Midway Como Frogtown Monitor

Five retirement planning mistakes that can come back to haunt you

The Retirement Group reports on five retirement planning mistakes that can haunt you, including poor tax strategies, Social Security timing, and healthcare costs.

Why Preventive Care Matters for Healthy Aging

(BPT) - As the year comes to a close, this is an important time for older adults to take stock of their health and make sure they're up to date on important preventive care appointments. Spending a …

Assisted living vs. home care: What’s the difference?

A Place for Mom reports that assisted living and home care differ mainly in setting, with assisted living offering social activities and caregiving for multiple residents.

Minnesota’s minimum wage standards for nursing home workers in effect Sept. 10

Minimum wage standards for nursing home workers across Minnesota take effect Sept. 10, 2026, following federal approval of the State Plan Amendment by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services …

Mary Bloom, a Como resident, has been a dining hall volunteer since the 1980s.

They make the Hamline Church dining hall happen

The 2026 Minnesota State Fair is now in the history books, ending on Labor Day. The end means that a large corps of volunteers gets to put away special volunteer garb for another year. The name tags, …

WOMEN LIFTING UP WOMEN

"Every stroke, every step and every mile is a testament to your courage," said YWCA Minneapolis President and CEO Shelley Carthen Watson at the start of the 17th YWCA Triathlon on Sunday, Aug. 9, …

Hamline Midway Elders celebrates 25 years of supporting independence, connection, and community for older adults

For 25 years, Hamline Midway Elders has been helping older adults remain independent, engaged, and connected to the communities they call home. As the organization marks this milestone anniversary, …

JoAnn Olsen grew up in the Midway and has volunteered with the Hamline Midway Elders for 15 years. “I enjoy every bit of it,” Olsen says about her volunteer gigs. (Photo submitted)

Good Neighbors give back and learn something new

Two places that welcome elders as both clients and as volunteers are the Hamline Midway Elders Program and Keystone Community Services. At age 89, JoAnn Olsen is still giving back to her Midway …

Social Security reform: What wealthy taxpayers should know

Bernstein Private Wealth Management reports Social Security reforms are likely, but benefits won't disappear and that wealthy taxpayers should plan strategically for potential changes.

Why creatine deserves a place in your routine

(BPT) - By Lauren Manaker, MS, RDN, LDAs a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist navigating perimenopause, I'm always thinking about how to best support my body and mind as I age. I'm also selective …

5 financial changes that happen when you turn 55

Wealth Enhancement reports that turning 55 introduces key financial changes, including penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals, increased contribution limits, and crucial retirement planning opportunities.

The life expectancy gap is putting a new focus on long-term financial planning

AccuQuote reports that the life expectancy gap highlights the need for updated long-term financial planning, emphasizing cohort-specific data to better prepare for extended retirements.

How longevity is moving from a demographic trend to a financial priority

Abacus Global Management reports that U.S. life expectancy has hit a record 79 years, necessitating better retirement planning due to increased longevity and financial risks.

‘Shining knights of the ring’

More than a century ago, Frogtown brothers Mike and Tommy Gibbons made headlines for their boxing prowess. They are remembered in the new book, “The St. Paul Phantom: The Gibbons Brothers’ Fight …

‘A Woman’s Place is in the House’

The political views and actions of the first Minnesota women to be elected to the House of Representatives in 1922 were told in a recent Minnesota Fringe play. “A Woman’s Place is in the …

The Glenwood-Inglewood Company in 1910. The Glenwood and Inglewood springs were on adjacent property and ran as separate water companies until about 1896. Minnesota Historical Society.

DO DRINK THE WATER

Before a new house is completed today in the Twin Cities, the utilities (sewer, water, natural gas, electricity, etc.) are already in place. The owners take it for granted that their new home will …

The original home of Holcomb-Henry Boom-Purcell when it was just the A.E.Henry Funeral Home. Note the street car tracks in the foreground.

Dearly departed

A “for sale” sign is up at the Holcomb-Henry-Boom-Purcell funeral home, 536 N. Snelling Ave. If property use changes under a new owner, that brings an end to more than a century of …

Did you know about the old Hippodrome?

Eighty years ago, a center for year-round fun was repurposed for the World War II wartime effort. The original Minnesota State Fair Hippodrome and nearby structures that housed livestock at fair time …

Could unresolved respiratory symptoms be something more?

(BPT) - For over 40 years, celebrity designer and carpenter Ty Pennington's mother lived with unresolved respiratory symptoms like chronic cough, excess mucus, and lung infections. As her caregiver, …

Take simple steps to prevent falls

(BPT) - Falls are a common cause of injury throughout life, but as you age, they become both more common and more serious. About 1 in 4 older adults reports falling each year, and falls are a leading …

Turning 55 and leaving your job? What to know about the IRS rule of 55

The Retirement Group reports on the IRS Rule of 55, allowing penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals for those leaving their job after turning 55, with key conditions.

