The Senior

VOICE April 2008

Local Attractions • Scenic Places • History • Money • Health • News

Lost
Ghost
Gold
Town
Mine
In Northern
In North
Colorado
Colorado

Mesa
Longs
Verde
Peak
The Women
Pioneer
Who Saved It
Climbers
Tribute
Outlaws
In to
Early
Cowboys
Colorado
In the
Early West
Skiing
Cover
Steamboat
Picture:
Springs
Poudre
Canyon
2 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice

Prostate Cancer Tests

2008 A nother research study says the
PSA test (prostate specific
will be more accurate. Called a
prostate cancer antigen (EPCA-2),

Seminar Schedule antigen) may not be an accurate

indicator of whether a man has a
lethal prostate cancer, according to
the Journal of the National Cancer
the test focuses on a blood protein
produced by prostate cancer.
Levels of that protein may give a
Month Topic more accurate indication of the
Institute. presence of cancer.
April Long Term Care Q&A An earlier study at Harvard Information on the new test was
May Retirement Investment Strategies Medical School reached similar reported recently in the medical
June Estate Conservation conclusions. The problem, said journal Urology. Researchers say
researchers, is that the PSA is the test can distinguish between
July Investment Fundamentals 101 simply not accurate enough to cancers that are confined to the
August 6th Client Appreciation BBQ detect a cancer that needs serious prostate and those that have spread
treatment. outside the gland.
August Retirement Plan Distributions In many cases involving older The older PSA test is more
September Income for Life men, doctors take a wait-and-see general and sometimes indicates
October Beyond Boundaries/Global Opportunities attitude because most men are cancer when there is none. The
more likely to die “with” a prostate PSA also may not indicate a
November Charitable Giving/Legacy Planning cancer than “from” it. Such cancer when there actually is one.
December Focusing on Energy within Your Portfolio cancers can spread so slowly that The uncertainty causes many
men die from something else unnecessary biopsies for men.
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 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 3

The Senior
Lost Gold Mine on the Poudre VOICE Published Locally Since 1980

VOL. 28, NO. 5

email thevoice@frii.com
www.theseniorvoice.net
PUBLICATION INFORMATION

The Senior Voice newspaper has been

published locally the first of each month
since 1980 for residents age 50-plus.

ADVERTISING
For rates, call 970-229-9204;
or see www.theseniorvoice.net.
Ad deadline is 20th of month.

Wolfgang Lambdin
Advertising Director
Associate Publisher
Fort Collins
(970) 229-9204

Profile Rock in the upper Poudre Canyon, looking east. Some people see two faces here. SALES OFFICES:
Senior Voice photo. Ft. Collins and Greeley
By Bill Lambdin than ever, figuring the prospectors bled upon. (970) 229-9204
had found a rich vein. The next day, the boy said he

I s there a lost gold mine up the

Poudre Canyon west of Fort
Collins?
But the next time the prospec- picked up a bleached bone near
tors came down, things had the cabin and put it in his saddle
changed. They said a bear had bag. He followed a trail from the
Loveland and Estes Park
(970) 482-8344

Some pioneers said there was, killed their ox. They traded gold cabin to a mine. He entered the EDITORIAL DEADLINE
and a 1914 Rocky Mountain News for liquor as usual, but they quar- mine and discovered a large bear Announcements and stories must be
article recalled the story, which reled with each other, drinking with cubs. received by the 10th of the month.
involved an accidental hanging heavily for several days. The bear came after him, and
and a lost boy who was nearly Then one night, they fought. the boy barely escaped with his LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
killed by a bear. Michael hit Hans with a pistol butt life, managing to get to his horse The Senior Voice welcomes readers' letters
In the 1860s, two prospectors and killed him. He may not have and ride blindly down the canyon. and contributions. Enclose a self-addressed
known as Hans and Michael intended to kill him; both were Some of the local men realized envelope and return postage to: The Senior
showed up at the military town of very drunk. that the bone the boy brought back Voice, 1471 Front Nine Drive, Fort Collins,
Camp Collins. They had gold with The locals figured this was their was from an ox. They figured he CO 80525, or email thevoice@frii.com. The
them and used it to buy liquor for chance. They seized Michael and had accidentally found the mine of Senior Voice assumes no responsibility for
a spree that lasted several days. threatened to hang him if he didn’t Michael and Hans. But the boy had damaged or lost material submitted by
Then they left. share his secret. been so lost and frightened that he readers.
Other men at Camp Collins He refused to talk; so the men could not remember where the
thought nothing of it until the put a rope around his neck, threw cabin was. © Copyright 2008
prospectors showed up again with the rope over a tree branch and No one ever reported finding The Senior Voice
gold. The locals asked where they pulled him up for a few seconds. the mine, and the tale may be
had found it. Hans and Michael They intended only to scare nothing more than a fabrication. It
refused to say. Even when drunk, him. But when they let him down, is typical of the “lost gold mine” EDITORIAL OFFICE:
they would tell no one. he was dead. The locals quickly stories that circulated in early 1471 Front Nine Drive
One of the locals followed the lost interest in the gold because of Colorado. Fort Collins, CO 80525
prospectors. He lost their trail the incident. Most historians don’t mention (970) 223-9271
because of a snow storm but A few years later, a boy the story. But it might have been
email thevoice@frii.com
reported they headed up Poudre became lost in Poudre Canyon hushed up because of the hanging.
Canyon. while hunting alone. People If the mine is up there, it might www.theseniorvoice.net
The next time the prospectors searched for him, but within a be near a dilapidated log cabin and
arrived, they had considerably couple of days he came riding in some bleached ox bones. No material may be reproduced by any
more gold with them, and they on his own. ________________ means without permission of the publisher.
traded their burro for an ox. They He had been scared out of his COVER PICTURE: The Poudre
loaded more mining supplies than wits. While wandering through the River in the upper canyon, near Dr. William Lambdin, Publisher
usual in a wagon and left. canyon, he said he had spent a the Big South access area. Senior
The locals were more interested night in an old log cabin he stum- Voice photo. ■
4 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
A Tribute to
Early Cowboys
Editor’s Note: Greeley historian
Hazel Johnson wrote this story years
ago.
By Hazel Johnson
E arly Greeley resident Charles
Jackson described a cowboy
named Jesse Gale and offered a
tribute to the cowboy’s way of life:
“By heritage,” said Jackson,
“Jesse Gale was endowed with the
outstanding characteristics of the
typical New Englander, handed down
in a straight line from Puritan ances-
tors.
“The heritage of a rugged consti-
tution, clear vision, the ability to think
straight and act straight, and an
abiding love for all creatures and
nature were his.
“I wish I had the gift to be able to
recount the story of his long, active
life—to tell you of one who took up
the management of a large cattle
outfit. As the story unfolded, you
would hear of Texas longhorns from
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Ogallala to Julesburg, a tale of days of
blistering heat, stifling dust and
maddening thirst.
“You would learn of the terrors of
fearful storms and of the dangers of
the deadly stampede of hundreds of
fear-crazed cattle, of the men who
rode out the storms, who repeatedly
risked life rather than forsake their
charges.
“But life on the range was not
always the bitterness of storms, nor
was the misery of worn out men and
animals the most enduring of memo-
ries.
“It was also days of sunshine,
the thrill of rides with nothing
surrounding you but space. The shim-
mering prairie, the silent rush of the
wind.
“The smell of the earth, the grass
and flowers. The water holes and the
sound of lowing cattle, the hustle of around you and a big blanket of stars many other cowboys loved the
riders saddling up and pulling out at over all as Mother Earth soothed your freedom and space of the great plains
dawn, and at day’s end the whiff of tired aching body. And weariness in the West.
aroma from the coffee pot. vanished in profound, peaceful sleep. “And no wonder. It must have
“The sweet smell of the sage brush “Jesse Gale loved the range, just as been something to behold.” ■
Joe Dombrowski, Rocky Mountain Standard Plan Member since 2004
“Doctors don’t hesitate when you tell them
you have Rocky Mountain Medicare.”
Coverage you can count on.
Joe Dombrowski lets everyone know that his doctors are as happy
with Rocky Mountain Health Plans as he is. “I tell lots of people to talk
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We offer a wide choice of benefit and price options, as well as local
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We have several plan choices including our Thrifty Plan which is just
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 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 5

