Observing and Reacting Photographs by Angelo Merendino

This photo is not in exhibit but I liked the photo

I enthusiastically walk into The Cleveland Print Room gallery for their new photography show; I instantly see a walker in the middle of the room. My first thought was, did someone leave this or does it belong to somebody? No, on both accounts. It is part of the show. The show, “Observing and Reacting” is eloquent and touching; photographer Angelo Merendino takes the viewer through his wife’s battle with cancer in a dramatic way – large black-and-white photographs show people gazing at a young woman in a walker. Their expressions alone says it all – why is a young woman on a walker?

For me, this show instantly transported me back when my mother was also battling cancer. The hair loss, the lethargy, countless radiology and chemo treatments was my life for 15 months. In a bold statement I will say, I hate cancer. It withers people down to bare bones and a life where they can barely function. They can’t eat because food tastes like crap. The look on their face – why is this happening to me; what did I do to deserve this? My answer is absolutely Nothing!

I see this beautifully in photographer, Merendino’s work. You see people walking along living their lives; suddenly, they see a woman on a walker; they’re taken aback. Who is this person? Why is she struggling so in this walker? I also love the work that Merendino doesn’t show his wife in full view, just a glimpse – the edge of the walker and people’s gasp says it all. You can’t help but think, life is so incredibly short. You take for granted those simple pleasures – walking down the street and feeling the bright sun on your face without the aid of a walker.

I can’t help but also feel the courage of Menendino’s wife, Jennifer, walk those streets with so many people gawking, not understanding what cancer feels like. I don’t know either but many times I had to cajole my mother in getting out of bed and go to the doctor. Had I known that she would only live 15 months, I would have told her, “Stay in bed, relax and do what you want.” And, forget about those damn radiation treatments.

I saw her get thinner and thinner day after day. She was embarrassed that I saw her in her most vulnerable state – her lithe body where she could barely get in the tub for a shower. “Get out she would say; I don’t want you to see me like this.” I’m sure she thought, “I’m the mother and I should be taking care of you, not the reverse.”

I feel the same when I see these dramatic, large prints of Jennifer walking around the streets of New York City. I don’t need your pity; I’m just trying to get through the day. The prints are so meticulously clear and concise that I feel that I’m walking right along with her. I wish I was – perhaps holding her arm so she can cross the street. She was so young – but you can’t tell with her hairless head. I admire her courage that she tried her best to live life to the fullest, pain and all.

The beginning of the show, there is a photo of Jennifer in her walker (the only one in full view) in a stripped sun dress, so frail. These words are so moving, “Today I am sad. I feel like the girl who has cancer. The girl who doesn’t want to get out of bed . . . . the girl who people stare at because of my bald head.”

At first, I didn’t understand why a bald woman so young stood with a walker until I read those sad words. I understand somewhat the struggle she faced every day. I am compassionate with anyone whose day begins with a cancer pill or being dropped off at a chemo treatment. My heart goes out to each and everyone one of them.

Please see this show, for the strength of a young woman battling cancer. For the love and compassion of a spouse wanting to keep her memory alive by photographing her everyday no matter how mundane.

The show is available until October 27, 2013
www.clevelandprintroom.com

Food that’s Junk - Book Review

By Michael Moss

Diet Coke, Pepsi, boxed lunches and/or potato chips are so bad that I try not to consume them. Okay, at parties I will gravitate towards the chips but I try to work it off by the next day. I usually eat vegetables, salads and once a week I eat meat with water as my main drink. I don’t have an over-consumption problem but many do. What is it about “junk food” that many can’t resist the temptation to over eat?

I recently read, “Salt, Sugar, Fat” by Michael Moss that solidifies that obesity is a serious problem; manufacturers of “convenience” products add so much salt, sugar and fat that we can’t help ourselves but to continually eat more. Nothing in is this book was anything that I didn’t already know – how bad processed foods are but it was interesting to learn how manufacturers purposely “draw-us-in” to eating massive amounts of this food. Everyone should read this book and fight against manufacturers that produce food that really shouldn’t be eaten.

