SPRING 2011
COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
6- and 12-month Individual Advantage Plans
Advantage
upmchealthplan.com.
This managed care plan may not cover all your health care expenses. Read your contract carefully to determine which health care services are covered. If you have questions, call Member Services at 1-888-876-2756.
Contents Bedford County | SPRING 2011 |
SPRING 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use For residents of eastern communities
What’s Inside
8
6
Publisher’s Message COMMUNITY INTEREST
|
Keeping yourself and your family healthy can seem like a full-time job.
With UPMC HealthTrak, you now have a convenient way to manage your health anytime and anywhere. © 2011 UPMC
|
page 2
UPMC East on Schedule to Open in Summer 2012
page 3
From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future Stomachaches: When to Worry
page 4
Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are You Allergic to Your Bed?
page 5
UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online
page 6
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?
page 7
Shaping Up to Play Preventing Weekend Warrior Injuries
13
Healthy Family, Happy Family
24
2
Bedford April Events | 3 Bedford May Events | 4 Bedford High School’s Production of Godspell | 6 Sunrise Rotary Spaghetti Dinner | 8 Bedford County Chamber of Commerce to Host County Commissioner Candidates’ Forum | 10 UPMC Today | Health and Wellness News You Can Use | 13 Knights of Columbus Hoop Shoot | 21 Valentine’s Day Dance | 22 Diamonds and Ice Gala | 24 Older Adults in Bedford County | Keep Your Credit Card Secure | 26 Bedford County Library Information | 29 Bedford County Municipality and Parks Information | 30 23
FEATURES
|
Wedding Etiquette for the Socially Inept
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
|
Brian Jeffries, Edward Jones Financial Advisor 401(k) Review and Rollover Can Be Rewarding | 9 Homewood Spring House Estates How to Choose a Continuing Care Retirement Community | 11
ON THE COVER
|
Bedford County High School’s production of Godspell was a smashing success.
|
|
|
SPRING 2011 Welcome to the spring issue of Bedford County magazine. I hope you all had a wonderful holiday filled with family, friends and fun. Typically, I use this space to talk about your community or features in the magazine that spotlight the people in your community who are doing wonderful things. Well, this time I want to update you regarding our newest feature for 2011—our new website. Without venturing too far into the realm of shameless selfpromotion, I want to emphasize that this website is something for you, our readers. How so? Well, you can have input and help shape the website just like your ideas help shape your magazine. Now you have a place to list all of the nonprofit community organizations that are active in the community. We are also developing pages where we list the local houses of worsh ip. In addition, we now offer every magazine in a fully downloadable PDF format, rather than the outdated flipbook format we used to have. This will allow you to send the magazine, or links to it, to friends and family both near and far. We tied our website into Facebook as well, not to get the biggest list of “friends” we could get, but to have a place to keep our readers abreast of all the news we ge t between issues. It also gives us a place to upload all the photos from community events that we don’t have room for in the magazine. As with all things, there’s always room for improvement, but we always have open ears. If you have comments about our new website or want to see your organization listed, e-mail mark@incommunitymagazines.com with your link or feedback. There’s no charge for listing your church, synagogue, or scout troop’s link, so send your links in today! And if you happen to be on Facebook and like what you see in the magazine, don’t hesitate to click that “Like” button. It’s always nice to be liked! I hope you have a wonderful spring!
Wayne Dollard Publisher
IN Bedford County is a non-partisan community publication dedicated to representing, encouraging and promoting the Bedford County area and its comprising municipalities by focusing on the talents and gifts of the people who live and work here. Our goal is to provide readers with the most informative and professional regional publication in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. PUBLISHER
Wayne Dollard AS S I STA N T TO T H E P U B L I S H E R
Mark Berton mark@incommunitymagazines.com M A N AG I N G E D I TO R
Marybeth Jeffries marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com O F F I C E M A N AG E R
Leo Vighetti leo@incommunitymagazines.com WRITERS
Jonathan Barnes Kelli McElhinny
Pamela Palongue
GRAPHIC DESIGN
Cassie Brkich Anna Buzzelli Susie Doak Pati Ingold
Jan McEvoy Joe Milne Tamara Tylenda Tracey Wasilco
P H OTO G R A P H E R S
Rebecca Bailey Garyyonphotography.com One Way Street Productions A DV E RT I S I N G S A L E S
Nicholas Buzzell Brian Daley Gina D’Alicandro Tina Dollard Rose Estes Beatriz Harrison Jason Huffman Jessie Jones Connie McDaniel Brian McKee
David Mitchell Tamara Myers Gabriel Negri Robert Ojeda Annette Petrone Tara Reis Vincent Sabatini Michael Silvert RJ Vighetti
This magazine is carrier route mailed to all district households and businesses.
When I think about spring, I can’t help but think about light. The days get “lighter,” the sun stays with us a little longer each day. When we have a great idea, a light bulb goes off in our minds. At Bedford County Magazine we try to spotlight our communities. What are you doing to be a “light”? If you or an organization that you volunteer or work for is a light in the community, will you let me know? So many good deeds are left unsung! If you have a family member who is in the armed forces, or if your church group or Mom or Dad are providing a service to someone in need, we want to know! Please e-mail your ideas and photos to me at marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com.
2 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford Whitehall County Baldwin
Marybeth Jeffries Managing Editor
All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is prohibited. Copyright 2011. CORRESPONDENCE All inquiries, comments and press releases should be directed to: IN Community Magazines Attn: Editorial 603 East McMurray Road McMurray, PA 15317 Ph: 724.942.0940 Fax: 724.942.0968
Summer content deadline: 4/14 www.incommunitymagazines.com
Please recycle this magazine when you are through enjoying it.
APRIL
1-29
Bedford County Arts Center Bob Ellis Photos – Local Photographer Display Tuesday, Wed, Thursday – 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday – 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday – 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. Anderson House – 137. E. Pitt Street, Bedford, PA – 814.623.1538
APRIL
9
PA Consort Guest Artist Series:
APRIL
22
APRIL
29
The Lyric Consort Vocal Ensemble Bedford United Methodist Church 132 E. John St., Bedford, PA 814.733.2301 7:30 p.m. $
APRIL
“Girls Night Out”
14
Fundraiser event at the Bedford County Arts Center. 6:30 p.m. $
APRIL
29-30
APRIL APRIL
14
APRIL
15
Home School Events Lincoln Caverns Six hours of hands-on fun and learning for all ages. 9 - 5 p.m. $
30
3-State FlyerBedford Speedway Gates open at 5:00 - Racing at 7:00 Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt. 30, Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
Lucas OilBedford Speedway Gates open at 5:00 - Racing at 7:00 Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt. 30, Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
Mother’s Day Promotion Sales/Specials at participating merchants. Downtown Bedford 814.623.0048
Welcome Weekend Friendship Village Campground White Elephant Sale 6 p.m. Bring a $15.00 NEW item for sale and get one night camping free. Proceeds go to Friendship Missional Church. 814.623.1677
Opening Day at Bedford Speedway Gates open at 5:00 - Racing at 7:00 p.m. Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt. 30, Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 3
MAY
1
Del Grosso’s Amusement Park Opening Day
MAY
7
Free rides 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
MAY
1-28
Bedford County Arts Center– Peaceful Quilters Peaceful Quilters – Quilters Display Tues, Wed, Thur – 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday – 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Sunday – 12 - 4 p.m. Anderson House – 137. E. Pitt Street, Bedford, PA 814.623.1538
MAY
1-8
MAY
6
MAY
7
Mother’s Day Promotion Sales
MAY
8
MAY
13
Specials at participating merchants. Downtown Bedford
Mother’s Day Weekend Friendship Village Campground 10 a.m. – Scrapbooking & Tea Party Bring pictures for your scrapbook and a teacup. Scrapbooking in $5.00 per person and optional. Brunch and planter are free to all ladies who attend. 1 p.m. – Kid’s club Mother’s Day Activity.
Mother’s Day Del Grosso’s Amusement Park
Moms ride free!
