Join us for some important Divided We Fail events coming up in North Dakota in June and July. AARP members and the public are invited. More information on each is below.

• Bismarck – June 5 – Health Care Opinion Leader Forum open to the public
• West Fargo – June 17 – AARP Sponsors Red River Valley Fair Senior Day
• Fargo – June 18 – Health Care Town Hall Meeting
• Minot – July 18-26 – North Dakota State Fair Booth
• Minot – July 19 – Champ makes its first North Dakota appearance during the State Fair Parade

AARP North Dakota is seeking a volunteer to become state president at the end of 2008. Current State President Betty Keegan has served in the position for six years – the maximum term allowed.

The volunteer state president chairs the state executive council and works in partnership with the state director to provide vision and leadership for AARP activities in the state. The state president is also responsible for helping to build partnerships with other organizations and serves as the principal AARP volunteer spokesperson in the state.

AARP has 86,000 members in North Dakota. “AARP is a volunteer-driven organization from the all-volunteer national board of directors to the state executive councils. The state president is a key volunteer leadership position within the state,” said Janis Cheney, AARP North Dakota state director.

The state president serves a two-year term and can be reappointed for two additional terms. Some in-state and out-of-state travel is required.

An AARP member interested in the state president position should contact Cheney by phone at 701-355-3641, or by e-mail at jscheney@aarp.org for more information and application forms.

The North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Health Care Data Committee recently released the 2008 Guide to Nursing Facility Charges. The publication contains a complete list of rates for every nursing home in the state and compares these rates to the statewide averages.

The report includes an index of facility locations and rates for all nursing homes in North Dakota. The 2008 Guide to Nursing Facility Charges is available to the public at no charge, as are other publications designed to help consumers when choosing a nursing facility or alternative forms of long-term care. To request copies, call the North Dakota Department of Health at 701-328-2353. The guide can also be downloaded in the Health Department’s website at www.ndhealth.gov. Clicks on “Topics A to Z,” then scroll down to and click on “Nursing Facility Charges.”

AARP North Dakota teamed up with North Dakota State University’s Small Urban and Rural Transit Center (SURTC) to address the challenges that transit presents in a rural state. The April 9 Transit Coordination Summit drew an audience of county commissioners, transit providers, county social service directors, veterans, state legislators, congressional staff, human services staff, and department of transportation professionals. Long distances and sparse population combined with increasing fuel prices, vehicle costs, and a decrease in volunteer drivers present obstacles and incentives to the pursuit of transit coordination. The summit was part of AARP North Dakota’s livable communities commitment. Summit speakers included Nancy Smith, AARP National Policy Council; Ron Hynes, Federal Transit Administration; Dr. Alan Abeson, a leading national advocate for transit coordination; Jeanne Erickson, representing United We Ride; and North Dakota Lt. Gov. Jack Dalrymple.

Next the AARP/SURTC team is hoping to develop more pilot projects around the state and work with the North Dakota Department of Transportation on its efforts to regionalize publicly funded transit services.

For more information, contact Associate State Director for Advocacy Linda Wurtz at 701-355-3642 or lwurtz@aarp.org.

For the past year, Larry Grossman of Northwood has spent hours and hours reading, studying any spelling resource he can find, including the dictionary, and testing himself. He is determined to finish first in AARP’s National Spelling Bee, to be held June 14 in Cheyenne, Wyo.

Last year Grossman was among the finalists, finishing in 13^th place. “Spelling has been a passion of mine since I was about six years old learning how to spell tyrannosaurus,” he said. “I missed my chance to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee when I was in junior high, so I’m grateful for this opportunity to compete in the AARP spelling bee. It’s great having a chance to compete against people who have the same enthusiasm for spelling that I do.”

Grossman is a teacher in Fordville and has been a spelling coach since 1981. Last year he was the first North Dakotan to ever compete in the AARP event.

“What’s fun is using what I’m doing to generate interest in spelling with my students. I get immense satisfaction in teaching them about spelling and vocabulary, and I feel there is more impact on them when I myself am doing what I encourage them to do,” Grossman said.

The AARP National Spelling Bee is sponsored by AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world’s largest-circulation magazine with more than 33 million readers.

