Seniors Today December 20, 2013 by Brandon Nickles

The Senior Newspaper Serving Volusia & Flagler Counties For 22 Years—COMPLIMENTARY COPY

December 20, 2013

y r r e M s a m t s i r h C Visit Us Online At: seniorstodaynewspaper.com

Holy Cross Lutheran Church Christmas at Holy Cross: DECEMBER 22 8 & 10 A.M.

Christmas Praise

DECEMBER 24 6 P.M. 6:30 P.M. 7 P.M. 10 A.M.

Communion Service Christmas Carol Singing Candlelight Cantata

DECEMBER 25 Heritage Christmas Service

New Year’s at Holy Cross: DECEMBER 29 8 A.M. 10 A.M.

Celebrate the New Year Gospel Music Concert

Holy Cross Lutheran Church 724 Big Tree Road South Daytona

386-767-6542 Page A-2—Seniors Today—December 20, 2013

A Christmas Miracle

believe in miracles… and I have joined with the thousands who have been praying for the life of a baby boy who is in the hospital near Atlanta. The lives of the Huffmans changed drastically when they learned of their baby’s condition. Silas, the son of Amanda and Chris Huffman (Casting Crowns bass) was hospitalized in August with a swollen heart. At 4-months, Silas’ breathing didn’t sound right to Amanda so she took him to their pediatrician. The doctor took one look at Silas and said she must take him to the Urgent Care Center a mile from his office. From Urgent Care, Silas was air-lifted by helicopter to Healthcare of Atlanta at Egelston. An X-ray was taken and showed that his heart was much too large and much too weak, a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy. The results of the diagnosis meant that the only chance he had to live was if a donor could be found for him to receive a healthy heart. Thus began the journey to hopefully find out what caused this and to save his life. FOX 5 News announced that Silas' father, Chris Huffman, was in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, doing a sound check with his band, Grammy Award-winning Christian group Casting Crowns, when he got the call about his son. The FOX Medical Team's Beth Galvin visited the family and learned that Silas was in the cardiac intensive care unit on a ventilator in critical, but stable, condition. Silas was scheduled for surgery to receive the Berlin Heart, a small, external heart pump designed to take over and do the work for his heart. FOX 5 began posting updates on Silas' on their Facebook page. Prayers for Silas came pouring in. Thousands of Casting Crowns fans—as well as strangers—followed and shared Silas' story. For three heartbreaking months, the family re-programmed their lives in order to

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be there for Silas. The girls, Silas’ sisters, were sad about being unable to stay at home though they totally understood that their mom and dad must spend most of their time at the hospital. Meanwhile, the Huffmans' friends, family, and church rallied around them, decorating Silas' hospital crib, nicknaming him Super Silas and making bracelets with the tag prayforsilas.

You Name It …by Kitty Maiden

Silas was on the heart transplant waiting list from September 11 until a day in December. One hundred (100) days after the journey began, Amanda called and tearfully shared with Chris that a heart had been found for Silas! The jet plane carrying Silas’ new heart was grounded because of winter storms. The Huffmans held on to Silas' beads of courage sending prayers for the weather to clear. Just as time seemed to be running out, the plane arrived with the donor heart and Silas was rushed into surgery for the heart transplant. Before 24 hours had passed, Amanda was able to snapped a photo of Silas smiling… with the a new heart beating in his chest! The Huffmans are hopeful and so grateful for his healthy heart, though they are aware that the first few days will be critical for Silas as he will have to take medication to keep his body from rejecting his new heart. Chris said, “The biggest step has been taken, but the journey is far from over!” Yes, several miracles have already occurred and, God willing, with your prayers, more to come. ST Kitty Maiden is a staff writer for Seniors Today.

Epiphany Manor 4792 S. Ridgewood Ave. Port Orange 62+ or Disabled Income Eligible Call For Application 386-767-2556 TTY: 1-800-955-8771

Seniors Today 360 S. Yonge, Street Ormond Beach, FL 32174 Phone: (386) 677-7060 Fax: (386) 677-0836 Website: seniorstodaynewspaper.com Published by Schillinger Enterprises, Inc. General Manager Bonnie Schillinger Editor Bonnie Gragg Staff Writers Kitty Maiden Peggy & George Goldtrap

Seniors Today is published and distributed free every other Friday to inform, entertain, and serve those over the age of 50. Deadlines: The deadline for advertising is Friday, 5 P.M., one week prior to the Friday publication date. Advertisements and copy: All advertisements and copy is believed to be truthful and accurate. Seniors Today reserves the right to edit, revise, or reject any advertising and/or submitted articles for publication. Advertisements are the sole responsibility of the advertiser. Advertisements and copy in Seniors Today are not meant to be an endorsement of any product, service, or individual. All editorial copy and by lined articles are the opinion of the writer and are not necessarily the view, opinion, or policy of Seniors Today. Errors and Omissions: Neither the publisher nor the advertiser are liable for mistakes, errors, or omissions. The sole liability of Seniors Today to an advertiser is to reprint the corrected ad in the next issue. Copyright Warning: Pursuant to Federal Copyright Law, all material contained within this publication which was created, designed, composed, written, typeset, imageset, or prepared in any way by Seniors Today remains the sole property of the publisher and cannot be reproduced in whole or in part without the written permission of Seniors Today. This pertains to the duplication of either advertising or non-advertising material. Notice of copyright appears on page one of this and all issues.

What’s Happening Around Town… Learning, Living & Laughing Series Bishop’s Glen, 900 LPGA Blvd., Holly Hill has a series of free seminars during the month of January. Topics include: Osteoporosis on Fri., Jan. 3 at 2:30 P.M.; Parkinson’s Support Group on Tues., Jan. 7 at 2:30 P.M.; Bed Pan Band on Fri., Jan. 10 at 6 P.M.; Caregivers Support Group, Wed., Jan. 15 at 1:30 P.M.; Nutrition And Cataracts on Thurs., Jan. 16 at 2:30 P.M.; Acupuncture Therapy on Wed., Jan. 22 at 2:30 P.M. and Early Settlers Of Holly Hill on Wed., Jan. 29 at 2:30 P.M. RSVP to 386226-9110.

In The Mood Musical Don’t miss the fabulous 1940s musical revue In The Mood... America’s greatest big band show coming to the Peabody Auditorium on Thurs., Jan. 16 at 2 P.M. Group discounts available! Get your tickets online at peabodydaytona.com; ticketmaster.com; or at the Peabody box office by calling 386-671-3462. For more information go to artbeatshows. org or inthemoodlive.com

Free Caregiver’s Days First United Methodist Church of Ormond Beach is providing free Caregiver’s Days Out at their location that includes food, fun, and special attention for care receivers. The days are from 9 A.M. to 2 P.M. on Sat., Jan. 11; Thurs., Feb. 13; and Thurs., March 20. For details, call Sherry at 386-677-3581, ext. 311. This is a wonderful opportunity for caregivers to take a break.

