Columbus County Seniors June

June | Columbus seniors Today | 1

700 Jefferson St. Whiteville • 640-1700

Linda Shelburne, RPh

• Ask About Our List of Low Priced Drugs.

• We Provide Free Drug Reviews.

• We Compound Drugs to Solve Problems.

• DME Diabetic Supplies

30th Annual Senior Picnic and Fair

Columbusseniors TodayCOLUMBUS COUNTY’S RESOURCE FOR TODAY’S ACTIVE ADULT June 2013

The Columbus County Department of Aging Advisory Council hosted the 30th Annual Senior Picnic and Fair at Columbus County Fair Grounds, Tuesday, May 14. The theme was “Unleash the Power of Age.”

Over 400 registered participants attended the Senior Picnic, which featured live entertainment, Boomer Games activities, door prizes and 25 exhibitors.

Volunteers from BB&T Lighthouse Project served lunch and distrib-uted bottled water to seniors. Funds from a Brunswick Electric Mem-bership Community Grant helped cover the cost of the picnic lunch.

Pictured above holding flowers, Tabor City Senior Center Members: LD and Christen Melvin celebrate 61 years of marriage.photos courtesy of Herb Harp Photography and Judy Ward


More than 120,000 North Carolinians will turn 65 this year. Turning 65 is a lot like turning 16. When you turned 16, you didn’t automatically get your driv-

er’s license; instead you had to take an exam and prove that you were a safe driver. There was a specific order and proce-dure for getting your driver’s license, and the same is true for enrolling in Medicare for the first time when you turn 65.

Much like you anticipated turning 16 and getting your driver’s license, you must anticipate and plan for becoming a Medicare beneficiary. Don’t wait until you’re 65 to start think-ing about your Medicare choices. Start now and let SHIIP, the Seniors’ Health Insurance Information Program, help you.

SHIIP, a division of the North Carolina Department of In-surance, provides free, unbiased information about Medicare and other insurance-related issues. There are SHIIP sites in all 100 counties in North Carolina. It is recommended that you contact SHIIP to review your Medicare options before you need to enroll so that you don’t make any hurried decisions at the last minute. Your Medicare choices will depend on several factors, including:

1. Are you retired, or will you or your spouse continue to work?2. Will you have access to medical and/or prescription drug coverage through an Employer Group Health Plan? 3. How does your Employer Group Health Plan compare with Medicare supplement plans and Medicare Advantage plans?

Of course there are other things to consider when determin-ing your Medicare options. SHIIP has created a handout to help you navigate the Medicare system and initial enrollment process. The handout, “The Road to Medicare,” outlines the decisions you’ll need to make and what options are available through the Medicare system. To obtain a free copy of “The Road to Medicare,” call SHIIP at 1-800-443-9354 or visit SHI-IP’s website at www.ncshiip.com.

You can also meet with a certified SHIIP volunteer counselor in your community to discuss your Medicare options. To ar-range an appointment with a SHIIP volunteer counselor, con-tact the SHIIP coordinating site in your county; if you don’t know the local contact information, call SHIIP at 1-800-443-9354 or visit www.ncshiip.com. Columbus County Contact: 640-6602

Don’t wait to make your Medicare decisions — you can and should start the process before you turn 65. Let SHIIP help you understand your options and get you on the road to Medicare.

I’m Almost 65 — How Should I Prepare

for Medicare?SHIIP Monthly ColumnContact: 910-640-6602


Important contact numbers for fire, police and other emergency servicesCOLUMBUS COUNTY

Public Information 640-6600Emergency Management 640-6610

Public Health 640-6615Public Utilities 642-5257

Sheriff 642-6551TO REPORT AN ELECTRIC OUTAGE

Brunswick Electric Membership Corp. 1-800-682-5309Progress Energy 1-800-419-6356

James D. McNeill, RPH, OwnerAl Nobles, Pharm D. • Amy Sessions, Pharm D. • Wendi Rhodes, Pharm D.