Now that I read this book, I look even closer to how much salt is in our products especially Italian sausage that I eat sporadically. I’m not a fake; I really do enjoy eating vegetables but I do crave meat sometimes. A package of five sausages and each link has 770 mg (32%) of salt with 24 g of fat (37%). I am now looking at the frozen package, which now I have to reevaluate if I will ever buy this again. Unbelievable! No wonder a high percentage of people are gaining weight. 

According to the author of “Salt, Sugar, Fat” we should only be getting 2300 mg per day and if you have diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease it should only be 1500 mg – less than a teaspoon a day. After I just ate that sausage, I’m pretty much done with my salt intake. If you eat all your meals from a box, it’s not hard to surpass that salt limit.

The author further discusses the difference between salt and sodium. Salt isn’t the real problem it is “sodium,” which is a chemical element in salt. Consequently, everyone needs salt in their diet to be healthy but as I described the sausage above, everyone consumes more than ten times the recommended dosage; hence, obesity and high blood pressure. You would think that all the salt shakers should be banned but during a study in the early 90’s the salt shaker was not the problem – adding sodium to packaged food was the culprit.

In the manufacturers defense, sodium is added so products won’t taste like cardboard. Cargill (largest supplier of salt and other grains) tested a new product that wasn’t as bad as sodium, potassium chloride. It’s salt without the bad properties of sodium. However, a few problems resulted: higher cost and research showed kidney problems for the elderly and children. With this new development, it wasn’t considered a good argument to switch.

Depending on the usage, as in chips or cereal, the salt is added differently. Salt is produced in grades: a light flake or heavy depending on its usage. The book discussed many scientific studies on the best practices in salt utilization along with sugar and fat.

What I learned that was interesting is that there is a “bliss point” or formula for products from sugary snacks and/or drinks to salty potato chips. This means that there is a point when a product becomes either too sugary or not sugary enough. Hence, manufacturers conduct studies on finding this “tipping point” on how much sugar is adequate for optimum consumption; again, it is all in the science. The author spoke with many scientists that perfected their “products” so we consumers will crave increasingly.

How did these “convenient” products hit the shelves anyway? It began when families got busy and the women entered the workforce. It became increasingly hard to cook all meals from scratch. Moreover, the “Leave it to Beaver” mother having the dinner on the table was becoming a thing of the past. Women didn’t have time for this arduous task.
My favorite story in the book is how a scientist (Al Clausi) began his career at General Foods creating instant pudding. He took the time down from hours to a mere 30 minutes –patented formula that took him over two years to perfect. Right before Clausi had his patent, a competitor perfected their instant pudding but the problem was it kept thickening (the chemical reaction wouldn’t stop), turning it to rubber. Clausi studied the coagulation of milk and thickening process that made him a legend at General Foods - Patent No. 2,801,924. Genius! Instant Jell-O pudding that we’ve taken for granted is now a product mainstay.

Stories such as these were interwoven into the book that created depth and understanding of the complex issues that is not easy to solve. How do we get manufacturers to create healthy products? I travel down the aisles to tons of varieties of cereal to some of the worse products – “Lunchables.” This product was created to entice consumers to eat boloney by making it fun. Marketing, commercials, fun packaging is over loading us as consumers to buy – convenience and ease.

Now that I’ve read this book, I am more conscious than ever about “salt,” my vice. Even my sugarless Whole Wheat Brand Flakes cereal has 170 mg of salt without the milk. And, I am avoiding Italian sausages with an overabundance of salt that I will need an extra bottle of water to flush out my system.

As I read books and watch documentaries, I remember what a nutritionist said – buy ingredients not food. Preparing your food is not only healthy and good for you but you know what’s in there – not ingredients that you can’t pronounce. For me, if food is in a box, I keep on going.

I highly recommend this book but it might be unsettling at times.

Moss, Michael (2013) Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us.
http://www.amazon.com/Salt-Sugar-Fat-Giants-Hooked/dp/1400069807

Summer Mode

I’m having the Fall Blues. I realize as I’m sitting here gazing out into the blazing hot sun that summer is practically over. It doesn’t seem so as the temperature will reach 90 degrees today on September 10. Even so, I crave the sunshine and activities that summer brought this year. It seems like I keep revisiting all the things I was able to do and some that I completely missed. Summer is the time of year that I wait for all year long. Summer is just too short.