DAR Meeting Join the Sugar Mill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution when they meet at the Port Orange Christian Church at 804 Taylor Rd., Port Orange at 7 P.M. on January 21. The speaker will be Kim Dolce, Librarian at City Island Library speaking on exploring the Genealogy Room and how to explore and how to find your ancestors. The public is invited. Call the Regent at 386-760-9921 for details.

Outreach Dinner Open Arms is an outreach ministry for the blind and visually impaired in the Daytona Beach area. You are invited to a free dinner, great fellowship, and a program being offered at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 724 Big Tree Road, South Daytona, on the second Saturday of every month from 4–6 P.M. Reservations are required. Please call Holy Cross at 386-767-6542 one week prior to reserve your place.

Holiday Worship Are you looking for a warm, friendly church to celebrate your holidays? Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 724 Big Tree Rd., South Daytona invites you to attend their holiday services. Come on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 8 & 10 A.M. Each child will receive a gift and enjoy a special object lesson for the children at 10 A.M. Christmas Eve at 6 P.M. is a Communion Service followed by a Christmas Carol singing at 6:30 P.M. Then stay for the beautiful Christmas Eve Candlelight Cantata beginning at 7 P.M. On Christmas Day plan to attend a 10 A.M. Heritage Christmas Service. On Dec. 29 join them as they celebrate the New Year at 8 A.M. and a Gospel Music Concert at 10 A.M. For more information, call 386-767-6542.

Lunch Bunch Holy Cross Lutheran Church, 724 Big Tree Road, South Daytona host Lunch Bunch every Thurs. (except Dec. 26 & Jan. 2) at 12 NOON. Just $5 gets you lunch and bingo with non-monetary prizes. Reservations are required by noon the Tuesday prior. Call the church at 386-767-6542.

Women’s Health Here is a wonderful opportunity for women to learn about breast and cervical cancer during free presentations at four Volusia County libraries in January. Christina Roebling of the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County will share information about early screening and diagnosis for these common cancers at 4:30 P.M. on the following Thursdays: Jan. 2: DeLand Regional Library, 130 E. Howry Ave.; Jan. 16: Deltona Regional Library, 2150 Eustace Ave.; Jan. 23: New Smyrna Beach Regional Library, 1001 S. Dixie Freeway; and Jan. 30: Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. RSVP is requested and may be made by calling the health department at 386-274-0500, ext. 0619.

January Movies Bring your own popcorn and take in some free flicks as you kick off the new year at the Port Orange Regional Library, 1005 City Center Circle. January’s movies dates are: Sunday, Jan. 5; Monday, Jan. 6; Monday, Jan. 13; and Monday, Jan. 27 all at 2 P.M. Because of the agreement that allows the library to show movies for free, some titles can’t be published, but library staff can release them over the phone. Call 386-3225152, option 4, for the titles.

Reverse Mortgages Attorney Michael Pyle and Reverse Mortgage Specialist John Reardon invite you to a presentation on reverse mortgages on Sat., Jan. 11 at 2 P.M. in the large auditorium of the Volusia County Library, City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave., Daytona Beach. Mr. Reardon will explain the technical details of applying, qualifying, and closing and Mr. Pyle will present the the legal and practical issues. No reservation is required to attend this free presentation which is open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call 386-615-9007.

Photography Workshop Capturing nature through photography is a prized pastime for many people. Learning the basics can make the difference between a so-so picture and a phenomenal one. If you want to learn how to take a great nature shot, set your sights on a beginning photography workshop from 10 A.M. to 3:30 P.M. Saturday, Jan. 4. Participants will spend the first two hours at Lyonia Environmental Center, 2150 Eustace Ave., Deltona, where Doug Little of St. Johns River Eco Tours will teach the basics. They will take a short lunch break and travel to the Highbanks Marina, where they will board a boat and spend two hours on the water putting their classroom knowledge to use. Afterward, there will be a Q-and-A session with the instructor. The cost is $50 per person. Lunch is not included. Space is limited to 15 people. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 386-789-7207, ext. 21028. Reserve your place today.

Support Groups Look Good/Feel Better Trained cosmetologists are available to help women undergoing cancer treatments with makeup and accessories. Co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society, this group meets at Florida Hospital in DeLand. The cost is free, but seating is limited and registration is required. Call The American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345 for reservations, meeting times, and more details. Hurting Yourself With Food? Are you tired of Yo-Yo dieting? Are you addicted to food? Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous (FA) is a solution for all forms of food addiction. People have found recovery from overeating, under eating, and bulimia. For more meeting times and more information, call 386-258-0610.

December 20, 2013—Seniors Today—Page A-3

Happy Holidays!

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December 20, 2013—Seniors Today—Page A-5

Grandchildren Crave Memories by Peggy Goldtrap

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Page A-6—Seniors Today—December 20, 2013

hristmas chaos is galloping our way, or are those pitter patters on our rooftops? Christmas creates a whirlwind that wipes out savings in these “tough, economic times,” Yule do well to revisit the ghost of Christmas past. What I remember are not the presents, but the preparation. My dad and I would chop a cedar tree from my grandparent’s farm. Cedars are not known for their beauty, only for availability. The scrawny tree was tied on top of the car and driven sixty wind-swept miles. It arrived home stripped, splintered, and de-needled of its dignity. Who cares, it’s our tree, we chopped it. Dad drug it inside, setting it up on a home-made tree stand, a project he and I tackled. Mom went up into the attic and brought down decorative glass balls. Yes, grandchildren, there were glass balls, or at least shards of glass balls. They were hung by bent hair pins or string. During the war, I made Christmas bells out of milk tops, or any scrap of paper (remember rationing). Fold the paper, paste, color. If you didn’t have flour and water paste, try spit. With enough spit the paper might stay sealed. After stringing lights, (some were always out, missing, broken, etc.), and hanging spit bells and punctured balls (just a small hole in a ball could be disguised if hung away from the viewing side); the tree was ready for its crowning event. Not a star. Not exactly an angel, but Angel Hair. Today’s children do not know, nor appreciate the pain of pulling and stretching Angel Hair. My mother hated it. She fumed, fussed, complained, cried, swore she’d “never do this again.” Next to launching a space rocket or childbirth, stretching Angel Hair on a cedar tree is at least in the top five of monumentally difficult tasks. Angel Hair never stayed in one piece like the box promised. It did, however, stay stuck to clothes, hair, upholstery, and the cat. It took up residence in corners and seemed to be breeding for the next season. One package of Angel Hair would not cover a tree, because Angel Hair did not have a beginning and end. Once you popped the package and took the first tweak, it began to shred. That meant you had to pull and patch over the parts of the tree that were most visible. Had anyone looked behind our tree, it would have been embarrassingly naked. Who cared? The funky tree was our family tradition. Watching my mother, the mistress of the mansion, try to create beauty when the “bones” were missing, was a joy. She could turn a shabby cedar into a work of art. She was a perfectionist and one had better stay

out of her way until she said: “Finally.” That meant turn on the lights, top the tree with a star, let’s eat, goodnight.