Now Offering Extended Supply Generic Drug Program607 Jefferson St., Whiteville

642-8141

Pat Harrelson - Nutrition Supervisor (910) 640-6602 Ext. 240Congregate and Home Delivered Meals

Nutrition Program

Bolton Senior Center Annie Smith 655-416615354 Sam Potts Hwy. Site ManagerBolton, N.C. 28423 Home delivered mealsBug Hill Senior Center Margie Suggs 640-379111300 Seven Creeks Hwy. Site ManagerNakina, N.C. 28455 Chadbourn Senior Center Reba Newman 654-4423406 Pine St. Site ManagerChadbourn, N.C. 28431 Home delivered mealsEast Columbus Senior Center Carolyn Strickland 655-47542694 General Howe Hwy. Site ManagerRiegelwood, N.C. 28456Fair Bluff Senior Center Mildred Vereen 649-68811100 Main St. Site ManagerFair Bluff, N.C. 28439 Tabor City Senior Center Patsy Fowler 653-3063110 Linwood Norris Street Site ManagerTabor City, N.C. 28463 Home delivered meals Whiteville Senior Center Dorothy Paige 640-6602827 Washington Street Site ManagerWhiteville, N.C. 28472 Home delivered meals and van transportation

(Cut these listings out and keep handy!)

Columbus County Nutrition SitesColumbus County Senior Centers listings

Bolton Senior Center Catherine Spaulding 655-416615354 Sam Potts Hwy. CoordinatorBolton, N.C. 28423 [email protected]

Bug Hill Senior Center Jenette Long 640-379111300 Seven Creeks Hwy. CoordinatorNakina, N.C. 28455 [email protected]

Chadbourn Senior Center Ruby Shelley 654-4423406 Pine St. CoordinatorChadbourn, N.C. 28431 [email protected]

East Columbus Senior Ctr. Lillie Young 655-47542694 General Howe Hwy. CoordinatorRiegelwood, N.C. 28456 [email protected]

Fair Bluff Senior Center Michelle Dippel 649-6881P.O. Box 652 - 1100 Main St. CoordinatorFair Bluff, N.C. 28439 [email protected]

Tabor City Senior Center Susan Prince 653-3063110 Linwood Norris Street CoordinatorTabor City, N.C. 28463 [email protected]

Whiteville Senior Center Jean Powers 640-6602P.O. Box 1327 - Coordinator827 Washington Street [email protected], N.C. 28472

(Cut these listings out and keep handy!)

Columbus County Department of Aging Senior Center Mission StatementSenior Center acts as a focal point of aging services in the county by providing services that promote wellness; encourages independence and enhance quality

of life for all persons 60 years or older.

Live Well Every Moment Matters

Choose Hospice 800.207.6908

www.hospiceandlifecarecenter.orgLive Well. Every Moment Matters.


Department of Aging Fall Trip


Diabetic Supplies

Delivered To You !

Medical Equipment

Delivered To You !

Test StripsShoes

Glucose Monitors

WheelchairsHome Oxygen

And Much Much More

Come In And Meet UsNOW IN WHITEVILLE

1727 S. Madison St.“Hills Grocery Shopping Center”

910-642-0192

Johnson Home Medical“Big Enough To Service...Small Enough To Care”

Diabetic SuppliesTest Strips • Shoes • Glucose Monitors

Delivered To You!

Medical EquipmentWheelchairs • Home Oxygen & Much Much More

Delivered To You!

Come In And Meet Us - NOW IN WHITEVILLE1727 S. Madison St.

“Hills Grocery Shopping Center”910-642-0192

senior center

Wednesday, June 5 at 9am Swedish Embroidery is

offered at Tabor City Senior

Monday, June 10 from 1-4pm is a jewelry making class at East

Columbus Senior Center in Riegelwood

Friday, June 14 is Flag Day

Saturday, June 15 is World Elder Abuse

Awareness Day

Sunday, June 16 is Father’s Day

Thursday, June 20 is Fair Bluff Historical Society

meeting. Contact Betty Willis at 649-7487

Friday, June 21 is the First Day of Summer

New at Bug Hill – Cooking Classes. Call Jenny Godwin,

site coordinator at 640-3791 for schedule.

Exercise Daily in the new facility at the Whiteville Senior

Center. Hours are Mon – Fri 8am - 5pm.

Play Canasta every Tuesday at 1pm at the Chadbourn

Senior Center.

Lunch is served Monday through Friday at 12:00 noon

at all Senior Centers.

photos courtesy of Herb Harp Photography

June Events

The Real Senior Prom


Gluten-free doesn’t mean grain-freeMany people are adopting gluten-

free diets for a variety of reasons. While such a diet means passing on foods that contain wheat protein, such as certain breads, crusts and baked goods, it doesn’t mean giving up on grains entirely. Many grains are acceptable for those adhering to a gluten-free diet, and such grains can help fill the void left by avoiding wheat products.

