Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

Lifestyles over 50

™

Encouraging vibrant and healthy living in the greater Lehigh Valley!

FREE - Volume 11 - Issue 10 - January 2017

POW Survivor Shares His Story Retirement Jobs Skiing After 50 Getting a Leg Up on Your Legacy www.Lifestylesover50.com

Things To Do With Grandkids The Black Diamond Society of Model Engineers is holding their 50th annual Railroad Days event the following Saturdays and Sundays - Jan 7,8,14 and 15, 2017, and Feb 11 and 12, 2017 from 1-5pm. 2 floors of sleek passenger and powerful freight trains in continuous operation, at 900 East Macada Road, Bethlehem, PA, 18017.

The first floor 650 square foot layout features models of O, On30 and S scale steam trains from the glory days of railroading to the mighty diesel locomotives of today. Operating semaphores and signals further enhance the display. Visitors can even operate specific accessories.

The second floor 800 square foot HO scale display has a multitude of trains in operation, including a loaded coal train stretching to more than 100 cars powered by multiple diesel locomotives.

Admission via donation is $5 per person, and free for those 12 and under. We suggest those with children under 40 inches tall bring a step stool to make it easier for them to see the displays. Tables of pre-owned trains, structures, accessories and books are for sale. There is ample free parking. bdsme.org

Award-winning film as it comes to life in this romantic and beloved take on the classic fairytale. The story tells of Belle, a young beautiful woman in a provincial town, and the Beast, who is really a young prince trapped under the spell of an enchantress.

Sing for America Presents - the continuing mission is to raise money for families of active serving military. 610-432-6715 to order special priced tickets: $9 for children 6 and under $12 for seniors or students 21 and under Miller Symphony Hall, 23 North Sixth Street, Allentown PA millersymphonyhall.org Christmas Bird Count 4 Kids This event introduces birding as a recreational and conservation activity to a new generation. We invite children and youth ages 8-15, and their parents, or grandparents for a combined classroom and field event - introduction to birds and the importance of conservation including a binocular boot camp.

Teams head out to Allentown parks for a bird walk, return to tally our bird counts, enjoy lunch and tour the Acopian Center for Ornithology. Jan 7, 2017 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. and costs $8 per child. Lunch is provided for kids and parents. Seating is limited. To register your child go to lvaudubon.org/shop/kids-bird-count Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown

The Lehigh Valley Storytelling Guild and Godfrey Daniels present the Children’s Storytelling Series featuring Rob Aptaker.

The Cold Moons: the Native American time for tales.

When the world is more dark than light, the First People of America traditionally tell the old stories. Rob Aptaker learned these stories – and stories of heroes and magic – from Native eastern woodland teachers.

With drum, rattle and chant, Rob invites his audience into the stories.

Suitable for children from 3 to 103.

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From the Editor Happy New Year to all of our readers.

I trust you had a pleasant holiday season.

We welcome all of you to our new year of publishing stories and information of value to you.

Our featured story is of Frank Ginther, a local Valley resident, who was one of the men who was captured while serving on the USS Pueblo when is was attacked and taken in January of 1968. He tells of his harrowing experiences while a captive of North Korea. They were held captive for 11 months. His riveting story is told in our two part article starting in this month’s issue.

Many of you are retired or near retirement. You may have a lot of time on your hands and are looking for fulfilling work on a less than full time basis. We have an informative article on the types of opportunities that are available to you in several different capacities.

If you were restrained in your use of alcohol over the holidays - good for you. It is a wise course of action - one that should be observed throughout the year. We have an article on the dangers of mixing alcohol and medications. There can be unexpected consequences of mixing alcohol with your medications. Although there are warning labels on meds, it is still a wise person who is very careful about mixing the two.

We are now getting into the snow season. Have you skied when you were younger? Maybe you never skied, but were interested in trying it. Well, we have an article that gives you tips on how to get started even though you have not ever skied or perhaps it has been many years since. Check it out. It may open up a new adventure for you.

Peace.

Art

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How One Local POW Survived the USS Pueblo Incident As Told By Frank Ginther to Vicki Bezems, Lifestyles over 50 Part 1 of 2

H

earing the story of a former POW’s ordeal ignites the question, “How did he or she endure it?” What kept him going? That was my question when I met with Frank Ginther, US Navy Communications Technician on the USS Pueblo.

