I’m sure all mothers know that feeling of being at both ends of a spectrum of emotions at the same time. When you can’t wait for your baby to become more self-sufficient and less needy, for example, and yet you lament the fact that the time is going way too fast and why can’t they stay little forever. Or when your kids are hanging backwards off the couch for hours/days/weeks in the summer moaning because they have nothing to do and you long for school to start again, and then it does and you’re all going from the crack of dawn until bedtime with all of the busyness of the school year and you wish it was summer again. Or you think that these carefree kids who make fun of you for always being tired and cranky have a real thing coming when they have to start jobs and have adult responsibilities, and then those things start happening and you cry into your coffee because you know that their carefree days will never be here again and you feel so bad for them.

It’s exhausting, this “both/and” existence! And I have been over my head in it all summer. 

My oldest is starting his senior year in high school! We’re (I’m) thinking and talking all the time these days about college and career ideas, and he worked two jobs this summer to save for school and life expenses, and I could just bust with pride and devastation that my tiny boy is such a man.

My youngest, who I still refer to as “the baby,” is turning three today and will be spending a little time in his nursery school classroom this morning to meet his teacher and see all the “big boy things” he’s heard about from his brothers, and I’m so thrilled for the fun he’ll have and absolutely wrecked that my baby is so big.

My exact middle boy — the one who has three older brothers and three younger brothers — is moving on to middle school this year, which means that I’ll have more kids in the big school than in the elementary school. I’m finding it very difficult to wrap my mind around this whole-family shift from a family with mostly little ones to a family with mostly big kids — I really can’t think too much about it.

I read Charlotte’s Web to the boys as I’ve done every summer for years, but only to the younger four because the big boys were always at work or doing other big-boy things. My tallest boy’s pants have a 36” inseam, and I also bought a size 3T T-rex costume as a birthday present for my dino-obsessed baby. I spend a lot of time making mental lists of the things my oldest will need for his first away-from-home living space next year while also trying to adjust to the fact that my youngest is transitioning out of his daily naps.

It’s no surprise to me at all that the day I emailed the baby’s teacher to introduce myself, which was also the day that my oldest has his senior picture taken, was the day my doctor decided it was time to start me on medication for high blood pressure.

I’ve found a certain peace in having a meticulously detailed daily to-do list, even sometimes including such minutiae as “take a shower,” “meal plan,” and “do laundry,” just so I’m reminded of the simple, normal rhythms of life and can feel a measure of control over this turbulent time. I constantly look at the enormous desk calendar I’ve started writing everything on (since the normal-sized wall calendar I’ve always preferred to techie options is no longer nearly big enough) — I check in with it frequently during the day, updating and revising our family’s goings-on as needed; it’s the first thing I look at in the morning and the last before I go to bed. Whether I’m laughing or crying — or both — with little boy stuff and/or big boy stuff, my to-do list and daily calendar keep me focused and able to care for everyone appropriately and able to get everyone where they need to be at the right times. It’s so nice to not have to worry about dropping balls as I’m constantly grappling with my emotions, and it’s strangely soothing to see all these emotionally charged things reduced to neatly organized scribbles of ink on paper.

I think so often of my mom and the other older moms I know when I’m wrung out with the intensity of coexisting happiness and sadness because of these kids and coexisting big boy things and little boy things — they all went through these kinds of things and survived, after all. Not a one of them has disappeared in a puff of exhausted smoke; not a one of them has gotten whiplash from the back and forth between emotional extremes, or spontaneously combusted from feeling everything all at once. It’s just the growing pains of motherhood, I guess! I bet a lot of you are feeling your own versions of these things as your kids go back to school — good luck to you all and be patient with yourselves!

Kate and her husband have seven sons ages 16, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, and 3. Follow her at www.facebook.com/kmtowne23, or email her at kmtowne23@gmail.com.

One of the most asked questions I receive while in the clinic, is “What do you treat most often?”

My response, although a bit of dead-pan humor is, “humans mostly.”

Yes. I treat shoulders, hips, backs, knees, post surgeries, jaw, and just about any orthopedic condition someone may have who comes through our doors. Although my response may be a bit of dry wit, it is true. Looking beyond an impaired body part and at an individual’s function and quality of life is what I do. 

We are not individual body parts, we are whole people!

Let’s look at an example of a 68 y/o woman who recently hurt their elbow after playing two days of grueling tennis matches in a row. She comes in with raging elbow pain whenever she tries to hold her racket or grab onto the steering wheel. Life is now debilitating, frustrating, and seems like she is stuck in a hole of darkness. Everything in daily life hurts. Time goes on, with hard work, treatment, avoiding activity that makes it worse, activity modifications, the elbow pain is nearly gone. Tennis can be played again, and everything is alright.

She has family in town for the races and her two young grandsons come to visit. The woman is ecstatic that she gets to play with them for the first time in several months. The family heads to the playground. She is carrying her grandson in her loving arms while walking over the grass into the sand. Suddenly she seems quite unsure of her footing and decides to place her grandson down to walk beside him instead. Both little ones want to play in the sand. Slowly and hesitantly she kneels down in the sand placing much of her body weight through her previously painful elbow and realizes how much more difficult the movement really is. After some time playing, it is time to get up…

The above scenario is a great example of how injuries heal, but how narrow focused we can get on specific injuries. We cannot miss the big picture of fitness! Fitness helps us engage in exercises, play sports, move around the house, hold our children, carry groceries up the stairs, and so much more that makes our quality of life better.  Four fitness foundations make up our daily activities: stability/balance, mobility, power, and strength.

