WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Enjoy an Active Life after 50

FORE-EVER YOUNG
Senior golfers enjoy challenges, camaraderie
SEE PAGE 7
WOLF RIVER MEDIA PHOTO BY GREG MELLIS

SAVVY SENIOR, PAGE 4 | SENIOR MEALS, PAGE 5 | GEAR GUIDE, PAGE 9 | TEST DRIVE, PAGE 10

2 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Couples hobby keeps them swinging most of the time

By Carol Wagner
Wolf River Media Correspondent

When Eugene Young

was asked to make some
benches for the village of
Bonduel several years ago,
he had no idea it would
lead to both he and his wife,
Lorraine, spending most
of their time making cedar
log furniture as a hobby.
The more he built, the
more he learned, Lorraine
said.
Eugene went from
building benches to making
swings, gliders, rockers,
beds, benches, two-seated
chairs, a love seat with a table in the middle and picnic
tables. He also makes buggies with wooden wheels.
The wheels were a bit of a
challenge.
It took me a while to
get that idea, Eugene said.
Recently he was asked
to make swings for the Sha-

wano Lake County Park.

There are two regular size
swings and a smaller one
for children.
His newest product
is a double swing with a
roof. The garage behind
his home in Bonduel is
his workshop. The couple
lives on state Highway 117,
which gives them a good
location to display their
furniture in their front
yard.
It gives us a little extra
spending money, said Eugene, a retired union bricklayer.
When the wood supply
is getting low, the Youngs
takes their trailer to Stephenson, Michigan, to
bring back the cedar logs;
its the only wood he uses.
All the things he makes are
put together with screws.
The logs come rough
in various lengths and
widths. Eugene planes

them smooth and stores

them in a shed next to the
garage. He usually has no
blueprints for the things he
makes. He just goes either
by sight and pictures it in
his head.
The hobby was supposed to be a winter project, but now orders keep
them busy year round.
They are selling so
fast, said Lorraine, who
provided home day care for
21 years. I do all the varnishing and staining.
Eugene builds four
swings at a time, spending
most of the day in the workshop.
I wouldnt be doing it if
I didnt like it, he said.
They have sold some
furniture to people out of
state. Eugene and Lorraine
also donate their work to
banquets and benefits.
They have five children
and six grandchildren.

Eugene and Lorraine Young work together on their hobby, making cedar log furniture.

PHOTO BY CAROL WAGNER

4 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

Savvy Senior

How to find financial assistance for elderly parents

By Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior,

Where can I go to locate financial assistance programs for seniors? I have
been helping support my 70-year-old
mother the past couple of years and really cant afford to do it any longer.
Feeling Overwhelmed
Dear Overwhelmed,
There are actually a wide variety of
financial assistance programs and government benefits that can help seniors
in need. Whats available to your mom
will depend on her income level and
where she lives.
To find out what types of assistance
your mom may be eligible for, just go to
BenefitsCheckUp.org, a free, confidential Web tool designed for adults 55 and
older and their families. It will help you
locate federal, state and private benefits
programs that can assist with paying
for food, medications, utilities, health
care, housing and other needs. This site

created by the National Council on

Aging contains more than 2,000 programs across the country.
To identify benefits, youll first need
to fill out an online questionnaire that
asks a series of questions like your
moms date of birth, her ZIP code, expenses, income, assets, veteran status,
the medications she takes and a few
other factors. It takes about 15 minutes.
Once completed, youll get a report
detailing all the programs and services
she may qualify for, along with detailed
information on how to apply.
Some programs can be applied for
online, some have downloadable application forms that you can print and
mail, fax or email in, and some require
that you contact the programs administrative office directly (they provide the
necessary contact information).
If you dont have internet access, you
can also get help in-person at any of the
47 Benefit Enrollment Centers located
throughout the U.S. Call 888-268-6706 or
visit NCOA.org/centerforbenefits/becs

to locate a center in your area. Some

centers also offer assistance over the
phone.