The 83-man crew of the Pueblo were captured off the coast of Korea in on January 23, 1968 and were held for 11 months with USS Pueblo little hope of release. The taking of the Pueblo and the abuse and torture of its crew during the subsequent 11-month prisoner drama became a major Cold War incident, raising tensions between western democracies and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and People’s Republic of China.

As Frank completed his training, the Navy was in the process of converting three small WWII Army cargo ships into intelligence vessels, one of which was the USS Pueblo. Their job would be to gather information on any seagoing activity under the guise of environmental research. They would be unarmed or lightly armed and manned by communications technicians from the Naval Security Group, civilian oceanographers and linguists. The 30 communications specialists on the Pueblo operated radio equipment inside a box-like structure on top of the ship. The Pueblo sailed from the US in 1967 and headed for its home port in Japan.

Under the leadership of Commander Lloyd “Pete” Bucher, the Pueblo left on its first mission in January 1968: to sail off the coast of Korea and observe all shipping activity taking place, plus the reaction of any Soviet ships to the US vessel.

A ship must remain at least 12 nautical miles from shore to stay in international waters. Captain Bucher gave orders that he was to be called to the bridge if they reached 14 miles.

“We were very, very careful to observe that,” Frank stated.

The crew was not allowed to transmit any kind of signal unless they were sure they had been detected by an adversary.

On January 22, 1968, two Korean fishing boats, named “Rice Paddy I” and “Rice Paddy II”, passed very close to

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the Pueblo, their crew taking pictures of the US vessel.

Obviously, the Pueblo had been detected. The crew began attempts to call for help.

Weather conditions being “brutally cold, dark, dank, and miserable,” they had difficulty establishing communications.

On January 23, just as they had finished breakfast, Frank heard someone say a ship was approaching them at a high rate of speed. He looked out the port hole and saw a patrol boat coming at them at a good clip. A gunman was positioned on the back of the ship on a gun turret, helmet and vest on, expertly maneuvering the gun.

“All of a sudden, he aimed directly at the window I was looking out of, and I was looking down two barrels. I left the window and went somewhere else,” Frank remembers.

Shortly afterward, the first patrol boat was joined by a submarine chaser, four patrol boats, and two jets. The Koreans told them to “heave to” (stay where they were) or they would open fire. As the Pueblo started to leave, the Koreans opened fire and wounded 12 Pueblo crew members.

Next they fired a large canon. Fireman Duane Hodges, who was in the ward room destroying papers, was hit by the canon fire, becoming the sole casualty of the ordeal.

Commander Bucher’s strategy was to stall, to buy time to destroy classified information on board. The crew tried to take the documents out of the filing cabinets drawers, which were lined with lead bags. One crew member was able to throw only a couple of those overboard; there was too much gun fire to continue.

Frank recalled the scene: “We were in general quarters, which meant the whole ship was closed up. Everything was off, including the ventilation system, to prevent us from being gassed. We were in a small room, taking classified information out of the safes and burning it in garbage cans inside. The guys had sledge hammers and fire axes. I was beating on equipment, trying to destroy it with a fire ax. But the circuitry was on the back, and there wasn’t enough room to swing the axe.”

Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

The ship was unprepared to retaliate because the Navy had believed that it would never draw attention. It was essentially unarmed and defenseless.

Frank continued, “We got overpowered. They came onto the ship and took us into the berthing area, tied our hands and blindfolded us until we reached the city of Wonsan. A boarding party came aboard and took us off the ship, put us on buses and then a train. We traveled all night across Korea.

They took us to a military base. Then they moved us to a complex out in the country which was built for war games.

All we could see was a small village, rice paddies and farms.

It was out in the middle of nowhere.”

The crew was subjected to general interrogation. At this point, the crew were able to lie their way through many questions, starting a trend they would sustain throughout their captivity. However, their captors had obtained the personnel files and so had access to names and job descriptions. The Koreans wanted the crew to confess that they went inside Korean waters, calling them spies and “US Imperialist Aggressors.”

They beat Captain Bucher severely, but at first he refused to confess. They staged a fake execution for him: They held a gun to his head and pulled the trigger; nothing happened.