If we engage and work on these four movement principles, we will be able to move well and thrive.

Foundations of Fitness

1 – Stability/Balance. A proper starting place should be established before we try to enhance our movements. Stability is our body’s ability to control a movement at or into a specific position.  The grandmother above was unable to maintain safe stability while carrying her grandson through some uneven terrain, thus forcing her to set him down.

All movements in our body come from our brain. There is an intricate and complex highway of nerves that must be coordinated together to make clear and concise movements or to maintain our balance. If we fail to stabilize our body or joints, whether it is moving or trying to stay still while resisting forces, movement dysfunctions or injury may occur.

2 – Mobility. Mobility is our ability (or our joints ability) to move through its entire available range of motion. As our habits and lives change, our bodies will adapt to new, usually smaller ranges of motion. Yes, age does factor into it, but less than what you would think. The tennis player had been out of tennis for a while and developed some stiffness in her knees and hips making her ability to get down to the ground much more difficult than before her injury.

Remember, mobility is different than flexibility. Mobility is concerned with how our joints move, while flexibility is associated with the muscles. Muscles take a long time to improve their length, while mobility can be improved by focusing on several short movements throughout the day.

3 – Power. The importance of power grows as we age. Power is the ability for our bodies to quickly produce force and transmit energy. Our muscles lose power faster than they lose strength with each decade of life. When the lady above felt unbalanced, power would have been important to quickly help her regain balance if she had lost it. Getting off the ground would require power and force to safely and independently rise up (especially if she was carrying something with weight.) She constantly uses power during all her tennis serves and slams! Having muscular power is linked to greater participation in sports and improving our independence with daily activities.

4 – Strength. Save the best for last! Stable and mobile bodies are great, but strong ones are better! Muscle strength is our ability to produce force. The scenarios above have plenty of examples of where strength plays a key role: holding the grandchild, lowering herself to the ground, stabilizing her body on her arm as she knelt, and the ability to get back onto her feet after playing with her grandkids.

Strength builds resilience, tissues in our bodies that are less injured and less susceptible to pain.  Building strength with exercise fights many chronic conditions and keeps our muscles from losing mass with aging (sarcopenia).

The fitness foundations above are vital to long-term fitness and living a fulfilling active life. For the next four articles, I will be taking an indepth look at each of the four fitness foundations and how you can engage in each principle yourself!

Dr. Robert Rehberger PT, DPT, OCS is a physical therapist at Goodemote Physical Therapy serving Saratoga and surrounding communities. He is a Board-Certified Orthopedic Specialist and has completed a Board Certified Spine Fellowship  in Ithaca, NY. He also serves as a wellness, fitness,  and strength coach on a private basis.

At Goodemote PT we work with individuals recovering from injury to help improve quality of life and fitness. If you have any questions call 518-306-6894 to set up an appointment or find us at GoodemotePT.com. Dr. Robert Rehberger can be reached at GPTmaple@gmail.com

As a Certified Financial Planner®, I find that many people are confused about what kind of life insurance they should have.

While life insurance is an important component of nearly everyone’s financial plan, there are multiple types, which can cause quite a lot of confusion. At its core, however, insurance falls into two categories: permanent and term.

The type of insurance you have depends on your anticipated need. If you feel your need for insurance will be permanent, meaning you’ll need it whether you die today or at age 95, then permanent insurance should be considered. Most people, however, only need life insurance to cover a specific period of time, making term insurance a preferable option.

Let’s take a closer look:

Term insurance is intended to cover a basic need: to replace the economic loss resulting from a death during a specific period of time. It sounds clinical, but that’s all it is. For example, if I have a child today, I may want to purchase a 25-year term policy to ensure that, if I were to pass away before that child became independent, there would be sufficient assets to provide for my child. Once they’re out of the house the need no longer exists and the insurance term expires. Parents today might need a 30-year policy!

With term insurance, you’re only paying for what you need, when you need it. Because of that, the premiums are much lower, relative to many permanent forms of insurance. 

Permanent life insurance is intended to cover a permanent need. The most frequent permanent needs I encounter are: 

1 – Estate planning: In order to provide for liquidity at death, or to create a tax-free estate at death, permanent life insurance strategies can be utilized. 

2 – Pension replacement: In the event one spouse elected a single-life only pension, a permanent insurance policy can be used to replace the pension in the event of the pensioner’s death. 

In both of these circumstances, a permanent insurance policy is used simply because the insurance need exists for an unknown period of time. It would be unwise to use a term policy in these instances. 

Many people have been sold permanent insurance policies who may not have had a permanent need, on the premise that permanent insurance can build cash value against which tax-free loans can be taken in the future. While this is technically true, in my seventeen years in private practice, I’ve very rarely encountered a person who funded their retirement using their life insurance cash value. 

This is true for a variety of reasons. 

In order to grow significant cash value, the policy premiums needed are significantly higher than just the cost of insurance (which is all you pay in a term policy). While many people are well-intentioned on the front-end, life happens, and very often people reduce the amount they pay into their policies, which dramatically affects the policy’s performance. 

Another reason these policies often don’t live up to expectations is that life insurance agents may use unrealistic assumptions when illustrating future policy performance. If you bought a policy in the ‘80s, illustrated using 1980s interest rates, then you know exactly what I mean. 

