JULY 2017

Enjoy an Active Life after 50

PADDLE
POWER
Kayakers find
peace amid
adventure
Page 8
PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI

INSIDE: SENIOR PROFILE MONEY FOOD TEST DRIVE HOMES TRAVEL SAVVY SENIOR
 FUN C ALEN DAR
SATURDAY, JULY 1
Gresham Family Fun Fest: Parade 11 a.m.
Games, vendors, bike giveaways, food and more
at Veterans Memorial Park. Fireworks at dusk.
Cloverleaf Lakes Kiddie Parade:Cloverleaf
Lake Chain, town of Belle Plaine.
Parade at 10 a.m. at boat launch,
pontoon parade at 6:30 p.m. on
Pine and Grass lakes. 920-823-
9151.
SUNDAY, JULY 2
Bonduel Civic Association Car
Show: Cedar Park, Bonduel. 8
a.m. to 3 p.m.
Bonduel Centennial Recogni-
tion: Village Park, Bonduel. 8 a.m.
to 3 p.m.
MONDAY, JULY 3
Birnamwood Fireworks: Birnamwood Ballpark.
Park opens at 5 p.m., music by The Ponyman
Band at 8 p.m., fireworks at dusk.
Clintonville Fireworks: W.A. Olen Athletic Field,
2
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Clintonville. 6-11 p.m. Food and music.
Shawano Fireworks: Shawano Municipal Airport,
248 Airport Road. 9-10 p.m.
TUESDAY, JULY 4
Fourth of July Celebration: Village Park, Bon-
duel. Parade at 11 a.m., baseball games, music,
food, beverages. Fireworks at 9:45 p.m. 715-524-
2139.
Leopolis Triathlon: The triathlon is sponsored by
the Leopolis Booster Club and consists of three
races: the jock class (50-yard swim, 12-mile bike
and 5-mile run), the beer belly (50-yard swim,
5-mile bike, 2-mile run) and the 16 and under
(50-yard swim, 5-mile bike and 2-mile run). Race
begins at 11 a.m., parade at 1:30 p.m. 715-787-
4402.
Elderon Fourth of July Celebration: McNulty
Park, Elderon. Parade begins at 1 p.m. Music by
The Drovers starting at 2 p.m.
Tigerton Block Party: Community Park, Cedar
Street, Tigerton. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Live music,
games, silent auction, food. Fireworks at dusk.
715-535-2110.
SATURDAY, JULY 8
Railroad Day: Heritage Park, 524 N. Franklin St.,
Shawano. Admission $5, $1 children under 12.
715-526-3323.
SUNDAY, JULY 9
St. Michaels Parish Summer Festival: St. Mi-
chaels Catholic Church, N816 State Highway
47-55, Keshena. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 715-799-3811.
Mean Mary: Joel Kroenke residence, W9050
Broadway Road, Shawano. 2 p.m. For reserva-
tions or directions, call 715-853-6879. Potluck
meal prior to the concert.
SATURDAY, JULY 15
Navarino Days: Navarino Athletic Field, W5071
State Highway 156, Navarino. Parade at noon.
Live music, raffle, auction, baseball game and free
bike giveaway. 715-758-8728.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 19
Yata, Sinz, Orfirid Trio: Joel Kroenke residence,
W9050 Broadway Road, Shawano. 6:30 p.m. For
reservations or directions, call 715-853-6879.
Potluck meal prior to the concert.
JULY 2 0 1 7
S EN IO R P RO F ILE
Years of crafting lead to Yellow Perch Card Company
By CAROL WAGNER
S
helley Nemetz has been crafting
since she was in 4-H as a child
growing up in Door County.
Ive always done crafts, she said. wano home. After sitting all day at her
She makes cards for all occasions,
creates unique picture frames, sews
bibs and burp cloths, and knits dish rags.
When her son and daughter-in-law,
Greg and Lesley Nemetz, sold their ma-
ple syrup at the Shawano Farmers Mar-
ket, she would sit with Lesley and bring
some of her cards.
Last year, she got her own spot to sell
her wares.
My goal every week is to pay for my
spot, Nemetz said.
Her picture frames get a lot of atten-
tion. When she saw a similar picture
frame, she thought she could make
something like it.
I thought it would be easy to make,
Nemetz said.
She uses boards from her daughters
fence, which her husband, Randy, cuts
to whatever size she wants. The picture
is secured with decorative string so the
pictures can be changed. Tags tell the
story of the picture and are held to the
frame with a clothes pin.
JULY 2017
SL
Randy has helped me from day one
with anything, she said.
Nemetz has 40 years of craft supplies
accumulated in a workroom in her Sha-
job at United Health Care in Green Bay,
she prefers to stand when doing her
crafting work. Nemetz usually works on
her hobby five nights out of the week.
I just like to do it, she said. And
stop thinking about work.
Nemetz was born in Algoma, gradu-
ated from Southern Door High School
and attended the University of Wiscon-
sin-Stout for three years working toward
a business degree until she met her hus-
band.
When they lived in Sister Bay, he sold
her crafts on consignment in the shops
there. In 1993 they moved to Shawano,
PHOTO BY CAROL WAGNER
where Randy works for Torborgs Lum-
ber in sales. They have two children and
four grandchildren.
Since Randy is an avid fisherman, she
honored him by calling her hobby the
Shelley Nemetz makes homemade cards and picture
Yellow Perch Card Company. frames in a room in her Shawano home.
He is also a gardener with one plot
at their home in Shawano and another of canning and freezing.
at the community gardens by Zion Lu- She also sells her crafts at the St.
theran Church. So together they do a lot James Craft Show in the fall.
3
 MO N EY
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Your credit card shouldnt retire when you do

