REVIEW POTPOURRI: These were our songs

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

These were our songs

These Were Our Songs – The Early ‘30s; Reader’s Digest KRB 187/A2, released 1989.

This cassette contains beautifully done transfers from 28 vintage 78 sides, recorded on the Victor label during the early 1930s of classics from the Great American Songbook.

Its contents –

Maurice Chevalier, Mimi; and Walkin’ My Baby Back Home.
Bing Crosby– Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day; Sweet and Lovely; and I Surrender, Dear.
Fred Astaire, Night and Day.
Paul Whiteman – Willow Weep for Me.
Jeannette MacDonald – One Hour with You; and Beyond the Blue Horizon.
Russ Columbo – All of Me; and I Don’t Know Why.
The Mills Brothers – Tiger Rag.
Cab Calloway – Minnie the Moocher.
Wayne King – Star Dust; and Dream a Little Dream of Me.
Fred Waring – Dancing in the Dark; I Found a Million-Dollar Baby (in a Five and Ten Cent Store); and Little White Lies.
University of Maine’s own Rudy Vallee – Would You Like to Take a Walk?
Ted Black – Love Letters in the Sand.
Harry Richman – On the Sunny Side of the Street.
The High Hatters – Get Happy.
Duke Ellington – Three Little Words.
Leo Reisman – Paradise; Sing Something Simple; Body and Soul; and Happy Days are Here Again.
A majestic lament concluding Side 2, Ben Bernie – It’s a Lonesome Old Town (When You’re Not Around).

Tape 2 is listed on the container, indicating that this was part of a set titled These Were Our Songs, and is the only one I own. Having previously written of the joys still to be found listening to scratchy old 78s, I also own hundreds of such discs including the fragile dusty black label Victors of other selections by several of the artists listed here – Leo Reisman, Duke Ellington, the High Hatters, Fred Waring, Jeannette MacDonald with and without Nelson Eddy (on both the Victor black label and Red Seals) and huge piles of Paul Whiteman.

And each performance here is a gem in the best old-fashioned sense of the word.

Russ Columbo was achieving much success with his films, radio shows and records and was an influence on the singing of Bing Crosby and Perry Como when, during a September, 1934, visit to a friend’s house in Los Angeles, the two men were examining an antique pistol. It accidentally fired a bullet which ricocheted off the wall and hit Columbo in the eye. He was rushed to a nearby hospital where surgeons tried unsuccessfully to remove the bullet and died six hours later. He was only 26.

Astor Piazzolla

Astor Piazzolla – Maria de Buenos Aires; Gidon Kremer with small ensemble of singers and instrumentalists. Teldec 3984-20632-2, recorded 1998, two cds.

Astor Piazzolla

Argentine composer Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) brought the tango rhythms, along with elements of jazz and classical music, into this 1968 operetta of just over 90 minutes and a quite exhilarating listening experience. In addition to a quartet of strings, a percussionist, a flutist and a pianist, the music requires a chorus of about 15 and 3 soloists. Finally the central instrument is the bandoneon, which looks like a concertina, sounds like a combination of pump organ, harmonica and accordion, the results being quite beautiful, and always associated with tango dance music.

A few different performances of the operetta exist on YouTube.

Hans Swarowsky

Mahler 3rd Symphony – Hans Swarowsky conducting the Berlin Radio Symphony, January 21, 1963, broadcast.

Hans Swarowsky

Austrian conductor Hans Swarowsky (1899-1975) was more well known as the teacher of conductors Zubin Mehta and Claudio Abbado but did record a large number of composers including Gustav Mahler.

Mahler’s 3rd is the longest of his Nine Symphonies, at just over 85 minutes.

This burnt CD set, courtesy of a friend, has Swarowsky conducting a very spirited performance of its six movements; during his career, Swarowsky was unfairly dismissed as average or worse by critics who ranted that the Maestro should confine himself to the classroom.

I own numerous LPs of Swarowsky conducting Brahms, Bruckner, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Wagner etc., and found them very enjoyable on their own terms.

A bonus on this set is Swarowsky collaborating in a 1956 Vienna State Opera Orchestra recording with pianist Eduard Mrazek in a very engaging Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto.

Stan Kenton

Stan Kenton – Dynaflow; Tortillas and Beans; Capitol F1535, recorded 1951.