Types of benefits

Depending on your moms income

level and where she lives, here are some
benefits that she may be eligible for:
Food assistance: Programs like the
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can help pay for groceries.
The average monthly SNAP benefit is
currently around $127 per person. Other
programs that may be available include
the Emergency Food Assistance Program, Commodity Supplemental Food
Program, and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.
Health care: Medicaid and Medicare
Savings Programs can help or completely pay for out-of-pocket health care
costs. And, there are special Medicaid
waiver programs that provide in-home
care and assistance.
Prescription drugs: There are hundreds of programs offered through phar-

maceutical companies, government

agencies and charitable organizations
that help lower or eliminate prescription drug costs, including the federal
Low Income Subsidy known as Extra
Help that pays premiums, deductibles
and prescription copayments for Medicare Part D beneficiaries.
Utility assistance: Theres the Low
Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), as well as local utility
companies and charitable organizations
that provide assistance in lowering
home heating and cooling costs.
Supplemental Security Income
(SSI): Administered by the Social Security Administration, SSI provides
monthly payments to very low-income
seniors, age 65 and older, as well as to
those who are blind and disabled. SSI
pays up to $733 per month for a single
person and up to $1,100 for couples.
Send your senior questions to Savvy Senior, P.O.
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today
show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Senior Meals
Congregate meal sites
provide a group dining setting
for people age 60 or older
and their spouses to enjoy a
hot, nutritious meal. Planned
social activities are enjoyed
at each meal site, and informational programming is
regularly provided. Attending
the meal sites also offer the
opportunity to visit and socialize with other senior citizens.
Reservations are required and
can be made by calling the
meal site you wish to attend
one day in advance. A donation of $3 is requested for
each meal. All meals include
bread, milk and butter match.
This is a general diet served
to those with no diet restrictions.
Wednesday, July 27: Country
fried steak, yams, side salad,
mixed fruit, chocolate cake
Thursday, July 28: Tips,
baked potato half, corn,

fresh fruit, cookie

Friday, July 29: Egg bake
with ham, onions and green
peppers, cheese, muffin,
fresh fruit
Monday, Aug. 1: Country
fried steak, whipped potatoes, corn, tropical fruit, Jello
Tuesday, Aug. 2: Tuna casserole with peas, pears, lemon
bars
Wednesday, Aug. 3: Barbecue riblet, cheesy rice, green
beans, peaches, Jello cake
Thursday, Aug. 4: Beef stroganoff, wide noodles, beets,
Mandarin oranges, cherry
sticks
Friday, Aug. 5: Barbecue on
a bun, potato wedges, baked
beans, mixed fruit, cookie
Monday, Aug. 8: Macaroni
and cheese, little smokies,
mixed vegetables, applesauce, pudding

Tuesday, Aug. 9: Hamburger

with lettuce, tomato, onion,
pickle; potato salad, watermelon, brownie
Wednesday, Aug. 10: Meatloaf, whipped potatoes,
cream corn, tropical fruit,
Jello
Thursday, Aug. 11: Barbecue
chicken, baked beans, pea
and cheese salad, peaches,
chocolate cake

Thursday, Aug. 18: Smoked

sausage, red potatoes, cream
peas, applesauce, pudding
Thursday, Aug. 18 (Tigerton): Baked French toast,
links, muffin, tropical fruit
Friday, Aug. 19: Baked
chicken breast, rice, carrots,
pineapple, Oreo torte
Monday, Aug. 22: Brat patty
on a bun, potato wedges,
cheesy broccoli, pears, Jello

Tuesday, Aug. 23: Tuna

salad on lettuce, cheese
slice, Mandarin oranges,
cookie
Wednesday, Aug. 24: Cream
of broccoli soup, meat sandwich, crackers, fruit salad,
pistachio torte
Thursday, Aug. 25: Shepherds pie, peaches, cheesecake
Friday, Aug. 26: Grouper,

German potato salad, carrots,

tropical fruit, apple sticks
Monday, Aug. 29: Italian
meatballs, noodles, mixed
vegetables, applesauce, pudding
Tuesday, Aug. 30: Ham,
sweet potatoes, peas, fresh
fruit, cookie
Wednesday, Aug. 31: Tips,
whipped potatoes, cream
corn, plums, spice cake

Friday, Aug. 12: Chef salad,

croutons, hard boiled eggs,
fresh fruit, cookie
Monday, Aug. 15: Pepper
patty, au gratin potatoes,
stewed tomatoes, Mandarin
oranges, Jello
Tuesday, Aug. 16: Chicken
casserole with noodles and
corn; tropical fruit, raspberry
sticks
Wednesday, Aug. 17: Chicken soup, crackers, cheese
slice, pineapple, cheesecake

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Post Acute & Long Term Care

1436 South Lincoln Street

Shawano, WI 54166

715-526-6111

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

FORE-EVER
YOUNG
Senior golfers enjoy challenges,
camaraderie out on the links
By Chris Caporale
sports@wolfrivermedia.com

