Pittsburgh 55+ Magazine Sprin 2015 Issue

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Keep That Pep in Your Step this Spring Also... Dr. Charles Krauthammer guest speaker at St. Barnabas Founders Day Tips for Spring Cleaning, Downsizing and Organizing your Home



www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

Welcome to the Spring Issue of Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine!

P.O. Box 722 Wexford, PA 15090-0722

Phone: 724-940-2444 Fax: 724-940-2447 Email: info@PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com President & Publisher Marion Swanson Piotrowski Executive Editor Marianne Reid Anderson Managing Editor/ Public Relations Coordinator Paula M. Green Marketing & Account Executive and Office Coordinator Laura Arnold

Marketing & Account Executive Mary L. Simpson Design & Production Kostilnik & Assoc. Graphics, Inc. Distribution Dominion Distribution

Laura Arnold

Mary Simpson

llpspc@consolidated.net

mlsspc@consolidated.net

Marianne Reid Anderson

Paula Green

info@PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

info@PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine is published four times a year by Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. (P.O. Box 722, Wexford, PA 15090-0722, 724-940-2444) and is distributed free of charge throughout the Greater Pittsburgh region. Subscription can be purchased from the publisher at $25 for one year. The mission of the Swanson Publishing Co., Inc. is to connect the people of Pittsburgh by publishing the area’s finest senior publication, Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine. The publication is dedicated to the people, communities, educational, religious, travel, health, and recreational needs of seniors in our area. The contents of Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine may not be reproduced or copied in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus Magazine reserves the right to refuse editorial or advertisements that do not meet the standards of this publication.

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Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

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ach year, I get more and more anxious for the arrival of spring. Not that I hate the winter, it just seems to drag on and on, especially after the holidays. It is amazing to me how much my mood improves when it is a little warmer and brighter outside. Now that it is getting nicer outside, the spring issue’s cover story is about fitness. You don’t have to be a marathon runner or training for a triathlon to enjoy the benefits of exercise. You may have noticed that many people, of all sizes and ages, are wearing a band on their wrist. I wondered what they were and I was informed that it is called a Fitbit®. At first I thought, “My goodness, just what I need, one more thing to keep track of.” And then I thought, “Seems a bit controlling to me.” However, I did invest in one of my own and found out that it is indeed a helpful tool to track your own activity. The goal of 10,000 steps a day seemed insane at first, but once you get started just walking around, those steps really add up. I find the best thing about the Fitbit is that I challenge myself to do better each day. Some of the Fitbits can also track your blood pressure, calories, steps, stairs, heart rate and sleep pattern. With the changing times of healthcare, I find a Fitbit to be an excellent tool to keep a daily check on your own activity and health. The older I get, the more that saying “move it or lose it” seems to be a reality! Spring is always a good time to clean out your closets or downsize. This issue has some great tips to help you get started. Also in this issue, we take a look back at 1966. See if you remember some of the highlights of that year. While you are taking a look back, see if you know how many famous bands and movies have turned 50 this year. Enjoy reading the spring issue of Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus magazine. Thank you for your continued support. We invite Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus readers to submit story ideas and photos of people and places that help make Pittsburgh an outstanding place to live and work. n

“Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day” By W.D. Earl Hall

Find us on under Pittsburgh Fifty-Five Plus Magazine!



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Contents 6

Cover Story: Keep that Pep in Your Step Marianne Reid Anderson

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Dr. Charles Krauthammer Featured Speaker at St. Barnabas Fundriaser

12 Spring Clean, Downsize and Keep Everything Within Reach Marianne Reid Anderson 14 Social Security: A Woman’s Perspective Donna Kline, Financial Advisor, MBA, CDFATM

16 Chiropractic Family Health Center: Healing Peripheral Neuropathy 18 10 Personal Enhancements Gained with Better Hearing R. Patrick Francis, AUD 19 Let’s Talk Carole Shepard, Co-Chair NAIPC

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20 Project Lifesaver: Bringing Loved Ones Home Paula Green

21 Advertorial: Lose Up to 30 Pounds in 30 Days Dr. Michael Vactor

22 Aging Gracefully Barbara Killmeyer 23 Fall Prevention for Older Adults 24 Celebrating 50 Years with These Showstoppers and Rock Bands Paula Green 25 Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania reminds customers to “Call 811 Before You Dig” the spring

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In Every Issue... 2

From the Publisher Marion Piotrowski

10 Spring ’15 Happenings 26 The Good Old Days: Step Back into 1966 Paula Green

28 Remember When: It’s Time to Spring Into Action! Joe Bullick

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Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com


www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

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COVER STORY

Keep that PEP BY MARIANNE REID ANDERSON

We all know that the key to keeping healthy is staying active and to get that blood moving! While we want to enjoy our retirement and pre-retirement years, we’ll enjoy them a lot more by getting up, out of the recliner, off of the sofa and get going. According to expert studies, the best way to stay motivated is to find activities that you enjoy and find interesting and not be afraid to try new things – either keeping activities that you now enjoy, fresh and stimulating or completely new activities that you’ve always wanted to try.

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ow that spring has sprung, it’s time to dust off the cobwebs and put some pep in your step. Before you begin, check with your physician and have a stress test to learn the level of activity that is good for you. Also, you may want to get a new, wearable gadget that monitors heart rate to make sure you are not over-doing it. What follows is an extensive list of ideas on ways to stay active and to keep it fresh: Walking – it is always important but keep it fresh by changing routes and going to new places. For instance, if you walk the mall, change it up by walking the large home improvement stores or wholesale clubs. Check out the new river walks downtown, or walk through the zoo, the Carnegie Museums, the Phipps Conservatory, Aviary, local high school track, or even volunteer to walk your neighbors’ dogs or get a dog for yourself to walk and for companionship.