They took him to a room and showed him a man hanging on a wall who had been beaten and had one eye dangling from the socket. Finally, they threatened to start shooting crew members one by one, starting with the youngest, who was 19 years old. To save the crew, Captain Bucher agreed to sign a false confession. But Frank explained, “Bucher wrote statements like ‘I got my instructions from Buzz Sawyer, and in the meeting was Barney Google…’ to show it was not his will to confess.

Crew of USS Pueblo when ship was captured 6 officers - 2 civilians - 75 enlisted

Frank Ginther Every crew member was tortured and made to sign a false confession. Frank was forced to kneel on the floor, holding a wooden chair over his head. When he grew so tired that he had to lower the chair, the guard kicked him repeatedly under the right arm. Finally they asked him to sign a statement saying they “intruded into territorial waters of Korea and the Soviet Union.” Frank realized, even in his dazed condition, that the statement indicated they were in two places at once.

The officer gave him a stack of papers and two pencils. His arm hurt so badly he could barely write. In the confession he wrote “a lot of garbage that didn’t make sense.”

Learn how Frank and USS Pueblo sailors survive the ordeal in part 2 in next month’s issue Frank Ginther lives in Bethlehem, PA and shares his story with civic groups, schools and churches. If you’re interested in learning more, contact Frank at fjg1943@rcn.com.

More information on the USS Pueblo incident can be found at www.usspueblo.org, a website created by the surviving crew members.

Fireman Duane Hodges was killed during the attack on the Pueblo

Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

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Make a real difference �

volunteer !

Helping out with some of the smallest tasks – like grocery shopping, delivering a meal, driving someone to an appointment, reading with a child – can make a real difference.

Small acts of kindness may not impact the whole world, yet can mean the world to one person!

Human beings are hard-wired to give to others. Most people like the idea of serving others. However, many may never put their good intentions into action because they don’t know where to start.

Senior Corps RSVP can help you get started. We’ll help you find the right match to your interests and available time.

Call: 610-625-2290 Email: RSVPLNC@hotmail.com Visit: www.RSVPofLNC.org A program sponsored by ShareCare Faith in Action.

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Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

The Dangers of Mixing Alcohol with Medications

By Lori Samer, RPh. Medication Matters, LLC

The mixing of alcohol with certain prescription medications, over-the-counter medications(OTC’s), or herbal products may lead to serious interactions and side effects.

This consumption of alcohol can be intentional or unintentional. Alcohol can be an ingredient in products such as mouthwash, cough/cold/allergy medications, antidiarrheals, laxatives, liquid pain relievers, dental products, and liquid vitamin preparations; always check the product’s label or ask your pharmacist. Some contain alcohol and others do not.

This could result in alcohol remaining in a person’s system for a longer period of time. Drug levels of certain medications remain relatively constant throughout the day, so separating the taking of medications with the drinking of alcohol by a few hours is not enough to eliminate the danger. In addition, never skip a dose of medication with the intention of being able to have alcohol.

If you are unsure if you can drink alcohol with certain medications, always check with a healthcare professional.

Lori Samer, RPh. is a consultant pharmacist in the Lehigh Valley and owner of Medication Matters, LLC. We are a consulting service that specializes in addressing the challenges of taking medications correctly and optimizing the effectiveness of your medications.

Below is an overview of certain classes of medications and the possible effects of combining them with alcohol.

The list is not meant to cover every type of drug interaction or side effect, and only certain medications in each category may result in these reactions.

Always check with your doctor or pharmacist when drinking alcohol with any medication you are taking.

• • • • • •

Certain heart medications: rapid heartbeat/sudden change in blood pressure Blood thinning medications: internal bleeding Sleeping medications: impaired breathing, impaired motor control, unusual behavior Tylenol (acetaminophen): possible liver damage if recommendations are exceeded Antidepressants: feel more depressed, hopeless, anxious Antibiotics: serious nausea and vomiting reaction, headache, rapid heart rate.

The elderly population is at greater risk for experiencing side effects or interactions when consuming alcohol with certain medications. As a person ages, their ability to break down or metabolize the alcohol often slows down.

We review your medication list, address concerns about your medications and identify medication related problems all in an effort to improve your health and provide peace of mind.

