Lifestyles over 50 March 2010

Lifestyles over 50 Volume 4 - Issue 12 - March 2010

E! E FR one e tak

In This Issue: Fun Things to do with Your Grandkids Childhood Things You Still Enjoy I Wanna’ Be A Movie Star Understanding Hospice

Encouraging vibrant and healthy living in the greater Lehigh Valley! w w w. l i f e s t y l e s ove r 5 0 . c o m

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Lifestyles over 50

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March 2010

FROM THE EDITOR If you are as tired of snow as I am, you are looking for something to take your mind off the white, fluffy stuff. Well, you have come to the right place. This magazine is the single most engrossing periodical in the world. OK, perhaps I suffer from a bit of prejudice and hyperbole. Nonetheless we like to think that our magazine is of value to you.

In this month’s issue: As our title implies we cover areas that define and affect our lifestyles. To many of us that means activities that keep us active, alert and involved. One outlet that is enriching is acting. This month we have an article on an acting group in the Valley.

If you have ever had any thoughts about being involved with acting and theater work, call Crowded Kitchen Players.

It can be an amazing addition to your lifestyle.

Lifestyles over 50 A Thrive LLC Publication PO Box 414 Macungie, PA 18062 www.lifestylesover50.com

Editor Art Villafane editor@lifestylesover50.com 610-774-0919

This month we begin a three part series on hospice and palliative care. Since this is a topic that is not readily discussed there is a lot of misinformation out there. We will bring facts and honesty to this subject in the hope that better informed readers can make good decisions in this most sensitive of areas.

On the financial side we offer an article on reverse mortgages. This can be a safe source of income for seniors who either need money or wish to enjoy the fruits of their labor. We have more information on the Benefits Check Up program. This program (at no cost to you) will find which of the many government programs may be of benefit to you.

Lastly, you have mentioned to us that you enjoy the puzzles (crossword, Sudoku) so we have expanded that section with some more mind engaging exercises. Let us know what you think.

Art

Community Services Directory Berks County Office of Aging 610-478-6500 www.berksaging.org

Publisher Jeff Tintle Jr. Bucks County Office of Aging jtintle@lifestylesover50.com 215-348-0510 610-762-9011 www.buckscounty.org

Distribution Marketing Specialist Sales Osvanys Osoria Laura Putt Zeni Jackson Lissette Lemok zeni@lifestylesover50.com Copy Editor Miguel Varela Vicki Bezems 908-454-5717 Carlos Rodriguez

Lifestyles over 50 is distributed FREE throughout the greater Lehigh Valley. Copyright 2010 © Thrive LLC. Reproduction of any and all content is not permitted unless express written permission is granted. Opinions expressed in any commentary published in this magazine do not necessarily represent those of Thrive LLC and are not to be regarded as advice (legal, tax, investment or otherwise). Thrive LLC assumes no liability for the actions by any group or individual based upon such material.

Advertising rates are available upon request. Publisher reserves the right to reject any advertisement or other information at any time.

You can find copies of Lifestyles over 50 at: Libraries • Churches • Senior Centers Fitness Centers • Community Centers • Resource Offices Doctor & Healthcare Offices Independent & Assisted Living Facilities.

Subscriptions are available for $20.00/year.

Lehigh Co. Office of Aging & Adult Services 610-782-3034 www.lehighcounty.org

Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired 610-433-6018 www.abvi.org Meals on Wheels Lehigh Co. 610-398-2563 Northampton Co. 610-691-1030 www.mealsonwheelspa.org Lehigh Valley Aging in Place Coalition 866-858-1445

Northampton Co. Area Agency on Aging 610-559-3245 www.northamptoncounty.org

Lehigh Valley Alliance on Aging 610-807-5721 www.lvagingmatters.org

American Red Cross of the Lehigh Valley 610-435-7111 or 610-866-1089 (Spanish) www.redcrosslv.org

American Cancer Society 3893 Adler Place, Suite 170 610-921-2329 • www.cancer.org

PA Department on Aging AARP State Office 717-783-1550 717-238-2277 • www.aarp.org AARP Senior Employment PACE/PACENET Program Services 610-865-3002 800-225-7223 Abilities in Motion www.aging.state.pa.us 610-376-0010 Social Security Administration www.abilitiesinmotion.org Allentown 610-433-0227 Senior Corps RSVP Bethlehem 610-691-2451 Lehigh Co. - 610-391-8219 Easton 610-258-9033 Northampton Co. - 610-691-7705 www.socialsecurity.gov

March

Lifestyles over 50

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March 2010

A Reason to Celebrate This Month: Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month; International Ideas Month; National Clean Up Your IRS Act Month; National On-Hold Month; Sing With Your Child Month; American Red Cross Month; International Mirth Month; Music in Our Schools Month; National Cheerleading Safety Month; National Craft Month.

Weeks: 1-7: National Procrastination Week; 7-13: National Consumer Protection Week; 8-14: Universal Women’s Week; 15-21: Act Happy Week, American Chocolate Week; 19-27: National Bubble Blowers Week; 22-28: World Folk Tales and Fables Week; 28-4/3: National Cleaning Week.

Days: 1- Beer Day; 3- I Want You to be Happy Day; 3What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day; 9- Get Over It Day; 9- Panic Day; 11- Johnny Appleseed Day; 13- Donald Duck Day; 13- National Open Your Umbrella Indoors Day; 14- Potato Chip Day; 15- Napping Day; 18Awkward Moments Day; 20- Great American Meat Out Day; 21- National Common Courtesy Day; 22- As Young As You Feel Day; 23- National Puppy Day; 25- Pecan Day; 26- Make Up Your Own Holiday Day; 27- Quirky Country Music Titles Day; 31- National ‘She’s Funny That Way’ Day. Birthstone: Aquamarine

Flower: Daffodil

Credulous and Incredulous Facts • • •

• • • • • •

St. Paul, Minnesota was originally called Pigs Eye after a man who ran a saloon there.

Moon was Buzz Aldrin’s mother’s maiden name. (Buzz Aldrin was the second man on the moon in 1969.)

In 1963, baseball pitcher Gaylord Perry remarked, “They’ll put a man on the moon before I hit a home run.” On July 20, 1969, a few hours after Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon, Gaylord Perry hit his first, and only, home run.

Gilligan of Gilligan’s Island had a first name that was only used once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy.

In England, the Speaker of the House is not allowed to speak.

The “L.L.” in L.L. Bean stands for Leon Leonwood.

Alexander the Great was an epileptic.

The name for Oz in the “Wizard of Oz” was thought up when the creator, Frank Baum, looked at his filing cabinet and saw A-N, and O-Z, hence “Oz.” S.O.S. doesn’t stand for “Save Our Ship” or “Save Our Souls” -- It was just chosen by an 1908 international conference on Morse Code because the letters S and O were easy to remember and just about anyone could key it and read it, S = dot dot dot, O = dash dash dash.

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• • • • • • • • • • • •

The Los Angeles Rams were the first U.S. football team to introduce emblems on their helmets.

Dart-boards are made out of horsehair.

Slinkys were invented by an airplane mechanic; he was playing with engine parts and realized the possible secondary use of one of the springs.

There are 336 dimples on a regulation golf ball.

Napoleon constructed his battle plans in a sandbox.

‘Strengths’ is the longest word in the English language with just one vowel.

Virginia Woolf wrote all her books standing.

The pitches that Babe Ruth hit for his last-ever home run and that Joe DiMaggio hit for his first-ever home run where thrown by the same man.

Stalin’s left foot had webbed toes, and his left arm is noticeably shorter than his right.

The face of a penny can hold about thirty drops of water.

Medieval knights put sharkskin on their sword handles to give them a more secure grip; they would dig the sharp scales into their palms.

Orcas (killer whales) kill sharks by torpedoing up into the shark’s stomach from underneath, causing the shark to explode.

