AManofManyHatsesTZ

50+ LivingJune 2010

Litchfield’sBruce Cottington

exemplifiescommunity

involvement

AManofManyHats

TammyLauer:

your computertutor

Historictraindepots

Spotlight:GladysMiska

2 ZEST / June 2010

N021

97 Z

Scott NokesReg. Paralegal

Lenore FlinnAttorney at Law

B.S. Nursing

Melissa GoldsteinParalegal

FreeConsultation.

• Estates • Wills • Personal Injury • Probate • Trusts

• Elder Law • Accidents • Wrongful Death

• Criminal Law

Let our medical

expertise,competent

case resolution,

and our concern for

clients

work for

you.

Old Hutchinson Hotel, 16 Washington Ave W.,

Suite 100, Hutchinson � 320-587-4177

We accept

When a comfortable, stress-free environment is combined with trained caregivers, people with

Alzheimer’s Disease or related memory disordersexperience a better quality of life.

Prairie Senior Cottages features• 24-Hour On-site Caregivers • Secured Building

• Nutritious Family Style Meals • Specialized Programming• RN Supervision & Case Management

• Medication Supervision • Daily Personal Hygiene• Personal Laundry • Housekeeping

• Personal Transportation • Professional Management

PrairieSeniorCottages, LLC

Built on Preserving Dignity

For more information, call John Peterson.

Prairie Senior Cottages

www.prairieseniorcottages.com

Hutchinson: 320-587-5508Willmar: 320-235-6022

Alexandria: 320-763-8244New Ulm: 507-359-3420 N0

2183

ZEST / June 2010 3

Sunshine, farms and Zestare ‘newly sprung in June’

Hello readers! It’s June already, if you can

believe it. Soon we’ll be packing upfor summer vacations, camping tripsand picnics. Along with your sun-screen and potato salad, don’t forgetto take the June edition of Zest.

In this edition be entertained bythe stories of Bette Corbid’s familyand how its members reconnectedwith the help of the Internet andTammy Lauer’s tutelage, and ofLitchfield’s Bruce Cottington, whohas been instrumental in many ofthe town’s events, including startingthe Peanut Butter and MilkFestival.

But before you turn the page, let

me remind you that June is morethan the kick off to the vacation sea-son. It is also the month to pay hom-age to all those involved in the dairyindustry.

At Christmas time visions of sug-arplums dance in our heads, butcome June those visions morph intoice cream cones and cheese curds forme. My upbringing on a smallWisconsin dairy farm doesn’t let meforget that the sixth month of theyear is set aside to celebrate allthings dairy.

My family marked the occasionthe same way every year. EachSunday during June, we hit theroad to find the nearest dairy break-fast. Seated on a picnic table insidea tin-roofed machine shed, wethanked the hosting farm family

and the industry thatsupported us by din-ing on pancakes,scrambled eggs andcheese slices.

I think it is fittingthat recognition ofdairy farmers andFather’s Day fall inthe same month. Iknow in my family,and I suspect in countless others outthere, farming dads not only nur-tured the crops and livestock, butalso the children who saw the farm-yard as one big playground.

So cheers to dairy farms, the dadsthat operate them and the summerweather that sustains them.

Katie Winter

KatieWinter

Contents

5 Spotlight: Miska keeps bowling

6 FEATURE STORY: Cyber connection

10 Days gone by: Historic train depots

12 COVER STORY: Bruce Cottington: A man of many hats

16 Recipes: Best tuna salads

17 Travel: Summer events calendar

18 Puzzles

21 Wellness: Treatments for tinnitus

22 Money Matters: The financial pyramid

23 Last Word: Embracing technology by Judy Hulterstrum, Augustana Homes

6

10

June 2010Vol. 1 No. 4

zestforlife.mnesTZ

12

4 ZEST / June 2010

Letters

PUBLISHED BY

Litchfield Independent ReviewPO Box 921

Litchfield, MN 55355(320) 693-3266

Hutchinson Leader36 Washington Ave. W.Hutchinson, MN 55350

(320) 587-5000

NEWS

ADVERTISING

PRINTED BYCrow River Press

170 Shady Ridge Road NWHutchinson, MN 55350

(320) 587-2062

Katie Winter, reporterwinter@independentreview.net or

winter@hutchinsonleader.com(320) 693-3266 or (320) 234-4172

N020

43 Z

esTZ

Tina McMillan..............320-234-4141 ....addirector@hutchinsonleader.comColleen Piechowski ....320-234-4146 ..piechowski@hutchinsonleader.comPaul Becker ..................320-234-4147 ............becker@hutchinsonleader.comSteve Slater..................320-234-4140..............slater@hutchinsonleader.comChristine Dammann ..320-234-4159 ....dammann@hutchinsonleader.comShay Stancek..................320-593-4804 ......stancek@independentreview.netLindsay Wegner............320-593-4803 ..........adrep@independentreview.net

02182 Z

A car dealer for the times in Hutchinson

525 Hwy. 7 EastHutchinson

320-587-2240www.valleyhutchinson.com

Every Wednesday is Senior Citizen’s Day:

10% Off Parts Laborin our Service Department.

and

Service Manager Jeremy Crosby, Service Writer DeWayneIngebretson, Body Shop Manager Alan Olson

We’ll take the time to explain all services done on your vehicle—we’re happy to answer any questions.

Enjoy free coffee and cookies!

• Sales • Service • Body Shop • Parts

To the editor:

April was national volunteer month, and LutheranSocial Service of Minnesota would like to take this oppor-tunity to thank its dedicated volunteers who not only giveof their time but also their compassion to others in ourcommunity. All totaled, 9,861 volunteers gave 877,000hours of service across the state!