By MELISSA LAMBARENA

W
hen her car trouble began, Bev-
erly Dobratz, 70, assumed that
years of responsible credit us-
age would qualify her for a new car loan
with a low interest rate.
Then the salesman checked her
credit and learned that she hadnt made
any purchases with it in 10 years; she
preferred to pay with cash or her debit
card. That had hurt her credit scores,
preventing her from getting a deal that
worked for her.
It was quite a shock. I had a huge
down payment for him, but it didnt
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
make any difference, the Long Beach,
California, resident says. I didnt get
the car.
About one-third (34 percent) of Amer-
ican baby boomers risk damaging their
credit scores in retirement by reducing
reasons, such as an unexpected car pur- KEEP YOUR CREDIT
or eliminating their use of credit cards,
chase, as happened with Dobratz. Other CARDS ACTIVE
according to a survey by TransUnion,
reasons include: Recently, Battisons dad moved to
one of the three major credit bureaus
Finding housing. Some indepen- independent living facility. All of the
that gather information used to calcu-
dent living facilities require a pre-ad- furniture that he had in his home was
late the scores. (TransUnion is a Nerd-
mission credit check, the way a landlord too big and we all of a sudden needed to
Wallet business partner.)
might run a credit check before renting completely furnish this apartment, she
Using credit cards for small pur-
an apartment. says. Because he didnt use his credit
chases keeps your credit active , says
Heather Battison, a vice president at Co-signing a loan. Youll need good card as often, we ran into some issues
TransUnion. That can help ensure youll credit to help a child or grandchild qual- there.
have available credit or good credit TransUnion consumer data show
ify for a loan or credit card by co-signing.
scores when it counts. that 20 percent of people ages 51 and 70
Refinancing your home. If you still
Keeping credit cards active doesnt have subprime credit, or a score of less
have a mortgage, refinancing can lower
mean running up debt. Think of them as than 600.
your interest rate and monthly pay-
tools for maintaining credit, not a tem- ments, which might be attractive after OPTING OUT OF CREDIT
porary loan. retirement. IS A GAMBLE
Receiving a home equity line of Your retirement plan might appear
WHY YOU MIGHT NEED
credit : You can use this type of credit to bulletproof, but circumstances eas-
CREDIT IN RETIREMENT
finance repairs and upgrades that will ily change and if they do, its nice to
You can plan for retirement, but its
make your home more accessible, says know you can lean on your credit.
impossible to predict exactly what will
happen in your 80s or 90s. The average certified financial planner Delia Fer- You never know when youre going to
65-year-old today will live until his or her nandez. For example, you might widen need something, Dobratz says. Hang
mid-80s, according to the Social Security doorways to accommodate a wheelchair on to that credit. Otherwise, theyre go-
Administration. or walker. ing to charge you high interest on your
Thats why its important to maintain Its an example of things we dont loan.
a strong credit profile even if you dont think about because were not 80, but This article was provided to The Associated Press by
the personal finance website NerdWallet . Email staff
foresee borrowing money again. You how much better to prepare the house writer Melissa Lambarena: mlambarena@nerdwallet.
might need it in retirement for many before we turn 80, Fernandez says. com.

4
JULY 2 0 1 7
FOO D
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Miso and lime juice add some zing to

SALMON ON THE GRILL

By MELISSA DARABIAN

S
almon season has arrived, and
the markets are brimming with
gorgeous wild varieties like King
Salmon and Coho, which are perfect for
grilling, poaching or even simply cooking
in a lightly oiled pan.
With summer here, fire up the barbe-
cue and master the grilled salmon its
an incredibly versatile blank canvas that
you can use in everything from light sal-
ads to heady curries to spicy tacos. And
grilling salmon is quite easy, as long as
you follow the rule to pull it off the grill THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

just a minute before you think its done.