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Taking up a Sport – Retirement and pre-retirement is a great time to take up that sport you always meant to try such as golf, tennis, badminton, shuffleboard, or join a senior league for softball, baseball, basketball and bowling, It’s also a great way to socialize and meet new people. Join a Gym – almost every local gym, including the YMCA, have special services for seniors such as the Silver Sneakers. Professional trainers that will teach you how to use the machines, gain access to the pool and get you signed-up for either modified classes or teach you how to modify the exercises, should you need to, in such activities as aerobics, water aerobics, spinning, yoga, Zumba, step aerobics and much more. Volunteer – helping others not only keeps you active, it warms the spirit. Mentor a young person, join a hospital auxiliary, church group, scouts, business and leadership councils, local school and after school programs.


in Your Step! Explore a New Hobby – Try gardening, not the same old lawn care and house plants, but try a new vegetable garden, herb garden, seed starters, growing tomatoes indoor all year round, orchids or other exotic plants. Grow hops or grapes and learn to make your own beer or wine. Most of today’s new vintners are actually pre-retirees looking for a second career. For more information and additional ideas on how to stay active, inquire at your local Senior Community Center. There are over 80 in Allegheny County alone with dozens available in surrounding counties. In addition to many senior services and assistance, they also offer learning activities, cultural activities, exercise classes including eastern exercises such as Tai Chi and so much more. Here are a few Senior Community Centers around the Pittsburgh area to help you get started; but, to find the senior center nearest you, go to http://pittsburghpa.gov/ citiparks/senior-community-centers or http:// www.seniorcitizensguide.com. The Senior Community Centers are open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for major holidays. To find out information about specific programs and centers, call the one nearest you or call the information line at 412-422-6401. n

MAIN OFFICE 412-422-6401 5344 Second Ave. Lunch: N/A EAST/CENTRAL Greenfield 412-422-6551 745 Greenfield Ave. Pittsburgh 15217 Lunch: 12:00 noon Hazelwood 412-422-6549 5344 Second Ave. Pittsburgh 15207 Lunch: 12:00 noon; 11:30-T/F Homewood 412-244-4190 7321 Frankstown Ave. Pittsburgh 15208 Lunch: 12:00 noon; 11:30-T/H

Lawrenceville 412-622-6918 4600 Butler St. Pittsburgh 15201 Lunch: 11:45 AM; 11:30-T Morningside 412-665-4342 6944 Presidents Way Pittsburgh 15206 Lunch: 12:00 noon NORTH Brighton Heights 412-766-4656 3515 McClure Ave. Pittsburgh 15212 Lunch: 12:00 noon North Side 412-323-7239 Allegheny Square Pittsburgh 15212 Lunch: 12:00 noon

SOUTH/ WEST Beechview 412-571-3224 1555 Broadway Ave. Pittsburgh 15216 Lunch: 11:45 AM; 11:30-T/H Mt. Washington 412-488-8405 122 Virginia Ave. Pittsburgh 15211 Lunch: 11:30 AM Sheraden 412-777-5012 720 Sherwood Ave. Pittsburgh 15204 Lunch: 11:30 AM South Side Market House 412-488-8404 12th St. & Bingham St. Pittsburgh 15203 Lunch: 11:45 AM West End 412-937-3068 80 Wabash St. Pittsburgh 15220 Lunch: 11:45 AM

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F E AT U R E

Dr. Charles Krauthammer

Featured Speaker at St. Barnabas Fundraiser

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ore than 450 friends and supporters of St. Barnabas Health System will join together to honor the life-time achievements of Dr. Charles Krauthammer at a fundraiser for St. Barnabas Charities on April 30. Krauthammer will receive the prestigious St. Barnabas Hance Award, named after St. Barnabas founder Gouverneur P. Hance, at the 115th Founder’s Day celebration at the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Township. Tickets for the fundraiser and VIP Photo Reception are selling quickly. Krauthammer will speak on The Obama Legacy and the 2016 Presidential Race. Krauthammer is a conservative political columnist for The Washington Post and commentator on Fox News Channel, who won a Pulitzer Prize in 1987 for “his witty and insightful columns on national issues.” He is also a trauma survivor who has carved out a memorable career as a board certified psychiatrist and a bestselling author of “Things That Matter: Three Decades of Passions, Pastimes and Politics” and “Democratic Realism: An American Foreign Policy for a Unipolar World.” Prior to his career in journalism, Krauthammer was a speechwriter for Vice President Walter Mondale, he helped direct planning in psychiatric research for the Carter administration, and he practiced medicine as chief

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resident in psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital. The annual fundraiser is expected to draw a crowd of more than 450 and features many opportunities to support the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which last year provided more than $6 million in charity care to needy patients at St. Barnabas facilities.

Founder’s Day

April 30, 2015 Pittsburgh Marriott North Cranberry Township Signature Sponsor UPMC Health Plan The April 30th celebration includes an exclusive VIP Photo Reception with Krauthammer at 5:30 p.m., sponsored by CooksonPeirce Wealth Management; a Silent Auction opening at 5:30 p.m. featuring exciting vacation get-a-ways and sports packages, sponsored by TRIB Total Media; followed by the award presentation and speech at the 7:30 p.m. dinner. A popular feature of the event will be the Wine Cellar Lottery with more than 200 select wines, many celebrity signed, sponsored by attorneys Pietragallo, Gordon, Alfano, Bosick & Raspanti, LLP. The signature sponsor of the evening is UPMC Health Plan.

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Autographed copies of Krauthammer’s books will be on sale at the event and are also available for purchase through St. Barnabas Charities. Prices range from $300 for the dinner and silent auction to $800 for the VIP Photo Reception and dinner. To purchase tickets call St. Barnabas Charities at 724-625-3770 or online go to StBarnabasCharities.com. Krauthammer joins a distinguished roster of Founder’s Day speakers and Hance Awardees including President Gerald Ford, First Lady Barbara Bush, actor Charlton Heston, conservative talk show host Mike Huckabee, Vice President Dan Quayle, education secretary William Bennett, actress Debbie Reynolds, inspirational leaders Rev. Norman Vincent Peale and Dr. Robert Schuller, community and political leader Elsie Hillman, former Steelers Andrew Russell and Rocky Bleier, astronaut Buzz Aldrin and many more. All of these men and women represent the visionary leadership, spiritual commitment, and compassionate spirit of the man who founded St. Barnabas in 1900, Gouverneur P. Hance. The Hance legacy has made possible the lifetime care of thousands of men and women in St. Barnabas’ 115 years – regardless of their ability to pay for that care. All proceeds of the Founder’s Day observance benefit the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund, which last year provided $6,652,089 in charity care. n


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SPRING ’15 HAPPENINGS Free Home Safety Inspection is available for seniors through the Open Your Heart to a Senior program. For info, call Cathy at (412) 307-0069, ext. 3313 or clpschirer@nhco.org. Free Rides for Seniors, to grocery stores, doctor’s appts & more thru St. Margaret’s Foundation. Pick up & drop off seniors in the corridors from Sharpsburg to Blawnox & Rt. 28 to the Allegheny River. Sign up by calling, (412) 449-0151.