Buffalo Bill’s Personal Life By

Margaret
Laybourn

M y fascination with Buffalo Bill

Cody began when I was a small
girl in Casper, Wyoming.
My mother’s good friend, Marie
Niethammer, had an uncle and aunt
who worked for Cody throughout
most of his Wild West show career.
The uncle and aunt wrote many letters
to their niece.
It was only a few years ago that I
discovered Cody’s divorce papers in
the Wyoming state archives, and I
began to realize the true dimensions
of this Western icon. At his death, he
was recognized as the first worldwide
celebrity.
In 1907 he filed for divorce from
his wife, Louisa. He was strapped
for money to get his Wild West show
on the road for its summer tour, and
Louisa refused to allow him to mort-
gage their North Platte, Nebraska,
ranch to finance the new season. She
believed her husband was in deep
financial trouble and might be unable
to repay the loan; and she would lose
her home.
A letter from Cody’s daughter,
Arta, written in 1885 from her school
in Chicago, showed that he had
she has always looked on the dark and
bleak side. I cannot feel angry with
her. She is dearly loved by me, yet
Then she referred to the vow he
had taken never to touch liquor again.
“I love you with my whole heart and
she loves me not and refuses to write may God protect and help you to keep
to me.” this beautiful vow.”
Later she added, “Do not say, dear According to historians, it wasn’t
papa, that you will go to Europe and until years after the judge refused his
never return, for that is not right. You divorce and gave him a terrible
know that you love your native land tongue lashing, and after the death of
and will be glad to come back to it his beloved daughter, Arta, that Cody
when you are covered with victory.” finally was free of liquor. ■
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She wrote, “To my darling papa, I www.movingsolutions.com
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or feel angry toward dear momma as

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6 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
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Inflation and the
Declining Dollar
By Scott Burns
Financial Writer
Q: I believe inflation is getting
out of hand and the dollar will
continue to decline. I think a good
way to protect my savings against
inflation would be to buy a larger
and more expensive home in a
nicer subdivision, pay cash, have
no mortgage, and keep our current
house as a rental.
If inflation runs crazy and the
dollar continues to decline, real
estate will be the only thing that
could protect our savings. In five
or six years, when the price of the
new home goes up at the rate of
inflation and devaluation, we
could sell it and (if needed) return
to our rental home. What is worth
$400,000 today will be worth
$800,000 by then. Do you think
this is a good idea?
A: Concern about inflation and
the decline of the dollar is now
virtually universal. Unfortunately,
buying a larger house isn’t a good
way to find a safe haven. Here are
some of the reasons this path won’t
work.
Houses are consuming assets.
That means it costs money to own
and operate a house, even if you
have no mortgage. When you buy
a larger house, you are committing
to greater expenses. Higher energy
prices, for instance, will be
reflected in higher utility bills.
Similarly, real estate taxes are
likely to grow faster than wages,
putting you in a squeeze.
Worse, the same inflation will
limit the number of buyers for your
house when you want to sell it.
Remember, the real pain from infla-
tion comes when prices rise faster
than earned incomes. That’s when
people are forced to make hard
choices, like buy gasoline or have
meals out, heating or cooling part of
the house rather than all of it, etc.
A DUMP TRUNK LOAD Another thing you’re not
considering is liquidity. Houses
seem reassuringly real, unlike
financial assets; but you can’t sell
an extra bedroom or an empty
closet when you need some cash.
And you can’t put in a sell order
and have cash in a few days.
The most reliable measure of
security and safety we have is a
very simple one: How long will
your liquid resources (cash in the
bank, short-term CDs, short-term
Treasury obligations, etc.) support
you if you have no other sources
of income?
If your regular monthly ex-
penses are, say, $4,000 and your
liquid resources are $6,000, then
you are secure for about six weeks.
Surveys regularly show that most
Americans will be in trouble very
quickly, i.e., in a matter of a few
weeks.
My suggestion: Look for ways
to reduce your spending and
increase your liquid resources.
________________
Scott Burns is a longtime financial
writer for The Dallas Morning
News and other papers. He does not
sell investments. You can send ques-
tions to: scott@scottburns.com. ■
Remembering
Our Mothers
Please join us as we celebrate
and honor the lives of mothers,
grandmothers, mothers-in-law,
and all mothers.
This event includes a catered
lunch, music, poetry, and a time
to share stories and remember.
Colorado poets, Veronica
Patterson and Lisa Zimmerman,
will recite selected poems and
other readings.
Saturday May 3, 2008
11:30 A.M.–1:30 P.M.
305 Carpenter Road
Fort Collins, CO
Cost: $16.00
To Register, Please Call
(970) 663-3500
by April 18th

The Women Who
Saved Mesa Verde
By Bill Lambdin
M esa Verde National Park in south-
western Colorado was saved from
ruin by two women who, in 1906,
convinced Congress to make the area a
national park and keep vandals from
destroying the cliff dwellings we see
today.
Virginia McClurg and Lucy Peabody
gave lectures, wrote articles, organized
groups, and proded Washington officials
for over 10 years to create the park that
would preserve the centuries-old Indian
dwellings.
The women get little recognition
today, but they should be remembered
as visionaries who saw the cliff
dwellings as an important part of
America’s history that needed to be
preserved. Thanks to them, visitors
from throughout the world can see
exactly how some of America’s earliest
people lived.
Although Mesa Verde is considered
one of the most amazing historical finds
on earth, in the late 1800s people were
digging up the dwellings to find pots,
spear points and other artifacts they
could sell to museums and collectors
around the world.
Virginia McClurg was born in 1858
in New York City, came to Colorado
Springs in 1879 as a teacher and writer
for various newspapers, and married
Gilbert McClurg in 1889. She wrote for
influential publications such as
“Cosmopolitan” and Denver papers,
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The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 7
and her articles on the cliff dwellings
were widely read.
She also formed the Colorado Cliff
Dwellings Association, a group of influ-
ential women who helped put pressure
on politicians to create the park.
Her strongest associate, Lucy
Peabody, was born in 1863 in
Cincinnati, Ohio, and moved to Denver
in the 1880s with her husband, a retired
military officer. Lucy had worked in
Washington, D.C., for the federal
Bureau of American Ethnology and had
a good background in archaeology and
anthropology.
Her Washington connections were
invaluable in creating the park. She was
described as a “charming, cultured
woman” who knew how to get things
done with government bureaucrats. One of Mesa Verde’s many cliff dwellings.
Virginia McClurg first saw the Mesa Colorado Historical Society.
Verde cliff dwellings in 1886, riding
horseback and walking long distances in President Theodore Roosevelt signed in the roads and things the park needed to
the hot, dusty canyons. Other people 1906 creating the park. become a world famous exhibit for
had seen them earlier, including famed Virginia did not like the first park American heritage.
photographer William Henry Jackson, superintendent, and for good reason. At the same time Mesa Verde
who took the first pictures of them in Hans Randolph was a political opened, a group of fake cliff dwellings
1874. appointee who misappropriated funds, was built in Manitou Springs near
Danish nobleman Gustaf Norden- drank too much and knew nothing about Colorado Springs. Many tourists visit
skiold spent several months among archaeology. The most knowledgeable that because it is conveniently located
the ruins in 1891 and was fascinated by and dedicated early superintendent was near Denver. Manitou Springs city offi-
them. He published the first scholarly Jesse Nusbaum, an archaeologist from cials deliberately mislead people and
book about them. Greeley. call their cliff dwellings “authentic,”
Many people knew about the Virginia wanted the park to be under though stones were hauled in from
dwellings, but no one did anything to local control, and she was upset that southwestern Colorado, and the
preserve them until Virginia and Lucy Washington took it over. But in the end, dwellings were built as a tourist trap.
came on the scene. Virginia worked for that was best because only the federal Mesa Verde is the real thing, and it
nearly 20 years to finally get a bill that government had enough money to build is magnificent. ■
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8 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice

Questionable Research
By Bill Lambdin have published the study.
The cigarette company’s grant to

A recent news report in the New

York times about medical
research at universities shows how
corporations can secretly affect
research and how so-called experts
can mislead people.
In October 2006, the New England
Journal of Medicine published an
article by Dr. Claudia Henschke, a
faculty member and researcher at
Weill Cornell Medical College.
She said her research showed that
80 percent of lung cancer deaths could
be prevented through widespread use
of CT scans. Such a conclusion could
benefit cigarette companies because
they could say smokers getting CT
scans could catch lung cancers early
enough to get treatments and cures—
thus making smoking less dangerous.
In fact, a cigarette company, the
Liggett Group, provided $3.6
million in grants for Dr. Henschke’s
research. But she did not disclose
that in her published report. If she
had, Journal editor Catherine
DeAngelis said she would have seen
a conflict of interest and would not
the college was given through a group
called the Foundation for Lung
Cancer: Early Detection, Prevention
and Treatment. The cigarette
company’s name (Liggett) was not
used. But the New York Times
learned that the foundation was
funded by the Vector Group, a corpo-
ration that owns Liggett.
Dr. Henschke contended that the
cigarette company’s connection did
not affect the outcome of her study
and that there was no conflict of
interest.
But most researchers disagree
with her. “Her research is tainted,”
said Dr. Paul Bunn with the
International Association for the
Study of Lung Cancer.
Such conflicts of interest among
university researchers is common,
according to Dr. Jerome Kassirer,
former editor of the New England
Journal of Medicine.
He said, “The problem is that
universities, because they’re so
conflicted themselves, ignore the
conflicts of interest of their faculty.” ■

