Farewell, Cicadaville
In my last column, which ran in May, I announced I was taking a seven-week sabbatical to see if my old school penchant for composing music for the piano might be something I could return to…you know, when I retire or something. We have frequently encouraged our readers to discover their passions — whether resuming a hobby from youth or learning how to do something completely... READ MORE
Guest columnist
While our publisher is on a brief sabbatical, in lieu of our regular “From the Publisher” column we will be having guest writers. This month’s guest column is written by Howard Gleckman, a senior fellow at The Urban Institute and president of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington. He is the author of Caring for Our Parents. We are beginning to see what may be the... READ MORE
Guest columnist
[While our publisher is on a brief sabbatical, in lieu of our regular “From the Publisher” column we will be having guest writers. This month’s guest column is written by the Beacon’s managing editor.] Old age is a gift. As Mark Twain put it, “Do not complain about growing old. It is a privilege denied to many.” I’m grateful for every wrinkle and insight that comes with... READ MORE
Seniors Today
Beacon Publisher Stuart Rosenthal appears on Montgomery County Government's "Seniors Today" program for May 2021.
A sabbatical of sorts
Spring is such an optimistic time of year, as colorful flowers burst into bloom all around us. This spring in particular we are all ripe for a change of scenery, for some new beginnings following the past year’s awful pandemic. It’s partly the season’s rising of the sap that has me itching to do something creative myself this spring. Regular Beacon readers know that our cover... READ MORE
Life lessons learned
If you’ve been reading the Beacon in recent months, or if you participated in our first Virtual 50+Expo last fall, you will know something about Dr. Ken Dychtwald, the respected author of 18 books on aging, founder of Age Wave, and world-traveled consultant and public speaker on the topic. We profiled him on the cover of our October 2020 issue, and he gave the keynote address at our... READ MORE
When distrust boosts risk
Our lives today are built around how we might best survive this worldwide pandemic of COVID-19. Because the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is everywhere, yet invisible, and because its effects on any particular person are generally unknowable in advance, we all sensibly must take whatever steps we possibly can to protect ourselves and our loved ones. One of those steps appears... READ MORE
How we talk about aging
As a publication geared toward readers over 50 (and largely written and produced by people over 50 or close to it), the Beacon is very sensitive to the issue of how we talk about aging. At least, we think we are. That’s why I bring up the subject today. I’d like to know your opinion. First, I should start out by noting that my wife, Judy, and I started the Beacon when she was in... READ MORE
A new approach
Researchers have spent decades and billions of dollars looking for safe and effective medications to fight Alzheimer’s disease — so far, totally in vain. The few drugs we do have ease some symptoms of the disease for some patients, but they do not slow its progression, much less reverse or cure it. The good news is, the costly research has identified potential causes and... READ MORE
Appreciating talent
First, I want to congratulate again the winners of our Celebration of the Arts amateur art competition. You may recall we announced their names in our June issue. This month, we are pleased to provide a special pull-out section with images of their winning artworks and brief profiles of all the winners. I hope you enjoy reading about the sources of their creative sparks and find their... READ MORE
From the Publisher 2024
