There are many views about retirement. Here are some of them.
Edited by Peter J. O’Connell, Editorial & Research Associate
The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off. –Abe Lemons
When a man retires and time is no longer a matter of urgent importance, his colleagues generally present him with a watch. –R.C. Sherriff
O, blest retirement! friend to life’s decline—
How blest is he who crowns, in shades like these.
A youth of labor with a life of ease!
--Oliver Goldsmith
The challenge of retirement is how to spend time without spending money. –Anonymous
Retirement is wonderful. It’s doing nothing without getting caught at it. –Gene Perret
Don’t simply retire from something; have something to retire to. –Harry Emerson Fosdick
There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want.—Bill Watterson
Retirement without the love of letters is a living burial. —Seneca
Retire from work, but not from life. –M.K. Soni
Retirement is like a long vacation in Las Vegas. The goal is to enjoy it to the fullest, but not so full that you run out of money. –Jonathan Clements
Retirement at 65 is ridiculous. When I was 65, I still had pimples. –George Burns
Retirement is the ugliest word in the language. –Ernest Hemingway
The best time to start thinking about your retirement is before the boss does. –Anonymous
The key to retirement is to find joy in the little things. –Susan Miller
Enjoy every retirement day as if it were your last, and one day you will be right about it. –Anonymous
Retirement, when every day is Saturday! –Anonymous
I’m not retiring from life, just a job. –Anonymous
Retirement: World’s longest coffee break. –Anonymous
Retirement is wonderful if you have two essentials—much to live on and much to live for. –Anonymous
Retirement: When you stop lying about your age and start lying about the house. –Anonymous
The worst thing about retirement is having to drink coffee on your own time. –Anonymous
When some people retire, it’s going to be mighty hard to tell the difference. --Anonymous
The question isn’t at what age I want to retire; it’s at what income. –George Foreman
One of the problems of retirement is that it gives more time to read about the problems of retirement. --Anonymous
There is a whole new kind of life ahead, full of experiences just waiting to happen. Some call it “retirement.” I call it “bliss.” –Betty Sullivan
An elegant sufficiency, content,
Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books,
Ease and alternate labour, useful life,
Progressive virtue and approving heaven!
--James Thomson
There’s one thing I always wanted to do before I quit—retire! –Groucho Marx
Retirement is a time to make the inner journey and come face to face with your flaws, failures, prejudices, and all the factors that generate thoughts of unhappiness. Retirement is not a time to sleep, but a time to awaken to the beauty of the world around you and the joy that comes when you cast out all the negative elements that cause confusion and turmoil in your mind and allow serenity to prevail. –Howard Salzman
As in all successful ventures, the foundation of a good retirement is planning. –Earl Nightingale
These are some views of retirement. What are yours?
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Some Thoughts to Ponder
- The nicest thing about the future is that it always starts tomorrow.
- Money will buy a fine dog, but only kindness will make him wag his tail.
- If you don’t have a sense of humor, you probably don’t have any sense at all.
- I’ve reached the age where the happy hour is a nap.
- A good time to keep your mouth shut is when you’re in deep water.
- How come it takes so little time for a child who is afraid of the dark to become a teenager who wants to stay out all night?
- Why is it that at class reunions you feel younger than everyone else looks?
- Scratch a dog, and you’ll find a permanent job.
- There are worse things than getting a call for a wrong number at 4 AM. It could be a right number.
- Think about this. . . No one ever says “It’s only a game” when his or her team is winning.
- The trouble with bucket seats is that not everybody has the same size bucket.
- Money can’t buy happiness—but somehow it’s more comfortable to cry in a Cadillac than in a Kia.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Update on Reverse Mortgages
by Thomas Gerrity, Publisher
In late 2010 the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) announced a modified version of its Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM)--better known as a reverse mortgage. The change is aimed at addressing the major complaint seniors citizens have when considering reverse mortgages--the up-front cost.
All reverse mortgages are insured by the federal government. They allow older homeowners--age 62 or older--to tap into the equity in their homes to cover living expenses, health care costs or any purpose, while continuing to live in their homes without having to make the payments that are required with a traditional mortgage or equity loan. The loan is repaid with interest when the homeowner dies, sells the house or moves out for 12 months or more. The homeowner is obligated to continue paying property taxes and homeowner’s insurance.