Car Race Bedford Speedway Gates open at 5:00 p.m. – Racing at 7:00 Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt. 30 Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
Car Race Bedford Speedway Gates open at 5:00 p.m. - Racing at 7:00 Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt. 30, Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
The Bloody Run Canoe Classic Presented by the Raystown Canoe Club. This family friendly event has many race classes from beginner to serious racers, and everyone feels welcome! For details contact bloodyruncanoeclassic@gmail.com
4 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
MAY
13-14
MAY
14
Bedford County Players Mystery ”I’ll Be Back Before Midnight”. Harrison Township Community Center Reservations and info: 814.623.7555 $
PA Consort Guest Artist Series: The Raim-Wehr Duo Bedford United Methodist Church 132 E. John St., Bedford, PA 814.733.2301 7:30 p.m. $
MAY
14
Friendship Village Campground Mexican Fiesta 5 p.m. – Join us for a taco dinner, piñatas, music and games. Advanced tickets required and limited** $$
MAY
27 MAY
28 MAY
20
MAY
20,21
MAY
20-23
Car Race Gates open at 5:00 p.m. - Racing at 7:00 Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt. 30, Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
Yard Sale/Crafts/ Flea Market Friendship Village Campground 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. In the campground, apartments, & MHP
Bedford County Players Mystery:
Friendship Village Campground Bike Derby for ages 5 - adult. 10 a.m.
MAY
Antiques on the Square
28
Downtown Bedford 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Rain or Shine
MAY
Farmers Market
28
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the public squares.
MAY
Memorial Day Weekend
28
“I’ll Be Back Before Midnight”
MAY
Farmers Market
25
Corner Juliana & Penn Sts. Bedford, PA 814.623.0048 (Wed & Sat. 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.)
MAY
28 MAY
27
Memorial Day Weekend
Bedford Speedway
Harrison Township Community Center Reservations and info: 814.623.7555 $
MAY
Guided Walking Tour
Car Race
29
Bedford Speedway Gates open at 5:00 p.m. - Racing at 7:00 Bedford Co. Fairgrounds Business Rt.30 Bedford, PA 814.623.0500 $
MAY
26-30
Friendship Village – Kickball Tournament. All Ages 10 a.m.
Gospel Sing: Reign Song Friendship Village Campground 7 p.m. followed by free popcorn.
Memorial Day Weekend Friendship Village – Entertainment. 7 p.m.
Sidewalk Sales for Memorial Day Weekend Downtown Bedford
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 5
COVER STORY
The Bedford High School production of Godspell took place on Friday, March 11 and Saturday, March 12, 2011 in the BHS Auditorium
Godspell is a dramatic, lively and often humorous representation of Jesus’ teachings and parables. The show depicts Jesus’ betrayal by Judas, his death, and his resurrection. With the exception of Jesus and Judas, the characters are called by their real-life names to show that even though the stories are from the Bible, their meaning and effect on our lives is relevant. Much of the dialogue and some of the song lyrics are taken directly (sometimes verbatim, sometimes paraphrased) from Scripture. Godspell is fun, engaging, and presents many well-known stories in a new and memorable way.
6 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 7
Greg Knisely and Angie Gonsman Denise Wissinger and Jim Bitner
The Bedford Sunrise Rotary held their annual spaghetti dinner on January 21, 2011 at the Bedford Elementary School. All proceeds from the dinner are given to the Polio Plus foundation. Rotary International has led efforts to eradicate this crippling disease worldwide and has it isolated to only three remaining countries.
Bo Pratt and Patty Ritchey
Helene Koontz Jim Gonsman and Thomas Jeffries
Brian Jeffries
Hazel Davis and Jeannie Plummer
Claire Harris
8 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
Your 401(k) offers tax-deductible contributions, tax-deferred growth of earnings potential and a variety of investment options — so it’s a great tool for building retirement savings. Yet like all tools, your 401(k) must be used properly to get the best results. That’s why you should review your 401(k) at least annually and make whatever adjustments are needed. Depending on where you work, you may get some 401(k) review help from your plan provider. But if that assistance isn’t available, you might want to consult with a financial professional to make sure you’re getting the maximum benefit from your plan.
As you begin to review your 401(k), your first question should probably be this: “How much should I contribute?” At the very least, try to put in enough to receive your employer’s matching contribution, if one is offered. If you don’t earn this match, you are essentially walking away from “free money.” Beyond this, though, the amount you put into your 401(k) might depend on what other retirement savings vehicles you have available. For instance, if you’re eligible, you may also want to contribute to a Roth IRA, which offers tax-free growth potential, provided you’ve had your account for five years and don’t start taking withdrawals until you’re 59½. Of course, it’s not only how much you put into your 401(k) that determines its success — it’s also how you choose to allocate your investment dollars. (Keep in mind that asset allocation does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss.) Your 401(k) may have a dozen or more investment choices, such as stock funds, bond funds and money market funds. To choose the right investment mix, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors, including these: • Your age Generally speaking, the younger you are, the more aggressive you can afford to be with your 401(k) investments, because you’ll have decades in which to potentially overcome the inevitable down periods of the market. As you get older, you may wish to invest somewhat more conservatively, but you’ll still need some growth potential in your 401(k) portfolio. • Your goals Everyone has different goals for retirement. You might want to retire early and travel the world, while your co-worker desires to work as long as possible and then, upon retirement, stay close to home and pursue hobbies. Because you each have different goals, with different income needs, you also may need to follow different investment strategies within your 401(k). • Your other retirement income sources If you have a variety of retirement income sources — a pension from another job, an IRA, a spouse with generous retirement benefits — you may need to invest differently, perhaps less aggressively, than if you had fewer options for retirement income. Apart from putting away as much as you can into your 401(k) and choosing the right investment mix, what else can you do to get the most out of your plan? Here’s a suggestion: If you have worked at various jobs and acquired multiple 401(k)s, consider rolling them over into one account. You might save money on fees and reduce paperwork, but more importantly, you’ll be able to concentrate your resources and pursue a unified investment approach, with your investment dollars working together toward your ultimate retirement goals. As you can see, a 401(k) review and rollover can reward you in many ways — so do whatever it takes to maximize your 401(k)’s performance. Brian Jeffries has been a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments in Bedford since 2003. He resides in Bedford Borough with his wife Lori and three children. Brian Jeffries Financial Advisor Edward Jones 133 S. Juliana St. Bedford, PA 15522 814.623.4886 www.edwardjones.com
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 9
Bedford County Chamber of Commerce to host County Commissioner Candidates’ Forum The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce invites the public to the 2011 Bedford County Commissioner Candidates’ Forum, Tuesday, April 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Bedford Area High School Auditorium. Admission to the event will be FREE. The forum, held in partnership with the Allegany College of Maryland Bedford County Campus and the Bedford Area School District, is designed to help voters make an informed decision during the May 17th Primary Election. The format will consist of a brief opening statement by each candidate, followed by a series of questions posed to the candidates on topics, including the economy and business issues, defined broadly, which have come and are likely to come before the Commissioners. All candidates will be invited to participate immediately following the March 9th filing deadline. The three County Commissioners constitute the chief governing body of Bedford County. The Commissioners are vested with policy-making authority to provide certain local services and facilities on a county-wide basis. Administrative powers and duties of the County Commissioners encompass registration and election,
assessment of property, human services, veteran’s affairs, 911 emergency services, operation of a county jail, personnel management, operation and maintenance of county bridges, appointment of county personnel, and budget and finance management. The position is a county-wide elected office with a term of four years. The County Commissioners sit jointly as members of the Retirement Board, Salary Board, Board of Assessment and Revision of Taxes, Election Board, Prison Board, Emergency Food Services Advisory Board, MHMR, Area Agency on Aging and Bedford Fulton Solid Waste. The Bedford County Chamber of Commerce is a diverse, action-oriented membership organization representing the business interests of Bedford County and the surrounding region. The Chamber does not endorse candidates, but is happy to offer this educational and informational opportunity to the voters of Bedford County. For more information, contact the Chamber Office at 814.623.2233.
Kirt Morris www.kirtmorris.com
Candidate for Bedford County Commissioner Paid for by Citizens for Kirt Morris
10 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
how to choose a
retirement community What exactly is a continuing care retirement community?
What should you do to find a first-class CCRC?
A continuing care retirement community (CCRC) provides a continuum of care for seniors at all levels of independence, from independent living in a house or apartment, to providing more services to allow one to remain independent, to skilled nursing care or a secure dementia unit. A CCRC is an entire campus of living choices, and as physical or mental needs change, the resident may make a transition to a different level of care and age gracefully in the same community often times without having to relocate. It will offer many social activities, services, lots of amenities along with improved health and wellness. Many times they are very active communities designed for people 55 and older that may need help now or in the future. A CCRC is different from other senior housing facilities in that it typically provides a written agreement that the community will provide appropriate care for the resident’s lifetime for those who qualify for continuing care. Look for a community that provides different option with a choice of a life-lease or a rental.