Gluten-free foods are required for people who have Celiac disease, an autoimmune condition of the small intestines that is triggered by the consumption of wheat protein. Celiac disease can cause damage to the lining of the small intestines, which results in a decreased absorption of nutrients. This can cause vitamin deficiencies that deprive the body and brain of necessary nourishment.

While people with Celiac disease have to avoid foods that contain gluten, many more people choose to remove gluten from their diets. This includes people with gluten allergies or sensitivities that are not as severe as Celiac disease but can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort. The relationship between gluten and certain behavioral problems in children and adults also has been studied. In a paper titled “Develop-mental Disorders and Dairy Products, Grains, Gluten and Other Pro-teins,” researchers at the Bamford-Lahey Children’s Foundation found that sensitivity to proteins in both dairy and wheat has been associated with a number of neurological and behavioral disorders in groups of adults and children.

To avoid gluten, a person has to remove wheat products, barley, spelt, rye, and triticale from his or her diet. However, there are many other foods that can be eaten. Plus, flours made from grinding other grains can be used in place of wheat flour in recipes. The finished products may just have less of the doughy or elastic consistency that is a hallmark of gluten. Here are some grains men and women on gluten-free diets can still enjoy.

Oats: Though they are traditionally gluten-free, oats are often pro-cessed on the same equipment that processes other grains. Therefore, there may be some cross-contamination. Oats that are certified gluten-free can be more costly.

Buckwheat: Despite the name, buckwheat is not related to regular wheat and is not exactly a grain. It is a relation of rhubarb. In its whole form it can take the place of pasta. In its roasted form, buckwheat takes on a nutty flavor.

Millet: This is a seeded plant used for grain and cereal production. Millet is typically sold in pet stores as a treat for birds. Millet is generally flavorless and can be grainy. It can be mixed with other gluten-free flours.

Quinoa: This is not a grass plant or cereal grain but is actually related to leafy vegetables. Quinoa is often eaten like you would eat rice or pasta, but it can also be baked into bread and cakes.

Montina: This is made from Indian rice grass and can be milled into flour or combined with other flours in a baking blend. Montina bakes up into a springy texture, which makes it popular in breads.

Rice: Many people avoiding gluten turn to rice as an alternative. Rice flour can be substituted for wheat flour in many recipes. Rice can also create a sense of fullness that comes with eating a starchy grain.

Corn: Cornmeal can be used in baked goods. However, it will offer a grainy texture.

Amaranth: This is a tiny, ancient grain. It is a complete protein and has more iron than most grains.

People following a reduced or gluten-free diet can enjoy a number of other alternatives in their cooking.


Health Care & Retirement Center• 24 Hour Skilled Nursing • Short Term Rehabilitation • Assisted Living“Caring with Excellence”at whatever level of care is needed

A Member of the Liberty Healthcare Family200 Flowers-Pridgen Dr., Whiteville • (910) 642-4300

PuzzleAnswers

Getting Social Security Help May Boost Your BenefitsDear Savvy Senior,Are there any services that you

can recommend that help pre-re-tirees decide when to start draw-ing their Social Security benefits? My wife and I are still a few years away from retiring but want to carefully weigh all our options to make sure we get the most from our benefits.

–Approaching Retirement

Dear Approaching,Deciding when to begin collect-

ing your Social Security benefits could be one of the most impor-tant retirement-income decisions you’ll make. The difference be-tween a good decision and a poor one could cost you tens of thou-sands of dollars over your retire-ment, so doing your homework and weighing your options now is a very smart move.

What to ConsiderAs you may already know, you

can claim Social Security any time from age 62 to 70, but the longer you wait, the larger your monthly check. However, there are many other factors you need to take into account to help you make a good decision, like your current financial needs, your health and family longevity, whether you plan to work in re-tirement, whether you have other retirement income sources, and if you’re married, your spouse’s situation.

You also need to understand the dizzying array of rules that can affect your Social Security benefits, and factor in the vari-ous strategies that can increase your benefits if you’re married, divorced or widowed.

To help you compare all your options, there are a number of on-line tools and services that have sprung up in recent years that can help you make an informed decision.

Online ToolsTo get started, your first step is

to go to the Social Security State-ment web page and get your personalized statement that esti-mates what your retirement ben-efits will be at age 62, full retire-ment age (currently 66) or when you turn 70. These estimates are based on your yearly earnings that are also listed on your report.

Once you get your estimates for both you and your wife, there are several online tools you can turn to that can crunch hundreds of calculations to compare your benefits under various scenarios and different ages to help you figure out your optimum claim-ing strategy.