The only time I see permanent insurance work as a savings vehicle, is for a client whose cash flow is such that they have maximized contributions to every other retirement savings vehicle, and still have significant money they need to sock away.  So, if you’ve exhausted your ability to contribute to your 401k, 403b, IRAs, and other retirement vehicles, then permanent insurance could be another avenue for saving.

It should be noted that some people start out with a temporary need which evolves into a need that is more permanent. Luckily, most term insurance is convertible into a form of permanent insurance for just this reason. 

In the battle between term and permanent, as planners, we overwhelmingly favor term insurance. It is by far the most cost-effective way to solve for a need, while preserving the option to convert to permanent insurance if the need changes. 

Your Certified Financial Planner® will be the best person to help you assess your need by helping you to understand your overall financial circumstances, and can tailor a policy to provide proper coverage. If your advisor is independent, they will also have dozens of carriers to choose from, and can help get you the most competitive rates.

Stephen Kyne, CFP® is a Partner at Sterling Manor Financial, LLC in Saratoga Springs, and Rhinebeck. 

Securities offered through Cadaret, Grant & Co., Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Sterling Manor Financial, LLC, or Cadaret Grant & Co, SEC registered investment advisors. Sterling Manor Financial and Cadaret, Grant are separate entities.

People sometimes think that if their spouse enters a nursing home that the nursing home or the government will take all their assets, leaving them in dire financial straits.  The truth, however, is that even if your spouse enters a nursing home and you need to apply for Medicaid coverage to pay for the cost, you can still retain significant assets and income. 

In Medicaid parlance, the spouse who stays out of the nursing home is referred to as the “Community Spouse” and the spouse who enters the nursing home is referred to as the “Institutionalized Spouse”.  Below is a set of questions and answers which will help explain what assets a Community Spouse will be able to keep if their spouse goes into a nursing home.

If my spouse applies for Medicaid for nursing home care, what assets can I keep?

Medicaid rules allow the Community Spouse to retain the following assets as “exempt resources”:

• $74,820.00 in monetary assets (and sometimes more),

• the family home,

• the tangible personal propertywithin the family home,

• irrevocable pre-paid funeral arrangements, and

• one car.

What happens if I have more assets than allowed?

You will need to “spend down” those assets private paying for nursing home costs, until you reach the allowable level.  However, there may be some alternatives.  For example, you could spend some of the excess resources on necessary home repairs because the home is an exempt asset.  For example, $5,000 in funds in excess of the allowable limit can be used to pay for a needed furnace replacement, instead of being spent down on nursing home costs.

Can I refuse to make my assets and income available to pay for the nursing home care of my spouse?

Yes, you can.  That is known as a spousal refusal.  If you file a spousal refusal, then the Medicaid authorities may seek to force you to provide the resources by litigating the matter in court.  If you file a spousal refusal, the Medicaid authorities must evaluate the eligibility of your spouse without considering your assets.

Is all tangible personal property exempt as a resource?

No, if you have items of specific intrinsic value, such as a coin collection or valuable pieces of art, they would potentially be considered non-exempt.

Do I have to contribute any of my income to the care of my spouse?

The Community Spouse is also entitled to $3,259.50 per month in income in 2021, which is known as the Minimum Monthly Maintenance Needs Allowance (MMMNA).  If the Community Spouse does not have that amount in their own name, they are entitled to income from the Institutionalized Spouse to reach the $3,259.50 level. 

For example, if both spouses solely have as income Social Security and the Community Spouse receives $1,500 in Social Security and the Institutionalized Spouse receives $2,000 in Social Security, the Community Spouse is entitled to $1,759.50 of the Institutionalized Spouse’s $2,000 in Social Security in order to reach the $3,259.50 MMMNA level.  Certain deductions apply for expenses like Medicare premiums and private health insurance costs.

Are retirement accounts like IRAs considered assets?

Generally no, they are not.  They are considered instead as sources of income.  The income amount derived from them is based on the account owner’s age and is somewhat larger than the required minimum distribution (RMD) amount.  This is good news, however, because it means that a Community Spouse could have an IRA worth $100,000.00 and that money would not be counted towards the $74,820.00 in resources that they are allowed to have.

Given all these rules, are there planning opportunities?

If your spouse is entering a nursing home and applying for Medicaid, you do not need to be impoverished as a result.  The rules regarding income and asset exemptions are complex, but they yield many planning opportunities to maximize the preservation of assets and income for the Community Spouse.

Matthew J. Dorsey, Esq. is a Partner with O’Connell and Aronowitz, 1 Court St., Saratoga Springs. Over his 23 years of practice, he has focused in the areas of elder law, estate planning, and estate administration.  Mr. Dorsey can be reached at 518-584-5205, mdorsey@oalaw.com, and www.oalaw.com.

See What’s Back in August!

BRIDGE MONDAYS 

Mondays • 12:30 p.m. 
We would like to welcome bridge back to the Center. Open for friendly games. Hope to see you!

STRENGTH TRAINING

Wednesdays • 1 – 2 p.m. 
Facilitated by Aidan. In person at the Center and via zoom. 

UKULELE THURSDAYS 

Thursdays  • 10 a.m.
Facilitated by Marshall Swift. Dust off your ukulele and join your friends at the Center for some singing and playing.

JOIN OUR POKER GROUP 

Fridays •  9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fun friendly poker games, welcoming new players. 