This summer I tried to ride my bike to some events but I wasn’t as successful as I should have been. I rode to a few of my Transformer Station volunteer shifts on Saturdays, the Garden Walk and the Larchmere Arts Festival in early July. I could have done more to reduce my car emissions and get exercise to boot. I guess it was better than nothing. I find excuses that I need my car to transport my computer or I need to go to the grocery store. On a positive note, I am seeing more bike riders traveling to their destinations. I am also seeing more cars getting angry that cyclists are clogging their precious streets. Please share the road. Like it or not, there are more cyclists opting to pedal than operating a vehicle. Get over it!

I did walk down my street for the North Collinwood free concert series that began in early June until August 30. There was Eighty’s music and blues; there were local bands and some from New York. Local residents gathered along with others from other neighborhoods listening to fabulous tunes and gazing out along Lake Erie. The sunsets are different every time – the sky glows in brilliant orange and red; other times there is a thin pink line along the horizon. The clouds interrupted the sun. That is what makes living along the lake so special. These unexpected pleasures.


Transformer Station

The Transformer Station in July was the place to be. There were five fantastic concerts at the same caliber as the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Solstice Party. The first night, a husband and wife team (Amadou & Mariam) performed an Afro-pop sound that reached well beyond West 29 and Church. The first night was a hit-or-miss that maybe a few residents will patrol the street just to see what band will be performing. Some thought it would be some local talent. To everyone’s surprise, the performers were outside the U.S. playing on a giant stage. The word-of-mouth of these stellar performances got out that by July 31, people couldn’t wait to experience these concerts. I’m still thinking about them; I hope they will add more in 2014. Pencil it in!

Not only were there free concerts all over the city, but art. I mentioned the Transformer Station with Todd Hido’s, Silver Meadows retrospective that highlighted photos and characters that made you think – what is going on here? Winter scenes and women in stiletto heels. Every time I walked through the door, I saw something that sparked a new thought.

Cleveland Print Room

Recently, I headed out to Cleveland Print Room to view these beautiful black-and-white portraits that were amazing. The photographer used FILM and took the time to “look” at his subjects. I was struck by how clear his images were. I felt immediately immersed into the culture and country sides of Africa and Asia. One of my favorite images was an intimate view of a woman (the wrinkles and blemished skin) dressed in black where the hard work she endured was easily seen - her eyes a metaphor into her soul. She reminded me of Greek widows in Greece dressed head-to-toe in black. You can feel their every day struggles – their expressionless faces. Eyes piercing the photo paper. I didn’t know them but I can emphasize with them.



Carrie Mae Weems

The Cleveland Museum of Art has a retrospective of Carrie Mae Weems on view until September 29. Again, I love black-and-white photographs and Weems has a brilliant array that boldly addresses race, gender and class - the clarity alone transports you into the artists viewpoint. Her “coffee table” series makes you think: what it’s like to live in poverty; raising a child and reflecting on choices you’ve made. A woman is sitting at the “kitchen table” where everyday things happen – she is helping her daughter with homework; she is arguing with her husband or significant other. It’s mundane scenarios where discussions and “real life” happens at the kitchen table.

My favorite, however, is the black-and-white video titled: “Cornered.” There are two video screens that are hung in a corner where the 1960s Boston riots are happening. I like the concept of polarization where neither side is listening. The riots occurred because schools were forced to desegregate - forced busing. This continually happens today when everyone talks and/or shouts. You do feel “cornered” where you don’t know where to go.

Everyone can’t wait to wear their fall clothes consisting of turtlenecks, closed-toe shoes and wool pants. No thank you. Just give me my sandals and sundresses, please!