Grossman will be among as many as 250 competitors from across the country in the AARP National Spelling Bee. Spellers are allowed to miss three words before being knocked out of the competition. The day begins with a written competition in the morning, narrowing the field to the top 15 who go on to compete in the oral spelling rounds. Contestants pay their own way to participate and are competing for more than $1,000 in prizes. Additionally, the winner will be flown to New York City to appear on national television.

AARP The Magazine’s National Spelling Bee, formerly the AARP National Senior Spelling Bee, was founded in 1996 by a group of Cheyenne AARP members who wanted to challenge the 50+ community to keep their minds sharp as they age. Over the years, it has grown into a highly competitive and challenging event attracting adult spellers from all over the country and Canada. It is open to anyone age 50 or older, except previous winners, and is supported by NRTA: AARP’s Educator Community and the Staying Sharp program.

Those interested in entering the 2008 competition can register online at www.aarp.org/SpellingBee. The deadline is June 7. There is a $25 entry fee for participants, who must be at least 50 years old by June 14. Study tips are also available online. 

"Caring for Your Parents," a moving, two-hour special that draws much-needed attention to this emotional and universal reality, will be rebroadcast on Prairie Public Television at 8 p.m. Monday, June 16.

As the population ages, many adult children are grappling with an unprecedented social, economic, and personal revolution as they become the primary caregivers for their aging parents. With family members now responsible for 80 percent of elder care in the United States, nearly every generation is feeling the ripple effects of the aging process.

The first 90 minutes of "Caring for Your Parents" covers the struggle to keep parents at home, tension among adult siblings, and the complexity of shifting caregiver roles, through an intimate look at five American families. In the end, the documentary — produced, written, and directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael Kirk — contends that successful caregiving requires one primary ingredient: love.

"Aging is the chapter in life that is too often skimmed over. However, it is a critical topic that directly impacts all of us, or will in the very near future," Kirk said. "It’s imperative that we turn to our loved ones today so we are prepared for what happens tomorrow."

Over the course of the film, Kirk examines the caregiving process through the experiences of families from varying cultural and economic backgrounds. The documentary exposes struggles to keep parents at home, shows the impact of caregiving on marriages, and reveals the financial repercussions of elder care. Through the stories of these five families, we are also given a glimpse into the often unnoticed emotional and physical effects of caregiving. Other stories explore the decision to stop driving, loss of independence, and tension among caregivers and medical professionals.

Immediately after the 90-minute documentary, medical correspondent Dr. Art Ulene leads "A Conversation About Caring.: This 30-minute panel discussion offers concrete advice and guidance on how to start the conversation — often the most difficult step in caregiving. The panel of experts includes AARP Publications editor-in-chief and co-author of "Caring for Your Parents: The Complete AARP Guide," Hugh Delehanty; Newsweek columnist Jane Bryant Quinn; best-selling author of "Passages," Gail Sheehy; renowned physician Dr. Cora Christian; and leading elder-care expert, Dr. Bill Thomas.

Transportation is especially important when you live in North Dakota. The wide open spaces and weather provide challenges for everyone, but particularly for those who don't drive.

If transportation is important to you, you need to arm yourself with the facts and then voice your opinion. A series of workshops are being held around North Dakota that will help you do that. Each workshop will provide you with facts about the condition of our transportation system and funding. Participants will have a chance to voice their opinions. We encourage everyone to become more involved in the process of planning, designing, and funding our transportation system.

Put the nearest workshop on your calendar. Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. local time.

• March 24 – Dickinson (Days Inn Grand Dakota Lodge & Conference Center)
• March 25 – Williston (Airport International Inn)
• March 26 – Minot (Grand International)
• March 27 – Bismarck (Best Western Doublewood Inn)
• March 28 – Fargo (Kelly Inn, Main Avenue & I-29)
• March 31 – Jamestown (Gladstone Inn & Suites)
• April 1 – Devils Lake (Spirit Lake Casino & Resort)
• April 2 – Grand Forks (Hilton Garden Inn)
• May 1 – Statewide Conference – Mandan (Best Western Seven Seas) (9:45 a.m. - 5:15 p.m.)

Pre-registration is required. There is no fee. Register online at www.ugpti.org, or by calling 701-231-7767. Lunch will be provided.