Here are just a few examples of the invaluable waysthey service at LSS. In 2009, LSS Senior Nutrition pro-vided about 1.3 million meals. Nearly 3,800 volunteershelped to deliver meals to homebound seniors, served onadvisory committees, and assisted with daily tasks atsenior dining sites to keep the service running smoothly.

More than 250 volunteers reached out primarily astrained caregivers at LSS to provide a rest to familiescaring for loved ones with illness or special needs.Through the Caregiver Respite service, LSS provides

caregiver counseling, discussion groups, volunteer train-ing and morning out opportunities in a number of com-munities.

Statewide, there are 366 Foster Grandparent andSenior Companion volunteers at LSS. FosterGrandparents serve as tutors to elementary students inclassrooms or as caring adults to at-risk children in othersettings. Senior Companions befriend other seniors tohelp them with shopping, transportation and other dailyneeds to help them live independently.

At LSS, volunteers who roll up their sleeves to serveothers not only extend our care but, in many instances,also keep services affordable. To learn more about LSSservices, or how you can become a volunteer, visit ourWeb site, www.lssmn.org.

With our thanks, Lutheran Social Service Senior Nutrition, Senior Corps

and Caregiver Respite Services

A big ‘thank you’ to volunteers

What do you think?We want to hear your thoughts on this topic and many others. Letters to Zest can be mailed or dropped off at 217 N.

Sibley Ave., Litchfield, MN 55355 or 36 Washington Ave. W., Hutchinson, MN 55350 or sent via e-mail towinter@independentreview.net or winter@hutchinsonleader.com.

Spotlight

By Kay Johnson

Since 1916, the USBCWomen’sChampionships has

welcomed bowlers of allages and abilities to com-pete on the tournamentlanes.

Gladys Miska ofBrownton was born a yearafter the inauguralWomen’s Championships,and 92 years later, both arestill going strong. Miska, a92-year-old right-hander,made her 20th tournamentappearance on April 8 in ElPaso, Texas. She still trav-els to the tournament withhigh expectations.

“It was one of my worstperformances out there,”Miska said after her teamevent. “I’m going to try anddo better tomorrow.”

Even with her 93rdbirthday approaching,

Miska bowls three times aweek at Pla-Mor Lanes inGlencoe, and Hutch Bowlin Hutchinson. Thisincludes competing in thesame league with the samesponsored team, SecurityBank and Trust, for 52 con-secutive years.

In those 52 years, Miskahas bowled with many peo-ple and developed countlessfriendships, but she dis-tinctly remembers achiev-ing her first goal, winning aleague championship.

“I always wanted to endup first, and it took usabout 15 years to accom-plish it,” Miska said. “It’sfunny, though, becauseafter the first title, wehaven’t come close since.”

Miska plans to keepcompeting at the Women’sChampionships as long asshe can.

“As long as I’m still walk-ing, I’ll be here next year,”she said. “It’s real fun. Allof the girls take care of me,and they call me Grandma.Even the team next to uswas calling me Grandma.”

Miska, whose 125 aver-age places her in theSapphire Division, shot a373 series in doubles, 350in team and 345 in singlesfor a 1,068 all-events total.All scores include handicap.The Sapphire Division isfor bowlers with an averageof 149 and below, withhandicap based on 100 per-cent of 150.

At 92, Miska keeps bowling along

Gladys Miska’s passion isbowling.

ZEST / June 2010 5

6 ZEST / June 2010

Feature Story

Cyber connectionTammy Lauer teaches technology basics to older adults,putting them back in touch with family and friends

STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE WINTER

Bette Corbid of Hutchinson has benefited from Tammy Lauer’s computer assistance. Corbid now uses e-mailand Web sites to communicate with old friends, relatives and her 15 grandchildren.

ZEST / June 2010 7

Feature Story

By Katie Winter

Bette Corbid’s computer satturned off for the first few yearsshe owned it; she just had not

got around to learning to use it yet. The 74-year-old retired nurse prac-

titioner even took a computer classfor older adults to learn the ins andouts of her PC, but somehow the les-sons didn’t take hold. Corbid was leftwith a bruised GPA and a computershe still didn’t understand.

But when friends and family keptasking her to get online, she decidedto try another approach. This timesome one-on-one attention fromTammy Lauer and her recently start-ed My Computer Tutor business putCorbid on the path to computer com-petence. She can now consider herselfa member of a growing group of olderadults exploring cyberspace.

The number of people older than 65using the Internet rose by 6 million inthe past five years, according to datareleased by The Nielsen Co. inDecember. Google and WindowsMedia were the first and second mostvisited online destinations withFacebook and YouTube placing thirdand fourth among users 65 and older.Checking e-mail was listed as the top

online activity.“There’s a wide variety of people

out there with different comfort lev-els,” Lauer said. “I think the moreexperience you have with a computerthe more you trust it.”

Business satisfactionWhile Corbid let her computer sit

unused, she allowed her mind todream of the ways the machine couldhelp her reconnect with family. Thatis where Lauer’s services came intoplay and turned Corbid’s fantasiesinto a reality.

Lauer began My Computer Tutor inJanuary after spending 19 years as amechanical engineer at HutchinsonTechnology Inc. With My ComputerTutor, she provides a wide range ofservices that include lessons inMicrosoft Office software, photo edit-ing, printing, e-mail and Internetbasics. She has also assisted with cellphones, mp3 players and digital cam-eras. She does all that with a person-al and customized approach.

“The whole part of the business isjust customer service,” Lauer said. “Iwant to share what I know so theycan be more productive or communi-cate better.”

Lauer has become the computer

guru in her Hutchinson neighbor-hood. Many of her first customerswere her neighbors and many are of ageneration when outer space wasmore familiar than cyberspace. Lauersaid one of her reasons for switchingcareers was to have an opportunity toreinvest in people. She tried teachingcomputers in a group classroom set-ting but did not find it as rewardingas teaching one-on-one, especially toolder students.

