Welcome to 
The Golden View
December 2019 Edition

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Over 20 Years of Experience in Providing Rheumatology Care
​ by Dr. George B. Isaac

Dr. George B. Isaac and staff of
​Dubuque Rheumatology

Dubuque Rheumatology PC has been your trusted name in rheumatology care in eastern Iowa since 2003. Dr. George B. Isaac is a board-certified rheumatologist and solo practitioner with over 20 years of experience, providing complete evaluations and treatments for musculoskeletal pain and arthritis. Dr. Isaac is knowledgeable and well respected in the Eastern Iowa medical community. We do blood draws and X-rays onsite, and we collaborate with other facilities such as the University of Iowa to give you the care you need.

See Dr. Isaac Statement regarding The Iowa Board of Medicine on page three. (below on website)

Call our helpful and friendly staff today for an appointment! We can accommodate same-day appointments and walk-ins, and we accept most insurance plans! We have short wait times as well. We speak Arabic, Aramaic, and a little bit of Spanish for your convenience and comfort. 

Dr. Isaac practices in 3 locations, Dubuque, 2140 JFK Rd, Suite B being the primary location, and satellite locations in Maquoketa and Independence. Dr. Isaac holds medical privileges at: Buchanan County Health Center, Jackson County Health Center, Unity Point Finley- Dubuque, Mercy Hospital - Dubuque.
We treat the following conditions:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Lupus
• Fibromyalgia
• Lyme disease
​• Connective tissue diseases & other related disorders
​
For appointments, please call 563-583-4848. Email us at dbqrheum@gmail.com. Visit our website at www.dubuquerheumatologypc.com.

Reflections in the Park debuted on Thanksgiving Night 1995
by Darlene Bolsinger,
​Reflections in the Park Coordinator

It’s the 25th anniversary of Reflections in the Park, a Hillcrest lights festival that opens to the public from 5:00 to 10 p.m. November 28th through January 4, 2020. 

Reflections in the Park will feature more than 70 displays, including a wide array of objects, from the RGB 200’ Tunnel of Lights to several new and different animated displays, including the Statue of Liberty – all with LED lighting.

Last year was a record setting 51,000+ visitors enjoying Reflections in the Park.

And one of those visitors is Santa Claus, who each year makes several visits to the park. Santa has indicated he will be at the park every Monday in December before Christmas – that means four trips this year. He will be there from 5 to 8 p.m. to personally greet visitors and offer candy canes to all youngsters and even the family pet gets a special treat!

Reflections in the Park, “A Hillcrest Lights Festival”,
presented by: DB&T and Heartland Financial USA; has not only become a family tradition for many but also a tradition in the Tristate community, according to event coordinator, Darlene Bolsinger of Hillcrest. Each year those of us involved enjoy chatting with each other to hear the heartwarming stories from our visitors on how or why it holds a special place in their heart. “We at Hillcrest Family Services enjoy the opportunity to put smiles on so many faces as our way to give back to the community for all their support they give to us so we in turn can serve our clients in need, for that we are forever grateful” says Bolsinger.

We are blessed with approximately 500 community volunteers put in over 3,500 hours making Reflections in the Park happen, from handling the promotions, refurbishing lights year-round, doing everything from set-up, to volunteering while the show is up and running, to taking down the displays when the show wraps up. “The dedication of the year round volunteers for this event is truly overwhelming, it honestly couldn’t happen without them, I am so grateful and thankful they let me be part of their team”, says Darlene Bolsinger. They not only enjoy what they do, they do a spectacular job. I sure hope they all take pride in their hard work and creativity. It is an absolute pleasure to work with them.

The dollars raised support the 30-plus programs of Hillcrest Family Services. Located at 2005 Asbury Road in Dubuque, Hillcrest is a nonprofit human services agency that serves over 34,000 individuals across State of Iowa and beyond.

Tickets for Reflections in the Park are priced at $10 per vehicle at the gate. Discounted $8 tickets are available at all Dubuque Bank and Trust banking centers and all Hillcrest Family Services locations throughout the event. Tickets also make wonderful stocking stuffer gifts.

​Additional details about Reflections can be obtained by calling Hillcrest at 563.845.0378 or toll free at 877.437.6333, or by sending an email to Darlene Bolsinger at darlene.bolsinger@hillcrest-fs.org.

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Features This Month!

Read about medical tips on our Health Page: Click Here

Take a look back with our pictures from "Down Memory Lane" on our Culture page: Click here

Read about all the events happening around the Tri-States: Click Here

​Get a Laugh from our Comics and Games on our Activities Page: Click Here

A “Family” Tradition
by Erica Wall,
​Community Relations Coordinator,  Sunset Park Place

Christmas carolers visiting Sunset Park Place

Living at Sunset Park Place, is more than just three delicious meals a day, socialization, recreation, and transportation; it’s about traditions. For more than 15 years, Jerry Bell, Manager at Sunset Park Place, has been a part of creating and participating in those Family Traditions. 

