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December 6 PURA Meeting Features “Tuba Christmas”
To help kick off the holidays, the December 6 PURA program will feature the Purdue rendition of Tuba Christmas, conducted by Professor Jay S. Gephart, the Al G. Wright Chair, Director of Bands, and Professor of Music. The meeting will again be held via Zoom, and begin at 12:30 p.m. ET (Zoom connection information can be found on the last page of this newsletter.)
The first Tuba Christmas was organized by Harvey G. Phillips to honor his tuba teacher William Bell (who was born on Christmas Day 1902), and was held December 22, 1974, in the ice skating rink at New York City's Rockefeller Center.
Tuba Christmas is a music concert held in cities worldwide that celebrates those who play, teach, and compose music for instruments in the tuba family, including the tuba, sousaphone, baritone, and euphonium.
(Many thanks to the Purdue For Life Foundation for the use of this photo. Photographer: Brent Russell.)
Bill's Bulletin
Defined Contribution Retirement Plan
Richard Cosier, PURA Benefits Committee member, represents PURA members on the Purdue Defined Contribution Retirement Plan Committee, and welcomes your sharing with him your concerns, or issues you would like him to take to the committee. You can contact Rick at RCosier@purdue.edu.
This is a standing university committee that focuses on the available investment plans and how they are performing and managed. This committee grew out of the task force that recommended Purdue change from TIAA to Fidelity 10 years ago.
PURA United Way Contributions
PURA has contributed $139,510 as of November 2, 2021. PURA has a goal of $175,347 for the 2021 campaign. All United Way mailings for PURA members have gone out. If you did not receive your pledge card in the mail or have misplaced it, please contact Megan Eberly at MEberly@purdue.edu (317-695-5740) and she will get a new pledge card in the mail for you.
2022 Insurance Premiums
The benefits committee of the Purdue University Retirees’ Association (PURA) has renewed the PURcare and Medicare Advantage PPO group health insurance plans with United Healthcare (UHC) for 2022. As in the past, the objective was to maintain the best medical and drug insurance plans, at the lowest premium possible, while preserving your ability to see the Medicare provider of your choice.
If you missed the announcement in the October issue, your Benefits committee announced the following premiums for 2022: PURcare (UHC Senior Supplement plus Part D prescription plan): $280.77/member (The 2022 monthly PURcare monthly premium has decreased $0.66 from 2021.)
UHC Medicare Advantage PPO (includes Part D prescription plan): $172.91/member
PURA Flu Shot Program: 2020 to 2021 Comparison
For those of you who would like a receipt that shows proof of obtaining a flu shot, contact David Norris, Custom Plus Pharmacy at 765-463-2600 or send an email to David@CustomPlusRX.com. He will provide you with a copy of your vaccine record.
Upcoming Meetings
Meetings will begin at 12:30pm ET with the speaker starting at 12:40pm ET. Zoom connection information and other important updates will be provided via email in the PURA News newsletter
December 6, 2021 – Purdue Bands, Holiday Fun Fest
January 3, 2022 – Katy Bunder, Lafayette Food Finders Food Bank
February 7, 2022 – PRF Office of Tech, Update on Purdue University’s Patents and Copyrights
Thought For The Day
There is nothing like a dream to create the future. - Victor Hugo
Happy Holidays!
William Bennett, President, PURA
Purposeful Living In Retirement (PLIR) 2022: Survey Coming to Your Email in January
A survey on attendance at the annual spring PLIR program—tentatively scheduled for April 20, 2022 at the Beck Center in West Lafayette—will be sent to you by email the second week in January 2022.
We want to hold in-person meetings as soon as a sufficient number of members feel safe to attend but are currently waiting for the official statement from Purdue on what, if any, restrictions for in-person events will be in place for the spring 2022 semester. Our first priority is the health and safety of our members.