Coat salmon fillets with a little oil, salt
and pepper, and cook until the salmon is
almost opaque; cook until flaky is bad
advice that will leave your salmon over-
cooked and strong-flavored.
One of our summertime favorites is
Easy Summer Miso Salmon, which pairs
miso with refreshing lime juice to create
something between a creamy sauce and
a citrus vinaigrette.
Miso, or fermented soy bean paste,
adds a ton of savory flavor (umami)
and depth, while the lime juice keeps the
recipe bright and summery. Theres gar-
lic and ginger for flavor, but the shallot
keeps the flavor more Californian than
Asian, although you could certainly add
soy sauce, Mirin (Japanese wine) and
chopped cilantro if you wanted to. Serve
with brown rice, grilled veggies or a
bunch of vegetable noodles for a filling
and healthy summer supper.
Miso paste comes in various colors,
with white and yellow being the mildest
varieties, and perhaps the most widely
available ones at the local supermarket.
Keep a container of miso in the fridge (it
lasts for months), and you can try adding
a spoonful to soups, stews, dressings and
dips, or even just stir it into a cup of boil-
ing water and add a splash of soy sauce
and rice vinegar for a warming broth.
Miso is low in calories, and offers a
JULY 2017
EASY SUMMER MISO SALMON
Servings: 6
Start to finish: 20 minutes
Salmon:
1 1/2 pounds wild Alaskan salmon fillet,
such as King or Coho
1 teaspoon neutral oil, like olive or grape-
seed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 shallots, minced
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger
3 tablespoons white miso paste
1 teaspoon raw honey
1/4 cup lime juice (or lemon juice)
3-4 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Heat the grill to medium and lightly oil the
grates. Rub the salmon all over with the olive
oil, and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Cook
the salmon flesh side down first, (skin side up),
until almost cooked through, about 7-10 min-
little protein and a smattering of miner-
als, including sodium, so you wont likely
need additional salt when using miso
utes total, flipping halfway through. (Internal
temperature will be about 140 F, and it will rise
to 145 F as it rests.)
Meanwhile, make the sauce (or can be
made in advance): heat the olive oil over me-
dium heat in a small saute pan and cook the
shallots until tender, about three minutes.
(Sprinkle with a little splash of water if needed
to keep shallots from browning.) Add the gin-
ger and garlic and cook another minute. Add
the miso paste and mix with a wooden spoon
for another minute or two, or until very fragrant
and the miso paste begins to deepen a little in
color. Remove from heat, cool a minute, and
then place in the blender with the honey, lime
juice, water, mustard and black pepper and
blend until smooth. Add extra water if needed.
Spoon the miso sauce onto the hot salmon
and serve with brown rice or veggies.
Chefs Note: The sauce can be made into
a salad dressing by thinning with more water
and lime juice.
Nutrition information per serving: 220
calories; 94 calories from fat; 10 g fat (2 g sat-
urated; 0 g trans fats); 62 mg cholesterol; 443
mg sodium; 7 g carbohydrate; 0 g fiber; 3 g
sugar; 23 g protein.
paste. Try this weeks recipe and add
two new tools to your repertoire: grilled
salmon and miso.
5
 T ES T DRIVE
Most affordable SUV of its size
2017 KIA SORENTO
By ANN M. JOB
T
he Kia Sorento adds connectivity
and safety features for 2017 while
remaining one of the most afford-
able SUVs of its size.
With a length of 15.6 feet, the 2017
Sorento is mid-size and has flexible stor-
age space of up to 73 cubic feet while of-
fering buyers the choice of seating for
five or seven people.
The Sorento also is one of the few
SUVs with three engine choices a
naturally aspirated four cylinder, a turbo
four and a V-6.
The starting manufacturers suggest-
ed retail price with destination charge
for a base, 2017 Sorento L is $26,495 and
includes five seats, a 178-horsepower,
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
6
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four-cylinder engine, automatic trans-
mission and front-wheel drive.
All Sorentos come with Kias indus-
try-leading warranty that includes 10
years/100,000 miles of powertrain cover-
age and limited, basic vehicle coverage
for five years/60,000 miles.
The 2017 Sorento is a recommended
buy of Consumer Reports magazine,
where its rated four out of five for pre-
dicted reliability. It also earned five out
of five stars for occupant protection in
front and side crash testing by the fed-
eral government.
The Sorento provides a good mix of
power, comfort and functionality without
a lot of fuss.
On the outside, it has a mainstream
yet upscale look. Inside, nice plastics on
the dashboard and doors make even the
base SUV feel pricier than it is. Controls
and gauges are well laid out, and there
are multiple ways to organize the folding
second- and third-row seats to accom-
modate cargo.
Kias excellent surround view camera
that shows the driver views all around
the car is especially useful and makes
parking and neck-straining less stress-
ful. However, a rearview camera is not
standard on the base model. Buyers
must move up to the 2017 Sorento LX,
which carries a $27,795 starting retail
price, to get a camera.
Still, the starting prices remain thou-
sands of dollars less than the $31,590
JULY 2 0 1 7
T E S T DRIVE
starting retail price for a 2017 Toyota
Highlander and the $29,845 starting re-
tail price for a 2017 Ford Edge SUV.
The list of other features is lengthy,
and buyers can outfit the Sorento to the
level of a luxury vehicle.
The test Sorento, for example, was
