Aging Well | Southwest Connector

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

With warmer weather coming, I have been able to get outside and walk more. Walking more is causing me to be aware that it is so easy for me to take my feet for granted. So, in this column, I am … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 3/28/25

Veteran Gary Pashaibn asked protesters to sign his large poster reading "Veterans Earned Their Benefits."

400 protest federal cuts at VA

A rally was held on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 outside the VA at E 54th St and Minnehaha Ave. Gov. Walz and Mayor Frey spoke to about 400 protesters about Trump's threats to VA staff and medical care. more

Terry Faust | 3/27/25

‘Good Ancestors’ recognized by Elders Climate Action

The Twin Cities chapter of Elders Climate Action honored three local activists with its annual Good Ancestor award, recognizing their legacies of community-centered climate action. Elders Climate … more

By Vincent Kallstrom | 3/21/25

Medicare Annual Update on Oct. 9

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) is partnering with MN Senior LinkAge to host a free class to help people learn about Medicare. “Medicare Annual Update” on Wednesday, Oct. … more

9/18/24

Minneapolis for a lifetime? Debatable

I recently attended my first Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging meeting. I am convinced that in the city of Minneapolis elders/seniors don’t exist. There is such a thing as the … more

By Donald L. Hammen | 9/18/24

Volunteer of the year

Nancy Eustis was named Volunteer of the Year at the Kenwood Senior Living, 825 Summit Ave. She has lived at The Kenwood since 1997. Eustis has volunteered throughout the community in many ways. … more

9/18/24

Alzheimer Assn offers classes

The Alzheimer’s Association Minnesota-North Dakota chapter is offering a series of classes for The Empowered Caregiver designed to provide dementia caregivers with helpful tools and ways to … more

9/18/24

Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board President Meg Forney (eft), City of Minneapolis Director of Public Works Tim Sexton, and MPRB Superintendent Al Bangoura (right) pose with residents of the nearby Victory Health + Rehabilitation Center. (Photo by submitted)

MPRB launches Cycling Without Age program

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) has kicked off a new program, Cycling Without Age, aimed at helping older adults with mobility issues enjoy time and connect with others in … more

6/20/24

Knute Nelson, Walker merge

Knute Nelson and Walker Methodist, two esteemed leaders in the aging services field, have successfully merged, marking a transformative step forward in their shared commitment to enhancing the lives … more

3/20/24 | 1 comment

Collaborating together on the "Inside Senior Living" docu-series are (left to right): Steve Ash, Upper-Midwest Emmy Award winning videographer and editor; Melissa Fritz, creator and host; Nina Fredrickson, PBS North production manager; and Bill Cooper, executive producer and director. (Photo submitted)

‘Inside Senior Living’ docu-series explores aging

In an exciting development for the local television landscape, “Inside Senior Living,” a groundbreaking docu-series, has announced its partnership with PBS North. The series, set to … more

12/14/23

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

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