It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Porter County Museum gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Valparaiso, FL is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Forest Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Main + Lincoln Restaurant or visit Brauer Museum of Art, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Valparaiso, FL, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Valparaiso, FL understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Valparaiso, FL 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Experience a comprehensive rework of Valparaiso/Eglin AFB (KVPS) in Florida, fully adapted to handle both civilian and military operations. This scenery package carefully updates the default Microsoft Flight Simulator X rendition, introducing added airline gates, improved architecture, and precise ground features. It was developed and released as freeware by Art Poole.Airfield and Terminal UpgradesBecause the simulator’s default KVPS configuration treated this airport primarily as a military base, it ha...
Experience a comprehensive rework of Valparaiso/Eglin AFB (KVPS) in Florida, fully adapted to handle both civilian and military operations. This scenery package carefully updates the default Microsoft Flight Simulator X rendition, introducing added airline gates, improved architecture, and precise ground features. It was developed and released as freeware by Art Poole.
Because the simulator’s default KVPS configuration treated this airport primarily as a military base, it had virtually no airline infrastructure. To address that, several modifications have been implemented. Expect a newly modeled terminal complete with functioning jetways, dedicated gate parking spots for airliners, and realigned taxiways that more accurately reflect the current airfield layout. Hangars across the facility are also upgraded, ensuring a more authentic flight experience for those familiar with Northwest Florida Regional Airport’s commercial presence alongside Eglin AFB.
This release incorporates detailed landclass improvements surrounding the region, which provides more realistic terrain transitions. To underscore the active flightline environment, extra library objects and an expanded library of custom airport buildings have been integrated. The additions include cargo facilities, specialized military structures, and other flightline components, all placed to give a lively atmosphere. The recommended Scenery Complexity slider setting is Very Dense to make these enhancements fully visible.
Valparaiso/Elgin AFB Scenery.
Those steps ensure the terminal model, updated layout, and additional building libraries become active in your sim session.
For the best display of objects, raise Scenery Complexity to “Very Dense” within the in-sim menu. Additionally, the layout is tailored for use with Ultimate Terrain X-USA (UTX-USA), which contributes realistic vector data for roads, shorelines, and more. If you prefer to make your own custom tweaks, this airport’s files are compatible with Airport Design Editor v1.37 (freeware). This utility allows further personalization of the airfield’s layout and facility distribution.
Should you need to return to the default setup, either deactivate the Valparaiso FL-Elgin AFB folder in your scenery library or remove all KVPS-related files from “Addon SceneryScenery,” depending on your chosen installation method. The Airport_Buildings_AP.bgl file, which is a specialized object library, does not need to be deleted unless you no longer wish to reference it in any other custom placements.
A dedicated Thumbs folder provides previews of the custom structures and buildings included. These can be utilized with other placement software or with Airport Design Editor for further enhancements. The object library itself was compiled through LibraryCreatorXML, while the core airfield modifications, landclass changes, and object configuration were performed using Airport Design Editor by ScruffyDuck Software.
This package is distributed free of charge and must not be resold. There is no support guarantee or warranty offered. It has been verified to function with Microsoft Flight Simulator X Deluxe Edition, UTX-USA, Acceleration Pack, as well as World of AI (WOAI). If any conflicts arise, overwriting the older files with the newer versions is recommended. It was meticulously developed by Art Poole.
View important Copyright © information related to freeware files here.
Most of the freeware add-on aircraft and scenery packages in our file library come with easy installation instructions which you can read above in the file description. For further installation help, please see our Flight School for our full range of tutorials or view the README file contained within the download. If in doubt, you may also ask a question or view existing answers in our dedicated Q&A forum.
VALPARAISO — Valparaiso, Valparaiso; they love their Valparaiso.Those are a variation of the lyrics four actors will sing in the mini-musical “Valparaiso,” a fundraiser for the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida to honor ...
VALPARAISO — Valparaiso, Valparaiso; they love their Valparaiso.
Those are a variation of the lyrics four actors will sing in the mini-musical “Valparaiso,” a fundraiser for the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida to honor Valparaiso’s 100th anniversary.
Barbara Palmgren, the chairwoman of the board of trustees for the Heritage Museum, said it will replace the museum’s key fundraiser, Night at the Museum, which wasn’t socially distanced enough for pandemic times.