“I did some home health aid workwith the elderly population,” Lauersaid. “I found I had some patience forthem and an appreciation for wherethey are at and for some of theirneeds. That contributed to me start-ing my own business. With the one-on-one there is some satisfaction.”

A family reconnectedCorbid and Lauer are doing their

best to smash the idea that comput-ers contribute to social isolation andloneliness. In fact, Corbid likes totrumpet the opposite. For her, theInternet makes her feel part of socie-ty and has re-established relation-ships with family members.

Corbid has always been part of alarge family. She is the mother ofseven children and grandmother to

A study conducted by the The Nielsen Co. in 2009 found that the number of people older than 65 using theInternet has increased from 11.3 million users in November 2004 to 17.5 million in November 2009. It alsolisted the most popular Web sites visited, with Google topping the list.

15. Her immediate andextended families arespread across the countryfrom the Midwest to theWest Coast. E-mail, webcams and the Internet,though, have nearly com-pletely erased state bordersand Corbid’s feelings ofbeing separated from fami-ly.

“The most special thingis when you live alone andyou wake up in the morn-ing and you think ‘let’s seeif anybody remembers me.’It’s fun to wake up and seewhat kid e-mailed. It’smade me less isolated, hap-pier. These are the people Iwant to know.”

Corbid has already gath-ered a trove of preciousmoments online. Sheshares stories and jokes

with the whole family. Shee-mails family photographsand advice to a niece inCalifornia. She follows agranddaughter’s swimmingachievements via a Website. She said taking part inher family’s life this way isbetter than not at all.

“My granddaughter is achampion swimmer,”Corbid said. “I try to followher closely. I knew she wasswimming in nationals (inWashington). Everybodytried to give me (Web)addresses, so Tammy setme up as best she could.

“Now it was time for thebig race and I saw a timeclock on the computer andthere she was in lane eight.All I could see was a lineand this line was going andshe won her heat.

Afterward I called her andsaid, ‘I watched you on agreen line.’ That was reallyfun.”

Virtual historyThe family’s online com-

munications have provededucational and sparked aninterest in family history.

Corbid created scrapbookpages filled with photosand little stories of her par-ents and their lives. Lauerthen helped her scan thepages and e-mail them.

“We started doing it forthe grandkids, Corbid said.“We’d send them (photos) ofgreat grandparents andtheir story. I’d venture tosay that before we talkedon the computer they could

not have cared less about(family history), but theycare now. It was special.”

These moments wouldnot have been possiblewithout Lauer’s help,Corbid admits. She saidLauer’s easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions andencouragement have madefor an enjoyable experience.

Lauer is pleased with thecredit, but the real rewardfor her is knowing that herclients’ lives have beenimproved.

“I know how importantfamily history is,” Lauersaid. “Just connecting withthe Internet makes that‘I’m a little bit lonely’become ‘I’m excited now tobe connected.’ That freedomI give to customers is reallyrewarding.”

8 ZEST / June 2010

Feature Story

Tammy Lauer helpedneighbor Ruth Torgersoninstall audio books on heripod and also hooked upa system to play the ipodthrough her car’s stereo.Being able to listen to thebooks was a treat forTorgerson and her hus-band during a roadtrip toFlorida.

STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE WINTER

ZEST / June 2010 9

Feature Story

The SeniorCommunity of

Hutchinson

The Oaks &The Pines

• 1 or 2 BR Apartments• Social Activities• Medication Administration• Meal Plan• 24-hr Staffing• All Utilities• Housekeeping and Laundry Services

For information or to arrange a tour,call Berit Spors at 320-234-0865

Independence. Community. Security.

N023

50 Z

Tammy Lauer, owner of MyComputer Tutor, recently receivedloan assistance from the SouthwestInitiative Foundation’sMicroenterprise Loan Program forthe start-up of her computer softwareand technology training business inHutchinson.

Lauer offers individualized trainingby assisting people at their home orbusiness in computer software pro-grams and electronic devices. She willwork with people who may not betech savvy but would like to learnmore about technology tools. She lis-tens to her clients explain their goalsand customizes training to meet theirneeds.

“This is more relational,” Lauersaid. “It’s investing in people for thelong term. It doesn’t feel like work to

me. It’s something I look forward to.That makes it rewarding.”

Lauer is a certified QuickBooksadvisor and has experience teachingQuickBooks to home users and smallbusinesses as well as project manage-ment skills. She has training andexperience to teach Microsoft Officeproducts, including Word, Excel,Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher,Access, and Project, as well as othersoftware applications and technologytips.

“Tammy has a gift of patience andunderstanding, which is a real benefitto her customers and her business.We think her services will fill a needin the community,” said KurtThompson, the foundation’s programofficer.

Proceeds from the loan will be used

to purchase equipment and provideworking capital for the start-up of thebusiness.

A specific segment that Lauer iswell suited to assist is older adults, inpart due to her experience as a homehealth aide. She can teach tools suchas e-mail to improve communicationbetween grandparents and grandchil-dren, for example. Lauer also has aspecial interest in family history, pho-tographs and online genealogy, andshe has helped individuals recordtheir family history with photographsand memoirs to be passed on tofuture generations.

For more information about MyComputer Tutor, visit www.mncom-putertutor.com, or call Lauer at 320-583-2567.

–Terry Davis

The details: My Computer Tutor

10 ZEST / June 2010

Days gone by

Before automobiles and airplanes became the pre-ferred mode of transportation, trains, rail lines andtheir corresponding depots were the hubs of activityand travel.The McLeod County Historical Society hascollected several photographs from the time whensteam engines and conductors reigned. In the photoat right is the Luce Line Railroad train depot inHutchinson. In the photo above passengers prepare toboard a train at the depot in Winsted in March 1958.