A Service of Remembrance,
Reflection and Hope
Thursday, April 17, 2008 6:30 pm

Governor’s Farm
Apartments
701 6th Street • Windsor, CO • (970) 352-5860
Designed for people 62 years of age
and older, or disabled.
Governor’s Farm is located in a pleasant rural
community, offers affordable rent, one-bedroom
ground level apartments, laundry facility, free
maintenance and small pets are welcome.
Please join Mountain Valley Health Care for a memorial service
to honor your loved ones who have passed away.
Hensel Phelps Theatre, Union Colony Civic Center,
701 10th Avenue, Greeley, Colorado 80631
Refreshments will follow the service.
For more information or to submit a picture
for the presentation, please contact
Larry Kilpatrick, Chaplin, at 970-346-9700.
Open free to the public.
Northern Colorado’s Only Home Care & Hospice Provider
1180 W. Main St. #9 • Windsor

USDA-RD
Equal Housing
Opportunity 970.346.9700
 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 9

Rafting the
Vail-Aspen Area
By Lois Hall River should be run only by expert
kayakers. A good put in for them is

R afting near Vail is available on

the Eagle River, which begins
near Leadville and Colorado’s
highest mountain, 14,433-foot
Mount Elbert.
One of the few free-flowing
rivers left in the western United
States, it runs north from Leadville
to Minturn, through the town of
Eagle and into the Colorado River
above Glenwood Springs.
It is good for a wide range of
equipment and abilities, from
kayaks to canoes and from begin-
ners to experts, and offers many
miles of floating. The best season is
May through July.
The most popular stretch is
through the towns of Avon, Edwards
and Wolcott. But you can float all
the way west through the town of
Eagle and on to the Colorado River.
The upper part of the Eagle
at the town of Red Cliff, where
Homestake Creek joins the Eagle.
It is Class IV water through the
town of Minturn, and several people
have drowned running the Minturn
Chutes. A less dangerous stretch
runs from Interstate 70 below
Minturn west to the town of Eagle.
A good run for beginners starts
just below Eagle and runs to
Dotsero. Check locally to see which
sections are open.
The Colorado River flows
through beautiful Glenwood Canyon
a few miles west of Vail. This is a
very popular section, for both large
rafts and individual floaters. Most
people put in at Grizzly Creek.
Farther west on the Colorado
River you will find easy canoeing
and rafting all the way from New
Castle through DeBeque Canyon
near Grand Junction.
For rafting near Aspen, most canoeists and rafters. Beginners
people use the Roaring Fork River. often float the river right in Aspen,
It begins in the high peaks above before it reaches Slaughterhouse
Aspen and flows northwest to the bridge.
Colorado River at Glenwood The smaller Fryingpan River
Springs, passing through the small joins the Roaring Fork at Basalt and,
towns of Basalt and Carbondale. depending on water levels, can be
The Roaring Fork is one of good kayaking from Reudi
Colorado’s most popular kayaking Reservoir to Basalt.
rivers, especially the treacherous, The Crystal River, from the town
expert stretch from Slaughterhouse of Marble to the Roaring Fork, has
bridge just west of Aspen to the several good runs for expert to inter-
Woody Creek bridge about five mediate floaters, with Class IV and
miles downriver. V stretches. Less experienced
Below Basalt, all the way to paddlers can put in at the Fish
Glenwood Springs, there is good Hatchery bridge or Rocky Mountain
water for less experienced kayakers, School west of Carbondale. ■

Can’t Sue Drug Makers?

D rug companies want the U.S.
Supreme Court to rule that
Americans cannot sue them, and it
appears the court might do so, says
The New York Times.
Drug companies argue that, if
the FDA approves a medicine, state
courts have no right to second guess
FDA “experts” and allow a jury to
say a medicine caused harm and that
the manufacturer should pay
damages.
The Supreme Court recently
Manipulating Drug Prices
declared that is the case with
medical devices approved by the
FDA. Americans can no longer sue
manufacturers of medical devices.
The logic is that, if FDA experts
say a drug is safe, then consumers
have no right to question its safety
or sue for harm it might do.
Many analysts find this
disturbing. Before the Bush admin-
istration, FDA officials supported
the public’s right to sue drug compa- YOUR HOME IS YOUR LIFE.
nies. Now they do not. ■
MAKING IT BEAUTIFUL IS OURS.
We’re Gary & Mira Smith, We’re Kitchen Tune-up
Whether it’s renovating the kitchen you have

T he price of drugs usually goes

down considerably when
generic versions come on the
market, and consumers benefit. But
that is happening much less lately
because drug companies have found
a way to keep generics off the
market.
Brand-name drug companies are
paying generic companies not to sell
the cheaper drugs, says Federal
Trade Commission (FTC) member
Jon Leibowitz.
That is supposed to be against
the law, but drug companies have
found a way around the law. The
generic companies are accepting
millions of dollars in payoffs to
withhold cheaper drugs from the
market, and brand-name manufac-
turers continue to make their
millions by having monopolies on
high-priced drugs.
Who pays those millions?
“Consumers, employers, insurers and
the government,” says Leibowitz.
The FTC will propose legisla-
tion to stop the practice, but there is
no guarantee the legislation will
pass. ■
and love, or creating the kitchen you’d love to
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10 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice

The Real Pony Express

By Bill Lambdin

T he Pony Express is viewed today as

one of the most romantic chapters in
the history of the West, but the reality was
quite different.
It lasted less than two years and was
never intended to be anything more than a
public relations ploy. Its purpose was to
gain a government contract for mail
delivery. It failed at that and ruined the
lives of its originators.
The Pony Express started in 1860,
and by the following year telegraph
service was available to the West Coast,
making the Pony Express obsolete.
Why did it start? The story goes back
to the Santa Fe Trail and the Overland
Stagecoach Line that once ran through
northern Colorado and southern Wyoming.
In 1855 three men formed a business
to haul freight in ox-drawn wagons from
Missouri over the Santa Fe Trail to New
Mexico: William Russell, William
Waddell and Alexander Majors.
They got a government contract to One of the buildings at Fort Laramie, Wyoming, in the 1800s. The Pony Express route went post the fort.
haul military supplies to forts along the Wyoming History Museum.
trail, and that contract made their business
successful. Without it, they probably hauling freight to Denver on the South without a government contract. He through Indian territory from Missouri to
would have failed. Platte River overland trail in northeastern borrowed heavily and soon was sending California in just ten days.
When the Colorado gold rush began Colorado. wagons and ox teams along the Overland The Pony Express was a highly publi-
in 1859, Russell decided they should start Russell believed they could do it Trail to Denver and all the way to Salt cized enterprise but a doomed business
Lake City. from the start. The partners didn’t get a
Cataract Surgery It was a financial disaster from the government contract.
beginning. Russell’s partners realized they Within a year and a half, they had lost
needed a government contract to survive everything, and the Pony Express rode off
and began scheming to get one. into the sunset. In 1862, Ben Holladay
“After moving from a small At that time, the government’s
$600,000 mail contract for West Coast
bought the bankrupt company’s assets
and expanded his Overland Stage Line.
town, I didn’t think I would delivery was with the Butterfield Stage
Line that ran through Arizona to
Holladay’s stages ran through
Colorado, Wyoming and other areas until
find this type of personal care, California. 1866 when he sold out to Wells Fargo &
Russell and his partners set out to Company. By 1870, the transcontinental
but Dr. Kirk put me convince the government that using the railroad was completed to the West Coast,
Overland Trail route across Nebraska and and overland stagecoaches and freight
at complete ease. ” Wyoming would be shorter and faster. To wagons became obsolete.
convince officials, they established the Russell and his partners died penni-
— Elaine Bonnell Pony Express. less. They never knew that their last-ditch
Loveland They bought 500 fast ponies, estab- business venture, the Pony Express,
lished 190 relay stations and hired daring would capture America’s imagination for
young riders like William F. Cody to race years to come. ■

W hen a teacher/librarian is forced to give up books because

she can’t see the type, it is a sad day indeed. That’s
exactly what happened for new Loveland resident, Elaine
Bonnell. A local optometrist referred Elaine to Dr. Kirk
because cataracts were keeping her from enjoying life to its
fullest.
“From the very first visit, I knew that a small town,
John W. Colvin, OD &
supportive atmosphere existed here at Kirk Eye Center. Dr.
John D. Kirk, MD, FACS Kirk put me at complete ease. His skill at removing my
cataracts was excellent. And, his concern continued after I
got home – he personally called to check on my progress
following my surgery.”
Elaine could not believe the difference cataract surgery made.
She could see detail. She had learned to live without it. “Dr.
3650 East 15th Street
Loveland, Colorado Kirk gave me the most wonderful Christmas gift ever! I
started a new book today and I intend to finish reading 1525 Riverside, Suite-B
669-1107 every last word.”
Fort Collins
w w w. K i r k E y e C e n t e r. c o m
 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 11