Special Events & Programs

FRIDAY BACKYARD BBQ LUNCH! 

Friday, August 13 • 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Join Abby & Anna on Friday afternoons for some BBQ and fun! With the warm weather here to enjoy, come hang out with your friends & make the most of summer days! Live Music Schedule with Bill Gervasio. 

IN HOUSE CHEF DINNERS ARE BACK!  

Tuesday, August 17 • 4:30 p.m. 
Dinners sponsored by Home of the Good Shepherd & Humana. Dine in at the Center with your friends OR take your dinner “To-Go.”

Tuesday, August 17
Simply Food by Maura Roast Turkey Dinner – stuffing, mashed potato, gravy, green beans. $11. To-Go dinner curbside pick up: 3-4:30 p.m.. 

CDTA HALF FARE PROGRAM     

Wednesday, August 18  • 11:30 a.m. 

$2 FOR THE CDTA CARD. Facilitated by Valerie Rosado, CDTA Customer Service. Please sign up! The CDTA offers half fare bus rates to citizens aged 65 and over, and disabled individuals to access CDTA’s fixed route service. Valerie will come and take your ID picture, get your information and make you a Half Fare card. Please bring proof of age and $2. If you qualify and are under 65 you can provide an award letter from SSI or SSD.

LEARN TO FALL IN LOVE WITH “ART” 

Wednesday, August 18 & 25  •  1 p.m.
$5 material fee. Facilitated by Barry, member and artist. Afraid of expressing yourself through art? Barry has a foolproof easy method to get you to draw! Using designs provided by Barry, you will create pictures that are unique and colorful! Open to any level of experience but geared to those with none.

SIMPLE & EASY MEAL PLANNING 

Thursday, August 26  • 12 p.m. 
Facilitated by Sherri Rose, Board Certified Health & Wellness Coach. At a loss as what to eat? Hate cooking for one? Sherri will give you guidance and tips to keep you healthy. How to avoid the last-minute scramble for dinner, creating go-to lists of healthy meals, cooking for 1-2, healthy takeout, exploring meal delivery plans, and a recipe swap. Session 2 with Sherri -Thursday, September 9. “Balancing Your Wellness Wheel.” Please sign up! 

CHIT CHAT & MUSIC GROUP 

Mondays • 1 p.m. at the Center 
Looking for something fun to do? Join our Chit Chat & Music Group facilitated by Skidmore Interns, Abby and Anna. Join your friends for a fun hour of chit chat, laughs and music! Meet new friends and connect with old ones!

WRITING YOUR MEMOIRS 

Thursdays • 10 – 11 a.m. 
Stories through the decades. facilitated by Jackie, Skidmore intern. Write your stories and memories so that you and your loved ones can cherish them for a lifetime. No experience necessary.

TAROT CARD READINGS

Last Thursday of the month • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
Facilitated by Mary Shimp. $5 suggested donation. Do you have some unanswered questions about your life? A tarot card reading provides guidance to gain an insight into what the future holds using a special deck of cards. Call to make a 15-minute appointment.

Van Trips

Pitney Meadows Farm: Sun Tea “Sip and Talk” 
Monday, August 16
“Sip and Talk” with Executive Director Lynn Trizna. Enjoy an outdoor conversation with Executive Director Lynn Trizna and a beautiful view of the production farm fields. You will learn about the history, programs and impact of the Pitney Meadows Community Farm, and while you talk, enjoy fresh sun brewed tea with herbs from the fields. If you enjoy what you taste, you can then harvest some fresh herbs to take home and make your own fresh herbal tea! Pay $7 at signup. 

Lunch Bunch – Vermont Country Store 

Friday August 27
Shop and have lunch at the iconic Vermont Country Store. “It’s everything you could want in a country store and more.” Lunch at Mildred’s Grille. Pay $15 at signup. Bring money for shopping and lunch. Leave the Center at 9 a.m.

One Day Bus Trips

SONNENBERG MANSION   

Thursday, August 19
$100 member price. Nonmembers welcome, please call the front desk. Sponsored by CDPHP. Land, Lake & Lunch in Canandaigua. Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion is one of the longest surviving estates from the Victorian Era in the US. The elegant 40-room Queen Anne style mansion was built in 1887 by NYC financier Frederick Ferris Thompson and his wife, Mary Clark Thompson, as a summer home. Enjoy a lunch cruise on the Canandaigua Lady – a 19th century steamboat replica and double-decker paddle wheeler. 

A DAY IN NEW YORK CITY    

Wednesday December 8
Price to be determined. Nonmembers welcome, please call the front desk. There is no other place quite like New York City; from its world-class museums, art galleries and architecture to its role as the theatre and financial capital of the world. Spend the day on your own and explore the fascinating city. You will be dropped off at Bryant Park (42nd between 5th & 6th).

Excursions 2021   

Pacific Northwest: October 4-11
Greece Island Hopper: October 16 -26 
Bluegrass Country/Smokey Mountains: Oct. 15-23 
Canyon Country-Arizona & Utah: October 20 -27 
Christmas on Danube River Cruise: Dec. 2-10 
Spotlight on Sante Fe: December 5-10

One of the things I’ve been most amazed by since becoming a mother is the softness I often feel towards others, much more easily than before having children. The hard edge I often brought to my assessments of others is noticeably absent — or at least much diminished — and I know for sure that having had the gift of knowing my children from the earliest moments of their lives, and seeing that many aspects of their personalities show themselves even at birth and continue through their lives, and that the harder aspects of a person’s personality often make the bearer suffer as much or more so than the people around him or her, has helped me to be a kinder, more compassionate person.

