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May 2023
Very few of us become professional artists, but everyone still benefits from having a creative outlet. It’s human nature to create new things and express ourselves, regardless of skill level. Some people craft, write, cook, or paint in their spare time. Much to my daughter’s continued embarrassment, I love to dance. The form first fascinated me at age 3, when a local dance teacher in Cheyenne, Wyoming, organized a bus trip to Denver to watch “The Nutcracker.” My mom expected me to sleep through it, but I was riveted and perched on the edge of my seat for the entire performance. I declared, “I want to do that!” Unfortunately, the teacher had a reasonable rule of not beginning ballet until age 5, so I had to wait. Once I was finally old enough, I began studying under Tove Dunbar. Tove was a dancer with the Royal Danish Ballet but married an Air Force member stationed in Wyoming. It was excellent luck for us to have a well-known professional in little old Cheyenne, and I took ballet, modern dance, and tap lessons from her over the years. Tove was lovely to her smallest students but was very exacting as we got older. Those lessons were a formative experience and taught me how to locate and move my body in space. To be clear, the Rockettes aren’t banging on my front door, but I can learn most types of dance quickly with some practice. One of my favorite parts of the classes was the annual productions inspired by fairy tales. Tove made room for everyone, and I have Ballet Kept Me on My Toes DANCING SHOES ESTATE PLANNING WORKSHOP — ON DEMAND Promise Law now offers our 7 Hazards to Your Estate Plan Workshop on demand. This free workshop explains the key planning concepts and documents and the factors in selecting a plan option that is right for you. Plus, enrollees who watch the video in its entirety can receive a complimentary attorney consultation with no obligation to retain our services. The workshop is available at PromiseLaw.com/estate-planning- workshop . Call (757) 690-2470 for more information.
early memories of being a little mouse in a “Cinderella” play when I was very young. They weren’t exactly professional productions — one kid was always picking their nose, a second one was crying for their mother, and a third was intently watching all the other dancers. But I appreciated that Tove found a way to include all of us in the story. I was always incredibly excited to be on an actual stage with sets and marks we had to hit. It made me feel like a professional, even though I wasn’t. Those productions also taught me a lot about working cooperatively with others and how much work you must put in to get the result you want. Some people struggle to understand how a precise form like ballet can be creative, but you can express many things through dance. For example, how you walk across a stage can convey a lot. Through dance, you learn to communicate with every part of your body simultaneously. Many dance classes I’ve taken as an adult, like Latin or salsa, are also collaborative. You must learn to convey your next steps to your partner without speaking to them out loud. Ballet prepared me by helping me understand and control my movements. While my efforts are far less formal these days, I still love to dance. The pandemic has been a big bummer for those who enjoy
going out and dancing in groups, but I’m not opposed to dancing alone. I’m known to throw on some Prince tunes and bust out every move I can in my living room. And at every wedding, you can count on me to be the first one on and the last one off the dance floor.
–Geneva Perry
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4 Steps to Happy, Healthy Aging It’s Never Too Late to Take Charge
Fuel your body. Nutrition plays a pivotal role in your health and quality of life. Center your diet around fruits, veggies, lean meats, whole grains, healthy fats, nuts, seeds, and low-fat dairy. Limit the frequency of eating processed foods, fatty meats, and sugar. Following these guidelines reduces your risk of many illnesses and sets you up for a more active lifestyle in your golden years. Stay social. Loneliness has been linked to declining physical health and concerns. Those who do not engage in social activities tend to battle dementia and Alzheimer’s more than those who interact with others and form relationships. To maintain your physical and mental health, get out and mingle! Take your vitamins and supplements. As a child, you likely remember your mother reminding you to take your
Aging can bring some of our most exciting and rewarding decades. After years of working and saving a nest egg, we can finally retire. Many of us welcome grandchildren into the world, and we have more time to travel to some of the most beautiful destinations on the planet. These are just a few reasons our health is our most prized possession as we age! Here are some tips to stay healthy and active as you grow older and wiser. Check in frequently. Keeping up with your health is much more than seeing your doctor whenever you feel under the weather and remembering to take prescribed medications. It’s essential to have regular checkups and screenings for health conditions and diseases. After all, it’s always better to catch something early than to find it too late.
vitamins. Now, it’s time to really listen. While it’s always better to get your essential vitamins and minerals from the foods you consume, sometimes, that can be tough. Be sure to talk to a trusted health professional about taking additional calcium, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and vitamin B6 to keep your body operating at its optimal potential. Your body has been along for the ride your entire life. With many more wonderful years ahead of you, take care of it so it can continue to care for you!
Can You Identify the Red Flags?
3 Warning Signs of Elder Abuse
necessary medical treatment, they are likely victims of neglect, intentional or unintentional. Financial Abuse The unauthorized and illegal use of an elderly individual’s funds, assets, or resources is financial abuse. Signs that an older person is being financially abused may include evidence of unpaid bills, eviction notices, patterns of missing items, canceled checks, or someone taking an increasingly intense interest in the spending habits of a person over the age of 65. Physical Abuse While physical elder abuse is more common in nursing homes, it can occur at home by family members or loved ones. If an aging adult is enduring physical abuse, there may be evidence of burns, bruises, broken bones, cuts, scrapes, sprains, or head injuries. They may experience hospitalization patterns for repeat injuries, delays in care and treatment, or multiple trips to the emergency room. Our advancing world brings education for elder abuse prevention, but unfortunately, it also provides avenues for others to exploit aging adults. To protect yourself and those you love, know the signs and be observant!