the top SXL AWD model that had Nappa
leather-covered seats, 19-inch, chrome
wheels, panoramic sunroof, a premium
surround sound system and naviga-
tion system with 8-inch display screen,
among other things. Safety features in-
cluded autonomous emergency brak-
ing if the Sorento detected an imminent
collision. The car is also compatible with
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The SXL AWD comes only with the
290-horsepower V-6 and is pricey, though,
at $46,795.
The 3.3-liter, double overhead cam V-6
powered the Sorento tester strongly and
made the SUV feel lighter than its 4,300-
plus pounds.
JULY 2017
SL
With peak torque of 252 foot-pounds
at 5,300 rpm, the vehicle comfortably got
up to highway speeds while merging and
easily passed other cars.
Fuel mileage in combined city/high-
way travel averaged the federal govern-
ments rating of 19 miles per gallon, for
a total range of 358 miles on a single,
18.8-gallon tank of gasoline.
Passengers didnt feel many bumps
on the roads, but they noticed some body
roll as the Sorento went through curves.
The ride was quieter than expected, and
all but the third row felt comfortable for
adults. Legroom is just 31.7 inches in the
third row, and seat cushions are short
and close to the floor, so this area is best
used by children. When not in use, the
third row stows flat into the floor.
The Sorento with the V-6 and all-wheel
drive can tow trailers and campers
weighing up to 5,000 pounds. Sorentos
with the four-cylinder engines are lim-
ited to a 2,000-pound towing capacity.
FAC T S HE E T
2017 Kia Sorento
SXL AWD
BASE PRICE: $25,600 for L; $26,900 for LX
FWD; $28,700 for LX AWD; $29,200 for LX V-6
FWD; $31,000 for LX V-6 AWD; $31,700 for EX
FWD; $33,300 for EX V-6 FWD; $33,500 for EX
AWD; $35,100 for EX V-6 AWD; $38,800 for SX
FWD; $40,600 for SX AWD; $44,100 for SXL
FWD; $45,900 for SXL AWD.
AS TESTED: $46,795.
TYPE: Front-engine, all-wheel-drive, seven-
passenger, mid-size sport utility vehicle.
ENGINE: 3.3-liter, double overhead cam, direct
injection V-6 with dual CVVT.
MILEAGE: 17 mpg (city), 23 mpg (highway).
TOP SPEED: NA.
LENGTH: 187.4 inches.
WHEELBASE: 109.4 inches.
CURB WEIGHT: 4,343 pounds.
BUILT AT: West Point, Ga.
OPTIONS: None.
DESTINATION CHARGE: $895.
7
 C O VER S TO RY
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Kayakers find escape,
adventure on the water
Relaxing sport is adaptable to various styles and abilities
By NIKKI KALLIO
When some friends of Shawano resident
Nancy Brown-Koeller invited her on a kayak
trip in Peninsula State Park in the 1980s, she
didnt hesitate despite having fears about
the sport.
I kind of forgot I was afraid of kayaking, and
I just went and found out it wasnt scary at all,
Brown-Koeller recalls of the trip. I think peo-
ple have a fear of being trapped in the boat.
Kayaking, she found, offers lots of options
and different ways to enjoy the sport without
having to worry about Eskimo rolls or getting
stuck underwater.
We were just bobbing along a beautiful
shoreline, seeing stuff you wouldnt see or take
the time to notice from a fast boat, Brown-
Koeller says. We could maneuver in and out
of little bays. I thought, This is great. It was a
great way to explore.
Since then, Brown-Koeller, 65, has become
a flatwater kayak enthusiast, continuing to ex-
plore Wisconsin rivers, lakes and shorelines.
Flatwater kayaking, or sea kayaking, is one
way to gently enjoy this outdoor sport on calm
lakes and meandering rivers.
Whitewater kayaking the kind you see
with adventurers on roiling rivers is a more
active version. Choosing the right version for
you is key to enjoying the sport.
(Whitewater kayaking) uses a different
boat, you go on different sections of the river,
Brown-Koeller says. These two groups dont
really cross too much on the water.
Wisconsin has plenty of room for both kinds
of kayakers, with abundant places to enjoy both
flatwater and whitewater experiences.
PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI
NAVIGATING THE RAPIDS
Paul Nulton, 68, a retired pastor who served
at the First United Church in Marion, gained
a love for the water when he was growing up.
My dad took us kids canoeing when we
were young, Nulton says. We started on the
Kayakers were out in force June 24 for the annual Paddle and Pedal event put on by Shawano Pathways. Although the event was geared toward all ages, many older residents hit the river to keep fit and enjoy nature. Namekagon River when I was 10 years old.
In his early 40s, Nulton purchased a 9.5-foot
ON THE COVER: Karen Grover paddles her kayak along the Wolf River during the annual Paddle and Pedal event sponsored by Shawano Pathways. Dozens participated in the event, where they were able to enjoy the tranquility of the river. whitewater kayak and for more than 20 years
8 9
ONLINE
www.shawanopathways.org/
wisconsinpaddlers.org/
www.heritageparkway.org/
enjoyed navigating the challenging rapids on
rivers around Wisconsin such as those found
along the Peshtigo, Flambeau, Brule and Bois
Brule rivers.
The best part is being down in the action,
he says. In a canoe, youre kind of riding along
the top of the water and you can try to keep dry.
That takes away the fun.
Nulton gave up whitewater kayaking a few
years ago, saying his midsection now makes
him feel too cramped in the boat, but some-
times he takes his son-in-laws fishing kayak
a flatwater kayak and paddles around a lake.
Its very peaceful, which is great if you need
peace, Nulton says. But if you need action,
then its not.
Thats what was so appealing about white-
water kayaking, Nulton says feeling the
power and the force of the river current, bump-
ing into rocks, and using your whole body in
steering the boat. Its more a feeling of danc-