Lifestyles over 50

Understanding Hospice

by Jeff Tintle, Lifestyles over 50

We all know the numbers 9-1-1. We know how the 911 dispatcher can coordinate police, fire, and rescue services in life and death situations. We know to dial 911 just in case, but we all dread the idea of needing to make that call to save ourselves or a loved one. Just like no one ever wants to dial 911, few seek to learn about hospice, and few know much about it.

The reality is that both patients and those around them benefit from hospice. Hospice is defined as health-care service for the terminally ill that emphasizes pain control and emotional support for the patient and family, typically refraining from taking extraordinary measures to prolong life. For example, a patient may battle a disease, and at some point in the treatment of the disease the medical team determines that the disease will take the patient’s life within six months. At that point, the medical team changes its strategy from battling the disease to focusing on the patient’s comfort and enjoyment of life.

“It is important to note that hospice is a choice made by the patient to transition from curative care to comfort care,” stresses Dr. Rick Baxter of St. Luke’s Hospital Hospice and Palliative Care program. “Medicare has set up hospice to be a global service, so the patient doesn’t need to worry about getting a hospital bed or medication, but it’s the responsibility of the hospice team to handle all that,” says Dr. Baxter.

A typical scenario might be an individual battling cancer.

Chemotherapy and other treatments have not put the cancer into submission, and it becomes apparent that the individual will succumb to the disease in the foreseeable future. The patient will choose to go off chemo, thus not subjecting himself further to its side effects, and allowing him to enjoy his remaining months. The patient may chose to set goals to remain at home, maintain normalcy, and enjoy activities like attending a grandson’s baseball games for as long as possible.

Hospice is an entitlement program under Medicare for those 65 and older who are diagnosed with a terminal illness and given six months to live. Hospice services are available for all ages, but Medicare only pays for treatment of those 65 and older. For those younger than 65, many health care plans cover varying forms of hospice services.

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March 2010

Hospice

When the attending physician determines that hospice care is necessary, the physician, patient, family, and hospice team discuss and lay out a care plan for the patient to get the most out of his remaining time. This includes the patients’ goals for the end of life.

The team includes nurses, case managers, social workers, bereavement counselors, chaplains, physical therapists, speech therapists, and occupational therapists. Care is given to the hospice patient as needed and can be provided anywhere, but most commonly in a nursing facility, assisted living facility, or at home. Because many prefer to remain at home, hospice care in the home is often encouraged so that the patient can be the happiest and most comfortable.

St. Luke’s Hospital also offers the Hospice House, located on Black River Road in Saucon Valley. “The Hospice House is a 14-bed in-patient unit designed for hospice patients to maximize their end of life care,” says Linda Moller, Director of Hospice at St. Luke’s.

It is important to know about hospice services. Some count it a privilege to spend their last days in comfort and care, surrounded by loved ones. Hospice care, through bereavement services, allows the patient and family to deal with the meaning of life and death in very real ways and provide for more closure and peace of mind than sudden tragedy.

Next month, we will discuss palliative care and compare and contrast it to hospice. A video highlighting our interview with members of the St. Luke’s Hospital hospice team can be found at Lifestylesover50.com.

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Humor

Lifestyles over 50

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March 2010

Childhood Things You Still Enjoy

by Anonymous • • • • • • • • • •

Sliding across my wood floor in my socks.

Kicking loose rocks down the street, just to see how far they will go and where they will randomly change course.

Making wings with my hand outside of the car window while I speed down the road.

Don’t forget scrunching through huge piles of autumn leaves…

Puddles! Oh, and the more adult version of veering slightly in the road for a puddle while driving to make a big whoooshy splash.

Every time I come to double doors without a bar in the middle, I throw both of them open at the same time and strut through.

I pretend I use the force to open up automatic doors.

I jump over things as I’m walking down the street, just to see if I can.

I like to trap people in revolving doors.

I’m a fan of balancing on curbs instead of walking on the street.

• • • • • • • •

•

Every once in awhile I will go up the stairs on all fours.

The best part of being a “grown up” is being able to buy candy and toys whenever I want. Seriously.

The worst part of being “married” is not being able to buy candy and toys whenever I want. Seriously.

I’m in my mid 40’s and still ride the shopping carts. My wife, of course, thinks I’m immature. She’s right.

I still catch myself trying not to step on cracks on the sidewalk or on certain color tiles in the mall.

I go around twice in revolving doors.

I go up the down escalator.

When no one is looking I still go up staircases 4-5 stairs at a time. Sometimes I get a running start to take as many as I can in one leap, 6 is the best I can do these days.

When I see a small child sitting alone in a shopping cart, with their mother way down the aisle looking the other way, I take things off the shelf and put them in the basket. Usually something like cookies.

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Lifestyles over 50

I Wanna’ Be a Movie Star

by Art Villafane, Editor, Lifestyles over 50 Many of us have dreamt of becoming an actor, singer, comedian or movie star. For most of us it is just a fantasy.

Nonetheless we would like to have experienced the thrill of being on stage and in the limelight. Well, it need not stay a fantasy.

I met an interesting theater group recently in Allentown. The group’s name is Crowded Kitchen Players and are so named because most of their work is done in the kitchen area of the home of one of the founding members, Pamela Wallace. With about a dozen nonprofessional members ranging in age from their 30’s through their 50’s they put on several Pamela Wallace productions per year in our area.

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March 2010

Lifestyle

Ara Barlieb, one of the founding members, told me that they are always looking for more people to join them.

No experience is needed, just a desire to try acting. They would gladly accept individuals who may want to help with the production side. There is always work for volunteers, be it set design and construction, marketing, ticket sales and others.

Ara Barlieb I would encourage any of you who have thought of trying acting to give it a shot. I had done some amateur acting many years ago and to this day those shows are highlights of my life. You make terrific friends and learn something about yourself that is quite positive. You will find more information about Crowded Kitchen Players at their site http://www. barliebwallace.com/.

The Players have shows throughout the Valley including Quakertown. They put on a mix of comedies like “Noises Off” to more dramatic shows like “Inherit the Wind”.

They have also done a production of “Driving Miss Daisy”.

I spoke with some of members to find out what they get from acting. “I wanted an outlet for my creativity and found that the theater works best for me” says Dave Oswald. This seemed to be a recurring theme for the members. Elizabeth Buss said: “It is a creative outlet and helps balances the difficult days one has”.

Diane Bakos

Diane Bakos is one the members who has a background in TV and film work. She has done commercials and was a journalist. Asked what the theater means to her she echoed the others “Theater is therapy, I can safely lose inhibitions and fear”.

Proving that you are never too old to get in the game, Diane’s mother, who is 74, is getting into theater work.

Sharon Ferry had a background in the arts. Her degree in theater gained her parts in off Broadway productions.

She left for many years and is now a disabilities advocate.

When she found the Crowded Kitchen Players she got back into acting and now is very happy. “Acting is my love” according to Sharon. “It is where I can most be myself ”.

I watched them prepare their newest show so I got a backstage view of how a show develops during rehearsals. I was struck by the range in ages of the players and the fact that some had little or no formal training or experience before joining the group.

Crowded Kitchen Players

Health

Lifestyles over 50

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March 2010

Fun Things To Do With Your Grandkids

by Laura Putt, Lifestyles over 50 • •

• • • • •

Play outside together. Not only is it fun but you’ll sneak in some exercise. Play catch, freeze tag, run relay races, or anything you can dream up. Have fun and be active.

March 6 10:30-Noon. First Saturdays at the Reading Room at Northampton Community College, Fowler Family Southside Center. 511 East Third Street, Bethlehem. Join us for a morning and meet storyteller Larry Sceurman.

March 13, 9-3. Craft Fair at Northampton Community College’s Spartan Center in Bethlehem.

See Dorothy’s Adventures in Oz on the March 13 at Scottish Rite Cathedral, 16th and Hamilton St. Allentown.

Go on a “first signs of spring” hunt. Look for flowers, robins, birds’ nests, etc.