Stan Kenton

I have always enjoyed Stan Kenton’s records featuring his wild big band arrangements with irregular rhythms and festive brass sonorities. These two sides feature a feisty ins­trumental Dyna­flow and Tortillas and Beans, a tongue in cheek vocal duet by Eddie Gomez and Ray Wetzel, who composed both selections.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FOR YOUR HEALTH: Living Longer? Great! Now Stay Healthier, Too

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An additional dose of the 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after the first dose adds a key layer of protection against severe illness for older Americans and people with weakened immune systems.

(NAPSI)—Americans are living nearly a decade longer than they were in the 1970s. That’s great news – but staying healthy into your 80s and beyond requires extra care and an eye towards prevention. The protection provided by vaccines plays a key role in helping keep you healthy and preventing severe illness and potential long-term complications, especially for older adults and individuals with immunocompromised conditions.

As people age, their immune system naturally weakens – it becomes slower at recognizing and fighting off viruses. At the same time, lungs become more vulnerable, and chronic conditions such as heart disease or diabetes can make it harder to recover from illnesses such as COVID-19. Similarly, people of all ages with weakened immune systems – whether from certain health conditions or medications – face a higher risk of severe illness because their bodies also struggle to mount a strong defense. In both cases, a reduced ability to fight infectious respiratory disease increases the risk of serious complications and hospitalization.

Vaccines Help Keep You Healthy

That’s why staying up to date on vaccines – especially for COVID-19 and other infectious respiratory illnesses like flu, measles, pertussis, pneumococcal disease, and RSV – is essential as we head into spring and summer. Vaccination helps boost our body’s immune response and provides an added layer of protection when traveling and gathering with friends and family. In fact, according to data from the 2024/2025 season, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with:

• A 45 percent lower risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 for older adults
• A 40% lower risk of hospitalization from COVID-19 for older adults with weakened immune systems
• A 33% lower risk of emergency department or urgent care visits from COVID-19 among adults 18 and older

Why It Matters Now

COVID-19 isn’t just a seasonal concern—it can surge at any time of the year, including during the spring and summer. Early in the pandemic, spikes were often associated with colder months, but we now know that outbreaks can occur during any season because the virus keeps changing so it can spread more easily from person to person. This makes staying up to date on vaccination even more important.

Spring into Summer with an Extra Layer of Protection

Immunity from previous doses can wane over time, leaving individuals—especially those 65 and older or with a weakened immune system—more vulnerable to severe illness. If you fall into one of these groups, it’s recommended that you receive another dose of the 2024/2025 COVID-19 vaccine six months after your first dose to help maintain protection.
Talk to your healthcare provider to learn whether you should get another dose of the latest COVID-19 vaccine so you can enjoy time with family, travel, and everything else this season brings.
Learn more at: CVEEP.org/stayprotected.

QUINN MINUTE: Middle School smells

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by Rix Quinn

I’m not sure I had much sense of smell until sixth grade. The only aroma I remember before that was dinner rolls in the elementary cafeteria.

But junior high was different. For the first time, many girls started wearing perfume. Guys started splashing on after-shave.

The aura in a small classroom was astounding. Imagine walking into a flower garden and inhaling the essence of spring mixed with a saddle and cheese.

The school hallway scents were variable. What you sniffed depended on what door you entered.

If you entered through the biology room, you smelled alcohol or formaldehyde. If you came in through the gymnasium, you sniffed either laundry detergent or dirty socks…depending if the giant washer was off or on. Most kids chose the lunchroom entrance. Those fragrances changed, depending on the day of the week. The older the meat supply, the odder the smells.

For example, let’s say the meat-of-the-week was turkey. On Monday we smelled appetizing sliced turkey and dressing.

On Tuesday, the entrée became turkey and gravy. On Wednesday, the daily special changed to turkey casserole.

On Thursday there were two selections. That might be either turkey soup, or fried turkey slices with special sauce. I never asked what the special sauce was, but I ate it.

But Friday was scary. That’s when the special became Turkey Surprise. I won’t say what the surprise was, but I got surprised twice.

That’s when I invented my own new Friday ritual: sandwich-from-home.

Were you born between 1946-1964? Would you like to know more about the generation called Baby Boomers? You can order Rix’s book on that generation today. Just go to this link.

CRITTER CHATTER: A dove from above?