To learn more, please visit our website at www. medicationmattersllc.com For further information please email Lori at medicationmattersllc@gmail.com or call 484268-8237.

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Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

7

Retirement Jobs

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over 50

P

erhaps you are nearing retirement, or you have retired.

What do you see yourself doing for the next many years?

Many people either need to work or just do not want to sit around.

The good news is that there are help wanted signs all over. Opportunity abounds for those seeking work. Older employees are particularly attractive due to their experience and work ethic. “Some of our older employees are our best employees,” says Kim D’Amico, owner of a local home care franchise Home Instead Senior Care. “We always welcome applicants who are semi-retired or are on their second career.

Often it’s a good fit for them because they seek part-time hours, flexibility and a fulfilling job.” Below are tips and ideas for jobs for those seeking work:

Customer Service There are companies that can find you part time work as a customer service rep.

Some of these jobs can be done from the comfort of your own home. Flexjobs.com is a company that specializes in this type of placement.

Caregiver There is probably no other industry that is growing and will continue to grow as much as the healthcare industry. We have an aging population and people will need assistance. A caregiver is someone who does not need medical training and is willing to help those older adults who need help with some of their daily activities such as cleaning and cooking. The pay for caregivers is competitive and the job is more fulfilling than most.

Retail With the continued development and growth of the Lehigh Valley, many new retail opportunities have become available.

There are probably numerous stores near your home seeking help.

Tutor Schools may have needs for tutor in specific skills such as math or foreign languages. You can also market your skill directly to parents whose children need extra help.

Use Your Skills Determine what you are good at and find a way to make that skill profitable. Perhaps you are handy around the house.

There is always a need for a handyman in your neighborhood and throughout the Lehigh Valley. If you have decorating skills find a realtor who could use your skill to help stage their homes that are for sale.

Consult or Freelance You have accumulated vast experience and knowledge. There are organizations that want to tap into that. This may entail becoming a mentor. There is no substitute for experience.

You have skills and experience that are in demand. Take that Why not look for opportunities to share that experience with advantage and satisfy that demand. You are now in a position a younger generation. Organizations may have temporary where you can choose how much time you want to work and gaps in their staffing that you can fill. This can be a way to in what capacity. Your “retirement” can be your new fulfilling highlight your skills and talent. and profitable career. Good luck.

Same Job, Less Time An employer may find it beneficial to keep you on board Our last tip --- If you like helping others we also know that but with fewer hours. This helps their bottom line and at the many of our advertisers are always seeking reliable help, so same time keeps you doing what you like to do but with a lot give them a call too! more spare time.

Still Searching? Take your search online to sites like Seasonal Opportunities itsmycareer.com, jobs.com, monster.com, snagajob.com or Of course you can be of help during the holiday season, but others. there are other “seasons” out there. Certain foods come to market at specific times of Compassionate Care for the year. Tax preparation is another excellent More than 50 Years opportunity for seasonal work. There are special events like Labor Day or federal holidays where there is increased demand Holy Family Manor is a Division of Catholic Senior for temporary help in places like department Housing and Health Care Services, Inc. stores. · Quality Short-Term Rehabilitation · Occupational Therapy at Holy Family Manor · Respiratory Therapy Local Team Sports · Comprehensive Rehab Services · Speech Therapy Ball parks, stadiums, colleges and high Available 7 Days a Week · Vital Stimulation schools need ushers and other help during · Physical Therapy · Wound Care their sport’s seasons. Reliability and a good Quality Care, Quality Health care, One Person at a Time work ethic can land you a regular gig with these organizations.

1200 Spring Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018 • 610-997-8437 • hfmanor.org

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Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

Interesting Stuff

By Art Villafane, Lifestyles over 50 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Emus and kangaroos can’t walk backwards.

Coffee is the second largest item of international commerce in the world. The largest is petrol.

The symbol on the pound key “#” is called an octothorpe.

The greatest snowfall ever in a single storm was 189 inches at the Mount Shasta Ski Bowl in February, 1959.

A person’s right lung takes in more air than the left one does.

An adult golden eagle’s claw has 9 times the grip of an adult human male’s hand.

Lincoln Logs were invented by Frank Lloyd Wright’s son.