McKnight Meals on Wheels provides home delivered meals to the elderly, homebound and disabled. Services Ross Twp., Berkley Hills, Swan Acres & part of McCandless Twp. Call (412) 4874088. Oasis Intergenerational Tutoring – An Hour a Week Can Change a Child’s Life. For adults 50 & over become a tutor. Training sessions are held at Macy’s downtown. For details, call (412) 232-2021.

Free Services for Seniors through North Hills Community Outreach. Help with rides to medical appts., grocery stores, yard work. For info, call Cathy at (412) 307-0069 ext. 3313 or Kerry at (412) 449-0151 to schedule an in-home registration visit.

UPMC Senior Communities offers independent living & personal care. For details, call 1-800-3245523.

Home Instead Senior Care® is offering a unique approach to help area families in Northwest Allegheny County manage the challenges of Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Free training is available for families at HelpForAlzheimersFamilies.com.

AARP #2991 invites you to join their monthly meetings 11:30 a.m., every 3rd Thurs. of the month (Apr. 16), in the hall at Northmont Church, located at Perrymont & Rt. 19. Light lunch at noon is provided for a nominal fee. Travel and events will be discussed.

Senior Meetings

Bereavement Support Group (for Widows/ Widowers over 50), 1-2:30 p.m., 2nd & 4th Wed., St. Sebastian, Haber Hall. To register, call (412) 366-1300. Cranberry Senior Citizens Club for residents 55+ meets at 1 p.m., the 2nd Tues., of the month in the Cranberry Municipal Center. Call (724) 8164977 for info and programs. Friendship Groups for Visually Impaired, Men’s Group meets every Weds. 1-3:15 p.m., Knitting & Crocheting Circle meets every Weds., 1-3:15 p.m., Monthly Meeting 2nd Thurs. of each month 1:153:15 p.m., The Lunch Bunch meets 4th Thurs. of every month 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., The Talking Book Club meets 1st Mon. of each month 1-2:30 p.m. For info, call (724) 444-0064. Glenshaw AARP #3744 meeting, Apr. 14, Elfinwild Presbyterian Church, 3200 Mt. Royal Blvd., Glenshaw. Entertainment by Bill Campbell. Paramount Senior Living at Cranberry Alzheimer’s Affiliated Support Group meets the 1st Mon., of every month 3 p.m., and the last Fri., 2 p.m. Contact Pam, at (724) 779-5020. Primetimers, noon, first Thurs of the month, Christ Church Grove Farm, Ohio Twp. For info, call (412) 741-4900 or visit http://www.ccgf.org.

Seminars Abraham Lincoln: A Man of Ambition, 2:30 p.m., Apr. 16, Vanadium Woods Village, 50 Vanadium Rd., Bridgeville. Call (412) 221-2900. Cumberland Woods – Brain Health Retreat, 9 a.m. or 6 p.m., Apr. 21, 700 Cumberland Woods Dr., McCandless. For reservations, call (412) 6358080 or TheLegacyLineup.com. How to Take the Stress Out of Moving, 2:30 p.m., Apr. 22, Strabane Trails Village, 317 Wellness Way, Washington, Pa. Call (724) 225-4100. Pittsburgh: Quirks and All, 2 p.m., Apr. 27, Sherwood Oaks, 100 Norman Dr., Cranberry Twp. Call 1 (800) 642-2217 or www.Sherwood-Oaks. com.

Fitness Zumba® Gold, 9:30 a.m., Apr. 23, Seneca Hills Village, 5350 Saltsburg Rd., Verona. To register, call (412) 793-1700.

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Entertainment & Social Events Cahal Dunne - Ireland’s Happy Man, 2:30 p.m., Apr. 15, Hampton Fields Village, 4480 Mt. Royal Blvd, call (412) 492-8448; Apr. 16, Lighthouse Pointe Village, 500 Chapel Harbor Dr., Fox Chapel, call, (412) 781-2707; 2:30 p.m., Apr. 22, Beatty Pointe Village, Monroeville, call (412) 374-9000. Saint Alexis Over 50 Trips & Events, April 11, Bill Campbell; May 16, Jorden Lunz, singer; June 28, trip: Bobby Vinton. Contact Rose at (724) 7282563 or Janet at (724) 869-5339 for information.

Volunteer Opportunities: Hope Hospice is looking for volunteers to visit Hospice patients. For details, call (412) 367-3685.

North Hills Community Outreach’s Faith in Action program is seeking Senior Companion volunteers. For details, contact Nancy, at (412) 3070069 or nljones@nhco.org. Open Your Heart to a Senior volunteer orientations, 9:00 a.m., Apr. 21, Panera Bread, McKnight Rd; 10:30 a.m., May 5, Cooper Siegel Library, Fox Chapel; 6 p.m. May 27, NHCO, Ferguson Rd, Allison Park. For details, visit oyhs.org. Pittsburgh Friendship Group is looking for volunteers to help visually impaired seniors. No experience is necessary. For info, call (724) 4440064. Volunteer drivers are needed for various programs to help seniors. For details, call (412) 307-0071 or allegheny@openyourhearttoasenior.org. Yard work help for seniors is needed countywide. To register, call (412) 307-0071 or email allegheny@openyourhearttoasenior.org.

National Aviary Senior Outreach Program Benefits the Residents of Little Sisters of the Poor on Benton Avenue in Brighton Heights. This year’s annual visit was held on Mar. 11. Pilar Fish, director of Veterinary Medicine, has been visiting the senior facility annually. During her visits, she brings with her a number of birds from the Aviary collection, including geriatric birds and birds under special care in the Aviary’s hospital. Dr. Fish conducts a presentation on bird’s species, their behaviors, and the special care they receive.

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YOUR HOME

Spring Clean, Downsize and Keep Everything in Reach BY MARIANNE REID ANDERSON

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pring has sprung and it’s time to wake-up from our winterhibernation and give our homes a thorough cleaning. While cleaning, you may want to consider downsizing or re-organizing to keep the things you need more easily accessible and within reach. You can have access to more items than ever due to cool, new cabinet innovations, such as incredible Glide-

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Out™ shelves that pull-out so you have easy access to everything in your cabinets, even items way in the back, or all the way down. There are also unique pull-down shelves, undersink solutions, and so much more. The experts at ShelfGenie® can create customized solutions to fit your particular needs. As members of the National Association of Senior Move Management and National Aging In

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Place Council, ShelfGenie is dedicated to making everything you need easily accessible and within reach. Whether you are moving to a new home in a 55+ community or need to adapt your


current kitchen to reduce any unnecessary bending, stooping, lifting or climbing of step stools, ShelfGenie and their problem-solving experts can put everything within reach in your kitchen cabinets and pantries, bathrooms and linen closets, bedrooms, basements and garages. ShelfGenie’s custom solutions also make the ideal gift for adult children to give their elderly parents. To explore an interactive kitchen and tour an idea gallery, visit www.shelfgenie.com or call 724-321-2973 to make an appointment. When cleaning out a closet, cabinet or drawer, you will need to make decisions on what you want to keep and what you do not. The experts at ShelfGenie can make sure you have access to the things you want to keep. But, for the things that you do not want to keep, make sure you know the value of items before you get rid of them.