Fall Events

Ingenuity Festival - September 20, 21, and 22.

http://ingenuitycleveland.com

Sparx City Hop - Saturday September 21, 11am until 9PM

http://www.downtowncleveland.com/events/sparx-city-hop.aspx

Chalk Festival at the Cleveland Museum of Art - Saturday and Sunday, September 21 and 22
http://www.clevelandart.org/

Cleveland Botanical RIPE Festival - September 21 and 22
www.cbgarden.org

Cleveland Cultural Gardens Festival

Washington, DC had Martin Luther King’s March on Washington and in Cleveland we had 1 World Festival at The Cleveland Cultural Gardens. There was music, food trucks, performances and what I enjoyed most was exploring the gardens. I’m embarrassed to admit that I haven’t seen them up close; most of the time, I zoom past them either in my car or on my bike. One of my favorite times to view them, however, is in early spring when the daffodils are at full bloom. The garden glows in a yellow hue.

It was a beautiful event for those who attended. I already can’t wait for next year.

One World Day has been celebrated for the last 66 years; I have not heard about this event until I volunteered for the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Atrium opening. I meandered to the Cultural Gardens table where a representative informed me that they have an event every year. I told here that I will definitely be there in 2013.

This year, however, was a different event. The event was to celebrate the gardens with thousands of Northeast Ohioans who might not have visited before; and for those who’ve experienced the gardens – a rediscovery. Hence, this event is a precursor for the Centennial Celebration in 2016, which is not too far off.

The music reverberated throughout the gardens, the band “African Connection,” got the crowd moving and stamping their feet. At least I was moving what I could as I sat. The Greek Gardens had Hip Hop artists while the Italian Gardens had Bollywood style performances with a chance to learn some dance moves. The upper Italian introduced audiences to acrobatics where young girls hung and twirled from fabric engaging their core muscles. The British Garden performed Shakespeare’s, “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

This was a culturally diverse event exposing you to various performances. The gardens and events were on two levels - Martin Luther King Blvd. and East Blvd. As I mentioned in the beginning, I mostly drive through on my way home therefore, I wasn’t aware that the gardens were on East Blvd. In my opinion, the East Blvd. gave you a chance to embrace the beauty while overlooking MLK in wonder - Why haven’t I experienced these gardens until now? I am sure many thought the same thing as they walked or pedaled a bike.

As in any Cleveland Festival, the food trucks were available to quench your thirst or relieve your hunger. The DonutLabCleveland, the smallest truck sat well after most of the crowd left. And if you wanted barbeque, B&M Bar-B-Que was there as well. Moreover, there was something for everyone.

I wasn’t there for the food; I wanted to explore how each garden was different; how each nationality was expressed. My favorite was the Hungarian Garden with its intricate ironwork arch and sculpted stone and grass. The Irish garden, my second favorite, was beautifully executed with the colorful flowering bushes and plants. I notice these intricacies since I absolutely love to “putter” in my yard where I try to create a dynamic garden using color and size diversity.

I also liked how the planning committee decided to shut down MLK, which created an uninterrupted experience to view the foliage. My only gripe is: the event was not publicized enough. If the goal was to have hundreds of Northeast Ohioans there, why wasn’t there a media blitz? Or if anything, cards promoting the event at local libraries, art galleries and/or places where people congregate. As a marketer I always think, how did I find out about this event or why didn’t I. Furthermore, the flyer I did pick up did not have any information about the Schedule of Ceremonies, “Parade of Flags” or Naturalization Ceremony.

A friend of mine attends every year. She decided not to attend this time because she thought it was the same. It wasn’t. I got there later and I enjoyed it immensely because it was about the gardens, nationality and togetherness as Northeast Ohioans. 

One World Festival
www.clevelandoneworldfestival.com

My Lake Erie

Photo taken in North Collinwood - The Spectacular Sunsets

I live two minutes from Lake Erie and I can’t image living anywhere else. I constantly scratch my head; why do I have to live by the lake? This large body of water flowing to the horizon and beyond; the unbelievably gorgeous sunsets. Everyone who loves sunsets says the same thing – they look different every night. These are my main reasons I image for living in North Collinwood.