The new option is known as the Reverse Mortgage Saver, while the traditional reverse mortgage is now called a Reverse Mortgage Standard. Borrowers using the Saver option will receive about 10% to 20% less in proceeds than with the Standard--but at a significantly cheaper cost.
Lower fees
With all federally insured reverse mortgages, you pay an up-front mortgage insurance premium to cover any losses from the mortgage. The premium is not based on the loan amount, rather it's based on the home's appraised value or the government's lending limit of $625,500--whichever is lower.
For the Saver, the initial insurance premium is 0.01% of the home’s appraised value, while it remains 2% for the Standard. That’s a big difference. For example, for a mortgage backed by a home valued at $300,000, the up-front premium on a Saver would be $30, while the Standard premium would be $6,000.
Smaller loans
The amount of available proceeds for which you can qualify with a reverse mortgage depends on your age, appraised home value and current interest rates. The older you are, and the more valuable your home (and the less you owe on your home), the more funds you qualify for.
A senior homeowner will qualify for a smaller loan with the Saver option than with the Standard Reverse Mortgage. The lower up-front insurance premium comes with a reduction in the amount of money that can be borrowed. By reducing the amount that can be bowered, the FHA believes there will be less chance for losses to the program. which occur when the amount borrowed exceeds the value of the home.
According to AARP's reverse-mortgage calculator, a 72-year-old living in Fairfield with a home worth $300,000 could get a lump sum of about $151,000 from a fixed-rate Saver or a lump sum of about $191,000 from a fixed-rate Standard.
Fixed rate vs. adjustable rate
A borrower can choose an adjustable rate for either type of mortgage. The initial proceeds are lower with an adjustable-rate mortgage. The same 72-year-old borrower would receive an initial amount of about $161,000 with the adjustable-rate Saver and about $116,000 with the adjustable-rate Standard.
With a fixed rate, you must take the full lump sum that you're eligible to receive. But for some seniors, the full draw of a fixed-rate reverse mortgage could be more money than they need, and interest on the full amount begins to accrue from the day that the mortgage is signed. Adjustable-rate reverse mortgages give you more control over the amount borrowed. These loans give you the option of taking the money as a line of credit, which you can tap as you need, or receive in monthly payouts. This can reduce the interest charges significantly.
Other fees
In addition to the initial insurance premium, other up-front costs include a loan origination fee of 2% on the first $200,000 of the apprised value of the home and 1% on the balance, with a cap of $6,000.
A Mortgage Insurance Premium (MIP) guarantees that if the company that manages your account goes out of business, the federal government will step in to ensure that borrowers still have access to their loan funds. MIP also guarantees that the borrower never will owe more than the home is worth. The premium is 2% of the maximum amount of the loan or the home value, whichever is less, plus an annual premium of 0.05% of the loan balance.
Service Fee Set-Aside. The service fee set-aside is an amount of money deducted from the available loan proceeds at closing to cover the projected costs of servicing the loan.
Federal regulations allow the loan servicer to charge a monthly fee between $30-$35. The amount of money set aside is determined largely by the borrower's age and life expectancy. Generally, the set-aside can amount to several thousand dollars. Note: The servicing set-aside is just a calculation and not a charge. The only amount added to your loan balance is the monthly servicing fee of $30-$35.
Appraisal Fee: $300-$400
Closing Costs: Same as with a regular home mortgage, including attorney fees.
Having a pet can help keep you healthy
We all have heard that people with pets live longer and healthier lives. Is it true? Research shows that a loyal companion, whether a dog or a cat, can make your senior years healthier and happier. They even may help lower your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides.
For example, petting a cat or dog can release the body’s natural painkiller hormone endorphins. Pets help us feel relaxed and calm, and that state of mind often creates a less stressful life than that of those without a furry companion.
Rebecca Johnson, Associate Professor at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine Research Center for Human-Animal Interaction (ReCHAI), says, “Pets provide unconditional love and acceptance and may be part of answers to societal problems, such as inactivity and obesity.”
In a study sponsored by ReCHAI, “Walk a Hound, Lose a Pound and Stay Fit for Seniors’” a group of older adults was matched with shelter dogs, while another group of older adults were partnered with a human walk buddy.
For 12 weeks participants were encouraged to walk on an outdoor trail for one hour, five times a week.“The older people who walked their dogs improved their walking capabilities by 28 percent,” said Johnson.