Two free sites are Analyze Now which offers a robust decision-making tool called the “Strategic Social Security Planner,” but re-quires Microsoft Excel to use it. And AARP’s Social Security Ben-efits Calculator, which is a less sophisticated tool but very easy to use.

Or, if you don’t mind spending a little money, there are higher-level services like Social Security Choices which provides a com-prehensive customized report for only $30 to help single, married or widowed pre-retirees iden-tify their best claiming strategy. Or Maximize My Social Security, which charges $40 for their re-port, and takes into account the thousands of different factors and combinations to help you maximize your benefits.

Personalized AdviceIf, however, you want or need

more help, there are specialized firms and financial advisors that can advise you for a fee.

One of the best is Social Security Solutions (866-762-7526), which offers several levels of service in-cluding their “Premier Plus” plan that runs multiple calculations

WELCOME TO THE

SAVVY SENIORJim Miller

You Ask The Senior Question - We Find The Savvy Answer

and comparisons, recommends a best course of action in a detailed report, and gives you a one-on-one session with a Social Security specialist over the phone to dis-cuss the report and ask questions. The fee for this service is $125.

Premier Social Security Con-sulting (800-518-0761) is another option that offers several consult-ing packages, ranging from $75 to $295.

Or, you can get help through a fee-only financial adviser who specializes in Social Security

analysis and charges on an hour-ly basis. To find someone use the Garrett Planning Network (866-260-8400), which offers the services of 300 independent ad-visers nationwide. The cost for a Garrett advisor ranges between $150 and $300 per hour.Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit Sav-vySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.


Medicine Mart Health CarePharmacies • Home Medical Equipment

Tabor City Medicine Mart220 S. Main St., Tabor City, NC 28463

(910) 653-4800

Koonce Medicine Mart112 E. 7th Ave., Chadbourn, NC 28431

(910) 654-4194

Medicine Mart Home Health218 S. Main St., Tabor City, NC 28463

(910) 653-3136

• Discount Prescriptions (usually ready in 15 minutes or less) • Free Home Delivery • Drive-thru Pharmacies• Phone Bill Payment Station • Home Medical Equipment (Beds, Oxygen, Diabetic Supplies)

We gladly accept Medicare Part D plans, Medicaid, and most Insurance Plans!

Get Better • Better Service • Better Selection • Better Prices • Better Health

Look No Further.You could qualify for

FREE RENTAL ASSISTANCE!If you are 62 or older, come by Madison Hill Apartments at 206 Madison Street in Whiteville and fill out an application to see if you qualify. We offer rental assistance, up to 100%, based on your income. We have 1 bedroom apartments that are energy efficient, wall to wall carpeting, and fully equipped kitchens. There is a Community Room on site as well as a Laundry Room.

Call 910.642.8883TDD 1-800-735-2962

Equal Housing Opportunity • Handicap Accessible

Professionally managed by Community Management Corporation

You Deserve the “Good” Things

in Life.Liberty Commons Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

of Columbus County offers:• Long-Term Care

• Short-Term Rehabilitative Care

• Outpatient Therapy

Please visit our state-of-the-art Rehabilitation Unit.

We have vacancies in our Long Term Care Unit,

Assisted Living Wing and Rehab Unit!!

910-642-4245 • 1402 Pinckney St., Whiteville

Contact: Sherri Worrell, Admissions Coordinator, 642-4245

The News Reporter ~ P.O. Box 707 ~ Whiteville, N.C. 28472910-642-4104, Ext. 270 or 271

*Subscribe Today ~ Save 60% off our Newsstand Price

*Offer is for in-county mail-delivery

The News Reporter - Save 60%!

Address change?

Name _______________________________________ Phone ____________________Address__________________________ City ___________________ Zip ___________Email _________________________________________________________________

Credit Card type: Visa Mastercard AMEX Discover

Card number _____________________________________________________

Expiration date _____________________________ Verification Code_______

Return this card with payment: Check enclosed Pay by Credit Card

$30.00/15 months $18.25/6 months $28.50/15 months $17.25/6 months

cc mail

SENIOR RATE (65+) SENIOR RATE (65+)

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Chadbourn, NC Missionary Dept. donat-ed 9 fans for Operation Fan 2013. Sister Eloise Faulk, Reverend Jerry Ganus, Pastor, Deacon Willie Walls, Chairman of Deacon Board, Brother James Tart, Chairman Trustee Board.

Tabor City Seniors enjoyed lunch at Southern Sizzler after touring Lake Waccamaw on a beautiful spring excursion.

Documents

Columbus County Seniors June