Livingston Dental September 2018

Livingston Dental September 2018

800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

September 2018

Life With Livingston Dental

e G e n

The Changing Seasons

Fall in the Great Outdoors

humidity,” she told me. I would absolutely agree. Our winters may be cold, but we don’t have to face the humidity they have in the Midwest and East. It’s always interesting to visit other parts of the United States and see how their seasons vary. When our kids were in high school and ran cross country, we headed to Idaho every September for an invitational meet. I’d always do a comparison to the weather in Star Valley and Boise — it would always be warmer in Boise, and the leaves weren’t as far along in their transition. This time of year, summer crops are ending their season, and fall crops are ready for harvest. I’ve observed farmers doing the first cut of hay around July, and they’ll do their second and final one at the end of the month. You can feel that change in the air and as people carry out their pre-winter tasks. I’m eager to get outside, finish up my outdoor tasks, and make a visit to the national parks before the first frost arrives.

that I’ll have for the rest of my life — oh, the perks of getting older.

Fall just so happens to be my favorite season. I enjoy this time of year because it puts a little pressure on me to get outside tasks accomplished before winter comes. Though I’m sad to see summer leave, there’s plenty to love about autumn, including the changing colors of the trees.

The sun’s heading south this season, meaning we’re starting to see the leaves of the Aspens and many of our trees change to bright hues. We’re also getting crisper

mornings. It’s nice and cool at night. Unlike our neighbors further south, like St. George where it’s hot all the time, we get to enjoy cooler weather in the early fall. We may have harsh winters, but it’s a fair price to pay for such rich seasons during the rest of the year. Recently, I met with a new patient who’s moved back home after being in Illinois. “I’m ready to try winter without all the

We annually go to Yellowstone and Grand Teton after school has started because it significantly reduces the number of tourists you are climbing over, under, and around to behold these unique landscapes. We’re fortunate that the parks are relatively close to us. We can visit Grand Teton and return home in the same day — how many people can say that? This year, I bought a National Park pass. Next year, I’ll be able to buy one

What do you most look forward to this season?

P.S. We can’t wait to see you at the Patient Appreciation Party on Sept. 7! It’s our way of saying thank you for being so wonderful to work with. We appreciate you!

1 Livingston Dental

New & Rediscovered Passions in Later Life

A Guide to Picking a Post-Career Hobby

away to focus on your career. Perhaps you were once a chess fanatic, and today you find your board gathering dust from lack of use. Now is the perfect time to rediscover those once-beloved activities. WHAT HAVE YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO DO? Discovering new hobbies is just as rewarding as rekindling old ones. Have you ever heard about a pastime and thought, “I’d love to do that, if only I had the time”? Former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe opened a winery after retiring from football. While you probably don’t have the financial resources of a professional athlete, there’s nothing stopping you from pursuing a newfound passion at the same velocity as the footballs Bledsoe threw. IS THERE A CAUSE YOU WANT TO SUPPORT? Volunteer work can be incredibly fulfilling, especially when you have the time and energy to devote to it. Many older adults find that giving back to the community adds meaning and purpose to their lives. The best way to figure out how to donate your time is to think about a cause dear to your heart. From there, find a reputable organization that supports said cause, and see what you can do to help.

Aside from financial concerns, the No. 1 question that most impending

and recent retirees struggle to answer is how they will

fill up all their time. While spending time with family and relaxing are priorities for most folks entering the post-career chapter of their lives, these aren’t enough to fill up the bulk of your newly acquired free time. Cultivating a hobby is a great use of your time at any age, but

especially during retirement. As Dick Van Dyke once said, “To me, retirement means doing what you have fun doing.” Here are three questions to help you discover a hobby that’s right for you.

Retirement is the perfect opportunity to throw yourself head-first into something you’re passionate about. So what are you waiting for?

DO YOU HAVE A DORMANT PASSION? Work has a tendency to put our other interests on the back burner. Maybe you painted for pleasure during college but put the canvas

Finding Common Ground We often think about children when we think about a fear of coming to the dentist, but dental anxiety is not age-specific. Our elderly population has unique challenges. We work with many patients who are 65 and older, and making them feel comfortable is always a priority. We strive to make each patient feel positive about their dental experience.

To Overcome a Fear of the Dentist

directions,” Dr. Livingston recalls. He went on to ask about the patients’ favorite summer and winter hobbies, and they found out they all share a love of snowmobiles and motorcycles. It’s positive experiences like these that keep patients coming back to Livingston Dental. Our staff works with patients to find out how we can help them feel more comfortable about coming to the dentist. Finding out what we have in common is one of the ways we help our patients worry less about their dental visits. After all, we’re more concerned with what we have in common than how we’re different. Have you had a good experience at Livingston Dental? We appreciate your referrals! Refer your friends and family for a chance to win a quarterly prize and a yearly prize. When you refer someone to Livingston Dental, you’ll be entered into the drawing for that quarter and the yearly drawing. Don’t miss your chance to win! Refer your friends and family to Livingston Dental today. Call our office at 307-885-4337 if you have any questions.