One example I’ve been thinking about a lot lately has to do with something that happened during my own high school running “career” of nearly twenty-five years ago. I’ve been thinking of it recently because in May one of my boys and I started running together regularly, and we’ve even run/walked the 5K (3.1 mile) Varsity Course at the State Park, which is where my high school memory happened and surely one of the reasons it resurfaced.

During Cross Country practices in high school, the task and expectation by the coach was that we would run, not walk, whatever course she had us do in practice, but one of my teammates would regularly stop and walk once we were out of sight of the coach. This teammate didn’t fancy herself a particularly good runner, and neither was I — in fact, I was the worst runner on the team — and yet I kept a steel grip on the requirement to run and not walk, even to the point of running so slowly that a walker could beat me. So it was particularly galling to me that every time my walking teammate heard my “running” steps coming up behind her, she would start running again until she put enough space between us, and then she would slow to a walk again. And she beat me in almost every race. I hated that I gave everything I felt I had to give and still came up short against someone who didn’t seem to give much at all, and I’ve seethed at that memory ever since.

Fast forward to this summer when my boy and I have been working hard — and it’s been hard work! We started with a Couch to 5K program in which the first few workouts consisted of running for one minute, then walking for one minute, and repeating ten times, and are now up to being able to run two miles without stopping (most of the time anyway). But the thing is, I now see no problem at all with stopping to walk if needed — I encourage my son to do so if he feels he needs to (with the intention of just catching his breath and then resuming running), since I can see how hard he’s working and I want to encourage him, and my goal for him is good physical health and the kind of mental strengthening that happens with doing something good but difficult, rather than being the best and fastest. With intermittent walking, he’s been able to keep going, keep improving, slowly but surely.

Of course, I know that the goals and measures of success for a kid who’s running on his own for good health and not part of a team (and with his middle-aged mother with finicky knees) are and should be quite a bit different from those of a high school Cross Country runner, or any competitive athlete of any age. Even still, I’ve been astonished at my own change of heart toward runners who stop to walk. I’m so moved by the effort I see my boy putting in, and since my goal for him is improvement rather than perfection, I’m happy with every step forward, whether walking or running. I even think back to that teammate of mine in high school — looking at her with a mother’s eyes, I have a better sense that she probably wasn’t actually trying to “cheat the system,” but rather that running was probably a challenge for her, and the fact that she kept with it all season and didn’t quit the team was a success in itself and one worth celebrating. 

I have many examples of being astonished by my softening towards others the older I get, and it’s always with a particularly maternal heart. Having had my own children, I’m better able to see others as the children of mothers who love them and can see the best in them even when no one else can, who know they have their demons and private struggles and give them grace when no one else will. There’s something quite nice about that — something that, I think, makes the world a better place (if it doesn’t make for top runners).

Kate and her husband have seven sons ages 16, 15, 13, 11, 9, 7, and 2. Follow her at www.facebook.com/kmtowne23, or email her at kmtowne23@gmail.com.

Do you ever get stuck in the vicious cycle if worry and fear in your life? As a published author of a managing fear book, I struggled with fear and anxiety for over 20 years. Here is a brief summary of what I did to overcome cycle of fear and anxiety in my life:

I got advice from the professionals. The first thing I did was to talk to various counselors since they know how to conquer fear and anxiety. Whenever I talked to the counselors, I would bring a notebook and take notes so I would not forget the advice that was given to me. 

I became an expert on dealing with fear and anxiety. I did everything possible to learn as much as I could in removing my fears and anxieties in my life. I talked to professionals, read books, joined support groups, and learned from experiences. 

I surrounded myself with helpful people. I made it a habit of surrounding myself with supportive people who understood what I was going through. This really helped me out when I was really struggling with my anxieties and stresses. 

I learned how to manage my fearful thoughts. The key in getting the edge off of your anxieties is by managing your fearful thinking. Whenever I would get a negative and fearful thought, I would challenge that thought with positive statements and realistic thinking. I also made it a habit to focus on the facts of my current situation and not on my negative thinking. 

I was persistent. There were times I felt like giving up because my fears and anxieties were so powerful and I didn’t know what to do. I worried about what would happen and that just made my fears that much stronger. During those times, I would consult with a professional and I made it a point to learn from my experiences so that I would be better able to handle these situations in the future. 

I did not make excuses. With a lot of practice, I became very good at reducing my fears and anxieties. I realized that the answers to my problems were out there, however it was up to me to find those techniques that would get my life back on track. Making excuses would not improve my situation. 

I realized that you can’t predict the future. I realized that there are always factors and circumstances that I cannot predict or anticipate that could make a difference in my stressful and fearful situations. A person may be 99% correct in predicting the future, but all it takes is that 1% to make a difference. The key is to focus on the present. 

I made the choice to get better. You have to make the effort to find the answers to overcome your situation. It will not always be easy, but you can overcome the cycle of fear and worry with hard work and a willingness to learn from your everyday experiences. It is important not to give up. 

Stan Popovich is the author of the popular managing fear book, “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear”. For more information about Stan’s book and to get some free mental health advice, visit Stan’s website at www.managingfear.com. 

