Voice of The Villages

05/06/2021

Greetings! It is I, the Cracker Croaker. Virtual Medical visits. Are they the wave of the future or just another passing fad? Telemedicine may include real-time telephone and/or video chats with your doctor. They can also include remote monitoring of patients by tools that collect data. Tasks like managing chronic conditions, lab work reviews, and the treatment of several acute conditions, are other benefits of telemedicine. But, where is the one-on-one interaction between doctor and patient? Somehow, with telemedicine that appears to be lacking.

Supporters of telehealth claim the benefits can include decreasing healthcare costs, conveniences, and providing a good option for follow-up appointments, as well as minor health issues.

The oncoming expansion of telemedicine has been an ongoing process for the past several years. One of the largest, most recent, pushes occurred in 2020 when the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid broadened their use for Medicare recipients to the tune of approximately 24.5 million beneficiaries.

Many healthcare providers push their patients to take social distancing seriously in the form of telemedicine. Many patients find this form of care easier than going to a doctor's office. And, being in their homes makes many of them more comfortable than the stress of going to a doctor's appointment.

However, for those patients who lack video capabilities over the computer, or smartphones, and not everybody has them, how can a doctor in good faith physically examine that patient? A lot of vital information can easily get lost in the translation. This is just one of the major drawbacks to telemedicine. Another is the treatment the patient receives is based on their verbal responses, not necessarily on what a trained doctor observes.

So, is telemedicine a wave of the future or a passing fad? Each patient needs to decide for themself what level of medical care they are willing to accept.

Until the next time,..

Toodle-Loo!

04/21/2021

Greetings! It is I, the Cracker Croaker. What do the Sharon L. Morse Performing Arts Center, The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol, and the Savannah Center share in common? They are vast, popular, members of The Villages entertainment world. Many eateries, and small businesses, benefit from the throngs of Villagers who frequent the performances put on by these venues.

The Town Squares are other locations that draw sizable crowds daily. This number can easily exceed one million attendees annually. These drawing cards have enticed several participants to become residents of The Villages. On occasion, I, myself, have performed at Spanish Springs Town Center over the years at Marci Gras, Cajun music events, and even emceed for local and nationally acclaimed Country Singers.

Monthly festivals are another source of high local attendee draws. Not only do they bring people to the venues, such as the ever popular Cruise Ins, but they are not compacted like the Squares. There's plenty of room for them to occur. With COVID concerns still ongoing hindrances, precautions like limited and social distance seating, have enabled these events to keep going.

Recently, Driveway Concerts have been catching on and growing as more entertainers utilize this method for shows. Some are themed. Others include personally serenading attendees on special occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. In addition, private, in-home, concerts have occurred as well.

The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol offers virtual plays, while The Sharon provided a virtual Shakespeare workshop. For those who do not know, The 1,022-seat Sharon, once the nondenominational Church on the Square, has been remodeled from that vaunted building. Stained-glass windows, and organ pipes, are featured attractions in its lobby.

One other note since we're on the subject. From Late September to Early May each year, at least 4 productions, comprising a total of 200 performances, occur at The Studio Theatre Tierra del Sol. Proscenium, round, or thrust-style seating may be used depending on the show. So, c'mon out and enjoy the fun.

Until the next time,

Toodle-loo!

04/18/2021

Greetings! It is I, the Cracker Croaker. Here's something interested ing for the Were You Aware file readers may desire to know. Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, and the country's second largest retailer, Kroger has begun to ship groceries from a Groveland facility that delivers directly to customers. The soft-launch was a precursor for Kroger, who plans to begin customer orders in the Spring. Kroger has not yet confirmed if they will open stores in the Central Florida area or not.

By partnering with the British-based technology company Ocado, Kroger now can bring online grocery fulfillment to retailers in what they refer to as Customer Fulfillment Centers. The one in Groveland is reported to operate more than 1,000 robots to retrieve products.

In time, customers will be able to place their orders from kroger.com, or the Kroger app, and their groceries will be delivered in temperature-controlled vans. Fees for these deliveries will be based on lead time on an order, customer loyalty, the popularity of the delivery window, and route optimization.