Rocky Mountain Travel King

Colorado Crosswords By Tony Donovan
Book With Experience! 42 Years, 1966-2008

Summer 2008 Princess Cruises Alaska Specials

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June 4-13, 2008. Sailing round trip from New York.
Ports of Call: Bermuda, San Juan, St. Thomas, Grand Turk.
Fuel surcharge, gov fees, airfare and transfers add’l.
ACROSS
1. Kenosha or Muddy 64. Gunnison County locale of early mining BEST AVAILABLE: BALCONY (BE-BA) $1,299 PP • INSIDE $949 PP
5. Ness’s foe origin re-energized in the 50’s when
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13. County home of the Air Force Academy 65. Giant’s Hall of Famer, Mel. September 8-21, 2008.
14. Corporate honchos 66. Bulletin board material?
Venice to Barcelona on Emerald Princess. $150 on board credit per cabin.
15. Carmelo’s org.
17. “At the ___ ___ sounding stupid...” DOWN All inclusive fares include: Hosted by Sylvia Mucklow, 12-day cruise,
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23. The Little Pittsburg’s output 2. I agree! INSIDE (M-I) OR OUTSIDE (FF-G) $3,700 PP
24. Grow in wisdom 3. Go bad
26. Glenwood Springs or Pagosa Springs 4. Twin ___. These peaks below 12,000 ft. Princess Ship’s Registries — Bermuda & Gibraltar
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29. Something placed on a table in Black 5. Common sign on doors Fares are cruise only unless listed as all inclusive. Fuel surcharge additional.
Hawk 6. Word before Lake or Creek
30. Colorado’s oldest tribe 7. EMT skill
33. Cornerstone inscription in the year 2600 8. Bane of farmers 9-DAY CANADIAN ROCKIES & GLACIER PARK TOUR
34. Still in force, as a license, say 9. CIA forerunner September 7-19, 2008.
36. Off-roader, briefly 10. Mythical flute player of the southwest
11. Call at home, maybe
Motorcoach tour with 2 nights at Waterton Park, 2 nights in Jasper and 2 nights
37. Longs and Meeker, for two
39. Restroom, to a Londoner 16. J.P. Morgan and Chase Manhatten get in Banff.Includes: Fully escorted, airfare, insurance, transfer.
40. How the Arapahoe and Cheyenne regarded
18.
together, say
Something heard at the state house
$2,099 PP BASED ON DOUBLE OCC.
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42. Ostrich-like bird 20. ___ Paulo
43. He is celebrated on the 3rd Monday each 22. Large city transport
January 25. Gp. Which “always gets its man” (abbr.) We specialize in your vacation needs...Cruises & Tours.
44. Powerful lobby group composed largely of 26. Gov. agency which might offer advice, Plan Your Family Reunion with RMTK!
hunters and sportsmen maybe even a loan to a Mom and Pop
45. Diva’s tantrum, perhaps (2 wds.) enterprise
47. Souffle ingredient 28. ___ Springs (I-70 turnoff to Mt. Evans) 970-484-5566
48. They’re on the watch for “smokies” 31. Moffat and Eisenhower, are two examples
50. Camera type (abbr.) 32. Jefferson County site just west of Denver 800-525-5306
52. Narrow river inlet 35. Feeding or cleaning up after the pooch (2 516 S. College Ave. • Ft. Collins, CO 80524
54. This may precede the meal at a celebratory wds.)
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56. Lamar ___ ___ of Las Animas (2 wds.) 41. Both Oprah and Martha have one (abbr.) Visit us at www.rkymtntravelking.us
59. Channel 6 or 12, e.g. 43. This “beat” writer wrote of Denver in his
61. Former CU coach Rick Neuheisel’s team classic On the Road
62. Today’s communications, often 46. ___ Shorty (1995 DeVito and Travolta
63. According to myth, he flew too close to film)
the sun and his wings, made of wax, melt- 49. A combining form relating to a portion of
the lower back
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50. Garfield County locale between Rifle and
New Castle on I-70
“Dedicated to Serve”
51. Jacob’s twin brother Locally Owned and Operated Since 1959
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55. Derogatory remark
57. Cable movie channel
58. Former House Speaker, O’Neill’s nickname
60. Make a lap?

Colorado
Crosswords
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12 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
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Can’t Trust Wall Street
By Scott Burns and Laurence
Kotlikoff
Financial Writers
I f Enron and the subprime crisis have
taught us anything, it’s that Main
Street can no longer trust Wall Street.
We can’t trust its accounting. Nor
can we trust it to keep its own risk at
prudent levels. Wall Street has repeat-
edly taken risk to levels that threaten
our entire financial system.
The stock market has been
tanking. Consumer confidence is
plunging. Home values are sinking.
The Federal Reserve is responding
by preparing to bail out the entire
financial sector. The gamble here is
gigantic. Wall Street risk-taking has
put all of us on a knife edge between
asset collapse and rampant inflation.
The Fed has pledged $330 billion
to shore up banks, investment compa-
nies, hedge funds and quasi-
governmental lenders. This is a
pittance measured against the $10 tril-
lion in mortgages or mortgage-backed
securities held by these institutions.
If home prices keep falling and
delinquencies keep rising, the Fed will
Local Events and Exhibits
Greeley Museums
Centennial Village history park
opens April 15. Meeker House
Museum opens May 1. Call 350-9216.
Red Feather Lakes Library
Colorado Bluebird Project presen-
tation on birds. Free computer classes.
Writers’ workshop. Free yoga classes.
Call for dates and times 881-2664.
Berthoud Library
Author Sandra Dallas discusses
her book “Tallgrass.” PBS documen-
tary “Amache” on Japanese American
internment camps in Colorado during
How Much Calcium Do We Need?
M ature people may need much less
calcium than previously recom-
mended, according to a report in the
“American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition.”
In fact, too much calcium supple-
ment might increase the risk of hip
fractures by reducing the phosphate
absorption needed to build calcium
into bone, said the researchers.
They said vitamin D might be
more beneficial. “It may well be that
current recommendations are too low
have a terrible choice: Let these insti-
tutions fail, or print trillions of
dollars. The first course could leave
the financial system and economy in
free fall.
Yes, the Fed is coming up with
part of the $330 billion by issuing
Treasury bonds. But our government
is already hocked (figuratively and
literally) to China.
Uncle Sam doesn’t have the tax
revenue, either now or in the future,
to pay back federal debt, cover the $1
trillion-and-rising bill for Iraq, and
meet soaring Medicare, Medicaid and
Social Security costs. Issuing more
Treasury bonds just means printing
more money in the future to cover the
government’s principal and interest
payments.
We’ve got a problem.
________________
Scott Burns is a longtime financial
writer for The Dallas Morning News
and other papers. Laurence Kotlikoff
is professor of economics at Boston
University, a fellow of the American
Academy of Arts and Sciences, and a
research associate at the National
Bureau of Economic Research. ■
WWII. Call 532-2757.
Fort Collins Libraries
Presentations on Antarctica,
Mayan ruins, Marie Curie, and Fort
Collins Symphony. Call 221-6740.
History Awards
The Wyoming State Historical
Society is encouraging nominations
of individuals and organizations that
have helped preserve and interpret
Wyoming history. Email linda@dance
wyoming; or write Judy Musgrave,
850 Sibley Circle, Sheridan, WY
82801. ■
for vitamin D and too high for
calcium,” said the report.
Current recommendations call for
1,200 to 1,500 milligrams of calcium
per day for mature adults. But the
researchers said that might be twice
as much as is needed. They added that
no previous studies have actually
determined just how much calcium
mature adults need.
The researchers looked at the
records of nearly 180,000 women and
70,000 men over age 40. ■