We especially need your survey response if you have been a regular attendee of the PLIR program. What might be the parameters for safety? For example, would you attend if masks were required except when eating? Would you attend if social distancing dictated fewer attendees and vendors? Should we plan for one virtual presentation like the April 2021 PLIR and wait to again offer the usual PLIR event in April 2023? With the continuing evolvement of the national and local Covid situation we felt it best to wait until January to survey about the PLIR.
Please be watching for the PURA attendance survey in your email as we will need your response immediately after receipt. Thank you for helping us with these decisions!
Twelve PURA Student Scholarship Endowment Recipients for 2020-2021 Academic Year
Twelve Indiana students were awarded scholarships from the PURA Student Scholarship Endowment for the 2020-2021 academic year. They are thankful for the generosity of the PURA membership.
Eight of these students were seniors studying a variety of disciplines:
- Karen Barillas, from Goodland, studying education in the College of Education
- Adam Cseh, from South Bend, pursuing a degree in Construction Management and Organizational Leadership in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute
- Chase Edwards, from Danville, studying Construction Management in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute
- Cameron Gregson, from Greenwood, elected to study Accounting in the Krannert School of Management
- Jordan Keuneke, from Huntertown, studying Pharmaceutical Sciences in the College of Pharmacy
- Samuel Laird, from Fort Wayne, studying Mechanical Engineering Technology with a minor in Electrical
Engineering Technology in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute. - Hannah Thomas, from North Manchester, pursuing a degree in Construction Management in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute
- Dillon Yoder, from Syracuse, studying Supply Chain Management Technology in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute, with a second major in Entrepreneurship in the Krannert School of Management
Two sophomores were represented:
- Alex Newhall, from Connersville, investigating a course of study in the Exploratory Studies
- Joshua Priest, from Indianapolis, studying Computer Science in the College of Science
And, PURA helped welcomed two new freshmen to the Boilermaker education experience:
- Hailey Furniss, from Fort Wayne, researching a course of study in the Exploratory Studies
- Hannah Stettler, from McCordsville, studying Veterinary Nursing in the College of Veterinary Medicine
PURA’s support for students increased from nine students in 2019-2020 to twelve in 2020-2021. Many of you gave generously to the Purdue Day of Giving in September 2020. Thank you for your contributions to this endowment. More details will follow when the final accounting is complete.
In the meantime, if you are interested in supporting more students annually, contributions are welcome and accepted at any time. Make checks payable to the Purdue Foundation, address: Purdue Foundation, Dauch Alumni Center, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2007. Please designate the name of the endowment you wish to support: PURA Student Scholarship Endowment or POA in Honor of Martin and Patty Jischke.*
*The Jischke recipient for 2020-2021 did not report to campus (either virtually or in person) and Financial Aid is pursuing a new selection.
Seventeen Students Received PURA Scholarships for the 2021-2022 Academic Year
Of the seventeen Indiana students receiving PURA scholarships this year, eight of them are repeat recipients. Alyssa Hudgins, a junior from LaPorte, studying biomedical engineering in the College of Engineering, and Sierra Cox, a sophomore from Lawrence, studying law and society in the College of Liberal Arts, are continuing Jischke POA students.
Six students received a PURA Student Scholarships for the second year. They are: Everett Pfeifer, a senior from West Lafayette, studying computer and information technology in the Polytechnic Institute; Jackson Williams, a senior from Thorntown, studying mechanical engineering technology in the Polytechnic Institute; Shamari Walker, a junior from Hammond, studying systems analysis and design in the Polytechnic Institute; Alex Newhall, a sophomore from Connersville, studying first year engineering in the College of Engineering; Hannah Stettler, a sophomore from McCordsville, studying veterinary nursing in the College of Veterinary Medicine; and Joshua Priest, a sophomore from Indianapolis, studying computer science in the College of Science.
Our new Jischke POA student is Abdulrahman Saleh, a freshman from Topeka, studying data science in the College of Science.
Four of the new PURA Student Scholarship recipients are enrolled in the Polytechnic Institute studying Professional Flight Technology: Nicholas Hull, a junior from South Whitley; Victor Gust, a sophomore from Dyer; Camden Tomey, a sophomore from Pendleton; and Payton Batchelor, a sophomore from Plainfield.