Happy Talk …by George & Peggy Goldtrap My mother reminded me, every Christmas morning before we opened the presents, that her only gifts were a handkerchief, maybe, and a bag of oranges. This was a set-up. In other words don’t complain about how little you’re getting because whatever I give is more than I got. Huh? My pragmatic parents gave socks, panties, pajamas, and a few toys. Apparently Santa was in cahoots with them and censored my wish list. An adult is remembering a scrawny tree, but the child inside has another spin. It was a wonderful time to be at my grandparent’s farm which I dearly loved. Tromping through the woods to find the magic tree meant precious time with my dad. I was his “boy.” He taught me to chop, saw, nail, thread a fish hook, mow yards, and work hard, not hardly work. Presents come and go, and as I age, so do the memories. When it’s all said and done, memories rarely center on what we received, but what we gave; rarely on numbers of toys, but numbers of people moving through our lives; rarely on quality, more importantly, the thought. One grandmother always gave a “store bought” gift, with the “store bought” tag on it. I don’t know if she planned to return the gift, or if she wanted me to know how much she cared. I thought it was funny, a special game we played. Usually the gift was something I didn’t want, some stinky powder or cologne, but I wanted her, so I thanked her from my heart. What will your car and computer grandchildren remember in “these tough economic times?” Will they settle for handkerchiefs and ties? Of course. Grandchildren crave memories you create by listening to them, walking with them, watching them perform, talking one on one, watching a football game and not telling them to ‘quiet down.’ They won’t remember ‘all the things they didn’t get,’ but all the things YOU gave. Grandchildren today are like yesterdays; their hearts are full of love. ST

George and Peggy Goldtrap are both actors, speakers, and writers and may be reached at georgegoldtrap@gmail.com

Reverse Mortgages

ell-known people tout reverse mortgages on television and in publications, making them sound like the best thing since sliced bread. Some believe it, and some question whether reverse mortgages are useful at all. Reverse Mortgage Specialist John Reardon, with Community Mortgage Solutions, and I are making a presentation to the public, sponsored by the Volusia County Library at City Island and its Friends of the Library on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2 P.M. at the library. Mr. Reardon will explain the technical details of applying, qualifying, and closing. I will present the legal and practical issues and concerns, including issues related to Medicaid planning and title to the property when one obtains a reverse mortgage. We will also discuss what happens when one has to leave the home, and what happens after death. Both of us will discuss the topics described below as well as the homeowners for whom the product is useful or not useful. The topics to be discussed by both presenters include: The basic definition of a reverse mortgage, including how it differs from a regular mortgage; The pros and cons of the product in general, including people who can benefit from a reverse mortgage;

Qualification; Costs and how they are paid; Interest rates (adjustable or fixed), choices and considerations; Distribution Choices, including line of credit, initial distribution with reserved line of credit, and annuity option; Ownership of property; What happens when one no longer lives in the home (including moving into a facility for long-term care);

Elder Law …by Michael A. Pyle What happens after death—can beneficiaries obtain the property. No reservation is required to attend this free presentation. It will be held in the large auditorium in the library. Light refreshments will be served.

Attorney Michael A. Pyle, of Pyle & Dellinger, PL, 1655 N. Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 1, Daytona Beach, Florida, 32117 Telephone: 615-9007. E-mail: mikep@pyle law.com or www.pylelaw.com

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December 20, 2013—Seniors Today—Page A-7

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about qualifications and experience.

America’s Greatest Christmas Classic

merica's classic Christmas song was written by a Jewish immigrant. Born in Russia with the name Israel Baline, he was the genius songwriter we know as Irving Berlin. He wrote White Christmas for the 1942 Hollywood musical Holiday Inn, starring Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. On set, the movie's hit number was presumed to be another Berlin composition, the Valentine's Day song Be Careful, It's My Heart. Then White Christmas captured the public's imagination and hasn't quite loosed its grip since. As my colleague Mark Steyn puts it in a winsome podcast interview with Berlin's daughter Mary Ellin Barrett, “Berlin loved America and he sang its seasons”—Easter (Easter Parade), July Fourth (God Bless America) and, of course, Christmas. Some estimates point to sales of all versions of White Christmas topping 100 million. According to Albert and Shirley Menendez in their book on American Christmas songs, it made the charts for two decades straight, and as late as 1969 was the No. 1 Christmas song in the country. You are sure to hear it multiple times any Christmas season, on the radio, on TV, or at the mall. It is a song built on yearning. In lines at the beginning of the original version that aren't usually performed, Berlin writes of being out in sunny California during the holiday: “There's never been such a day In Beverly Hills, L.A. But it's December the twenty-fourth, And I'm longing to be up North.”

Steyn thinks that if America had entered World War II a few years earlier, the song might never have taken off. In 1942 American men were first shipped overseas, and it was released into a wave of homesickness. Mary Ellin Barrett says it first caught on with GIs in Great Britain. During the course of the war, it became the most requested song with Armed Forces Radio. Berlin knew he had something special with White Christmas as soon as he wrote it. He supposedly enthused to his secretary, “I just wrote the best song I've ever written— heck, I just wrote the best song that anybody's ever written!” The song evokes the warmth of the hearth and the comforts of our Christmas traditions in a way that hasn't stopped pulling at heartstrings yet. In an essay in The New Republic, Jonathan Fischer asks what has be-come of the golden age of pop Christmas songs between the 1930s and 1950s that not only gave us White Christmas, but Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song and such lesser standards as Silver Bells, Santa Baby, and Frosty The Snowman. Well, the writing was better, the standards higher, the culture more charming and less abased. Fischer notes something else— Christmas meant more. “As the religious purpose of Christmas has gotten increasingly remote,” he writes, “pop songwriters seem to have less to say about it” and “a traditional and sentimental version of Christmas... doesn't appeal to the wider, more fractured popular culture the way it once did.” ST

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Caregiver’s Day Out may be the Answer! • Saturday, Jan. 11 • 9 am–2 pm • Thursday, Feb. 13 • 9 am–2 pm • Thursday, Mar. 20 • 9 am–2 pm Care receivers can expect smiling faces, a safe environment, a light meal, and fun activities. Care givers can expect 5 hours of free time... and there’s absolutely NO COST!