Everyone becomes increasingly vulnerable — both socially and financially — as they age. As technology evolves and new tools become available, more channels open for the elderly or those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia to be exploited by strangers, family, or friends.
Whether you are the caregiver for your parent, sibling, friend, or neighbor, or you want to ensure you are protected as you
age, consider these three most common forms of elder abuse. Neglect
Aging sometimes means that we cannot care for ourselves as well as we once did, and we must rely on others to step in and lend a hand. However, when a caregiver fails to provide essential care or protect an elderly individual from harm, they can be charged with neglect.
If an aging individual is malnourished, dehydrated, suffering from an infection, living in unsafe conditions, or not receiving
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TAKE A BREAK
PULLING BACK THE CURTAIN Facts About the First Black Supreme Court Justice
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Thurgood Marshall was the first African American justice to serve on the Supreme Court and was a powerful attorney, but did you know Thurgood wasn’t always his first name or that he held a second job while practicing law? Let’s take a look at some of the most intriguing facts about this amazing lawyer! The Reason Behind the Name Change On July 2, 1908, Thoroughgood Marshall was born in Baltimore, Maryland. As a young child, friends often teased him about his long name — not to mention it was difficult to write and spell out! When he was just 6 years old, he had his name changed to Thurgood. Thurgood, a Dentist? When Marshall was attending Lincoln University, he first aspired to be a dentist but went on to receive his degree in literature and philosophy. Then, he attended law school at Howard University. Law by Day, Health Care by Night Early in his legal career, times were tough. So, Marshall took a second job working at Baltimore Health Clinic at night to make ends meet. Even while working large cases, he continued to put in long hours at the clinic. Fighting for Equal Pay Thurgood Marshall’s mom was an African American teacher, and while he attended Lincoln University for undergrad, she struggled to pay the hefty tuition. It wasn’t uncommon for his family to be late on making payments to keep him enrolled. Once he graduated law school, Marshall began seeking equal pay for African American teachers, and six years later, he won a big case that got rid of unequal teacher pay. Not Only Civil Rights Cases While Marshall is commonly recognized for monumental civil rights cases such as Brown v. Board of Education , which went on to shape our society, he also took on many other police brutality, death penalty, and women’s rights cases.
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Inspired by TasteOfHome.com GINGER PORK STIR-FRY
Looking for a healthy stir-fry that has all of the delicious flavors and none of the heavy ingredients? This one might be perfect for you!
Ingredients
• 1 small onion, sliced • 1/4 lb fresh snow peas • 1/2 sweet red pepper, julienned • Cooked rice • Green onion, chopped (optional) • Sesame seeds (optional)
• 1 tbsp cornstarch • 1 cup orange juice • 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced • 1/4 tsp ground ginger • 1 lb pork tenderloin, cut into thin strips • 2 tbsp canola oil
Directions
1. In a small bowl, whisk cornstarch, orange juice, soy sauce, garlic, and ginger until smooth; set aside. 2. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, stir-fry pork in oil until lightly browned, about 4–5 minutes. Remove pork and add onion, peas, and red pepper. Cook until crisp-tender, about 3–5 minutes. 3. Stir in orange juice mixture and pork. Bring to a boil, and then cook until thickened, about 2 minutes. Serve over rice. Garnish with green onion and sesame seeds, if desired.
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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When Geneva Was a Mini Dancing Queen
Safeguard Your Health Into Your Golden Years Know the Signs of Elder Abuse
Ginger Pork Stir-Fry Why Thurgood Marshall Rules
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4-Legged Friends Who Benefit Our Health
Companionship, Exercise, and Purpose! The Healing Power of Pets:
In fact, studies have shown that caring for a pet helps relieve anxiety, loneliness, stress, and depression. It even boosts your heart health! The best part is that it doesn’t matter what kind of pet you have — feathered friends, rabbits, and even snakes can be great companions! Here are some of the top benefits of bonding with your pet daily. They provide companionship. Let’s be honest: Nothing beats having a four-legged friend greet you at the front door every time you come home! That companionship bond can boost your immune system while reducing depression. Also, having a buddy can help you to feel needed, wanted, and valued. Many pet owners even talk to their animals! They encourage exercise. Especially if you have a dog, your pet is sure to keep you active. Canines crave exercise, so while you meet their movement requirements to stay happy and healthy, you also get in your daily steps! Likewise, keeping
a cat active requires your energy behind a laser pointer, feather wand, or other toys.
Four-legged companions are cute, cuddly, and friendly and work wonders for our mental health and well-being! It makes sense, then, that the first week of May is National Pet Week, part of Mental Health Month. According to the Human and Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), pet ownership improves the mental health of 74% of pet owners.
They reduce anxiety. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, petting a dog helps lower cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress. Pets live without concern for yesterday or tomorrow. They only care about the here and now, which helps their owners feel calm and relaxed. Also, petting and holding an animal allows you to appreciate the beauty of nature, which can be soothing. They add structure and purpose. Pets are creatures of habit — they like to be fed around the same time each day, go on their morning or evening walks, and look forward to playtime. No matter how badly you’d like to stay on the couch, your pet will get you up and moving. A pet’s unconditional love certainly does more than just keep you company! Our pets can genuinely be little lifesavers!
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