The Saratoga County Fair, is almost here! 

As the first in the area this year, the Saratoga County Fair is erring on the side of caution, and setting an example for the fairs to follow. 

They’ve sheared off a couple of days and have gotten back to their roots – educating the public about agricultural activities in a fun way – with animals, tractor and truck pulls, carnival rides, and fair food. 

“We have a full schedule and safety will always be first and foremost for us. We will follow the CDC guidelines that are current for that day, open up as much as possible, and go full speed ahead,” said Tammy Ballestero, President of the Saratoga County Agricultural Society.

Together Again

Ballestero is most excited to once again see her neighbors in person.

“There’s just nothing like hosting live events and the companionship you get once a year when folks get together up on the hill,” she said. 

In 2020, the pandemic halted social gatherings and caused the way people experienced the fair to be quite different. 

“In spite of the fact that we were not able to have a traditional fair last year, we were able to have a live event with a ribbon cutting, and to provide a lot of activities for people to participate in virtually. So, in that sense, it was a success,” said Ballestero.

What’s Changed

In 2021, reopening can’t mean going completely “back to normal” for the event, which typically draws in 100,000 people.

In addition to the shortened week, there are no concerts and no alcohol being served onsite. The demolition derby won’t be happening. 

Also, the fair is typically staffed heavily by volunteers, and there weren’t as many willing to step forward this year. 

Welcome Back Carnival Rides 

This year, the Saratoga County Fair is happy to welcome back Amusements of America for carnival rides and games. 

“People will still be pleasantly surprised. There’ll be a good mix of thrill and kiddie rides,” said Ballestero. 

Conscious of not excluding anyone, particularly the youth, they will again be having Think Differently Day, an hour-long event beginning at 11 a.m. on Friday, without the bright lights and loud sounds that can be disturbing for sensitive patrons. 

Welcome Back Fair Food

Familiar vendors and a dozen concession stands will also be back this year, including the popular Brickyard Tavern and Grill, who will be serving breakfast, sausage, and steak sandwiches.

The annual 4H Chicken Barbecue will be on Thursday, July 22, 4-7 p.m., but you must buy tickets in advance. 

Each dinner includes a half chicken, baked potato, coleslaw, dinner roll, slice of Smith’s apple pie, and a bottle of water for $14/meal. 

To order, contact Cornell Cooperative Extension by calling 518-885-8995, or go online to ccesaratoga.org 

Also returning this year, will be the lemonade stand run by 10-year-old Brendan Mulvaney. He started setting up the stand when he was five and donates the proceeds. 

“It’s an example of how youth in our community can make a difference and we at the Fair encourage everyone to support him,” said Ballestero. 

Back to its Roots

Showcasing Saratoga County agriculture is back to being at the heart of the fair. 

“Everyone has a different version of what their favorite thing at the fair is, but we’ve gotten back to our mission- a grassroots effort to stress the importance of agriculture,” said Ballestero.

“In Saratoga County, we are heavy into agriculture,” she continued. “We have horses, yes, of course, but we have a number of dairy farms, sheep, goats. Saratoga has one of the strongest Cornell Cooperative Extensions and 4H programs around. The fair is, hands down, the best place to showcase that.”

It’s not just animals, either. There’s chemistry projects, robotics, and machinery used by farmers to produce food on display. 

Grandstand is Gone

While many will be delighted by all that fair has to offer this year, one of the biggest changes is what isn’t there: the grandstand. 

Originally built in the 1800s, the aging structure was demolished last November. 

Bids to rebuild have topped $1million, and costs have increased since the original estimate, as contractors are still scrambling to get their hands on building supplies that have, in some cases, tripled in price. 

Because of that, bleachers have been set up, seating is limited, however, so bringing your own chair to sit and watch the truck and tractor pulls is allowed. 

Instead of prize money being awarded at the motorsport events, proceeds will be added to the grandstand building fund. 

Back to Forging Ahead

Raising enough money to pay for the grandstand replacement is the nonprofit Agricultural Society’s top priority…but it has been difficult. 

“Like all the nonprofits, we were hit hard and heavy by COVID,” said Ballestero.

Last year, traditional fundraisers where people get together, like breakfasts and dinners, were all suddenly off the table as possibilities. They instead launched Event21, where 21 fair directors asked 21 people to donate $21 each. Very quickly, they raised $17,000.

If the Agricultural Society can raise $250,000, Saratoga County pledged to match it, but they still have a long way to go to reach their goal.

“We’ve realized we need corporate sponsors if we are going to be successful in this,” said Ballestero. 

A fundraising breakfast and car show with raffle and vendors is also planned for August 22nd. 

Despite all the challenges, Ballestero is eager and excited to be forging ahead. 

“I want to thank the general public in advance. Things will be different but we promise, we are going to give you the best fair that we are able to.”

The Saratoga County Fair will be Thursday, July 22 through Sunday, July 25. They’ve slashed ticket prices to just $5 (down from $12), kids 12 and under are free.  Parking (which is normally free) will be offered from the Lions Club for $5/vehicle. Admission is FREE Thursday from 5-11 p.m. For more information, find them on Facebook, or go to saratogacountyfair.org.

Massage can do wonders for people suffering from a repetitive strain injury. Learn how massage can help with repetitive strain injury treatment here. 