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Page A-8—Seniors Today—December 20, 2013

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Volunteer Spirit Lights Trees Of Remembrance Special to Seniors Today

n December 3, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center celebrated the lighting of its Light of Love tree which honors and remembers loved ones within the community. “Christmas is all about sharing. Tonight, we are here to share with you the love that you’re showing by putting names on the tree. We consider it a privilege to be able to share this time with you,” Darlinda Copeland, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center chief operating officer, told the crowd of approximately 75 who had gathered near the 12foot-tall Christmas tree festooned with ornaments and paper banners bearing people’s names. “This sweet, simple ceremony means so much to everyone in the room. We know that each name on one of those papers is someone who is so special to you.” At Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center, community members and hospital employees place a tag on the tree as a tribute to a friend or loved one for a $10 donation. Love Notes—which include 20 words or less—may also be hung for a donation of $25. The names are recorded in a tribute book stationed beside the tree. For $100, a

banner is guaranteed to appear annually on the Light of Love Tree. “Today, we have had $1,805 donated by 64 people for this year’s Light of Love tree,” said Donna Kearns, Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Volunteer Services Manager. “We will continue to accept donations and update both the tree and the tribute book on display.” Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center’s volunteer Auxiliary presented the Light of Love Tree for the fourth Christmas season since the hospital moved to its state-of-the-art Daytona Beach campus. With almost 2.4 million hours of collective donated time, the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary assists staff in more than 50 hospital departments and has donated more than $4 million since its founding in the 1960s. Most recently, the Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center Auxiliary has helped fund the Get-Well Network, an interactive technologic service for patients at both the main campus and Florida Hospital Oceanside in Ormond Beach. ST To honor a loved one on the Light of Love tree or to learn more about becoming a Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center volunteer, call 386-231-3059.

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Page A-10—Seniors Today—December 20, 2013

ith so much materialism surrounding the holidays, it's nice when you can give a gift that accomplishes more than just adding to someone's collection of stuff—especially when it comes to gifts for impressionable children. Of course, anyone who has spent more than five minutes around a child knows they can be hard to please, which makes finding a gift that's both entertaining and educational a tall order. Considering these uncertain economic times, many parents are looking for gift ideas for kids this year that also help teach a lesson or two about savings. Here are five financial gifts for children that will both develop their financial literacy and keep them amused. 1. An Awesome Piggy Bank Saving money is the foundation to developing positive financial behaviors, but it can be a real struggle to convince your kids of that fact. A great way to encourage children to save their money is by giving them an awesome piggy bank to keep it in. Don't worry, gone are the days of boring, ceramic farm animals—now you can find banks shaped like arcade games, robots —even Darth Vader. We all know there's really nothing cooler than Darth Vader for a bank. 2. Math Video Games Grand Theft Auto 5 may be the game title of choice this Christmas, but you would probably rather improve your kids' financial literacy than their criminal history. There are many educational tools on the market that take the form of video games, such as Leapfrog's Leapster—a hugely popular and highly rated handheld gaming device for kids age 4 through 9. Like hiding zucchini in your delicious banana nut muffins, there's nothing more satisfying than tricking your kids into enjoying something that's actually good for them. 3. Stock in a (Profitable) Kid-Friendly Company More likely appreciated by somewhat older children, buying stock as a gift is a great option for the young entrepreneur in your life. Choose a company like Disney, Coca Cola, or if you're feeling generous, Apple, and buy stock in a custodial account for the child. You can buy colorful, single-share stock certificates in some 200 companies—including Disney, Builda-Bear, GameStop, Harley-Davidson, McDonald's, Nike, and Ninendo—at OneShare (www. oneshare.com). You can tell the child on your gift list that they now own a piece of that company, which is almost as cool as the fact that the investment could be worth a whole lot more by the time they're an adult. Sure beats a savings bond from Grandma. 4. Cold, Hard Cash It's hard to go wrong offering a crisp, green bill as a gift, but don't pass on the opportunity to instill the all important

value-of-a-dollar lesson. When giving physical money, it's best to have a savings goal associated with the gift—like offering $40 specifically toward the purchase of a new bicycle. In other words, don't just hand over the money and expect the kid who's receiving it to put it to good use without a discussion and giving them a little guidance. 5. Their First Wallet Children love it when they're treated like mini-adults, and nothing says big kid like owning a wallet. Depending on the child's age, you can either give a toy wallet, or a real one to use daily. Either way, kids soon will learn that a wallet is even more fun to own when there's actually some money inside. Financial gifts for children don't have to be dull—with the above gift ideas, entertainment and saving money can go hand in hand. ST

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In Italy, Santa Rides A Broomstick Special to Seniors Today

n Italy, the Feast of the Epiphany, celebrated on January 6 with a national holiday, is very much like our traditional Christmas celebrations in North America. Epiphany commemorates the 12th day of Christmas when the three Wise Men arrived at the manger bearing gifts for Baby Jesus. The traditional Christmas holiday season in Italy lasts through Epiphany. Epiphany's equivalent of Father Christmas, La Befana, arrives on her broomstick during the night of January 5 and fills children's stockings with sweets and toys. Like our very own Santa, La Befana will leave coal for all those naughty children! It's said she carries a broom to sweep away the old year to make room for the new. Legend has it that the night before the Wise Men arrived at the manger, they stopped at the shack of an old woman to ask directions. They invited her to come along, but she said she was busy sweeping and cleaning her house. Later that night, she saw a great light in the sky and decided to join the Wise Men bearing gifts that had belonged to her child who had died. She got lost and

never found the manger. Now La Befana flies around on her broomstick each year on the 11th night, bringing gifts to children in hopes that she might find the Baby Jesus. La Befana is represented as an old lady, wearing a black shawl and covered in soot who enters houses through the chimney carrying a bag or hamper filled with her gifts. Children hang their stockings on the evening of January 5 awaiting her arrival. Italians spend their day on January 6 opening their doors to welcomed visitors, watching children unwrapping their gifts, and laying out tables full of cakes and traditional Italian liqueurs. ST

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December 20, 2013—Seniors Today—Page A-11

January 2014 Friday Jan. 3 2:30 pm Auditorium

Doctors’ Choice - Osteoporosis The Back to Life with Doctors’ Choice wellness series is an educational seminar designed to equip seniors with easy to use and understand information. We bring education to the public that can change the course of their health through knowledge. This is a fun and exciting series of seminars that focuses on core health-care issues. In this seminar we learn how to increase bone density through exercise and nutrition. We will discuss what osteoporosis is and how to strengthen and maintain strong bones. We will become educated on what bone remodeling is and how weight bearing helps. We will also learn who is at most risk for bone density loss. This seminar is a guide for wellness and health, giving individuals the information they need to achieve their full potential of wellbeing. Tim Richards, Physical Therapy Assistant, has worked in the Physical Therapy/Rehabilitation field for 19 years. He has had the pleasure of working with patients in hospital, outpatient, and long term/ rehab settings and has been in the home/health care field for seven years. Tim Richards, PTA Director of Program Development & Training, Doctors’ Choice Home Health