• Take tours of potential CCRCs and talk to current residents. • Check the credentials of administrators and other staff. • A nurse should be directing the nursing services. • Check the facility’s compliance with federal and state regulations. • What is the overall atmosphere? Are the surroundings pleasant? • Observe the upkeep of the facility – the grounds and the buildings. • Are regular fire and disaster drills held? • Ask about the types of food choices and can the CCRC accommodate special diet needs? • Look at the activities offered by the CCRC, and also will you feel comfortable in the town in which its located. • How close are the nearest hospital and doctors’ offices? • Do they have amenities such as a dining room, library, fitness center, convenience store as well as other common areas? All of these are important factors to consider.
Are you ready to move to a CCRC?
Many times the community will have entrance requirements based on age, health and financial status. To live in a CCRC, you may be able to choose from a life-lease option or a rental. The admissions person should be able to explain what option may be the best for you.
• Do you need a little more help with daily living activities, or see that you might in the future? • Do you need more assistance such as transportation, housekeeping and meals, or feel you may in the future? • Are you wishing to enjoy a lively social calendar and more activities without the work and worry that comes with home ownership? The vast majority of seniors will advise you not to wait too long to make a move; do it before it’s an absolute necessity and start your search long before you need to. This can be a very exciting time in your life!
Once you decide a CCRC is right for you, what’s next?
Most people you talk to are very happy they have made the decision while they can, to move to a Continuing Care Retirement Community. It will offer you friendships, activities, but most of all the peace of mind you deserve. 150 Victoria Avenue Everett, PA 15537 Tel: 814.623.0349 Fax: 814.623.2981 www.homewood.com Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 11
C HURCHES S ERVING
B EDFORD C OUNTY
Bedford Presbyterian Church 145 S. Juliana St. (on the Public Square) 814.623.6891 www.bedfordpresby.com
Clear Ridge Fellowship Church 26 South of Everett Pastor: Todd Bowles 814.652.5203
Bedford United Methodist Church 132 E. John Street Bedford, PA 15522 814.623.8711 Pastor: Jeffrey K. Welsch pastorjw@bedfordumc.org www.bedfordumc.org
Community Bible Church 120 West Virginia RD Osterburg, PA 16667 Pastor: Neal Weaver 814.276.3640 www.trcosterburg.com
Breezewood Lighthouse Assembly of God Church 1092 Lighthouse Road Breezewood, PA 15533 Pastors: Jonathan and Tracey Wyns 814.735.4420 Facebook: Breezewood Lighthouse Assembly of God E-mail: blagchurch@frontiernet.net
Community Grace Brethren Church 1216 Raystown Rd. Everett, PA 15537 814.652.5405 www.communitygbc.org
Ryot Church of the Nazarene 406 Dunkard Hollow Road Alum Bank, PA 15521 Senior Pastor: Stacy Dickt Associate Pastor: Kevin Davis 814.839.2543 www.ryotnazarene.org E-mail: ryotnazarene@hughes.net Spring Meadow Family Worship Center 2875 Quaker Valley Road Fishertown, PA 15539 814.839.4427 Trinity Reformed Church 722 Main Street Osterburg, PA 16667 Pastor: Charlie Miller 814.276.3302 www.trcosterburg.com Facebook: Trinity Reformed
We are looking for good features!
Do you know of a person or organization who is volunteering in the community? Let us know! E-mail Marybeth at marybeth@incommunitymagazines.com
www.incommunitymagazines.com
View magazines online Leave comments Stay in touch with your neighborhoods from a distance 12 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
SPRING 2011
Health and Wellness News You Can Use
Healthy Family, Happy Family Š 2011 UPMC
What’s Inside page 2
New Electronic Health Record System at UPMC Bedford
page 3
From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future Stomachaches: When to Worry
Keeping yourself and your family healthy can seem like a full-time job.
page 4
Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are You Allergic to Your Bed?
With UPMC HealthTrak, you now have a convenient way to manage your health anytime and anywhere.
page 5
UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online
page 6
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Could It Happen to You?
page 7
Delivering Quality Emergency Care in His Hometown Free Community Health Fair
New Electronic Health Record System at UPMC Bedford Improving Patient Care and Safety While Reducing Health Care Costs Have you ever visited your family physician and struggled to recall the date of a recent hospital test, or the dosage of the latest medication you’ve been prescribed by another doctor? That familiar scene is just one of the reasons Lisa Duvall, DO, a community-based family practitioner with Pennwood Family Medicine and UPMC Bedford Memorial, is an enthusiastic supporter of eRecord, UPMC’s version of electronic health record technology. UPMC Bedford will implement eRecord this spring, and it will be available in local UPMC physician offices in the fall. “eRecord makes the practice of medicine significantly more safe, cost-effective, and patient focused,” says Dr. Duvall. “For primary care physicians like myself, eRecord allows us to monitor and support our patients’ total medical care, whether they’re being seen by a specialist at a UPMC hospital in Pittsburgh or a UPMC physician here in Bedford.”
How does eRecord work? Through UPMC Bedford’s eRecord, any new patient records will be converted into a digital format and placed on UPMC’s network. Authorized UPMC physicians and hospitals will have fingertip access to a patient’s comprehensive medical record, including family history, test results, x-rays and other images, immunizations, allergies, medications, and much more. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that just 10 percent of all hospitals and 20 percent of all physicians in the United States use an electronic health record system. Because of its proven impact, the federal government, insurers, and leading physician groups like the American Academy of Family Practitioners are urging its implementation nationwide. To protect patient confidentiality and security, rigorous regulations governing electronic health record technology have been created for access, authentication, storage, and transmission. These regulations are actually much stricter than those for paper records.
2
www.UPMC.com/Today
Four Ways UPMC’s eRecord Improves Medical Care Improved patient safety “Every physician takes the Hippocratic Oath when they begin practice, which is to ‘First, do no harm,’” says Dr. Duvall. “UPMC’s eRecord helps us honor that oath by helping to protect our patients from human error, particularly during times of emergency. Whether you are allergic to a medication, have a family history of a disease, experienced a medical incident, or have a medical condition, that information is all in your eRecord.” It also includes dosages and drug interactions.
Improved cost efficiencies Patients sometimes repeat expensive medical tests because the results are missing or cannot be quickly accessed. “eRecord give physicians faster access to test results,” says Dr. Duvall. Nationally, it’s projected that electronic health record technology will save billions of dollars by eliminating duplicate tests.
Improved communication among your health care providers “I can literally review the treatment reports of the UPMC specialist my patient sees within minutes of them leaving that doctor’s office,” notes Dr. Duvall. For patients with complex medical problems, eRecord enables UPMC doctors to work together as a team to review records and improve patient outcomes.
Improved patient care and satisfaction National studies show that electronic health record technology allows physicians to spend more time with their patients. “It can initially confuse patients when they see their doctor entering notes into a computer, but they usually find that their doctor ultimately spends more quality time with them,” says Dr. Duvall. “The eRecord system can also alert doctors and patients about needed checkups, preventive care, and immunizations.” The bottom line? “eRecord is a win-win for all involved,” says Dr. Duvall. “Both patients and doctors benefit from this critical technology.” For more information on UPMC Bedford’s new eRecord technology, contact Amy Roose, director of clinical operational information, at 814-623-3552.
From Gut-Wrenching Pain to Hope for the Future UPMC’s Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Center wields a powerful “triple threat” against IBD: Groundbreaking immunology, genetics research, and innovative clinical care. The primary goal of drug therapy is to reduce inflammation in the intestines. Medications include anti-inflammatory drugs; antibiotics to kill germs in the intestinal track; probiotics to restore good bacteria; corticosteroids to provide short-term relief during flare-ups; and immunosuppressants.
At age 23, John Oliver* is feeling better about the future. Free from the gutwrenching pain of Crohn’s disease since a second bowel surgery in 2008 — this time followed by a promising new treatment developed at UPMC using biologic-based drug therapy — he is now making plans to attend medical school next fall. “I think the medicine is working. It’s the best I’ve felt and the best I’ve looked,” says John, who earned his biomedical engineering degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a master’s degree in engineering management from Duke University. His gastroenterologist, Miguel Regueiro, MD, clinical head and codirector of the UPMC Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, says the future has never looked brighter for IBD patients. “Ten years ago, a diagnosis of IBD was devastating. Now, we have new medicines, a greater understanding of the disease, and better research,” he says.