AARP North Dakota is seeking nominations for its 2008 Andrus Award for Community Service, which honors those individuals who are sharing their experience, talent, and skills to enrich the lives of people in their communities.

The award is based on a range of criteria, including positive impact on the lives of others, improvement of the community in or for which the work was performed, and inspiration of others to volunteer. The application deadline is June 2.

For complete eligibility requirements and a nomination form, e-mail Marlowe Kro, AARP North Dakota, at mkro@aarp.org, or call 701-355-3643 or 866-554-5383. Nominations can also be made online at www.aarp.org.

Last year, AARP recognized 53 outstanding individuals from around the country, including Rita Miller from Fargo. AARP will announce this year’s award recipient in September.

Through the Andrus Award, AARP encourages members and prospective members to use their skills and assistance as a way to be engaged as well as make a difference in their community. The award also honors the legacy of Dr. Ethel Percy Andrus, who founded AARP 50 years ago.

About 87,000 North Dakotans living in Minot, Fargo, West Fargo, Grand Forks and some adjacent communities who receive their electricity from Xcel Energy will pay more beginning in February.

Xcel filed a 14 percent rate increase request with the Public Service Commission (PSC). It would raise the average residential customer’s bill by $91 a year. While the PSC determines whether the requested increase is reasonable, Xcel will implement an 11.5 percent interim increase.

A public hearing will be held by interactive television at 11:30 a.m. March 14:

• Grand Forks – Room 302 of the Grand Forks County office building at 151 S. Fourth St.
• Fargo – Basement meeting room of the Cass County Annex at 1010 2nd Ave. S.
• Minot – Room 230C in the Northwestern Career and Technical Center at Magic City campus, 1100 11th Ave. SW.
• Bismarck – Department of Agriculture office, sixth floor, state capitol building.

Customers of Xcel Energy should receive notice in their February billing. The PSC accepts public comment in written form, by e-mail, or in person. Information on the rate increase is available on the PSC website at www.psc.state.nd.us.

The 2003 Legislature made it possible for utility companies to charge increased rates while permanent increases are being considered. People interested in commenting on this policy should contact their legislators. Legislator contact information can be found at www.legis.nd.gov.

Legacy Award Celebrates AARP Founder’s Legacy
AARP North Dakota will present Kulm High School with a $10,000 check as part of AARP’s 50th anniversary celebration this year. AARP is recognizing 58 public schools throughout the nation for outstanding educational achievements.

The award for innovation will be formally presented to Kulm High School at a public ceremony on March 31. The school was one of 20 public schools in North Dakota that applied for the award.

Kulm High School has incorporated technology into the classroom that has dramatically improved student performance. According to Thomas Nitschke, Kulm High School principal, “Our students were struggling academically. Test scores were low with an average of only 45 percent of students being proficient in reading and math. During the 2005-06 school year, we took serious steps toward improving student performance by modernizing our tools of learning, including issuing each student a handheld computer.”

In just three years, academic achievement has improved dramatically. Now, 89 percent of students are proficient in reading and 83 percent are proficient in math.

“Our school has become a completely different place,” Nitschke said. “We have engaged students in the learning process and that engagement has led to higher test scores. In addition, the overall environment of the school has changed with very few discipline problems and students who respect one another and their surroundings. All this has been accomplished by a school that just three years ago was about to be put on the state’s ‘failing schools’ list.”

AARP is donating more than $1 million as part of its Ethel Percy Andrus Legacy Awards. AARP was founded 50 years ago by Andrus, a retired teacher and principal from California. “Dr. Andrus was a champion for all generations who believed, as we do today, that the generations are connected by a strong commitment to values, community and service,” said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. “These awards not only pay tribute to the legacy of Dr. Andrus, but also underscore our continued intergenerational commitment to recognize and encourage educational achievements in communities throughout the nation. Congratulations to all of the winning schools.”

Public high schools in cities designated as focal points of AARP’s 50th anniversary celebrations were eligible to compete for $100,000 awards.  In addition, public high schools in all U.S. states and territories were eligible to compete for $10,000 awards honoring innovative programs. In total, AARP received nearly 1,000 applications from public schools throughout the nation and granted an Innovation Award to one public high school in every U.S. state including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia.

Additional information about AARP’s 50th Anniversary is available at www.AARP.org.