I recently attended my first Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging meeting. I am convinced that in the city of Minneapolis elders/seniors don't exist. There is such a thing as the "Minneapolis for …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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8/28/24
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UPDATE REGARDING DEWAYNE TOWNSEND AND MARCEA MARIANNI'S NEW REALITY Text message from Marcea July 3. DeWayne passed away around 10 p.m. July 2. An important voice and significant presence is no more …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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7/24/24
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RECONNECTING WITH STORIES AND JOURNEYS
From time to time I need to remind myself what I am tasked to do when it comes to writing Stories and Journeys.I am tasked to write what I'm …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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6/26/24
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IS THERE A RIFT BETWEEN THE MINNEAPOLIS REGIONAL RETIREES COUNCIL (AFL-CIO) AND ALL ELDERS UNITED FOR JUSTICE?
"Building power through unity: All Elders United for Justice aims to bring power to …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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4/25/24
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So far in 2024, I have been showing up for more meetings and events in-person or via Zoom. In person showing up has been enabled by three factors. 1) The mild winter weather enabling me to be out and …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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3/27/24
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Dear Reader, you have continued to tell me your Medicare stories via tesha@longfellownokomismessenger.com .
A Southwest Connector reader, Judy M., has written to tell me her Medicare …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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2/21/24
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Welcome to the start of year three for Stories and Journeys. Welcome to the start of year eight of my retirement journey including Medicare plus supplement. Another reader has told me their take on …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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1/24/24
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Dec. 7 has come and gone. Medicare Open Enrollment has ended for 2023. Yet it feels like the engagement with me and Medicare has just begun again. So, if you have read this far you have taken the …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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12/21/23
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MORE ON MEDICARE DURING OPEN ENROLLMENT
This is more about what I am thinking, learning experiencing in my life as an elder. In the interest of full disclosure, as I write I am wearing my …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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11/26/23
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HERE'S MY MEDICARE STORY. WHAT'S YOURS?
This is a time during fall to make changes in one's Medicare plan. I am making my way through my seventh year of retirement and enrolled in Medicare. In …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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10/25/23
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Celebrating the Resurfacing of 46th Ave. I still get ecstatic along with neighbors I know. I'm looking outside at a resurfaced 46th Ave. between 38th St. and 46th Street. Thanks to Minneapolis Public …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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9/28/23
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Dear Reader: This column is about signs of cpring showing up in my life experiences and awareness. So, buckle up! If you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river (flow) of life …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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5/26/23
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I have recently been made aware that TMC Publications CO, which includes the Longfellow Nokomis Messenger, Southwest Connector, and Midway Como Frogtown Monitor, received 20 awards at the recently …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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3/21/23
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Each day since writing the last Stories and Journeys column, I have been checking the obituries in the newspapers I read. None of them are mine. So, here I go again.Before starting to write this …
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11/30/22
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As far as I can tell I haven't died. I am writing this column. The service will take place at Lakewood Cemetery, the site of my internment. Details to follow. The theme of the service will be coming …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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11/1/22
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Today, right now! It's the first day of the first year without my brother. He died! Myself, my sister-in-law, and my nieces – we continue to mourn. Labor Day week-end of 2021 was the last time …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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8/31/22
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Gratitude for the life of my brother, Richard A. Hammen, an out-of-town reader of the Messenger. Reader as long as his powers of comprehension were intact. Gratitude for the fact that he was the …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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8/2/22
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My brother has cancer! I'm stunned! I'm in shock! What now? My inner and outer worlds are out of sync. I feel scared. I feel so alone. Are you with me, dear reader? If you are, you have taken the …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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6/21/22
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Imagine all the people living in peace! Wait! Not just yet! Imagine us walking exploring the yard surrounding my house. It's spring but feels like summer. We see tulips, dandelions, violets …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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5/30/22
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Imagine you are with me at my recent visit to the River Lake Eye Clinic. I have been a client there for many years. Even before receiving original Medicare plus supplement. You have now taken the …
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By Donald L. Hammen
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4/28/22
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