Experience TAO: The Martial Art of Drumming on March 14 at Zoellner Arts Center Bethlehem. 7-9pm.

March 1-7 is Write a Letter of Appreciation Week. Have each member of your family surprise a friend or loved

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•

• • •

one with a handwritten note telling that person how much they are valued and loved.

Visit Symphony Hall in Allentown for the Musical Treasure Chest March 18 at 9:30. This program is for children, ages 3-7. At each performance, storyteller Tracy Damiani is joined by two Allentown Symphony musicians, who introduce their instruments and then join in a musical rendering of a story designed both to educate and delight young audiences.

On March 21 enjoy breakfast for dinner and serve waffles with loads of maple syrup, in celebration of Maple Syrup Day! Head to West Allentown for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 21 at 12:30.

Ride the Easter Bunny Express on the March 27 and 28. Rides start at 1pm. W.K.& S. Railroad, Kempton.

It will be a 40-minute ride with an Easter theme! Our friendly rabbit will be at the Kempton station to pass out treats to all children before and after each trip. One of our vintage locomotives will be used to powering these trains. Reservations not required, normal departures at 1,2,3,& 4 PM each day.

Catch Eyes

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Free Seminars at Sacred Heart Senior Living by Saucon Creek: COPD & Sleep Apnea: Treatments & Information, presented

by Sacred Heart Hospital. Saturday, March 13th at 2 pm.

Arthritis: Self-care and treatments. Saturday, April 10th at 2pm Presented by Good Shepherd Rehabilitation, Physical Therapists Please RSVP to 610-814-2700 at least 5 days prior for seminars.

Our communities offer therapies by Good Shepherd Rehab & Geriatrician Consults. Long-term, short-term, respite & rehab stays available.

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Lifestyles over 50

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March 2010

Trivia

1950’s Trivia 1. Who was Perry Mason’s district attorney rival?

Paul Drake

Hamilton Burger

Arthur Tragg 2. On Topper, the martini drinking St. Bernard was named...

Neil

Rolo

Marcel 3. How would you formally address Zorro?

Don Diego de la Vega

Don Juan de Marco

Don Francisco de la Espana 4. What was Lucy’s maiden name?

Lucy MacNamara

Lucy McCloud

Lucy MacGillicuddy 5. Ed Sullivan had a little mouse puppet friend...

J. Fredd Muggs

Topo Gigio

Lamb Chop

Strength when you need it most

I’m scared... now what?

When a loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness, you don’t know where to turn. It seems as if everything suddenly changes. You have questions and you need answers. Who will help them? Who will help you?

Answers: Hamilton Burger, Neil, Son Diego de la Vega, Lucy MacGillicuddy, Topo Gigio

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Hospice care can be provided by a team of physicians, staff and volunteers on an as needed basis. Hospice care includes: s ! CARE PLAN CENTERED AROUND YOU s !SSISTANCE WITH PERSONAL CARE s 0AIN AND SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT AS NEEDED s 3UPPORT FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY Request information about hospice care as soon as your loved one is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

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10

AARP

Lifestyles over 50

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March 2010

Emergency Relief Payment for Seniors

by Pat Nemetch, President APRN, Member of the PA State AARP Long Term Care Committee As I write this, I’m looking out at the remnants of last month’s massive snowstorms. If you’re like me, you’ve already started a countdown to spring’s arrival later this month when hopefully all this snow and ice will be a distant memory.

with so much on the agenda, I’m starting to wonder if this has fallen off Washington’s “to-do” list.

The coming spring thaw isn’t brightening prospects for the current economy, which has placed tremendous challenges on those of you struggling to stay afloat.

As Congress looks for solutions to help us all weather this recession, older Americans must not be overlooked.

Extending last year’s $250 emergency relief is simply the right and responsible thing for Washington lawmakers to do, and members of Congress from both sides of the aisle must find a fiscally responsible way to make it happen.

If you depend on Social Security as the bedrock of your financial well-being, the situation actually is going from bad to worse.

To seniors, the payment is not a handout. It’s critical relief that millions of older adults, already struggling because of job loss and plummeting savings, desperately need.

For the first time since automatic cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) have been in effect, people in Social Security aren’t receiving a COLA in their monthly benefit checks in 2010.

In the end, this is not a Republican or a Democratic issue, but an issue of maintaining the dignity of all seniors as they age. I encourage you to contact your members of Congress and tell them to ensure seniors get the modest help they need by extending last year’s $250 emergency relief payment.

The painful truth is prescription and health care cost increases mean seniors are counting on those annual adjustments just to make ends meet. In our area, many older residents are also struggling with the sticker shock caused by large electricity rate increases that went into effect in January.

America’s low inflation, which triggered the loss of a COLA nationwide, does not accurately reflect how seniors spend money. As you might expect, skyrocketing costs of prescription drugs, insurance premiums and co-pays have far outpaced general inflation.

People in Medicare spend an average of 30 percent of their income on health care costs — six times more than what people with employer health coverage spend.

What’s more, seniors who did the right things for years now find themselves with increasingly fewer options. Many spent their lives working and saving for retirement, only to see their nest eggs and home values plummet.

Older workers who have lost their jobs face particular challenges, spending longer periods trying to get back on the job than other Americans.

Now Congress has to decide whether to step in and fix this problem – or leave millions of seniors in the lurch. So far, our lawmakers in Washington have not acted – and,

Never underestimate the power of a single person.

AARP — a stronger voice for change Join us in making a difference in Pennsylvania through advocacy, education and community service.

Volunteering is a wonderful way to help the community and gain a sense of personal enrichment.

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Lifestyles over 50

Spring Cleaning

by Jennifer Gross-Edwards, DPM Advanced Foot Care, PC Although a lot of snow arrived this winter, spring will still be here later this month. While there may still be snow on the ground, spring cleaning can begin.

For starters, I would recommend that you clean out the medicine cabinet. Your medications should not be kept in a room that has a lot of heat or moisture, such as a bathroom.

Use a cabinet that is a safe distance away from children who may live or visit in the home. Keep in mind that medication bottles may have child safety caps, but “pill boxes” are not child resistant. Make sure medications are current; after the expiration date, the effectiveness can be decreased and the chemical composition of the medication can change. This includes prescription medications as well as the over the counter medications. Additionally, check your topical medications such as antibiotic ointments and anti-itch creams. Even lotions and sun block have expiration dates. Often the dates are pressed into the end of the tubes.

All expired medications need to be disposed of properly.

Additionally, medications that are no longer needed can be disposed of.

Now is also a good time to go through your shoes. For minor scuffs and nicks on the outer soles and heels, try your local shoe repair store. Often, life can be brought back to a worn pair of shoes. The shoes will be buffed and shined to almost new. Soles can be replaced and modified if there is uneven wear. If the shoe is severely worn, then it may be time to part with the shoes. Shoe donation sites are readily available here in the Lehigh Valley. Your old soles can be very helpful for someone else. As for your work out shoes, change your shoes regularly when needed. The typical mileage on a pair of sneakers is 500 miles, or about three to four months of regular wear. Another good indicator that you need a new pair is that the sole of the sneaker will be cracked and compressed compared to a new pair.

If you use arch supports or orthotics in your shoes, these devices also need to be replaced regularly. If the devices are made of a more durable material, then they will last a little longer for you. The top cover and padding can be refurbished. If the material is softer and looks worn out, then it is time for a new device. Additionally, if it has been a while since you started to use the device or your foot concerns have changed, then a new device may be necessary.

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March 2010

11

Health / Lifestyle

AARP Foundation WorkSearch opens an office in Allentown In an effort to better serve the residents of Allentown, AARP Foundation WorkSearch has opened a satellite office on the bottom floor of the Allentown Health Bureau, located at 245 N. 6th Street. AARP Foundation WorkSearch is a grant funded assessment, training, and placement program for income eligible senior citizens residing in Northampton and Lehigh counties.