“They had more confidence walking on the trail, and they increased their speed.
“The older people who walked with humans only had a 4 percent increase in their walking capabilities.
“The human walking buddies tended to discourage each other and used excuses such as the weather being too hot,” Johnson added.
Many seniors who live alone can feel lonely and depressed. A pet is a great way to help one feel less alone and more protected. Pets not only provide companionship but also security.
And pets are very good listeners. They keep secrets and are great snugglers.
Send us a picture of your pet, and we will post it on our Web site.
"Where's Dad's password list?"
Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Co., Inc.
Estate planning in the digital age
The first step in estate planning is compiling an inventory of all current assets. Financial records, life insurance policies, real estate interests, bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, collectibles . . . the list is extensive and can be exhausting. In the digital age, this first step needs to include more than paper.
More people are managing some portion of their financial life on personal computers and online. Some have online business interests. Many more will have digital files related to their finances or careers stored on their computers. In rare cases, such files can prove incredibly valuable — witness the unpublished novel discovered by Michael Crichton’s heirs.
The key to unlocking the value of digital assets is access. An estate plan today should include a digital inventory and the means for accessing all such assets.
The digital audit
Here are a few of the basic issues that can come up when estate planning for digital assets.
• Computer access codes. Power-on passwords and user account passwords may be required. Advanced users may have encrypted files or storage devices, such as external hard drives. A list of passwords should be useful, but it may need to be updated periodically.
• Financial information and accounts. Some people use programs such as Quicken® or Microsoft Money® to manage their finances. Others rely upon online banking or brokerage services, which usually will have another layer of password protection. Credit card issuers may also offer online access to account data. Finally, those who do their own taxes with the help of their computers, using programs such as TurboTax® or Tax Cut®, may have stored digital copies of old tax returns.
• E-mail. An e-mail account is a convenient way to contact a network of friends. Once again, the family will need to know the password to access the account. Some Internet service providers will give the password to appropriate family members with a simple phone call, but Yahoo!, for example, insists on a court order.
• Social networks. Neither MySpace™ nor Facebook® will provide a member’s password to family members when a member dies. They instead give the family the option of closing the page or leaving it up, as is, as a memorial to the member, where friends and family can still leave messages.
Business issues
For people who have been conducting online businesses, there are more areas of concern.
• Domain names. Online businesses have domain names that will need to be protected, the rights renewed regularly. A few domain names develop significant independent value.
• Online sales accounts. If goods or services are being offered on eBay®, Craigslist or other Internet service providers, some provision should be made to follow up on any pending sales.
• Web pages and blogs. Most personal Web pages and blogs are of interest only to family members, but there are some that can generate ad revenue. Whether the account can be transferred at death depends upon the policies of the hosting company. Once again, passwords and user names will be needed for access.
• Avatars from virtual worlds. Online virtual worlds, such as World of Warcraft and Second Life®, have evolved to the point that they have real-world repercussions. For example, a World of Warcraft character that had become powerful through extensive experience was sold for about $9,500 in 2007. Similar “real-world” transactions have been reported for Second Life®. At a minimum, if one has built up a stack of a game’s virtual currency, it would be a shame to let it go to waste.
Do you recognize yourself here? Do your loved ones know how to access your accounts in case of emergency? If not, this might be a good time to make that information available and share it with your estate planning professional as well.
Ponzi schemers
In 2008, Bernie Madoff acquired the distinction of having run the largest Ponzi scheme of all time. In a Ponzi scheme, investors are promised outsized returns to attract money into a pool. Early investors are paid their returns from the contributions of the latecomers, because there are no underlying investment assets earning anything.
Madoff’s genius, and one reason his scam lasted so long, is that the returns he promised were not remarkably high. Rather, they were remarkably steady, and thus seemed safe to prospective investors. Madoff-generated losses are estimated from $21 billion to $50 billion. Why the wide range? In part because the profits taken out by the early investors are still being “clawed back,” to put all the duped investors on an equal footing. Also, losses of phantom income from the fictitious account statements are not quite the same as losses of contributions to principal.
As bad as Madoff “made” the year 2008, by some measures, 2009 was even worse for investors. In 2008, 40 Ponzi schemes collapsed, while in 2009, more than 150 fell apart, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. More than $16.5 billion evaporated in 2009 from such frauds.