The Silver Laketrain depot satnext to theLuce LineRailroad. It wasbuilt in 1915.

The daysof therailroad

ZEST / June 2010 11

Days gone by Faith ~ Compassion ~ Commitment ~ Wise Stewardship

A Lifetime of Care

Skilled Care Assisted Living

Hospice Lifeline

Senior Housing RSVP

Home Care Adult Day Services

Public Transit Meals on Wheels

320-693-2472www.augustanahomes.org

Augustana Lutheran Homes

N02070 Z

Hearing less of life?We can help.

HutchinsonCenter for

Hearing

100 Washington Ave. E.,Hutchinson

320-234-6825

LitchfieldCenter for

Hearing

32 E. 2nd St.,Litchfield

320-593-0885

This post card from 1913 shows the Litchfield traindepot, which was on the site that is now a BurgerKing restaurant.

The railroad first came to Lake Lillian in 1923. In thisundated photograph is the depot and a 1285caboose.

Allaboard

12 ZEST / June 2010

Cover Story

Amanofmanyhats

Litchfield’sBruceCottingtonexemplifiescommunityinvolvement

STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE WINTER

Bruce Cottington, seated with his cat Domino, has worn many hats during his42 years in Litchfield, including grocery store owner, dairy promoter, radio per-sonality and political campaigner.

By Katie Winter

The worn pages of thesmall calendar BruceCottington keeps in

his shirt pocket have veryfew open dates. In it, theLitchfield stalwart meticu-lously writes in each meet-ing, appointment and com-munity event he has prom-ised to attend.

Never one to turn downan opportunity to embarkon a new adventure, the82-year-old Cottington hasworn the hat of a grocerystore owner, political cam-paigner, dairy promoterand festival founder.

He has built a lifelongcareer of community serv-ice around such inconspicu-ous things as peanut but-ter, cows and radio. Hefounded the Peanut Butterand Milk Festival in 1971.He owned the LitchfieldSupervalu grocery storeduring the 1970s. Later hejoined up with theAmerican DairyAssociation, which gavehim a platform to crusadefor the dairy industry. Heturned his love of farmingand radio broadcasting intoCheese Ball Corner, a radioshow he presents on KFLD.

The bespectacledCottington, articulate andfriendly with a grin thatcomes easily, knows hisway around the workings ofcivic and community organ-izations. From theAmerican Legion to agricul-ture boards, Cottington iswell acquainted with thebenefits of being active inthe community.

“I’m very discouraged bypeople when they get to acertain age and just quit,”Cottington said. “Keepdoing. There are a lot ofthings you can do. I like tovolunteer. I meet a lot ofpeople, but then I’ve alwaysbeen a people person. I saypeople are important.”

The formative yearsCottington was raised on

a dairy farm in Forest City,Iowa. He was the tenth of13 siblings raised primarilyby his mother after hisfather died in 1937. In 1943at just 16 years old, heenlisted with United StatesNavy. He saw active dutyin World War II duringcampaigns in Saipan,Tinian and the Philippines.Cottington would serve theUnited States again in theKorean War. During hismilitary career he earnedeight battle stars.

During his service timeand after, Cottingtonattained a degree in busi-ness administration fromDrake University, marriedwife, Florence and beganhis career in the grocerybusiness. In 1954, he washired to manage a Krogergrocery store in KansasCity, Mo. By the 1960s, hewas developing the diarydepartment for Supervalu.

“Supervalu asked me tostart the dairy departmentbecause they didn’t haveone,” Cottington said. “Iput together a dairydepartment for the (compa-ny’s) five divisions. Oursales were zero and I wasthe only one in the depart-ment. Today their sales are$5 billion in just dairy.”

Welcome to LitchfieldCottington moved with

Florence and their threesons to Litchfield in 1968 tobecome part owner of theSupervalu store. He soondiscovered that store own-ership entailed more thanjust stocking the right food-stuffs. It also required aknack for marketing andbrand promotion.

When a competing gro-cery store opened inLitchfield, Cottington wassearching for a way to pro-

mote his store during aweekly radio spot.

Cottington knew that theSupervalu company had apeanut butter factory andwanted to increase its salesof dairy products. Thosetwo elements planted theseed for the International

Peanut Butter and MilkFestival in Cottington’smind.

By February 1971, theInternational PeanutButter and Milk Festivalhad taken shape.Cottington handed outMaster Peanut Butter

ZEST / June 2010 13

Cover Story

STAFF PHOTO BY AMBER THOMPSON

Minneapolis Aquatennial Captain Rob Mauzy andAquatennial Princess Jaclyn Auger presented theAquatennial Honorary Commodore Award to BruceCottington during the 2009 Watercade coronation.Recipients of the award demonstrate the spirit of vol-unteerism and involvement within the community.

14 ZEST / June 2010

Cover Story

Eater certificates to cus-tomers at his store and topeople throughout thecountry. He chose a sistercity in Hartford, Ala.,which was known for itspeanut butter production,to share the festival withits community. Groups fromboth cities still visit eachother every fall and winter.He also incorporated the

Master Milk Drinker pro-gram into the festival andwas able to recruitMinnesota’s favorite sportsfigures to help him out.

“I got to know FrankQuilici (former MinnesotaTwins player and manager)because he came to ourstore quite a bit,”Cottington said. “In 1971, Istarted a program called

Master Milk Drinker and Ineeded somebody to signthe certificate. So I wentdown to talk to the Vikingsand Oscar Reed. He said‘I’ll sign it but it’s $500.That’s our policy.’ I didn’thave $500, so I took it overto the Twins and askedQuilici who should sign it.He said ‘go ask Harmon(Killebrew). He’ll sign it.’And he did. I’ve got theoriginal yet.”