The first toilet ever seen on television was on “Leave It To Beaver.”

The “Yo-Yo” was introduced in 1929 by Donald F. Duncan. The toy was based on a weapon used by 16thcentury Filipino hunters.

It’s against the law to burp or sneeze in a church in Omaha, Nebraska.

The sound of E.T. walking was made by someone squishing her hands in Jell-O. In 75% of all American households, women manage the money and pay the bills.

Due to a zipper breaking, Olivia Newton-John had to be sewn into the trousers she wears in the last carnival scene of Grease.

The sounds made by the Brachiosaurs in Jurassic Park were a combination of whale and donkey sounds.

In National Treasure, the good guys in the movie use Google and the bad guys use Yahoo!

After Top Gun was shown in cinemas, recruitment into the Navy by young men went up by 500 percent.

The voice actors of Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse from the 1930s got married in real life.

• • • • • • •

Pierce Brosnan was contractually forbidden from wearing a full tuxedo in any non-James Bond movie from 1995-2002.

The boy — Billy Redden — who played the banjo in the famous Deliverance scene briefly reprised his role, 31 years later, in Big Fish.

The largest taxi fleet in the world is found in Mexico City. The city boasts a fleet of over 60,000 taxis.

Early Spanish missionaries in Texas hoped to encourage the spread of European values by offering flannel underwear to Native Americans.

In Texas, it’s illegal to put graffiti on someone else’s cow.

The average American visits a fast food restaurant six times a month Many moons ago, cookware and dishes in Europe were made of an orange clay called “pygg.” When people started saving coins in jars made of this clay, the jars became known as “pygg banks.” In the nineteenth century, allegedly an English potter misunderstood the meaning of the term “pygg,’ thinking it was “pig.”

When someone asked him to make a pygg bank, he made one shaped like a pig. This idea caught on and soon everyone wanted a “piggy” bank.

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Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

9

Taking Up Skiing after 50

By Art Villafane Lifestyles over 50

If you never skied before or if has been decades since your last downhill you might consider taking up the sport. I know it may seem like an upward climb, but if you ever had the urge then let’s get to it. Where to start: Buy Modern Equipment New clothes are designed to keep you warm and comfortable. You need not look like a panda in a snowsuit.

Ski technology has come a long way. They make better clothes, better skis and better boots so take advantage of that and buy modern stuff. If you have old gear, get rid of it.

Get in Shape This may be the toughest part. If you want to ski you must get in decent shape. Skiing takes effort but the rewards are many. Getting in shape for skiing may be the best thing you can do. Once you are in shape then skiing will only get you in better shape. Win, Win! Take Lessons This is imperative. A professional ski instructor will make the entire experience fun and will remove a lot of the frustration you get when you try to learn on your own. You will learn the correct and safe way to ski.

Start Skiing Now get out there and ski! Like every other skill the more you practice the better you get at it. The better you are, the more fun you get out of skiing. An added bonus – depending on your age you can get nice senior discounts at most locations.

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Ski in and around Lehigh Valley Bear Creek Mountain Resort & Conference Center sits on more than 330 acres of scenic land. The resort features skiing, snowboarding and snowtubing winter activities. bcmountainresort.com/winter/ Blue Mountain, located in Palmerton, Pa. features the highest vertical in Pennsylvania at 1082 feet, not to mention the 5 Terrain Parks, 37 trails on 162 acres, and 21 slides in the tubing park! There is something for all ages, so don’t miss the fun! skibluemt.com/ Camelback Mountain Resort, located in the Poconos, Pa, is among the best when it comes to fantastic winter fun! Try all of the 34 trails lit for night skiing, as well as the snowtubing. Watch as these snowboarders use what Camelback has to offer! skicamelback.com/ Jack Frost and Big Boulder, another ski destination close to the Lehigh Valley, is located in the scenic mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania. There is a new glade riding area for beginners, and a new glade park for the snowboarders and freeskiers as well. fbb.com/ Shawnee Mountain, also located in the Poconos, has a new Tomahawk Express Quad to serve as Shawnee’s flagship ski lift, located along the Tomahawk trail. The new Tomahawk Express will send skiers and riders 3100′ to the summit in just 3 minutes. www.shawneemt.com Many of these resorts offer discounts to seniors. Check their websites or call to get the latest information.

Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

Selling Your Home in 2017?

By Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS, CMRS

You may have been thinking about selling your home, and if so, 2017 may be the year to do it.

With the recent rise in interest rates and recently reported economic optimism, experts are saying that home prices may increase.

This could very well be advantageous to you if you are thinking of downsizing. In any case you want to keep a few items in mind should you wish to sell your home.

Market conditions The overall market in the country does not necessarily match your area. You need to have a realistic assessment of the value of your home as the market exists in your area. For this you need an experienced realtor who can provide you with a fair and honest assessment of your particular home.

Time of Year The time of year does influence a seller’s market. Very frigid weather will necessarily dampen interest. On the other hand this may be a good time for your home if others are unwilling to take the time to offer their homes for sale.

Getting the Home Ready to Sell First impressions, staging and curb appeal all have a hand in making your house stand out from the crowd. Here again a realtor can give you insights into what works and what does not.

Closing the Sale You know that this is the most stressful part of a home sale. Negotiations can easily break down and for the strangest reasons. An experienced realtor will be the person who will

help you ascertain what is a good deal for you and will take care of all the details involved in closing a sale.

If you are considering selling your home, get a jump on the spring sales season by starting the process now and speak with a qualified real estate professional to start the process.

Elissa Clausnitzer, SRS is a licensed Realtor with Weichert Realtors and has over 30 years of experience in real estate. Elissa specializes in helping boomers and seniors achieve their goals in their next step in life. Call her at 610-573- 0386.

The time is now.

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Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

11

Sudoku

The objective of Sudoku is to enter a digit from 1 through 9 in each cell, so each horizontal row contains each digit once, and each column contains each digit exactly once.

Easy

Medium

Easy Answer

Medium Answer

12

Crossword puzzle answer on page 15

Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

Getting a Leg Up on Your Legacy

By Alan Allegra

To begin the new year, I’m doing something a bit different. Although I always pray the Lord will give me the right words for you and, thereby, I collaborate with Him, I am going to allow three other writers to write for me, too. These other writers are people whom I don’t know, have never met, and who are not “professional” writers. I believe their words will prove powerful and inspirational and illustrative of principles from the Word of God. Our first guest writer is Jeremiah: “Thank you veteran’s for serving the army because of you guys I can go out side and not be afraid too and I dont have to be worried about my skin color. Also thank you guys for making my home a safe place and I dont have to be afraid to walk out side and go to the playground. I also want you guys to know that Im not just riting this because I have to I want to because my cousin sevved in the Military before I was born and he died sadily and I might not know you guys but I want you guys to be safe and stay alive so when all of this finish you can go home and see your family and be happy My cousin may have died but I know he went down fighting for his rights and sevveing the country.”

Our next new friend is Paola: “Te Amo! Love you guys! you guys help us with every Promblem we have in florida. We love you guys. My reason are Give us Freedom, Protect us, Risk what they love, Risk there live for us. You guys fight for us and one day I want to see you guys so I can learn what you guys learn a lot. You guys give us freedom because you guys worked so hard for us. My Uncle he workes over there he helps us too and the community you guys help to. You can protect us by using wepons to protect us from the Ices.”

question is, “How do we prepare the next generation?” In a few words of great power from God, “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:67). “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). “[T]hat the next generation might know them, the children yet unborn, and arise and tell them to their children” (Psalm 78:6).

Get a leg up on your legacy! If you have any influence on children, may you say with the Psalmist, “So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come” (Psalm 71:18).

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Finally, let me introduce Jayden, whose contribution was brilliantly illustrated with marean corps, stinger, and hate isis: “Thanks for sirving ure contry. The U.S.A. hasent always been arondd all the time. We have been throght wars and thing. Thanks to all vettrans who served in WWI and WWII. Thes wars wer the to Biggest wars in American history.”

These letters were three that captivated me from a stack of letters at the bedside of a WWII veteran who perceives the world through dimmed eyes, muffled ears, a bitter spirit, and memories real and imaginary. These letters were written by children who know about, but have not known, the horrors of man’s inhumanity to man.