Within hours of the morning rain moving east, Herb Krahn is back on Shawano
Lake Golf Course, working the damp putting green in the shade of some overhanging
trees.
Krahn is waiting on one of his three regular golf partners to show up before hitting
the first tee.
Little will stop Krahn and others in the clubs old-timers league from getting out
on the lush fairways and greens twice a week. Seniors make up roughly half of all the
rounds played at the course, according to Tony Powers, Shawano Lake Golf Course
general manager.
In the summertime, I do a lot of golf, so I try to stay active, Krahn says. I golf on
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and usually Sunday mornings, so we get a lot
of golf in.
Two of his usual golfing buddies have not been as lucky in recent weeks. Theyre
cooped up, one recovering from compressed discs in his back and out for the rest of the
summer and the other recovering from bypass surgery.

Lifelong sport

Krahn, 71, learned to golf at the age of 45, later than most of those still hitting the
links. He says he did not have time to play in his younger years and remains hopeful
that his body might be able to handle the strain of golfing every week.
His scores have gotten better with age as well, making it difficult for him to give up
a sport he loves.
Im just afraid that one of these days, its going to be where physically I will not be
able to do it, Krahn says. Id never get sick of it. The more I do it, the more I like it.
Nick Teller, who took up golf at the age of 23 while serving in the military, walked a
different cart path in the sport.
After learning at a younger age, he needed to step away from the game because
of severe arthritis. Then in 2011, he was able to rejoin the sport because of different
medication.
I picked it up again, and Ive been here ever since, Teller says.
Teller, 65, doesnt plan on stopping anytime soon.
Im planning to die out here, he says. I want my ashes sprinkled out on No. 7.
Krahn, like many of his peers, uses a cart to get around the course, but he is able to
walk the green and enjoy the time outdoor exercise.
SEE YOUNG, PAGE 8

Herb Krahn and Steve Walrath shake hands on the third hole at Shawano Lake Golf Course on Tuesday. Krahn
is considered one of the top players in the old-timers league at the course. About 30 players, including Nick
Teller, left, play in the twice-a-week league. Meeting new players is part of the fun of group play, Krahn says.

ON THE COVER

Nick Teller, left, and Herb Krahn visit on the first hole at Shawano Lake Golf Course in Shawano prior to teeing
off in the old-timers league that plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
WOLF RIVER MEDIA PHOTO BY GREG MELLIS

8 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

YOUNG
FROM PAGE 7

Its nice because you

get out and get the fresh air
and sunshine, Krahn says.
The courses are beautiful. Aesthetically, they are
beautiful. Every day you
come out, youre enjoying
nature. You see a lot of different things.
It doesnt hurt that the
design of each of the 40 golf
courses Krahn has played
is different.

Challenging sport

For the past 22 years,

Krahn has been a member
at Shawano Lake. His foursome, which includes Teller, Gene Casper and Mike
Krause, has broken off from
the old-timers league each
Tuesday and Thursday over
the past three summers.
On this morning, Krahn
and Teller are playing
stroke-play golf.
The two are so familiar
with the course that they
know exactly where they
want to hit the ball on any
given hole, but the execution does not always happen.
Golf is a mental game
whether golfers are new or
experienced, with Krahn
estimating that 90 percent
of the game is located in
the 6 inches between the
ears.
On the par-3 second
hole, Krahn hits his shot off
the tee into the lone bunker
lining the front of the green.
On the par-4 third hole,
Teller finds himself in the
tall grass on the left of the
fairway.
What I like about it so
much is its challenging for
yourself, Krahn says. You
can go out and play someone that just took up the
sport and can only hit the
ball 10 yards every time, but
its still fun to be with them.
It doesnt matter how good
you are.
Krahns handicap, which
is the average score above
par in competitions, currently sits at four, challeng-

Playing at least three times per week, Herb Krahn is a regular at Shawano Lake Golf Course.

AT A GLANCE
Local senior tee times
Shawano Lake Golf Course:
Tuesday/Thursday, 11 a.m.
Golden Sands Golf Course:
None
Pine Hills Golf Course:
Tuesday/Thursday, 10 a.m.
Maple Hills Golf Course:
Thursday, 9 a.m.
Perrys Landing Golf
Course: Monday, 9 a.m.
Riverside Golf Club: Tuesday
(couples), 2:30 p.m.
Crystal Springs Golf
Course: Monday, 7-9 a.m

ing him to continue shooting rounds around 76.