I am drawn to the water’s majestic, tranquil quality. Funny I say this for I am not really a swimmer nor beachcomber. I do, however, pick up a plastic bottle or two from the beach. Moreover, I don’t really hang out on the beach under an umbrella or wear a bathing suit – far from it. My activity stems from my weekly runs where I gaze out in the early morning wondering how it was back in the turn of the century when Euclid Beach was in its prime. Sometimes I can hear the crowds or Laughing Sal enters my consciousness – she scared the crap out of me when our family often visited the park. I remember turning my back away from the fun house and Laughing Sal’s eery laughter echoing throughout the park. She stood high above the crowd rocking back-and-forth, which made her laughter even more chilling

I went to a Euclid Beach lecture where a slide show unveiled all the attractions – the main hangout for teenagers and families. The park sold peanuts, popcorn, popcorn balls  (they are still sold, I saw them at Marc’s) and candy kisses in one flavor wrapped in yellow; the lecturer said this soft-serve ice cream, “Frozen Whip” invented in 1919 has never been duplicated. The taste was to die for, so he said. I don’t remember eating it, but I must have at some point.

There is the “Rocket Ship Car®” that you can rent where it’s easily recognizable with crazy lights and a sleek silver bullet look. I don’t remember the park ride but it screams “Euclid Beach” when it cruises down the street. Fortunately, I had an opportunity to ride it during a summer party. Fast and furious; it was cool to see people’s expressions as you whizzed by in this monstrosity.

As I’m reading an online article, I wish I remembered more about this park. The park had a pier constructed so downtown residents has easily patronize the facility by boarding a chartered steamship for twenty-five cents round trip. Enterprising idea! Now, I run down the truncated pier thinking about all the people who once stood there marveling the lake view. If there is one time that I would like to visit, it would be the heyday of Euclid Beach Park.

These ideas of shows, live bands and a dance hall, visitors from Akron and Mansfield traveled north to experience this place. I remember the girls who I used to work with spoke highly about Euclid Beach. They went every Friday night to the dance hall probably meet up with a bunch of guys. I instantly thought; they were hooking up. Too much.

Old Photo downloaded from - The Cleveland Memory Project

In grade school, we had to do an art project on Euclid Beach Park. All I remember was using tempera paint to illustrate “Over the Falls.” Before doing any research, I had no idea what “Over the Falls” looked like nor what it must of felt like riding it. After our group found some old photos, it looked very fun, unlike anything like it back then. A roller coaster going into water along the lake. Sounds like the perfect summer “stay-cation.”

A Card I bought - The Nostalgic Euclid Beach Park

When I run through Euclid Beach, I wish in a way I could run through the amusement park as the rides were moving at full throttle. I know they are currently restoring the carousel (named Carrousel) that will be housed at The Western Reserve Historical Society but it’s not the same if it remained along the lake. Euclid Beach only has a few remnants of the past: The iconic Euclid Beach Park arch; Near the apartments, a small bridgewhere the Turnpike Car ride went underneath; track for the Turnpike Cars; A few weathered ticket stands in the nearby trailer park. That is all that’s left on the premises of a very popular park.

As I think about Euclid Beach Park as we just had a Beach Blast Festival on Saturday, August 3. There was a photo-op where you can stand by the pier and put on some nostalgic glasses or hats. My understanding is more than 1500 people attended; fantastic patronage. Now that the Cleveland Metroparks has taken over the park, I hope soon more people will visit. The view and sunsets are spectacular. Nothing like it in Northeast Ohio.



Euclid Beach Blast, First Saturday in August
http://euclidbeachblast.tumblr.com


Remembering the Sights and Sounds of Euclid Beach Park (Last Sunday in September)
www.euclidbeach.org


History on Euclid Beach Park
http://www.grayco.com/cleveland/books/28892/sample.shtml#.Ug5mHIXDPV0


Laughing Sal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZcb74emOB4


Cleveland Memory Project - Over the Falls Ride
http://images.ulib.csuohio.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/postcards/id/266/rec/15

Born to Sleep - Book Review

Did you know that the higher the price for sneakers, the worse they are for your feet? I, like everyone else who runs just assumed that this statement was true. Surprise, this cannot be further from the truth.

