“ZAP” | FROM PAGE 8 to go after something. But the female is bigger. Q: Do you remember the first time when you photographed the eagle? What it was like? A: It was across from the Spud’s parking lot. Q: Is it what you expected? A: Yes. I see what other people are photographing and I say, “I can do that, too.” Q: You say you take more pains and pride on the shots because you want to treat the eagle with respect. A: Yes. It’s something I take pride in doing, and I’m my own worst critic. I throw away a lot of pictures that other people would like. I see a lot on Facebook, and I say to myself “I wouldn’t put it there. Those aren’t good enough.” Whatever I do, I try to do a representation of what I saw and was shooting that day. Q: As you look back, where does the eagle rate in your top shots? A: In the top shots? It’s kind of hard to say. I do sunsets. Some are really, really nice. And the bird pictures, some are really, really nice. It all balances out. I got some shots that I consider real good in one subject and real good in another subTHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2022 “YOUR FINANCIAL FOCUS” Joseph D. Cataldo ject, and whatever appeals to me, I put out there for people to look at. On Facebook, I got two sites there and I got 6,000 followers. Q: The two combined? A: Yes. And I post the best shots I do — whatever subject — so people can enjoy them. Q: How many hours a week do you spend on your hobby? A: Maybe, on a given day, an hour or so. I took some outside today around the house. I spent a half hour yesterday taking photos of the osprey. At the most, it might be two hours a day, but not every day. When I walk the bike trail, I might be there for an hour to see what’s going on down there. Some of those people who take the eagle shots, they’re there early in the morning, and they wait and they wait! I can’t do that. My wife would say “Where were you?” Q: Anything else that you FROM HIS HIGH SCHOOL YEARBOOK: When Charlie “Zap” Zapolski graduated from Lynn Classical High School in 1962, he had huge ambitions of becoming a freelance photographer. Though he never did, shooting photographs became his lifelong passion. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) would like to say about July 4, the bald eagle and the passion for the hobby you have? A: I would like to see the bald eagle come around for the Fourth of July. That would be a good symbol for that day. If I don’t have much to do that day, I will go out in the area and see if I can get him for the Fourth of July. Q: Do you think a lot of other photographers in the area will be trying to get him, too? A: Oh yeah, probably. There are, like, four or fi ve out there by the nest taking a picture of him. They’re still around. You got to be lucky. I look up and see if he’s there. If he’s there, I’ll grab a camera and take a shot. Q: Why do you do what A PATRIOTIC BIRD: This ruby-throated hummingbird seems to be saluting the American fl ag as it moves toward its feeder in Charlie “Zap” Zapolski’s yard on Hobson Street in Saugus. (Courtesy photo to the Saugus Advocate by Charlie Zapolski) you do and what do you get out of it? A: It’s my hobby and it’s a passion. I enjoy doing it. I’ve been doing it for over 60 years, I guess, and I’m still learning different techniques. And I go from there, trying to enhance my skills a little bit all the time. Q: And yet you’ve remained an amateur photographer? A: Oh yeah. That way, I like doing what I do better. Everybody says, “Why don’t you get in it for the money?” And I say, PATRIOTIC RAIN DROPS: This is an actual photograph – a macro close-up of rain drops with the American fl ag from Charlie “Zap” Zapolski’s Hobson Street home refl ected in every drop. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Charlie Zapolski) “What for?” In my years at GE, I worked a lot of overtime, and my wife was pretty sharp, putting the money where she put it. She handles the money and does it well. When she was in her 40’s, she went to Suff olk University and got a degree in accounting. We’re not rich. But we’re comfortable and I don’t have to do it for the money. I just do it because I like it. If I had to do it for the money, I wouldn’t enjoy it. Page 9 MASSHEALTH ESTATE RECOVERY HARDSHIP WAIVERS applicable federal poverty level income standard. Care provided Hardship Waiver: 1. The heir resided in the home continuously for 2 years prior to the member’s admission to an institution or before the member’s death; M assHealth has the right to seek recovery for MassHealth benefi ts paid against the estate of the MassHealth recipient. Even if someone never entered a nursing home that was paid for by MassHealth, recovery can be sought against the estate of a MassHealth recipient living in the community for benefi ts received after reaching the age of 55. There are three hardship waivers that can be applied for by completing the appropriate MassHealth waiver request form. The waiver form must be submitted to the Estate Recovery Unit no later than 60 days after the MassHealth Notice of Claim is fi led in the Probate Court. They are as follows: 1. Residence and Financial Hardship Waiver 2. Care Provided Waiver 3. Income-based waiver Residence and Financial Hardship Waiver: 1. The heir lived in the property on a continuous basis for at least 2 years prior to the member’s admission to an institution or death and continues to live in the property when MassHealth fi les its notice of claim; 2. The heir inherited an interest in the property from the deceased member’s estate; 3. The heir is not being forced to sell the property by other devisees or heirs; and 4. At the time MassHealth fi rst presented its claim, the annual gross income of the heir’s family group was less than or equal to 133% of the 2. During that time, the member needed, and the heir provided, a level of care that avoided the member’s admission to a facility; 3. The heir continues to live in the home at the time the notice of claim is fi led; 4. The heir inherited an interest in the property from the deceased member’s estate; 5. The sale of the property is required to satisfy the claim; 6. The heir is not being forced to sell the property by other devisees or heirs; Income-Based Hardship Waiver: 1. MassHealth will grant either a partial or full waiver of estate recovery based upon the income of the heir who inherited an interest in the member’s estate. 2. The amount of the waiver will be limited to $50,000 if the heir’s family group had a gross income below 400% of the applicable federal poverty level for 2 years prior to the date of the notice of claim being fi led; 3. The amount of the waiver will be 100% if the heir’s family group had a gross income below 133% of the applicable federal poverty level for 2 years prior to the date of the notice of claim being fi led. It is important to be informed of these hardship waivers. It is also imported to avoid probate if at all possible as estate recovery can only be brought against the “probate” estate and not against property held in Trust. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-233-4446 or info@advocatenews.net
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