It gets me in trouble
because I have to keep that

up, Krahn says. Some of

these guys are pretty good.

Social sport

Each Wednesday night

in the courses four-man
league, Krahn and Teller
are among the 80 golfers
taking part in the shotgun
start, but sitting around the
driving range prior to the
round is where they seem
to feel most at home.
Various golfers come up
to the seniors to talk, and
neither of the two will turn
down a conversation.
Actually getting out to
enjoy the course, and the
people I meet here is really
good, too, Teller says. I
like all parts of this golf. We

have a really good time.

By golfing as often as he
does each summer, Krahn
sees most of the regulars at
the course.
Theres not too many
out here that I dont know,
Krahn said. A great bunch
of people. We have more
fun, and now we have a
couples league out here on
Thursday evenings, getting the wives involved, and
thats a great time, a great
bunch of people.
The couples league on
Thursday provides another golfing opportunity for
Krahn, who would not turn
down a chance to hit balls
around the course with his
wife, Bev.

WOLF RIVER MEDIA PHOTO BY GREG MELLIS

WOLF RIVER MEDIA PHOTO BY CHRIS CAPORALE

Herb Krahn, right, converses at the driving range prior to starting a round
of golf at Shawano Lake Golf Course. Playing golf gives Krahn and other
seniors a chance to get in some exercise, spend time outdoors and socialize with others.

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

Gear Guide
CLEVELAND TFI 2135 PUTTER
So what does 2135 mean, you ask? The new Cleveland
putters name refers to the dimension of the golf ball (the center of a golf ball is 21.35mm above the ground). On the blade,
youll see what looks like a bulls-eye; I compare it to a rifle
scope. If you have a hard time lining up your putts, the TFi
2135 provides an easier line of sight from the top, allowing
you to line up your putt and straighten up your game.
PRICE: $109-$129
WHERE: Dunhams Sporting Goods, Shawano

BRIDGESTONE MINI STAFF BAG

The Bridgestone Mini Staff bag is slightly
smaller than the full-size staff bag, but the
mini-staff bag delivers the same tour style
with less weight. It was designed mostly for
cart usage rather than walking the course,
but if youre an ogre and need a good work
out, by all means carry on. The bag is well
built, and the design speaks for itself.
PRICE: $249
WHERE: Pine Hills Golf Course, Gresham

FOOTJOY D.N.A. SHOES

They say that clothes make the man, or
woman. The Foot Joy D.N.A. series is unique
because of its lightweight design at only 14.8
ounces. The D.N.A. is made from thin ChromoSkin leather, giving you years of great wear
and tear for a good price! Look good and feel
good on the course, we always say. With so
many color combinations, your hardest decision will be how many pairs to buy.
PRICE: $99-$129
SIZES: 8.5-11 men, 5-10 women.
WHERE: Golden Sands Golf Course, Cecil

NIKE VICTORY POLO

This one is just for the ladies. The shirt uses Nike
Dri-FIT technology, keeping you drier as you perspire
swing after swing. Available in five solid primary colors,
these form-fitting polos are comfortable in any climate
when you want to look good and stay dry.
PRICE: $34-$54
WHERE: Shawano Lakes Golf Course, Shawano

TAYLORMADE M2 DRIVER
Available in right- or left-handed, the graphite
driver we like to call the bomb is forgiving and
guaranteed to increase your loft off the tee. The
pros say this driver will add 7 to 10 yards on your
drive, putting the Ping G30 to shame. For the price,
you should have no complaints.
STATS: loft, 9-5 to 10-5; lie, 50-60 degrees; volume, 460cc; length: 45.75.
PRICE: $249-$399
WHERE: Golden Sands Golf Course, Cecil

BURTON BEERACUDA COOLER

The Burton Beeracuda is the ultimate beverage coolers for golfers.
You can sling this bad boy over your
shoulder or zip it into your golf bag.
The Beeracuda holds up to six cans
of your favorite beverage. Yes, you
can put soda in there if you like. The
Beeracudas sling includes a koozie.
Available in a multitude of colors,
including camouflage for the golfer/
hunter.
PRICE: $14-$19
WHERE: www.burton.com
Gear Guide is compiled by John Riccio.
Prices are subject to change.