The Internet can help you. Go to auction sites such as www.Ebay.com and look up what your items may be worth. On sites like ebay.com, people can sell new or used items. On Ebay. com, search for an old item that you may have, such as an old Monopoly® board game, an original Barbie® or GIJoe®, pink or green glass dishes from the 1930s, or any item you may have around. Once you find your item or one that is similar, you can see how much the buyer is asking or willing to accept. Then, over hours or days, bidders will make offers on the item. For example, an original white box Monopoly game from the 40’s might go for $115 or more. Then, once you know what people are willing to spend, you know what price to ask when selling it yourself either online or in person. Or, what value an item is worth, if you choose to donate it to a worthy charity.

When donating to a charity, make sure you receive a tax receipt for the items donated as this can help off-set the taxes owed for the selling of any other items. Another thing to consider when choosing a charity is FREE pickup of your items. For example, Beautiful Buys, an up-scale thrift store, offers FREE pickup of donated items and are so good at restoring items for re-sale in their two shop locations, that some donators have actually bought items of art and furniture back. Beautiful Buys is a part of the St. Barnabas Health System and all proceeds from the sale of donated items go to the St. Barnabas Free Care Fund. For more information on the services provided by Beautiful Buys, visit their website at https:// stbarnabashealthsystem.com/charities/ beautiful_buys/. n

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FINANCES

Social Security: A Woman’s Perspective DONNA KLINE, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, MBA, CDFA™

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egardless of whether you’re a man or a woman, Social Security will not – and was never designed to – provide all of the income you’ll need to live comfortably during retirement. At best, your income from Social Security will supplement your other sources. If you are factoring Social Security into your retirement plan, you should learn all you can about how to enhance your benefits, and how much income you may need from other sources to be financially comfortable during your retirement years. For women, however, there are some unique factors to consider in the equation. With longer life expectancies than men, women tend to live more years in retirement and have a greater chance of exhausting other sources of income. Because Social Security generally has annual cost-of-living adjustments, you have an inflation-protected benefit for as long as you live. For women, those increases are vital since women generally live longer than men. In addition, Social Security provides dependent benefits to spouses, divorced spouses, elderly widows and widows with young children. While Social Security is neutral with respect to gender (individuals with identical earnings histories are treated with the same in terms of benefits), the following 2012 numbers1 released by the Social Security Administration Office of Research and Statistics highlight how demographic characteristics of women compare with the entire population. • Women reaching age 65 need to prepare for approximately 21.4 more years of living expenses. Men live an average of 19.1 more years. • Women make up 56% of all Social Security beneficiaries age 62 and older and approximately 67% of beneficiaries age 85 and older. • The average annual Social Security income received by women 65 years and older was $12,520 compared to $16,398 for men.

• For unmarried women age 65 and older (including widows), Social Security composed 50.4% of their total income. In contrast, only 35.9% of unmarried elderly men’s income and 30.2% of elderly couples’ income came from Social Security. • Of all elderly unmarried women receiving Social Security benefits, 49.6% relied on Social Security for 90% or more of their income. • Only 22% of unmarried women aged 65 or older were receiving their own private pensions, compared with 27.7% of unmarried men. • Of the women who were employed fulltime, 55% participated in an employer-sponsored public and private sector plan compared to 52.3% of men. While participation in employer-sponsored retirement plans is increasing for women in today’s workforce, women generally received lower pension benefits than men due to their relatively lower earnings. Probably none of this comes as a surprise, considering women earning less and spending more time out of the work force than men. On average, women spend 12 years out of the work force caring for others.2 Women also are more likely to work at small companies that lack employer-sponsored benefit programs and hold part-time rather than full-time positions. Looking at the whole picture, you can see how these factors might tend to significantly affect women’s Social Security benefits and any retirement plan or pension plan benefits they may have accrued. So how do women offset this gap? Get a retirement plan in place so Social Security benefits can be an income supplement and not a mainstay. To help you determine a retirement strategy that is appropriate for your personal financial situation, talk with your Financial Advisor. n Social Security Administration Office of Research and Statistics: Social Security Is Important to Women, http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/factsheets/ women.htm 2 Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, 2009. Women and Retirement Security: http://www.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/dhmc-internet-upload/ file_collection/WHRCSummer09.pdf 1

This article was written by Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Donna Kline, Financial Advisor, MBA, CDFA™ in Sewickley at 724-934-8508. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/ NOT BANK-GUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE. Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, Member SIPC, is a registered broker-dealer and a separate non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. The use of the CDFA™ designation does not permit Wells Fargo Advisors or its Financial Advisors to provide legal advice, nor is it meant to imply that the firm or its associates are acting as experts in this field. (C)2014 Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC. All rights reserved. 0614-02343 [94318v1] 07/14

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H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Chiropractic Family Health Center is the only facility in the Pittsburgh area to offer this breakthrough treatment.

Chiropractic Family Health Center: Healing Peripheral Neuropathy Chiropractic Family Health Center announces a breakthrough treatment protocol for treating peripheral neuropathy pain, a common condition with devastating effects and thought to be incurable.

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eripheral Neuropathy occurs when nerves are damaged or destroyed and can’t send messages to the muscles, skin and other parts of the body. Peripheral nerves go from the brain and spinal cord to the arms, hands, legs and feet. When damage to the

Peripheral Neuropathy symptoms can include: • • • • • •

Numbness Burning pains Cramping Sharp, electric pain Hurt when you walk Difficulty sleeping from leg/foot discomfort • Pricking/tingling feelings • Dependency on medication • Loss of balance or coordination

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nerves takes place, numbness and pain in these areas may occur. Approximately 20 million Americans suffer from this debilitating disease. It is commonly associated with diabetes, however, neuropathy symptoms can also occur in patients with restless leg syndrome, sciatic neuropathy, and has been recently linked to statin drugs used to lower cholesterol. Although, there are also patients who just have neuropathy without a particular cause. Many patients are suffering from symptoms of painful cramping, burning and tingling, difficulty walking, numbness and even interruption of sleep. The specialized treatment protocol offered at the Chiropractic Family Health Center includes 9 specific treatments that are designed to heal rather than just deal with the symptoms. This therapy has

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long been well recognized internationally, and these recent advancements offer hope for many more to live a more painfree and enjoyable life. Dr. Shawn Richey (a member of the NeuroTCA) has seen many patients suffering with peripheral neuropathy. He has treated patients that have tried everything including potentially harmful medications and other painful testing and treatments. This can leave patients still struggling and wandering down the long road of endless disappointment. Now we


Proven Results

for Diabetics, Post Chemotherapy, and Idiopathic (Unknown cause) Liz H.

