I began life, literally, with nothing. Given up as an infant by my biological mother, an unmarried young woman from the small town of Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Canada, I was adopted by a poor, middle-aged couple, John and Mary Linkletter.
My adoptive father was one of the warmest men I've ever known, but he had absolutely no ability as a businessman. A part-time evangelical preacher, he also tried selling insurance, running a small general store and making shoes, all rather unsuccessfully. Eventually we found ourselves living in a charity home run by a local church in San Diego. Then Dad Linkletter felt called by God to become a full-time preacher, and we had even less money. And what we did have was usually shared with whatever neighborhood derelict happened to be looking for a meal.
I graduated from high school early and hit the road as a hobo at the tender age of 16 with the idea of finding my fortune. One of the first things I found, however, was the wrong end of a pistol: my traveling companion and I were held up by a couple of toughs who found us sleeping in a boxcar.
"Put your hands straight out and lie flat!" one of the men ordered. "If this match goes out and I hear anything more I'll shoot." As they searched our pockets and felt around our middles, I wondered if money was all they wanted. I was frightened because I had heard stories of older hobos sexually attacking young boys. Just then, the match went out ... and was hastily relit. We did not move! The thieves found $1.20 on me but missed $10.00 I had sewn into my coat lining. They also took two dollars from my friend, Denver Fox.
The match went out again and I could tell by their hesitation that they were undecided about something. As Denver and I lay there, inches apart in the darkness, I heard the hammer of the pistol click back and a cold chill ran down my back. I knew they were considering killing us. There was little risk for them. The rain hammering down on the outside of the boxcar would drown out any noise. Frozen with terror, I thought of my father and how he would have prayed for me had he known. Suddenly fear left me and peace and calm returned. As if in response to my own restored self-assurance, they moved back toward us. Then I could feel one of the men push something against my arm.
"Here's your thirty cents," he said. "Breakfast money."
Today I can look back on 45 years as a star of two of the longest-running shows in broadcasting history; I can reflect on the success I've had as a businessman, author, and lecturer; and I can be proud of my wonderful family life - 58 years with the same wife, five children, seven grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. I mention this not to be boastful but to encourage others who are at the lower rung of the economic ladder. Keep in mind where I started and remember, if I could do it, you can, too! Yes - you can!
--Art Linkletter
Friendly people of God @ the Edmond Church of Christ in Edmond, OK.
S.A.M. Seniors Actively Ministering through teaching, missions, service, and involvement in the community.
Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Monday, April 18, 2016
Branson Trip - 2016
BRANSON TRIP
DATES: April 22-24,2016
AGENDA:
Friday, April 22
7:30 AM - Leave for Branson from the building
Afternoon - Eat at Lambert's Cafe -- Menu
7:30 PM - Moses at Sight and Sound Theater
Saturday, April 23
10:00 AM - Puttin' on the Ritz
4:00 PM - Showboat Branson Belle, Dinner Cruise
8:00 PM - Presley's Country Jubilee
Sunday, April 24
9:00 AM - Devotional, then leave for home
LODGING:
Savannah House - 2 nights
Breakfast - Free
After Show Treat - Free
COST:
Single Double Triple Quad
$306 $239 $217 $205
MONEY IS DUE MARCH 6,2016
TRANSPORTATION:
There will be a charge for transportation, usually around $30-$40.
You may click on picture below and print it.
Friday, April 15, 2016
Thursday, February 25, 2016
What is the "Best Cellphone for Seniors"?
Coming Soon! The Doro 8030
Go to http://www.doro.co.uk/mobile-devices/smart-phones/doro-8030.html
Sam's mother needs a larger phone for her failing sight. Leo says that many elderly people don't want a smart phone, they just want a phone to call with. There are plenty of phones out there that are accessible for older folks, like the Jitterbug. It's got huge buttons, an amplified speaker, works with hearing aids, and a larger screen. It's well designed. Get it from GreatCall.com. Here's some other options - http://www.phonearena.com/news/7-cell-phones-designed-for-seniors-and-th... -
What is your experience with cellphones for seniors? My mother is looking for a new phone that is easy to use. http://kfor.com/2015/05/01/simplified-cellphones-designed-for-seniors/
Go to http://www.doro.co.uk/mobile-devices/smart-phones/doro-8030.html
Sam's mother needs a larger phone for her failing sight. Leo says that many elderly people don't want a smart phone, they just want a phone to call with. There are plenty of phones out there that are accessible for older folks, like the Jitterbug. It's got huge buttons, an amplified speaker, works with hearing aids, and a larger screen. It's well designed. Get it from GreatCall.com. Here's some other options - http://www.phonearena.com/news/7-cell-phones-designed-for-seniors-and-th... -
What is your experience with cellphones for seniors? My mother is looking for a new phone that is easy to use. http://kfor.com/2015/05/01/simplified-cellphones-designed-for-seniors/
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Tuesday, December 29, 2015
Five Common Scams Directed at Seniors (and How to Avoid Them)
Five Common Scams Directed at Seniors (and How to Avoid Them)
Consumer Information
Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s one-stop resource to help you report and recover from identity theft.
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE-----NO CHARGE
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks, (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it. (This may not be possible for many people).
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates.
Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever. Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online. Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
However, here is what is perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.
There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271
BBB Scam Tracker
Consumer Reports
Five Common Scams Directed at Seniors (and How to Avoid Them)
Lies, Secrets, and Scams: How to Prevent Elder Abuse
Consumer Information
Visit IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s one-stop resource to help you report and recover from identity theft.
ATTORNEY'S ADVICE-----NO CHARGE
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his company.
1. The next time you order checks have only your initials (instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your checkbook, they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials or your first name, but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
2. Do not sign the back of your credit cards. Instead, put "PHOTO ID REQUIRED."
3. When you are writing checks to pay on your credit card accounts, DO NOT put the complete account number on the "For" line. Instead, just put the last four numbers. The credit card company knows the rest of the number, and anyone who might be handling your check as it passes through all the check-processing channels will not have access to it.
4. Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If you have a PO Box, use that instead of your home address. If you do not have a PO Box, use your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks, (DUH!). You can add it if it is necessary. However, if you have it printed, anyone can get it. (This may not be possible for many people).
5. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine. Do both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. Also carry a photocopy of your passport when traveling either here or abroad. We have all heard horror stories about fraud that is committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit cards.
6. When you check out of a hotel that uses cards for keys (and they all seem to do that now), do not turn the "keys" in. Take them with you and destroy them. Those little cards have on them all of the information you gave the hotel, including address and credit card numbers and expiration dates.
Someone with a card reader, or employee of the hotel, can access all that information with no problem whatsoever. Unfortunately, as an attorney, I have first hand knowledge because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer and received a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information online. Here is some critical information to limit the damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
1. We have been told we should cancel our credit cards immediately. The key is having the toll free numbers and your card numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them.
2. File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction where your credit cards, etc., were stolen. This proves to credit providers you were diligent, and this is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
However, here is what is perhaps most important of all (I never even thought to do this.)
3. Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number. I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name. The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information was stolen, and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit. By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all the damage had been done.
There are records of all the credit checks initiated by the thieves purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped them dead in their tracks.
Now, here are the numbers you always need to contact about your wallet and contents being stolen:
1.) Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
2.) Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742
3.) TransUnion: 1-800-680-7289
4.) Social Security Administration (fraud line): 1-800-269-0271BBB Scam Tracker
Consumer Reports
Five Common Scams Directed at Seniors (and How to Avoid Them)
Lies, Secrets, and Scams: How to Prevent Elder Abuse
Monday, December 7, 2015
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