ing than riding, Nulton says. Thats the way I
compare it to canoeing.
Over the years, Nulton led student groups
on overnight river camping adventure trips in
Wisconsin through his church organization.
He says he drew inspiration from the power of
the river, translating it to sermons on how God
speaks to people through nature.
The main lesson I learned was that its
really good for my soul to be in a place that I
cant control, Nulton says. Its healthy to be
participating in a force beyond myself that can
be benevolent or dangerous depending on my
reaction to it.
WATER TRAILS
For many local kayakers looking for a serene
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
J U LY 2 0 1 7
 C OVER S TO RY
Best places in Wisconsin to kayak
With 15,000 lakes and 84,000 miles of
rivers in Wisconsin, choosing the best
place to kayak really comes down to your
skill level and the type of kayaking youd
like to do whitewater kayaking or flat-
water (sea) kayaking. A few favorites in-
clude the following:
WAUPACA CHAIN O LAKES
With 22 lakes, the Waupaca Chain O
Lakes is a popular boating destination.
Kayakers can explore any of the lakes,
but the Upper Chain, consisting of five
slow, no-wake lakes, is ideal. Access the
chain from Beasley Creek, which con-
nects the Upper Chain to the Lower.
FOX RIVER
The 200-mile Fox River is divided into
the Upper Fox, which stretches from
central Wisconsin to Lake Winnebago,
and the Lower Fox, beginning at Lake
Winnebago and flowing to Green Bay.
The Fox offers a slow current and a sys-
tem of restored locks, thanks to efforts by
the Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Parkway, an
organization dedicated to historic pres-
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9
experience, flatwater kayaking options
also are abundant throughout the state,
with local favorites including the Wolf
and the Fox rivers. Organized trips can
PHOTO BY LEE PULASKI
be a great way to get started.
In June, the Wolf River Paddle &
Pedal event took participants on a 7-mile
flatwater paddle down the Wolf River
and a bike ride of 8, 14, or 22 miles back
to Mountain Bay Outfitters. The pro-
ceeds from the event went to Shawano
Pathways, an organization focused on
promoting a healthy community through
the development of trails which
means water trails, too.
We want to encourage people to use
the river and think about active trans-
portation, and active outdoor living, no
matter what the mode feet, bicycle
or canoe or kayak, says Brown-Koeller,
president of the organization.
10
SL
ervation and recreation. Several new
ADA-accessible kayak launches have
been installed along the Fox in the past
few years.
WOLF RIVER
With 240 miles of river stretching from
Forest to Winnebago counties, the Wolf
River provides stretches that will make
both whitewater and flatwater kayakers
happy. The upper part of the river from
Lily and Big Smokey Falls is where youll
find the rapids. The Class II-III section
(Class I rapids are the most gentle) be-
tween Langlade to Markton provides
low-grade hazards and some of the best
scenery on the river. The lower part is a
favorite of local flatwater kayakers, with
a launch point at Judd Park in Shawano.
PESHTIGO RIVER
Whitewater kayaking enthusiasts
throughout the Midwest count the
Peshtigo River among their favorites.
Advanced kayakers are attracted to the
4-mile Roaring Rapids segment, but
beginning whitewater kayakers can en-
Chris Kampke, left, and Terry Young carry a kayak from
their trailer to the edge of the Wolf River in Shawano for
the annual Paddle and Pedal event put on by Shawano
Pathways on June 24.
Mountain Bay Outfitters, which part-
nered with Shawano Pathways on the
event, has been seeing more baby boom-
ers and retired people coming in to ask
about kayaking, says Tim Conradt, owner.
For people just starting to get into it,
flatwater is probably the most popular,
Conradt says. Its gaining momentum.
joy Class I and II segments south of the
CCC Bridge. Flatwater kayakers can vis-
it a section of river meandering through
lowland forest between between Big Joe
Landing and the CCC Bridge.
WAUPACA CHAIN O LAKES
With 22 lakes, the Waupaca Chain O
Lakes is a popular boating destination.
Kayakers can explore any of the lakes,
but the Upper Chain, consisting of five
slow, no-wake lakes, is ideal. Access the
chain from Beasley Creek, which con-
nects the Upper Chain to the Lower.
APOSTLE ISLANDS
NATIONAL LAKESHORE
Exploring the sea caves and cliffs
along the Apostle Islands National Lake-
shore is an unforgettable kayaking expe-
rience and the best part is you dont
need to be an expert to do it. Several out-
fitters and tour companies offer kayak
trips of varying lengths half-day, full-
day or overnight and most are geared
toward beginners and provide all equip-
ment.
The outfitting company has user-
friendly kayaks that offer stability for the
first-time user who wants to try out the
sport.
A lot of people hear kayaking and
think you crawl into a little cockpit, and
that youll tip over and youre going to be
trapped, he says. For beginners and
people who are a little bit heavier, we
have sit-on- tops that will feel more com-
fortable and they track well, and theyre
a nice kayak.
Brown-Koeller tries to get out and
paddle five or six times each summer,
enjoying the Wolf but preferring to ex-
plore new places. She likes the indepen-
dence of a kayak.
A kayak gives me a lot more freedom
to get out by myself, Brown-Koeller
says. I didnt need to wait to have a part-
ner to go canoeing. It really opened up a lot
of possibilities for me to explore and enjoy
the water.
JULY 2 0 1 7
C O VER S TO RY
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CAN-CONCTIONS