Friday Jan. 10 6 pm Auditorium

Bed Pan Band - A Musical Group The main purpose of our 50-minute program is to entertain you with lively music, dancing, crazy get-ups, and inflatable instruments! We encourage you to laugh and have a good time, because we love being silly; after all, we play bed pans! The Bed Pan Band consists of 12 women who are volunteers of the Bert Fish Medical Center Auxiliary. We serve as good will ambassadors of the hospital while promoting public relations for the Center and its auxiliary. Karen MacDonald • Director

Thursday Jan. 16 2:30 pm Auditorium

Nutrition and Cataracts Dr. Ruth Hyatt will explain what a cataract is, how it forms, and the risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing a cataract. She will also describe what part of the eye is affected, how vision changes when a person develops a cataract, and the common visualsymptoms. Special groups of people are at a higher risk of developing cataracts and these will be considered. There are certain nutrients that have been proven to prevent or delay cataract formation. A list of foods that are the best source of these nutrients will be reviewed. Dr. Hyatt will discuss what occurs during cataract surgery, and who may be a candidate. In addition, she will explain important things to consider when undergoing cataract surgery. After the presentation, she will answer specific questions from those in attendance. Ruth Hyatt, Doctor of Optometry is a board certified optometrist who practices in Ormond Beach. She graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She attended Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry, graduated with honors, and completed a residency in Primary Care and Ocular Disease at the Daytona Beach Veterans Administration Clinic. In her spare time, Dr. Hyatt enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her husband.

Wednesday Jan. 22 2:30 pm Auditorium

Acupuncture Therapy Dr. Lorenzo Phan plans to discuss how acupuncture therapy can treat and accelerate healing. Acupuncture can be used as a sole treatment for many conditions and also work well to enhance medical treatment in conjunction with the primary care. Conditions that have been treated effectively include spinal pain, scoliosis, migraines, pinched nerves, sciatica, acute injuries, shoulder pain, hip/knee pain, diabetes II, neuropathy, smoking cessation, menopause, and cancer support treatment. The Traditional Chinese Medicine sees the human body as an integrated being. It works with vital energies inherent within all living things to promote the body’s ability to heal itself. Lorenzo Phan, Doctor of Oriental Medicine and Licensed Acupuncturist, is a graduate of the University of Hawaii with a B.S. in Bio-Chemistry. He completed four years post-graduate training in Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine at American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, Houston, Texas. He is a certified as a Neuromuscular Therapist, a Craniosacral Therapist, a Laser Therapist, and a Herbalist.

Wednesday Jan. 29 2:30 pm Auditorium

Early Settlers of Holly Hill David Rowe will present a program on the events and hardships that were endured by the early settlers of Holly Hill. There are many stories that were passed down from generation to generation and were never recorded. He will bring a few of these stories to us, as they were told to him, along with photos to enhance the program. David Rowe is the Director of Operations for the Holly Hill Museum and Education Center. His duties involve historic research, assembling and writing publications, program planning, and production. He is a member of Toastmasters International, a graduate of Research Institute of Utah, and was a motor coach tour escort and driver for twenty years, running tours for several big tour companies. David Rowe - Holly Hill Museum Director

Support Groups Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2:15 pm Florida Room & Conference Room Two Parkinson’s Monthly Groups …One For People With Parkinson’s …One For Their Caregivers Support Group Facilitators: Karen Grant, LCSW and Julie Randolph

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Section B December 20, 2013 Tails From The Front by Tyler Stover n past years, we at Halifax Humane Society have been somewhat hesitant to recommend offering pets as gifts during the holiday season. The idea behind that stance was that the recipients may not want a pet or might not be prepared for the animal. While this seemed to make sense, new data suggests that giving a pet as a gift is not such a bad idea after all. According to an ASPCA survey, 26 percent of respondents have received a pet as a gift in the last decade. Of those receiving a pet, 36 percent said that the animal being a gift had no impact on their love for the animal, and 60 percent said they were actually

more attached to the animal due to the circumstances. The percentage of gifted pets that were returned to shelters was not significantly different from other pets. When adopting a pet, still make sure to consider the expenses you (or the recipient of the pet) will be facing. In addition to food, treats, and toys, pets need regular checkups, vaccinations, and grooming. There is also the potential for trips to the veterinarian to treat illnesses or injuries. If you decide not to surprise someone with a pet, there are plenty of great alternatives. Many people have a favorite breed or type of pet that they prefer, and might want to try a shelter or rescue group. At

HHS, they can try the Meet Your Match program to help find the perfect pet for their home. Halifax Humane Society also offers gift certificates that cover the adoption fees of one pet, allowing you to give the gift of a new pet, while still allowing the recipient to make their own choice. You may choose to wait until the calmer days following the holidays to bring a new pet into your home. The impending arrival of the pet can still be part of your holiday celebration. Consider wrapping the pet's items as presents, such as its food or water bowls, a collar or leash, bed, toys, or treats. When the pet arrives home, it already has the supplies it needs for an easy adjustment.

Find A Festive Feline At HHS Halifax Humane Society is holding its Festive Felines adoption promotion, featuring the 12 Strays of Christmas through December 24. During this promotion, all cat adoption fees will be reduced to $24. Each day, one of the 12 Strays will be featured on the HHS Facebook page (www. facebook.com/halifaxhumanesociety). Visit the HHS shelter at 2364 LPGA Blvd. to find your favorite Festive Feline. ST Tyler Stover is the Community Outreach Director of Halifax Humane Society in Daytona Beach. He can be reached at 386274-4703, ext. 320, or at tstover@halifax

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olidays are hectic enough and you don’t need any additional catastrophes with which to deal. One very avoidable such catastrophe is clogged drains. Holiday meals and seasonal guests could be the “perfect storm” for clogged drains and strangled garbage disposals. Kitchen and bathroom plumbing are heavily hit during this season with additional people in the house, children, and more cooks in the kitchen who flush, pour down the drain, or grind inappropriate materials. To keep your household plumbing clean during holidays, remember these tips for reducing your chances of falling victim to clogged drains. Kitchen Sink Don’ts Don’t dump grease or oil down the drain. Grease and oil will congeal and clog the drain. Put grease in a jar and throw away. Don’t force too much food down the drain at one time. Space it out! Don’t put stringy foods like celery down the drain/disposal. Stringy foods are too fibrous and could wrap around the blade essentially strangling the disposal. Stringy, fibrous foods do not get cut up the way they should by the disposal. Don’t put rice or coffee grounds down the drain/disposal. These will expand in the pipes and clog the drain. Don’t put heavy foods like potatoes or pasta down the drain/disposal. Don’t put bones down the drain/ disposal. They may get caught in the disposal.