Now in its 40th year, theInternational PeanutButter and Milk Festival isstill rooted in its foundinggoals – to promote ruralAmerica; promote goodfood; promote the dairyindustry; and to involveyoung people in the events.

A political spiritCottington’s appetite for

politics developed at anearly age. He can recall, asan 8-year-old, listening tohis father talk about theRepublican Party and feel-ing a connection with hiscountry. That feeling wouldprompt him to enroll in thearmed forces and becomean active political cam-paigner.

“My first experience withpolitics was in 1936,”Cottington said. “My broth-ers and I and my sisterstoo, we were allRepublicans from my dad.My dad was a strong sup-porter of Alf Landon whenhe ran against Roosevelt.”

Through his involvementwith the Meeker CountyRepublicans, Cottingtonhas met some of the coun-try’s leading politicians. Inhis home office, there is abox filled with the cardsand letters he has receivedfrom the politiciansCottington calls his friends.He has Christmas cardsfrom the White House andthank you notes from mem-

bers of congress. He hashad lunch with PresidentGerald Ford, drove in a carwith then-presidentialhopeful George H.W. Bushand met Richard Nixon.Cottington is currentlyinvolved with the race forthe District 18 Senate seat.He has advice for all thoserunning for office.

“I think Republicans andDemocrats don’t all usecommon sense,” Cottingtonsaid. “I congratulate thosewho do or try to. My politi-cal philosophy is very sim-ple; use common sense onany issue. It’s that simple.It will keep you out of thefire.”

A dairy supporterCottington became quite

familiar with the legislativeside of the political process,especially as it pertained tothe dairy industry. Afterselling his grocery store in1979, Cottington took theopportunity to become afield man for the AmericanDairy Association ofMinnesota. He traveledaround the state getting toknow farmers and fightingfor the betterment of theirindustry.

“I was raised on a farmwhere we had dairy and inmy own store I promoteddairy a lot,” Cottingtonsaid. “It’s just part of mylife. I like the dairy part ofthe business and of courseI’m much attached to ani-mals. I just like it.”

Today Cottington is stillinvolved in promotion. HisCheese Ball Corner radioprogram is in its 10th year.During the show he chatsto listeners about farming,current affairs, andMinnesota life in general.With his finger still on thepulse of the dairy industry,Cottington assesses it withoptimism.

STAFF PHOTO BY KATIE WINTER

Bruce Cottington holds a picture of the family farmhe grew up on in Forest City, Iowa. It was the placehe first found a love of agriculture and politics.

ZEST / June 2010 15

Cover Story

At age 16, Bruce Cottington joined the United States Navy in1943 after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Underage at the time,Cottington said he feared his age would be discovered and hewould be “kicked out” of the Navy.That did not happen and hewent on to serve in the Korean War and earn eight battle stars.

“I see the dairy industry isdown a little because the milkprices are down,” Cottington said,“but I think the dairy industryhas a good future. It has a goodpast and a good future becausedairy cows are always going toproduce.”

Cottington has no intentions toslow down anytime soon. In 2000,four years after his wife, Florencedied, he married Marie Rick. Thecouple have six children and 14grandchildren between them.They also work together on

Cottington’s radio program.Cottington is still involved inorganizing the Peanut Butterand Milk Festival and is helpingwith the upcoming NationalHolstein convention inMinneapolis.

“I’m certainly not retired,”Cottington said. “I’m an old Navyguy. I’m in reserve. People callme and they know I’ll do some-thing to help.”

Best Tuna SaladsBy Good Housekeeping

Ingredients for BestTuna Salad:

• 1 can (6 ounces) chunk-light tuna packed inwater, drained

• 1/4 cup celery, chopped• 3 tablespoons light

mayonnaise• 2 tsp. fresh lemon juice

• Baguette or other favorite bread

Instructions:1. In small bowl, with

fork, combine all ingredi-ents except baguette. Coverand refrigerate if not serv-ing right away. Serve on abaguette, if you like.

Mediterranean TunaPrepare Best Tuna Salad

Stir in 2 tablespoons

capers, chopped and 1/4teaspoon freshly gratedlemon peel. Serve onItalian bread.

Curried TunaPrepare Best Tuna Salad

as above. Stir in 1/2 cupfinely chopped GrannySmith apple and 1 tea-spoon curry powder. Serveon raisin-walnut or sour-dough bread.

Southwestern TunaPrepare Best Tuna Salad

as above. Stir in 2 table-spoons chopped freshcilantro leaves and 1 pick-led jalapeno chile, finelychopped. Serve rolled up inwarm flour tortillas.

SpaghettiCarbonara

By Good Housekeeping

Ingredients:• 1 pound spaghetti

• 1 tablespoon olive oil• 3 slices thick-cut

bacon (or 4 ounces pancetta), cut into1/4-inch pieces

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 5 large eggs• 1/2 cup freshly grated

Pecorino Romano cheese, and additional for serving

• 1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

• 1/4 cup (loosely packed) fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Instructions:1. In large covered pot

of salted boiling water,cook spaghetti as labeldirects.

2. In 12-inch nonstickskillet, heat oil on medi-um 1 minute. Add bacon

and cook until browned.With slotted spoon, transferbacon to paper towels. Pouroff all but 2 tablespoons fatfrom skillet; add onion andcook 6 minutes or until ten-der. Remove skillet fromheat.

3. Reserve 1/4 cup pastacooking water. Drain pasta;add to skillet with reservedwater and bacon. Cook onmedium, stirring, untilwater is absorbed. In bowl,whisk eggs with Romanoand 1/4 teaspoon coarselyground black pepper.