An additional student studying in the Polytechnic Institute is Daniel McClelland, a freshman from Westfield enrolled in cybersecurity.
Other PURA Student Scholarship recipients: Victoria Coats, a senior from Fort Wayne, studying general management in the Krannert School of Management; Karolyn Pineiro, a freshman from Highland, studying first year engineering in the College of Engineering; and Halle Robin, a freshman from Fishers, studying psychological sciences in the College of Health and Human Sciences.
The Jischke POA students received $3,394 in total awards and the PURA Student Scholarship students received $8,760 for a total award of endowment investment earnings of $12,154. The selection of students and the amount awarded to each is determined by the Division of Financial Aid. Jischke POA students will receive funding from that endowment all four years if they remain in good academic standing. While there is no stipulation in the PURA Student Scholarship Endowment to make repeat awards, we are proud that we have six returning students.
The current endowment balance for the PURA POA in Honor of Martin C. and Patty Jischke is $58,844 and for the PURA Student Scholarship Endowment is $212,632. Thanks to your continuing generosity, the investment income from these two endowments has allowed PURA to help support seventeen students this year.
Year-End Giving Opportunity: PURA Scholarships
Help PURA support as many students as possible by growing the two scholarship endowments with a year-end donation. Time and time again the PURA student scholars tell us they would not be able to attend or continue their educations without the help these endowments provide.
One of our continuing students, senior Jackson Williams, shared that “this scholarship is very important to me for many reasons. I am a first generation college student…(and) from the generosity of people like you I am able to afford college and not rack up tens of thousands of dollars in student loan debt. The funding allows me to spend more time focusing on my studies and receiving good grades.”
You will receive an email in mid-December from William Bennett, PURA President, with a direct link for online giving to the PURA scholarship endowments. If you prefer, you may send a check payable to the Purdue for Life Foundation, address: Purdue for Life Foundation, Dauch Alumni Center, 403 West Wood Street, West Lafayette, IN, 47907-2007. Please designate the name of the endowment you wish to support: PURA Student Scholarship Endowment or PURA POA in Honor of Martin C. and Patty Jischke.
Thank you for your continuing support of these endowments.
Remodeling Continues at the Purdue Memorial Union
For the latest updates on the project, visit: https://www.union.purdue.edu/pmu-renovation/renovation-updates.html
Photos shared by PURA member Norm Long
Looking for Holiday Events Across the State?
If so, you may find something of interest to you at Visit Indiana’s list of holiday and seasonal celebrations at: https://visitindiana.com/events?cat=5 No matter where you live within the state, there may be something near you.
Visit Indiana’s list of over 100 holiday events around the state includes holiday light shows, craft shows and workshops, community tree lightings, European-style Christkindl markets in Peru and Nashville, Christmas at the Zoo in Indy, a candlelight tour of homes in Madison, and many others. Some communities plan celebrations of favorite holiday movies and cartoons with “It’s a Wonderful Life” live radio production in Nashville, a nutcracker tea with Clara and the Nutcracker in Merrillville, “A Charlie Brown Christmas” in Carmel, and “A Christmas Story” in Hammond. Many are free events.
The Covid situation is still with us, of course, and the site reminds those interested to check each event’s web site for updates, but outdoor events—such as drive-through light shows—may be good bets.
Holiday Events at Purdue
Dec. 7—Annual tree lighting, Purdue Memorial Union (PMU) Great Hall. 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET.
Dec. 8—Holidays Around the World. PMU North Ballroom. 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. ET.
Dec. 11—Breakfast with Santa. PMU South Ballroom, Union rm. 118 and Great Hall. 8:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. ET.
(More information about these PSUB-sponsored events at PMU’s Events Calendar web page: https://www.union.purdue.edu/events/index.html#/. )
Dec. 17—80th Annual PMO Christmas Show. Virtual event. (Available to view on this date, for a small fee.) For more information visit: purdue.edu/pmo/christmas-show.