IBD: Who’s at risk? Nearly two million Americans live with IBD, which is not to be confused with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBD involves two chronic diseases that cause inflammation of the intestines: ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Symptoms include abdominal cramps and pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and bleeding.
Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the small and large intestines, while ulcerative colitis affects the large bowel alone. IBD cuts across all ages, genders, and ethnicities, but generally affects Caucasians ages 15 to 35. While the exact cause is not known, experts believe IBD involves a compromised or overactive immune system. Because IBD may run in families, doctors also believe genetics plays a role. While stress and certain foods do not cause IBD, both can make symptoms worse.
Treatment According to Dr. Regueiro, drugs cannot cure IBD, but they can be effective in reducing the inflammation and accompanying symptoms. While some patients have mild symptoms requiring little medication, others have more debilitating flare-ups, and some patients have severe problems requiring surgery and even transplants.
In addition, the IBD Center recently developed a Visceral Inflammation and Pain (VIP) Center to help patients deal with both the physical pain and emotional stress of coping with IBD.
Exciting breakthroughs The latest generation of drugs, called biologic therapies, are proving very effective in inducing remission so that patients can lead normal lives. At UPMC, doctors took this approach a step further — as in John’s case — by prescribing biologic drug therapy after performing surgery to remove the damaged section of the intestine. In use now at other hospitals, this treatment has reduced the recurrence of Crohn’s disease in patients by nearly two thirds. * John Oliver’s treatment and results may not be representative of similar cases.
Stomachaches: When to Worry Everyone gets a stomachache — or abdominal pain — from time to time. According to David Baer, MD, a family practice physician with Pennwood Family Practice and UPMC Bedford Memorial, most of the time, stomachaches are harmless conditions caused by overeating, gas, or indigestion. Frequent or recurring stomachaches are often due to stress and worry, even in children. But they can point to more serious medical problems.
Get medical help immediately if: • You have abdominal pain that is very sharp, severe, and sudden.
“Harmless abdominal pain usually subsides or goes away within two hours,” says Dr. Baer. “If you have the stomach flu your stomach may hurt before each episode of vomiting or diarrhea. In serious cases, the pain worsens or becomes constant.”
• Your abdomen is stiff, hard, and tender to touch.
You should call your doctor if mild pain lasts more than a couple days, or if the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, adds Dr. Baer.
• You also have pain in the chest, neck, or shoulder. • You’re vomiting blood or having bloody diarrhea.
• You can’t move your bowels, especially if you’re also vomiting. The bottom line: Trust your gut! Contact your doctor if you’re concerned about lingering or unusual stomach pain.
1-800-533-UPMC
3
Health Tips from UPMC Health Plan
Good Night, Sleep Tight! Are you among the millions of Americans suffering from lack of sleep? If so, droopy eyelids, wide yawns, and low energy are the least of your worries. Sleep disruption — not sleeping enough or sleeping poorly — can affect your memory, disease resistance, and leave you struggling to stay alert in school, on the job, and on the road. Studies show that people who get the appropriate amount of sleep on a regular basis also tend to live longer, healthier lives than those who sleep too few or even too many hours each night. So, what is a good night’s sleep? According to the National Institutes of Health, most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep a night. School-aged children and teens need at least nine hours of sleep each night. Tips to help you sleep • Stick to a sleep schedule. Get up about the same time each day, no matter how many hours of sleep you got the previous night. • Maintain healthy sleep habits. Go to bed only when you’re sleepy. Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, and relaxing — not too hot or too cold. Don’t text, e-mail, read, or watch TV in bed. • Make sure your mattress is comfortable. Remember, even a good quality mattress needs to be replaced within 10 years. • Exercise is great, but not too late. Avoid exercising within a few hours before bedtime. • Avoid caffeinated drinks after lunch. The stimulating effects of caffeine in coffee, colas, teas, and chocolate can take as long as eight hours to wear off. • Avoid large meals at night. A large meal can cause indigestion that interferes with sleep. • Avoid alcoholic drinks before bedtime. While a nightcap may help you relax, alcohol keeps you in the lighter stages of sleep and tends to wake you during the night. And, for adolescents and young adults: • Avoid stimulating activities around bedtime. This includes intense studying, text messaging, video games, and lengthy phone conversations. • Avoid pulling “all nighters” during exams. • Sleep in on weekends — but not more than two to three hours past your normal wake time. Sleeping longer may disrupt your body clock. Find a more complete list of the benefits of good sleep at www.UPMC.com/Today.
AreYouAllergic toYour Bed? The dust in your bedroom might be making you sick. Dust mites, and dander, and fibers — oh my! These are just some of the microscopic menaces in ordinary house dust that can cause health problems. Dust mites are a common cause of allergies and asthma. It’s not the dust mite itself that can make you sick; it’s the dust mite debris (the mite’s feces and decaying body). Dust collects in every room of the house because it is easily trapped in linens, upholstery, carpets, and draperies. But the bedroom is a favorite habitat for dust mites because it provides a warm, humid environment, and plenty of food (dead skin from humans and pets).
Five ways to help wipe out dust mites While you can’t completely eliminate dust mites, these simple steps may help reduce their numbers: 1. Cover your mattress and pillows in dust-proof or allergen-blocking covers, and encase box springs in vinyl or plastic covers. 2. Wash and dry bed sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains, and bedcovers weekly in hot water (140 degrees). If bedding can’t be washed, put the items in the dryer set at a high temperature for 20 minutes. 3. Vacuum carpeting and upholstery weekly. Using a HEPA-filter vacuum can help keep dust from floating back into the air. 4. Use a damp cloth or mop to remove dust from hard surfaces and exposed floors. This will prevent dust from becoming airborne and resettling. 5. Keep the indoor temperature at 70 degrees and humidity at no more than 50 percent. Dust mites aren’t the only puny pests that can invade your bedroom. Bed bugs have made a comeback in recent years. For tips on ways to avoid a bed bug infestation, visit www.UPMC.com/Today. Sources: National Institutes of Health, Environmental Protection Agency
4
www.UPMC.com/Today
UPMC Spotlight
UPMC HealthTrak Lets You Manage Your Health Care Online Coming to UPMC Bedford in Fall 2011
Keeping track of health issues, test results, and medications is challenging for Sandy Hogue*, who is disabled and chronically ill. Because she must rely on cabs for transportation, seeing a primary care doctor can be an all-day affair. That’s why she was eager to sign up for UPMC HealthTrak, an Internet-based service that enables patients to receive and manage information about their health. Sandy uses it to monitor her glucose and high cholesterol levels, check test results, make appointments, renew prescriptions, and diagnose medical conditions — all from the comfort of her home in Westmoreland County. “It’s a good system. I get the medical treatment I need faster without spending a day traveling around,” says Sandy. “It keeps me in contact with my doctor and helps me monitor my medical conditions. And if I have anything contagious, like the flu, it prevents me from infecting other people.” More patients choosing HealthTrak Approximately 42,000 UPMC patients have signed on to HealthTrak, which gives them secure electronic access to their medical records, medications, and other information. HealthTrak recently was expanded to include eVisits — an online digital house call — with a primary care physician. * These patients’ treatments and results may not be representative of similar cases.
During an eVisit, patients select a symptom and complete an interactive questionnaire. A UPMC doctor then reviews the information and makes a diagnosis. If medication is needed, a prescription can be sent electronically to the patient’s pharmacy.
“HealthTrak is great for college students who are far from home, the elderly, and other people who have trouble getting to the doctor. It doesn’t take the place of going to the doctor for regular check-ups, but it’s very useful,” Robin says. “If only UPMC could figure a way for me to see my dentist online!”
Oakmont resident Mark Gleeson* uses HealthTrak primarily to keep track of his medical records. In October, when the computer-savvy 83-year-old came down with a cough and cold late in the day, he decided to “see” a doctor via eVisit. Within an hour of completing the questionnaire, a UPMC doctor responded with medical instructions and a prescription for his sinus infection and chest congestion. “It was so convenient, and it worked! Within three days, I felt good as new,” Mark says. Convenience and comfort As a graduate student, Robin Sales* relied on HealthTrak to connect with her hometown doctor while attending school in Nevada. Now a young professional living in New York City, she continues to use the online service for eVisits, to fill prescriptions, and access her medical records.
