LET’S MEET ONE OF OUR VOLUNTEERS

Coy Bretthorst

Coy Bretthorst is smiling in this photo because he was lucky enough to marry his high school sweetheart, Mary Bretthorst, over 50 years ago. Coy hails from Nebraska, and he married Mary in March of 1969. They moved to Glenwood Springs in 1975. They now live in New Castle on what Coy would say is a hobby farm with sheep, horses, and 46 fruit trees. The early freeze did affect their apricots, peaches, and cherry trees. They still have their pear and apple trees. Last year they gave out banana squash over two feet long.

Coy stays young, hiking and biking. He was featured in the Post Independent for climbing Mount Sopris at 80 after triumphing over leukemia. Coy says the prayer at the New Castle luncheon. He is one of the friendliest people I’ve met – always has a smile on his face. He also has a great sense of humor. Thank you, Coy! We appreciate you.

CHEST PULL EXERCISE

Stretch bands offer a safe and effective way to build strength, improve balance, and maintain independence by working muscles gently without stressing joints.

Chest pull: Hold the band at chest height with arms straight and parallel to the floor. Gently pull the band outward until you feel your shoulder blades squeeze together, then return with control.

Why it helps: Strengthens the upper back, shoulders, and chest, supports better posture, and makes lifting, opening doors, and maintaining balance easier and safer.

NUTRITION EDUCATION

VEGGIES FOR BREAKFAST

by Emily Stanton

USDA guidelines recommend that adults eat 2-3 cups of vegetables a day. One cup can be a cup of raw, cooked, frozen, or canned vegetables. It can also be 2 cups of leafy greens or 1 cup of vegetable juice. Only about 10 percent of American adults meet the daily vegetable recommendations. One way to increase vegetable intake is to add them to your favorite breakfast dishes.

• Scrambled eggs: Add spinach, mushrooms, tomatoes, peppers, or onions to scrambled eggs or omelets.
• Breakfast sandwich: Top a whole wheat English muffin or whole wheat toast with hummus, sliced cucumbers, tomato, and fresh spinach.
• Pancakes or muffins: Add grated carrots or zucchini to pancakes, quick bread, or muffin batter.
• Smoothies: Add spinach, kale, cucumber, or carrots to your fruit smoothie. Try mixing carrots and fresh orange juice in a blender for a refreshing breakfast beverage.
• Breakfast burrito: wrap low-fat cheese, scrambled eggs, and diced bell peppers in a whole-wheat tortilla. You can also make a vegetable and cheese quesadilla.
• Potato hash: Grate the potatoes — they cook faster that way. Place the potatoes in a glass bowl and microwave for about three minutes or until hot; drain any juice. Heat a skillet or frying pan on the stove, then stir-fry the potatoes in a teaspoon of olive oil until crispy.
• Oatmeal: Fruit is commonly added to oatmeal, but you can switch it up by adding sauteed vegetables, such as mushrooms, green onions, and an egg to unsweetened oatmeal.

Information from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

EGG MUFFINS

Recipe provided by Emily Stanton, R.D.
Recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 bunch green onions, chopped
• 8 large eggs
• 3 slices of turkey bacon, cooked and cut into pieces
• ÂĽ cup milk
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ÂĽ tsp salt
• ÂĽ teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8-ounces shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, whisk eggs. Add in bell peppers, green onion, turkey bacon, milk, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
4. Sprinkle cheddar cheese into the bowl and whisk until all ingredients are incorporated.
5. Pour the mixture equally into the prepared muffin cups.
6. Bake in the oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean, for about 30 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.

CELEBRATE OLDER AMERICANS MONTH

This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” reminds us that caring for ourselves doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about everyday choices that help us feel our best.

• Keep up with checkups and screenings so you can stay ahead of health concerns.
• Spend time with people who make you laugh, listen, and feel connected.
• Choose foods that help you feel energized and nourished.
• Add movement into your day — even small steps make a difference.
• Protect your mental well?being with habits that bring calm, joy, or purpose.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

MAY BIRTHDAYS

BIRTHDAYS

Our birthday list is compiled from completed 2025 consumer assessments.
Please accept our apology if we missed your birthday. If you want to complete an assessment, please see Kappe or Jenny for a form.
Contact us

MAY IS NATIONAL STROKE AWARENESS MONTH

Many health and heart organizations come together every May to raise awareness about the causes and effects of stroke. One of their biggest campaigns is BE FAST, teaching the world to know the symptoms of stroke and how to respond quickly to help save a life.

• Balance – Loss of balance, headache, or dizziness
• Eyes – Blurred vision
• Face – By asking the person to smile, you can tell immediately if one side of the face droops.
• Arm – Ask the person to raise both arms. Observe to see if one arm drifts lower than the other.
• Speech – Slurred speech is a symptom of stroke. Ask the person to repeat a single sentence.
• Time – Call 911 fast. Time may be the difference between life and death or even partial and full recovery.

Stroke symptoms in women can be subtle or differ from the “classic” signs, often including sudden weakness/numbness, confusion, severe headache, dizziness, and vision problems. Women are more likely to experience non-traditional symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or fainting.

Women also are more likely to have migraines, which can double their risk of clot-caused strokes. Migraines with aura are particularly associated with increased stroke risk and can include flashing lights or even a loss of vision.

