole, bean medley, roll, mandarin orange w/bananas. Monday, June 4 - Pork chop sue, rice, carrot coins, roll, orange juice, pineapple tidbits. Tuesday, June 5 - Baked fish, tartar sauce, baked potato, winter mix vegetables, Anna's dilly bread, fresh fruit cup. Wednesday, June 6 - Chicken cacciatore, mashed potatoes, asparagus cuts, roll, tropical fruit cup. Thursday, June 7 - Ham & beans, Waldorf salad, corn bread, grape juice, pineapple tidbits. Friday, June 8 - Beef ole', Mexicali corn, fruit cup, nature cookie. Monday, June 11 - Southern beef pie, bean medley, cinnamon apple slices, nature cookie. Tuesday, June 12 - Beef & noodles, cauliflower & peas, Carrifruit salad, onion roll, watermelon.

Wednesday, June 13 - Tuna salad, lettuce leaf, three bean salad, french bread, mandarin orange w/bananas, cherry cake. Thursday, June 14 - Hamburger steak, potatoes, country mix vegetables, roll, tropical fruit cup. Friday, June 15 - Split pea sou, cracker paket, Carolina salad, grape juice, bran muffin, apricot halves. Monday, June 18 - Hot turkey sandwich, marinated vegetable salad, pear slices, lentil cookie w/raisins. Tuesday, June 19 - Sweet & sour chicken, rice Oriental vegetables, roll, apricot halves. Wednesday, June 20 - Cabbage burger, zucchini tomato bake, cherry banana surprise, lentil cookie w/raisins. Thursday, June 21 - Pot roast w/vegetables, confetti cole slaw, onion rolls, winter fruit cup. Friday, June 22 - BBQ beef sandwich, mashed potatoes, brussell sprouts, fruit cup. Monday, June 25 - BBQ chicken, rotini pasta salad, spinach, apple muffin, peach slices. Tuesday, June 26 - Ham potato omelet, salsa, bean medley, roll, winter fruit cup. Wednesday, June 27 - Taco casserole, salsa, tossed salad w/dressing, peas, fresh fruit cup. Thursday, June 28 - Baked fish, artier sauce, oven browned potatoes, Carrifruit, bran muffin, plums. Friday, June 28 - Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes, frito salad, roll, pineapple orange compote.

Get the facts about fat, heart health

Registered Dietitian Elizabeth Somer, author of Eat Your Way to Sexy, answers some questions about heart health. Q: What are the main differences between good fats and bad fats? A: Fats to avoid are saturated and trans fats, which are solid at room temperature. Consuming polyunsaturated fatty acids - specifically omega-3s DHA and EPA found in fatty fish - are important for brain, eye and cardiovascular health. Q: Doesnt my body make all of the omega-3s needed? A: An average U.S. diet contains less than 100 milligrams of DHA per day. That is well below one experts recommendation of at least 220 milligrams of DHA per day. Q: Are there other ways to get DHA and EPA into my diet? A: For those who do not eat significant amounts of fish, there are DHA/EPA supplements made from algae. One such supplement is Schiff MegaRed Plant-Omega, which is made from a vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA and EPA algae. To learn more, visit www.schiffmegared.com.

BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012

Unscrambling the myths behind eggs and cholesterol

(ARA) - When it comes to eggs, dietary cholesterol and heart health, what you think you know may be a bit scrambled. Concerns over dietary cholesterol and its impact on heart disease keeps many people from eating eggs, despite their nutritional benefits. However, more than 40 years of research shows healthy adults can enjoy an egg every day without significantly impacting their risk of heart disease. Cracking the cholesterol myth Enjoying an egg a day as part of a healthy diet balanced with fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy, falls well within current cholesterol guidelines. In fact, according to USDA data, one large egg is 14 percent lower in cholesterol than previously recorded, down from 212 mg to 185 mg, and is also 64 percent higher in vitamin D, with 41 IU per large egg. Moreover, one large egg contains six grams of high-quality protein and 13 essential nutrients for 70 calories. "Research shows that saturated fat may be more likely to raise a person's blood cholesterol than dietary cholesterol," says Neva Cochran, registered dietitian, nutrition writer and researcher for Woman's World Magazine. "Eating a balanced breakfast with high-quality protein foods like eggs, along with other nutrient-rich foods like fruit and whole grains, is the best way to start the day. Unlike sugary foods, eggs have no simple sugars and contain no carbs, providing steady and sustained energy." Additionally, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recognize eggs as a nutrient dense food and state that the consumption of one egg per day is not associated with risk of coronary heart disease or stroke in healthy adults. And, eggs provide high-quality protein that helps build muscles and increases satiety for all-day energy, which can help maintain a healthy weight, an important factor in promoting overall health. Incredible egg benefits Cochran also points out that at an average of 15 cents a piece, eggs are an affordable, versatile, nutrient powerhouse that contribute to a healthy diet in many ways: *Breakfast boosters: Research shows that eating high-quality protein foods for breakfast, like eggs, can help increase satiety, maintain long-lasting energy and improve cognitive skills like memory recall time. *Sunshine supplement: Eggs are one of the few foods that are a naturally good source of vitamin D, meaning that one egg provides at least 10 percent of the recommended daily allowance. Vitamin D plays an important role in calcium absorption, helping to form and maintain strong bones. *Weight-loss companion: Research shows that eating eggs for breakfast can help overweight dieters lose more weight, lower their body mass index and shrink their waist more than eating a bagel of equal calories for breakfast. Adding eggs to your breakfast routine can be easy, even on busy weekday mornings. Whether you're craving scrambled eggs, an omelet or an egg sandwich, microwaves can be an incredible time-saving tool, so you can start every day with a nutritious breakfast. Egg and Cheese Breakfast Burrito Ingredients: 1 flour tortilla (6-inch) 1 egg 1 tablespoon shredded Mexican cheese blend 1 tablespon salsa Directions: 1. Line 2-cup microwave-safe cereal bowl with microwave-safe paper towel. Press tortilla into bowl. Break egg into center of tortilla. Beat egg gently with a fork until blended, being careful not to tear tortilla. 2. Microwave on high 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until egg is almost set, 15 to 30 seconds longer. 3. Remove tortilla with paper towel liner from bowl to flat surface. Top egg with cheese and salsa. Fold bottom of tortilla over egg, then fold in sides.

LEAP funds still available

Colorado residents behind on home heating bills still have time to apply for help. The Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) encourages Coloradans in need of financial assistance with home heating bills to take advantage of the program and apply for LEAP benefits before the April 30, 2012 deadline. LEAP is a federally funded program that provides cash assistance to help families and individuals pay a portion of winter home heating costs. The program pays the highest benefit to those with the highest heating bills and lowest incomes by family size. Applicant income cannot exceed 150 percent of the federal poverty index, which equals a maximum income of $2,794 per month for a household of four people. As of March 31, LEAP has helped nearly 95,000 Colorado households with their heating bills. However, there are still thousands eligible for the program that have yet to apply. To qualify for LEAP, applicants must be responsible for paying heating costs directly to an energy provider, fuel dealer or as part of rent; be a permanent legal resident of the United States and Colorado or have household members who are U.S. citizens. Completed LEAP applications can be faxed, mailed or delivered to the appropriate county office. Potential program applicants may obtain an application through the following: Call 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1-866432-8435) to have an application mailed. Visit any county department of social/human services across the state. To locate your countys office, visit the programs website at http://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap. Download and print an application from www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap. To find out if you qualify for LEAP, call toll free 1-866-HEAT-HELP (1866-432-8435) or visit www.colo r a d o . g o v / c d h s / l e a p <http://www.colorado.gov/cdhs/leap > to view the most current program application requirements. To help those in need or learn about additional assistance resources, visit. www.EnergyOutreach.org.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, 2012 BRUSH NEWS-TRIBUNE SENIOR SQUARE