If you are age 55 or older and need help finding a job, we may be able to help. Call 610-865-3002 for more information and to schedule an appointment with one of our Employment Specialists. Certain Restrictions apply.

Mature workers will be an integral part of the U.S. economy for years to come. By 2010, one in three workers will be over the age of 50. As the relative proportions of younger workers declines, it will be vital to ensure that older workers are prepared to meet the skill demands of the 21st-century workplace. AARP Foundation is dedicated to helping you and other qualified mature workers maximize your employment and earning potential in the workforce.

Z

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12

Lifestyles over 50

Finance

•

March 2010

Home Equity Conversion Mortgage

by John Krajsa, AFC Reverse

If you are a homeowner age 62 or over and looking for additional cash to pay utility bills, real estate taxes, or other expenses, an FHA insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgage, or HECM, may be the answer.

A HECM is, simply put, a form of home equity loan that permits but does not require monthly mortgage payments.

Since there are no mortgage payments to make, there are no income requirements or limitations to qualify. Interest and other fees are accrued and the loan is typically paid off when the house is sold.

Here are some examples of how a HECM could benefit a 75-year old homeowner living in a $250,000 house. That homeowner, as of December 29, 2009, would qualify for a fixed rate HECM lump sum of $147,273 or an adjustable rate HECM line of credit of $133,285. For some, the amount available may be more than they could ever use, and it is important to understand that they are not required to use any more than is needed.

If our homeowner was paying $800 per month on a $100,000 mortgage, a portion of the available HECM funds could be used to replace the current mortgage and eliminate the $800 payment, thus freeing up $800 per month or $96,000 over ten years for other uses. Alternatively, a homeowner with no mortgage balance would have the use of all of the HECM funds to pay for utilities and taxes, insurance, or home health care expenses; or simply to maintain or improve their lifestyle.

The adjustable rate HECM has a built in growth rate on the unused portion, which means that substantially more than $133,285 could be available to an adjustable rate borrower over time.

The HECM program was the first FHA program to require counseling by an independent FHA approved counselor. HECM counseling can be done face to face or over the phone.

There are limits on lender fees, also unique to the HECM program, and special Federal Truth in Lending Act disclosures (called TALC or Total Annual Loan Cost rate disclosures) that estimate the true cost of a HECM over time expressed as a percent per year.

TALC rate disclosures have historically estimated the total annual cost of many HECM loans, including closing costs and all fees, to be quite reasonable over time. TALC rates are higher for short term or small balance loans and lower for longer term loans, and so a HECM is not cost effective for most small balance and short term needs, but can be very cost effective when used for its intended purpose, as a long term solution.

Those who find staying in their home to be their low cost alternative, can use a HECM to accomplish that objective.

However, a HECM is not for everyone.

For example, the amount of money available may not be sufficient to pay off existing liens, or there just may not be enough money to accomplish the homeowner’s objectives.

However, where appropriate, the improved cash flow from a HECM can be life changing.

For more information contact John Krajsa at 610-4377230 or www.afrcreversemortgage.com.

Lifestyles over 50

•

More of Boost Your Brainpower

by AARP.org

Choose a side. Talk sports, business, or politics. If you can do it without getting angry, which raises the memory-hindering hormone cortisol, engaging in a good debate can form new neural pathways and force you to think quickly and formulate your thoughts clearly.

March 2010

89

Health

%

of our rehab patients return home

Sleep. Shut-eye isn’t a luxury. It’s when your brain consolidates memories. Poor sleep, caused by medical conditions, worry, depression, or insomnia, can interfere with your rest. So treat yourself to relaxing scents like vanilla before bed. They raise the chemical dopamine and reduce cortisol, a stress hormone.

Check your neck. It may sound crazy, but a clot in your neck can stunt your memory by preventing enough blood and oxygen from getting to your brain. At your next checkup, ask your doctor to use the other side of his stethoscope to ensure that all’s clear in your carotid artery—the main one in your neck.

Take a mental picture. Connect names with faces by creating mental images that trick your mind into remembering.

For instance, remember Mr. Bender with the curly hair by imagining him bent over, with his curly hair facing you.

Read the news. Keeping up with the latest not only activates the memory part of the brain but also gives you something to talk about with friends and family. That kind of socializing can activate multiple parts of your brain and encourage cell growth.

Turn off the TV and pick up an instrument. Frequently tickling the ivories or blowing a horn—especially if you’re trying to master it—is associated with lower dementia risks.

What’s more, it eliminates boredom, a brain state that can cause some thinking skills to atrophy.

Join a book club. Pick up a good book to cut down on brain-withering boredom. Frequent reading is associated with reduced risk of dementia. And meeting new people forces new neural connections. Besides, you might enjoy the book.

Play Yahtzee! Whether you choose Risk, Pictionary, Scrabble, or Boggle, board games are associated with a lower risk of developing dementia. They activate strategic, spatial, and memory parts of the brain, and require you to socialize, which can help form new neural pathways.

13

Margaret was an avid walker who suffered extensive injuries when she was hit by a car. After several surgeries, she transferred to HCR ManorCare where she received intensive medical and rehabilitation services to help regain her ability to care for herself and learn to walk again. Margaret is now back home.

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14

Lifestyles over 50

•

March 2010

Grief

Giving a Voice to Sorrow

by Michael Rawls

Gene Amole, columnist for The Rocky Mountain News was dying. Loved by so many, he still shouldered his responsibility to his faithful readers. He kept a diary, and one of his entries reads, “My life doesn’t exist by itself. It is woven into the fabric of our family. As I grow weaker and less able to care for myself, the fabric loses some of its strength. What I have to do is keep reminding myself that I am not dying alone, that part of my family is dying with me...”

We leave so much, and so many, behind when we die.

The loss is felt deeply by those who continue on - family, friends, acquaintances. Those who live on realize that, so often, we have faced good-byes of one kind or another, and somehow managed to get beyond the pain of parting.

I attended a funeral service for my mother’s sister this week. It brought home one of the most bittersweet good-byes of all, the loss of my mother. Another member of my family passes on, and we grieve the loss. Again. We are not past the pain, just yet. We have not quite healed from the last one...

The kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids were there. It was comforting to know that the generations would carry on - the fabric of our families would continue to be woven in their lives. Her classmates from the graduating class of 1940 were there, as many of them as could attend. Their numbers grow smaller as their school chums cross over, one by one.

Who among them was not thinking, “who’s next?”

was top-drawer, no question.

She loved to shop, but often took her purchases back to the store. Pepper was her favorite, and perhaps only, spice used in cooking. More, much more. To speak of these things about her gave her life dimension, depth, and a quality that could not be dimmed by the means of her passing. When he was done with this tearful-but-joyful eulogy, there was little that could be added.

Rituals like this are important to humankind. Without ritual we would have less continuity, less civility, less warmth and commonality with one another. Like the rest of our family, but perhaps more so, Auntie had her own rituals, among which was reading the Daily Word. We giggled about a few of her other rituals, but we realized the vital importance of this ritual, this gathering in love, to honor her memory.

Yet, this is a ritual with which we never quite become comfortable, no matter how many times we practice it. Still, this ritual is better than grieving in silence, far better than pretending the loss doesn’t hurt. Because it does. It always does.

The sorrow of that loss needs a voice. It is the voice of that part of me that died with her, and the voice of that part of her that yet lives through me. It is the voice that reassured her, while she walked through the lonesome valley, that she was not truly alone. And it is the voice that reminds me, neither am I.

It is hard and frightening to deal with death, a subject about which we talk little. Yet when it is there and a reality, it must be faced squarely, because we have no choice to do otherwise. When it takes someone dear to us, it’s important that we give a voice to our sorrow. At the memorial, we cried not just for Auntie, Individualized service care by a compassionate but for the others who had preceded her and committed staff with available licensed - Grampa in 1969, Gramma in 1989, Dad nursing care. in 1995, my dear nephew Jeremy of AIDS Quality care 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

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In the midst of this grief, laughter.