The surge in failing Ponzi schemes may be due in part to heightened awareness and investigations. The FBI boosted the number of agents working on securities fraud from 429 to 651 in 2009. They opened 2,100 securities fraud investigations in 2009, up 20% from the prior year. The SEC now dedicates 21% of its enforcement workload to Ponzi schemes, compared to just 9% as recently as 2005. The result has been an 82% jump in the number of restraining orders for securities fraud cases.
The recession also contributed to the failure of Ponzi schemes. In down times, it becomes harder to attract new investors, and early investors may increase their demand for withdrawals, putting the scam into a vice. Warren Buffett observed that, when the tide goes out, we get to see who has been swimming naked. Those who run Ponzi schemes are the most naked of all.
However, the first line of defense needs to be educated and skeptical investors. As the attempted bombing of an airliner at Christmas reminds us, the government can’t provide the entire solution for any problem. Investors need to be aggressive in investigating those to whom they plan to entrust their money. For example:
• Don’t take promises of extraordinary investment returns at face value. If the promoters knew an easy way to make a fortune, why would they share the secret?
• Don’t be hustled by high-pressure tactics. The investment world is not going to run out of good opportunities in the next 20 minutes.
• Beware of those who claim that they’re doing you a favor because you’re a member of a certain organization, church or professional group.
Madoff’s genius, and one reason his scam lasted so long, is that the returns he promised were not remarkably high. Rather, they were remarkably steady, and thus seemed safe to prospective investors. Madoff-generated losses are estimated from $21 billion to $50 billion. Why the wide range? In part because the profits taken out by the early investors are still being “clawed back,” to put all the duped investors on an equal footing. Also, losses of phantom income from the fictitious account statements are not quite the same as losses of contributions to principal.
As bad as Madoff “made” the year 2008, by some measures, 2009 was even worse for investors. In 2008, 40 Ponzi schemes collapsed, while in 2009, more than 150 fell apart, according to an analysis by the Associated Press. More than $16.5 billion evaporated in 2009 from such frauds.
The surge in failing Ponzi schemes may be due in part to heightened awareness and investigations. The FBI boosted the number of agents working on securities fraud from 429 to 651 in 2009. They opened 2,100 securities fraud investigations in 2009, up 20% from the prior year. The SEC now dedicates 21% of its enforcement workload to Ponzi schemes, compared to just 9% as recently as 2005. The result has been an 82% jump in the number of restraining orders for securities fraud cases.
The recession also contributed to the failure of Ponzi schemes. In down times, it becomes harder to attract new investors, and early investors may increase their demand for withdrawals, putting the scam into a vice. Warren Buffett observed that, when the tide goes out, we get to see who has been swimming naked. Those who run Ponzi schemes are the most naked of all.
However, the first line of defense needs to be educated and skeptical investors. As the attempted bombing of an airliner at Christmas reminds us, the government can’t provide the entire solution for any problem. Investors need to be aggressive in investigating those to whom they plan to entrust their money. For example:
• Don’t take promises of extraordinary investment returns at face value. If the promoters knew an easy way to make a fortune, why would they share the secret?
• Don’t be hustled by high-pressure tactics. The investment world is not going to run out of good opportunities in the next 20 minutes.
• Beware of those who claim that they’re doing you a favor because you’re a member of a certain organization, church or professional group.
Residence, for tax purposes
by James Gust
Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Co., Inc.
Hedge fund manager Julian Robertson and his wife reside part-time in New York City. In 1999, while Mrs. Robertson was battling cancer, Mr. Robertson did not keep track of his daily comings and goings, and so he paid New York City income taxes for that year.
In 2000, he took a different approach, employing his staff and a complicated, computerized calendaring system to track his whereabouts throughout the year. At the end of 2000, all but four days were clearly documented, with 183 days spent within New York City and 179 days spent outside of it. The remaining four days were ambiguous, and a trial ensued. Phone records and travel vouchers were examined in detail, and testimony was taken from witnesses. (Only New York City income taxes, not those of New York State, were at issue in this case.)
According to the Court, “Any day the petitioner was physically present in New York City, even for five minutes, was a ‘New York City’ day unless he was in transit between two points outside New York City.”
