Nancy Messer

When I retired I had to enroll in Medicare Parts B and D and a medigap plan since I didn't have any of them yet (medical coverage from work).  With medigap came SilverSneakers - I had heard the name but knew nothing about it.  After some web browsing and phone calls I had things figured out.  Today I joined a gym near home that isn't even open yet (opens Tuesday).  Then, with my walker, I can take my morbidly obese self to the gym and try to strengthen my legs (I will need a trainer).  I hope that eventually I may advance to using my cane.  If I manage to lose some weigh in the process, that will be an added bonus!

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Great for you Nancy. The first part of reaching a goal is to have a plan in mind. I can wholeheartedly vouch for Silver Sneakers. I joined a gym one year ago, with the only intention of getting my butt moving on a regular basis. I bought 3 months of a personal trainer to show me what to do and how to use the equipment without hurting myself. Since then, I'm known as one of the regulars at both classic and cardio Silver Sneakers classes and regularly use the machines. My trainer opened her own studio this past summer and I'm a regular at her boot camp cross fit sessions on Sundays. I haven't lost that much weight, but I'm stronger and have great balance and flexibility (a benefit of Silver Sneakers). My doctor has even remarked about how good my lab tests are now compared to last year's. She says she wants to make me a poster child for becoming an active senior citizen. 

By the way, I just won a classic bike (coaster brakes, basket) at the gym. If I had won it last year, I wouldn't have been in good enough shape to ride it. Fortunately, I'm really enjoying it. We've had such a warm winter this year, I can go for a spin whenever I want. My goal is that by spring, I'll have my quads built up to ride the 12 mile round trip to and from the gym. 

Good luck on your journey!

Bruce Fette

Today is the second time in December where we have three birthdays on the same day.

Happy Birthday to all!

Jerry Ochs

Nancy,

A very wise WHHS graduate once told me that a goal is just a dream with a timetable.

Mary Vore (Iwamoto)

Thanks for the good information about Silver Sneakers!  I retire at the end of this month, and see Silver Sneakers as a part of my "benefits package".  I would love to be able to ride a bicycle with confidence - and skill.  My goal/dream is to go on one of the biking tours in Europe.  Has anyone found those fun and not too scary for someone with a minimal skill set?  Ed and I biked around Mackinaw Island a couple of years ago - but it wasn't pretty - falling was my most effective way to stop. 

David Buchholz

Wonderful News Everybody.  My son's first novel, A Paper Son, is now available for pre-order (available January 1st) in hard cover from Amazon and other fine booksellers.  What a wonderful gift!

 Like White Castle hamburgers, you can now buy em' by the sack!

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Mary, just make sure you wear a helmet!

I donated, my (twice-ridden 5-speed, front and rear hand brakes) sport bike, bought a couple of years ago, to the police department for their annual drive for gifts to kids in the village.  I bought the bike after taking spinning classes. My legs and cardio fitness were pretty good at the time, but I never had confidence using the hand brakes.  I was always afraid I'd stop too abruptly. My new bike has the familiar coaster brakes I grew up with.  The first time I rode that bike, it was like being a kid again. I peddled backwards, and my familiar brakes were right there.  Now to the gym to build up those quads!

You will like the Silver Sneakers benefit.  I chose the gym I go to for the convenience and the time of the Silver Sneakers group classes.  I'm considering going to a nearby retirement community that accepts Silver Sneakers for their water aerobics classes.  My Silver Sneakers class trainer just got certified to offer Flex groups at her private studio.  Flex is a more challenging workout than the classic and cardio Sliver Sneakers. 

Have fun!

Jeff Daum

Rare Christmas full moon. Last one was 38 years ago.  Not to worry- if you missed it, check back here for my post in 2034   And, have a most enjoyable and fun filled New Years!

Bruce Fette

Thank you Jeff,

Here in the right coast we had a considerable overcast, so its great to see the actual Christmas full moon. Perhaps it was the motivation behind the poem "Night before Christmas"?

Thanks,

Bruce

Jeff Daum

Thanks Bruce.  Might have been, though since I wasn't around in 1822  I can't confirm or deny.

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

The WHHS Marching band is on their way to Paris. Two stories in the local media:

Cincinnati Enquirer (thanks to Elaine Patton Walker's EAGLE eye): http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/12/27/hope-walnut-hills-students-stop-and-remember-men-and-women-not-much-older-than-themselves-who-arestop-moment-too-and-remember-men-and-women-not-so-much-older-than-themselves-who-just-last-month-took-street-linked-arms-and-did-not-run-terrorisms-evi/77706186/ 

and WCPO tv tonight:

http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/cincinnati/walnut-hills/walnut-hills-high-school-band-playing-in-paris

Philip Spiess

So, one of my Christmas presents to myself, as a cultural historian, was an addition to my food and drink recipe books collection of a reproduction copy of Esther Levy's 1871 Jewish Cookery Book, the first Jewish cookbook published in America, and only the second written in English.  She states, "Some have, from ignorance, been led to believe that a repast, to be sumptuous, must unavoidably admit of forbidden food. . . .  The contents of our Book show how various and how grateful to the taste are the viands of which we may lawfully partake."  And she goes on to explain kosher households, and how German-style cooking can amalgamate with that.  I look forward to experimenting with her delicious-sounding recipes.