UPMC HealthTrak Benefits Manage your health from home with HealthTrak. Here’s what you can do online: • Send a message to your doctor • View medical records and test results
“It’s comforting. Having easy access to a doctor back home gives me the chance to find the right doctor for me locally, without rushing into it. It’s one less thing to worry about,” she says.
• Renew prescriptions
Robin, who first used eVisit to consult a doctor about an eye infection, says the online questionnaire asks the same questions the doctor would ask at an appointment. When she needs medicine, her doctor in Pittsburgh faxes the prescription to her New York drug store two minutes away.
• Ask billing questions
• Track current health issues such as glucose levels and blood pressure • Request appointments • “See” a doctor (digital house call) For more information or to sign up, visit www.UPMCHealthTrak.com.
1-800-533-UPMC
5
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Could it Happen to You? Most of us associate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with returning military veterans who have experienced the tragedy of war. But you don’t have to be a soldier to undergo the intense feelings of helplessness, horror, and fear that characterize PTSD. Imagine being in a terrible car accident on your way to the mall. For days and weeks afterwards, you constantly relive the accident in your mind. You take a different route to shop and, worst of all, your body won’t let you relax. You can’t sleep — and when you finally do doze off, you’re awakened by nightmares. You can’t concentrate, your heart pounds, and you break out in cold sweats. “We know that anyone who has undergone some kind of trauma can be at risk for post-traumatic stress disorder,” explains Anne Germain, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Based at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic of UPMC, she currently leads several sleep research projects with returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan who have PTSD. PTSD can be triggered by a single event you’ve experienced or even witnessed — be it an accident, violent crime, or natural disaster — or by ongoing trauma, such as child abuse or domestic violence. When we experience a life-threatening event, it’s normal for our body to react with a powerful, stressful response; it’s what enables us to fight or flee. “But for some people, these symptoms persist and worsen,” says Dr. Germain. “The toll can be profound if symptoms are ignored. PTSD has a devastating impact on the lives of people who have it — and on those around them. It also has enormous financial and economic implications.”
Did You Know? UPMC's Sleep Medicine Center — accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine — is the only multidisciplinary sleep medicine facility in western Pennsylvania. The center performs approximately 2,000 sleep studies annually for adult patients with all types of sleep disorders. The staff at the UPMC Sleep Medicine Center include board-certified physicians, certified nurse practitioners, and registered sleep laboratory technologists. To schedule an appointment, call 412-692-2880.
6
www.UPMC.com/Today
PTSD is a relatively new specialization in psychology, and experts are still trying to determine why it affects some people and not others. Fortunately, for most people, the symptoms of PTSD begin to ease in about a month. “If they continue, it’s extremely important to seek professional help,” notes Dr. Germain. “The best place to begin is to talk with your family doctor and seek a referral to a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist.”
PTSD and sleep disorders Among the most troubling aspects of chronic PTSD for patients are the recurring nightmares and insomnia it can bring. There is growing evidence that such sleep disorders have a direct impact on both a person’s mental and physical health. Individuals with PTSD often say they have problems falling or staying asleep, and that the sleep they get isn’t refreshing and restorative. “Our sleep research studies with veterans show that they have many more sleep disorders than the general public, including sleep apnea and other breathing problems,” notes Dr. Germain. With PTSD, nightmares can become an ingrained behavior, affecting a person’s daytime functioning — from faltering concentration and poor memory, to emotional outbursts. “By stopping the nightmares and helping to make sleep more normal, restful, and restorative, patients can overcome other aspects of chronic PTSD in their lives a bit more easily. And sleep can be improved in a matter of weeks,” she says. Dr. Germain uses several methods to treat PTSD-related sleep disorders, including image reversal therapy. “We help patients replace a recurring nightmare with a more positive, affirming dream. They write it down and rehearse it several times a day to train the brain to have a new dream image.” Individuals interested in participating in Dr. Germain’s sleep research studies for military veterans are invited to call 412-246-6404 or visit www.veteranssleep.pitt.edu.
Delivering Quality Emergency Care in His Hometown That’s the goal of Bedford’s new Emergency Department medical director When he was named medical director of the Emergency Department (ED) at UPMC Bedford Memorial, Douglas Stern, DO, returned to his family roots and his first love — rural medicine. “Growing up on a working dairy farm in nearby Roaring Spring, I saw firsthand how important access to good health care is for farming and rural communities,” says Dr. Stern. “That’s the kind of care I’m committed to give at UPMC Bedford Memorial.” A graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Stern completed his medical school training at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Throughout his undergraduate studies and medical school, he continued to work on the family farm. After graduating from medical school, he served first as assistant director, then Dr. Douglas Stern as medical director, of the ED at Altoona Regional Hospital. For Dr. Stern, working in a larger hospital ED gave him valuable experience in trauma and emergency care. “I use what I learned there every day,” he says. Returning to the community where he grew up has been fulfilling, both professionally and personally. “I’m very proud to be practicing at UPMC Bedford Memorial,” says Dr. Stern.
“Our staff is second to none. All of the ED physicians are board certified, which is something not all hospitals can claim. “And through our relationship with UPMC, our emergency team can link patients with appropriate, specialized care anywhere within the system. We appreciate having that support system at our fingertips,” he adds. Roger P. Winn, president of UPMC Bedford Memorial, was happy to welcome Dr. Stern home. “We are pleased to have him lead our efforts to better serve patients coming to the Emergency Department,” says Mr. Winn. “With Dr. Stern’s extensive trauma training and experience, our patients will receive the best care possible.” Providing a caring environment is also a priority for Dr. Stern and his staff. “Because we see people when they’re most vulnerable, we want to create a health care setting that is warm and comforting,” he notes. “This is my community, and I look forward to using my trauma experience to care for the people who live here,” explains Dr. Stern. “I’m especially looking forward to getting to know people at local organizations and schools, and talking with them about health topics that are relevant to our community, such as farm accidents, injuries, and safety. “I love medicine,” he adds. “Getting to practice where I grew up is just a dream come true.”
Community Health Fair Saturday, April 16 7 to 11 a.m. Homewood at Spring House Estates 150 Victoria Avenue • Everett, PA 15537 Free and open to the public. Presented by St. Francis DiSepio Institute and UPMC Bedford Memorial
Free Health Fair highlights include: • Ask a doctor • Ask a pharmacist • Body mass index (BMI) screening with Wii® Balance and range of motion screening • Bone density testing • Diabetic Q & A • Ear, nose, and throat exams • Hearing tests • Skin cancer screening • Spirometry testing and information on COPD and sleep apnea • And much more Also available: • Multiphasic blood screening Fast 12 hours (No alcohol for 24 hours). Bring your insurance card. • Blood testing with cholesterol HDL/LDL $25.00 Patient copy of results $3.00
1-800-533-UPMC
7
UPMC Bedford Memorial 10455 Lincoln Highway Everett, PA 15537
UPMC Today is published quarterly to provide you with health and wellness information and classes and events available at UPMC. This publication is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice or replace a physician’s medical assessment. Always consult first with your physician about anything related to your personal health.