Keyword(s): repetitive strain injury treatment

Repetitive strain injuries (sometimes referred to as overuse injuries) often affect athletes, especially those who specialize in a sport early in life. They’re common among office workers, too. In fact, repetitive strain injuries (or RSIs) cost employers between $17 billion and $20 billion per year in workers compensation. No matter who you are or what you do, RSIs can have a serious impact on your performance and quality of life. The good news, though, is that there are lots of treatment options available, including massage.  Read on to learn about the benefits of massage for repetitive strain injury treatment.

What is a Repetitive Strain Injury?

As the name suggests, a repetitive strain injury is a type of injury that occurs when you spend too much time repeating the same movement over and over again. Just about anyone can develop an RSI. A baseball player might experience an RSI to their shoulder from throwing the ball in the same way over and over again without adequate rest. A computer worker might develop an RSI to their wrists if they spend too much time typing without resting their hands.  RSIs cause tightness and inflammation in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that make up a particular joint. There are lots of different types of RSIs, including the following:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Tendinitis
• Plantar fasciitis

RSIs can be quite painful. They also can make it harder for you to move your joint through a full range of motion.

RSI Symptoms

Pain is the most common symptom associated with an RSI. You’ll likely notice pain when you perform a specific movement or after you’re finished performing it. As the injury progresses, you may start to experience pain while doing unrelated activities. Some other symptoms include hypersensitivity and poor coordination. You might experience tingling or numbness in the affected area as well.

Traditional RSI Treatments

Often, when a person is diagnosed with an RSI, there are a few different treatments their doctor will recommend. Common treatments include the following:

• Medication (including over the-counter or prescription anti-inflammatory drugs)
• Hot-cold therapy
• Steroid injections
• Surgery to correct nerve/tendon issues

Sometimes, these treatments are the only option to help you heal from your RSI. In many cases, though, there are other, more natural remedies that you can utilize first.

Why Use Massage for Repetitive

Strain Injury Treatment?

Massage therapy is a great alternative or complementary treatment to some of the popular treatments listed above. There are lots of reasons why you may want to consider massage therapy to help with your RSI before you turn to other treatments, including the following:

Non-Invasive Treatment

The idea of undergoing surgery to fix your RSI probably doesn’t appeal to you. If you don’t want to deal with an invasive treatment and drawn-out recovery, you’re definitely better off using something like regular massages first. Massage helps to promote healing and improve your ability to move your joints in a pain-free, non-invasive way.

Minimal Side Effects

With anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers, you can experience relief from your symptoms. They don’t get to the root of the issue, though. They also can come with a lot of potentially dangerous side effects. This includes things like digestive issues, dizziness, and an increased risk of cardiovascular problems.

Reduced Pain and Soreness

You don’t need painkillers to help you feel relief from the sore muscles and discomfort brought on by RSIs. Massage therapy can help to loosen up tight muscles and provide relief from any pain you might feel. Massage also triggers the release of endorphins. Endorphins are feel-good chemicals that can help alleviate pain. 

Improved Circulation

Massage also helps to promote better blood circulation throughout the body. When your blood can flow through your body in an efficient way, your muscles, tendons, and ligaments can get rid of waste products and heal more quickly. This, in turn, can help to reduce your pain and make the recovery process much more efficient. The increased blood flow brought on by massage can help promote faster tissue regeneration, too.

Improved Range of Motion

As you joints, muscles, and tendons begin to heal, you’ll find that it’s much easier for you to move your joints through a full range of motion once again. You won’t have to worry about compensating with other muscles and will be able to move in the most efficient and effective way possible. 

Decreased Injury Risk

In addition to helping you move better, regular massages can help to decrease your risk of developing RSIs in the future. Often, when an RSI occurs, it’s because you’re not taking proper care of the joint (or joints) that you rely on most often. By making massage a priority, you can ensure that those joints get the attention they need in order to function well. As a result, you’ll be less likely to need to take time off and rehabilitate them later on.

Improved Relaxation

Getting regular massages to help with your RSI can also help you relax and feel less stressed out, too. When you’re relaxed and managing your stress in a more effective way, your body has more resources at its disposal to help you heal. This, in turn, will help you get back to work or back to your sport of choice much sooner.

Get a Massage for Your RSI Today

As you can see, there are lots of reasons why you might want to use massage as your repetitive strain injury treatment of choice. Massage works well on its own or paired with other modalities to help minimize pain and improve your range of motion. If you want to experience all the benefits of massage, though, you need to make sure you’re working with the right massage therapist. If you live in or around the Saratoga Springs or Malta areas, we’re here for you at Saratoga Sports Massage. We use a variety of massage techniques to help you move better and feel your best.

Contact us today to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment.

Special Events & Programs

BROOKS BBQ TUESDAY

Tuesday, July 13 • 3 – 6 p.m. 

Sponsored by CDPHP. Chicken Dinner: $14. Rib Dinner: $16. Dinners include Baked Potato, Coleslaw, Roll. Valet Service Pick Up: Skip finding a parking space and getting out of the car. Curbside Day of Sales: Forgot to order your dinner? You can come and get your meal day of. Bulk Orders Delivery (15 or more): We will deliver to your office or place of business! Want to have a Backyard party and not cook?! Order Brooks dinners for your event. Call 518-584-1621 to order.