The judge’s ruling, running to 77 pages, held that during the four disputed days, Robertson was not in New York City. As a result, he did not owe any New York City income tax for that year, a savings for him of more than $27 million.
The case points out the importance of excellent records when it comes to resolving residency questions in tax disputes.
The death tax angle
Residency and taxation questions are not of concern only to the super-rich, such as the Robertsons. State death taxes (estate taxes, inheritance taxes, or both) vary widely around the country. Some states have eliminated their death taxes; some have matched the federal exemptions; still others have “decoupled” from the federal estate tax-exempt amounts. These latter states may impose significant death taxes on estates too small to be subject to federal estate tax.
The issue is especially thorny for families that own property in more than one state. They may be subject to death taxes in each of the states where property is situated. In rare cases, more than one state may claim the authority to impose death taxes on the entire estate.
If there is a chance that your estate might be subject to avoidable taxation, be sure to consult with your tax advisors about your tax planning choices. These may include, as for the Robertson family, documenting your primary residence for tax purposes.
Senior Editor, Merrill Anderson Co., Inc.
Hedge fund manager Julian Robertson and his wife reside part-time in New York City. In 1999, while Mrs. Robertson was battling cancer, Mr. Robertson did not keep track of his daily comings and goings, and so he paid New York City income taxes for that year.
In 2000, he took a different approach, employing his staff and a complicated, computerized calendaring system to track his whereabouts throughout the year. At the end of 2000, all but four days were clearly documented, with 183 days spent within New York City and 179 days spent outside of it. The remaining four days were ambiguous, and a trial ensued. Phone records and travel vouchers were examined in detail, and testimony was taken from witnesses. (Only New York City income taxes, not those of New York State, were at issue in this case.)
According to the Court, “Any day the petitioner was physically present in New York City, even for five minutes, was a ‘New York City’ day unless he was in transit between two points outside New York City.”
The judge’s ruling, running to 77 pages, held that during the four disputed days, Robertson was not in New York City. As a result, he did not owe any New York City income tax for that year, a savings for him of more than $27 million.
The case points out the importance of excellent records when it comes to resolving residency questions in tax disputes.
The death tax angle
Residency and taxation questions are not of concern only to the super-rich, such as the Robertsons. State death taxes (estate taxes, inheritance taxes, or both) vary widely around the country. Some states have eliminated their death taxes; some have matched the federal exemptions; still others have “decoupled” from the federal estate tax-exempt amounts. These latter states may impose significant death taxes on estates too small to be subject to federal estate tax.
The issue is especially thorny for families that own property in more than one state. They may be subject to death taxes in each of the states where property is situated. In rare cases, more than one state may claim the authority to impose death taxes on the entire estate.
If there is a chance that your estate might be subject to avoidable taxation, be sure to consult with your tax advisors about your tax planning choices. These may include, as for the Robertson family, documenting your primary residence for tax purposes.
Niagara Falls: Twenty Trivia Facts for you
You've probably heard of Niagara Falls but how much do you really know about it? You will learn about twenty trivia facts about the Falls. You will discover the answers to these questions and more - How tall is it? How deep is it? How high is it? What does it comprise of? Who owns it? How much does it erode? How much water flows over it? Where is it? What's gone over it?
Here are some interesting facts about Niagara Falls, mostly taken from Metromap Publication's Street Map Guide to the Regional Municipality of Niagara:
1. The Falls at Niagara cannot claim to be the highest or the widest in the world, or even to have the greatest flow of water. The Iguazu Falls on the Paraguay-Brazil-Argentina borders surpass Niagara Falls on all three counts. But Niagara's are the world's most popular.
2. From the water level to the crest, the American Falls are 182 feet high, the Horseshoe 176 feet high.
3. Ten percent of the water flows over the American and Luna Falls, 90% over the Horseshoe Falls.
4. There are actually three Falls: American (Rainbow), Luna (Bridal Veil) and Horseshoe.
5. The U.S. owns all, or part, of all three, while most of the Horseshoe Falls belong to Canada. Niagara Falls is located 23 miles northwest of Buffalo, New York and 79 miles southeast of Toronto, Ontario.
6. Today 50% of the Niagara River never makes it to the Falls: it is diverted for power. This percentage increases to 75% at night and in the winter months.
7. The Falls have eroded an average of 3.78 feet/year since 1842. Since the beginning there has always been a large spread of water on the approach to the Falls.