Follow UPMC on Facebook.
strength of ofUPMC UPMCisishere. here. The strength UPMC Bedford Memorial is home to an outstanding staff of health care professionals who are proud to live and work right here in Bedford County. With a strong tradition as a deeply rooted community hospital that is committed to ever-advancing standards of care, UPMC Bedford Memorial combines high-touch with high-tech, providing our patients with compassionate care and advanced technology and treatment. UPMC Bedford Memorial also provides residents of our community with access to all the resources of a nationally recognized academic medical center. And with the recent investment of $5 million in renovations and enhancements to better serve our patients, our dedication to the community has never been stronger. For more information about UPMC Bedford Memorial, or to schedule an appointment, call 814-623-6161 or visit UPMC.com/BedfordMemorial. Minimally Invasive Surgery • Orthopaedic Services • Cardiology and Cardiac Rehab Services • Rehabilitative Medicine, including Aqua Therapy Ob-Gyn Services, including 4-D Ultrasound • Imaging Services, including Mammography and DEXA Scanning Sleep Study Laboratory • Lymphedema Care Center • Autism Services • Occupational Health Services 24-Hour Physician-Staffed Emergency Department
Bedford Knights of Columbus
HoopShoot
The Bedford Knights of Columbus Council 1439 hosted its annual free throw competition on January 15. The event brought out 10-14 year old boys and girls from throughout Bedford County. FRONT ROW:
Left to right: Rodey Merritt age 10, Brayden Shaffer age 11, Jacob Boehme age 12, and Zachary Shaffer age 13 MIDDLE ROW:
Left to right: Olivia Mottern age 11, Allison Shuke age 12, Kylie Pittman age 13, and Jessi Pittman age 14
Special thanks to Knights of Columbus volunteers Paul A. Macek, Phil Smith, Tim Klingerman, Mark Lapinski, Brian Jeffries, Mark Clevenger, Pete Bordi, and Phil Gardill
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 21
The lovers were out at the annual Valentine’s Dance held on February 12th at the Elks Country Club - (animal lovers, that is). The evening started with hors d’oeuvres while couples checked out silent and Chinese auction items. A live auction followed. Party goers danced the night away to rock music presented by FBI. The dance was sponsored by the Bedford County Humane Society and the Elk’s organization with all proceeds benefitting the local shelter. For more information about the Bedford County Humane Society, call 814.623.8968 or for upcoming events at the Bedford Elks Country Club, call 814.623.9316. Beth & Jim Sellers
Bobbi Beseck & Tim Weaverling
Eldon & Elisa Miller Dean Lemley & Vicki Geisler
Brenda & Joe Bomblosky
22 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
Never wear white to a wedding. This includes eggshell, ecru, light cream, pearl lustre and Tahitian coconut.
Never complain about the food at the wedding reception with your mouth full of food from the wedding reception. It’s a credibility issue.
Never attempt to upstage the bride, (unless of course you hate the bride in which case you probably really shouldn’t be attending the wedding anyway, given the spirit of the whole love and happiness thing).
Throw only designated throwing materials at the bride and groom such as rice and rose petals. Shoes, Jell-o and steak knives are not acceptable. Ever. Even when they are within the appropriate wedding color scheme.
At Jewish weddings do not ask, “What is that big thing they’re standing under?”
The wedding day is NOT the proper time to share the fact that you once dated the groom, the bride or their parents. In fact, the proper time to share this information may not actually exist.
If you simply must dance at the reception, remember you are not trying out for “Dancing With The Stars.” If you throw your partner in the air, make sure you catch them. Missing is considered grounds for divorce in most states. Avoid high kicks which may warrant medical attention.
At Catholic weddings try to refrain from asking, “Why is this taking so long?” The well-prepared wedding guest remembers to bring snacks for himself and his friends. (Avoid crunchy snacks that may disrupt the ceremony.) NEVER bet on how long the marriage will last at the reception. All odds making must be done outside the reception venue. (In the event of inclement weather, the lobby or bathroom is acceptable.)
Many people ascribe to the time-honored adage, ‘It’s not a party till something gets broken.’ However, avoid breaking things that are irreplaceable, expensive and likely to lead to a lawsuit. Cell phones and glasses are okay.
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 23
Bill and Melinda Agnew
Debbie Keyser
Kim and Scott Kranz
Dana and Keith Zeigler
Brian and Misty Nicodemus
David and Lori Copley 24 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
Randy and Tammie Ebersole Josalynn and David Whysong Jennifer and Jeffrey Raynes
Bruce Koontz and LaRhonda Batzel
Dr. Robert and Fannie Louton
Paul and Sandy Detwiler
Beverly and Robert Stanton
John and Rita Bush Lynn Corbett-Winn, Sharon Turkovich and Beth Sellers
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 25
Good Tidings for the Greatest Generation
Older Adults inBedford County
Keep Your Credit Card Secure
ow that the holidays are behind us, you’re hopefully putting that smoking credit card back into your wallet or purse for a while. But even though this may be a down time for you and your credit card, it’s no time to be lax about your credit card security. So what do you need to know about keeping your credit card safe? First, off, don’t give yourself a PIN number that’s easy to guess. Issuing banks typica lly assign you a random PIN number when you first get your card that you can change later. Keep this assigned number and avoid picking a PIN for yourself like “1234” or your birth date. While it may be easy for you to remember, those choices are also very easy for predators to figure out. If you make a lot of online purchases or just want to dip your toes into the world of Internet shopping, get yourself a dedicated card with a low credit limit. You can open up a secured credit card at most financial institutions that require you to deposit a balance to borrow against, allowing you to open a card with a $500 limit. Your deposit will gain interest and you will be able to use your card for online purchases. What’s more, most scammers try to run a small purchase 26 724.942.0940 to advertise
through before running a larger purchase on the card. You may not notice a $0.32 charge right away, but when your bank calls you asking if you tried to purchase a $779 laptop, you’ll be happy your limit was low enough to be declined. If your credit card number is compromised, you should call your bank immediately and report it. While police are able to enforce credit card fraud on a local level, with the Internet the person trying to run your numbers m ay be six states away, if they’re in the United States at all. In all cases, the sooner it’s reported, the better. Your bank will cancel the card number and reissue you another card. While you’re online, keep in mind that your bank will most likely never contact you via e-mail regarding your account. If you do get an e-mail from a bank that you use, double check the address. Chances are it will be slightly askew from any legitimate
Bedford County
address. Instead of “@yourcreditcard.com,” you may see, “@yourcreditcard1.com” or “@yourcreditcard.uk.” Banks understand that scammers routinely try to get you to give up your personal information via e-mail. Therefore, most have secured e-mail available through their websites, where you can be sure you’re talking straight to legitimate bank representatives. Lastly, if you have several c redit cards that you use often, take the time to flip them over and write down the 1-800 customer service numbers on the back and keep that list in a safe place. It’s also a good idea to keep a copy in your purse or wallet. This way, when you notice your card is missing and are frantic, you can at least go to your list and call to report the missing card. In the end, you should treat your credit card like you w ould treat your cash—never leave it lying around.
Senior Agencies Bedford Senior Center 203 South Richard Street Bedford, PA 15522 814.623.5140 Monday to Friday Breezewood Senior Citizens 150 Municipal Road Breezewood, PA 15533 814.735.4418 Wednesdays Manns Choice Senior Citizens PO Box 23 Buffalo Mills, PA 15534 814.623.5100 Wednesdays Chaneysville Senior Center 3932 Chaneysville Road Clearville, PA 15535 814.784.3215 Wednesday to Friday Everett Happy Senior Citizens Activity Center 101 West Main Street Everett, PA 15537 814.652.5621 Monday to Friday
Hopewell Senior Center 305 Mifflin Street P.O. Box 12 Hopewell, PA 16650 814.928.5111 Monday to Friday Hyndman Senior Center 164 Market Street Hyndman, PA 15545 814.842.6675 Monday to Friday Broad Top Senior Center 707 9th Street Saxton, PA 16678 814.635.3122 Monday to Friday Northern Bedford Senior Citizens 4100 Woodbury Pike P.O. Box 147 Woodbury, PA 16695 814.766.3712 Wednesdays
Transportation The Area Agency on Aging operates the shared-ride program and this demand/response transit program transports persons with a wide range of needs, such as medical and social service appointments, shopping. There is a small co-pay for this service. Transportation to the senior centers is provided for free. General public pay full fare fees for transportation services. Calls are to be made in advance and transportation is on a first call first serve basis. Appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance. The telephone numbers are: Huntingdon County 814.643.5700 or 800.999.8364 Fulton County: 717.485.4899 or 800.999.0748 Bedford County: 814.623.9484 or 800.333.9004 Saxton Area: 814.635.3653 or 800.999.0748 Are you a nonprofit senior center serving the needs of our communities older adults? We would be happy to post your contact information. Contact Marybeth@incommunity magazines.com with your center’s name and phone number.