Sheepherders
By Arlene Ahlbrandt
C onflict raged between sheep-
men and cattlemen in early
Colorado and Wyoming. Cattle-
men said sheep ate the grass too
close to the ground and overgrazed
pastures.
An early newspaper headline
proclaimed “Sheep Raid: Violence
Flares” when masked men stam-
peded some sheep off a cliff,
burned the sheep wagon and killed
two sheep herders.
But by the 1920s, cattlemen
and sheepmen had learned to live
together. Sheep raising and lamb
feeding became an important
industry for Larimer County.
During the hard times of the
Depression in the 1930s, sheep
sold for as little as five cents a
head. But the market was good in
the 1940s and 1950s.
Treatment for Heart Attacks
M any heart attack victims have
a family member or friend
drive them to a hospital instead of
calling 911 to request an ambu-
lance.
That’s a mistake, says UCLA
professor Dr. Ivan Rokos, who did
a nationwide survey of heart attack
victims.
Paramedics with the ambu-
lances are trained to deal with
heart attacks, and most have
equipment on the ambulances to
determine if a person is having a
The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 13
I remember Sammy, a sheep-
herder who worked for the Munroe
Ranch north of Fort Collins. His
best friends and companions were
his sheep dogs that helped control
the flocks.
When Sammy whistled once,
the dogs would assume an upright
stance. When he whistled twice,
they would run from side to side to
make sure the flock didn’t split up.
The dogs guarded the sheep at
night and warned when coyotes
approached.
To pass the time, herders often
piled up rocks that we called
sheepherders’ monuments or
cairns. Inside their wagons, they
usually had a small bed, stove,
table and kerosene lamp. Some
had an old guitar or battery-oper-
ated radio.
Some sheepherders seemed to
 15 convenient locations for pick-up
enjoy their solitary life. ■  Serving Fort Collins, Loveland,
Greeley, Windsor and Longmont
 Door-to-door service also
available
heart attack.
More important, a patient
arriving at a hospital in an ambu-
lance is likely to receive treatment
quicker than those who walk in.
The sooner you receive treatment,
the less likely severe damage to the
heart will occur.
The American College of
Cardiology recommends that
victims receive treatment such as
angioplasty within 90 minutes of a
heart attack to avoid irreversible
damage. ■
14 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
Overseas Surgeries
D on’t be surprised if some day in
the future your health insurance
company sends you overseas for an
found problems with some overseas
medical treatments when it surveyed
medical tourists who combine treat-
ments with vacations in foreign
expensive medical procedure.
A heart operation that costs countries.
$100,000 in the United States might Over 25 percent said they did not
cost only $10,000 in India or another receive follow-up care, and nearly 10
country. Insurers are discovering that percent had to seek emergency help
and will be sending patients overseas when they got home. Experts say it’s
for some procedures, say the especially important to check the
Medical Tourism Association and qualifications of foreign doctors and
other groups. the success rate of hospitals and
In some cases, insurance compa- surgical teams for the surgery you
nies will pay travel expenses and might have done.
make the trip a vacation for patients Savings can be considerable. For
and family members. Insurers say
many overseas hospitals are
instance, dental implants might be
one-third or even one-fourth of the
cost in the United States. A tummy
inspected and approved by the same
agency that inspects them in the U.S. tuck might cost half as much.
But skeptics question those “Which” editor Neil Fowler said
inspections. They also say it’s nearly people considering foreign treatment
impossible to sue for malpractice “must do their homework before
overseas if something goes wrong. jumping on the plane, and avoid
Skeptics are also concerned that rushing back (home) too quickly, if
U.S. insurance companies using they want to avoid potential prob-
foreign hospitals might limit benefits lems.
in the U.S. or charge high “Ask the right questions before-
deductibles for procedures done hand,” he said. “Speak to (local)
here, forcing patients to go overseas health professionals, and don’t
whether they want to or not. assume you’ll have a safety net if
things don’t go according to plan.” ■
The British journal “Which”
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FDA Inspections Questioned
T he U.S. Food and Drug Ad-
ministration (FDA) is incapable
of protecting Americans from
dangerous foreign drugs, foods and
other imports according to a recent
investigation by the Government
Accountability Office (GAO).
The agency is dysfunctional, said
investigators. It is a “fundamentally
broken agency,” said former FDA
official Peter B. Hutt.
Due mainly to a lack of funding,
the agency now inspects far fewer
Prostate Treatment Surgery
H
ow satisfied are men with their
prostate cancer treatment?
Researchers surveyed over 1,200
men and their sexual partners, and
reported the following results in the
New England Journal of Medicine:
Sexual problems: Of those who
had their prostate removed through
surgery, 50 percent said sexual
functioning was a problem. Those
who used external radiation: 31
percent said sex was a problem.
Those who used radioactive seeds:
30 percent.
Subjects needed for a
Cardiovascular
Research Study
If You Are:
• 18-35 or 55-90 years of age
• Healthy and not taking medications
• Sedentary or Moderately active
The Study Includes:
• Body Composition and Bone
Density Assessment
• Cholesterol Screening
• Treadmill test for subjects > 55
years of age
** Compensation available for
specific research studies.
The Human Cardiovascular Physiology
Laboratory in the Department of Health
and Exercise Science at Colorado State
University is studying the effects of aging
on muscle blood flow control in humans.
If interested, please call Rick Carlson.
491-6702
or email
cvlab@cahs.colostate.edu
CSU Project title: Regional blood flow control
and vascular function: effects of aging and
regular physical activity
imports than it did. In 1973, it did
nearly 35,000 food inspections; in
2006, it did only 7,780.
In 2007, it inspected only about
1 percent of more than 3,000
foreign drug plants and far less
than 1 percent of the 190,000
foreign food plants. Many of those
plants, both food and drug, are in
China.
At least 80 percent of America’s
drugs are imported, said the GAO,
as are most of our foods. ■
Loss of vitality: 9 percent with
surgery; 15 percent with seed
implants; 18 percent with radiation.
Urinary incontinence: 8 percent
with surgery; 4 percent with radia-
tion; and 5 percent with seed
implants.
Other urinary problems such as
going often: 12 percent with surgery;
14 percent with radiation; 18 percent
with seed implants.
Bowel problems: 2 percent with
surgery; 10 percent with radiation
and seed implants. ■
DID YOU KNOW?
If you or a loved one
have Alzheimer’s disease
and get confused about
medications, how much
to take, and when to
take them. Medicare will
pay for a nurse to come
to your home to assess
symptoms, and help
manage medications.
Home Healthcare
serving northern colorado
1.800.HOMECARE
 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 15

Laughter is the Best Medicine

T he world’s shortest fairy tale: A
man asked a woman, “Will you
marry me?” She said, “No.” He
up with that?”
“I learned it from the song: Andy
walks with me, Andy talks with
can’t tell the difference between a
blessing and the last rites.”
Take the antidote until WORK is
eliminated from your system.

lived happily ever after.
When Forrest Gump arrived in
heaven, St. Peter said, “Welcome,
Forrest. You must answer three
questions before entering.”
“Golly, I hope they aren’t hard,”
said Forrest.
“The first is, what two days of
the week begin with the letter T?”
“Today and tomorrow.”
“Well, that’s not exactly what we
had in mind, but it could be consid-
ered correct. So, okay. The next
question is, how many seconds are
in a year?”
“Twelve.”
“How did you arrive at that?”
“There’s the second of January,
second of February…”
“I see what you mean. That’s not
the answer we had in mind, but I
can see where it could be considered
correct. Now, the last question is,
what is God’s first name?”
“Andy.”
“How in the world did you come
me…” Some young people say they Advantages to being over 60:
St. Peter opened the gates and have discovered a new virus called There is nothing left to learn the
said, “Run, Forrest, run.” Weary Overload Recreational Killer hard way.
(WORK). Kidnappers are not interested in
A man at the track saw a priest If you come in contact with you.
bless a horse just before the race. WORK, you should leave the prem- No one expects you to run—
When the race was over, the one the ises, take two friends and purchase anywhere.
priest blessed had won. one of the antidotes—Work Your secrets are safe with your
The man saw the priest bless Isolating Neutralizer Extract friends because they can’t
another horse before the next race, (WINE) or Bothersome Employer remember them either. ■
and the man bet on the horse. Sure Elimination Rebooter (BEER).
enough, he won.
The next horse the priest blessed
was a long shot, but the man bet on
him, and he also won. The man was
very excited and decided to bet Our big blue tube’s
everything he had on the next horse
the priest blessed. Just like Louise
That turned out to be an old nag
that appeared to be on its last legs. You get a thrill
But the man bet everything he had.
The horse came in last. The man From every squeeze.
was very upset. He found the priest
and said, “What happened? Every — Burma Shave
other horse you blessed won.”
The priest said, “That’s the
trouble with you Lutherans. You

See it on the web at

www.theseniorvoice.net
Serving Northern Colorado since 1980.