SPAC IS BACK! PERK FOR SENIOR CENTER MEMBERS ONLY

Limited discounted SPAC tickets are back for Ballet & Orchestra. To place your order, call the Senior Centers front desk from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.: 518-584-1621. Premium seating: $37. Standard seating: $27.Tickets limited to one ticket per show per member. Sitting Together? You must buy tickets together. No refunds or exchanges. All tickets must be picked up at the Saratoga Senior Center. We will notify you when they are in. 

• New York City Ballet – NYCB On the Off Stage               

  Short Stories

  Wednesday, July 14 • 7:30 p.m.
  Thursday, July 15 • 7:30 p.m.
  Saturday, July 17 • 2p.m. 

  All Balanchine 

  Thursday, July 15 • 2 p.m.
  Friday, July 16 • 7:30 p.m.
  Satursday, July 17 • 7:30 p.m.

• The Philadelphia Orchestra Returns!

   Wednesday, August 11 • 8 p.m.

• Coleman, Bach & Brahms 

   Thursday, August 12 • 8 p.m.

• Yannick Leads Frank & Mozart

   Friday, August 13 • 8 p.m.

• Joshua Bell Returns!

   Saturday, August 14 • 8 p.m. 

NEW! FREE PITNEY MEADOWS POP UP FRESH PANTRY 

Mondays • 11 a.m. until gone

At the Saratoga Senior Center.We are collaborating with Pitney Meadows in their Food Security Access to Farm-Fresh Produce program. They are committed to provide fresh produce donations to food pantries, senior programs, and other programs to feed the community. Sponsored by MVP Healthcare.

FRIDAY BACKYARD BBQ LUNCH!

Fridays •  11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Pricing depends on Menu. Hot dogs always available for $2. Join Abby & Anna on Friday afternoons for some BBQ and fun! Come hang out with your friends & make the most of summer days! Different fun activity every week. Live Music Schedule: Bonnie Grecco: July 16. Bill Gervasio: July 30. Music without BBQ is covered under the monthly activity fee, Silver sneakers or pay $5 per person. 

LUNCHTIME CONCERT SERIES IS BACK

Concerts are held in the parking lot of the Spa City Motor Lodge, 413 Broadway unless otherwise indicated. Chairs are provided. This event is free. Donations are appreciated. 

• July 13 • 12 p.m.: Red Canna

Chamber jazz group playing the original compositions and arrangements of pianist/composer Elizabeth Woodbury Kasius and a selection of other modern composers.

What’s Happening at the Center

NEW! BARBER AT THE CENTER

2nd Monday of the Month • 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

$5 haircuts for men. Ryan will be coming to the Center to cut our men members hair. Must call the front desk to make an appointment. 

TAROT CARD READINGS 

Last Thursday of the Month • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

$5 suggested donation. Mary is back! Do you have some unanswered questions about your life? A tarot card reading provides guidance to gain an insight into what the future holds through the use of a special deck of cards. Call to make a 15 minute appointment. 

BREAKFAST & LEARN    

Monday, July 26 • 9 a.m. 

Everything you need to know about advance directives, proxies and wills. Facilitated by Debra Verni of Herzog Law. Breakfast is $3.50 and begins at 9 followed by the presentationa at 9:30 a.m. Choices regarding medical care and financial decisions are within your control. Advance directives, which include power of attorney and health care proxy, are the legal documents, which allow you to designate individuals to make decisions related to your medical care and finances if you become incapacitated. Presentation and Q&A. Please sign up.

WRITING YOUR MEMOIRS 

Thursdays • 10-11 a.m.

Facilitated by Jackie, Skidmore intern at the Center. Write your stories and memories so that you and your loved ones can cherish them for a lifetime. No experience necessary. Jackie will guide you and give you prompts if needed. Please sign up. 

INDEPENDENT LIVING WITH AGING VISION

Wednesday, July 28 • 1 p.m. 

Facilitated by Lisa Jordan of The Northeastern Association of the Blind at Albany (NABA). An engaging presentation designed for adults to learn about the leading causes of vision loss, early warning signs, eye health, vision rehabilitation therapy and low vision adaptive aids, such as magnifiers, large print and talking items. To reserve your seat, contact the Saratoga Senior Center Front Desk. 

GROWING MICROGREENS

Tuesday, July 27 • 11 a.m. 

Facilitated by Capital Roots and sponsored by BlueCross BlueShield. At the Center under the tent. If you don’t have space for gardening, microgreens are a great option because they can be grown easily on a sunny windowsill. Microgreens are miniature versions of plants and they’re packed with lots of nutrients. Join Capital Roots’ educator to discuss the benefits of eating microgreens, how to grow them, and how to incorporate them into your meals. Please RSVP.

CHIT CHAT & MUSIC GROUP 

Mondays • 1 p.m. at the Center 

Looking for something fun to do? Join our Chit Chat & Music Group. Facilitated by Skidmore Intern, Abby. Join Abby for a fun hour of chit chat, laughs and music! Meet new friends and connect with old ones!

ART SHOW

July 13-23: Barry Finley will have his art displayed in the dining room for you to view. Please stop by and enjoy his unique works. If anyone else wants to show their work, call the Center.

ONE DAY BUS TRIPS A DAY IN VERMONT 

Tuesday, July 20

$55 member price. Non members welcome, please call the front desk. A Unique Vermont Experience! Shop and lunch in Manchester. Head to the Friesians of Majesty horse farm for a tour and show. These horses are stunning. Located in the heart of Vermont’s Green Mountains on a 650-acre full-service breeding and training facility. Leave at 7:45 a.m.