Kroger expects to be able to deliver customer orders up to 90 miles from Groveland. But, eventually this distance may increase by what Kroger refers to as "spoke locations". Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen stated, "The Groveland center is being designed to serve Florida and Southern Georgia, as well as Southern Alabama. But, initial focus will be around Groveland, then work outward from there. Truly a feature not available on the market today."

In the 1980s Kroger operated stores in Florida they called Florida Choice Supermarkets. They also owned a portion of the Lucky's Market chain. According to Kristal Howard, Kroger's Head of Communications and Media Relations, the Groveland store will employ 400 workers. Documents filed with Lake County show these employees will make between $42,500 and $66,666 yearly wages with benefits, healthcare, and retirement. You don't say.

Kroger owns 2,740 supermarkets and multi-department stores in their inventory, as well as more than 150 fine jewelry stores. They enjoyed a 116 percent spiked increase in 2020 for more than 10 billion dollars in revenue.

Until the next time,

Toodle-loo!

04/16/2021

Greetings fellow Villagers. It is I, the Cracker Croaker. On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden became the 46th President of the United States. That is a topic to examine at another time. No doubt, I will. In detail. Today, I'm going to address areas in similarities between his Presidency and the one that came before Biden assumed office. They share more in common than perhaps many voters would like to acknowledge.

There is no question those who favor liberalism, and his free-spending ambitions, are overly enthused Biden occupies the White House. Another sector considers him nothing more than a neoliberal centrist.

Many of Biden's policies seem to be an attempt to build on what Donald Trump started. Bloomberg Columnist Karl Smith suggested Biden's economic proposals are the "coherent manifestation of MAGAism." That appears to be a fairly accurate depiction on several fronts.

An American rebuilding effort was the foundation of the Trump administration's policies. So were a turn against globalization, a foreign country building agenda, industrialization, and an economic redistribution to American workers. Biden seems to want not much more than to grab hold of elements of Trump's populism through measures like protectionism in trade, especially against the Chinese. Biden's infrastructure plan closely resembles the one the Trump administration could never deliver. Biden also has promised to raise taxes on the rich, such as VILLAGERS.

Immigration, and the overwhelming overflow of illegals at the border, are two of Biden's biggest weaknesses. He also fancies an economic nationalism that lacks an anti-immigration component. Biden is all about protectionism by way of tariffs coupled with an extremely loose immigration policy.

Another long-term issue staring Biden in the eyeballs is making Wall Street, the Silicon Valley, and other elites sacrifice for redistribution. Chances are, this will eventually lead to splits inside the Democrats' coalition. A modest corporate tax hike is a likely achievement for Biden, but not higher taxes on top earners. Additionally, most Democrats do not support heavy tax increases on the well-to-do of society.

Though they represent different political philosophies, Donald Trump and Joe Biden appear to share many similarities.

Until the next time,

Tootle-loo!

01/08/2019

Hello fellow Villagers. I'm dedicating my colume today to a leisurely activity that fits the retired lifestyle well and can become an ideal vacation. And, we all need more of that, don't we? You know you do.

Combining all-included meal packages, breathtaking ports of call, pre-arranged activities, and accommodations, cruising can be just the activity to meet other like-minded individuals and spread the wings of that social butterfly people sometimes experience.

More than 25 million tourists cruise annually, and there are plenty of options to select from. So, whether you are a newcomer to the world of cruising, or a seasoned professional, here are several techniques to help you enjoy the trip of a lifetime more.

A wonderful cruise begins with choosing the right ship, not just the proper cruiseline. All of them offer their own variety of amenities. The key here is to chose the ship that best fits your wants, needs, and desires.

Book your cruise at the right time. Certain timeframes are less heavily traveled than others. For instance, the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Another frequently less traveled time is after Labor Day. Why you may ask? Because young travelers are in school.

A pleasant way to extend your vacation is to arrive at your boarding destination the night before the cruise begins. Once there, check into a comfortable motel. Did you know some of these properties provide free shuttle service to the ship?

Prior to cruising, make a list of the activities you want to enjoy the most once you are aboard. It is very unlikely you will fit all the offerings into one trip. Prioritize what's important to you. And, remember to include plenty of downtime for relaxation.