8. The Niagara River is not a river it is a strait.
9. One and a half million gallons of water flow through the Niagara River every second, or one cubic mile every week.
10. The Falls have taken 12,000 years to erode the seven miles from Queenston Heights, where they began, to their present position. But the Falls separated around Goat Island only 600 years ago.
11. The Niagara River drains 255,000 square miles of mid-continental North America.
12. With power requirements and anti-erosion measures, erosion has been reduced to less than one foot a year.
13. The whirlpool is 126 feet deep at the water level. The water spins around in a counterclockwise direction.
14. The water depth of the lower rapids is 45 - 60 feet, with currents of up to 30 m.p.h.
15. The drop from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario is 330 feet depending on seasonal water levels.
16. Seven people have gone of the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel. Four lived, three died.
17. Only two living things have been seen to go over the Falls safely without special protection - a dog over the American Falls in the 1800's and a boy over the Horseshoe Falls in 1960.
18. Five large boats and innumerable small ones have gone over the Falls, many with people in them.
19. A free swimmer has never conquered the lower rapids.
20. Before his death in 1942, the famous Red Hill saved 28 people from death over the Falls and salvaged 149 bodies of those that didn't make it. He accumulated more lifesaving medals than anyone else in the world.
As you can see, many facts have been compiled about Niagara Falls over the years but at least you probably now know considerably more than you did before about this amazing spectacle. You can either tell others that are planning to visit the Falls what you have learned, or you can plan to see it yourself now that you are an expert on the subject!
Keith J. Valentine has been traveling throughout the UK, Europe and North America for years. For more on travel, tips and a free e-zine, please visit 101 Easy Articles at http://www.EasyArticles4u.com.
Here are some interesting facts about Niagara Falls, mostly taken from Metromap Publication's Street Map Guide to the Regional Municipality of Niagara:
1. The Falls at Niagara cannot claim to be the highest or the widest in the world, or even to have the greatest flow of water. The Iguazu Falls on the Paraguay-Brazil-Argentina borders surpass Niagara Falls on all three counts. But Niagara's are the world's most popular.
2. From the water level to the crest, the American Falls are 182 feet high, the Horseshoe 176 feet high.
3. Ten percent of the water flows over the American and Luna Falls, 90% over the Horseshoe Falls.
4. There are actually three Falls: American (Rainbow), Luna (Bridal Veil) and Horseshoe.
5. The U.S. owns all, or part, of all three, while most of the Horseshoe Falls belong to Canada. Niagara Falls is located 23 miles northwest of Buffalo, New York and 79 miles southeast of Toronto, Ontario.
6. Today 50% of the Niagara River never makes it to the Falls: it is diverted for power. This percentage increases to 75% at night and in the winter months.
7. The Falls have eroded an average of 3.78 feet/year since 1842. Since the beginning there has always been a large spread of water on the approach to the Falls.
8. The Niagara River is not a river it is a strait.
9. One and a half million gallons of water flow through the Niagara River every second, or one cubic mile every week.
10. The Falls have taken 12,000 years to erode the seven miles from Queenston Heights, where they began, to their present position. But the Falls separated around Goat Island only 600 years ago.
11. The Niagara River drains 255,000 square miles of mid-continental North America.
12. With power requirements and anti-erosion measures, erosion has been reduced to less than one foot a year.
13. The whirlpool is 126 feet deep at the water level. The water spins around in a counterclockwise direction.
14. The water depth of the lower rapids is 45 - 60 feet, with currents of up to 30 m.p.h.
15. The drop from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario is 330 feet depending on seasonal water levels.
16. Seven people have gone of the Horseshoe Falls in a barrel. Four lived, three died.
17. Only two living things have been seen to go over the Falls safely without special protection - a dog over the American Falls in the 1800's and a boy over the Horseshoe Falls in 1960.
18. Five large boats and innumerable small ones have gone over the Falls, many with people in them.
19. A free swimmer has never conquered the lower rapids.
20. Before his death in 1942, the famous Red Hill saved 28 people from death over the Falls and salvaged 149 bodies of those that didn't make it. He accumulated more lifesaving medals than anyone else in the world.
As you can see, many facts have been compiled about Niagara Falls over the years but at least you probably now know considerably more than you did before about this amazing spectacle. You can either tell others that are planning to visit the Falls what you have learned, or you can plan to see it yourself now that you are an expert on the subject!
