Born in 1942 as the son of an Italian immigrant, Balletto grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. His father was from Sicily, and his mother was from Ohio. After graduating from John Adams High School, he became interested in cars. He started building and racing cars on the track at Dragway 42 in Ohio. He described…

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Honoring the Dedication of Family Caregivers This November Every year in November, we take the month to recognize and celebrate the dedication of caregivers. This year, with the integration of the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) and the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), National Care at Home Month has been…

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  Watching your parents age and lose the ability to do things they once found easy is emotionally challenging. It forces you to confront the inevitability of change and decline in life. The people who once cared for and protected you now seem vulnerable, creating a role reversal that can be difficult to process. It’s…

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National Grandparents Day is coming up next month on Sunday, September 8th, and this year’s theme is “Grand Minds: Learn, Love, Legacy.” It’s a day dedicated to celebrating and honoring the love given by grandparents. When my dad became a grandpa, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and often quoted Bill Laurin, saying, “If I knew…

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Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We did not pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same. ~ Ronald Reagan The American Revolution, also known as the United States War of Independence or the American Revolutionary…

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Pickleball has taken the United States by storm in recent years, captivating players of all ages and skill levels. This engaging game combines the elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, creating a unique and exciting experience. In this article, we will delve into the remarkable growth of pickleball in the US and shed light…

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Robert Leon Schell was born in the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, in 1927. He preferred to go by Leon, as his mother never wanted him to be called Bobby. Schell had an older sister with whom he shared a very close bond. His father worked at a woodworking plant that, at one point, produced wooden…

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  On November 10th, VCC employees had the fortunate opportunity to step away from their desks and visit the Veterans and surviving spouses whom we are honored to assist daily. A team of eleven VCC members took to the streets, connecting with ten clients in the St. Louis area, including a 96-year-old WWII Veteran and…

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Jon Moore was raised in a typical Red Oak, Iowa household. His father, an electrician, was also a radio instructor during WWII. Moore and his younger brother grew up in town, and when they weren’t in the community pool a few blocks from their house, you could find them playing sandlot baseball or football. After…

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Dwight Henry, born in May 1950, was the middle child among seven siblings. His upbringing in Jackson, Mississippi, unfolded against a tumultuous era for African Americans. Yet, he was unwavering in his commitment to pursuing a peaceful path. Henry grew up loving music and had an early sense of responsibility. He started assisting with babysitting,…

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