Not out of place in this family, mind you, because a sense of humor runs in this family. One of the older grandkids took it upon himself to speak aloud the many thoughts that some had expressed quietly, or privately. She was a funny gal, and had lived in interesting times. She asked for jazz at her funeral, and the music

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Lifestyles over 50

•

March 2010

15

Finance

Potential Savings for Seniors in 2010

by Diane Schraymeyer, RSVP Senior Corps

Federal changes to Medicare Savings Programs (MSP) and Medicare’s Low Income Subsidy (“Extra Help”) began in January of 2010 and mean a greater eligibility for these important programs.

It’s important for seniors to check their eligibility for the MSP and Extra Help programs now, since the New Year has brought changes, and people who weren’t eligible before may be eligible for these benefits in 2010.

Medicare Savings Programs provide support to seniors by helping with Medicare costs such as the monthly Part B premiums and, in some cases, other premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. Medicare’s Extra Help assists with the cost of Medicare prescription drug coverage.

BenefitsCheckUp, the on-line screening tool maintained by the National Council on Aging, has been updated to account for these changes, making it quick and easy for seniors to access the latest information, eligibility rules and application forms.

Seniors should call 1-888-369-1478 to schedule time with a volunteer Benefits Ambassador who will run a BenefitsCheckUp screen and check their eligibility for these and all other federal, state and local benefits programs.

In addition to the better-known benefit programs like PACE and PACENET, LIHEAP and Property Tax and Rent Rebate, a BenefitsCheckUp screen will also check for lesser known benefits such as, Senior EyeCare – a program that ensures that every senior has access to medical eye care and promotes annual, dilated eye exams.

People eligible for a referral through this program receive a comprehensive medical eye exam and up to one year of treatment – at no out-of-pocket cost – for any disease diagnosed during the initial exam.

Volunteer ophthalmologists accept Medicare and/or other insurance reimbursement as payment in full. Patients without insurance receive care at no charge.

Do you know if you are eligible for the government program that offers qualified people a discount on their local phone bill? Or perhaps you want to find out if you qualify for SafeLink Wireless – a program supported by the

US government that provides all income-eligible households access to a free cell phone and airtime.

BenefitsCheckUp is a great resource for seniors with limited resources as well as persons eighteen and older living with a disability. BenefitsCheckUp can easily be used to check eligibility for 2,000 benefits programs that can help with utilities, food, housing, and other basic needs.

If you suspect you qualify for some of these programs, wouldn’t you like to know for certain? Or if you know of someone doing without the basic things they need, why not share this information with them? Every little bit helps – and never more than during these challenging economic times.

BenefitsCheckUp No Fees or Charges Volunteer Assisted Completely Confidential Toll-free 1-888-369-1478

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16

Personal Growth

Lifestyles over 50

Roy’s Reminiscences

by Roy Bellesfield

When Allentown Thrived

Here we are in the New Year. As I read the Morning Call the people in City Council who are trying to make Allentown a flourishing city again have a gigantic task facing them. I remember the bustling city and how the streets were busy with vehicles of every description and people getting on or off trolley cars.

Hamilton Street had shops and restaurants and movie houses, car dealers, churches, 5-and-10 cent stores, shoe stores, and men’s and ladies shops, just to name a few. I would fill a lot of sheets of paper naming every business establishment in the city. However, the era of all the hodge podge of things to do and see and buy are now just a memory of the past.

People who had cars and shopped in the city complained about parking places and paying to park. Then along came shopping malls and as the population grew and spread farther away from crowded streets and sidewalks. Along came television and that hurt the movies, and it was nice to hop in the car and go shopping at a mall with places to eat and plenty of free parking and theaters showing more than one picture.

Soon the big stores moved to the malls, and many of the smaller businesses followed suit. They set up shop where the action was - the malls - and now the city lost a lot of its shopping places. When talking with friends they say “why should I go into the city?” There’s nothing to draw me there, and I must agree, as we all want room to park our cars and lots of room to walk when we shop.

•

March 2010

This all was a wonderful sound I shall never forget. My dad took my brother and me there many times and we talked about trains and the man in the shanty who pumped the crossing gates up and down.

There were one day excursion trips by train, very affordable, and my Dad took us on several trips. One trip included a steamship ride, a real joy to us kids all in one day.

I must say we had wonderful parents who took us to places of interest by car and always took some of our friends along on picnics or swimming or fishing. We traveled in our old Willys-Knight car and sang as we rode along, and the memories of my childhood days are truly a blessing to me.

I don’t recall school being cancelled or church closed because it snowed. Dad pulled a sled with us kids on it enjoying the ride to church. We rarely missed going to church. Only sickness kept some of us at home. To this day, I attend church regularly. If you ask why, it’s because I need it. God is good and he loves everyone, and I want to live by his word, the Bible.

I felt I should strop writing as my eyes give me problems, but I just keep going, thanking God for each day, and my loving family helps me so very much and it allows me to stay in my own home, which is a real blessing to me. In everything give thanks. God loves you.

Now I take a step back in time to when we lived on Court Street between 9th and 10th Streets, and for enjoyment all I had to do was go to Hamilton Street. To me it was like going to Carnival or a fair because there was activity for folks of all ages: store windows to attract walkers, cars, trolley cars and trucks, horse drawn vehicles and street hawkers, and police directing traffic.

Then it was down Hamilton Street to 3rd and 4th Streets to watch the trains load and unload passengers and their baggage, and mail from the mail cars loaded on those large wagons pulled by a conductor. There were a lot of things going on till you heard “All aboard” and then the huffing and puffing of steam from pipes.

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Lifestyles over 50

•

March 2010

Personal Growth

Right on Time

by Alan Allegra

I’m watching the snow from the season’s record snowfall melt, dripping from the eaves and blowing off the trees in large, cat’s-eyecatching chunks. Our four vocal clocks are announcing the arrival of 2:00 p.m. with birdcalls, tractor engines, Big Ben bells, and Westminster chimes.

I’ve been out of work almost six weeks, while life continues as normal for my wife, the cats, the sun, the moon, and the stars. The deadlines for this article and this Sunday’s bible lesson are, as the passenger-side car mirror says, “Closer than they appear.” I am at a loss for words, which rarely results in silence. It is Thursday, February 11, 2010.

This may seem like a bizarre introduction to an article— more like an amateurish attempt to be the next Dashiell Hammett or Ernest Hemingway. Truth is, I’m practicing a technique authors use when writer’s block is lying in the path: Just start babbling on paper until the block crumbles.

Thursday, February 11, 2010, probably means nothing to you. It means little to me at the moment, except this is where and when I am. However, I suspect is means something to God. King David would agree with that statement. As he asked God to examine his life, he said, “All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:16). In God’s cosmic Day-Timer®, all the events of our life are written down before we are born.

No event in our life, whether good or bad, planned or unexpected, catches Him by surprise. In fact, for the child of God, He has a personal To Do list, a heavenly Honey Do agenda of good works prepared in Christ Jesus before we existed (Ephesians 2:10). Each day, the Perfect Social Director leads us in the activities that suit His purposes and work for our good (Romans 8:28).

Does this mean every day will bring happiness and we should disregard the events and circumstances that are unpleasant? Perhaps we take lousy parts of our life as signs that God doesn’t really care. All such thoughts demean the character of God and ignore His purposes. Our Heavenly Father is intimately aware of our sorrows, as David believed: “Record my lament, list my tears on your scroll—are they not in your record?” (Psalm 56:8). He knew God would act in answer to his lachrymose prayers.

The first week in March is “Return Borrowed Book Week.” God never loses His books: “Forever, O LORD, Thy

17

word is settled in heaven” (Psalm 119:89). It’s also “Jewish Book Week,” but this Book of Books is for everyone at all times. God’s promises stand firm forever, and His records are never lost.