Keith J. Valentine has been traveling throughout the UK, Europe and North America for years. For more on travel, tips and a free e-zine, please visit 101 Easy Articles at http://www.EasyArticles4u.com.
Reading With Your Grandchildren
The sharing of a story is a special way to spend time with your grandchildren. Every child loves and appreciates a good story that captivates their imagination and keeps them entertained. The only thing better is sharing it with someone. Reading with your grandchildren is something that is just as important for the grandparent as it is for the child. This is a quality way to spend time together away from technology and things like the Internet or video games. A good book is something that we can all benefit from and something that should be shared with those that we care about.
It does not matter how old a child is. They can be read to at any age. Start when they are very young infants. It will help you to create and strengthen a bond with them. Small children love to hear the sound of your voice and experience the story with you. There is never a time too early to share your love of books with your family. Books make a fantastic gift for all holidays and birthdays. Choose books that are designated by age so that it is always age appropriate. Most books have age indicators written right on them so that they are clearly marked.
Organize a regular visit to the library or bookstore with your grandchild. By doing this you will be spending some valuable family time together as well as staying supplied with new reading material. It will give your grandchild something exciting to look forward to as well. Spend some time talking about the books that you read. Ask your grandchild how they feel about the story and the characters and why they feel that way. It will provide you with the wonderful opportunity to watch as they grow and learn from the literature that they take in.
Building a library is a great activity to undertake with your grandchild. As you add each book to the shelves you will have fond memories associated with each one. A good book will live in your heart and your memory for a life time. You have a beautiful chance to share that by reading with your grandchild. Exploring other worlds together will be an adventure that neither grandparent nor grandchild will ever forget. A book collection is something that one can acquire throughout their life and pass it down to other family members. A book may seem like just pages but a well loved book can be quite priceless.
Get your grandchildren involved in writing too. A lot of children that enjoy reading also really love to write and create their own stories. Have your grandkids write a story just for you. It will be a great way of encouraging them in the wonderful world of story writing. Writing notebooks also make great gifts for growing children. Sometimes all you need for a creative outlet is a pencil and paper. Reading with your grandchildren is an experience not to be taken for granted. That time is special, something that can be never replaced. So embrace every moment.
Courtesy of The Magic Rocking Horse.
Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and grandparents while you shop our great selection of kid’s furniture (including our popular toy boxes) and classic toys. Visit www.TheMagicalRockingHorse.com today!
It does not matter how old a child is. They can be read to at any age. Start when they are very young infants. It will help you to create and strengthen a bond with them. Small children love to hear the sound of your voice and experience the story with you. There is never a time too early to share your love of books with your family. Books make a fantastic gift for all holidays and birthdays. Choose books that are designated by age so that it is always age appropriate. Most books have age indicators written right on them so that they are clearly marked.
Organize a regular visit to the library or bookstore with your grandchild. By doing this you will be spending some valuable family time together as well as staying supplied with new reading material. It will give your grandchild something exciting to look forward to as well. Spend some time talking about the books that you read. Ask your grandchild how they feel about the story and the characters and why they feel that way. It will provide you with the wonderful opportunity to watch as they grow and learn from the literature that they take in.
Building a library is a great activity to undertake with your grandchild. As you add each book to the shelves you will have fond memories associated with each one. A good book will live in your heart and your memory for a life time. You have a beautiful chance to share that by reading with your grandchild. Exploring other worlds together will be an adventure that neither grandparent nor grandchild will ever forget. A book collection is something that one can acquire throughout their life and pass it down to other family members. A book may seem like just pages but a well loved book can be quite priceless.
Get your grandchildren involved in writing too. A lot of children that enjoy reading also really love to write and create their own stories. Have your grandkids write a story just for you. It will be a great way of encouraging them in the wonderful world of story writing. Writing notebooks also make great gifts for growing children. Sometimes all you need for a creative outlet is a pencil and paper. Reading with your grandchildren is an experience not to be taken for granted. That time is special, something that can be never replaced. So embrace every moment.
Courtesy of The Magic Rocking Horse.
Find helpful and creative ideas for parents and grandparents while you shop our great selection of kid’s furniture (including our popular toy boxes) and classic toys. Visit www.TheMagicalRockingHorse.com today!
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