See the December Campus Calendar included in this issue of PURA News for additional music and dance events.
More: September PURA Tour of New Loeb Stadium at Columbian Park, in Lafayette
[Editor’s note: we apologize that due to an oversight, this article was not included with the photos published in the November issue.]
Jon Miner, Director of Operations for Lafayette Parks and Recreation, generously offered his time, expertise, and experience to enlighten some 25 Purdue Retirees on what is happening at the new Loeb Stadium at Columbian Park on the afternoon of September 23.
Seated in right field front row seats, Jon explained to everyone in attendance the roadblocks and challenges in bringing the 22 million dollar complex to fruition.
Of course, all who know realize that Main St. - a main artery into downtown Lafayette - had to be narrowed and realigned to accommodate the project. The explanation for the artery change had everything to do with providing another 10 feet to the right outfield of the stadium. Ten feet was just enough more space to make the stadium competitive with other baseball park venues. Jon described how difficult it was to explain why it was necessary to narrow a city street in order to gain 10 feet on a baseball field.
The retiree group toured the field, got to see the Lafayette Jefferson locker room, and also visited the state-of-the-art video room, box suites, press box, and announcer’s booth. Impressive!
Noteworthy is the historic relationship between the Jefferson High School Bronchos and Loeb Stadium. It is the state-of-the-art stadium that the Bronchos call home. The venue also hosts Lafayette Jeff soccer games, provides practice space for Purdue Baseball, and as we all know, is the home of the Aviators. In the future, it may also host concerts; the city is looking for the right opportunity.
In addition to the total redesign and configuration of the stadium, Jon referenced the challenges in restoring other icons of the park including the classic carousel. Due to Covid, the originally contracted carousel restorer went bust. Trying to find a maker of carousels in the 21st Century (there are four in the U.S.) was not easy. A California Company was found and perhaps by next season the classic carousel will be back. Now on to the challenge of the lagoon and the zoo!
What a day at the ball park, Columbian Park that is!
Go Bronchos! Go Aviators! Go Purdue!
Zoom Connection Information for PURA Meetings
The Zoom connection information for PURA monthly meetings is shown below. The link, Meeting ID, and password will be the SAME for all normal monthly meetings.
Members who wish to join via phone call audio only will need the separate Passcode shown below. (The password/passcode for that method is different from the normal “computer connection” to Zoom.)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97285398989?pwd=MlB4U0FudEplMFRoWm1GTkZzNmYrZz09
Meeting ID: 972 8539 8989
Passcode: BoilerUp
One tap mobile
+13126266799,,97285398989#,,,,,,0#,,41051096# US (Chicago)
+19292056099,,97285398989#,,,,,,0#,,41051096# US (New York)
Dial by your location
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
Meeting ID: 972 8539 8989
Passcode: 41051096
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/acvQQKVcnE
PURA Tech Bytes
By Scott Ksander
Metaverse???
You may have heard the term “Metaverse” lately due mostly to the effort of Facebook to rebrand itself as Meta. The term “Metaverse” was first used in Neal Stephenson’s 1992 novel Snow Crash. The story was about a pizza delivery man by day, virtual reality superhero by night, who lives in an online world called “The Metaverse”.
The immediate cynical reaction to all this renaming is that it is an attempt by Facebook to change the story after the very damaging whistleblower testimony and the release of the “Facebook Papers”. This technique has worked in the past – ValuJet became AirTran, Andersen Consulting became Accenture, and Phillip Morris became Xe. Time will tell if this works and removes the stain for Facebook.
Simply put, Metaverse is the new name for Virtual Reality (VR) with the addition of including both a totally virtual world and the emerging area of Augmented Reality (AR). For VR, you use a full headset, such as Oculus, and you see nothing outside of the virtual reality. In AR, you use glasses that let you see the existing physical world with additional information in your field of view. This is a bit like the “heads up” displays in some cars where dashboard information is projected on the windshield so you see both the road in front of you and the additional dashboard information. Some like to think of AR as “headphones for your eyes”. You can see what’s around you and also the additional view from the “headphones”.