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

10 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

Marcies Musings

Test Drive

Life at assisted living

New look, engine

help CX-9 stand out

By Marcie Leitzke
Wolf River Media Columnist

Most of us here use the

four-wheeled walkers. They
give us a pretty good understanding!
The trouble is where to
park all of them when we go
to eat or exercise or to play
bingo. We get a fairly big
crowd playing bingo, where
one tries to holler Bingo
louder than the rest. We
play for tickets, not money.
Then we can trade them
in for useful merchandise

such as paper towels or lotions, etc.

We have some married couples and those
who would like to be. They
manage to sneak in some
smooching when they each
go to their individual apartments. All of us are compatible and we assist each
other with pushing chairs
up to the table or pouring
coffee, those who can anyway.
A family environment is
encouraged, and therefore
togetherness is stressed.

We all have families, but

they are glad that their parents or grandparents are in
good hands.
Memory care is provided for those who keep
asking what day it is every
two minutes. It is hard to
remember what day it is
when every day seems like
Sunday. Most have their
medications taken care of
by the staff here. I still handle my own.
Therapists advise us to
walk with steps like penguins to avoid falling, so

each mealtime we shuffle

into the dining hall to The
March of the Penguins.
Everyone sits at the
same table always, enjoying familiar companionship, understanding each
others plights. We all, like
my Downs Syndrome son,
Matt, dislike changes in our
routines. So we have a daily
schedule of activities including a Happy Hour once
a week.
Were happy to be here,
where we feel secure and
assisted.

Benefit Specialists
The Shawano County
Benefit Specialist Program is
available to advise and assist
Shawano County older adults
in securing various public
benefits and entitlements. To
be eligible, you must be 60
years of age or older.
To obtain the Benefit Specialist services, call the Aging Unit at 715-526-4700 to
arrange an appointment or

call 866-526-2130 toll free

from rural areas of Shawano
County.
Program participants are
requested to meet with the
benefit specialist at the Aging Unit office. Home visits are
made for homebound older
adults. Additionally, the benefit specialist makes monthly
outreach contacts at the
county meal sites.

Having HEARING Problems?

Wondering if HEARING AIDS
Will Work for You?
Your Hearing Health is too important to trust to anyone
but the most Qualified, Educated and Professional
Hearing Specialist.

An AUDIOLOGIST
Robert R. Broeckert, MS CCC-A
ThedaCare Physicians - Shawano Family Medicine
Hearing Examinations
Consultations & Hearing Aid Services
Many Hearing Aid Makes
All Sizes, Conventional to Digital Technology
60 Day Trial Periods NO RISKS
UnitedHealthCare, WEA & WREA Provider
100 County Road B, Shawano
(715) 524-2161 for an Appointment
Any Questions Call 1-888-530-4327
(Bring this ad with you and receive $100.00 off each Hearing Aid Purchase)

There is no charge for this

service, but participants may
give a contribution to assist
with the costs of the program.
Shawano Civic Center,
225 S. Main St., Shawano:
Monday, Aug. 1, 10 a.m.
Hillside Apartments, 100
N. Washington St., Bonduel:
Tuesday, Aug. 2, 11 a.m.
Wittenberg Senior Center, 208 W. Vinal St., Witten-

berg: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 11

a.m.
Maple View Apartments,
434 Main St., Birnamwood:
Tuesday, Aug. 16, 11 a.m.
Tigerton
Community
Center, 221 Birch St., Tigerton: Thursday, Aug. 25, 11
a.m.
Shawano Civic Center,
225 S. Main St., Shawano: Friday, Sept. 2, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

By Ann M. Job
The Associated Press

Mazda gave the CX-9

bolder styling, a new engine and superb handling
for 2016, making it a sevenpassenger SUV that separates itself from the crowd.
The gas-hungry V-6 of
the previous CX-9 is gone.
The new turbocharged
four-cylinder engine helps
account for the exemplary
fuel economy ratings that
the federal government
pegs as high as 22 mpg in
city driving and 28 mpg on
highways for a two-wheel
drive 2016 CX-9. A fourwheel drive CX-9 loses one
mpg, for 21/27-mpg ratings.
These ratings rival
those of smaller SUVs and
make the CX-9 the most fuel-efficient 2016 SUV with
three rows of seats.
Best of all, even with
the turbo, drivers dont
have to use premium gasoline. Lower-priced regular
unleaded gas does fine to
produce 227 horsepower
and as much as 310 footpounds of torque starting
at 2,000 rpm.
The lowest starting
retail price, including destination charge, for a 2016
CX-9 with all-wheel drive is
$34,220.
COMFORT: It didnt
take long to get comfortable test-driving the CX-9.
The nearly 17-foot-long
SUV handled nimbly and
felt smaller than it is, maneuvering into and out of
parking spots more like a
compact SUV, not a longer one with three rows of
seats.
POWER: The 2.5-liter
turbocharged SkyActiv-G
four-cylinder engine is up
for the challenge of moving
a 4,330-pound SUV. The
test-driven model showed