GEAR
LIFETIME CAN-PANION
TAMARACK BEVERAGE HOLDER
TIOGA 120 KAYAK The Can-conctions
WITH PADDLE Can-panion Beverage
A great choice Holder keeps your

GUIDE
for beginning drink within arms
kayakers, the sit- reach, whether youre
on- top Lifetime replenishing electro-
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smartphone makes and sizes, offers a fitted, contoured foam construction with and special StormStrip closure, the Dri-Stow bag
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Suggested retail value : $14.99. Suggested retail value: $64.99-$69.99.
Available at Mountain Bay Outfitters. Available at Cabelas. COMPILED BY NIKKI KALLIO

11
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 HOMES
SL

Tools to make the perfect

By KIM COOK
SLICE OF TOAST
T
oast is one of lifes great comfort
foods. Any amateur can make it:
Put bread in toasting device, push
button, wait, remove and slather with
something.
But its also trendy: In recent years,
toast has found a cozy spot among and
under food trends like avocado, small-
batch jam, artisanal cheese and free-
range proteins of various types.
Toast is popular now because its a
versatile concept, says Jill Donenfeld,
author of Better on Toast: Happiness
on a Slice of Bread 70 Irresistible
Recipes (William Morrow Cookbooks,
March 2015).
Its pretty. Its single serve. And its
portable. Bread is just not something
most people dislike.
Luckily, the toaster has evolved, too.
While toaster ovens are popular for
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PHOTOS

thick slices and for toppings, slot toast-

ers in their modern iterations have lots
of snazzy features. Countertop space
and personal preferences may drive
your decision.
Some style-savvy options:

This photo shows a smash of seasoned avocado on toast in Larchmont, New York, and is one of the most popular toast
toppings. Its also a big draw on Instagram, where the hashtag has nearly 400,000 posts.

four-slice toaster is equipped with self-

Williams-Sonoma has Brevilles
sleek toaster, in silver or cranberry red,
with presets for multiple slices and lev-
els of browning. The appliance is also a
capacious countertop oven with convec-
tion baking. The companys Signature
centering guides and 7 browning set-
tings. (www.williams-sonoma.com )
Dualits Architect four-slice model
lets you toast up both thick and thin slic-
es at the same time. Settings include de-
frost, and an option to toast just one side
of your bread. (www.thehut.com )
Cuisinarts Compact two-slice
stainless toaster, with a handy defrost- red, and pastel pink, blue or cream.
then-toast feature and roomy toasting (www.westelm.com )
slots, would fit nicely on a tiny kitchen At the high end of the market,
counter. (www.cuisinart.com ) Kitchenaids Pro Line four-slice toast-
Smegs snazzy 50s-style slot toast- er comes in apple red, black, medallion
er comes in retro hues like fire-engine silver and frosted pearl. LED lights

12
JULY 2 0 1 7
HO MES
above the settings allow you to oper-
ate the appliance in low light. A thought-
ful A Little Longer button lets you give
your bread an extra tweak of toastiness if
necessary. And an automatic Keep Warm
function continues to keep your toast cozy
for an extra three minutes. (www.kitch-
enaid.com)
Donenfelds an old-school pan toast-
JULY 2017
SL
er; the technique makes for a uniformly
buttery, crispy slice, she says.
Greg Lofts, deputy food editor at Mar-
tha Stewart Living, has his own twist on
the pan toast: I prefer to toast bread
in a dry, cast-iron skillet. This method
yields a crispy, golden exterior and soft,
chewy interior.
His pro tip: I slice bread when its
fresh and keep it in the freezer, so I can
easily toast one slice at a time and enjoy
it throughout the week.
Whether you use a high-tech appliance
or a stick over an open flame, its hard to
argue with toasts simple charm. As Do-
nenfeld writes, Food tastes better when
its eaten on a piece of hot, crispy bread.
Theres something primal about it.
13
 T RAVEL
SL

THOUSAND-MILER
New book follows the Ice Age Trail
By BETH J. HARPAZ

C
hances are youve heard of the
Appalachian Trail, the hiking path
that runs 2,179 miles from Georgia
to Maine. You may also be familiar with
the Pacific Crest Trail, a 2,650-mile route
from California to Canada.
But unless you live in Wisconsin, you
may not know about the 1,100-mile Ice
Age Trail. Melanie Radzicki McManus

ED MCMANUS VIA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

hopes to bring more attention to that
route with a new book, Thousand-Mil-
er. McManus, 55, set womens records
for fastest-known times on the Ice Age
Trail, completing it in 36 days in 2013 and
34 days in 2015.
Her book, just out from the Wisconsin
Society Historical Press, documents the
challenges that she
and others faced
hiking the Ice Age This 2013 photo shows Melanie McManus at the eastern terminus of the Ice Age Trail in Sturgeon Bay. McManus
Trail from get- wrote the book, Thousand-Miler: Adventures Hiking the Ice Age Trail.
ting lost to blis- of woods, hills and wetlands sculpted by just 10 through-hikers on the Appala-
ters, injuries, ticks, the retreat of glacial ice 12,000 years ago. chian Trail in 1970, but more than 1,000
bears and dogs The trail runs from St. Croix Falls across completed the trail last year. Some 17,500
as well as the re- the northern half of Wisconsin in a squig- hikers in all are believed to have complet-
wards. gly east-west line before dipping into a ed the Appalachian Trail.
Whether youre giant U, with its eastern terminus in Po- In contrast, the number of Ice Age
from Wisconsin or tawatomi State Park in Sturgeon Bay. Trail through-hikers to date is still under
somewhere else, McManus chose to run the trail on 150 and the trails first known through-
when you hike a trail like that, you get whats known as a supported hike, mean- hike wasnt reported until 1979, the year
such a deep connection with the land and ing that she was picked up and dropped before it was designated a National Sce-
with the outdoors, McManus said in an off each day at predesignated spots by nic Trail.
interview. car. Of course, through-hikers on any trail
One memorable moment was a But simply finding her way proved to represent a tiny fraction of those who use
downhill stretch into a field edged with be a big part of the adventure. Only a lit- it. A study by the University of Wisconsin
grasses, creating a stunning effect, like tle more than half of the Ice Age Trail is concluded that 1.25 million people used
a carpet being unrolled for royalty, she completed and some sections are in poor the Ice Age Trail in 2012.
recalled. I made my way down this thing condition. Hikers use roads to connect McManus recommends the Point
like I was a bride going down the aisle. the trail segments. GPS reception is un- Beach, Chippewa Moraine and Kettle
When she encountered a cairn, a mound reliable, so detailed maps and a compass Moraine areas for beginning hikers to
of stones left by previous visitors about are essential. McManus writes of being experience the Ice Age Trail.
halfway through her trek, I felt like the disoriented, backtracking and hunting I would just hope people whether
trail was saying, Way to go, youre half- for trail markers that were sometimes its the Ice Age Trail or a trail in their own
way there. We salute you. It was a magi- missing or hard to see. backyard just get out and explore, she
cal feeling. Long-distance hiking has boomed in said. You dont have to hike 1,100 miles.
The Ice Age Trail follows a landscape popularity since the 1970s. There were You can hike a mile or 5 miles.