Digital Photography for Seniors
I
f the last time you took holiday photos required clumsily spooling film into your 35 mm camera, don’t be intimidated by what technology has done to photography in the past few years. In fact, once you have some basics down, you may find that your digital camera is easier to use than you thought. So let’s start at the beginning and go over your new toy from stem to stern. We can’t go into detail about every feature of every camera, but luckily most cameras share the same properties, so we can cover most scenarios. More than likely, your camera came with a lithium ion battery pack and charger. All you need to know about this is that this battery can last a long time. Thanks to selftimers built into your camera, if you forget to shut it off, it will shut off automatically for you, saving battery life and allowing you to take that unexpected shot when the time comes. That said, the battery won’t last forever, especially if you are shooting with the flash often or shooting video, if your camera has that feature. If you know you’re going to be somewhere with a lot of natural light, turn your flash off altogether and shoot longer. The second thing to familiarize yourself with is your memory card. Cameras come with a variety of memory cards to choose from. Regardless of the kind your camera takes, just remember that bigger is better. A 16 gigabyte memory card can hold hundreds of photos, and if you’re not in the habit of printing your photos right away or moving them to your computer, the extra space is a must. How many pictures you can store on your memory card depends on your resolution setting for your pictures. Your resolution is how big the picture is. If you’re shooting for a website, low resolutions are better because the file size is smaller. However, if you try to print the same low resolution photo as an 8x10, it will appear distorted or “pixilated” because the camera wasn’t set to capture all of the fine details of the image. With most point-and-shoot cameras on high resolution, you can print very large prints or zoom in to crop shots for better composition. The last thing to get to know is the USB cable. This is the cable that came with your camera and connects it to any USB port on your computer. Through this cable, you can transfer your images for future sorting, correction, or sharing. Believe it or not, once you have those things down, your digital camera has many of the same features of your old 35 mm. You can zoom in, set a timer so you have a chance to get into frame, and set a scenic mode where you can select how the camera operates in certain conditions, such as a portrait, sports shot, night shot, or landscape. Your manual will list the specific icons and their meanings. Don’t be afraid to leaf through it if you get stuck. Manuals have come a long way as well and are clearly written for users of all experience levels. Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 27
more than four feet tall and live in western Pennsylvania, chances aref you’re that your attic is not a comfortable space that you would consider livable. Your attic can be modified, however, by the do-it-yourselfer into more than adequate storage for a variety of your belongings, if you get creative. The first thing you need to consider is the space itself. Is it finished at all? Many attics in the area are open spaces broken up by roof and flooring joists and wads of insulation. The first thing you want to do is inspect your attic for leaks and whether those joists are strong enough to support extra weight. You can add flooring by screwing down plywood or other subflooring. Avoid nailing materials down to prevent damaging the ceilings underneath you through the vibrations of hammer blows. Once you have your flooring down, you can decide whether or not you want to finish the ceiling joists. You can insulate and attach drywall or plywood to these joists, depending on how fancy you want to get with the finished look; or you may decide that having the recessed areas between the joists is beneficial to your storage needs. Keep in mind that a triangular space is limiting only if you have boxes or items that you need to store vertically. Items that are smaller and that can be arranged into nooks and crannies can be ideal for these odd-shaped spaces. Also keep in mind that, because of the nature of attic
28 724.942.0940 to advertise
access in older homes, the route to your attic may be through a small trap door in a hall closet, so items you put in the attic might be limited to long-term or permanent storage, like old college textbooks, holiday decorations, luggage, or all those old National Geographics that you can’t throw away because the pictures are too pretty. If you do have easy access to your attic, either by way of a dedicated staircase or pull-down steps, more options may offer themselves to you. Even tight attics have enough room for several two-drawer filing cabinets, allowing you to store many years’ worth of tax returns or product manuals. Easier access means even more versatility when it comes to your storage plan. Rather than long term, you can use the space for things that require infrequent use—bins for extra blankets and pillows for when guests are in town, large children’s toys or games that don’t get played with during the school week, and sporting equipment when it’s out of season. Storing items like these in the attic will keep them out of dank basement conditions,
Bedford County
and, in the case of linens and sporting equipment, keep the smell of mildew away. Keep in mind that the attic, while dryer than the basement, still has its own set of issues. Temperatures often vary wildly in attics depending on how insulated they are, so items that can’t stand high heat or low temperatures – like candles, for instance – may not fare well in the attic environment. Each space is different, but each is unique, and how you use that space can be a fun project for the whole family.
he first public libraries in Bedford county were started by volunteers in Bedford and Everett during the 1920s to provide residents of those communities with access to books. The Bedford County Library began in 1944 to bring library services to areas outside these communities – at first from the trunk of a car, later through a dedicated bookmobile. Today the county has four community libraries and a boo kmobile under the umbrella of the Bedford County Library System, which was formed in 1982 to coordinate library services. Libraries in Bedford, Everett, Hyndman, and Saxton serve the county’s nearly 50,000 residents with combined collections totaling more than 100,000 titles – books, audio tapes, DVDs, magazines, and newspapers. In addition, the libraries are part of Access Pennsylvania, which allows patrons to request titles from member libraries throughout the state and are part of Access PA’s Power Library, providing patrons with access to hundreds of online periodicals and other resources.
T
BEDFORD COUNTY LIBRARY 240 South Wood Street Bedford, PA 15522 814.623.5010 www.bedfordcountylibrary.com MONDAY 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. TUESDAY 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. THURSDAY 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. FRIDAY 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. SATURDAY 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. SUNDAY closed
EVERETT FREE LIBRARY 137 East Main Street Everett, PA 15537 814.652.5922 www.everettlibrary.org MONDAY 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. TUESDAY 1 p.m. – 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. THURSDAY 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. FRIDAY 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. SATURDAY 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. SUNDAY closed SAXTON COMMUNITY LIBRARY 315 Front Street Saxton, PA 16678 814.635.3533 www.saxtonlibrary.org MONDAY 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. TUESDAY 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. WEDNESDAY 10:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. THURSDAY 2:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. FRIDAY closed SATURDAY 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. SUNDAY closed HYNDMAN-LONDONDERRY PUBLIC LIBRARY 161 Clarence Street Hyndman, PA 15545 814.842.3782 www.hyndmanlibrary.org MONDAY 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. TUESDAY 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. WEDNESDAY 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. THURSDAY 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. FRIDAY 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. SATURDAY closed SUNDAY closed
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 29
King Township 634 S. Imler Valley Rd. Osterburg, PA 16667-9264 814.276.3235 Fax: 814.276.0022 jclaycomb16@hotmail.com Liberty Township 1400 Wall Street, Saxton, PA 16678 814.635.3513 libertytwp@verizon.net