Lynne Karanovich

Liz is a current patient of Dr. Shawn Richey and suffers from Peripheral Neuropathy. “For a few months I was experiencing tingling and numbness in my feet. I was also becoming off balance when I walked. A friend of mine saw an article in Pittsburgh Fifty Five Plus magazine describing exactly what I was experiencing. I didn’t know that what I was suffering was called neuropathy. I kept the article for a month and my symptoms were getting worse so I gave Dr. Shawn Richey a call for a consultation. When I consulted with Dr. Richey he told me what the plan of action would entail. It has only been a short time and already I’m feeling 50% better! Dr. Richey is a kind and caring man who takes the time to talk with you and answers any questions you might have. Thank you Dr. Richey.”

My brother lives in the Phoenix area and saw an advertisement for peripheral neuropathy treatments along with several testimonials. He was impressed and gave the information to me. I called and was referred to Dr. Shawn. I then saw the advertisement for Dr. Shawn’s free evaluation and decided to make an appointment. I have suffered with peripheral neuropathy in my feet and legs for 12 long years. As the pain and numbness got worse, the number of pills that I had to take was increased. The pills were trying to treat the pain, but not curing the problem. There were days that I could hardly walk and had balance issues. That is no way to live life!! I noticed an improvement after one treatment. I danced into Dr. Shawn’s office after my second treatment. He smiled from ear to ear. I was skeptical at first, but found the treatments really work! I now take my brother’s 88 year old mother-in-law with me. She noticed an improvement after her first treatment as well! Dr. Shawn and his neuropathy treatments are awesome!! I travel 100 miles a day for my treatments. It is well worth it. I feel like a different person. My feet and legs are finally waking up after a long hibernation. I started to wean myself off of the pills. I am going to make an appointment with my neurologist and tell him that I beat neuropathy! I can’t wait to see his reaction!! Life is good…

are able to address the pain associated with peripheral neuropathy with a successful, non-invasive, drug-free approach that includes the use of light therapy to stimulate tissue repair. With Dr. Shawn Richey’s neuropathy treatment protocol, patients no longer need to suffer with the pain and symptoms that have restricted their lives.

This ground-breaking treatment has achieved a 90% overall satisfaction rate. The treatment identifies the cause and enables nerve endings to regenerate and heal rather than remain damaged. As the treatments repair the nerve endings, pain is reduced, and patients regain balance and coordination. n

We may not be your first choice, but we will be your last.

Call for a free consultation! Dr. Shawn Richey is a neuropathy professional and a member of Neuropathy Treatment Centers of America – www.neurotca.com.

Contact Dr. Shawn Richey today at 724-940-9000 or email him at drshawn@backnline.com. 2581 Wexford-Bayne Road, Suite 207, Sewickley, Pa. 15143 • Located within a mile off the Wexford exit of I-79.

www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

17


H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

10 Personal Enhancements Gained with Better Hearing BY R. PATRICK FRANCIS, AUD

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he idea of correcting a hearing impairment is often limited to pragmatic reasoning such as understanding family members, television, telephone or environmental sounds such as the doorbell. While these are important, there are a whole host of reasons that often go unrecognized and have a profound effect on your sense of well-being . Below is a list of 10 reasons to improve your hearing.

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Awareness: Tune in to the 3D world of sound.

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Independence: Understand on your own.

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Peace of mind: Be included in conversations.

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Enjoyment: Connect with the beautiful sounds of music, nature and life!

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Understanding: You understand the first time.

Quality of Life Enhancements

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Emotion: Have fun, laugh and love.

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Participation: Better hearing allows you to interact in group conversations.

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Confidence: Respond appropriately.

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Relaxation: Sit back and just listen.

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Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

10 Advantage: Better hearing results in quicker responses. You deserve to enjoy life to your fullest potential. Bring us your personal list of hearing desires along with this coupon and let us help you capture the thrills that life has to offer! n


Let’s Talk BY CAROLE SHEPARD, CO-CHAIR NAIPC

Aging in place - we all want to do it but to do it well requires planning. Before you can plan for it, you need to be able to talk about it.

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am reminded of a conversation that took place almost 20 years ago with my then 6 year old son. I was working at a long-term care facility and would frequently pick up him and his sister after school and they would visit with some of the residents while I wrapped-up loose ends. One day on our way home, he said “Don’t worry, Mom – when it’s time, I will find you the nicest nursing home around.” I chuckled all the way home and what was then a child’s innocent comment - I now refer to as a conversation starter. The truth is, aging in place requires a plan. It should be a plan that is well thought out and assesses five (5) major components that affect aging: Housing, Health & Wellness, Personal finance, Transportation and Community. Let’s look at each of those areas briefly. Housing. Many of us hope to age in our own homes, surrounded by family and friends. Stairs, carpeting, tubs, showers – all parts of our home that presented no problems when we were younger and more agile can present significant problems and fall risks as we age. To

do that safely, it may be necessary for modifications to be made to your home. Health & Wellness. Aging is a natural part of living. Even if you have been relatively healthy and conscientious, aging is a natural process that will bring with it changes in your healthcare needs – and the benefits that will best serve you in a healthcare plan. Personal Finance. Knowing your resources and establishing a plan of how to save and spend your available funds is critical. It is also important that you know what additional resources are available. Transportation. I’ve never met a senior who wants to give up his/ her license but there is a time when

it has to be done. Having a conversation well before that time is crucial – and planning for alternate transportation should be part of the aging plan. Community. Being a part of a community matters. Social isolation can lead to depression – a condition that affects far too many of our seniors. Many are living far longer than they ever thought they would and outliving many of their friends. If you aren’t sure how to start the conversation with your spouse or your parent, look at the NAIPC members listed. Any one of us can help point you in the right direction. Let’s talk! n

The Services You Need for a Life at Home Greater Pittsburgh Chapter - Charter Members Patricia Neurohr, Chair