You won’t talk to a single resident without hearing the word “family” brought up when talking about the staff at Sunset. Just sit and talk with Betty, a resident who exceeds my time here and easily sums up what she likes best about Sunset Park Place, which is “everything!” So, then I proceeded to ask her about the staff at Sunset and she humbly said, “It’s like family, everyone is so good to me.” 

Speaking of family and traditions, the tradition that comes to mind as we approach the Holiday Season is the Annual Breakfast with Santa, which Sue Mills, Culinary Coordinator, has been hosting year after year. Sue’s eyes perk up when speaking with her on why she loves this event. She says “it brings our family together with their family, but the best part is seeing the smiles on their faces. Especially the kids who get to leave with a goody bag, plus the donations from the breakfast go to the Alzheimer’s Association.” 

Traditions around Sunset Park Place are especially evident during the Holidays. Ask Shelly Gessner, Life Enrichment Coordinator at Sunset for 11 years, knows that her annual trip through Murphy Park to enjoy the lights is a favorite of the residents; there is always a full bus, sometimes two! We can’t forget the annual Christmas visits from local carolers and Santa himself! Now, if you ask Shelly to name one of her favorite things she has observed in her years here, she said it would definitely be “the friendships the residents create and how they look out for one another.” 

​Year after year, the real tradition at Sunset Park Place is creating memories and carrying on traditions old and new.

Sunset resident visiting with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Study: Owning a Dog Can be Good
​for Us

Did you adopt a dog during Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month in October? There’s some good news if you did. The Mayo Clinic has published a report of a large study (Kardiovize Brno 2030) showing why it’s to our benefit to own a pet.

When we own a pet, especially a dog, we have healthier hearts and a better diet. We get more physical exercise, and we see blood-sugar levels that are more normal. Pets reduce our level of stress and help us stick to routines. Dogs help us fight isolation and loneliness by providing social interaction when we go out. Owning a pet can lower our blood pressure, and we’re less likely to have diabetes.

However, despite the positives of owning a pet, there are concerns (and some solutions to them) to consider before we adopt:

• Can you afford the food and veterinary care a dog requires? Ask the local food bank if it provides pet food. Look for a vet who offers senior discounts. Keep an eye out for annual vaccination clinics for low-cost immunizations.

• If a shelter dog has behavioral issues because of previous experiences, do you have enough patience to handle the necessary training? Inquire at the local pet store about training classes for any dog you adopt.

• Can you afford the initial shelter fees for an exam and spay or neuter, as well as the adoption fee? There’s an organization called Pets for the Elderly (petsfortheelderly.org) in 37 states that will help seniors over age 60 to cover the costs of adoption.

• Are you able to walk enough to give a dog the amount of exercise it needs? Talk to a neighbor. You might find one that will be quite happy to walk the dog when you can’t.

© 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.

Holiday Grande 2019:
Pianist Jim McDonough Returns to Dubuque with an All-New Holiday Show

It’s beginning to SOUND a lot like Christmas! “Iowa’s Own Pianist” Jim McDonough and his orchestra and singers are set to tour the state this holiday season with a dazzling all-new production benefitting Camp Courageous of Iowa. Tickets for the seven-city tour, including a performance at the Five Flags Theater in Dubuque on Sunday December 15th at 2:30, are on sale now. Other tour stops include the cities of Anamosa, Ottumwa, Davenport, Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Cedar Falls, Iowa.

This spectacular holiday stage production — new for 2019 — features acclaimed International Steinway Concert and Recording Artist, Jim McDonough at a concert grand piano, his professional 14-piece orchestra, a cast of sensational singers and dancers, elaborate sets and costumes and the true spirit of the season. 

The tour will deliver the message of Christmas in a production perfect for all generations. “We’ve put together the grandest ‘Holiday Grande’ yet,” McDonough says. “It’s elegant, it’s exciting, it’s filled with spectacular musical arrangements, and it benefits a wonderful organization.”

For the past thirteen of his seventeen years of touring, McDonough’s “Holiday Grande” has benefitted Camp Courageous of Iowa, a year-round respite and recreational facility for individuals of all ages with disabilities. 

All seating is reserved. Tickets to the Dubuque performance are $29-$48, and are available now by calling (800) 745-3000, online at TicketMaster.com, or to avoid delivery fees, purchase in person at the Five Flags Ticket Office. For information about other cities on the tour, call (800) 375-7095 or visit www.PianoFavorites.com.

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