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Mourning Dove

by Jayne Winters

As most of our readers now know, Don Cote passed away in December following a short illness. I noted at the end of his obituary that I would write a final Critter Chatter column to honor Don and Carleen Cote’s six decades of caring for the literally thousands of animals that came to their home for rehabilitation or, in the saddest cases, peaceful transition over that famous Rainbow Bridge. This article, however, is not that final column. After something I experienced today, I knew I had to share one more story with the followers of Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center.

I was driving by Don’s this afternoon and noticed a large box had been left on the doorstep, so I stopped to pick it up, assuming it was a delivery from Fedex or UPS. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it wasn’t sealed or covered and contained an apparently injured juvenile mourning dove! Despite the Wildlife Rehab Center sign no longer being posted, someone familiar with the Cotes must have thought they were still open for business and left the bird for their care.

Following a couple of text messages and calls, I transported the dove to Avian Haven, in Freedom. I put the box on my heated passenger seat in the car and turned up the heat as s/he was chilled on this dreary, drizzly day. I’m by no means an avian expert, but cold feet are cold feet, no matter the species! The staff was expecting our arrival and quickly took care of the admission; I’ll be calling to check in on the little dove’s prognosis tomorrow.

In Native American storytelling, the mourning dove symbolizes peace, love, and connection to the spiritual world. In many tribes, it is believed to be a messenger between the physical and spiritual worlds, embodying qualities of peace and tranquility. The dove is considered to be a messenger from a higher power. “If the mourning dove has flown across your path today, it brings peace and hope. Let go of what has passed and make room for more love. Connect with nature to take advantage of the nurturing energies she provides. This will give you a regenerative boost in the right direction. Fret not and let the waters gently carry you to your next chapter.”

This may not seem ‘news worthy’ to some of you, but I wanted to share it. I’ve never been one to believe in coincidences. I think I was meant to find that little mourning dove and make one final rescue for Duck Pond Rehab. I think it was a “God nudge” and a gift I will never forget.

Duck Pond Wildlife Rehab Center is closed. As noted in previous columns, Don worked closely with Wilderness Miracles Rehab, in Bowdoin (Kathi at 207-720-0074), Misfits Rehab, in Auburn (Jen at 207-212-1039), Bridget Green, in Wiscasset (207-631-0874), Critterville Wildlife, in Brooklin (845-549-2407), and Saco River Wildlife (207-702-1405). Turtle rehabber Pam Meier can be reached at The Turtle’s Back (203-903-2708). Otherwise, please check these websites for a rehabber close to you: https://www.mainevetmed.org/wildlife-rehabilitation or https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fish-wildlife/wildlife/living-with-wildlife/orphaned-injured-wildlife/index.html or contact your local Animal Control Officer through your town office.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: Mild winter sets the stage for “perfect storm” of summer pests, expert warns

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

This week, this tidbit came in my email inbox. According to Smith’s Pest Management, be ready for a summer invasion of pests in Maine, following the state’s mild winter.

Maine’s mild winter may have been a welcome break from the cold, but according to one pest expert, it came with a hidden cost: a likely explosion in warm-weather pests this summer.

“We didn’t get the sustained cold snaps that normally help knock back insect populations,” says Zachary Smith, pest control expert and founder of Smith’s Pest Management. “That means more bugs survived the winter – and they’re going to come back with a vengeance.”

With above-average temperatures recorded across much of Maine this past winter – and fewer hard freezes than normal – the conditions were ideal for pests like mosquitoes and even cockroaches to overwinter and remain active beneath the surface.

“Winter is nature’s pest control,” Smith explains. “But when it’s too warm for too long, pests that would normally die off or go dormant just keep breeding. That sets the stage for bigger infestations come spring and summer.”

This year, Smith says Maine homeowners should brace for a range of unwanted guests:

Mosquitoes: “They need standing water and warmth – and we’ve already had both,” Smith says. “Expect them to appear earlier and in higher numbers than usual, especially after spring rains.”

Cockroaches: “Roaches love warmth and humidity, and they thrive when winter doesn’t drive them back. We’ve seen them in crawlspaces and basements all winter long,” says Smith.

Ticks and Fleas: Warmer conditions can extend the breeding season for ticks and fleas, putting both people and pets at risk.

Mild Winters: Why They Matter More Than We Think

Many homeowners associate pest problems with hot, muggy summer days, but Smith says what happens in winter often determines what’s crawling around by July.