“We said, ‘Well, we just can't let this go. We've got to do something special for Valparaiso,’” Palmgren said. “Because it was their 100th year, they had these beautiful signs everywhere, and unless you would wander into Valparaiso, you wouldn't see the signs. I thought, ‘This way, we might be able to get a few more people understanding the value of this wonderful city that we live in.’”
Palmgren and three other actors will perform “Valparaiso” at A Night to Remember at 6 p.m. Saturday at Rocky Bayou Country Club at 600 Golf Course Drive in Niceville. The event will also include dinner and a performance by Mike and Ellen Sheppard on the hammered dulcimer.
Tickets are $80. To register and pay, call 850-678-2615. For more information, visit heritage-museum.org.
“Valparaiso” wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for Palmgren.
The former speech and drama teacher wrote the mini-musical over the course of three months. While she lives in Shalimar, Palmgren has a special love for the twin cities — Niceville and Valparaiso — after teaching at Niceville High School and Ruckel Middle School until she retired in 2002.
Yes, creating it was a lot of work, but Palmgren really enjoys that type of thing, she said. She once wrote a play called “Shalimar Shack” to help save the Shalimar Pointe golf course from bulldozers almost a decade ago.
“People enjoyed the play and they said, ‘You ought to consider doing some writing,’ so actually, I am a published author; I've written two books,” Palmgren said. “So writing, it comes naturally to me now, particularly to do something like this. This is just a lot of fun for me. I'm not worried about having to be sure I get every footnote right in the bibliography. And working with the other three people that were generous enough to say, ‘OK, I will act in this play,’ (is) just so fantastic.”
Valparaiso became a city in 1921, so they chose four key people who influenced the city as the characters in the musical: John Perrine, James Plew, Addie Lewis and Lula Edge.
Mike McMain, who acted in Palmgren’s “Shalimar Shack,” will portray Perrine, the city’s founder. He is a baritone who has been singing since he attended Choctawhatchee High School, and he now plays guitar in a garage band called Rewind 74 and at Shalimar United Methodist Church.
“It’s always wonderful to celebrate any centennial that happens,” McMain said. “We’ve had several that have happened in this area — Okaloosa County School District turned 100 recently, the Fort Walton Beach Woman’s Club; now Valparaiso is turning 100. Those are all great milestones to celebrate.”
And McMain, a Fort Walton Beach resident, feels a connection to Valparaiso.
“I’m a military brat,” he said. “My father was in the Air Force. When we returned from the Philippines in ’67, I went to Ruckel when we lived on base. Then I transferred to Pryor. I do have ties to Niceville and Val-P because I used to go through it every day in seventh grade.”
Perrine is the one who first saw potential in the area, McMain said.
“It had not been developed at all, so he made arrangements to purchase the 15,000 acres that later became Valparaiso, Niceville and Eglin Air Force Base Reservation,” McMain said. “The whole play is fun. It’s actually going to be a mini-history lesson. It will give you a lot of insight as to how Val-P got its name, how it got developed, how it got started and some history as to what people paved the way in important parts of the city.”
Ken Walsh will portray Plew, who established the Valparaiso Bank, Valparaiso Inn and Chicago Country Club of Valparaiso. He was also responsible for the creation of what would become Eglin Air Force Base, Palmgren said.
“Both Perrine and Plew are from Chicago, so if you go to Valparaiso, you'll find that there are a lot of city streets named; one of them is named Chicago, and, of course, the famous Lincoln Park in Chicago,” Palmgren said. “You see this strong Chicago influence in the beginning years of Valparaiso.”
Susan Page will portray Lewis, a teacher and principal who was instrumental in the development of the Okaloosa County school system. Lewis School in Valparaiso is named after her.
“(Page) is delightful, and she almost looks like Addie Lewis,” Palmgren said. “We will have a beautiful picture of Addie Lewis and of Lula Edge, which we will unveil. We will also unveil a picture of the Valparaiso Inn. It will be a magical evening.”
Palmgren will portray Edge, a Niceville postmistress and Okaloosa County School Board member who helped save Edge Elementary School in Niceville. She is excited about the play, because they haven't done anything like it before, she said.
“I'm just thrilled we're going to be able to see some wonderful people in our audience,” Palmgren said. “The mayor is going to be there with some council members. Lanny Corbin is going to be there representing Niceville with another board member. We have some just outstanding people that I think will really particularly treasure the performance of ‘Valparaiso.’ ”
Scott Stone, the music director, will also provide guitar accompaniment throughout the performance.