Our loving Father does not let our days go by unnoticed; He has promised to reward our obedience to the bible (Psalm 19:11) and use the hard parts of life to train us in faith and righteousness (Hebrews 12:10). God is fully attentive to, shares in, and has a purpose for, every moment of our life.

There is no senseless babbling or writer’s block or panic in Him; all time and space are under His all-wise control.

Because of this truth, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:15, 16).

Pray with Moses, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12).

Thursday, February 11, 2010. Four-thirty p.m. Article finished. Right on time. Just as planned.

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18

Lifestyles over 50

•

March 2010

Humor

Insults with Style

by Anonymous • • • •

•

• • • • • •

• • • • • • • •

“He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire.” Winston Churchill “A modest little person, with much to be modest about.”

Winston Churchill “I have never killed a man, but I have read many obituaries with great pleasure.” Clarence Darrow “He has never been known to use a word that might send a reader to the dictionary.” William Faulkner (about Ernest Hemingway) “Poor Faulkner. Does he really think big emotions come from big words?” Ernest Hemingway (about William Faulkner) “Thank you for sending me a copy of your book; I’ll waste no time reading it.” Moses Hadas “He can compress the most words into the smallest idea of any man I know.” Abraham Lincoln “I’ve had a perfectly wonderful evening. But this wasn’t it.” Groucho Marx “I didn’t attend the funeral, but I sent a nice letter saying I approved of it.” Mark Twain “He has no enemies, but is intensely disliked by his friends.” Oscar Wilde “I am enclosing two tickets to the first night of my new play, bring a friend... if you have one.” George Bernard Shaw to Winston Churchill “Cannot possibly attend first night, will attend second... if there is one.” Winston Churchill, in response “I feel so miserable without you, it’s almost like having you here.” Stephen Bishop “He is a self-made man and worships his creator.” John Bright “I’ve just learned about his illness. Let’s hope it’s nothing trivial.” Irvin S. Cobb “He is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others.” Samuel Johnson “He is simply a shiver looking for a spine to run up.”

Paul Keating “He had delusions of adequacy.” Walter Kerr “There’s nothing wrong with you that reincarnation won’t cure.” Jack E. Leonard

• • •

• • • • • •

•

“He has the attention span of a lightning bolt.” Robert Redford “They never open their mouths without subtracting from the sum of human knowledge.” Thomas Brackett Reed “He inherited some good instincts from his Quaker forebears, but by diligent hard work, he overcame them.”

James Reston (about Richard Nixon) “In order to avoid being called a flirt, she always yielded easily.” Charles, Count Talleyrand “He loves nature in spite of what it did to him.” Forrest Tucker “Why do you sit there looking like an envelope without any address on it?” Mark Twain “His mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.” Mae West “Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go.” Oscar Wilde “He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts... for support rather than illumination.” Andrew Lang (1844-1912) “He has Van Gogh’s ear for music.” Billy Wilder

Lifestyles over 50

•

March 2010

Puzzles

What’s Common?

See if you can figure out what these words have in common.

1 Banana 2 Dresser 3 Grammar 4 Potato 5 Revive 6 Uneven 7 Assess Are you peeking or have you already given up?

Give it another try ... Look at each word carefully.

(You’ll kick yourself when you discover the answer.)

Answer: No, it is not that they all have at least 2 double letters.

Riddles

You throw away the outside and cook the inside. Then you eat the outside and throw away the inside. What did you eat?

What goes up and down the stairs without moving?

I have holes in my top and bottom, my left and right, and in the middle. But I still hold water. What am I? What can run but never walks, has a mouth but never talks, has a head but never weeps, has a bed but never sleeps?

From the beginning of eternity To the end of time and space To the beginning of every end And the end of every place.

What am I?

What’s Common?

Riddle Answers ear of corn rug sponge river the letter “e”

Anagram

Which day of the week is an anagram for a common noun? (The noun is a word you know, but not one you hear all the time.) Give the day of the week and the anagram.

Anagram

In all of the words listed, if you take the first letter, place it at the end of the word, and then spell the word backwards, it will be the same word.

A lady and a gentleman are sister and brother. We do not know who is older.

Someone asked them: Who is older?

The sister said: I am older.

The brother said: I am younger.

At least one of them was lying. Who is older?

Who Is Older?

monday, dynamo

Who Is Older?

Answers

Since there is no conflict between what they said, it meant that either they both told a lie or both told the truth.

(Answers are in the column to the right)

In this case they both told a lie. The answer is the brother is older.

Puzzles

19

20

Lifestyles over 50

Puzzles

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Warmth. Friends. Laughter.

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To make a fresh start, visit or call us today.

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Lifestyles over 50

•

March 2010

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21

Capital of Lesotho 14 15 16 Pale 9 Pale Send to PO Box 414 10 Absorbed 17 18 19 Absorbed 17 18 19 Macungie, PA 18062 or 11 Killing Killing 21 22 2020 21 22 editor@lifestylesover50.com 12 Wheeled Wheeled vehicle vehicle 23 24 25 26 2627 28 29 28 30 29 23 24 25 27 30 Volunteers Before Before (prefix) 13(prefix) 31 32 32 33 31 33 Mr..'s18 wife Mr..'s wife Phoebe Home needs volunteer 34 35 36 37 38 Feigned 34 35 36 37 38 help in the following areas: 22 Feigned Help care for the exotic birds in Pride23 Pride 39 40 41 39 40 41 the home. We provide extensive Bar 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 Bar 24 training for this area. In42 43 44 45 46 47 48 That (possessive) house transporters needed for 25 That (possessive) 49 50 51 52 53 physical therapy department Chirping sound 49 50 51 52 53 26 Chirping soundin morning, afternoon and 54 55 56 57 Insert 54 55 56 57 weekend hours.

27 Insert 58 59 60 Downwind Shopping trips held on Tuesday 58 59 60 Downwind afternoons - escorts needed.

Type29 of partnership 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 Looking for someone to visit Type of partnership 30 Compass point 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 residents, come and talk Eastern Compass point and visit with our friends.

32 Time 69 71 72 73 70 74 Made Eastern Time Joan Wickel 610-794-5362 35angry 72 73 74 jwickel@phoebe.org www.CrosswordWeaver.com Cram36 Made angry Bucks www.CrosswordWeaver.com SENIOR CORPS RSVP for Cram 38wives ACROSS 49 Possessive pronoun 55 and over who would AmericanBucks Cancer wives ages 40 50 Musical compositions like to find challenging, ACROSS 49 Possessive pronoun Society (abbr.) rewarding volunteer 41 American Cancer 1 Car rental agency 53 Charged particle 50 Musical compositions42 Knock off opportunities in Northampton 5 Lava 54 Heat unit Society (abbr.) and Lehigh counties. Jill Hovel 43 Car rental agency 1 Please 53 Charged particle respond 10 55 Money 42 Knock off Rothrock 610-691-7705, Exploded 44 Lava 5 US 54 Heat unit rothrockj@diakon.org for liquid unit 14 56 Greased 43 Hovel 45 Hallucinogen Northampton County. Karen Please respond 10 55 Money to birds 15 Relating 58 Blows 44 Exploded Nielson 610-391-8219, 46 Grease US liquid 14 56 Greased a wingunit shooter 16 Like 60 Bullet Hallucinogen nielsonk@diakon.org for extension 47 Foot45 Lehigh County. animals 17 Compensate 61 House Relating to birds 15 58 Blows 48 Cease 46 Grease Window ___ Looking to the future 19 63 16 Like a wing 60 Bullet shooter 51 Blowfish 47 Foot extension Care Alternatives hospice Revenue 20 Internal 69 Copied needs Reiki Practitioners, Compensate 17 61 House animals 52 Precarious 48 Cease Certified Massage Therapists & Service Wipe off 70 19 Window ___ 63 Looking to the future 56 French "yes" Comfort Volunteers to help our 51 Blowfish 21 Glassy 71 European monetary unit 20 Internal Revenue 69 Copied patients. 866.821.1212 57 Set in 52 Precarious 23 Folklore tales 72 Cipher 59 U.S. Department of Service 70 Wipe off 56 French "yes" Lutheran Home at Topton 26 National capital 73 Begin again Glassy 21 71 European monetary unitAgriculture invites volunteers to share 28 Sickly 74 Adolescent 57 Set in musical talent, voice or Nourished 60 Folklore 23 72 Cipher feeling tales 31 __ Department of 59 U.S. instrument with residents. Flex Cooking tool 61 National capital 26 73 Begin again hours – days, evenings and/or 32 Lure DOWN Agriculture protection weekends. Carol Miller: 61062 Environmental Sickly 28 74 Adolescent tool 33 Fisherman's Nourished 60 (abbr) 682-1420, millerc@diakon.org. agency __ feeling 31 34 Preoccupied 1 April (abbr.)