BEDFORD COUNTY MUNICIPALITIES For more information visit: Bedford County Township Officials Association Bedford Borough Beverly Fisher, Sec 244 W. Penn Street, Bedford, PA 15522 814.623.8192 Bedford Township 1037 Shed Road, Bedford, PA 15522 814.623.8296 bedfordtwp@embarqmail.com http://bedford.pacounties.org/bedfordtwp Bloomfield Township Lafayette Road, Bakers Summit, PA 16614 814.224.5367 or 224.5709 bloomtwp@atlanticbbn.net Broadtop Township 187 Municipal Road, Defiance, PA 16633 814.928.5253 Coaldale Borough Judy Wright, Pres Home: 814.928.5102 Melissa Wright, Sec P.O. Box 156, Six Mile Run, PA 16679 Colerain Township 3017 Centennial Road, Bedford, PA 15522 814.847.2739
Everett Borough Eileen Reyan, Sec 100 Mechanic Street, Everett, PA 15537 814.652.9202 everettpa@embarqmail.com http://bedford.pacounties.org/everettboro/ Harrison Township 4747 Milligans Cove Rd. Manns Choice, PA 15550 814.623.5380 harrisontwp@pennswoods.net Hopewell Borough PO Box 160, Hopewell PA 16650 814.635.3513 Hopewell Township 2759 Raystown Road, Hopewell, PA 16650 814.652.5743 hopewell555@embarqmail.com http://hopewelltownship.org/ Hyndman Borough Sharon Shaffer, Sec 213 Waters Street, Hyndman, PA 15545 814.842.3191 Juniata Township 397 Buena Road, Manns Choice, PA 15550 814.733.4437 juniatatownship@embarqmail.com
Cumberland Valley Township 1030 Dark Hollow Road Bedford, PA 15522 814.356.3577 or 356.3281 East Providence Township 174 Municipal Road, Breezewood, PA 15533 814.735.2264 e_provtwp@frontiernet.net
30 724.942.0940 to advertise
East St. Clair Township 1445 Quaker Valley Road, New Paris, PA 15554-8523 814.839.4947 eastclairtwp09@embarqmail.com
Kimmel Township 117 Walter Hollow Road, Queen PA 16670 814.239.8221 kimmeltwp@embarqmail.com http://bedford.pacounties.org/KimmelTwp/
Bedford County
Lincoln Township 2554 Lovely Road, Alum Bank, PA 15521 814.276.3452 Londonderry Township 4303 Hyndman Road, Hyndman, PA 15545 814.842.6069 Fax: 814.842.6800 Mann Township 1410 Mountain Road, Artemas, PA 17211 814.784.5416 Fax: 814.784.5267 manntwp@embarqmail.com http://bedford.pacounties.org/manntwp Manns Choice Borough PO Box 13, Manns Choice, PA 15550 814.623.7662 Monroe Township 247 Rock Hill Church Road, Clearville, PA 15535 814.784.3168 monroetwp@embarqmail.com http://bedford.pacounties.org/monroetwp Napier Township 1708 Market Street, Schellsburg, PA 15559 814.733.4770 Fax: 814.733.2033 napier@embarqmail.com New Paris Borough PO Box 408, New Paris, PA 15554 814.839.0150 Pavia Township 109 Ickes Road, Imler, PA 16655 814.276.3451 Fax: 814.276.0032 paviatownship@embarqmail.com Pleasantville Borough Cindy Byers, Sec PO Box 147 Alum Bank, PA 15521 814.624.2006
Rainsburg Borough Wayne Koontz, Sec 3221 Main Road, Bedford, PA 15522 Home: 814.847.2853
STATE PARKS IN BEDFORD COUNTY
Saxton Borough 707 9th Street, Saxton, PA 16678 814.635.2363 Schellsburg Borough Dorothy Wolfhope, Sec 2199 Cortland Road, Schellsburg, PA 15559 814.733.2809 St. Clairsville Borough Cindy Crissman, Sec P.O. Box 289, Osterburg, PA 16667 814.276.3696 Snake Spring Township 373 Pennknoll Road, Everett, PA 15537 814.623.1976 Fax: 814.623.1976 snakespringtwp@embarqmail.com Southampton Township 5735 Chaneysville Road, Clearville, PA 15535 814.784.3413 southampton@embarqmail.com http://bedford.pacounties.org/ southamptontwp South Woodbury Township 125 North Road, New Enterprise, PA 16664 814.766.2900 Fax: 814.766.2444 swtbc@embarqmail.com southwoodburytownship@embarqspace.com West Providence Township 83 East Fifth Avenue, Everett, PA 15537 814.652.5943 Fax: 814.652.5711 wpt2006@embarqmail.com West St. Clair Township Chestnut Ridge Ambulance Bldg, 4037 Quaker Valley Rd. Alum Bank, PA 15521 814.839.2375 Fax: 814.839.4490 Woodbury Borough Barbara Wilt, Sec 201 State Street, Woodbury, PA 16695 814.943.5215 Woodbury Township P.O. Box 280, Woodbury, PA 16695 814.766.3200 Fax: 814.766.0098
BLUE KNOB STATE PARK 124 Park Road Imler, PA 16655-9207 814.276.3576 This is our "Big Mountain" park. This year-round wilderness adventure consists of over 5,600 acres of woodland. An extensive hiking trail system offers 17 miles of trails through changing timber types, across cool streams and occasionally passing by pioneer homesteads that are slowly yielding to the forces of nature.
SHAWNEE STATE PARK 132 State Park Road Schellsburg, PA 15559 814.733.4218 Shawnee is our "Lake Park". Located along Route 30 near Schellsburg, Shawnee consists of 3,983 acres with a 451 acre lake. Picnic tables and fire rings are available. Non-powered and electric boats are permitted with a permit or registration. Rentals available. A 12 mile hiking / biking system is also suitable for cross country skiing.
WARRIORS PATH STATE PARK 814.658.3847 This small park (334 acres) is located 2 miles south of Saxton (near the northeastern tip of Bedford County). This finger of land is bounded on 3 sides by the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. This is a good area for canoeing/kayaking or perhaps a picnic. No overnight camping available at this time, however, attempts are being made to open the park to camping in the future. Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 31
SPRING
2011
G U N U R T L I N X R
32 724.942.0940 to advertise
Bedford County
K R R H W I I O S V A
F D G S B L S S O V Q
M T K O K N A W K H E G Z U F O S C S U WG
T E M P E R A T U R E
X M Y H G R F O J A R
R G X S T N P J B Z W
S N E E Z E N A B F Y
W U L D T G E R M A D
C G U H U S U R I V G
Cough Germ Nose Sneeze Temperature Tissue Virus Wash
FEMALE
Fix-It-Yourself
REVOLUTION
SOLVE 5 COMMON HOUSEHOLD PROBLEMS
From pink screwdrivers and mini toolboxes to a surge of female-targeted home improvement sites and guidebooks, the fix-it-yourself revolution has come for women in the U.S. More empowered females are taking on household problems themselves instead of spending the money to hire a plumber, electrician or contractor. In fact, a recent study by the Medelia Monitor showed that more than 60 percent of women are more likely to tackle the work on their own. The majority of these women (63 percent) are being more resourceful to avoid the high costs of hiring a professional. And 71 percent of women say the desire to “fix-it-myself” stems from the empowering feeling of having the knowledge to improve their home. Sound familiar? If you’d like to empower yourself and join the fix-it-yourself revolution, start by picking up a few affordable tools and products to tackle quick fixes. Here are easy tips for solving five common household problems:
✔Unstick sticky windows by opening them and rubbing wax or spraying silicone into the tracks on both sides. Move the window up and down several times to work the wax or silicone lubricant into the frame. ✔Fix squeaky wood or tile floors by sprinkling baby powder on the surface of the floor that’s squeaking. Then place a chisel between the boards and gently hammer the top to pry up the tile or floorboard. Sprinkle more baby powder underneath the board to seal the excess space causing the squeaking. ✔If your drains are draining slowly or clogged completely, try a de-clogging gel that clears the toughest clogs at a fraction of the cost of a plumber house call. Liquid-Plumr’s new Penetrex Gel is a fast-acting, powerful formula that can clear the toughest clogs in just seven minutes. ✔Mend unsightly holes or tears in your window screens by using a screwdriver to straighten the bends in the mesh and dabbing clear nail polish to seal the hole. Allow it to dry. Then repeat the polish application until the hole is completely sealed. ✔A wobbly table leg may seem hard, but it’s a surprisingly easy repair. Just figure out how it’s attached to the seat. Then either screw the leg back into its socket or glue it back into place. Fix-it resources abound online and at your local bookstore. But here’s a few to get you started: Facebook.com/LiquidPlumr: Most clogged drains are caused by hair. Get tips on how to keep all drains clear. BeJane.com: A site where women of all ages and skill levels can find answers to home improvement questions and connect with others for inspiration and advice. “Dare to Repair” by Julie Sussman: This book offers a “do-it-herself” guide to fixing almost anything in the home.
Bedford County | Spring 2011 | incommunitymagazines.com 33
603 East McMurray Road McMurray I PA I 15317 724.942.0940 www.incommunitymagazines.com
|
BEDFORD COUNTY |
| IN BETHEL PARK | | IN BRENTWOOD-BALDWINWHITEHALL | | IN CANON-MAC | | IN CHARTIERS VALLEY | | IN FOX CHAPEL AREA | | IN HAMPTON | | IN KEYSTONE OAKS | | IN MARS AREA | | IN McKEESPORT AREA | | IN MERCER COUNTY |
Our Family of Magazines is Growing!
| IN MONROEVILLE | | IN MONTOUR | | IN MOON TOWNSHIP | | IN MT. LEBANON |
ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS Our community magazines partner with over 20 School Districts and Townships.
| IN MURRYSVILLE | | IN NORTH ALLEGHENY | | IN NORWIN |
We direct mail to over 500,000 households including these new fall 2010 additions:
| IN PENN HILLS | | IN PETERS TOWNSHIP | | IN PINE-RICHLAND | | IN PLUM | | IN ROSS TOWNSHIP | | IN SENECA VALLEY | | IN SEWICKLEY AREA | | IN SHALER | | IN SOUTH FAYETTE | | IN UPPER ST. CLAIR | | IN WEST ALLEGHENY | | IN WEST JEFFERSON HILLS | | IN WEST MIFFLIN | | IN WOODLAND HILLS |
TO ADVERTISE Call 724.942.0940 sales@incommunitymagazines.com