Don’t use the disposal as a trash can. Avoid putting paper products down the disposal. Bathroom Tips Child-proof your bathroom by removing small tempting “flushables.” Keep children supervised and active (bored kids may flush toys, etc. For amusement). Have plenty of toilet paper available and visible for guests. Remove tissues and paper towels so they are not available to be used in place of toilet paper.

Day-To-Day

Life …by Kathy M. Bryant Additionally, a well placed trash can will encourage guests to dump their table scraps. Use garbage disposals properly by keeping water running while grinding food and for 60 seconds after flushing items down the drain. This will ensure everything get pushed through the pipes. Following these tips during holiday celebrations, or anytime, just may help you avoid falling victim to “Clogged Drains” and a visit from the post holiday plumber. ST Kathy M. Bryant is with the Volusia County Extension Office. For further information, call 386-822-5778. All Extension Service programs and information are free and open to the public.

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What’s In The Stars

For The Week Of December 23

ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Be careful not to commit to too many projects at this time. Focus on just a few tasks rather than spreading yourself too thin and being unhappy. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your heart might be leading you in one direction, but pay attention to your keen Bovine intellect. Think things through before making any commitments. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Your serious Twin has been dominant in your life for quite a while. Let that wilder half take you out for some good times —perhaps with someone very special. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Career aspects are high for Moon Children who make a good impression. Show people how you can be more valuable to them in the future. LEO (July 23 to August 22) Things start to brighten for the Lion's immediate financial future. Resist the urge to splurge. Tuck something away to help you through a tight period. VIRGO (August 23 to Sept. 22) Having to do too many tasks in too short a time could lower your mood. If you handle things one at a time, you'll get through it all soon enough.

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Your usually carefully made holiday plans could be subject to change later. Prepare for that possibility by starting a Plan B just in case you need it. SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Be careful about joining a colleague's plan to solve a problem. Investigate it thoroughly. You could find yourself in a predicament with other associates. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) Slow down that high-paced whirl you've been on. Spending quiet time alone or with people you care for can be both physically and spiritually restorative. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Make suggestions, not demands. You'll be more successful in getting people to follow your lead if you exercise quiet patience instead of strong persuasion. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) You still need more facts before you can make an informed career choice. Be careful about whom you ask for that information, you could be misled. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Changing situations could lead to some challenging opportunities for Pisceans who know how to make it work to their advantage. ST

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Strange But True Who Created Santaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Image? by Samantha Weaver

Between 1659 and 1681, it was illegal to celebrate Christmas in Massachusetts. If you were caught celebrating, you would be fined five shillings. St. Nicholas is actually a historical figure, although the name was spelled differently. St. Nikolaus was the bishop of Myra in Asia Minor, and he died on Dec. 6, 343. In different regions of the world he is known as Klaus, Nickel, SĂźnnerklas, Seneklos, Pelznickel, Knecht Ruprecht, Weihnachtsmann, and Christkindl. Sometimes he travels on foot, and sometimes he's shown riding a white horse, a reindeer, a mule, or even a goat. In 1712, Cotton Mather said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Feast of Christ's Nativity is spent in Reveling, Dicing, Carding, Masking, and in Licentious Liberty... by Mad Mirth, by long Eating, by hard Drinking, by lewd Gaming, by rude Reveling.â&#x20AC;? Doesn't sound much like today's celebrations, does it?

If you think that Christmas has only recently become a nightmare of consumerism, consider that as early as the mid-1820s, Santa Claus was being employed to sell Christmas goods. Clement Clarke Moore, the author of A Visit From St. Nicholas (more popularly known as The Night Before Christmas), was born during the American Revolution and died during the Civil War. The modern image of Santa Claus was invented by American cartoonist Thomas Nast in the late 1800s. Until his cartoons were published at the end of the 19th century, no one really pictured Santa as a fat, jolly old man with white hair. Did you know the the first image of a Christmas tree to be printed in the United States appeared in Boston in 1836? It was an illustration to a book written by a German immigrant. ST

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Antiques Decoder Ring by Larry Cox

Q: I have a Little Orphan Annie decoder ring. It is in excellent condition. Can you direct me to someone who might be interested in purchasing it? —James, Holdenville, Oklahoma A: There were several decoder rings issued. I suspect yours is one that was made of brass and was sold with a “Slidomatic Radio Decoder.” Most decoder rings from the 1930s sell in the $50 to $100 range, depending on both desirability and rarity. *** Q: I have inherited several dozen pieces of porcelain, all marked as Nippon. I was told by my mother that the collection dates from the 1920s. Where can I find out more about Nippon and if what I have has any value? —Cynthia, Norman, Oklahoma A: The word Nippon was first used in 1891 to identify porcelain crafted by Japanese artisans. The practice ended in about 1921 when Japan became the mark of choice. Look at your pieces closely. Are they hand-painted and elaborate in de-

sign? If so, your Nippon could be quite valuable. As the popularity of Nippon has grown, so has the danger of reproductions. Some of the fakes, especially those pieces being crafted in China, imitate the earlier Nippon designs and techniques. Collectors must be extremely cautious. *** Q: I have many issues of National Geographic. Is there a market for them? —Dennis, Rhode Island A: Not really. Most issues, even the earlier ones, sell for about a dollar each, and there doesn't seem to be much demand. A check of several shops specializing in vintage magazines revealed no interest in National Geographic.ST

Write to Larry Cox in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to questionsforcox@aol. com Due to the large volume of mail he receives, Mr. Cox is unable to personally answer all reader questions. Do not send anything requiring return mail.

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any times we do something positive but we don't see the impact it has on other people. We may practice these “random acts of kindness,” but we never know what happens next. One time, I was lucky enough to find out. I was returning from a business trip to northwest Wisconsin when I stopped to refuel and get a snack at one of those travel plaza/gas station combos on the expressway. I went inside and the checker smiled at me, and we chatted for a moment. I don't remember exactly what she said, but I do remember the kindness she showed me. Our brief interaction brightened my spirits, and when I got back in my car, I had a smile on my face. Her small act of kindness kept me going on the last leg of my journey home. On impulse, I decided to write a quick thank-you note to her manager. I told the woman's manager that his employee's kind words and caring attitude stood out to me, brightening my trip home.