I recently read, “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall where he describes the Tarahumara Indians – Mexican ultrarunners that run miles upon miles in either bare feet or sandals made out of discarded rubber. They eat healthfully on pinole, and beans – living off the land unlike the American diet consisting of sugary drinks and boxed meals. Since I run on the weekends, the subject was intriguing. But, I found myself nodding off by his laborious descriptions on the Tarahumara and the authors quest to find, “Caballo Blanco (the white horse). The author heard a myth about this character as a great runner.

To put it bluntly, I didn’t care about his cast of characters nor how some of the verbiage was constructed. I didn’t understand the point.

As a voracious reader, when I’m engaged in a book, I cannot put it down nor do I want to stop reading. This book, however, I was eager to put it down. I wanted to like it because I’m a runner but it fell short until I miraculously made it to Chapter 25 – more than half way through the book.

Finally, the climax of the entire book occurred on that Chapter. It answered the author’s looming question why he wrote the book. “Why does my foot hurt?” It’s all in the footwear. The more expensive, high quality shoe cushions your foot where it isolates it from moving properly. Hence, your foot is designed to adjust to the environment; it’s supposed to take a beating. The scientists and researchers in the book state that all their subjects that ran preferred a low grade shoe. Furthermore, in the 1970s when these “slick, high-tech” gym shoes didn’t exist, bunions, knee or plantar fascia (the author never explained what this was) problems never happened. So true.

This brought me back to when I went to a podiatrist complaining of foot pain. The doctor couldn’t wait to give me a soft, pillow insole to put in my left shoe raising it higher than my right foot. It never solved the problem. Moreover years later, I ran my first marathon to excruciating pain in my knees. I was in so much pain that I almost ran to the side of the road and sit it out. I continued. After the marathon, I immediately went to the doctor telling him about the pain. “Oh, the pain isn’t in your knees, it’s your back. You need surgery.”

I don’t know what it was in my brain that told me to get a second opinion or just walk out the door. I thought to myself, there is no way I am going to have surgery. An image of a cripple seared into my consciousness. Quite honestly, I was frightened. Now, I’m thankful that I didn’t listen to that quack. It took several years before I had the courage to put on my running shoes and start back.

I can’t begin to describe what it is about running that I continually do it. An old habit, I guess. I started running when I was sixteen, a slightly overweight teenager. That was the only activity that I could do that was inexpensive. I’m not saying I have any talent in that regard, but just moving my body gave me purpose to get fit. Now, I workout, bike and run once a week to an almost “Tarahumara” diet.

The low grade shoe option I needed to try. I’ve been wearing “Asics” for years and years. Moreover, I wouldn’t buy any other shoe to run in. Now this book is telling me that they’re causing more harm then good. I have very bad bunions and some knee issues. I’ve got to try it.

Sunday morning, I found an old pair of Ann Taylor, canvas sneakers that I haven’t worn in years. I wore my specialized socks that wards off blisters and began running. Just like the book said, I didn’t have the foot problem I normally have when I run. Blisters, definitely. I somehow continued my normal route – about five miles. I hurt in the right places, legs and behind. I did get a weird stare from a runner, however, who looked at me like, “You’re running in those cheap shoes!” Damn straight I am!

I am going to integrate “barefoot” running into my regime. Now that I think about my childhood, I ran barefooted all the time and never had foot problems. Your foot is an amazing devise - it holds all of your weight.

I can’t give “Born to Run” a thumbs up but I am thankful that I was able to trudge through the nonsense and become educated on how the high end shoe is destroying our feet. How gel insole sneakers are a must that’s just a marketing ploy by all the manufacturers; a successful one at that. 


Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World has Never Seen
Christopher McDougall
www.borntorun.org

Volunteering at the Senior Games

Photo by Anne Marie Witmer

I waved goodbye to my car as I pedaled to my volunteer shift at the Senior Games. I was determined to be more sustainable and leave my car at home. The one thing to consider when biking or using public transportation, you have to be organized. Moreover, you have to leave earlier than you normally do if your using a car. For example for my shift at Case Western Reserve University, I left one hour and ten minutes early. I over estimated my arrival time but it’s better to add some time than run late.