To avoid the cost of airlines select a port close to where you reside that is within easy driving distance.

Seek special discounts for seniors or clubs such as Triple A. One means cruises like to employ is to entice tourists. You, know, give them a reason they want to cruise with that carrier. Searching for discounts can save a boatload of money.

Book your meals well in advance of the cruise. Most ships provide a main dining room as well as several specialty restaurants. Make your reservations prior to departing the port.

Understand what's included in the packaged price. Branded items, specialty coffees, and other such delectibles may be available at premium prices. However, savvy travelers can usually locate similar versions of these high-priced items on the ship.

Most of all, enjoy the cruise.

Don't forget to hit that Like button. Appreciate it very much. There is also a place where you can comment on what the Cracker Croaker writes. And, feel free to pass along my commentaries to others.

Until the next time,

Toddle-loo!

01/07/2019

Welcome fellow Villagers. Today, I'm going to cut right to the chase with my commentary. How many of you out there are aware of a class of unregulated man-made chemicals that have long been used in such products as water-repelllent fabrics, nonstick cookware, fire-fighting foam, and grease-resistent paper? One of the major health hazards associated with these PFAS is the
chemicals do not break down in the environment.

There are certain health issues proven to be connected to PFAS including weakened immunity systems, the potential for infertility, thyroid disease, and certain forms of cancer. PFAS are a serious national problem people can run away from.

A Harvard University study stated the public supplies that provide water to more than six million American citizens have tested above the EPA recommended threshold for PFAS. However, because the federal government does not regulate PFAS, this level is only an EPA guideline.

Affected communities still await full government intervention. This includes military bases where PFAS-laden foams have long been used in training exercises. What's more, most people have no knowledge they are even being affected by PFAS.

The detection of PFAS in drinking water should raise several questions given the lack of regulation of these chemicals and their potential long term effects.

There have been two particular types of PFAS phased out because they were ending up in the bloodstreams of nearly every American. These were PFOA, which is more commonly known as C8, and was used to make teflon. The other is PFOS. This was used in making Scotchgard water repellent. However, thousands of PFAS chemicals remain in use, and pose threats to America's drinking water resouces, such as lead and arsenic.

Unfortunately, industries are not required to report what chemicals they use in the production of their products. Many of which pop up in the least expected places. What's more, the EPA sought to block the publication of a federal health study of the affects of PFAS contamination. Why did they take this action? Because, as an adminstrator stated at the time, this study could result in a public relations nightmare. I ask you which is more important, the health of America's drinking water or a public relations nightmare?

The study in question was eventually released. The keynote of the publication indicated the EPA's existing non-enforceable standard remains inadequate to protect the public health. Moreover, little has happened since to improve the situation.

States can regulate PFAS of their own volition. Some have taken measures to regulate PFAS in their drinking water. But, not all states have. Therefore, the need for federal attention in this matter remains long overdue.

Well,.amigos, that dos it for this edition of Cracker Croaker commentaries on Voice of the Villages. However, don't forget to hit that Like button. Appreciate it very much! There's also a place where you can comment on what the Cracker Croaker writes. And, feel free to share my commentary with others.

Until tomorrow,

Toddle-loe!

01/06/2019

Welcome fellow Villagers. It is I, the Cracker Croaker, with my latest commentary for you to read and enjoy. Once again, I sit here in my favorite recliner enjoying the good life and what do I discover? An article about the selling of N**i memorabilia. Let me tell you, that eats at my craw.

Some of the items that have been auctioned off are Josef Mengele's journals, a ring that belonged to Adolf Hi**er featuring a sw****ka made of sixteen rubies, the telephone from Hi**er's Fuhrerbunker, and perhaps the most disturbing of all: an Adolf Hi**er-inscribed propoganda photograph of the N**i leader hugging the Jewish girl Rosa Benile Nienau who actually referred to him as "Uncle Hi**er".

I'm sure these items were sold for a mighty pretty penny. However, that does not eliminate the question of why anyone would want to buy them? There'es apparantly bit money to be made in selling N**i artifacts. And, the selling of Third Reich souvenirs stirs up quite a debate.