“Insects and parasites have natural die-off cycles when it’s cold,” he explains. “When that reset button doesn’t get hit, you’re essentially starting the year with a full roster of pests ready to multiply.”

“By the time you start seeing pests in numbers, it’s usually the second or third generation,” Smith says. “It’s not just one roach or mosquito – it’s dozens or hundreds that were born weeks ago and have already laid eggs of their own.”

What Homeowners Can Do to Fight Back

The good news? With the right steps, homeowners can prevent pests from turning summer into a nightmare. Smith offers this advice:

1. Get Ahead of Mosquito Season.

“Walk your property and drain any standing water – gutters, birdbaths, flowerpot trays,” Smith says. “Even a bottle cap full of water can breed mosquitoes.”

2. Tidy Up the Yard.

Ticks love overgrown areas. “Keep your lawn mowed, trim shrubs, and clear debris piles,” Smith says. “It removes hiding spots and nesting grounds.”

3. Watch the Weather.

Warm, wet weeks are a breeding ground for pest outbreaks. “After a heavy rain, monitor for new ant mounds, insect swarms, or an uptick in mosquitoes,” he says.

4. Don’t Skip Crawlspaces and Attics

“Roaches and rodents often hide in dark, humid spaces,” Smith warns. “Do a quick check or call a pro to inspect those hard-to-reach spots.”

Urban and Rural Areas Equally at Risk

While farms and wooded areas may seem more vulnerable, Smith says pests don’t discriminate. “Cities are just as at risk,” he notes. “Urban neighborhoods have storm drains, standing water, and plenty of trash – all prime breeding zones.”

Even high-rises aren’t immune. “Roaches and rodents can travel through plumbing lines and walls. I’ve seen infestations on the tenth floor that started in the basement.”

A Mild Winter Doesn’t Mean a Mild Summer

If there’s one message Smith wants to get across, it’s that Maine’s easy winter shouldn’t lead to a false sense of security.

“Just because you didn’t see pests in January doesn’t mean they weren’t there,” he says. “They’ve been waiting – and now they’re ready.”

He encourages Maine homeowners to act early. “Pest control is a lot easier when you catch issues at the start,” Smith adds. “Wait too long, and it becomes a battle.”

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In 2018, which former Red Sox outfielder was the first person eliminated on the TV show Dancing With the Stars?

Answer
Johnny Damon.

VETERANS CORNER: Returning from South Pacific, ready to get back to veterans affairs

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by Gary Kennedy

Well, here we are again. Julie and I have returned from the South Pacific. As most of you know my wife and I are doing humanitarian projects throughout the winter months in an attempt to escape the cold while at the same time helping those in need. We are always looking for books and school supplies. Believe it or not there are those who can’t afford to attend school. Many of these children really want to go and realize it is the only chance they have to obtain the possibility of success.

For many that only means the ability to become gainfully employed. If that happens then the entire family will benefit. Sometimes that means having food every day. In parts of the world things are very slow to change. Some of these children are very bright but need to be introduced to opportunity. There are many of us out there trying to help change the lot of many. However, we are no where enough to make the change needed. It’s not unusual to shed a tear here and there.

Not being able to help everyone can be a heart breaker for the strongest of us. Also, the older you get the more sensitive you become to the plight of the world. It all boils down to supplies and that carries dollar signs with it. The best you can hope for is someone or some company will have things that you could use in the communities you are working in.

Julie and I gave five scholarships this year, two to elementary students and three to high school and college. Hopefully we will be able to continue to do that again next year. Third world scholarships are very inexpensive. The five that we did cost us less than $5,000. We were able to put in clean well water in one community. The well was drilled the old fashioned way and after 36 feet we hit what we needed. A positive impact on another person’s life can be derived in so many ways. I figure Julie and I give about 25 percent of our annual income. You would be surprised how much can be done with only a little you just need to desire improving the lives of others.

If you remember my articles of last year you will remember my asking for 50 Bibles. Well, some things happen in strange ways; not only did I receive some Bibles from some of you but I received a case of 50 Bibles from a military group at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. That showed me that the military seeks peace not just with bullets but by freely sharing God’s word to anyone in the world who’ll accept it. For me, that was a beautiful message. I will speak with them again.