Shoot for the Stars When It Comes to Medicare Advantage

(NewsUSA) - By Alan Stewart, SVP, Medicare Divisional Leader, Humana - If you’re one of the nation’s 58.6 million people with Medicare, you understand the importance of selecting a health …

3 expert ways to maintain health as you age

(BPT) - As we get older, our health needs often become more complex. Taking a proactive approach to your health can help, but many people don't know where to start."One of the most common questions I …

Simple Swaps to Stretch Your Dollar Further on Everyday Essentials

(BPT) - As costs steadily rise, navigating today's economic landscape requires a fresh look at how households handle their daily expenses. New research from AARP reveals just how central family …

Four Ways to Save on Everyday Essentials

(BPT) - AARP's 2026 Longevity Report found that adults older than 50 provided the equivalent of $1.2 trillion in unpaid care and volunteering in 2024. Additionally, findings show that this age group …

Why Some Wedding Guests Are RSVPing No

(BPT) - Key takeawaysA recent Accredited Debt Relief survey found that eight in 10 people with at least $10k in unsecured debt— like credit cards, personal loans, medical debts and certain …

Bringing healthcare closer to home: How to reach rural patients

(BPT) - Imagine being an older adult in rural West Virginia with chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Your conditions need regular monitoring, but the nearest clinic is 90 …

Join the fight against Medicare fraud

(BPT) - Medicare fraud isn't just a crime, it's a direct attack on your benefits, your taxpayer dollars and your personal medical records. That's why Medicare is taking action to stop fraud before it …

Trading gray for green: How cities can welcome nature back

Five tiny eyes stared up at me as I peered into the cup. The bee, more specifically, a rusty patched bumble bee, was beginning to stir as she warmed up. I had been out collecting various insects …

Brave Hearts Club co-founders are left to right: Wanjiru Dalton, Melley Richards, and Kate Fischer. On the first anniversary of their club’s beginning, they’re celebrating “one year of being brave enough to be vulnerable with others. One year of slowing down and making space to hear ourselves.” (Photo by Jennings Photo)

Brave Hearts Club welcomes all women

Brave Hearts Club is a monthly gathering of women (and those who identify as women) committed to showing up for themselves and for each other. Co-founded by Wanjiru Dalton, Kate Fischer, and …

Transforming lives through movement

The Young Dance Company started in Minneapolis when Maria Genné and Colleen Callahan brought students together to create and perform dance. Gretchen Pick joined in 2000 and is now the executive …

LeeAnne Watkins (second from left) leads a discussion on death and grief. (Photo submitted)

Do you want to talk about death?

Not many people are comfortable talking about death and dying, at least not in the middle of a coffee shop. But for LeeAnne Watkins, conversations around death are a part of the job. She’s the …

Jill Schoenecker (left) and Kerry Keenan say their experience working at for-profit hospice organizations was what eventually led them to pursue starting their own hospice. Beyond Hospice works closely with Episcopal Homes in St. Paul. (Photo submitted)

Strong women with vision create Beyond Hospice

Kerry Keenan and Jill Schoenecker are two friends and longtime colleagues working in hospice care who dreamt of starting their own locally-owned hospice organization where care providers were the …

The retirement fear gap: Who really fears running out of money?

John Stevenson reports a survey revealing that lower-income Americans are more fearful of running out of retirement savings, contradicting the age-based anxiety trend.

The Hidden Reason Some Wedding Guests Are RSVPing No

(BPT) - Key takeawaysA recent Accredited Debt Relief survey found that eight in 10 people with at least $10k in unsecured debt skipped at least one event or activity in the last year, including …

Americans are rethinking the role of home equity in retirement

Boldin reports that Americans are rethinking home equity's role in retirement, viewing it as a vital asset for financial stability amid rising costs.

Where Social Security cuts could have the greatest economic impact

SmartAsset reports that Social Security benefits significantly impact local economies, particularly in Michigan counties, where cuts could have serious effects.

How AI can help you plan your retirement

Wealth Enhancement reports that AI can aid retirement planning by organizing information and clarifying concepts but shouldn't replace financial advisors.

10 common IRA mistakes to avoid

Ally Financial reports 10 common IRA mistakes to avoid, including underestimating retirement needs, exceeding contribution limits and withdrawal errors.

From Budget to Bucket List: 4 Simple Ways to Save on Dream Vacays

(BPT) - From personal milestones to global destinations, bucket lists capture our highest aspirations. For passionate travelers, that means a collection of dream vacations just waiting to be …

How to Protect Yourself from a Smartphone Scam

(Feature Impact) Older adults, caregivers and families can benefit from understanding the warning signs of SIM swapping and taking simple security steps to prevent it from happening.

Care for seniors is sucking wealth out of families — especially in Ohio

Non-wealthy Americans are taking economic hits from all sides these days. Gas, groceries, housing, utilities and healthcare are all necessities and they’re rapidly getting more expensive. Less well-known is another necessity — long-term care for seniors — that is also costly and getting costlier. And, because of the way it’s financed, it’s sucking vast amounts […]

Knowing what questions to ask helps you get the most from your health care visits.

5 Questions to Ask at Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

By Marisa Rogers, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Officer, Oak Street Health (NAPSI)—Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is an opportunity for you and your primary care provider to check in on …

Bureau of Motor Vehicles launches mobile branch to expand services in rural Maine

Maine’s Bureau of Motor Vehicles launched a mobile branch on Thursday that aims to expand access to rural parts of the state that lack services. The portable unit, branded BMV4ME, offers the BMV’s most common services, such as issuing driver’s licenses and learner’s permits, as well as handling name and address changes. “This modernization improves […]

SC can’t afford to let vaccine rates drop. Seniors are especially at risk.

South Carolina has been in the center of a public health crisis. Nearly 1,000 measles cases were confirmed in the Upstate region alone during the outbreak that started last October. It’s one of the largest measles outbreaks nationwide in our modern history. It’s the direct result of declining immunization rates — and a warning sign […]

State-funded senior programs in Pa. see opportunity in federal rural health dollars

In a rapidly aging state, Pennsylvania officials are identifying ways to shore up services dedicated to its seniors — and $193 million for rural health could help build out a long-standing program to every corner of the commonwealth. The Living Independence for the Elderly (LIFE) had 8,446 unique participants as of last summer, the third-highest […]