MIKE DITZ/COURTESY OF MAZDA

Mazdas largest SUV, the CX-9,

is extensively revamped for 2016
and comes with a turbocharged
four cylinder.

AT A GLANCE
2016 Mazda CX-9
Signature All-Wheel Drive
BASE PRICE: $31,590
for Sport FWD; $33,320
for Sport AWD; $35,970
for Touring FWD; $37,770
for Touring AWD; $40,170
for Grand Touring FWD;
$41,970 for Grand Touring
AWD; $44,015 for Signature.
PRICE AS TESTED: $45,215.
TYPE: Front-engine, allwheel drive, seven-passenger, large SUV.
ENGINE: 2.5-liter, turbocharged, SkyActiv-G, inline
four-cylinder.
MILEAGE: 21 mpg (city), 27
mpg (highway).
TOP SPEED: 130 mph.
LENGTH: 199.4 inches.
WHEELBASE: 115.3 inches.
CURB WEIGHT: 4,301
pounds.
BUILT AT: Japan.
OPTIONS: Machine Gray
exterior paint $300.
DESTINATION CHARGE:
$900.

commendable power, particularly in the under-4,500

rpm range where drivers
spend much of their time.
MILEAGE:
Based
on the test drive, it may
be difficult to reach the
government fuel mileage
numbers. The test-driven
model averaged just 17
mpg in driving that was
on city streets and country
roads the majority of the
time. That translated to a
driving range of 331 miles
on a 19.5-gallon tank.

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

11

What older Americans can expect from their bond fund

Q&A with Fidelity Total
Bond fund manager
By Stan Choe
AP Business Writer

How many more times can bond funds

ride to the rescue when stocks go on another one of their tumbles?
Markets are calm now, but it was only a
month ago that a freak-out about the United
Kingdoms departure from the European
Union sent the largest stock fund to a twoday loss of nearly 6 percent. Through the
turbulence, bond funds once again acted as
investors comforter and delivered steady
gains. The Fidelity Total Bond fund, for example, rose modestly each of those days,
returning 0.5 percent.
The very success for bond funds means
investors need to expect less from them
going forward. Bond yields are low, with
the 10-year Treasury notes below 1.60
percent. Low yields mean bonds not only
produce less income but also have less
room to rise in price. Thats because they
rise when yields fall. Their prices also fall

FORD
ONEIL

Q
A

when interest rates rise.

Ford ONeil, portfolio
manager at the $24.4 billion
Fidelity Total Bond fund,
recently talked about how
bond funds can still be stabilizers for portfolios when
stocks are shaky, but investors need to lower their expectations. Answers have
been edited for length and
clarity.

Your fund has returned about 7 percent

in 2016. Can it keep having these kinds
of returns?
We are telling our clients two things.
One: anticipate more modest returns
going forward. With the Barclays Aggregate (index of high-quality U.S. bonds)
yielding just below 2 percent, thats not
a bad perspective on what to expect for
returns. You also have to assume more
modest equity returns as well.
I think you have to expect a little more
volatility as well. The U.S. economy and
the U.S. central bank are diverging from
whats happening in Japan and Europe.

With that, you have to anticipate a more

volatile environment.

Q
A

When youre saying more volatility, do

you mean a bumpier stock market or a
bumpier bond market?
It will be a combination. You will get
volatility in both stocks and bonds.
The Federal Reserve has dampened a lot
of that volatility over the past eight years.
I think theyll be doing less of that going
forward.
Over the past eight years, weve probably had three quarters of the typical
volatility for the bond market. I dont want
people getting comfortable thinking the
volatility of fixed-income investments has
dropped for good. Its been driven by temporary, but long-lasting, Fed policies.

