Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, October 26, 2019

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Mountain Views-News Saturday, October 26, 2019 


SENIOR HAPPENINGS


HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …. October Birthdays

Janda Ferris, Darlene Traxler, Margit Johnson, Sole Krieg, George Maurer, Dick 
Anderson, Eva Poet, Mary Jane Baker, Dixie Coutant, Cathleen Cremins,Adie Marshall, 
Darlene Crook, Susan Gallagher, Maggie Ellis, Gloria Giersbach, Elva Johnson, Ellen 
O’Leary, Jenny Piangenti, Gail Ann Skiles, Anita Thompson, Linda Boehm and Angela 
Stella. 

 * To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required

HART PARK HOUSE MONTHLY PROGRAMS: 

Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra 
Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday Morning from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. 
Join the class with Instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula!

Bingo Time: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to play! Activity may 
be canceled if there are less than five people.

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesdays Monthly from 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. No appointment is necessary.

Brain Games: Every third Thursday of the month at 12:45-1:45pm Join us for Scattergories, a creative thinking game by 
naming objects within a set of categories; or Jenga, a block-building challenge that keeps you stacking and bal-ancing your 
tower. Everyone is welcome, and no experience is needed. A great way to strengthen your mind and make new friends... 
Games are facilitated by Senior Volunteers. Will Resume in September 2019

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesday, August 14th from 10:30 a.m. - Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson is available for legal 
consultation. Specializing in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates and Injury. Please call the Hart Park House for an 
appointment, 626-355-5278 ext. 704.

Senior Club: Meets Saturdays, Weekly at Hart Park House Brown Bag Lunch, great company and bingo at 11:30 a.m.

Chair Yoga: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. with Paul Hagen. Classes include Yoga and balance exercises. All 
ability levels are encouraged and welcomed!

Birthday Celebration: Every 2nd Thursday Monthly at the Hart Park House. Share free birthday cake and ice cream 
kindly provided by the Senior Community Commission!

Game Day: Every Thursday Monthly 12:00 Noon come into the Hart Park House and join a lively poker game with 
friends!

Free Strength Training Class: Fridays 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. with Lisa Brandley.light weights, low impact resistance 
training and body conditioning. Class equipment provided.

Gentle Yoga for Active Seniors: Every Monday & Wednesday from 8:15 - 9:45 a.m. with Andrea Walsh at the Hart Park 
House. Classes include complete floor relaxation, standing and floor postures, balancing, and featuring extended 
meditations on the fourth Wednesdays of the month! Call (626)-355-5278 for more information.


OCTOBER EXCURSION 

THE NETHERCUTT COLLECTION (SYLMAR) 


October 17, 2019 $15.00 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 Level of Walking: High Money for lunch and souvenirs is optional. 

 Lunch will be at Pit BBQ. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water

 The Nethercutt Collection features rare collectibles ranging from mechanical musical instruments 
and antique furniture to the true heart of the collection: over 250 American and European automobiles 
from 1898 to 1997. 

 Founder J.B. Nethercutt spent a lifetime establishing this collection of historic importance. Unique 
to automobile museums, each car on display is attentively serviced and maintained to remain as drivable 
as when the vehicle originally rolled off the showroom floor. On view are various Pebble Beach 
Concours d’ Elegance winners and cars once owned by movie stars, royalty and other personalities. 
Following a tour of the Collection enjoy an opportunity for a self-guided tour of the museum and steam 
locomotive. 

**Register Now** (626) 355-5278

Final Registration Date Tuesday, October 15, 2019


HOW TO CREATE AN ETHICAL 
WILL

Dear Savvy Senior:

Can you write a column on ethical wills and how 
to make one? The attorney that made up my will 
recently suggested I write one as a tool to explain 
the intentions of my will, as well as express my thoughts and feelings, but I don’t know where to 
start. Interested Senior

Dear Interested:

An ethical will – also referred to as a legacy letter – can be a valuable complement to your legal 
will, as well as a wonderful gift to your family or other loved ones. Here’s what you should know 
along with some tips to help you make one.

Ethical Wills

Unlike a last will and testament, which tells your loved ones (and the legal world) what you want 
them to have, an ethical will (which is not a legal document) tells them what you want them to 
know. 

With an ethical will, you can share with your loved ones your feelings, wishes, regrets, gratitude 
and advice, as well as explain the elements in your legal will, give information about the money 
and possessions you’re passing on, and anything else you want to communicate. 

Usually no more than a few pages, the process of writing an ethical will can actually be quite 
satisfying. But be careful that you don’t contradict any aspects of your legal will or estate plan. 

And, if you’re having trouble with the writing, there are resources available to help you, or you 
can express yourself through an audio or video recording. 

Where to Start

To craft an ethical will, start by jotting down some notes about what’s really important to you and 
what you want your loved ones to know. Take your time and remember that you’re not trying to 
write for the Pulitzer Prize. This letter is a gift of yourself written for those you love. 

After you’ve gathered your thoughts you can start drafting your letter. You can also 
revise or rewrite it anytime you want. And for safekeeping, keep your ethical will with 
your other legal documents in a secure location but be sure your executor has access to 
it. A safe-deposit box or fireproof filing cabinet or safe in your home is a good choice. 


Get Help

If you need some help, there are numerous resources available like Celebrations of Life 
(CelebrationsofLife.net), which offers how-to information and examples of ethical wills, along 
with a “Ethical Wills: Putting Your Values on Paper” book, and the Ethical Wills/Legacy Letters 
workbook that you can purchase for $16 and $10 respectively.