We still have many vets living in other countries especially in the South Pacific. I check in on some of them now and then. For the most part, most are happy and doing OK. They do have a medical facility in Manila, if the need presents itself. I offer my humble abilities as need presents itself. I thank God daily for the success he has allowed me to have benefiting those in need. Sixty years ago I was a boy scout. In those days it was a lot more than earning and displaying badges. We were taught to be humble and to never look down at others; to never see ourselves as better than others. That was taught to be counterproductive to our moral mandate. Time has probably changed in this politically oriented world but the old creed stated, “On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; to help other people at all times; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight”.

If one were to review the oaths of other humanitarian organizations they would find them to be almost the same. Nonsectarian, Nonpartisan is at the head of most. God is perceived in a different way. Mason, Knights of Rizal, Rotarians share much of the same oath. Some use religion as by Sect/type but nonetheless they all believe in God. God is viewed by the acceptance of a supreme being that created the master piece of all that exists along with all wonders including you and I.

We were given superior brains and the power overall things. How we use that power will determine our reward. Going to church, saying your prayer every night is not going to open the door for you. We all know what we must do. That was built into the hardware at the moment of our life. We can’t hide. Also, you can’t wait until the last minute to be your brother’s keeper. We don’t know when our last day will come. I am home now and I will answer the many VA questions I have been asked next week. Don’t forget those who need your help especially our veterans.

God bless and have a good week.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Johannes Brahms

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Johannes Brahms

Brahms Symphony 1 – Hermann Scherchen conducting the Vienna State Opera Orchestra; Classaphonic-CL-68. 12 inch lp, recorded mid to late 50s.

Johannes Brahms

Johannes Brahms was already sketching a First Symphony in 1853 as his friend Robert Schumann was praising the then young composer as the great new hope in music who would provide “yet more wondrous glimpses into the mysteries of the world of the spirit.” The sketches eventually grew into the magnificent First Piano Concerto in 1857.

Another 19 years elapsed when Brahms presented his First Symphony in its 1876 World Premiere in a rural town in Germany where several friends were eagerly awaiting its performance.

The Symphony met with resounding success and has been performed and recorded countless times since then, being still a favorite with audiences. Having already admitted in earlier columns that Brahms has been my favorite composer for decades, I am certainly biased in finding things to enjoy in this recording, as with batches of other Brahms 1sts in my collection, whether good, bad or indifferent.

Hermann Scherchen conducted a performance that was uniquely captivating for its foreboding grandeur in the opening movement, its sweet sentiment in the second movement, the dancing, slightly melancholy delicacy in the 3rd movement and the jubilation in the concluding 4th movement. Scherchen also speeded up tempos even more quickly than Leonard Bernstein and Eugen Jochum on their justly acclaimed recordings towards the end of the 4th Finale- he could be perverse with tempos and phrasing- but this recording ended up being such a pleasure that I have played it at least 4 times since yesterday.

John Josselyn

John Josselyn

The adventurous English aristocrat John Josselyn (1608-1675) traveled to New England twice, 1638 and 1663, and his massively detailed An Account of Two Voyages to New-England provided ground breaking research on animals, plants and native American life.

An example – he wrote interestingly about the homes in tribal villages, as conveyed in the following sentence:

“Their houses which they call Wigwams, are built with Poles pitched into the ground of a round form for most part, sometimes square, they bind down the tops of their poles, leaving a hole for smoke to go out at, the rest they cover with the bark of trees, and line the inside of their Wigwams with mats made of rushes painted with several colors, one good post they set up in the middle that reaches to the hole in the top, with a staff across before it at a convenient height, they knock in a pin on which they hang their Kettle, beneath that they set up a broad stone for a back which keepeth the post from burning; round by the walls they spread their mats and skins where the men sleep whilst the women dress their victuals, they have commonly two doors, one opening to the South, the other to the North, and according as the wind sits, they close up one door with bark and hang a Dears skin or the like before the other.”

Josselyn also told tall tales about seeing pre-historic creatures such as sea lions and serpents and spotting a mermaid or two. In addition, he portrayed the harsh deadly New England landscape and climate as heaven on earth.

There is an anecdote where he started chewing a wasp’s nest, thinking it was a pineapple. His face became so swollen and disfigured that his friends recognized him only by his clothes.

Josselyn’s second visit in 1663 lasted several years until he eventually returned to England where he first wrote New-England Rareties Discovered in 1672 and An Account two years later.