THE AREA’S ONLY

LOCALLY OWNED SENIOR NEWSPAPER
In news stands and on the web at
www.theseniorvoice.net
For advertising rates and information,
call 970-229-9204 in Fort Collins.
16 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
Major Indian Battles in Colorado
By Bill Lambdin
H ere are some of the important
Indian battles in early Colorado.
1854, about 100 Utes and Apaches
attacked the few settlers at what is now
Pueblo in southern Colorado on
Christmas day, killing 15 men, stealing
about 200 horses, and carrying off one
woman and two children.
1855, Kit Carson guided Colonel
Thomas Fauntleroy’s troops into the
San Luis Valley where they hunted
Indians that had been attacking
settlers. They found a band in the area
now known as Poncha Pass. On April
29, the Indians were doing a war
dance around a bonfire at night when
the troops opened fire. They killed 50
Indians; no soldiers were killed.
1864, June 11, a band believed to
be Arapahos killed and mutilated
Nathan Hungate and his family on
their ranch about 30 miles southeast
of Denver. Someone brought the
mutilated bodies into Denver, causing
Chris & Stephanie Goes
An early Indian camp. Colorado Historical Society.
the citizens to demand revenge
against the Indians. This incident,
called the Hungate Massacre,
prompted Colonel John Chivington to
lead troops against Indians the
following November in what came to
be called the Sand Creek Massacre.
1864, November 29, the Sand
Creek Massacre occurred when
Colonel John Chivington’s troops
killed over 130 Arapahos and
Cheyennes camped on the plains
southeast of Denver (north of Fort
Lyon). The troops scalped and muti-
lated the bodies, many of which were
women and children. A congressional
investigation condemned the action.
The event infuriated Indians else-
where and probably prompted many
subsequent attacks on pioneers. About
15 soldiers were killed at Sand Creek.
1864, Captain David H. Nichols
and 40 troops found a band of six
warriors with women and children on
the plains southeast of present-day
Sterling. The troops killed all of them.
Simplifying the
funeral experience
970-482-2221
1865, large bands of Cheyenne
and Lakota attacked Julesburg in
January and February, killing 14
soldiers and four civilians. They stole
and destroyed nearly everything in the
town. These were among several
Indian attacks along the Overland
Trail in northeastern Colorado,
prompted in part by the Sand Creek
Massacre.
1865, about 100 Cheyenne and
Lakota attacked the American Ranch
south of present-day Sterling, burning
the buildings, killing seven men and a
young boy, and taking the rancher’s
wife, Sarah Morris, with them. This
was one of several ranches in the area
that were attacked in 1865.
1865, Holon Godfrey’s ranch
south of Sterling was one of the few
that was not destroyed by Indians this
year. When 130 warriors attacked in
January, they found that Godfrey had
a six-foot-high adobe wall around his
house, a tower with fire ports next to
the house; and he had large stashes of
ammunition, food and water. During
the two-day attack, women and chil-
dren loaded guns and put out fires
while the men shot 17 Indians. They
put up such a fierce defense that the
Indians gave up and named Godfrey
“Old Wicked.” No whites died.
Thereafter, Indians called the ranch
Fort Wicked.
1868, the Battle of Beecher Island
is remembered as one of the worst in
Colorado, when over 500 Cheyenne
pinned down Major George Forsyth’s
50 frontiersmen on a small island in
the middle of the Arikaree River near
the present town of Wray in north-
eastern Colorado. For five horrible
days, the troops fought from behind
dead horses, which they also were
forced to eat to keep from starving.
Two men sneaked out at night, and
reinforcements finally arrived. Six
troops were killed, 18 wounded.
About 30 Indians were killed. Forsyth
was shot twice but lived. Lt.
Frederick Beecher, for whom the
battle was named, was second in
command and was killed.
1869, the Battle of Summit
Springs about 15 miles south of
present-day Sterling was the last
Indian fight in eastern Colorado.
Major Eugene Carr ’s 300 troops
attacked Chief Tall Bull’s camp of
400 Cheyennes where two white
women were held captive. During the
fight, the Indians killed one of the
women, Susanna Alderdice, and
wounded the other, Maria Weichell,
who lived to be rescued. No soldiers
were killed, but 52 Cheyenne died.
1879, the Meeker Massacre in
western Colorado near the present
town of Meeker was the last Indian
battle in Colorado, when 19 soldiers
and civilians were killed, and 37 Ute
warriors died. Indian agent Nathan
Meeker angered the Utes by trying to
force them to become farmers. They
killed him and the five other white
men at the agency. Major Thomas
Thornburgh was headed for the
agency from Fort Steele, Wyoming,
with 178 troops when about 300 Utes
pinned them down at Milk Creek. The
vicious fighting lasted six days, until
more troops arrived. After this, the
Utes were forced onto reservations in
Utah and an area near Durango,
Colorado. The Indian wars in
Colorado were over, and atrocities
had been committed on both sides. ■

Questions About
Second Marriages
By Ron Rutz, Attorney
Legal Correspondent
Q. You previously wrote about
pre-nuptial agreements for second
marriages. But if having an agree-
ment is not an option, what can a
person do?
A. There are two areas that
need to be discussed. First, what
would happen if the second
marriage ends in divorce?
Property that one person
brought to a marriage does not
immediately become marital prop-
erty that is divided at the time of a
divorce, provided certain precau-
tions are taken.
First, property that remains
only in one person’s name without
the other ever being a part owner
would not ordinarily be included
in the property division.
Second, such property should
not have been “tainted” either.
Thus, if separate property is sold
or money received from outside
sources, such as a gift or inheri-
tance, the checks should not be
deposited in a common account,
even if immediately thereafter the
funds are then transferred or used
to purchase something.
Separate means separate,
including deeds, titles, band
accounts, etc. But be aware that
after a period of time, apprecia-
tion or even income generated by
such assets that were kept in one
name only may be considered as
marital property for divorce
purposes.
Such rules are more compli-
cated in the real world, but it is
best to start with these general
She said, “There
are two choices for
dinner — take it
or leave it!”
The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 17
rules: keep things separate and
never “taint” an asset.
The second area to be consid-
ered is death. At one time, the Earle’s has
moment two people married, a
woman was entitled to inherit half
something for
of the male’s property (either by even the pickiest
statute or under common law of birds!
dower rights) and a man was enti-
tled (sometimes after the first
child was born) to inherit from
one-third to one-half of the new
wife’s property.
These concepts, at least in
Colorado, have seen changes; so
there is not an immediate vesting
of up to half of the other’s property
at marriage. But over time, there is
a phase-in percentage of vesting in
the other’s property, even if title
remains with the other; so that
after about ten years, each is then
entitled to inherit half of the 1419 North Denver Avenue
other’s assets. Loveland
Do not be fooled. Unlike in (970) 667-7550
community property states such as
California, and to a lesser extent
Texas, a living trust will not neces-
sarily shield assets from an
inheritance claim.
In conclusion, in the absence of
a pre-nuptial agreement in a
second marriage, there are still
protections available but many are
tricky at best and may be changed
or affected over time.
________________
Attorney Ron Rutz will answer
questions of general interest
concerning estate planning and
other legal subjects. Send ques-
tions to 2625 Redwing Road, Suite
180, Fort Collins, CO 80526;
phone 970-223-8388; email
rutz@ronaldrutz.com. ■
18 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice

Naughty Boys in
the White House
By Gwen Gibson Franklin, Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy
and Lyndon Johnson, have been given

T
new.
he sex scandals plaguing the
American presidency are nothing
Our nation’s history has been
spiced with scandals since founding
father Ben Franklin published
accounts of his extensive woman-
izing. George Washington wrote love
letters to Sally Fairfax, the wife of his
closest friend.
Alexander Hamilton was
subjected to sexual blackmail because
of an extramarital affair. Thomas
Jefferson had affairs with two married
women, and some historians believe
he fathered children by slave Sally
Hemmings.
Those are but a few examples of
how politics makes strange bedfel-
lows. No period in our history has
been completely free of political
peccadilloes. What has changed is the
manner in which the press covers
them.
Some public figures, notably
special dispensation. Others, like Bill
Clinton, felt the heat of the spotlight.
Presidential candidate Grover
Cleveland was pilloried by the press
when it was learned he had fathered
an illegitimate child. Republicans took
to the street chanting “Ma! Ma!
Where’s my pa?”
Cleveland confirmed the stories,
noted that he was supporting the child,
and was elected president. And the
Democrats had their rejoinder: “Gone
to the While House. Ha, ha, ha!”
Later, however, the media chose to
ignore affairs of President Woodrow
Wilson and Warren G. Harding. The
private lives of presidents were
considered off limits from the start of
Franklin Roosevelt’s first administra-
tion through the LBJ years.
For years, the press ignored JFK’s affair with Marilyn Monroe.
“It was a man’s world,” said
United Press veteran White House president should not be exposed.” memorable line: “Move over, this is
reporter Helen Thomas. “And there Rumors about JFK’s philandering your President.”
was an unwritten gentleman’s agree- were so persistent that a beautiful Not until 1988, when Ballantine
ment that the moral lapses of the blonde reporter once caused an uproar Books published journalist Shelly
when she walked into the While Ross’ book, “Fall from Grace,” did
House press room with a copy of such tales go on the record. Ross