Massive multiple player games are going to drive this space for the near term but there are many interesting applications for this work. Imagine if a paramedic and ER doctors could work in the Metaverse. The paramedic in the ambulance could see a patient’s vital statistics in their field of view while they work. The same information and view could be available to the ER doctor’s field of view. The “real image” of the patient is also available. Everybody sees everything in the Metaverse and can work together to administer care as the patient is being transported.
There are many battles ahead as Microsoft, Facebook, Apple, Epic, Google, and tons of others want The Place, The Destination, The Software, and to control your Metaverse. Apple envisions a world where you don’t “carry” a physical iPhone but it is built into your glasses, and messages and video appear in your field of view. This technology is within reach relatively soon.
If you want to see an example of this technology, you can look at https://www.vuzix.com/. (Full disclosure, I have a small investment in the company and I use them only as an example. This is not an endorsement or recommendation.)
Going Back to School
By Sara Jane Coffman
I can’t remember the last time I sat down to learn something new. But, according to the literature, if I want to remain “cognitively active” in my later years, I’m going to need more stimulation in my life.
So, I decided to take a class at Purdue.
Enrolling was straightforward. The only question on the application I couldn’t answer was my parents’ home address.
I put: “Heaven.” That must have been O.K., because shortly after that, I got accepted.
Next, I needed to learn to log into the Purdue system so I could register for a course. This is where it got interesting. I found the site, filled in my name, and made up a password. When the computer wouldn’t accept that password, I called the Registrar’s office and they connected me to a very friendly, patient young man in IT. He explained that you don’t create your own password – Purdue gives you a different password every time you log in.
Really?
“Do you have a key fob?” he asked.
“You mean that little thumb-drive thingy that has a button on it? I have one, but I’ve never used it.”
“O.K. – good! When you push the button, a series of numbers will come up.”
“You want me to push the button now?”
“Yeah. Go ahead.”
I pushed and a big, long number came up.
“Then I type this number into the password box?”
“That’s right.”
I dug through my desk drawer, found a piece of scratch paper, and wrote down the series of numbers.
“Now I type that in – right?”
“Right.”
My screen immediately flashed: ‘Login failed.’
“It says Login failed” I told him. “Why did it fail?”
“Um. Well, you only have 20 seconds.”
“What?”
“You only have 20 seconds to enter the number.”
“I won’t have time to write it down!”
“Probably not – just go ahead and type it in without writing it down.”
The two of us practiced until I could log in within the 20 second timeframe. The only time he panicked was when I started to tell him my password. His face lost its color (I’m just guessing about that) and he told me I should never tell anyone my password.
So, now I was in the system. I registered for a class, and then started getting some really neat emails.
I was eligible for student housing. Cool! It might be fun to have a vacation place to go to when I wanted to get away.
I was also eligible for Career Counseling. Maybe not such a good idea. What if I found out I shouldn’t have been in the career I was in for 35 years?
And I was invited to a women’s soccer game where I could get free pizza and a free t-shirt. Great! On second thought, I’m pretty fussy about my pizza. Was there a number I could call to give them my preferences?
The next step was to go to the bookstore to see if I could find the textbook. This is where I began my close relationship with the parking garage people. When I tried to swipe my retirees permit in the parking garage, the gate wouldn’t go up. The only way to get the gate to go up was to take a ticket.
The gate also wouldn’t go up when I tried to exit the garage. The person who answered the call button explained that if I didn’t use my pass to enter the garage, it wouldn’t work at the exit. She apologized for my permit not working and raised the gate for me.
Days 2 and 3: Stuck in the garage again. Used the call button. The lady apologized again and raised the gate.
Day 4: Stuck in the garage again. Used the call button. By now, I didn’t have to explain my situation – I just identified myself. “This is Sally. I’m ready to enter (or leave). You may open the gate now.” It was like I had my own personal system for parking at Purdue.