In 1675 John Josselyn died at the age of 67, fulfilling a French proverb he lived by – “Travail where thou canst, but dye where thou oughtest, that is, in thine own Countrey.”

D.L. Miller

A few years ago, I wrote about the 99 cent Somerset/Stereo Fidelity LPs created by the Pennsylvania businessman D.L. Miller back in 1957. In addition to the classical recording sessions he brokered with such orchestras as the London and Hamburg Philharmonics, Miller created an immense and very profitable catalog of LPs by the 101 Strings which were inevitably transferred to cassettes and CDs. Three particular titles- With Love from London, Symphony for Lovers and Gypsy Campfires – were part of my parents otherwise small record collection.

Nelson Riddle conducted the 101 Strings in one of their finest recordings, one I’ve played numerous times.

Miller sold the label to an English businessman who changed its name to Alshire. A cassette release, The Best of 101 Strings (Alshire, ALSC-5373), features a dozen rhythmically pulsating arrangements of such pop staples as Moon River, I Left My Heart In San Francisco, The Way We Were, Lara’s Theme from Doctor Zhivago, etc.

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I highly recommend the recently streamed film Conclave, which depicts the secret proceedings at Vatican City as the Cardinals are choosing a new Pope. Ralph Fiennes heads a superb cast as the chief moderator of the proceedings.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: A Virtual Second Opinion Can Be A First-Rate Option

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Mike Pressler worried he would lose the active lifestyle he enjoys with his wife, Kathy, when he was told he needed an ostomy bag. A virtual second opinion would make all the difference.

(NAPSI) – A little research led to a big relief for one 70-year-old and his family—and it could help you or someone you care about as well.

One Man’s Story

His physicians told Mike Pressler he needed major surgery to remove an advanced recurrent polyp – a procedure that would leave him with an ostomy bag and threaten his active lifestyle.

As a gym-going, golf-playing 70-year-old retired school administrator who walks regularly and enjoys traveling with his wife, Kathy, Pressler was terrified.

“I was researching hard, trying to figure out any way I could get out of this,” he said.

The Problem

The polyp was non-cancerous, but the cauterization from a previous polyp removal was creating issues.

An Answer

He remembered a friend’s positive experience at Cleveland Clinic, which Pressler noted as having a “stellar reputation.” That led him to seek a virtual second opinion, which he learned he could obtain without leaving his home, through The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic.

Pressler signed up online and was impressed by the virtual second opinion program. They pulled, collected and compiled his medical records on his behalf, saving him time and effort. Soon after, the care team matched Pressler with Dr. David Liska, Chair of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Cleveland Clinic, who then consulted with Dr. I. Emre Gorgun, a top robotic surgery specialist. Dr. Gorgun was confident he could remove the polyp without Pressler needing an ostomy.

Within just 10 days of starting the second opinion process, Pressler was scheduled for a new, less invasive procedure. That’s a common occurrence with this program, where 67% of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change.

Before the surgery, there was one potential hiccup. Radiology at Cleveland Clinic reviewed his existing MRI and CAT scan, and they were concerned there might be cancer after all, which prompted a sigmoidoscopy and biopsy to make sure.

“Dr. Liska calls me and says, ‘We’ve got to take a time out here.’ Now I’m kind of bummed again,” Pressler said.

The biopsy would prove to be a temporary roadblock and came back as non-cancerous. The surgery proceeded as planned and Pressler is back to working out, playing golf and traveling with his wife.

“The whole experience was totally positive from start to finish,” Pressler said. “From the intake nurse to the doctors and people behind the desks on the first floor. They are all exceptional in my experience.”

Why Get A Virtual Second Opinion

Sixty-seven percent of virtual second opinions recommend a diagnosis or treatment plan change. You may benefit from a second opinion if you:

• Have been diagnosed with a serious or rare health condition (a diagnosis is required for a second opinion).
• Have a condition that is not improving or is getting worse despite treatment.
• Have been told a health condition is not treatable.
• Are considering a treatment that involves significant risks, such as surgery.
• Need guidance choosing from multiple treatment options.
• Want confirmation about a diagnosis or treatment.

How It Works

Step 1: Registration and Live Intake with a Nurse Care Manager. They’ll take it from there and get you on your path to peace of mind.

Step 2: Records Collection and Expedited Matching. The Clinic does all the work of collecting your medical records, then matches you with a Cleveland Clinic Specialist in just a few days.