But, not everyone is into this market. Some major players have even come out against this practice including Christies of London, Sotheby's, Facebook, and eBay. These companies have gone as far as to curb or ban the sales of N**i items. Good for hem. Others should too.

Still, the demand for these mementos increases despite the fact many people fear that humanity is forgetting the N**is existed and the extent of their harm.

Much of this mterial came home with soldiers after World War Two ended. Standard fare in the heat of battle. Now, these soldiers are aging and selling off their memorabilia they collected while engaged in conflict in Germany.

Several Jewish organizations have publicly denounced these transactions. But, not all of them. The reason most frequently given for those who do not oppose the sales of N**i items is because they feel the N**i regime's items are worth saving even though they also believe the anti-Semetic history should not be.

But, selling these collectibles to the highest bidder, in my book anyway, borders on being immoral. Additionally, preserving N**i memorabilia serves to inflate Hi**er's mystic. This does not even mention the emboldenment of anti-Semites.

Other modern trends that tend to drive the sales of N**i artifacts skyward are World War Two movies, documentaries, and what was once an apparant endless supply of programming on the subject provided by the History Channel. Don't get me wrong, I find the History Channel well worth watching. However, these episodes served to pique the cuiosity of N**i memorabilia collectors. And, the image of Adolf Hi**er still resonates with extremists.

How's this grab you? One of Mengele's notebooks reportedly sold more about 50,000 dollars to an orthoox Jewish man who's grandmother survived the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. I repeat, profiting from the sales of N**i artifacts, as far as the Cracker Croaker is concerned, is repulsive!.

N**i poetry, letters, and the propoganda school papers of Joseph Goebbels are other N**i items that have been recently sold. Then there's the interrogation notes of Hi**er's doctor that proved he received female hormones, as well as the bloodstained fabric from the sofa where Hi**er shot himself on April 30, 1945. Why would anybody in their right mind want to own something like that?

So, tell me if you believe the sales of Hi**er's, and the N**is, artifacts is preserving history or inciting hate? That's a mighty good question, isn't t?

Well, that does it for this edition of Cracker Croaker commentaries on Voice of the Villages. However, don't forget to hit that Like button. Appreciate it very much! There's also a place where you can comment on what the Cracker Croaker writes. And, feel free to share my commentary with others.

Until the next time,

Toddle-loo!

01/04/2019

Hello fellow Villagers. I am affectionately known as the Cracker Croaker and as of today I have become a contributing commentator for Voice of the Villages. As I sit here in my comfortable recliner munching on my favorite snack, Ritz crackers, I leaf through the newspaper as I am prone to do on a daily basis. Let me tell you, there ain't much good I'm finding within these printed pages. What article finally catches my eye this morning? Bingo! There it is. And, here is my reaction to the fiasco known as Wells Fargo Bank. I am so glad I no longer hold a mortgage with them.

Nine hundred errors. Count them, Villagers. Nine hundred times Wells Fargo has admitted to making mistakes in judgment that cost home owners their homes. How in the world do you do that to people? And, if the truth be told, it would not surprise me if there's not a whole lot more than those yet to surface.

Here's my indictment against Wells Fargo in this matter: how can anybody be that inept?

These foreclosures distressed homeowners were forced into over the course of several years destroyed many lives. Not to mention what was done to their credit ratings. All because Wells Fargo committed an array of needless missteps. Maybe they should watch where they're walking.

In just the last two years alone, Wells Fargo has paid more than a staggering one billion dollars in fines. If you want my opinion, that's nowhere near enough for the damage they caused these customers.

It seems Wells Fargo also opened millions upon millions of bogus accounts customers did not need, want, or desire. And, that sounds like a sure case of greed to me. They also erroneously repossessed thousands of customers' means of transportation. What on earth were they thinking?

On top of all that, Wells Fargo has been criticized for eliminating 26,000 jobs while reaping a corporate tax cut that boosted profits 3.7 billion dollars. And, they couldn't afford to pay workers? I wonder who's pockets those funds greased?