Philip Spiess

Okay, is this site moribund?  Heading into our reunion, have we stopped communicating?  Nothing but the occasional "Happy Birthday!" appears.  Are you people hibernating?  (Not a bad thought, actually, at this time of year.)  I seem to be one of our few fellow graduates who has to rejump-start our dialogue every few months.  I'm happy to do it, but I feel I shouldn't be the only one -- we were getting such interesting commentaries there for awhile (and Dave Buchholz's -- and others -- pictures).  What's up?  (Or not?)

So, I, for one, am pissed at my computer.  I was busy re-editing my compendious index of alcoholic drinks for my copious collection of historic drink recipe books (you may recall that I am a cultural historian, currently researching classic cocktails, among other "foodie" things), when my computer suddenly came up with a message saying that my document was full of misspellings and grammatical errors and I may want to use whatever computer tool it referred me to.  If I had not been mellowed by single-malt Scotch, I would have gone ballistic over this computer insult!  First of all, you do not expect any sort of grammatical errors or corrections in what is just a list; it has no grammar.  Second, my 250 + page list of drink references contains many foreign and idiosyncratic spellings of drink names (i.e., American whiskey versus Scotch whisky), and therefore spelling is, if not irrelevant, at least  geographically determined.  (By the way, the index includes 156 entries of "Hangover Remedies" -- including the "Roman Deep-Fried Canaries Cure" -- none of which, I feel certain -- from experience -- actually work.)

So, on the note I am sending, I'd love to hear from you!

Jeff Daum

Phil, not necessarily hibernating, but catching up after taking a month vacation (semi retirement is sooo time consuming) .  Actually looking forward to some details on our reunion so I can plan my trip over.

Nelson Abanto

Hey Phil, I'm busy coordinating my out fits for the reunion.  I don't have a thing to wear!  Nelson

Bruce Fette

Phil,

Its hard to tell for sure, but your confuser may have landed a Virus.

If you are not using Semantec Norton AntiVirus or another truly strong product, you really should get your machine checked for a virus.

In general Microsoft will underline misspellings and grammar issues but not post a suggestion on your screen.

So stop by some time, after you shovel out your driveway, and we can chat about whats happening lately.

Barbara Kahn (Tepper)

It seems like a lot goes over my head since we are non-alcoholic here.  Maybe I'm missing something interesting?  Anyway, we have been pre-occupied with snow removal and local politics.  We are not going south this year and missing it.  My across the street neighbors have the Couch on Wheels, a couch from the previous owners of the house that they put wheels on and it is a meeting place for friends in the garage.  They have a heater, neon lights, cup holders all sorts of things added on. The couch was even in our Christmas parade because it now has heavy duty wheels.  When it's open for business they stick a giant olive outside. 

Jerry Ochs

Barbara's claim to be non-alcoholic went down smoothly until I continued reading and finished with a gigantic olive stuck in my imagination.  Where do those couch-wheeling, olive-signaling neighbors live ("across the street from Barbara" will get you a detention)?

Richard Murdock

Phil:   Hello from another single malt Scotch fan.   It has been about 10 years since I acquired that taste and am happy to report that I am enjoying the good stuff (15 years and older) more and more.  I am hopeful to one day soon (2017 perhaps) make a pilgrimage to Scotland to visit some of the distilleries between Inverness and Edinburgh who produce the highland stuff I truly enjoy - with Macallan being my favorite brand.   What's your favorite ?

Speaking of the reunion, I have my airline tickets now so it is for real for me.  Does anyone have any information about what we will be doing ?   It will be fun to be back in Cincinnati again except for the humidity.   I have been completely spoiled by the SF Bay Area's no humidity weather.  The last reunion I attended was 2004.   I have an Airbnb reservation for a place near the Over The Rhine district, which I plan on exploring during my time in Cincinnati.  And I am hoping the reunion will include a tour of Cincinnati.   In any case I am looking forward to it.  Walnut Hills was a truly exceptional high school and I consider myself lucky to have attended.

Barbara Kahn (Tepper)

Jerry, It is very funny to think that we are considered the parents or grandparents of the block.  ;)  Inside I don't feel so old but outside is another story.  Nest to the couch there is a fully stocked supply of exotic beers and other such things in a small refrigerator.  There are can holders and even a "church key" on the couch. 

They are a drinking crowd here.  Long Beach is full of bars too but we don't happen to partake.  They all have lots of fun but still not tempted.  Phil has drinks down to a science and I still do find it interesting to read about. 

Dale Gieringer

Sorry for the absence, but I've been away on vacation - for which I'm not sorry. 

Above: Hiding from my responsibilities at the Hawaii Botanical Garden.

 Looking forward to our reunion this spring!

David Buchholz

OK, called out for photos...just returned from three weeks in Kerala, Rajasthan, and Delhi... Wait...I've 1800 more...

Richard Murdock

Dave:  You really have a great talent for photography !  

David Buchholz

Richard, thank you.  For the record, here's one more:

Jerry Ochs

Barbara,

Long Beach CA or NY?  Regarding alcohol, there have been times when alcohol would have weakened the punch of the medicine I had dropped, so I refrained from joining in.  Being sober in a room filled with drunks is like being at a seance where everybody but you can see the ghosts; in a room filled with drunks they are laughing about something the ghosts are saying.