64 Change Cooking tool 61 color Volunteer Center has brochure 37 Suggested 2 Compete Lure 32 DOWN 65 Avail62 Environmental protection listing agencies in need of Flow out slowly Business abbr.

39 3 33 Fisherman's tool of the wk.

66 Second day agency (abbr) volunteers. 610-807-0336, 40 Papa 4 Philosophical www.volunteerlv.org.

Preoccupied 34 1 April (abbr.)

67 Anger 64 Change color Gone With the Wind's Charts 42 5 37 Suggested 2 Compete 68 Not pro Needed: Drivers for Meals 65 Avail Mr. Butler 6 Street abbr.

On Wheels in Northampton 39 Flow out slowly 3 Business abbr. wk.especially the Slatebelt 66 Second day of the 45 Move 7 Cocktail drink County, Papa Philosophical 40 4 area. If interested: Jill @ Senior 67 Anger 42 Gone With the Wind's 5 Charts Corps RSVP 610 691-7705 or 68 Not pro Answers for puzzles are at www.lifestylesover50.com rothrockj@diakon.org Mr. Butler 6 Street abbr.

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Happenings

Social & Support Groups Wed, Mar 3 LV Vegetarians.

Quaker Meeting House Rt. 512 half mile N. of Rt. 22 Twnshp.

Pot luck dinner. 6pm. $3.50 Len 610-709-8984 Mon, Mar 8, 1pm St. John’s Friendly 50’s 1343 Newport Ave Northampton. 1PM Entertainment by “Rosie the Riveter” If bad weather, meeting rescheduled to following Monday. Wed, Mar 24 Li Greci’s Staten Italian dinner theater Staten Island, NY. Meal served with comedian and Sinatra imitator $77-$85. Thurs Apr 15, bus trip: “Sights and Sounds” production of “Joseph”. $110$120 pp, lunch at Miller’s Smorgasbord. 610-767-4881.

Thurs, Mar 4 Alzheimer’s Support Group, Thurs 1-3 PM St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. 1900 Pennsylvania Ave, Allentown.

Thurs, Mar 4, Allentown AARP Chap. 5415 St. Timothy’s Lutheran Church 140 S. Ott St. Social hour 12-1p.m. Program: “Parkland Violin Strollers” Business meeting follows. 610437-4265 Tues Mar 2 Noon. Lower Macungie Seniors. Lower Macungie Comm. Ctr 610-3950782.

Tues, Mar 2, 6 pm. Whitehall Senior Group. Dinner and entertainment, Whitehall HS Cafeteria $3. 610-264-3721.

Wed Mar 3, 1 pm. Macungie Seniors, Macungie Fire Company. Ruth, 610-965-9584.

Thurs, Mar 4 7PM Lower Milford Twnshp Fire Co. 1601 Limeport Pike, spaghetti dinner adults $7 children $4 salad bar, dessert.

Sat, Mar 13 10:30AM Enjoy gardening, interested in peace issues? Jordan United Church of Christ, Rt 309 and Walbert Ave, Allentown, 2.5 acres dedicated as peace garden, custom peace sculpture, peace pole, worship areas, biblical plant & children’s bed, gazebo, swing, trails.

Sat, Mar 13 Bethlehem Garden Club, share garden tips with local pros and hobbyists 610838-1482.

Mon, Mar 8, 7-8:30 pm. Prayer & Share Together for emotional wholeness, women’s support group struggling, or have family struggling with depression, bi-polar, etc. Ebenezer Bible Fellowship, Bethlehem. Linda 610-395-8756.

Tues, Mar 9 Alzheimer’s Support Group, SarahCare Adult Day Service, 610-391-1576 Tues, Mar 9 1pm, St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 5th & Chestnut Sts, Emmaus.

Emmaus Garden Club, Sandi 610.965.2062.

Tue, Mar 9, 7-8:30 pm. Prayer & Share Together for emotional wholeness, women’s support group struggling, or have family, struggling with depression, bi-polar, etc. Asbury Methodist Church, Allentown. Linda 610395-8756.

Tues, Mar 9, 8:30 AM Lehigh Co. TRIAD free continental breakfast. Green Meadows of Allentown. Call 610-967-5454.

Wed, Mar 10 5:30-6:30PM. Alzheimer’s Support Group, share, support. Professional advice from caregivers for Alzheimer’s impaired families.

Arden Courts of Allentown 610366-9010.

Wed, Mar 10 LV Military Affairs Council – Saucon Manor in Hellertown. 12pm 484-7880196 or info@lvmac.org to get involved. Open to all.

Thur, Mar 18 5:30 Alz’s Support Group, Country Meadows of Allentown, Bldg 3. Light dinner served. RSVP 610-395-7160.

Thur, Mar 18 4:30-6 pm. Alz Support Group, mutual support for those who provide care and deal with Alzheimer’s disease.

Adult Day Service Building, Westminster Village. 610-7828390.

Fri Mar 19, 10 am. People Meeting People Club, PEP. Senior Social Group. Fellowship

Hall, Asbury United Methodist Church.

Thurs, Mar 25 - Alzheimer’s Support Group for Caregivers 4-5 PM Phoebe Richland Health Care Center. 267-371-4569 Thurs, Mar 25 7pm. LV Brain Injury Support Group - Good Shepherd Health & Tech Center, 850 S. Fifth Street, Allentown.

Thurs, Mar 25 12PM Caregivers & Professionals Networking Group. Country Meadows of Allentown, Building 3, 610-3957160 LV Chap. 1371, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Thurs Mar 25 St. Peters Lutheran Church Comm. Room, 1933 Hanover Ave. Allentown, 12PM w/ lunch. Business session at end of meeting. Current/former fed workers invited to interesting program for seniors. First timers and those for lunch, call Bob Emery 610-395-9157 before Sat, Feb 20. Lunch $7.50. Those attending just the program and meeting may arrive at 1PM. AARP Chapter 3115, Whitehall, noon Thurs, Mar 4 American Club, 300 Cherry St, Coplay.

After social hour, refreshments available. LV High School for Performing Arts performs instrumental and vocal numbers.

New members welcome. Info: 610-264-9164 Tue Mar 23 Alzheimer’s Support Group 10AM. Old Orchard Health Care Center. Palmer Twp. Jim Baer for info 610-4381608.

Tues, Mar 23 LV Parkinson’s Support Group, Gerry Haines (Chair). Banko Bldg. 10-12PM. Wed Mar 24 Men of Retirement Age Club 1-2;30pm, Advent Moravian Church, 3730 Jacksonville Road, Hanover Township.

Mondays 10 and 1. “Loving Hands Quilting Circle”.

Country Meadows. Allentown, Buildings 3 and 1, 610-3957160.

Mondays 10 am. Hi-Neighbors Group, senior group. 2 guest

speakers each meeting. First Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem.

Call Jan 610-954-7561.

Mondays 11:30-2. JCC, Allentown Friendship Circle.

Open to 50 and over. Programs and lunch. Ruth 610-865-3646, 1 week in advance.

Tuesdays, 1 pm. Trexlertown Area Senior Group. Trexlertown Fire Co. Back entrance. 610395-5316.