Wells Fargo did apologize for these boatloads of errors. For some of these customers that simply was a case of much too late for that. Believe me when I tell you, Wells Fargo has a very long way to go to repair their image.

Wells Fargo has offered customers who lost their homes the opportunity to enter into mediation or receive a token pittance in compensation for their losses.

Wells Fargo first began these chains of errors in 2010. They did not correct them until April of 2018. That's eight years Villagers! Of course they blame the whole situation on a "computer error". Likely story!

That's supposed to explain Wells Fargo denying help to homeowners after foreclosure attorney fees were improperly used? What about Wells Fargo's failure to find these problems when they occurred or to maintain its systems? or the fact Wells Fargo hid these problems for eight years?

At least a class-action lawsuit has been brought against Wells Fargo by several of the customers who lost their homes to foreclosure unnecessarily because of Wells Fargo's unfathomable errors.

Too bad! As they say, every penny counts. And, the not so poor little babies at Wells Fargo should have known better.

Well, that's my take on this topic. So, until the next time. This is the Cracker Croaker signing off. However, I do invite you to check back daily to see what else is on my mind.

Toodle-loo!

12/16/2018

Helicopters and Boys

10/18/2018

Child Identity Theft And Its Fallout

According to a 2018 Child Identity Fraud Study conducted by Javelin Strategy and Research more than one million children became the victims of identity theft in 2017. MORE THAN ONE MILLION! Did you know that in an effort to combat these crimes Experian offers a free one-time Child ID Scan that can detect child identity theft and fraud? To check and see if a child you know (under the age of 18) may be a victim of this illegal activity go to experian.com/childscan. This website will tell you if a child's Social Security Number is connected with a credit file on Experian. If one happens to be found, Experian's Fraud and Resolution Team will assist with the next steps in resolving the situation.

According to Michael Bruemmer, Experian's Vice President of Consumer Protection, "A child's SSN is like gold to identity theives and clean slates for criminals to do damage over possibly a long period of time."

Bruemmer continued by explaining, 'We (Experian) are vigilant when it comes to protecting people's identities."

The consequences of identity theft for children can be damaging and long-term. Parents need to frequently check these records on an ongoing basis. Harmful results of identity theft for children can exist for years and plague them when they become adults. They can also be an expensive proposition to correct.

According to statistics, most child identity theft occurs when they are twelve years old. Almost half of the victims don't discover the theft until they attempt to obtain their first job or first apply for credit. More than fifty percent of these cases discovered the theft themselves when they received a bill or credit card in the mail.

Other pertinent negative results of child identity theft may include dealing with trying to solve the problem as many as ten years later. Credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages may be opened in the child's name. So may utility bills and fraudulent claims against the government. Unfortunately, most victims do not become aware of the theft until after it is too late.

If you discover evidence of child identity theft you should notify the credit reporting agencies that fraud has occurred on your child's file and ask them to investigate. Additionally, you should file a fraud report with the FTC. This can be done online. You should also file a police report and notify the business or financial institution that issued the credit or loan and ask them to investigate.

Signs of child identity theft include letters from the IRS claiming your child owes taxes. However, keep in mind the scam that goes around on the telephone where the caller claims to be with the IRS. The IRS does not make phone calls of this nature. They only contact you by US mail. Other signs of child identity theft may involve your child receiving letters from a collection agency, bills in their name, or offers of pre-approved credit cards.

10/17/2018

Are You A Good Neighbor

On February 19, 1968 a unique program premeiered on national television. The show was known as Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. A generation of American children grew up with this presentation. Now fifty years later, two feature films and a biography attest to the impact the Presbyterian minister, his cardigan sweater, and his sneakers, stamped on modern culture.

In his book The Good Neighbor, Maxwell King, the former director of the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media offers a comprehensive look at Rogers' life. Depictions include Rogers' privileged childhood in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His college experiences, both at Dartmouth, where he dropped out, and at Rollins College, where he earned a music degree, are also detailed in the book. Additionally, the biography features Rogers' earliest days in broadcasting and his work on the Mister Rogers' Neighborhood television program, where he influenced every aspect of its production.