Such symptoms of migraine with aura, along with numbness or weakness, can overlap with stroke, which “can make the diagnosis more challenging and lead to possible delays in diagnosis.” Women need to know their blood pressure and, if it’s high, make sure they’re working with a doctor to manage it.

The best way to prevent a stroke is to follow Life’s Essential 8 – a checklist from the American Heart Association that encourages not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and maintaining blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol levels within the normal range.

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY 1-3, Silt on sale – advertised Garage sales on the Town of Silt website Silt garage sales weekend.

MAY 1,2,3, Believing in Beauty concert tour, Join Mateo Sandate and the Heartstrings for music arrangements described as cosmic and ethereal. May 1 – Rifle Library 2 p.m., May 2 – Silt Library 2 p.m., Sunday May 3 – Carbondale Library 2 p.m. Free.

MAY 2, Susie’s Annual Scrapbook Palooza, Come scrapbook with Susie and friends. No experience necessary. 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., Register at New Castle Community Center $35.

MAY 3, New Castle town-wide garage sale.

MAY 3, Water Wells for Africa 5k Run/Walk at Veterans Park, 500 Home Ave, Silt. Registration begins at 9 a.m., race starts at 10 a.m. $35 individual. Hamburgers, hot dogs and snacks will be provided after the run as well as raffle prizes.

MAY 7, Introduction to estate planning by Haffman Law Office, LLC at Rifle Library, 5-6 p.m.

MAY 7, 14, 21, 28, Golden Years Ice Cream Social 1-2 p.m. at Silt Library. Come chill with us outside on the patio for our social gathering just for seniors. Enjoy delicious ice cream and a fun variety of toppings. No registration needed – just drop by.

MAY 4, Spice Up the Month with Craft Kits at the Rifle Library. Sign up in advance to be on the list to get a kit. (970) 625-3471.

MAY 5, 19, Basic computer class for adults at Rifle Library 9-10 a.m. This bilingual class is designed for beginners or those who need a refresher in computer basics. Laptops will be provided. Free. Register or get more information by calling 970-625-3471.

MAY 5, 19, Grief support group at Grand River Health in Rifle 5:30-6:30 p.m. Free, ongoing, in-person grief support for adults dealing with loss of a loved one.

MAY 5, 12, 19, 26, Mah Jongg drop-in games all levels of players welcome at the Glenwood Springs Library 1:30-3:30 p.m.

MAY 2, 6, 9, 13, 20, 23, 27, 30, Tai Chi at the Glenwood Springs Library Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m.

MAY 4, 11, 18, 25, Grief in Motion: Every Monday. 9-10 a.m. at the Glenwood Springs Community Center. For those who have lost a loved one. Find comfort and connection during our outside (weather permitting) walks. Facilitated by Cath Adams, a certified grief coach. Free. 970-384-6314.

MAY 9, Hogback Hustle 5k – Saturday at 9 a.m. Cost: $30/person, $35 after May 1. For questions contact New Castle Recreation Department at 970-984-3352.

MAY 12, Death Café at Parachute Library 5-6 p.m. You’re invited to join a relaxed, judgment-free conversation about death as a way to gain a deeper appreciation of life.

MAY 14, 28, Quick Connections – Meet & Mingle for Adults – An event designed to make new friends, at the New Castle Library, 5-6 p.m.

MAY 14-17, Rifle Rendezvous – carnival, archery, vendors, car show.

MAY 15, Disco Revue is a seven-piece live band bringing the sound, style, and energy of Studio 54 back to life. 8-11 p.m. at the Ute Theater and Events Center in Rifle. $30-35 tickets.

MAY 16, The Petty Nicks Experience. This tribute band brings the magic of Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks to life at Ute Theater and Events Center in Rifle 8-11 p.m. $30-35 tickets.

MAY 16, Barks, Brews, & BBQ at Deerfield Park in Rifle – music, family games, craft beer and voting for your favorite pulled pork! 1-4 p.m.

MAY 18, Take & make craft kits for adults. Kits are handed out during normal library hours to those present/while supplies last! New Castle Library.

MAY 21, Memory CafĂ© at New Castle Library 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. This gathering is for those with mild to moderate symptoms of memory loss and their caregivers. Come and get creative, explore items from the past, and maybe learn something new.

MAY 21, Older adult interactive game day: 1-3 p.m. $10/person at Glenwood Springs Community Center. Register by May 19 by calling 970-384-6301.

MAY 23, The Aries Approach, a rock duo with setlists that include covers of bands like Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin. 3-6 p.m. at the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park.

MAY 24, Memorial Day Weekend music – Feeding Giants 3-6 p.m. at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs.

MAY 26, Let’s chat mental health: Subject is veteran and military members. Join us for a conversation about mental health at the Glenwood Springs Library, 5-6 p.m., can be streamed through Zoom.

MAY 30, Noise Pollution: An AC/DC Experience – an unforgettable rock experience at The Ute Theater in Rifle, 8-11 p.m. $30-35.

CAREGIVER CONFERENCE

June 3, 2026 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Hot Breakfast @ 9:30 a.m.

El Jebel Community Center
0020 Eagle County Dr. El Jebel, CO

FREE

We created a free caregiver conference for YOU with local resources, aging experts and caregiver presentations. Includes hot breakfast and lunch, giveaways, keynote speakers, practical tools and new connections.

REGISTER BY MAY 27

For additional details, to register & agenda scan the qr code or visit: 2026 Caregiver Conference Eventbrite