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That clerk—Robin is her name— wrote me back. As a result of my note, she received a commendation from her manager, a company award pin, and then, to top it off, a merit raise. I was stunned, and the note brought tears to my eyes. Robin's kindness inspired me to return her positivity, and there it was—a small, mini chain reaction of goodness happened. In these challenging times, it's important to spread joy and gladness whenever and wherever we can. Whether it's a note or a kind word or even just a smile, a little gratitude goes a long way. More people complain than give thanks, and I've heard it said that it takes 10 kind words to overcome a single harsh one. Mother Teresa advised us to do small things with great love. Oftentimes, we don't get to see the effects of our kind words or deeds, but every so often, we're blessed to discover the positive outcome. You never know what good may come of it. ST Visit the Chicken Soup For The Soul website: www.chickensoup.com

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Businesses That Support The Seniors Of Our Community

ST PALs (Seniors Today Professional Advertising League) Seniors Today networking group ST PALs (East Side) had a great time at their Christmas Party but most importantly donated loads of gifts to the Santa To A Senior program. What a fantastic group... thank you for your support as always! ST PALs (Seniors Today Professional Advertising League) is a networking group organized by Seniors Today newspaper and made up of professional people in our community that all have businesses that serve our seniors. The group was the first of its kind in this area, was

Jerry Mishler, BC-HIS Christie Bielenda Larry Hanson Kahlin Kelly Roni Jackson Marion Flom Dorothy Ramseur Patrick Forestell Dave Lynn Jonathan Medina Michele Turbin George Gonzalez Christine Blake Jennifer Beckwith Brittany Gloersen Melissa Long Greg Thifauft Jen Jordan Laura Zublionis Chris Van Singel Sedrick Harris Fred Gilliam Nicolle Cella

Affordable Hearing Center Arcadia Home Care & Staffing Bridgeveiw Center Center For The Visually Impaired City of Daytona Beach Shores DeBary Manor Florida Lutheran Florida Lutheran Florida Power & Light Florida Technical College-Deland Genitva Hospice Gentiva Home Care Gentiva Hospice Gentiva Hospice Gloersen Law, PL Good Samaritan Society Goodwin Insurance & Assoc. Halifax Health Hospice of Volusia / Flagler Haven Hospice Haven Hospice Haven Hospice Hearing Aid Direct Home Instead Senior Care

386-868-4100 386-366-0892 386-677-4545 386-253-8879 386-763-7598 386-624-2015 386-717-4170 386-736-5872 386-254-2484 386-626-1438 386-205-9465 386-279-9176 386-748-3320 386-747-1801 386-740-0440 386-239-7564 386-756-4991 386-872-1851 904-465-4331 386-734-7600 386-983-5190 386-561-9496 386-864-5918

formed over 15 years ago, and is the longest running networking group dedicated to seniors in the Volusia/Flagler area. ST PALS prides itself on constantly networking to improve senior resources, enrich senior lives, and provide quality services and care for our seniors. ST PALS is also committed to doing community service projects as well. The following is a list of professionals who share the ST PALs commitment. Please be sure to consider their businesses when you have the need for their services:

Mariann Darcangelo Odetta Canady, MSM Becky Argeny Kris Fischer Theresa Hopcraft Greg Hopcraft Kate Noboa Melissa Winquist M. Ashley Moore Sheila McKay-Vaughan Rose Traub Donna Melindez Penny King Cheryl Fredsall Amy Lickfield Sandra Robertson Judith Rossetti Tammy Horn Eve Martin Katie Bauwens Stephanie Santarsieno Sharon Estes John Long

Home Instead Senior Care IPC The Hospitalist Company Joyanna Insurance Juice Plus+ Lanyard Manor Lanyard Manor Lanyard Manor Mary Kay Moore Strategies For Success Newport Senior Link Nurse On Call Nurse On Call Nurse On Call Oaktree Healthcare Oaktree Healthcare OEI-CapTel Office Of Attorney General ResCare HomeCare Seaside Manor Senior Home Care Vienna Medical Supply Visiting Angels Vitas Innovative Hospice Care

386-255-0645 386-872-8401 386-427-1955 386-677-8233 407-491-2817 407-493-7144 386-801-8677 386-717-8613 386-788-5653 386-299-5838 386-846-3429 407-461-2792 386-290-8442 386-767-4831 386-681-8778 407-443-9409 386-238-4990 386-257-7070 386-262-4805 386-681-8016 386-316-6422 386-446-7848 386-366-6100

December 20, 2013â&#x20AC;&#x201D;Seniors Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Page B-7

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Books Empty Mansions Reviewed by Molly Ford his true story of the amassing and spending of a fortune is interspersed with so many events in U.S. history that the book is a both a historical and biographical read at its finest. Empty Mansions: The Mysterious Life Of Huguette Clark And The Spending Of A Great American Fortune follows the mining fortune made by W.A. Clark. First the money is made, through a mixture of frontier entrepreneurship and smart timing, and then spent lavishly on political aspirations, mansions, travel, and art as the money moves from inheritor to inheritor after each successive death. When the money reaches Clark's youngest daughter, Huguette, who preferred to be called Madame, she chooses to voluntarily disappear from society, retreating into her lavish, multifloor Fifth Avenue apartment, which is full of dolls, one of Huguette’s childhood passions she never outgrew. She then makes yet another unusual choice when she decides to live in a New York

City hospital at a cost of $400,000 a year. There she stays for 20 years until her death at age 104. Her empty Manhattan apartment was one of several lavish, over-the-top proprieties she owned but very rarely, if ever, visited, hence the book's title. Her reasons for remaining so hidden from society vary based on who is asking, which makes the book read almost like a mystery novel. Major historical events, ranging from the Titanic sinking (the Clark family had tickets to board when it reached America, which it never did), to the relocation of a major hospital in New York City (Huguette was personally asked to make a $125 million donation) are folded into the nonfiction tome. Fantastically researched, we see personalities, eccentricities, and the baggage that comes with money. Huguette's mansions might be empty of people, but her life was full of intrigue. ST

Books reviewed in this column are available at your local bookstore.