Another good resource is Personal Legacy Advisors (PersonalLegacyAdvisors.com), a company 
that offers ethical will writing classes and workshops, along with personalized services like 
coaching, editing, writing and/or audio or video recording your ethical will. Prices will vary 
depending on the services you choose. They also sell a do-it-yourself guidebook “The Wealth of 
Your Life: A Step-by-Step Guide for Creating Your Ethical Will,” by Susan Turnbull for $24.

You also need to know that many people choose to share their ethical will with their family and 
friends while they’re still living so they can enjoy their reactions, while others think it should be 
read after their death. It’s up to you. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit 
SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy 
Senior” book.

SENIOR CINEMA - 1st & 3rd Wednesday 1:00 pm

OCTOBER 16TH “DUMBO” 

A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a 
struggling circus until it plans a new venture. Dumbo and his friends discover 
dark secrets through its shiny veneer. 


MEALS - ON - WHEELS PROGRAM

The Home Delivered Meals Program provides healthy meals to homebound Seniors 60 and above. Seven 
frozen meals, milk, bread and fruit are included and delivered once a week. $3 Donation per meal is 
suggested but remains completely anonymous and voluntary. Clients must be eligible and we invite you 
to contact YWCA Intervale Senior Services at 626-214-9467. SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT 
NOTICE SUGGESTED DONATION $3.00 1% LOW FAT MILK INCLUDED

OUT TO PASTOR 

A Weekly Religion Column by Rev. James Snyder


THINKING HAS A WAY OF GETTING ME INTO TROUBLE

Just when I think I have all my 
bases covered, a new one shows 
up, and it’s not a homerun.

I know all my tocks don’t tick, but 
I do the best I can. I may not be the best all the 
time, but I try, and I try, and I try. I do not want to 
be a nuisance to anybody, so I try not to, especially 
with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage. (Does 
trying count for anything?)

 Quite often, I make the mistake of believing because 
I have been married so long I know my wife 
and what she is going to do or say next.

 Confidence is a tricky thing, however. The more 
confidence I think I have, the more trouble I seem 
to get into. I certainly do not want to be negative 
in this regard, but I have the proof that it works in 
my life.

 For instance, on her birthday, I try to give her 
something that will make her happy. If you do not 
think that is a hard chore, then come over to my 
house and try it one time. Just when I think she is 
into a certain thing, I blow it.

 I have blown this so many times that there is a 
hurricane named after me.

 I worked very hard trying to find a Christmas gift 
that will surprise her and delight her. Occasionally, 
I will succeed. I remember one year I got her something 
special and she was very delighted with it. 
She thanked me several times. I was happy.

 My memory being what it is or isn’t, the next year 
I got her the same Christmas gift. She opened it 
and said, “Oh, isn’t this what you got me last year?”

 One thing, she is a marvelous chef and can bake, 
cook and fry anything and it all comes out delicious. 
Except, for that nasty little thing called 
“broccoli.”

 I love everything that she cooks except that, of 
course.

 The proof of her ability as a chef is me. When 
we first met, I was as skinny as they come without 
even one fat cell in my body. Now, look at me. And, 
it is all her fault.

 Recently, this thing about thinking showed itself.

 Many things I love to eat, but my wife’s mac and 
cheese has to be at the top of the list. She makes 
the best M and C that I have ever tasted. Being the 
kind of husband that usually gets in trouble, I try 
compensating by always thanking and praising her 
for this delicious dish.

 I had been at a two-day conference and was greatly 
delighted to get home. They do have lunch at 
those conferences, but not quite the quality I am 
accustomed to. I was quite anxious to get home 
and have what they call a “home-cooked dinner.” 
By the time I got home, all I could think about was 
dinner that night.

 One of the dishes she had was her infamous mac 
and cheese. I could not tell her how delighted I was 
to be home and especially to enjoy some of this 
macaroni and cheese.

 We sat down at the table, had prayer and then 
I delved into the luxury of one of the best home-
cooked dinners I ever had. At the center of the 
table was this magnificent Mac and cheese.

 What happened next was something I had not 
planned for.

 She told me one of her friends brought over some 
things for our dinner. She did not say exactly, but 
I took it to mean that the mac and cheese was one 
of the dishes.

 Looking at me she said, “What do you think of 
that mac and cheese?”

 At the time, I was not thinking of any trick questions. 
I responded by simply saying, “It’s wonderful, 
but it’s not quite as good as the ones you make.” 
Then I flashed a waxy smile in her direction.

 “That’s not as good as mine?”

 Without even looking up I replied, “This is good, 
but not as good as the ones you make. Yours are 
much better than this one.”

 “Are you sure about that? You’re not just putting 
me on?”

 I laid my fork down and looked at her and said, 
“My dear, there is nothing to compare with the 
mac and cheese that you make. I can tell the difference 
a mile away. You make the best mac and 
cheese I have ever tasted. This may be good, but it’s 
not up to your standard.”

 I thought I made some good points with her. 
Every husband is always looking for ways to make 
points with his wife. I was assuming I had hit the 
marital lottery.

 Looking at me, she stated very sternly, “That mac 
and cheese is mine. I made it especially for you.”

 I have never been good at backpedaling a situation. 
I am somewhat of a wordsmith, but I could 
not think of any words that could in any way help 
me out of this situation.

 I remember what James said, “For in many 
things we offend all. If any man offend not in 
word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to 
bridle the whole body” (James 3:2).

 I know that I am not a perfect person. I get 
in deep trouble when for some reason I think 
otherwise.

Dr. James L. Snyder, pastor of the Family of God 
Fellowship, lives with the Gracious Mistress of 
the Parsonage in Ocala, FL. Call him at 352-687-
4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church 
website is www.whatafellowship.com.


Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com