4. Remove skillet fromheat; stir in egg mixture.Add parsley and toss untilpasta is well coated. Spooninto warm pasta bowl;serve with Romano andcoarsely ground black pep-per to taste. Makes 4 main-dish servings.

Sunshine TrifleBy Good Housekeeping

Ingredients:• 1 1/2 cups prepared

vanilla pudding• 1/3 cup thawed orange

juice concentrate• 1/2 cup heavy cream• 1 teaspoon sugar• 1 (3/4-ounce) frozen

pound cakeInstructions:

1. In a bowl, combinevanilla pudding andthawed concentrate. Inanother bowl, whip heavycream and sugar until softpeaks form.

2. Cut half of frozenpound cake into 1/2-inchcubes. In four 8-ounce par-fait glasses, layer cake,pudding and cream; repeat.Chill 2 hours. Serves 4.

16 ZEST / June 2010

Comfort Foods

Monuments and More!

Darwin Monument320-693-5902

East Highway 12, Darwin, MNdarwinmonument.com

N02075

Wanted: RecipesShare your favorite recipes with Zest readers by

sending them to winter@hutchinsonleader.com or mailthem to 36 Washington Ave. W. Hutchinson, MN55350 or 217 N. Sibley Ave., Litchfield, MN 55355,attn: Katie Winter.

ZEST / June 2010 17

Travel

N023

74

at Dickerson’s Lake Florida ResortSpicer, MN

Name ____________________________________________

Address __________________________________________

City ____________________State ______Zip____________

Mail this form and your $18 or $10 check to

ZESTP.O. Box 921Litchfield, MN 55355

Themail’shere!”

“

The happiest day of the month is when delivery of the fresh, new issue ofZEST arrives in mailboxes and on newsstands. Home delivery subscrip-tions are available for $18 per year.Subscribers to the Independent Review or Leadercan receive ZEST for only $10 per year.

N02253

Subscribe to ZEST

ZEST36 Washington Ave. W.Hutchinson, MN 55350

ORTO

June 11-13: Glencoe Days A weekend of activities including fireworks and car

show.

June 14-20: Hutchinson Jaycee Water CarnivalCelebrate the 68th Water Carnival with events such as

canoe races, water parade, live music and fireworks.

July 8-11: Litchfield WatercadeLitchfield’s annual city celebration includes a sand

sculpture contest, water ski show and parade.

July 16-17: Prairie Days in Lester PrairieThe celebration has favorites like the band

“Diamondback, softball tournament, car show and parade.

July 16-18: Cosmos Space Festival in CosmosThe festival has a street dance parade, fireworks and

the Little Miss Universe and Man in the Moon coronation.

Aug. 5-8: Meeker County Fair The county fair offers livestock and project judging,

lawn mower derby, food and much more.

July 30-Aug. 1: Pola Czesky Days in Silver LakeA weekend featuring live music, a flea market, a parade,

a car show and fireworks is planned.

Aug. 6-8:Winsted Summer Festival in WinstedThe city celebration features bingo, a 5K run, fireworks,

parade and royalty coronation.

Aug. 9-11: Cokato Corn CarnivalCokato’ 61st Annual Corn Carnival features free corn on

the cob, a parade and live music from Redpath.

Aug. 14:Twine Ball Days in DarwinA day of food, friends and entertainment.

Aug. 18-22: McLeod County FairThe annual fair features livestock shows, a battle of the

bands and a demolition derby.

Sept. 4-6: Dassel Red Rooster Days in DasselCome for the chicken barbecue, parade and arts show.

Calendar of events

18 ZEST / June 2010

Puzzles

KING CROSSWORD

ACROSS1 Elevator man5 Playground game8 Uncertain12 Rid of rind13 Inseparable14 Exposed15 Egress16 Atmosphere17 Pedestal occupant18 Drop from the will20 Computer-to-phone links22 Nourished23 Nov. follower24 Musical phrase27 Pollution filter of a sort32 Greek H33 Vitamin stat34 Fish eggs35 MySpace rival38 Without acting39 Mess up40 Type measures

42 Prophet whose donkey scolded him

45 Awkwardly stiff49 Cowheaded goddess50 Lawyers' org.52 Nibble53 Biography54 Solidify55 Faris of "Scary Movie"56 Back muscles, briefly57 Squid squirt58 Authentic

DOWN 1 Newspaper page2 Cab3 Camera part4 Ignite5 Bidirectional6 Blackbird7 Bacterium8 In the same place (Lat.)9 Jack, e.g.10 Gift-tag word11 Longings19 Lindbergh book

21 Praise in verse24 Ump25 Call - day26 "Nip/Tuck" offering28 Commotion29 One-sided contest30 Fa-la connector31 Crucial36 Obliterates37 Support provider38 Weather-map line41 Criminal's procedure (Abbr.)42 Check43 One side of the Urals44 Creche trio46 Eat in style47 Sicilian spouter48 Actress Patricia51 Stiller or Stein

All answers on page 20

ZEST / June 2010 19

Puzzles All answers on page 20

20 ZEST / June 2010

Puzzle Answers Ask Marci

Dear Marci,I have been wearing

glasses for a long time. Irecently became eligiblefor Medicare. I was won-dering if Medicarewould cover my nexteye doctor appointmentand glasses prescrip-tion.

— Benjamin

Dear Benjamin,Unfortunately, most

vision care is not coveredby Original Medicare. Mostroutine eye care, includingeyeglasses (except aftercataract surgery) is not cov-ered.

Medicare will pay forsome eye care services ifyou have a chronic eye con-dition, such as cataracts orglaucoma. The followingeye care services are cov-ered if you have one ofthose conditions:

• Surgical procedures tohelp repair the function ofthe eye due to one of theseconditions.