Q
A

So, lower returns for bond funds and

higher volatility. Sounds like everythings
working against bond funds. Why keep one?
All true, but a bond fund should still
give you comfort when your equity
portfolio is not faring particularly well.
It will help dampen the volatility of your

overall portfolio.
Its hard to step on my soapbox and tell
everyone nows the time to rush to bond
funds. But the alternative is cash, which is
earning next to nothing and doesnt give
you any upside when the equity markets
are challenged.

Your fund can go up to 20 percent in

high-yield bonds, which are the ones
most likely to default. Youre close to that
cap. Why so invested when default rates are
at their highest level in years?
Its not because I think high-yield has
never been cheaper. More importantly, I think Treasurys have never been
less attractive.
We have had very, very low default
rates, and they have been rising, although
most of the increase has been in the commodity sectors. If you were to come to
Fidelity and spend time with our high-yield
group, youd be amazed with how many
analysts we have. If they are able to get
the security selection right, the hope is
that were able to avoid many, if not all, of
the defaults.

12 WEDNESDAY, JULY 27, 2016

SENIOR LIFESTYLE

WOLF RIVER MEDIA

Convinced you need a fitness tracker? Think again

By Anick Jesdanun
AP Technology Writer

Maybe you dont really need a fitness

tracker.
It might be tempting to get one, now
that the weathers nice and youre spending
more time outdoors. A Fitbit or an Apple
Watch, for instance, could prove useful if
youre new to exercise or looking to increase physical activity. They nudge you to
keep moving throughout the day and track
workouts like running and cycling. Many
devices also measure heart rate and sleep.
If youre a procrastinator or have trouble
staying motivated, a tracker can easily end
up in a drawer. If youre already athletic or
fairly stable in your routine, it might just tell
you the same thing over and over again,
which wont help much.
I speak from experience, having worn
as many as seven trackers simultaneously
to test them out. So know what youre getting and what they dont do before you
spend as much as a few hundred dollars on
one.
COUNTING STEPS: Fitness trackers
typically use arm swings to gauge how far
youve walked or run and push you to reach,

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fitness tracking devices measuring step counts and

other fitness features include, clockwise, from top left,
the Garmin Vivoactive, Fitbit Blaze, Garmin Vivoactive HR, Samsung Gear Fit2, Apple Watch and Fitbit
Surge. Before spending as much as a few hundred
dollars on one, see if your expectations align with its
capabilities.

say, 10,000 steps a day. Many also track

floors climbed and calories burned.
They can keep you on track if youre
new to physical activity if youre the
type to go for a walk at 11 p.m. just to meet
that daily goal. A tracker wont do much if

you keep telling yourself, tomorrow.

Once you hit that goal consistently, you
might be inclined to leave your tracker
in a drawer . If youre competitive, Fitbit
and other companion phone apps will let
you enlist peer pressure by joining groups
that track, challenge and taunt each other
to meet and exceed those arbitrary goals.
Some devices, like the Apple Watch, will
also step up your goals as you improve.
Of course, this count isnt perfect. Trackers might give you bonus steps for doing
the dishes or even, um, punching someone,
as theyre measuring arm movements. A
bike ride also wont reward you with steps,
though some devices will credit you with
calories burned.
HEART BEATS: Mid-range and higher-end trackers offer heart-rate monitoring,
but these arent medical devices approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Measurements can vary wildly at times
one I tried briefly recorded a deadly 243
beats per minute, and another a sub-normal
43 but most readings are close enough to
give you a general sense of your workout
intensity. A higher heart rate means your
workout is tougher though heavy breathing and fatigue will also tell you that.

ONLINE
Guide to choosing the right tracker: http://
apne.ws/2av5bms.

FOR WORKOUTS: These devices are

awful at translating steps to miles, and
very few let you calibrate your tracker by
checking it against a known distance. GPS
in higher-end trackers help, but that drains
the battery more quickly, so many long-distance runners might see their trackers die
before theyre finished.
Most GPS fitness trackers also arent
as versatile as a GPS device fine-tuned for
running, cycling, golfing or whatever your
sport is. And while trackers are typically
water resistant, few work for swimming.
A tracker lacking sports-specific features can still be useful. You might run
three miles with a GPS running watch and
use the tracker to make sure youre not sitting the rest of the day.
HOWS YOUR SLEEP?: Most trackers also monitor sleep, though Apple and
Android smartwatches require third-party
apps. If you toss and turn a lot, the tracker
will mark you as a light sleeper. If you get
up to use the bathroom, the tracker will
note that, too.