It is not my intention — and certainly uncharacteristic of my writing — to be maudlin, but the world is full of horrors: war, terrorism, drugs, alcohol, immorality, selfishness, etc. My

Nationally Recognized for Alzheimer’s and Memory Support Services phoebe.org/allentown | 610.794.5300

Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

13

Classified -

Listings free for not-for-profits. Others $15 per listing (under 75 words)

Send to : Thrive Media, Attn: Editor. 4847 Hamilton Blvd. Allentown, Pa 18106 or Editor@lifestylesover50.com

Volunteers Needed

Phoebe Allentown seeks individuals to assist with memory support neighborhoods. You train in Montessori principles to create meaningful experiences by practicing person-centered care.

For a rewarding experience 610-794-5362 jwickel@phoebe. org.

facing terminal illness. Training, meaningful time with flex hours. Robin Trexler, 610- our patients. Call Janet 266-0134 Barber, 610-969-0127.

Lehigh Valley Health Network seeks “Compassionate Companions” for the No One Dies Alone program. Do you have time to spend with a terminally ill patient and be able to ensure her that they will not die alone.

First Thurs., 10-11:30 am.

610-433-6018 Vision Loss Support Group for LV residents facing vision loss.

Center for Vision Loss, 845 Social & Support Groups W. Wyoming St., Allentown.

ENCORE (female cancer support / exercise group) Tues. 6:30-8pm, Fri. 9:15 -10:30am. Allentown YMCA & YWCA, 425 S. 15th St. 610-434-9333, x Volunteers are needed to sit 313.

Meals on Wheels Northampton with, talk to, hold their hand, or allentownymcaywca.org.

Cty and Calvary United just offer your presence to be Methodist partner to provide there with the dying. Training Parkinson’s Disease meals to seniors in Easton provided, call Fr. Tim Hasenecz Support Parkinson’s area. Volunteers needed. at 610-402-8564 for more patients, families and Contact Janet Soos janets@ information.

Class forming for friends - monthly at mealsonwheelspa.org March, 2017.

St. Luke’s Allentown Campus. 3rd Wed. 6 pm Meals on Wheels of Lehigh Center for Vision Loss seeks refreshments 6:30 pm To County -Discover how easy volunteers to assist blind and register 1-866-STLUKES. and rewarding it is to deliver visually impaired people as MS First Tuesday support meals to homebound clients. companions, transportation group for patients, Teams of 2 deliver on 33 routes drivers and Mall Walk helpers. families and friends in Lehigh County. Drive a Office assistants and vision at St. Luke’s Hospital, route or ride along as a visitor.

610-398-2563 or dstillwagen@ screeners are needed. Training Bethlehem. 6:15 register provided. Daytime hours only. at 1-866-(785-8537) mealsonwheelslc.org.

610.433.6018, x.231rita.lang@ centerforvisionloss.org.

First Wed. LV Compeer of LV- volunteer 4 Vegetarians. Quaker hrs. a month with Compeer Lehigh Valley Hospice provides Meeting House Rt. 512 friend, a person who lives with volunteer opportunities for half mile N. of Rt. 22 mental illness. Do what friends individuals who believe that life Twnshp. Pot luck dinner. do together: listen, go for a is a journey. Join us and discover 6pm. $3.50 610-709-8984 walk, watch a movie, enjoy a cup of coffee, etc. Main duty – how enriching it is to spend Have Fun! 610.435.9651.

Heartland Hospice seeks volunteers to offer bedside support and presence to those

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

Call Julius Vitali of VINYLALLY HEAR at

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

Buying classical records and collections

14

Lifestyles over 50 January 2017

First Thurs. 12PM AARP Chapter #4150 noon Community Room of Lower Macungie Library Bldg.

3450 Brookside Rd. Pizza and coffee/tea provided ($2). There will be a entertainment by singer Mike Evans. Guests are welcome.

Hoagies and coffee/tea provided ($2). For info call 610-285-4563 First Thurs. AARP #5415 Allentown noon St. Timothy’s Church, 140 So. Ott St., Allentown, Program: NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness.

Non-members and guests are welcome. Bring a nonperishable food item for the Allentown Food Bank. Note: If Allentown School District closes for a snow day, then our meeting is cancelled.