Step 3: Expert Second Opinion. Following an optional virtual visit with the Cleveland Clinic physician, your second opinion will be delivered via a written report.

Pressler urges other patients to visit The Clinic by Cleveland Clinic at www.clinicbyclevelandclinic.com/lp/vso/ and tap into Cleveland Clinic’s specialized expertise. Those who use promo code 2NDLOOK15 can get a discount on their virtual second opinion.

QUINN MINUTE: My frog drawing

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by Rix Quinn

In my long and unproductive life, I’ve encountered several disgusting things…and I’ve stepped in a few of them.

But few gave me more displeasure than dissecting a frog. This was a school requirement, and I dreaded it for weeks.

My biology teacher, however, seemed to enjoy watching us approach a big vat of formaldehyde, grab a pair of tongs, and fish out a long-deceased amphibian from the stinky liquid.

After this, we chose a partner, then sat next to each other at a lab table. For the dissection, we would share a frog.

Following instructions on a large display in our textbook, we laid the frog on its back, and noticed this was not this frog’s first autopsy. The chest was already open, so we did our best to locate important organs by moving them around with a number two pencil.

We noticed the position of the heart, lungs, and other disgusting stuff. Each of us attempted to sketch what we saw on a blank sheet of paper.

We noted that some of the frog’s front fingers were missing. Probably the result of a frog-to-frog competition.

We handed in our sketches. Mine looked a little like a goat.…but not much.

The teacher gave my artwork an F-minus. I complained to her that nobody deserved below an F.

She told me that this one was so bad, it needed special recognition.

Were you born between 1946-1964? Would you like to know more about the generation called Baby Boomers? You can order Rix’s book on that generation today. Just go to this link.

MAINE-LY GARDENING: Annuals, biennials, perennials, oh my!

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Marigolds

by Jude Hsiang

Terms for plants used by growers and botanists can be confusing. If a plant is labeled “annual” we might think that it will return every year like an annual canoe race. But annual plants live for only one growing season. They grow from seed, flower, form new seeds, then die. Those new seeds will germinate and become next year’s plants if they are lucky enough to drop into a place with the right conditions and the weather is favorable.

Peony

Here in Central Maine, the little plants we buy at garden centers and other shops, whether flowers like marigolds, or vegetables like tomatoes, will be killed by the first heavy frost. But they often grow well enough through the warmer months to develop seeds.

Many gardeners collect and save seeds of annuals by keeping them dry and cool to sow for the following year. (Note: seeds from hybrid plants are often not like the parent plant.) With space to start the new seeds in the right conditions you can save money that would have been spent on buying seeds year after year. The right conditions vary for different plants. Some may require a period of very cold temperature called stratification. Some very tiny seeds must be placed on top of the planting mix as they will only germinate with light and warmth. Researching the needs of any seeds, from annual flowers to cactus to trees, will reward you with the satisfaction of seeing the baby plants grow under your watchful gaze.

A garden designer friend tells of seeing T-shirts saying, “Friends don’t let friends buy annuals.” She disagrees, because even though annuals like begonias and petunias only live for one season, they are especially useful to fill in spots between other plants that will eventually grow quite large. You can experiment with color by trying different annuals to see if their color will fit in with the long-range garden plan.

Biennial plants like foxgloves and hollyhocks live for two years but only produce roots, stems, and leaves in their first season. They die down to the ground then reappear the following spring when they produce their flowers and seeds.

After this display, biennials die, but often self-seed in the garden. Many of these seeds need a cold spell and will go on to enhance the garden for many years through their succeeding generations.

Perennial plants often become the mainstays of flower gardens. They are more expensive to purchase because they take several years to grow from tiny seedlings to a size that assures the gardener that they are large and healthy enough to transplant into the garden. Peonies, hostas, and irises are a few of the many perennial plants that will live for years, even decades. Eventually, they can become so large that they crowd other plants. That’s a bonus because you can divide them into several smaller clumps to plant in another part of the garden or share them with friends. When adding perennials to your garden learn how to divide them and whether it’s done in spring or fall depending on the species.

Members of garden clubs and other groups often share plants from their home gardens through plant swaps or fundraising sales. Look for these events in May and June for a great way to find beautiful new plants for your garden at lower cost while supporting a favorite cause.

© Judith Chute Hsiang
Jude Hsiang Is a retired Extension Master Gardener instructor and member of the China Community Garden.