Day 5: I decided to break down and go to the parking facilities office and get a new parking permit. They were glad to see me (I think). Or at least glad that now I’d stop calling them.
First day of school! I was the first one in the room. Like Goldilocks, I tried some different locations until I found just the right seat – in the front row, on the aisle. We were in a theatre, not a classroom, and the front row was so close to the stage that my nose was practically touching it. To see the professor, or the slides on the screen above him, I had to tilt my head way back.
A stiff neck was a small price to pay for being so close to the action.
I was a bit awed by the professor and could see why he’d received so many teaching awards. He was a masterful storyteller and built his lectures piece by piece, step- by- step. We paid attention because we wanted to hear how the stories turned out. I enjoyed the lectures so much that after class, I’d call my friends and repeat the stories back to them. (They needed some mental stimulation, too.)
Then one day, before class started, I’d taken my jacket off and was all settled into my seat when I looked up on the stage and saw the professor looking down at me. Instead of asking if I was enjoying the class, he asked: “Aren’t you a little too close to see well?”
This was my chance to let him know how much I was enjoying the class! Unfortunately, what came out of my mouth was: “I really like your shoes.” I added a hand gesture to indicate that my sight level was right at the level of his shoes.
He paused before he answered.
“Well, I’ll try to change them now and then.”
And he did. He has three very nice pairs of shoes.
One of the things that made the class so exciting was the way he included the students in the lecture by asking questions. I longed to answer one of his questions. I sat there class after class, hoping there’d be a question I could answer so I could redeem myself from my “I like your shoes” comment.
I had my chance when, at the beginning of one of his lectures, he described a fort that an army had built as a stronghold. Later in the lecture, in a rousing climax to his story, he checked to see if we’d been paying attention: “And how long was this fort going to last?”
Caught up in his enthusiasm, I cried out: “Forever!”
I think I may have also stood up.
“Not forever,” he corrected me, “but for a very long time.”
I grinned a big grin. I’d answered a question! It was wrong . . . but that was O.K. I’d finally talked in class.
I was now an official Purdue student.
Currently, I’m looking for a class to take next semester so I can continue my quest for mental stimulation. But I’ve added a second quest: to blend in with all the other Purdue students.
Towards that end, I’m going to buy a pair of jeans with holes in them.
I figure if people are looking at the holes in my jeans, they won’t notice the orthopedic shoes on my feet.
Road Trip to Roann, Indiana
By Karen Lembcke
One day while taking a “back road” drive to explore Indiana, I discovered the “great metropolis” of Roann, Indiana. This town has a population of approximately 500 people. It is a charming area nestled along the Eel, Kenapocomoco River, located northeast of Peru, on Indiana 16, in Paw Paw Township, Wabash County.
Along the Eel River is the Stockdale Mill, that at one time was an active part of this community. The Mill was built in 1855 and remained in business until 1964, relying on the original water-powered milling equipment. It was estimated that at one time Indiana had approximately 2,000 water-powered gristmills. Today less than 20 remain standing and a few still grind grain.
The Stockdale Mill—on the National Register of Historic Places—is still operational and provides free tours, available May through October. If interested, contact 765-833-2019 in-season, or 765-833-2642, or send an email to: info@stockdalemill.org
A fish ladder was installed at the Stockdale Mill Dam. This “fishway” was the first of its kind installed in the United States. The Stockdale Mill Foundation partnered with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Dept. and the Manchester University Environmental Science Program.
Not far from the Mill is the Roann Covered Bridge. When this bridge was built in 1876, it represented the very latest in engineering and design. It was built by the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo, Ohio using a unique system of steel tension rods with turn buckles to eliminate sagging across the 212-foot span.
Roann has experienced four covered bridges built on the site where County Road 700 West crosses the Eel River. The first bridge was built in 1844 and was washed away in a flood the following year. The second one was built in 1845 and lasted until 1858. The third bridge was built in 1858 and lasted until 1871.
