Encounters and conversations, new program director

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 about. 2) My health issues staying in the background of my life. 3) Transportation support from friend and former co-worker Samuel Fadina. Here a few encounters and conversations that stand out for me so far. But first things first.

  Virginia J. has reached out to me via Tesha@tmcpub.com to tell me her Medicare story. Here are some quotes that capture my take aways. "Hi, I've been following  your columns in the Messenger and agree with you about Medicare Advantage Plans.... My husband and I intend to stay in traditional Medicare. Some of my concerns are whether the supplement will get too expensive or whether the doctors will all become parts of groups owned by insurance companies and will decide not to accept traditional Medicare." Note: I share those concerns.

 

Dear reader: what in your life experiences promotes/constitutes conversations/dialogue with youth out side of family. Tell yourself, tell others or tell me via tesha@tmcpub.com. And if you have read this far you have taken the plunge into the river(flow) of life experiences which is Stories and Journeys.

 

On Thursday, Feb.29, I attended a Zoom meeting of a sub-committee of the Minneapolis Regional Retirees Council (AFL-CIO) Committee on Ageism. The conversation explored how are conversations/dialogue with youth possible in our culture and how does conversation with youth come about in the context of the MRRC or in general throughout our community.

Later on the same day, I stopped by the Longfellow Community Council Open House. There I encountered and conversed with Trever Born. Turns out he writes on-line Longfellow Whatever: Neighborhood News So Specific, It's Only Interesting to Us. I also encountered and have had two conversations with Ben Howery, LCC Community Organizer. Turns out that he believes there is possibly an opportunity for elder-youth conversation/dialogue in Greater Longfellow. Stay tuned.

 

Samuel Fadina has been transporting me to the state capitol for the last two (Feb. 9 and March 8) of these monthly meetings. Representative Ginny Klevorn is chair. Senator Kelly Morrison is vice chair. A report to the legislature is intended to come out of these meetings. With people over 65 constituting the fastest growing segment of the population in Minnesota, there seems to be growing interest within the task force for creating a Minnesota Department on Aging. Minneapolis Regional Retirees Council President Leif Grina delivered a well-received testimony advocating for the creation of a department on aging, which drew applause from those in attendance (including me) at the March 8 meeting.

I belong to three organizations that have been showing up at these task force meetings, so it's highly likely I will keep showing up as long as I stay healthy and  have transportation. They are the Minneapolis Regional Retirees Council (AFL-CIO), the SEIU Health Care for Minnesota/Iowa Retiree Council, and All Elders United for Justice.

 

I made my way to this event thanks to Metro Transit. There was a small group. Among other things, I got to make my point about people over 65 being the fastest growing segment of the population in Minnesota. She got to make her point about the importance of attending my Precinct Caucus Feb. 27 at South High, which I did thanks to transportation from Samuel Fadina.

 

Two articles jumped out at me. One by Hal Crowther, a journalist, who has won writing awards too numerous to mention here. The article is entitled "An Incurable Disease? The Mystery of MAGA." In this article, he raises the following question: "How is it possible that people cheer and celebrate the most transparent fraud, the most outrageous liar, the most straightjacket-ready psycho ever visited on the body politic?"

The other article is by Jake Johnson, a senior editor and staff writer for Common Dreams. This article is headlined, "Trump Allies Plan to Privatize Medicare Draws Alarm and Outrage."

 The Progressive Populist is an independent journal published out of Storm Lake, Iowa. Check it out at http://www.populist.com  

Reminder: Social Security and Medicare are not entitlements and do not contribute to the national debt. Also, Elder Voices (Telling Our Stories/Sharing Our Journeys) continues to meet the last Friday of each month, 10 to 11 a.m. at Turtle Bread, 4205 E.34th Street. Look for the table with the Elder Voices sign.

In gratitude always.

Donald L. Hammen is a longtime south Minneapolis resident, and serves on the All Elders United for Justice Board of Directors.