Tuesdays 1:30-4:30. Palmer Senior Group, meet seniors, play cards, share good times. Charles Chrin Community Ctr Palmer Township 610-252-2098 www. palmercommunitycenter.org Wednesdays noon. Fogelsville Senior Group at Fire Company.

Amelia, 610-395-2224.

Wednesdays 1pm St. Stevens Church Franklin & Turner St. Allentown. Cards, bingo & refreshments.

Thursdays at 12. Schnecksville Senior Citizen Group.

Schnecksville Fire Co. Peg 610395-8667.

Fridays 1 pm. Emmaus Senior Group, St. John’s Lutheran Church, Emmaus. Erma 610966-2299.

Exercise Bethlehem YMCA. SilverSneakers 1 M/T/W 10:45AM M/W 3PM. SilverSneakers 2 T 8:30AM & F 10:30AM, YogaStretch Th 10:45AM Sat 8AM, SilverSplash T/Th 9:15am Sat 8:15AM. Suburban Family YMCA. Dates and times adult aquatics classes call 610-867-7588. Silver Sneakers I: Mon, Tues, Thurs at 9:00am,Thurs: 10:00am. Silver Sneakers II Mon 10:00am, Fri: 10:00am Silver Sneakers YogaStretch- Wed: 10am.

Allentown YMCA & YWCA Senior Fit M-W-F 9:00 am, Silver Circuit M-W-F 9:00 am, Silver Sneakers 1 Mon & Thurs 11:30 am, Silver Sneakers 2 Mon, Tues, Thurs. 1:30 pm, Silver Splash Mon, Wed 9:30 am, Fri 2 pm, YogaStretch

YMCA - Easton, P’burg & Vicinity. Silver Sneakers Cardio Mon1pm Tues 11:00am, Wed. & Fri. 12:00 pm Silver Sneakers 1 Tues. & Thurs. 12:30pm.

Silver Sneakers Yoga Wed. 12:50pm. Low Impact Aerobics Tues. & Thurs. 8:00am. Aqua Aerobics M-F 9:15am, Tues. & Thurs. 7:00pm. Arthritis Aquatics M-W-F 10:30am, Tues. & Thurs. 1:00pm www. familyymca.org Arthritis Aquatics Mon, Wed, and Fri 11:00-11:45 AM or 11:45-12:30PM. 3rd St. Alliance for Women & Children. Monthly: $38.00 Drop-in: $6.00. Other programs, memberships available. 610-258-6271. Aqua Pilates, Arthritis Aquatics, Aqua Aerobics. Many days and times available for classes. Rodale Aquatic Center Allentown 610606-4670.

Tai Chi and Qigong classes in Lehigh Valley, experienced instructor, reasonable rates.

Hilary Smith, RN 610-7516090 or smith.hilarym@gmail. com

Do you have old classic records that you want to sell?

Call Julius Vitali of VINYLALLY HEAR at

610-217-1629 (cell) 610-966-6202 (phone)

Buying classical records and collections

Dances Wednesday Afternoon Dances at Lehigh County Senior Ctr: 1-4 pm. 1st & 3rd Wed of month. $7.00 pp includes refreshments. 610-437-3700 www.lehighseniors.org.

Saturday Evening Dances at Lehigh County Senior Ctr: 8-11 pm. $7.00 pp. 610-437-3700.

Allentown Area Swing Dance.

Fearless Fire Co. 1221 S Front St. 610-390-7550. $7 includes lesson 7pm - 8:30, no partner needed. Mar 2 & 9 East Coast Swing Feb 23 & 30 West Coast Swing. www. allentownswingdance.org Night Club 2 Step Tues Mar 16.

Wed 7:30. N. Penn Elks Club, Colmar, Pa West Coast Swing.

Third Fridays Peppermint Dance Club. Church on the Mall, Plymouth Meeting. www. peppermintdanceclub.com Third Friday of month – Easton Dance Party at Third St. Alliance, N. 3rd St., Easton.

610-330-9950.

Ballroom Dance Sundays at Fearless Fire Company in Allentown, Carol 610-398-8312 schedule and info.

Ballroom on High, Swing, www.swingkat.com

Bingo Mon & Thurs 5PM, game at 7 PM. Memorial Hall, Liberty Fire Co. Stockertown. 610-7596811 Wed 5PM game at 6:45PM Volunteer Fire Co Fogelsville Ladies Auxiliary Cash Prizes 610-395-5479 Wed 6PM game at 7PM Lehigh County Senior Ctr. Free coffee and snacks. $15 includes 4 double cards & 1 pack of specials.610-437-3700

Classes and Lectures aulfair Medical Ctr, Topton.

610-682-2104. www.drmaulfair. com. Sat Mar 13 12PM: Chelation Thearpy. 6:30PM: How Toxins Impact Your Health. Sat Mar 20 12PM: Truth About Cholesterol. Sat

Mar 27 12PM Digestive Health Seniors Who Wish to Re-Enter Workforce. Lehigh County Senior Ctr 1633 Elm Street Allentown: practical computer classes. Basic Computer I and II, Digital Camera, Digital Photos, Intro to Internet. Classes limited to 8. Classes at the center and Whitehall Library. Eight 1.5 hour classes $40 members $80 nonmembers. Annual membership $20. Info 610-4373700 or Diane Nolan dndod@ aol.com.

Community Events First and Third Tues, 8 pm.

Tickle Me Tuesday, Allentown BrewWorks.

Seniors Mon. workshops: DaVinci Science Ctr. Curious minds ages 62 and up encouraged to reserve spots 484.664.1002 X112, dzehner@davinci-center.org.

Seniors Monday Workshops feature workshop and fullday admission Science Center for $4.50, chances to win gift certificates. Mon Mar 15 Evolution of Strength and Conditioning Training for Sports. All workshop sessions at 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Limited seating, groups welcome to reserve spaces.

Adoption Event - cats & kittens Sat, Mar 6, Mar 20 11-2:30PM, Superpetz, 2920 Easton Ave. Bethlehem, PA. Low Cost Vaccine Clinic Sun, Mar 7 1-4:00PM, Superpetz, 2920 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, PA. Dog: Rabies $12; Distemper

$15; Bordetella $15; Heartworm / Lyme / Ehrlichia test $25 Cat: Rabies $12; Distemper $12; FIV / Felv test $25 Microchip $35. Cats must be in carriers; dogs must be on leash.

Egg Decorating Club show and sale.

Sat Mar 20 11 am-4 pm, Sun, Mar 11 am-3 pm at Forks Township Community Ctr, 500 Zucksville Road, Easton, PA. $3 adults $1 children under 12.

Proceeds go to the Forks Twp. Community Center and Eggs Original Egg Club.

East Penn SD athletic track is open for community use when school sponsored events are not taking place. Nicole Bloise 610.966.8335, nbloise@ eastpennsd.org.

Ace in the Hole, Paterson, NJ, Wearing of the Green Celebration Mar 15. Family style dinner & entertainment: vocalist, orchestra, dancing, comedian, and bagpiper. $76.

Sponsored by Club 30, Morning Call retirees. 610-434-3130 or 610-432-9442.

Allentown Central Catholic HS Annual Alumni Communion B’fast Sun, Mar 7. 9 a.m. Mass at St. Catharine of Siena , 1825 W. Turner St., Allentown, 10:00 breakfast in social hall.

Celebrant of Mass and speaker at breakfast: Bishop John Barres. $12 per person. For advance tickets, contact Lucy Eddinger 610-437-4601, x117. No tickets at door.

Don’t Let Your Memories Fade Away Transfer your VHS movies to DVD

I

Wed 1:30 pm. Dates & times of adult aquatic classes available.

610-434-9333

$18.95 per VHS tape, quantity discounts We convert 8mm Film, Super8 Film, 16mm Film, Camcorder Tape and 35mm Slides $pecial Pricing for Lifestyles over 50 readers Call 610-774-0919 ask for Art