In 1990, an arson fire occurred that left half of the bridge a charred skeleton. The citizens of Roann supported restoring the bridge and now it is the centerpiece for their annual Covered Bridge Festival.
The current bridge is a double span Howe Truss structure with a length of 288 feet and having a 12-foot overhang on each end. It is 16 feet wide and 18 feet high and is open to traffic. The Bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
Driving into their quaint “downtown” area, you can explore their Pioneer Cabin and Jail, The Carnegie Library and antique shops along with other businesses.
Notable Historic December Events
Dec. 1 1885—The soft drink Dr. Pepper is served for the first time, in Waco, Texas.
Dec. 2 2005—Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is launched in Europe.
Dec. 4 1969—American surfer Greg Noll rides a 65-foot wave, the largest on record.
Dec. 7 1995—The Galileo spacecraft arrives at Jupiter, a little more than six years after it was launched.
Dec. 9 1965—“A Charlie Brown Christmas” premieres on television.
Dec. 10 1971—Jim Hart, of the St. Louis Cardinals football team, throws a football for a record 98 yards, the longest recorded throw.
Dec. 11 1816—Indiana becomes the 19th U.S. state.
Dec. 11 1981—Muhammad Ali fights his last boxing match and is defeated by Trevor Berbick.
Dec. 14 1947—NASCAR is founded in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Dec. 15 1891—Canadian-American James Naismith introduces the first version of the sport basketball.
Dec. 17 1989—The first episode of the adult cartoon “The Simpsons” airs on television.
Dec. 18 1964—“The Pink Panther” cartoon series premieres on television.
Dec. 22 1962—The 1,000,000th NBA point is scored.
Dec. 23 1947—The transistor is first demonstrated at Bell Laboratories.
Dec. 27 1947—“Howdy Doody,” a children’s television program, makes its debut.
Dec. 28 1945—The U.S. Congress officially recognized the Pledge of Allegiance.
Dec. 29 1891—Thomas Edison patents the radio.
Dec. 30 1953—The first color television set goes on sale.
Dec. 31 1891—A new immigration depot is opened on Ellis Island, New York.
December Birthdays
Walt Disney—Dec. 5, 1901. Creator of Mickey Mouse, the first full-length animated movie (Snow White and the Seven Dwarves), children’s television show “The Mickey Mouse Club,” Disneyland, and Walt Disney World.
Frank Sinatra—Dec. 12, 1915. American singer and actor who began his career singing with Harry James’ and Tommy Dorsey’s big bands in the 1930’s, and went on to a successful solo career, selling an estimated 150 million records worldwide. His successful acting career included roles in movie musicals, but he won an Academy Award for his role in the drama “From Here To Eternity.”
Ada Lovelace—Dec. 10, 1815. Augusta Ada King, Countess of Lovelace. Per Wikipedia, she was a “mathematician and writer, chiefly known for her work on Charles Babbage's proposed mechanical general-purpose computer, the Analytical Engine. She was the first to recognize that the machine had applications beyond pure calculation, and to have published the first algorithm intended to be carried out by such a machine. As a result, she is often regarded as the first computer programmer.”
Florence Griffith Joyner—Dec. 21, 1959. Also known as “Flo-Jo.” American track and field athlete who set world records in the 100 meter and 200 meter sprints, winning Olympic gold in the 1988 Summer Olympics. Served as co-chair of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports from 1993-1998, prior to her untimely death in 1998, at age 38.
Benefits/Health
The Pros and Cons of Sparkling Seltzer Waters
By Chris Rearick, MSN, RN, Purdue Nursing Center for Family Health
Have you noticed all the flavors and brands of carbonated waters that are now available at the store? These popular drinks are also known as carbonated water or sparkling water, not to be confused with sparkling mineral water or tonic water. The bubbly to these drinks is achieved by infusing carbon dioxide gas into the drink. You may even purchase a home machine to create this refreshing drink. Do these bubbly drinks possess any health benefits and if so, what are they?