At Home with Ease, LLC Home Care and Personal Assistance, Aging In Place Consultant pneurohr@homewithease.com 724-759-7421 Homewithease.com

Robin Elliott, Co-Chair

All Your Benefits - Insurance Navigation and Support robin@allyourbenefits.net 724-934-1140

Carole Shepard, Secretary

Tim Friday Kathleen Koroskenyi

Home Safe Mobility, LLC Home Modifications tim.friday@homesafemobility.com 412-719-0110 (Local) http://www.homesafemobility.com

Elaine A. Malec, PhD, GC-C Connecting Hearts - Owner & Founder 864-674-7433/724-772-4949 www.GriefCareServices.com

Vickie Dellaquila, CPO-CD®

ElderCare Transitions, LLC Assessment & Family Assistance & Mediation ectransitions@gmx.com 724.934-0674

Organization Rules, Inc. - Professional Organizer, Move Manager, Hoarding Specialist vickie@OrganizationRules.com 412-913-0554 (Local) http://www.organizationrules.com

Edward Moeller, Treasurer

John Girty

Beaconsfield Financial Services, Inc. Member: FINRA & SIPC 724-745-6800 www.beaconsfieldfinancial.com

Maria Wilson

Wilson Architecture + Design, LLC Certified Aging in Place Specialist mwilson7503@me.com 412-418-9779 (Local) http://www.wilsonarchanddesign.com

Carl D’Alicandro, CSA A+ Stair Lifts of Pittsburgh Home Modifications cdalicandro@gmail.com 412-260-7469 http://www.aplusstairlifts.net

Jill Yesko, CPO®

Discover Organizing Inc.® Professional Organizer, Senior Move Manager jill@discoverorganizing.com 412-344-3450 www.discoverorganizing.com

Safety Care Anywhere Medical Emergency Response Systems gfindustries@comcast.net 412-965-1940 (Local) http://www.safetycareanywhere.com

greaterpittsburgh@ageinplace.org www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

19


H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

Project Lifesaver: Bringing Loved Ones Home

BY PAULA GREEN

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f you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or intellectual disabilities or a grandchild with autism or other special needs, law enforcement and other emergency responders have a powerful tracking system available that helps bring your loved ones home. “Project Lifesaver” is a program offered in 41 states and

it is a wonderful means of locating and rescuing those that wander. Fortunately, this tool is available here in Allegheny County. Persons enrolled in this program wear a small transmitter, about the size of a wristwatch, which emits a unique tracking signal. If a person goes missing, search teams use their signal receiving equipment to track and locate the missing person. “These tracking devices work on radio signals, not GPS signals. Radio signals give you a more precise location and are subject to less external interferences between the transmitter bracelet and the receivers used by the police officers,” explained deputy district attorney, Tom Swan. “Currently, 50 families have signed up to participate in Project Lifesaver from Allegheny County. Forty officers from 16 police departments have been certified to operate the tracking devices. The trained police departments from the North Hills are: Northern Regional, Ross, Ohio, Indiana and Harrison. The Chiefs of Police, from those respective jurisdictions, have agreed to allow their certified officers to track lost persons registered in the program in neighboring jurisdictions covering the entire North Hills area. The same goes for the other three quadrants of Allegheny County. The

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Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com


Chiefs with the trained officers can track outside their respective jurisdictions as well. The city is on board too, but due to the recent change in administration, they will require additional officers to be trained in each zone before the program will be up and running with the city of Pittsburgh,” Swan added. “Each department was given one receiver to track with and they will obtain another one in the near future to better ensure shift coverage. All caregivers enrolled in the program have been logged in with the Allegheny County 911 Center with information specific to the person wearing the transmitter bracelet and its unique frequency. When a call comes into the center, all certified officers get an automatic page, as do I and one of my assistants. Everyone will try to respond, with the jurisdiction (closest to the callout location) responding first, generally,” Swan explained. “The bracelets cost about $300 each. The receivers cost about $1,500 apiece. All of the costs have been borne by the DA’s office with drug forfeiture money, not taxpayer’s money. The transmitter bracelets are water resistant and work up to about seven feet of water, so they can be worn in pools, bathtubs and showers,” noted Swan. Persons residing in group homes or who operate motor vehicles are not permitted to enroll in this program. To learn more about Project Lifesaver in Allegheny County, call 412 3503138. n

www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

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F E AT U R E

Aging Gracefully BY BARBARA KILLMEYER

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was always looking forward to growing older, but now I’m not so sure. There are some very good things that occur when you are older, but then there are a few things that are not so very good. One shock that I got recently was when I discovered that my little baby granddaughter turned 23 years of age in March. To me, she will always be my little Emma, but I have to get used to the fact that she is now a grown woman who will marry, someday, and give me great-grandchildren. It’s also become a little harder to stand up from a sitting position. I can do it, but not without some pain. But, I also realize that I am very for-

tunate. My husband, Don, is still with me and we can enjoy things together. Things such as the Sheraden Senior Center. We continue to do our daily 45 minute walk each morning before going to the Center for a wonderful lunch and the companionship of some very, very nice people. I realize that I am a really lucky person. Compared to what some people have to go through, I have it pretty darn good and I only hope with all my heart that everything continues as it has been going. I do have a case of diabetes and I must watch what I eat and take blood samples a couple of times a day, but as I said before, there

are so many older people who have it so much worse than I do and I am very aware of it. I can do almost anything I want to do and I appreciate that so very much. I sincerely hope that everyone who reads this column has it at least as good as I do and even better. Good luck, good health and let’s let those young people know that we are really good examples of life. May God bless each and every one of you for many years to come. One word of advice: don’t give those who are younger than you the impression that you know everything and that nothing they do can possibly be as good as what you would do in any situation. It only brings on resentment. Instead, only give advice when you are asked for it and give it in the form of a suggestion, not as if you know it all and grudgingly give what you know to others. n

CALL NOW to reserve your advertising space for Summer 2015!