Two hour delay, we still have a meeting. 610-437-4265 AARP Chapter 3115 First Thurs. at noon at American Club 300 Cherry St., Coplay. Refreshments will be available. Please bring a nonperishable item for the food bank. New members welcome. 610-395-2820.

Second Mon. 7-8:30 pm. pray & share together for emotional wholeness, women’s support group struggling, or have family struggling with depression, bipolar, etc. 3400 Bath Pike, Suite 110 Bethlehem. Linda 610-395-8756.

Prayer and Share Together for Emotional Wholeness, 2nd Mon. Truth for Women, 3400 Bath Pike, Suite 110, Bethlehem. We also meet at Asbury Methodist Church Tuesday after the 2nd Monday. Both groups are 7-8:30 pm.

Second Tues. 3PM TRIAD at Lehigh Co. Senior Center (Enjoy Life). Monthly meeting. 3 PM. Second Wed. Parkinson’s Support Group St. Luke’s Hospital Allentown campus 17th and Hamilton St. Refreshments and presentation 6:00 - 7:30 Topics related to PD. Third Wed, LV Military Affairs Council – Saucon Manor in Hellertown.

12-1:30pm, 484-788-0196, info@lvmac.org, or www. lvmac.org for info.

Second Thur, 12PM Caregivers & Professionals Network Group. Country Meadows of Allentown, Bldg 3, 610-395-7160 Third Sat. For anyone caring for a family member with memory loss or impairment, group meets (908) 8596700, extension 2276 for information.

Dances LV Active Life Sat. Dance 7:30-11pm. 610-437-3700 $7 refreshments. lehighseniors. org.

“Dancing on the Odds” on odd numbered Fridays at 3rd Third Street Alliance, 41 N. 3rd St. Easton. Lessons 7-8pm, Dancing 8-10pm. $10 at door. Instructor Con Gallagher (610) 433-7804.

Allentown Area Swing Dance. Fearless Fire Co. 1221 S Front St. 610390-7550. $10 includes lesson 7pm - 8:30, no partner needed. Info: allentownswingdance.org.

Social Ballroom/Latin Swing Dance Saturday, 2nd Sat. @ 7pm TC Dance Club 6623 Sullivan Trail Wind Gap 610-881-1000 learnballroomlatin.com Refreshments & BYOB. Lesson at 8:00pm $12, no reservations, all welcome with or without partner.

Andrew’s Church 1900 Pennsylvania Ave. Allentown 3rd Thurs 4:30 Westminster Village 2156 Hanover St. Allentown, 3rd Tues 5:00 pm Kirkland Alz. Support Groups Village 1 Kirkland Village Circle Bethlehem, Alzheimer’s Respite 4th Mon 2:30pm Moravian Program Hope Community Village 526 Wood St. Church 7974 Clausville Rd. Fogelsville, For those in early Bethlehem, Last Monday stages of Alzheimer’s. Respite 6:30 pm Traditions of Hanover 5300 Northgate Dr. time, support for caregivers.

Free, Wed - 1-5 PM 484-619- Bethlehem, 0330 bowerdav@gmail.com. 3rd Wed 1:00 pm Third Street Alliance 41 North Third St Easton, 1st Thurs 11:00 am Arden Courts 5151 Hamilton Blvd. 1st Wed 9:30am Moravian Hall Square 175 W. North St. Allentown 3rd Sat 1pm 410 Krocks Rd. Nazareth.

1st Thurs (except Dec.) Country Meadows, Bldg 1 Whitehall Manor 6-7:30pm.

Allentown 1177 6th Street, Whitehall 3rd Wed 3pm Phoebe Terrace 1925 Turner St. Allentown, 2nd Wed 5:30 pm Sarah Care Adult Day Care 7010 Snow Drift Rd. Allentown, 1st Thurs 1:00pm St. Senior Ctr.) Free coffee, snacks. $15 includes 4 double cards & 1 pack of specials.610-437-3700

Bingo Wed 5PM game at 6:30PM Volunteer Fire Co Fogelsville Ladies Auxiliary Cash Prizes 484-350-1388 HTCC hosts monthly Bingo1st Thurs of month at 6:30 pm! Prizes $40-$125. 610317-8701.

Wed 6:30 LV Active Life (Lehigh County

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