Fred Rogers was known to be calm and creatively focused. The opening credits of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood illustrated his hometown. The songs he wrote reflected his deep commitment to social and emotional education. Rogers' passions for childhood development, faith, music, children, childhood,and puppetry clearly shined through on his television program. His puppets also embodied characters Rogers originally imagined as a young child in Pennsylvania.

One of Rogers' best remembered quotes was, "There are many people in the world who want to make children into performing seals. And as long as children can perform well, those adults will applaude. But I would much rather help a child to be able to say who he or she is."

When asked what made Fred Rogers such a genius at working with children, Maxwell King explained, "Two things: authenticity and high standards. Children can tell a phony a mile away, and Fred Rogers was the opposite: an utterly genuine person. Rogers' training under Dr. Margaret McFarland at the University of Pittsburgh gave him the background in child development and early childhood education to set the very highest standards for his programming. And his fierce commitment to excellence enabled him to sustain those standards for decades."

King was also asked what his research for The Good Neighbor revealed about how Rogers conducted himself as a friend?

He responded by saying, "Rogers was always concerned about treating everyone with great respect and being a good friend to whomever he was dealing with. In fact, he got up early in the morning each day to pray that he would be as good to the people he would encounter that day as he possibly could. And he readily gave his respect and kindness to everyone, whether they were homeless or the president of a large bank."

When King was asked why puppets were a part of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood and when did he start developing these characters, King commented, "Rogers began developing his puppet characters as a little boy, performing his puppet theater in the attic of his parents' home in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. And it was pure serendipity that led to his use of the puppets much later when he began producing children's television. The night before his first program "The Children's Corner" started on WQED in Pittsburgh, the station manager, Dorothy Daniels, gave Fred a small puppet as a gift. That puppet got used on the spur of the moment on the first program and then became Daniel Tiger, the first of many puppets Rogers would use on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood."

King detailed, "Everything on Mister Rogers' Neighborhood including the trolleys, the streets, the houses, the shops, and the companies all sprang from Rogers' recollections of his childhood in Latrobe."

When King was asked in what ways did Rogers' faith inform his television program?

He stated, "Rogers was always guided by his Christianity, and his strong values of human kindness, respect, caring, integrity, and duty. These all derived from his faith. But he was very careful, while emphasizing these values, never to preach or proselytize on the children's program. And he became, as an adult, a great student of many of the world's religions and philosophies. He was very happy to find that the same humanistic values showed up in all faiths."

Rogers' messages of authenticity, respect, and neighborliness continue to refresh in a time antaganism seems to divide.

Voice of The Villages is written by Villagers for Villagers.

09/26/2018

What Needs To Be Known About Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid Arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory disorder that affects several organs and tissues of the body. The painful ailment produces inflamed synovitic membranes that line swollen and tender joints. This in turn creates cartilage destruction and complete or partial ankylotic stiffnesses. The effects of Rheumatoid Arthritis may be noticable upon waking early in the morning and the pain may last for more than one hour. The most distinguishable features of Rheumatoid Arthritis are subcutaneous tissue nodules of the skin and inflammation in the paracardium, the pleural body cavity around the lungs, the sclera white part of the eyes, and the lungs. Studies show the autoimmunity failures, deformities, progressions, and losses of mobilities associated with Rheumatoid Arthritis affect as many as three times more women than men. They also show the disease affects three out of every ten thousand people each year with onset uncommon under the age of fifteen. The ailment is also four times more common in smokers than in non-smokers. Diagnosis for Rheumatoid Arthritis may include physical examinations, family histories, x-rays of the hands and feet, complete blood counts to determine such things as the patient's Rh Factor, renal function tests, and liver enzyme tests. While there is no known cure for Rheumatoid Arthritis, such things as physical therapies, occupational therapies, painkillers, steroids, cortisone shots, anti-inflammatory drugs, gold salts, T-Cell Blockers, Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatoid drugs used to inhibit long-term damages, and other treatment options attempt to modify the progress of Rheumatoid Arthritis and alleviate its symptoms.

If you enjoyed this article feel free to pass it on to others who may appreciate this information as well.

This article was written by Brett Matthew West, the Moderator of Voice of The Villages.