724-940-2444 22

Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com


SAFETY IN THE HOME

Fall Prevention for Older Adults

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s we age we become more susceptible to certain hazards such as falls. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2012, around 2.4 million falls were treated in emergency departments throughout the nation and more than 722,000 of these patients were hospitalized. Injuries from falls often lead to older adults needing long-term assisted care or rehabilitative therapy. In the most severe cases, falls may be fatal. Fall-related injuries include breaks in the hips, forearms, legs, ankles, pelvis, upper arm and hands, as well as spine fractures. In addition, the CDC notes that from 2006–2010, falls were the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) for all age groups. To put that into perspective, falls account for more than 40 percent of all TBIs in the nation; more than automobile accidents, assaults, and being struck or hit by an object combined. According to the National Institute of Health, some risk factors for falls include: • Weak muscles. A loss of muscles in the lower extremities is a major risk factor for falls. Keeping up strength is crucial in lowering your chances of experiencing a fall. • Underlying medical conditions such as hypotension, vision impairment, foot pain or lack of feeling, and other sensory problems can all lead to falls. • Medications. Some drugs include side effects of dizziness and confusion which can increase your likelihood of falling.

have a rail at all. • Kitchen safety. Make sure your kitchen essentials are stored in an easy-to-reach spot so you don’t need to use a step up stool to grab them. • Shoes. Make sure the soles of your shoes and slippers are non-skid to avoid sliding or slipping. Don’t wear ill-fitting footwear.

What to do if you fall If you’re at home, try to relax and stay calm. If you can get up, try doing so by using strong, stable furniture for support. Once you are up, take time to recover. Tell someone you fell and get medical advice. If you feel you can’t get up, don’t attempt to. Instead, slide or crawl if possible and try to reach a phone, the outside, a personal medical alarm device, or something to help you get the attention of a neighbor or passerby. Call for help and lie quietly until help arrives. Try to keep warm. Seek additional medical advice after you’ve been treated by a trauma facility. If you have questions about this information, please talk with your nurse, therapist, or doctor. For more information visit www.share.upmc.com. n

If you or a loved one is at risk for falling, check out the following tips to help prevent a fall and keep yourself and your loved ones safe from injury. • Maintain a well-lit environment in your home. Proper lighting helps to avoid tripping over hard-to-spot objects. Stairs, hallways, bathrooms, and bedrooms should all be well-lit. • Electrical cords and loose rugs. Make sure your carpets and throw rugs are secure to the floor so they don’t slip out from under you. Don’t leave cords lying around on the floor where you could possibly trip over them. • Shower safety. Install safe bathroom devices such as grab bars so you have something to hold onto while you’re bathing. Don’t grab onto insecurely fastened towel racks or other bathroom items as they may break under your weight. • Well-maintained railings. Make sure your stair railings are properly secured and try not to use stairs that do not

www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

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50TH ANNIVERSARIES

Celebrating 50 Years with these Showstoppers and Rock Bands... BY PAULA GREEN

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rank Sinatra famously sang the song, It Was a Very Good Year. Some folks may consider 1965 to be a “very good year.” There were many popular movies released and various rock bands got their start in ’65. One legendary movie that is celebrating its golden anniversary this year is The Sound of Music. This musical film starred Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. In this story, a good-natured, flighty novitiate (Andrews) is hired to care for the seven children of a militaristic, icy, widowed Austrian captain (Plummer). She ultimately wins the heart of the children - and the captain. Another popular picture in 1965 was Dr. Zhivago. This film followed the tale of a Russian physician and poet who fell in love with a political activist’s wife during the First World War and the October Revolution. It starred Omar Sharif and Julie Christie. The Greatest Story Ever Told

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hit the theatres on February 15, 1965. It is a retelling of the story of Jesus Christ, from the Nativity through the Resurrection. This film is notable for its large ensemble cast. It featured Max von Sydow, Dorothy McGuire, Charlton Heston, Claude Rains, Jose Ferrer, and Telly Savalas. Battle of the Bulge, another 1965 blockbuster, was a dramatization of Nazi Germany’s final Western Front counterattack of World War II. It starred Henry Fonda and Robert Shaw. Shenandoah which starred Jimmy Stewart was also a popular flick that year. Other movies releases included – Beach Blanket Bingo, The Bedford Incident, Cat Ballou, The Cincinnati Kid, The Collector, Darling, Flight of the Phoenix, For A Few Dollars More, Genghis Khan, The Great Race, Help, Inside Daisy Clover, Major Dundee, A Patch of Blue, Repulsion, Othello, Ship of Fools, The Spy Who came in From the

Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

Cold, Ten Little Indians, That Darn Cat, Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines, Thunderball, and What’s New Pussycat. This year there are several rock bands that are celebrating their 50th anniversary. The British Invasion of The Beatles started a year earlier, but ’65 was when rock got rolling. Naturally, the “Fab Four” were at the forefront, releasing the Eastern-tinged artistic breakthrough Rubber Soul and the Help! soundtrack. The rock band The Who made their debut in 1964, and they’re celebrating the milestone this year. The group is currently touring the east coast with their “The Who Hits 50!” In April, they will make stops in Florida in Tampa, Miami and Jacksonville, then Raleigh, N.C. and Duluth, Ga. The Grateful Dead will celebrate the iconic band’s golden anniversary with three farewell shows, July 3-5, at the 55,000-capacity Soldier Field in Chicago.


Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania reminds customers to “Call 811 Before You Dig” this spring

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he arrival of spring and warmer temperatures typically signal the beginning of outdoor projects – everything from installing a mailbox or planting a tree to building a deck or putting in a new fence. Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania reminds homeowners and contractors that before they pick up a shovel, they need to pick up the telephone and call 811. The national “Call Before You Dig” number, 811, connects homeowners and contractors with the Pennsylvania One Call System. This organization provides the opportunity for utility companies to mark buried pipes and cables before digging commences, protecting not only the utility lines, but homeowners and contractors as well. Calling 811 before digging allows Columbia Gas to mark

its gas lines and prevent a potentially dangerous situation. As a homeowner or contractor, it keeps you and your neighbors safe and prevents potential costly repairs. Striking a single line can cause injury, repair costs, fines, and inconvenient outages. Every digging project, no matter how large or small, warrants a call to 811. Pennsylvania law requires that a homeowner or contractor call 811 at least three days prior to beginning excavation. In addition, the person conducting the excavation is charged with the responsibility of making the call to 811, even if the planned excavation will be shallow. The 811 “Call Before You Dig” hotline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and is free for homeowners. n

Another group celebrating 50 years is the German band The Scorpions. Since the band’s inception, their musical style has ranged from hard rock to heavy metal. The Jefferson Airplane rock band was formed in 1965 San Francisco, Calif. The group was the first band from their region to achieve international mainstream success. Robby Krieger, guitarist for the rock band The Doors, recently performed his “Celebrating the Doors 50th Anniversary” show on Apr. 4 in Tarrytown, N.Y. The success of these movies and bands still continues today, so celebrate their 50th anniversaries. They are golden classics captured in time. n Sources: http://www.filmsite.org/soun.html, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059113/, http:// www.torontosun.com/2015/01/23/from-the-beatles-to-the-boss-15-musical-acts-celebrating-biganniversaries-in-2015, http://thewho.com/

www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

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T H E G O O D O L D DAY S

Step Back Into...1966

To Boldly Go Where No Man Has Gone Before BY PAULA GREEN

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n January 1, 1966, the New Year began with Ronald Reagan announcing his candidacy for Governor of California. On June 13, The Supreme Court issued its “Miranda” ruling, which dictated that suspects must be told they have a right to legal counsel and they do not have to answer police questions. Mini-skirts and bell bottoms became the fashion craze. During the fall of 1966, a new science fiction television series premiered on September 8, on NBC called Star Trek. From that moment on, “Trekkies” were born.