Ca sino Get away

Theodore White’s book, “The Making
of the President,” cradled in her arms.
The title was hilariously suggestive
believed the press dropped its hands-
off policy following
Chappaquiddick tragedy involving
the

to Deadwood
under the circumstances.
Those who covered the White
House in those days passed Kennedy
gossip with the canapés at Washington
cocktail parties. They knew, for
Night Specials
2&3 instance, that the young and sexy
president liked to swim nude in the
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• Gaming coupons or investigate the rumors. Many were
• Slot tournaments so caught up in the Camelot myth that
they couldn’t see Kennedy the man in
Tours depart from Denver/Loveland/Fort Collins perspective.
(Management reserves all rights to alter or cancel this tour) That was a mistake because they
missed a story with bombshell impli-
1-800-401-4385 Mon.-Fri. cations—Kennedy’s affair with Judith
Campbell Exner, mistress of notorious
BOOK gangster Sam Giancana.
The media also kept its kid gloves
EARLY on in the Johnson years, although LBJ
! was a womanizer who often boasted
to reporters of his amorous adven-
tures. A favorite “inside” anecdote
involved Johnson’s surprise call on a
gorgeous White House secretary
Highway 85 S. • P.O. Box 643 • Deadwood, SD 57732 asleep at the Texas ranch.
www.deadwoodgulch.com Johnson, clad in a night shirt,
awakened the startled aide with a
Sen. Edward Kennedy and Mary Jo
Kopechne.
But it was the Watergate scandal
that ultimately stripped the presidency
of any aura of invulnerability and led
to the media’s no-holds-barred atti-
tude.
The press flexed its muscles
during the 1989 presidential
campaigns by scrutinizing the private
lives of candidates. Particularly
aggressive was the Miami Herald’s
coverage of Gary Hart and Donna
Rice. It was not the press coverage,
however, that wrecked Hart’s presi-
dential race. It was the candidate’s
convoluted explanations.
Such coverage raises the old ques-
tion: When is reporting muckraking
and when is it the public’s right to
know? Perhaps it has never been
answered better than by Alexander
Hamilton, himself a victim of muck-
raking, who took a stand for the
public’s right to know.
“The truth must not be used
wantonly if for the purpose of
disturbing the peace of families,” said
Hamilton. “But if it is within the
domain of what the public should
know to behave responsibly at the
polls, then the truth should be print-
able without fear of retribution.” ■
 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 19

Breast Cancer Tests

W omen who have breast
cancer or are at high risk of
developing it should have MRI
scans in addition to mammograms,
said researchers in a report in the
New England Journal of Medicine.
The American Cancer Society
also makes the same recommenda-
tion. But it does not apply to most
women, those who have only an
average risk of developing breast
cancer.
Women at high risk include
those who have a close relative with
cancer and those who have certain
genetic mutations. Researchers
admit it will be difficult for doctors
to determine, in many cases, which
women are at high risk.
The average risk for women in
the United States is about 12
percent. High risk of developing
breast cancer over a lifetime is 20
percent or higher. Experts recom-
mend MRI scans and mammograms
once a year starting at age 30 for
high-risk women.
Researchers admit that the MRI
recommendation will be criticized
by many medical professionals for
several reasons. First, MRIs are
much more expensive than
mammograms—about ten times
more, ranging from $1,000 to
$2,000 each. Some MRIs may not
be covered by insurance.
MRIs are not available in many
rural areas of the United States,
and to date not enough technicians
are adequately trained in MRI
breast cancer screening.
MRIs are much more sensitive
than mammograms and, conse-
quently, find many suspicious
growths that turn out to be benign.
In the meantime, women with the
suspicious growths are subjected to Meals & Housekeeping
Limited Home Health Available in Your Apartment
numerous scans, biopsies and Rentals Available
unnecessary worry. A Portion May Be Tax Deductible
Those “false positive” findings
are a serious drawback to MRI
scans and may make many women
reluctant to submit to such tests.
But experts note that MRIs can
find tumors in the breast that
mammograms miss—which will
be important to some women and
their doctors. ■

WOLF
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amount invested.
20 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
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Memorial Service
By Steve Monaco
M ountain Valley Health Care’s
Hospice Division is hosting a
Community Memorial Service open
to the public for anyone who has
lost a loved one.
No previous connection with
hospice is required to attend the
service, which will be held April 17
at 6:30 pm at the Union Colony
Civic Center-Hensel Phelps Theatre
in Greeley.
“Many people take comfort in
remembering the loss of a loved one
in the presence of a community of
Rates are back down fellow grievers,” said Chaplain
in the low 5’s!!! Larry Kilpatrick of Mountain Valley.
We still offer reduced
“This event offers an opportunity to
and alternative
remember and grieve with others
documentation loans
who also have experienced loss.”
for borrowers with
Over 100 patients and their fami-
excellent credit. Do
lies received hospice care from
not miss out on the
Mountain Valley in 2007. Mountain
lowest rates we are
Valley is the only agency that
likely to see in years!!
provides both home care and
hospice services to the Northern
Front Range including Weld,
Larimer, Boulder, Broomfield and
Adams counties.
The theme for the service will be
See Your Best...
MEDICAL
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Jennifer Cecil, MD, LLC
669-8998
2902 Ginnala Drive
Loveland, CO

Across from the Post Office
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Distinctive Eyewear Optical Shop
669-2488
“Remembrance, Reflection and
Hope.” The service will feature a
“Faces We Love” slide show as well
as special music, military tribute and
readings.
Community members wanting
to have a photo of their loved one
included in the slide show are
encouraged to provide the photo no
later than April 11. The photo can
be dropped off at Mountain
Valley’s Windsor office at 1180
Main St. #9, or sent via e-mail in
the “jpeg” format to mvh_chap-
lain@yahoo.com.
The photo should be labeled
with return address, contact infor-
mation and the name of the loved
one. Photos will be returned at the
memorial service.
Each family attending will
receive a packet of wild flowers to
plant in commemoration of their
loved one. Also, Mountain Valley’s
Hospice Division staff and bereave-
ment counselors will be available to
community members throughout the
service and afterwards during a
dessert reception. For more informa-
tion concerning the event, contact
Steve at 970-346-9700. ■
ROUTINE EXAMS
CONTACT LENS
Jennifer Cecil, MD
Board Certified
Ophthalmologist
Margaret Rado, OD
Contact Lens
Specialist
 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 21

Cowboys and Dudes in Old Cheyenne

By Peggy Hunt

C heyenne was established in 1867

on the transcontinental railroad
when railroad officials decided to
make the place a winter headquarters
and supply point.
Rancher John Wesley Iliff got a
contract from the railroad to provide
beef for the workers. His cow camp
was a few miles outside of town, next
to Crow Creek, which was the water
supply for the town.
Crow Creek was bigger then than
now, but not much. Someone said it
should not be left out at night, lest a
stray dog lap it all up.
Iliff hired Charles Goodnight to
drive cattle up from Texas, estab-
lishing the famous Goodnight-
Loving Trail. One of the cowboys
who worked for Goodnight was
Robert Clay Allison, a crazy drunk
who, someone said, one day walked A Cheyenne street about 1869. Wyoming History Museum.
around Cheyenne wearing nothing but
his hat, boots and gun. screams and saved the poor dentist was a perfect pandemonium, mainly where the horseman? ...he will never
Some said Allison attacked a local from the crazy cowboy. inhabited by rowdies and despera- come again.”
dentist who treated his toothache. The In 1873 female traveler Isabelle does, the scum of advancing Cheyenne has changed even more
dentist accidentally began drilling on Bird said, “Cheyenne is described civilization.” since then. But there are still places in
the wrong tooth. Allison threw him in as a God-forsaken, God-forgotten Isabelle Bird was the wealthy Wyoming where you can look across
the chair and set about pulling all of place. That it forgets God is written British woman who climbed Longs vast landscapes and feel the presence
the dentist’s teeth. People heard the on its face…A short time ago, it Peak near Estes Park and made Rocky of an infinite earth. ■
Mountain Jim famous through her
book, “A Lady’s Life in the Rocky
Mountains.” She disliked most of the
frontier towns she saw; so it’s not
surprising she would find Cheyenne a
“God-forgotten place.”
Another female traveler, Miriam
Leslie, also disliked the town when
she was there in 1877: “Only jack
rabbits and lizards inhabit this bleak
land. Never on earth have I seen
such loneliness. It will be a million
years before Wyoming is ever
settled.” SHOP WEDNESDAYS, WHEN THE
She was wrong, of course. CURRENT WEEK’S AD AND THE
Wyoming was settled in just a few