14
JULY 2 0 1 7
S AVVY S EN IO R
New Medicare cards debut next year
By JIM MILLER
Dear Savvy Senior,
I just received my Medicare card in
the mail and was surprised to see that
the ID number is the same as my Social
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Security number. I know its a bad idea
to carry around anything that displays
my Social Security number because it
makes me vulnerable to identity theft.
Wasnt the government supposed to
stop putting Social Security numbers on
Medicare cards?
New Beneficiary
Dear New,
Many people new to Medicare are
surprised to learn that the ID number
on their Medicare card is still identical
to their Social Security number (SSN).
After all, were constantly warned not to
carry our SSN around with us, because if
it gets lost or stolen, the result could be
identity theft.
But the card itself tells beneficiaries
to carry it with you when you are away
from home so you can show it at the doc-
JULY 2017
SL
tors office or hospital when you need
medical care.
Heres what you should do to protect
yourself.
NEW MEDICARE CARDS
For starters, youll be happy to know
that the government is in the process of
removing SSNs from Medicare cards,
but with 58 million beneficiaries, its a
huge undertaking that will be imple-
mented gradually.
The Centers for Medicare and Medic-
aid Services will start sending the new
cards in April 2018, but it will take until
December 2019 before SSNs are re-
moved from all cards.
Under the new system, a randomly
generated 11-character Medicare Ben-
eficiary Identifier will replace the SSN-
based health claim number on your new
Medicare card, but your Medicare ben-
efits will not change.
You will receive information in 2018
letting you know about the new Medi-
care card, with an explanation of how
to use the new card and what to do with
your old one.
You can start using your new Medi-
care card with the new number as soon
as you receive it, and there should be a
transition period in 2018 and 2019 when
you can use either the old card or the
new card.
PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY
Until your new Medicare card is is-
sued, heres what you can do to protect
your SSN on your current card.
The Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, a
national consumer resource on identity
theft, recommends that you carry your
CONTINUED ON PAGE 16
15
 S AVVY S EN IO R
SL
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15
Medicare card only when you visit a
health care provider for the first time,
so the provider can make a copy for
their files. Otherwise, make a photo-
copy of your card and cut it down to
wallet size. Then take a black marker
and black out the last four digits of your
SSN, and carry that instead in case of
an emergency.
If your Medicare card does happen
to get lost or stolen, you can replace
it by calling Social Security at 800-772-
1213 or contact your local Social Secu-
rity office.
You can also request a card online at
SSA.gov/MyAccount. Your card will ar-
rive in the mail in about 30 days.
If your Medicare card that contains
your SSN gets lost or stolen, youll need
to watch out for Medicare fraud. You
can do this by checking your quarterly
Medicare summary notices for servic-
es or supplies you did not receive. You
16
can also check your Medicare claims
early online at MyMedicare.gov (youll
need to create an account first), or by
calling Medicare at 800-633-4227. If you
spot anything suspicious or wrong, call
the Inspector Generals fraud hotline
at 800-447-8477.
Also, watch for other signs of iden-
tity theft.
For example, if someone uses your
Social Security number to obtain cred-
it, loans, telephone accounts, or other
goods and services, report it immedi-
ately to the Federal Trade Commission
at IdentityTheft.gov (or 877-438-4338).
This site will also give you specific
steps youll need to take to handle this
problem.
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.
Email your senior story ideas to
JULY 2017 news@wolfrivermedia.com