Aging Well | Southwest Connector

Fourteen-year-old Graham Bennet volunteers at The Kenwood once a week. (Photos submitted)

Local teen volunteers to help seniors with technology

Graham Bennett, 14, is a tech wizard who goes to The Kenwood Retirement Community once a week to help residents with their phones, iPads, laptops, and computers. His path to the Kenwood was a natural … more

9/21/23

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

Summertime celebrations continued

It’s August 2023. A theme is emerging out of my life experiences to date. The theme can be captured in two words: self care. My life as it is unfolding in 2023 is revolving around self care. I … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 9/21/23

Knute Nelson, Walker Methodist to merge jan. 1

Faith-based, nonprofit healthcare and housing organizations look to expand options for customers, team members, and communities Knute Nelson, based in Alexandria, Minn., and Walker Methodist, based … more

9/21/23

Fond farewell

Thirty-five years ago, at Thanksgiving, I moved to Minnesota from my Philadelphia home. I relocated back to my hometown in time for Passover and Easter. In November 1988, the Twin Cities were cold … more

By Susan Schaefer | 5/26/23

10 guidelines for a strong, long and happy life

Some time ago, after suffering the shocking and unexpected loss of my still young husband, Martijn, while we were living in Europe, I experienced what is called traumatic grief. In addition to a year … more

By Susan Schaefer | 2/22/23

Something under the hood is not immediately apparent or obvious. This column will uncover stories that span the neighborhoods covered by TMC Publications. | Susan Schaefer is a widely published independent journalist, creative writer, and poet. Her articles appear in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, PBS’ online magazine, Next Avenue, Next Tribe, and beyond. She was columnist and features writer for Minneapolis’ Southwest Journal and Minnesota Good Age magazine.

Warming up for winter

Ever been accused of having a thin skin? When it comes to maintaining proper body temperature, this old adage is no joke. As we age, our metabolic rate decreases and our skin literally thins. Often, … more

By Susan Schaefer | 12/13/22

Suzy Messerole (left) and Tana Hargest of the Subversive Sirens practice at the Phillips Aquatic Center. “We do a lot more than just spread joy,” Messerole stated. “Community is a very big part of our strategy.” The group practices on Saturdays. (Photo by Terry Faust)

Subversive Sirens imagine a better world

The world of queer synchronized swimming is very small. But the Subversive Sirens, a non-binary synchronized swimming team out of Minnesota, is making a big splash. (Forgive the pun.) Advocating … more

Jan Willms | 11/30/22

Creativity and community in a time of Isolation

In 2021, retired University of Minnesota filmmaker Paul Eide and a few members of his family pictured a way to fight pandemic isolation – a way that creatively drew them together. Just before … more

~ Edited by Terry Faust | 11/30/22

I'm scared – what about you?

Is it Halloween? Are there ghosts in my house? I can only focus on what is in front of me. What is this me being scared? It's a mystery. Do you ever get scared? Is it a mystery to you? Tell yourself, … more

9/29/22

There are easy woodland walks that don’t require heavy hiking. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

From the ‘Hood to the Woods

Beach to beechWhen I arrived in Minnesota as an east coast transplant in the late 1980s, my summer visions were of expanses of New Jersey beaches rather than expansive views of blue beeches, the … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 8/31/22

Watercolor painter Barb Morrison is opening her studio in Millworks Lofts during this year's LoLa Art Crawl Sept. 17-18. (Photo submitted)

New artists and spaces join with familiar participants for LoLa Art Crawl

By SHARON PARKERLeague of Longfellow Artists Watercolor painter Barb Morrison is excited to be joining the LoLa Art Crawl for the first time, and to be able to show off the recently renovated … more

By SHARON PARKER League of Longfellow Artists | 8/31/22

WE SOLDIER ON!

Today, right now! It's the first day of the first year without my brother. He died! Myself, my sister-in-law, and my nieces – we continue to mourn. Labor Day week-end of 2021 was the last time … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 8/31/22

Former NEMAA president, Carmen Gutierrez-Bolger, readies her Casket Art studio for Art-A-Whirl 2022. (Photo by Susan Schaefer)

Art-A-Whirl and the creative class:

Art-A-Whirl spans neighborhoods and disciplinesWhatever corner of the Twin Cities you live in, chances are you or someone close to you has participated as an artist or a guest in what Anna Becker, … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 5/30/22

Building power through unity

By CHLOE PETER “Elders from diverse backgrounds are becoming more aware of the importance of working together to build power,” said St. Paul resident Vic Rosenthal. “For many … more

5/30/22

Imagine along with me

Imagine all the people living in peace! Wait! Not just yet! Imagine us walking exploring the yard surrounding my house. It's spring but feels like summer. We see tulips, dandelions, violets … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 5/30/22

Installing a small elevator and widening doorways made this lower level more accessible. (Photo by Andrea Rugg Photography)

Home renovations to age in place

At age 69, I was a “silver sneaker” poster child – fit and healthy, living on my own, fiercely independent and proud of it. Ironically, my main fitness exercise, avid fast walking … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 4/28/22

During the pandemic outside OLLI classes continued to be popular, which included a drumming circle. (Photo courtesy of OLLI)

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a health club for the aging brain

It is widely known that aging is accompanied by varying rates and degrees of cognitive decline. However, neuroscience research has revealed that by keeping physically, socially, and mentally active … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 3/17/22

Connie Osterbaan & Herman Milligan: Longtime residents of South Minneapolis, together 41 years

LIFELONG VALENTINES

With its mid-month Valentine’s Day holiday, February is synonymous with love. And countless couples seal their love by entering committed relationships, whether marriage or domestic … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 2/17/22

#1) “Garden of Iron Mirrors” installation by Andrea Stanislav

AN EDUCATED TWIST TO WINTER FITNESS:

By SUSAN SCHAEFER Much has been written about the benefits of exercise and being outdoors to beat the blues. According to a recent report from the American Psychological Association, “There … more

By SUSAN SCHAEFER | 1/8/22 | 1 comment

I'm taking the plunge – will you join me?

Imagine that we are standing on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is in fact a few blocks east of where I live in south Minneapolis. Imagine with the writing of this column, I am leaving the … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 1/1/22 | 1 comment