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Page B-8—Seniors Today—December 20, 2013

Veteran’s Post Backlogged Claims Go Down by Freddie Groves

espite the projections that the number of backlogged claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs would climb during the recent government shutdown (so said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki), it wasn't as bad as expected. In a pre-shutdown reprieve, the VA was granted an exemption, and claims processing stayed up and running. However, during the shutdown, processors weren't able to continue working their 20 hours per month mandatory overtime to whittle away at the backlog (claims that have been sitting for more than 125 days). That mandatory overtime has been a key component to getting the backlog reduced, and was to stop completely in November. One would think that a lot of claims work was left undone. The Monday Workload Report shows that despite the shutdown, the canceled overtime and all the doom-and-gloom projections, the number of claims actually went down. Granted, they didn't go

down by much, but they did go down. (If you want to view the archived file of Monday Morning Reports, go to www.vba.va.gov/reports/mmwr/) Remember that before the shutdown, the VA hadn't met its own projections of how fast the number of claims would fall on their way to eliminating the backlog. It didn't meet its own goal to the tune of approximately 100,000 claims for fiscal year 2013. (Some in Congress were a bit annoyed about that, since the VA had been granted $1.59 billion to bring down the backlog.) Bottom line: If the mandatory overtime was canceled permanently, then yes, the number of delayed claims could continue to go down, but it will be at a very slow rate. While the VA is still aiming for 2015 to clean up that backlog, it's looking increasingly unlikely for that to happen. ST Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send e-mail to columnreply2@gmail.com

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(386) 255-9113 1 Bedroom Apartments Magnolia Gardens is a beautiful community that offers 88 one bedroom apartments. The apartments have carpet, stove, refrigerator, water, trash removal, air conditioning, pest control, and maintenance. Common areas include coin–op laundry, inside mailboxes, attractively decorated community room, and lobbies.

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at 386-767-6542 December 20, 2013—Seniors Today—Page B-9

King’s Crossword

1 Columns' crossers

RUSH LIMBAUGH The voice behind the “Excellence In Broadcasting” Golden Microphone Tune in to WNDB 1150 weekdays NOON to 3 P.M. or listen live on the Internet at www.newsdaytonabeach.com For sales and advertising information, please call Mike Moltane, General Sales Manager at 386-944-7744 or e-mail: mmoltane@blackcrowmedia.com

5 Head of st. 8 Despot 12 Turkish peninsula region 14 Crosby's pal 15 Predict 16 Parks at a bus stop? 17 Bowling target 18 Danish money 20 Covers a present 23 Actress Cannon 24 Roll call reply 25 Skill for an identity thief 28 Longing 29 "Sesame Street" Muppet 30 Lummox 32 Wheel Of ___ 34 Staff 35 Operatic solo 36 Rouse 37 Hedge shrub 40 Listener 41 Jeans-maker Strauss 42 47 48 49 50 51

Page B-10—Seniors Today—December 20, 2013

Strong Alda or Thicke Become a band of workers Zilch CSA leader Branch of advanced math

DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 13 19 20 21 22 23 25 26 27 29 31 33 34 36 37 38 39 40 43 44 45 46

U.K. fliers John's Yoko Simple card game Treeless plain Singer Campbell Lubricate Valhalla maiden Royal seat Any time now Church area Back Elevator name Anger “How come?” Coral construction River through Florence Summer or Shalala Productive Chess castle Harvard rival To be (Fr.) Swamp Gorge Mom or dad Texas city Blueprint Move, to a Realtor ___ the Terrible Great Lake Individual Evergreen type Submachine gun Segment of a trip

Answers on Page B-11

ACROSS

Worst School Disaster Part two of a two part series. ike today, an event like the New London school explosion in 1937 that killed 300 students and teachers was soon spreading across the country. Among those who converged on tiny New London was a cub reporter, fresh from his university schooling, who was working for United Press (UP) in Dallas. The young man's name was Walter Cronkite. From the museum website this account is given of Cronkite’s first major story. He got his first inkling of how bad the incident was when he saw a large number of cars lined up outside the funeral home in Tyler. When he finally reached the scene, it was dark and raining. Workers were climbing up and down the piles of debris like ants, instinctively going about their grim task. Thus began his career, one that would eventually include his Emmy Award-winning role as anchorman for the CBS Evening News. Decades later, as his life in the public eye was winding down, Cronkite said, “I did nothing in my studies nor in my life to prepare me for a story of the magnitude of that New London tragedy, nor has any story since that awful day equaled it.” The tragedy had occurred because of a natural gas leak that had filtered into the crawl space underneath the building. The tremendous growth and wealth that sprung around the New London oil fields would play an important part in the school disaster. According to the Texas State Historical Association, “Three days after the explosion, inquiries were held to determine the cause of the disaster. The state of Texas and the Bureau of Mines sent experts to the scene. Hearings were conducted. From these investigations, researchers learned that until January 18, 1937, the school had received its gas from the United Gas Company. To save gas expenses of $300 a month, plumbers, with the knowledge and approval of the school board and superintendent, had tapped a residue gas line of Parade Gasoline Company. School officials saw nothing wrong because the use of ‘green’ or ‘wet’ gas was a frequent moneysaving practice for homes, schools, and churches in the oilfield. “The researchers concluded that gas had escaped from a faulty connection and accumulated beneath the building. Green gas has no smell; no one knew it was accumulating beneath the building, although on other days there had been evidence of leaking gas. No school officials were found liable. “Within two months of the tragedy, the Texas Legislature passed a law requiring refiners to add a scent to the odorless natural gas. The familiar stink of a chemical called mercaptan, is still in use across the country today. A book by David M. Brown and Michael Wereschagin has been recently written about the tragedy. Gone At 3:17 chronicles the

events and uses interviews from survivors and archives about the worst school disaster in American history. The excerpt from the book gave this description in Chapter

Winding Roads …by Byron Spires Ten of the explosion: The first floor shattered like porcelain as a blazing torrent erupted through the poured concrete slab upon which the long building stood. Cement, timber, and brick splintered. Rolling balls of gas, burning blood-orange, howled upward in a dense, searing, 40-ton hurricane. The first floor, blown to shrapnel, rushed toward the ceiling. Window panes shattered in sprays of glass. Locker cabinets spilled forward and added a storm of loose-leaf paper, book bags, coats, and hats to the collapsing hallways. Throughout were children and teachers, faces, fingers, nerves, and bone. All was being torn to pieces. From this terrible tragedy, however, came some good. We are all safer today because of mercaptan in natural gas. The true spirit of the New London disaster is that in a time of little technology, thousands upon thousands of people showed up to help. Like the 9-11 tragedy, good people cared enough for their fellow humans to be there for them in such a tragedy. More than that, the people of New London did not let this horrendous tragedy stop them. Over the next several weeks, funerals were held for the victims. Ten days after the explosion, the school re-opened at a makeshift building. There were 600 students who were in the school prior to the explosion; of those still remaining, only 287 were able to attend. For Lillian, whose two aunts perished in the tragedy, she passed the story on to her children and it will be passed on to her grandchildren. It is proper and right that a story about “The Day The Angels Went Home” should be passed to the next generation. “If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday,” said Pearl Buck. ST For more information about the New London School tragedy, go to the website newlondonschool.org or to learn about the book, Gone at 3:17, go to www.schooldis aster.com You can contact Byron Spires via e-mail at windingroads @netzero.com

Crossword Puzzle On Page B-10

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December 20, 2013—Seniors Today—Page B-11