“We're going to be using songs that were famous throughout the era that people are familiar with, that I changed the wording to,” Palmgren said. “So it becomes just a lot more fun and pertinent to us.”
One of those songs is “We’re In the Money.” It is featured twice, firstly when Plew leases the Valparaiso Airport and 1,500 acres of land to the U.S. government, which spawned today's Eglin Air Force Base.
“You see (Plew) on the phone; he's talking, ‘Oh, how wonderful,’ ” Palmgren said. “He walks back, and joining him on stage is John Perrine, who has a beautiful voice. (Plew) looks at (Perrine), he says, ‘I think we're going to be OK. We're in the money.’ And (Perrine) goes, ‘We're in the money?’ and they start singing the song.”
“I think the audience will enjoy that because they'll be familiar with the song the second time around.”
The theme song, though, is “Valparaiso.” In it, they sing, “Valparaiso, Valparaiso, we love our Valparaiso; we’ll toast our Valparaiso.”
And they will. They will toast to their Valparaiso at the dinner theater, Palmgren said.
“To the next 100 years,” she said.
VALPARAISO — Wanderlust grasped at the heart of young Randall Roberts as he watched the passenger train zoom through the Bonifay station every Sunday after church.Roberts said he would study the faces of each traveler, caught in small glimpses through the yellow glow of the train's windows.It was the early 1940s and the United States was in the midst of World War II. Observing passengers from unknown places was a town affair, Roberts said."I'd say to myself, 'Ahh, I wish I could go,'" Rob...
VALPARAISO — Wanderlust grasped at the heart of young Randall Roberts as he watched the passenger train zoom through the Bonifay station every Sunday after church.
Roberts said he would study the faces of each traveler, caught in small glimpses through the yellow glow of the train's windows.
It was the early 1940s and the United States was in the midst of World War II. Observing passengers from unknown places was a town affair, Roberts said.
"I'd say to myself, 'Ahh, I wish I could go,'" Roberts said of his 15-year-old self. "I can remember it and picture it so vividly."
Now in his early 90s, Roberts continues to spend hours gazing at trains. This time, though, it's not a passenger train, but a red antique caboose that sits in his backyard in Valparaiso.
'Less sense'
In 1968 Roberts and his wife traveled to Montgomery, Alabama, to do the nearly impossible.
Roberts said he'd watched for years as fond memories of his childhood — cabooses traveling across the United States — were being burned for scrap. The train lover was determined to not let them go extinct.
"I thought it was awful," Roberts said. "They were burning history. We started searching for a caboose of my own. We found one in Montgomery that was downtrodden. We immediately said we'd take it."
The journey to his new home of Valparaiso, however, would prove to be a challenge.
"We had our friends pull it for us on the tracks all the way back home," Roberts said. "This was back when I had less sense than I do now. We pulled it to a big saw mill where the Mullet Festival is held. We then had to hire a professional house mover."
The movers, Roberts said, had to drive the large caboose over the Tom's Bayou Bridge and through the city to their first house on Chicago Avenue. The train was moved six months later to the Roberts' new home down the road.
The caboose has remained there for about 50 years.
Similar to a modern-style tiny house, it has a bathroom, stove, sink, fridge and living area. The caboose was placed on a few feet of tracks Roberts laid himself, which is now accompanied by an antique railroad switch just for show.
"My wife was quite the carpenter," Roberts said. "She and my father-in-law did repair work on it. We had the conductor seats professionally reupholstered and we made curtains for it and everything. When it was all done, we borrowed incandescent lights from the city and hosted a caboose party. People came dressed in railroad overalls."
It was a thing of beauty once fully renovated, Roberts said. He always dreamed of one day taking it out on the tracks for a trip across the country.
That trip, unfortunately, hasn't happened yet. And history, according to Roberts, is repeating itself.
Full speed ahead
The train man's beloved caboose is slowly deteriorating.
Roberts said his only wish is for it to be restored again. His carpenter wife has passed on and 90 years old is a bit too aged to be on the roof of a caboose, he said.
Nevertheless, the caboose doesn't simply remind him of his childhood anymore. It holds memories with his spouse and his friends he calls the "movers and shakers of Valparaiso" who have passed on, too.
And it brings him back to a time when his children would climb up and down the little red caboose to see over the neighbors' roofs.
"I'm going to fix it up again soon," Rogers insisted. "It's sad to see it like this."
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