We have several tools at our disposal to help manage our patients’ anxiety. We can use nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, to make it easier to relax. We also have cartoons and music that you can enjoy while our staff are helping your teeth get shiny and clean. Recently, Dr. Livingston saw a patient who was feeling nervous about seeing the dentist, and it was putting his mother on edge too. They both walked into the appointment feeling anxious. Thankfully, Dr. Livingston was able to find common ground. When he found out the family owns a business selling RV equipment for lawn care, he mentioned that he was looking to purchase a riding lawn mower. “I asked about the ones they have and what they use at home, and they started telling me all about it — how it’s a zero-radius and has arms rather than a steering wheel, which allows it to nimbly change

2 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

3 Amazing Attractions in Our Own Backyard

Star Valley’s Claim to Fame

fall — it’s always changing depending on the season. Summer brings out more wildlife, though in the fall, you get to enjoy the spectacular colors as the trees change to orange and red across the landscape. DON’T FORGET — LIVINGSTON DENTAL IS GIVING OUT PRIZES FOR THE FAMILY FUN SUMMER COMPETITION! From now until the Patient Appreciation Party on Sept. 7, as you take part in local outdoor activities, you can earn points and compete to win prizes. It’s easy to participate: • Visit our office to grab your “Smile” shirts. • Snap pictures of you and your family completing the fun summer activities while wearing your “Smile” shirts. • Post your pictures to Facebook and tag Livingston Dental! It’s that easy. You’ll get points for each photo you post and tag us in wearing your shirts, and your points will be tallied. Winners will be announced at the Patient Appreciation party. We’ll have prizes for first, second, and third place. We can’t wait to see you and your photos!

We live in an incredible place. Nestled between our incredible mountain ranges and beautiful rivers, we get to enjoy so much of the great outdoors with Jackson Hole and Yellowstone nearby. Wyoming has a rich historical and cultural legacy with an abundance of wildlife and amazing outdoor activities for you to enjoy here in the Star Valley.

1. WORLD’S LARGEST INTERMITTENT SPRING Did you know we have one of the world’s largest cold-water geysers? It’s true! Go check it out! The spring stops and starts again every few minutes. A drive through the beautiful alpine canyon makes for a fairly easy and scenic hike to the cold, crystal clear water of the spring. 2. THE NATION’S BEST WATER In 2005, Afton’s water was dubbed the best water in the nation. Looking at our clear springs and rivers, it’s not hard to see why. 3. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK This isn’t the only national park in our area, but it’s so spectacular that people come from all over the nation to see it. Take advantage of what’s in our backyard and take a hike in Grand Teton this summer or

Puzzle Time! Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese Ingredients

Inspired by Food & Wine magazine.

Parmigiano-Reggiano) • 8 ounces ham, thinly sliced • 1/2 pound Swiss cheese, sliced • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard • 1/4 cup apricot preserves

• 8 slices of bread (Pullman works best) • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (preferably

Directions

1. Butter each slice of bread on the outsides and sprinkle with Parmesan. 2. Layer ham and cheese evenly on top of 4 slices of bread. 3. Spread apricot preserves and mustard across the other 4 slices. Press sandwiches together. 4. In a cast iron skillet or large sauté pan over medium heat, grill sandwiches until golden, about 3 minutes per side. 5. Cut in half and serve

Harvest Apple Students Homecoming

Equinox Labor Day Barbecue September

Football Touchdown Quarterback Autumn

3 Livingston Dental

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

on being named Top Dentist of Wyoming 2018!

800 South Washington St., Afton, WY 83110 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com

Inside

The Changing Seasons

What Have You Always Wanted to Do? Overcoming Dental Anxiety

3 Fun Facts About Star Valley Inside-Out Grilled Ham and Cheese

Why Labor Day Is Indebted to the Pullman Strike

The Pullman Strike and the Origin of Labor Day Today, Labor Day mostly means a day off and the closure of public pools. But when it was first created, it was a president’s desperate attempt to curb the tension after one of the most violent strike breakups in American history. on the company-owned buildings in turn. As a result, life became untenable in the town, with workers struggling to maintain the barest standards of living for themselves and their families. to quell the strike at its core. By the time the violence ended, 30 people had lost their lives and an estimated $80 million in damages had been caused throughout the town.

A few months later, President Grover Cleveland declared Labor Day a federal holiday. Many experts believe that this act was an effort to build rapport among his pro-labor constituents after handling the incident so poorly. This month, as you fire up the barbecue and enjoy your day off, take a moment to remember the workers who fought for labor rights in our country.

In response, the workers began a strike on May 11, 1894. As the event ramped up, it gained the support of the powerful American Railway Union (ARU). But Pullman, stubborn as he was, barely acknowledged the strike was happening, and he refused to meet with the organizers. The tension increased when Eugene Debs, the president of the American Railway Union, organized a boycott of all trains that included Pullman cars. The strike continued to escalate until workers and Pullman community members managed to stop the trains from running. Eventually, President Grover Cleveland sent in soldiers to break up the strike. Violence ensued, with soldiers making a great effort

In the late 19th century, the workers of the Pullman Company, which manufactured luxury train cars, all lived in a company- owned town. George Pullman, the owner, lived in a mansion overlooking houses, apartments, and crammed-together barracks, all of which were rented by the thousands of workers needed for the operation. For some time, the town operated without a hitch, providing decent wages for the workers while netting the higher-ups millions of dollars. But after the economic depression of the 1890s brought the country to its knees, everything changed. George Pullman slashed his workers’ wages by nearly 30 percent, but he neglected to adjust the rent 4 (307) 885-4337 | www.drlivingstondds.com