Confusion comes when comparing other bubbly drinks like sparkling mineral water and tonic water. Sparking mineral water comes from a natural well or spring and contains minerals, salts, sulfur and calories. Tonic water is plain water with added carbon dioxide and quinine. Seltzer or sparkling water is plain water with carbon dioxide added for fizz. There are no calories in these bubbly waters, unless there are added ingredients such as flavoring, vitamins or nutrients. You need to read the label to check for any added calories.
One health benefit to sparkling seltzer water with no calories or sugar, is that they are a great alternative to ingesting sugary sodas. Sugary sodas can lead to tooth decay*. Similar to plain water, sparkling waters are also hydrating and can prevent dehydration. Many consumers claim the fizz feels refreshing and it gives them an alternative to just plain water. This drink may be a good choice when dieting, staying hydrated or if you are diabetic. Another benefit is that a swallow of this bubbly may put off some hunger urges due to the bubbles taking up space in your stomach.
When it comes to your teeth, studies have shown that these bubbly drinks are safer than sugary soda but still may not be the best for your teeth. Sparkling waters are slightly acidic. The pH of our mouth** tends to be about 7, in part due to saliva. Dentists will tell you that when the pH of the mouth drops below 5.5, the environment is better for tooth decay. The pH of soda is around 2.5. The pH of plain sparkling water is around 3 or 4.5.
Moderation is the key! Plain tap water may still be our best choice with its alkaline properties and added fluoride but enjoying a bubbly now and then can be a refreshing treat and break. I am too frugal and prefer to not spend my extra dollars on a sparkling water but I do keep them around for guests. You be the judge.
Additional Resources:
*https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/nutrition/food-tips/sugary-drinks
**https://www.healthline.com/health/ph-of-saliva
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/is-carbonated-water-bad-for-you
If you would like to schedule a Wellness Screening please call Chris at 765-496-0308 or email at crearick@purdue.ed
Yes, Virginia, There *IS* A Figgy Pudding
Originating in England in the 16th century, Figgy Pudding can be baked, boiled, steamed, and even fried. A wide variety of ingredients can be put into Figgy Pudding. But, it all begins with figs.
Similar to Fruitcake, Figgy Pudding is sticky and gooey. It is different from Fruitcake, in that it does not keep long. Fruitcake on the other hand, can be kept for a long time, and is humorously rumored to be kept for years.
Make some Figgy Pudding this holiday season, so your family can sing "... bring me some figgy pudding..."
Steamed Figgy Pudding Recipe
12 dried figs, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup spiced rum
1/4 cup brandy
1 1/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/ 4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 large eggs
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups bread crumbs
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup dried apricots, chopped (or other dried fruits)
Whipped cream or whipped topping
In a small sauce pan, add chopped figs, raisins, water, rum, and brandy. Bring to a simmer. Then, very carefully light the mixture and remove pan from heat. Burn off alcohol for about a minute.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt.
In a third bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, bread crumbs, and melted butter. Once these are combined, stir in fig mixture (let it cool slightly). Add and mix in dry ingredients. Fold in other dried fruits.
Butter a large Bundt (or angel food) pan. Add two to three cups of water into a pot large enough to hold the Bundt pan. Place the Bundt pan into the larger pot. The water should come at least halfway up the side of the Bundt pan. Remove pan from the larger pot.
Scoop pudding batter into Bundt pan. Cover with foil.
Place the Bundt pan into the larger pot. Cover the large pot. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to low and let pudding steam for 2 hours. Check water levels every 30 minutes or so.
After steaming, let the pan cool. Then, remove it from the larger pot. Remove foil.
Flip pudding over onto a plate and remove Bundt pan. Cut into serving slices. Serve warm with whipped cream or whipped topping.
Campus Services News:
PURA Contact Information
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Conact Information for PURA is:
Office of Retiree Affairs
2550 Northwestern Ave., Suite 1100
West Lafayette, IN 47906
Telephone, via Purdue Benefits help line: (toll free) 877-725-0222
Email: pura@purdue.edu
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