667-0202 years, apparently by hardier people

PREVIOUS WEEK’S AD OVERLAP.
than Ms. Leslie. ENJOY A DAY OF VIRTUALLY
Being on the railroad, Cheyenne TWICE THE AMOUNT OF SAVINGS.
had many well known people stop
LOCALLY OWNED there, like the famous entertainer All Natural Meat, Fresh
FAMILY OPERATED Lillie Langtry, who performed in the
town’s opera house. Author Owen Seafood and Produce.
Wister spent time there writing “The No Preservatives Added.
8426 Highway 287 Virginian,” the most popular early
Consistently Checked
Western novel in America.
Fort Collins Wister dedicated the novel to his for Antibiotics.
friend Teddy Roosevelt and wrote him
about the changes in Cheyenne Pharmacy and Post Office
View online obituaries and send between the late 1800s and early at Our Store.
1900s. Wister was sad to see that the
condolences via the guestbook at West he had known was disappearing: 2601 S. Lemay Avenue
“It is a vanished world…The
www.resthavencolorado.com mountains are there, far and shining, At Drake Road,
and the sunlight, and the infinite earth, Fort Collins
and the air that seems forever the true
fountain of youth. But where is the Phone 282-8003
buffalo, and the wild antelope, and
22 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice
Some Who Served
in World War II
By Lois Hall
I n World War II, many Hollywood
actors served with distinction in the
military even though, in some cases,
they would not have been required to
serve.
James Stewart joined the Army
Air Force as a private and was later
promoted to colonel as a bomber
pilot. He led more than 20 missions
over Germany and earned the
Distinguished Flying Cross,
France’s Croix de Guerre and seven
Battle Stars. After the war, he was an
Air Force reservist until he retired in
the late 1950s.
Clark Gable was beyond draft age
but enlisted as a private. He attended
officer’s school, became a second
lieutenant and an aerial gunner with
the 351st Bomb Group. He flew in B-
17s over Europe until 1944.
Lee Marvin earned a Purple Heart
as a Marine in Saipan, where he was
wounded.
Important Lawsuit
A recent lawsuit in California
reveals how some health insur-
ance companies cancel people’s
insurance if they start costing the
company money—leaving people
with no insurance in the middle of a
serious illness.
The Los Angeles Times reported
that Health Net Inc., cancelled 52-
year-old Patsy Bates’ policy after she
began chemotherapy treatments for
breast cancer. Ms. Bates sued Health
Net, and the trial revealed how the
company decided to cancel her insur-
ance: It paid company employees to
find people who might cost the
company money because of serious
illnesses.
Once identified, the company
cancelled such people’s insurance,
and the company employees who
identified the people received
bonuses.
Health Net tried to keep such
information from being revealed at
the trial, but the judge said, “This
clearly involves very significant
public interest, and my view is the
arbitration proceedings should not be
confidential.”
This was the first time an insur-
Charles Durning was an Army
Ranger at Normandy. He earned a
Purple Heart and a Silver Star.
Charles Bronson was a tail gunner
on B-29s in the 20th Air Force in
Guam, Saipan and Tinian.
George C. Scott was a highly
decorated Marine.
Eddie Albert was awarded a
Bronze Star for heroic action as a
Naval officer at a fierce battle on the
island of Tarawa in November, 1943.
Robert Ryan served as a Marine
with the OSS in Yugoslavia.
Tyrone Power was a Marine pilot
who flew wounded soldiers out of Iwo
Jima and Okinawa.
Audie Murphy was the most deco-
rated soldier in the war, earning the
Medal of Honor, Distinguished
Service Cross, two Silver Stars,
Legion of Merit, two Purple Hearts,
and several other medals. He was
five-feet, five-inches tall and weighed
110 pounds. He starred in several
Western movies. ■
ance company had been forced to
reveal such information. In the past,
courts have allowed companies to
hide the way they decide whose poli-
cies to cancel.
One Health Net employee identi-
fied nearly 300 policies that were
cancelled in 2005, saving the
company an estimated $6 million in
claims it didn’t have to pay. The
Times said, “The revelation that the
health plan had cancellation goals and
bonuses comes amid a storm of
controversy over the industry-wide
but long-hidden practice of rescinding
coverage after expensive medical
treatments have been authorized.”
Other health insurance companies
have employees who are paid to iden-
tify policy holders for cancellations,
said the Times. Sometimes those
employees recommend cancellations
for legitimate reasons such as fraudu-
lent claims. But this case revealed
that, in many instances, the cancella-
tions are made simply so the company
can avoid paying high medical bills.
California law says bonuses
cannot be paid for that reason. Ms.
Bates was awarded $9 million in the
lawsuit. ■
James Stewart was among numerous actors who served.
Quality Control for Drugs
Q uality control is very poor at some
drug manufacturing plants,
according to a recent investigation by
the Associated Press.
Investigators examined U.S. Food
and Drug Administration records
concerning Puerto Rico plants that
produce 13 of the 20 best-selling
drugs in the U.S. They found
numerous cases of contamination and
poor quality control.
In one case, pills contained the
same kind of paint that was on
factory walls. In another case, medi-
Treatment of Knee Problems
S ome of the commonly used treat-
ments for knee arthritis don’t work,
according to a report from the U.S.
Agency for Healthcare Research and
Quality.
Researchers said there is little
evidence that arthroscopic surgery
benefits people who suffer from
osteoarthritis of the knee. Arthro-
scopic surgery is used to clean the
knee of debris and loose cartilage.
Researchers also said injections of
hyaluronan substances that are
Another Medicare Issue
C osts of the Medicare program are
skyrocketing since local govern-
ment agencies and businesses began
shifting their retired employees to
Medicare Advantage plans, say
Robert Reischaur and other econo-
mists.
Advantage plans are run by private
insurance companies that receive
Medicare subsidies for each enrollee.
The plans usually offer benefits not
available through regular Medicare,
such as dental care, eye care, etc.
The plans now cover 9 million
cine contained minute particles of
metal. Machinery pins were found
inside bottles of Effexor, a treatment
for depression. In other cases, labo-
ratories were not kept clean or
sterile.
“People would be shocked to find
this whole variety of contamination,”
said Dr. Sidney Wolfe with the Public
Citizen consumer group in
Washington, D.C.
Puerto Rico produces $35 billion
worth of medicines annually. Most of
them are sold in the U.S. ■
supposed to lubricate the joints prob-
ably do not work for most people.
Nor do dietary supplements such as
glucosamine and chondroitin.
“Millions of Americans seek
relief from the pain and reduced
mobility caused by osteoarthritis of
the knee,” said the researchers.
“However, they should work with
their clinicians to decide the best
course of treatment for them based
on what has and has not been proven
to work.” ■
retirees and are rapidly increasing
taxpayer costs of Medicare, which is
already threatened with bankruptcy in
the not too distant future say some
observers.
“It’s a runaway train,” said Senate
Budget Committee Chairman Kent
Conrad (D-North Dakota).
AARP, the American Medical
Association and other groups say the
Advantage plans must be curtailed or
they will make Medicare so expen-
sive most retirees won’t be able to
afford it. ■
 The Senior Voice • April 2008 • 23

Investment Expenses
By Scott Burns
Financial Writer
Q: We are rolling over my
wife’s $160,000 lump sum retire-
ment into a managed account with
our bank, Wells Fargo. She is 55.
Wells Fargo charges 1.5 percent a
year and a 1.5 percent load for the
Wells Fargo fund we are going
into. We’re not too experienced
with investing and aren’t sure
where to put the rollover. We will
need about $950 a month from
that money. Are the costs in line
with other banks?
A: You need to rethink this
before the account is rolled and
suffers commission expenses from
transactions.
First, you should check that
you understand exactly what you
are going to be charged. If you are
choosing one of the bank’s
adviser-managed programs, the 1.5
percent annual management fee
will be in addition to the expense
ratios of the underlying mutual
funds. If it uses Wells Fargo funds,
you’ll find that this could add
another 1.2 percent a year or so to
the total expense.
That would be a total cost
burden of 2.7 percent a year—a
heavy cost to bear when safe 10-
year Treasury obligations are
yielding only 3.65 percent. Add
that to the withdrawal rate you are
seeking, 7.1 percent, and your
investments would have to provide
a gross return of about 9.8 percent
a year to break even. That isn’t
very likely, so you’ll probably run
out of money at about age 75.
You can increase your odds of
success by doing two things. First,
find a far less expensive way to
invest the money. Dodge and Cox
Balanced fund (ticker: DODBX), a
star long-term performer, was
recently reopened for new invest-
ment. Its expense ratio is only 0.52
percent. That’s less than half of the
expense of the comparable Wells
Fargo fund, and you won’t have
the 1.5 percent management fee,
either.
Another long-term star per-
former to consider is Fidelity
Puritan (ticker: FPURX), with an
expense ratio of 0.60 percent.
Fidelity has the additional advan-
tage of brick-and-mortar offices
and people trained to help you
complete the rollover. Still
another is Vanguard Wellington
(ticker: VWELX), with an
expense ratio of 0.30 percent. ALL HOME SERVICES
Note that each of these paths
will save you at least 2 percent a Keep Your Home:
year in expenses—expenses that • Beautiful
are subtracted from the return on • Comfortable
YOUR money.
The second step is to reduce • Functional
your spending to a level that the “ You move nothing,
portfolio can survive. It is unlikely we do it all.”
to survive a 7 percent withdrawal PAINTING - TILE - DRYWALL
rate, regardless of who manages it, CARPENTRY
particularly if future withdrawals
Installations - Repairs
are adjusted upward to preserve
- Consulting -
your purchasing power. You can
read about withdrawal rates and Steve Kiefer
portfolio survival on my web site: MASTER CRAFTSMAN
www.scottburns.com.
________________ 218-0792
You can send questions to: A COLORADO PIONEER FAMILY
scott@scottburns.com. ■

Published since 1980, The Senior Voice is your

locally owned newspaper serving residents age 50-plus.
We thank our readers and advertisers for their support.

The Lambdin family, Senior Voice founders and owners since 1980.
24 • April 2008 • The Senior Voice

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