As I biked through East Cleveland along Euclid Avenue, I spotted a few athletes waiting for the HealthLine and a car was toting a bicycle. I enthusiastically gave them a thumbs up as my anticipation mounted for my first shift. I made a left turn onto Adelbert Road, and parked my bike at Veale Center. Honestly, I was nervous what my role would entail as a Table Tennis score keeper.

When you deal with a huge venue such as the Senior Games, there is bound to be volunteers that don’t show up. In actuality, if an event depends on volunteerism, no shows are a given. Since table tennis was a practice day, the Horseshoe event needed score keepers. I instantly changed my role - a horseshoe scorekeeper.

Horseshoes

I don’t know about you but I’ve never played horseshoes nor watched it being played. Much less how the scoring works. A group of us volunteers listened carefully as the official explained how the scoring works. “Oh, once you have one sheet under your belt, the rest is ‘easy peasy’!” “All right, I thought. But, I’m already confused.”

I’m a smart person; I’ll figure it out.

I walked to my scoring section, 6. The participants couldn’t have been more helpful; they call out the score and you write it down. There is a “seeded” ranking and the lower of the two participants call the score. I was still apprehensive; I didn’t want to mess up if they get “hardware” or not.

Two women walked up to me; my name is Moe and I will call out the score. I couldn’t tell how old they were but they were up there. They were throwing these shoes like it was “nothin.” Moe hit the vertical pole I don’t know how many times. She ended up with a high 40 score - very good and at least 9 ringers. “Ringers” is when the shoe goes around the vertical pole. You throw two shoes each time in a soft, clay “pit” then the next participant throws two. After you throw into one pit, you turn in the opposite direction and throw two more into the next pit. This goes on until you get to 30 shoes - round 1 is complete.

The scorekeeper turns in the paper sheet to the official. Yes, there are no electronic devices; it’s done the old fashion way, paper and pencil. That is only round one, the participants continue for 7 rounds. Do the math, that is a lot of shoes to throw! Besides, these shoes have weight to them, not some lightweight material.

These rounds continued the entire morning; the same women continued to throw as I finished my shift. I had a blast. Just as the official said, after I turned in my first sheet, a light bulb went off in my head. “Duh! A ringer is when the shoe hugs the pole.

The participants thanked me for volunteering. Incredible experience! I will cherish this day at Case Western Reserve University amongst the wind turbine scoring horseshoes. These women will forever remind me that getting up in age doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. These athletes remind us all that age is just a number, right!

Hammer Throw

To recap my volunteer stint for the Senior Games, I became a “Hammer Throw” retriever. Just like my horseshoe experience, the Hammer Throw was just as memorable. If you have ever seen this bizarre event on t.v. or not, the women who I saw throw this thing were amazing. It is a shot put ball at the end of a long wire with a handle at the end. The participant stands in the box within a cage and spins this wire and releases it. One thing to remember, when a participant is in the “cage” you do not look away from the “hammer.” Once you do, you will get hit. One of the officials mentioned how she got hit once by an amazing athlete from Brooklyn. Ouch! Major ouch!

This hammer was awkward and kind of heavy. The length of the hammer was almost to my shoulder (4 feet) and I’m a short 5’ 1.” The women’s hammer is slightly lighter than the men; seven to eight pounds versus fourteen to sixteen. This is a skilled event. One of the women said to me, “Next year I want to see you throwing a hammer.”  What a hoot!

What I enjoyed most about the games were the athletes. They helped each other and displayed professionalism.

Race Walk

In this event I was a lap counter for six athletes. The official gives you a list of numbers and when you see your number cross the line you enthusiastically call out, “Number 139, you have 4 laps to go.” Actually, my number 139 received the silver in the men’s race. I was very excited. In fact, all of us counters cheered all the numbers as they crossed the finish line. What an accomplishment especially for these 80-year-olds.  There was only one woman in the 80-year-old and over category that won the gold metal. She stood alone at the top of the podium raising her arms to the applause.

They walk faster than I run. Amazing to watch.

I had a wonderful time talking and watching these wonderful athletes participating in the games. It will be one of my most memorable volunteering experiences.

Next year, the Gay Games August 9 – 16, 2014.

www.GG9CLE.com