• Eyeglasses or contactsif you have had cataractsurgery during which anintraocular lens was placedin your eye. Medicare willcover a pair of non-tintedprescription eyeglasses orcontacts if you need themafter surgery.

• An eye exam to diag-

nose potential vision prob-lems. If you are havingvision problems that indi-cate a serious eye condi-tion, Medicare will pay foran exam to see what iswrong, even if it turns outthere is nothing wrongwith your sight.

Medicare covers routineeye care only in certain cir-cumstances:

• If you have diabetes,Medicare will pay for aneye exam once every 12months to check for eyedisease due to diabetes.

• If you are at high riskfor glaucoma, Medicare willcover an eye exam by astate-authorized eye doctoronce every 12 months.

Medicare private healthplans might cover certainvision care services. Youshould check with yourplan to see if there are anyvision care services theycover.

—Marci

Do you help people withMedicare? Where do youturn to for help? Call theProfessional Hotline, anational service offered bythe Medicare Rights Centerto support people servingthe Medicare population.Dial 877-794-3570 from 9a.m. to 6 p.m. EST foraccurate, up-to-date infor-mation

Eye examsnot coveredby Medicare

ZEST / June 2010 21

Wellness

Dear Mayo Clinic:Five months ago I woke up with severe ringing in

my left ear. The ringing stopped after a couple ofdays but returned three months later and is now inboth ears. It is a mix of a constant high-pitchedbuzzing, ringing and a whistling sound. I have hadfour hearing tests, all normal for my age (38). Whatcaused this? Is treatment available?

The condition you’re describing is called idiopathic bilat-eral subjective tinnitus. What causes tinnitus is unclear,and a cure for this disorder currently isn’t available. But avariety of treatment options can help reduce the bother-some symptom of tinnitus.

Tinnitus involves the sensation of hearing sound whenno external sound is present. As in your situation, thesound may take the form of buzzing, ringing or whistling.Tinnitus may also involve roaring, clicking or hissing nois-es. The noise may vary in pitch from a low roar to a highsqueal in one or both ears. In some cases, the sound canbe so loud it interferes with a person's ability to concen-trate or hear. Tinnitus may be present all the time, or itmay come and go.

Many theories have been advanced as to why tinnitusoccurs, but no clear-cut answer has been proven. We doknow that the perception of tinnitus symptoms is perpetu-ated and maintained in the hearing centers within thebrain. In some cases, an underlying medical condition maycause tinnitus, such as inner ear cell damage, age-relatedhearing loss, and toxins that gain access to the inner ear(ototoxicity), among others. Long-term exposure to loudnoise may also result in tinnitus. But in many cases, anexact cause is never found.

Unfortunately, there are no medical or surgical cures fortinnitus. However, many strategies are available that canmake tinnitus symptoms less disturbing. Environmentalnoise that can mask and help suppress tinnitus is helpfulfor most people with the disorder. People often usemachines that play natural sounds — thunderstorms orocean waves, for example — to mask the noise of tinnitus.These machines are particularly beneficial at night whena person’s surrounding environment is at its quietest.

Hearing aids can also help people who have both hear-ing loss and tinnitus. Using a hearing aid brings morenatural outside sounds to the ear, distracting the brainfrom focusing on the abnormal internal sounds of tinnitus.For people who have normal hearing and tinnitus, noise-masking devices worn on the ear are an option. Thesedevices look similar to a hearing aid and play a low levelof white noise to redirect the brain’s attention away fromthe tinnitus sounds.

If, despite treatment, symptoms continue to be disrup-tive, tinnitus retraining therapy may be useful. This ther-apy typically involves a 12- to 18-month program thatuses a combination of sound enrichment, education andbehavioral therapy to help alleviate the negative emotion-al reaction to tinnitus.

At this time, many researchers are working to find bet-ter treatments for those who have tinnitus, providing hopefor future advances in tinnitus therapy.

I suggest you talk to your doctor or make an appoint-ment with a physician who specializes in ear, nose andthroat disorders (otorhinolaryngologist) to discuss yoursymptoms and develop a treatment plan that fits your sit-uation. Even though a cure isn’t available, effective treat-ment exists that can decrease the effect of tinnitus on yourdaily life.

— Brian Neff, M.D., Otorhinolaryngology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Treatments to reducethe symptoms of tinnitus

Tinnitus is the condition of hearing buzzing, ringing orwhistling in the ears.

22 ZEST / June 2010

Money

1455 Montreal St. SE (Next to Menards)

320-587-6308 • 800-955-6336Open Monday through Thursday 8 a.m.–7:30 p.m., Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

1st and 3rd Saturdays Labor Day through Memorial Day: 8:30 a.m.–12 Noon

Regional Eye CenterA WHOLE NEW LEVEL OF CARE IN HUTCHINSON

Michael P.Merck, M.D.

Christopher R. Wallyn, D.O.

Amy J.Nyquist, O.D.

Steve Queenan ABO/NCLE

Allan D.Wortz, O.D. N02351 Z

WE OFFER THREE AREAS OF EXPERTISE IN ONE CONVENIENT,RELAXED ATMOSPHERE

� Regional Eye SpecialistsOPHTHALMOLOGY/OPTOMETRY

A new level of eye examination and patient education.

State-of-the art equipment for examination of the

retina, macula and optic nerve.

� Regional Eye OpticalQUALITY EYEWEAR/PERSONAL EYECARE

Twice the optical selection, including new frame styles,

Transitions® and polarized prescription sunglasses.

� Regional Eye Surgery CenterON-SITE SURGERY CENTER

On-site cataract, glaucoma and Wavescan® LASIK surgery, performed with the latest surgical equipment.

We offer the newest technologies in

• Lifestyle Premium Intraocular Lenses—implants that

correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism

and the need for bifocals

• New Surgical Treatment of Glaucoma

• All-Laser Lasik

• New Treatments for Macular Degeneration

• Eyelid Surgery

What do food and financial fitness have in common?The answer is a pyramid that can help you visu-alize just how to balance financial priorities.

While no two people will have exactly the same retirementplan, using a financial fitness pyramid can give you anidea of how to balance your investments.

When presented with the food pyramid developed by theU.S. Department of Agriculture, most people understandwhich choices can ensure that their bodies remain healthy.

Drawing on that recognition, the Insured RetirementInstitute recently developed its Retirement Pyramid – avisually simple but powerful tool that financial adviserscan use to help explain investment decisions to theirclients. Once they have visualized the plan, they worktogether to produce a healthy and vital financial future.

Making up the large base of the pyramid are guaran-teed income streams, such as annuities, which have con-tinued to grow in popularity during the economic down-turn. President Barack Obama recently touted annuitiesas vehicles to reduce concerns that “retirees will outlivetheir savings.” And as the certainty of Social Security mayseem tenuous to younger investors, annuities may prove

valuable alternatives.On the next level of the pyramid are longer-term invest-

ments that need time to mature and grow. Examplesinclude traditional 401(k)s, IRAs, real estate holdings andsome annuities as well. As 401(k)s and IRAs offer a wideselection of investments, they also provide some stabilityagainst the frequent fluctuations that can affect a compa-ny’s single stock. Insurance is critical, too. While the bulkof your asset base should not be overly invested in thisgroup, investors should not ignore the importance of agood mixture of life insurance with long-term care, med-ical coverage and Medicare.

At the top of the Retirement Pyramid are CDs, mutualfunds, stocks and bonds. With the wild swing of the stockmarket over the past two years, advisers may want todilute some of these more volatile investments with some-thing more stable, such as IRAs, and more guaranteedincome streams, such as annuities. A smattering of thesein your retirement plan is a wise choice.

A healthy financial diet will include all four basic groups– guaranteed income, long-term assets, insurance andinvestments.

The financial pyramid

ZEST / June 2010 23

Last Word

By Judy Hulterstrum,foundation/market-ing coordinator atAugustana Homes

Over the pastdecade technologyhas created a wholenew world for sen-iors. This new wave

of technology is changing the worldfor older adults by delivering newoptions that help people to live longerand more independently whereverthey choose to call home.

It is not just playing games, receiv-ing e-mails and pictures from grand-children who live miles away; it isidentifying ways to improve seniors’quality of life.

Technologies that help provide careand well-being will be essential aspeople live longer and as the “babyboomers” reach the ages of needingcare.

Caring for aging adults with tech-nology at home is where programssuch as Augustana Home Care will be

going in the near future.In a video created for the Center for

Aging Services Technology, a real-lifescenario shows the benefits of tech-nology.

An 87-year-old man with a heartcondition lives at home alone. Onlinegames of solitaire and poker help himexercise his mind. A high-tech wristwatch reminds him to take his med-ications, and sensors turn off theburners on his stove if he forgets. Hismedical information is digitallyrecorded so any doctor has immediateaccess to it, and a “reality family TV”monitor in his home allows two-waycommunication with family members.To learn more about this technologyvisit www.agingtech.org.

Another area of technology is thesandwich generation (kids taking careof their parents) using technology forlong-distance care giving.

Picture this scenario: Lynn comesto her office in Cody, Wyo., at 8 a.m.each weekday and promptly turns onher computer to check a daily e-mailshe knows will be there. It comesfrom a “friend” of sorts — a computer-

ized program that assures her thather 87-year-old mother, living alonein her home 800 miles away in south-ern Minnesota, is doing just fine.

A series of green dots on the screentells her that Helen, her mother, gotout of bed at a normal time, openedher refrigerator and her medicinecabinet and is moving about thehouse in the usual way.

If a red dot appears, the computerhas recorded a variation in her nor-mal activity pattern. When the com-puter has detected a potentiallyalarming situation, the daughters arecalled as well as an immediate dis-patch of professional health caregivers is sent to Helen’s home.

The situation is taken care of andHelen can again remain in her homewith these technology monitors toassure her safety and give assuranceto her family.

Augustana Home Care in Litchfieldwill be testing new technology toassist older adults to stay independ-ent as long as possible. You will behearing more about the new pro-grams in the near future.

Embracing technologyComputers help older adults live in safety and independence

0239

8 Z

• Short temper or irritability• Nighttime chest pains• Lack of energy or ambition• Problems concentrating or

remembering things

Rest easy,The Sleep Center

is open

• Daytime sleepiness even after a full night’s sleep

• Morning headaches• Breathing irregularities/heavy snoring,

snorting or gasping during sleep

Methods of TreatmentTreatment may include relaxation training, behavioral therapy, medication, or the use of special devices that help patients improve their sleep. Some patients will need an over-night sleep study (called polysomnography or PSG) that monitors your sleep, breathing,heart rhythm and limb movement through painless sensors attached to your body.

Proven Expertise. Excellent Results.The Sleep Center is led by a physician from the University of Minnesota who specializesin the testing, diagnosis and treatment of your symptoms. If you or someone you knowcould benefit from a better night’s sleep, contact your physician for a referral.

Who Should Visit The Sleep Center?Sleep disorders and poor sleep can be associated with the following symptoms:

A good’s night’s sleep is essential to your health. Experts estimate that 95 percent of those suffering from sleep disorders go undiagnosed,because they mistakenly attribute the symptoms of sleep disorders to other conditions. People literally sleep through their problems.

320.234.5000www.HutchinsonHealthCare.com

24 ZEST / June 2010