Average:

World News:

The average income was $7,400. Cost of a new home $23,300. The average cost of a new car $2,650. Gasoline was .32¢ per gallon. A dozen eggs cost .60¢. A gallon of milk cost .99¢. A first-class stamp was 5¢.

The unmanned Soviet Luna 9 spacecraft makes the first controlled rocket-assisted landing on the moon. Indira Gandhi is elected Prime Minister of India after the death of Prime Minister Shastri. President Johnson orders the bombing of targets in and around Hanoi, Vietnam. The Salvation Army celebrates 100 years.

Firsts: The Volvo 140 and the Porsche 906 are both produced. Pampers created the first disposable diaper. Nestle’s introduced Taster’s Choice freeze-dried instant coffee. Adrian Kantrowitz performed the world’s first permanent implantation of a partial mechanical heart.

U.S. Events: The Freedom of Information Act is passed by Congress. All cigarette packets in the United States had to carry the health warning –“Caution! Cigarettes smoking may be hazardous to your health.” Caesar’s Palace Hotel and Casino opens in Las Vegas. Left food to red, right hand yellow, folks became all tied up in the game of Twister.

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Entertainment: The Beatles gave their last public performance in the United States on August 29, at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Grace Slick performs live with The Jefferson Airplane for the first time. Walt Disney passed away from lung cancer on December 15, 1966.

Movies: Academy Awards winners – Sound of Music – Best Picture & Best Director – Robert Wise, Best Actor – Lee Marvin in Cat Ballou, Best Actress – Julie Christie in Darling. Other popular films: Dr. Zhivago; The Good, The Bad and the Ugly; A Man for All Season; Thunderball; and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

Television: Charles Schultz’ It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas both made their debut. The TV show Batman premiered on Jan. 12 on ABC, and Mission Impossible made its first appearance on Sept. 17, on CBS. The final episode of The Munsters aired on May 12. Other popular shows: Bonanza; The Red Skelton Hour; The Andy Griffith Show; The Lucy Show; The Jackie Gleason Show; and Green Acres.

Songs: Grammy Award winner Shadow of Your Smile, Best Song – A Taste of Honey. Other popular songs – Good Vibrations; I’m a Believer; Monday, Monday; Sound of Silence; and Wild Thing. Popular musicians – The Beach Boys; The Beatles; The Mamas and the Papas; The Monkees; The Rolling Stones; and Simon and Garfunkel.


Publishing: Author Jacqueline Susann has her first novel Valley of the Dolls published. Pulitzer Prize winner for fiction Collected Stories of Katherine Anne Porter by Katherine Anne Porter. Nonfiction winner: Wandering Through Winter by Edwin Way Teale.

Sports: Football Championships - AFL Championship – Kansas City Chiefs won 31-7 over the Buffalo Bills; NFL Championship – Green Bay Packers won 34-27 over the Dallas Cowboys. World Series winners – Baltimore Orioles. Stanley Cups winner – Montreal Canadiens. NBA Champions – Boston Celtics.

Politics: President: Lyndon B. Johnson, VicePresident: Hubert H. Humphrey

Quotes: “Remote shopping, while entirely feasible, will flop.” - Time magazine, February 25, 1966 “He has accomplished something that has defied all the efforts and experiments of the laboratories in zoology and biology. He has given animals souls.” - Prof. William Lyon of Yale, comment on Walt Disney Sources: http://www.timelines ws/20thcent/1966.HTML, http:// www.1960sflashback.com/1966, http://www. thepeoplehistory.com/1966.html, http://www. the60sofficialsite.com/1966, http://www. fiftiesweb.com/pop/66.htm, http://en.wikipedia. org

Disabled? Hurt in auto accident? Victim of medical malpractice? Need help planning for your future as you age so that you can keep your family home? If you answered Yes to any of the above, contact Attorney Roxanne Julian, Attorney-At-Law and Registered Nurse.

(724) 814-1940 Initial consultation is free! www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com | Spring 2015

27


REMEMBER WHEN

It’s Time to Spring into Action! BY JOE BULLICK

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ello spring, where have you been? Boy, what a winter we had! February was blustery and March roared in like a lion, and it didn’t exactly exit like a lamb. Spring officially begins on March 21-22. The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox, which means equal spring days in Latin. The days are getting longer and we recently changed our clocks one hour ahead – we “sprung forward.” The sun is getting excited for spring. Flowers and birds are returning, and it is also the start of baseball season. It is a time to gear-up for farm markets and garage sales. If you haven’t already done so – get your spring clothes out and put away those blankets. I remember growing up at my house spring cleaning was in full swing. We’d turned our mattresses, cleaned the drapes, blinds and the windows. In our old house, we had no storm windows and our house was not insulated. We had wool carpets which we had to turn so that they wouldn’t wear out, and they would also last longer. My job was to roll them up and put them on a line outside and beat the hell out of them with a carpet beater. Spring cleaning always got me back in shape.

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If you are into nature, in New England and the Mid-Atlantic States, spring has irrefutably arrived when the peepers begin to sing. This usually occurs around mid to late March. A single peeper makes a repetitive “peep sound.” Another creature that reemerges is the small frog that lives in and near the wetlands. Some people who live in the eastern half of the United States setup a bluebird nesting box in an open field. To deter predators, they install a predator guard on the pole below the box. This is also the time of year, when bears are awakening from their winter slumber, and they have a fierce appetite. If you are into camping in the spring, be sure to store food in the car and never in your tent. Carp, white bass and largemouth bass are spawning now in cold streams and lakes. In the west, bobcats, coyotes and foxes are giving birth to their litters. Another spring renewal is the sighting of hackberries, skipper, blue and queen butterflies. At local school and universities, students get some much needed time off during their “spring break.” It is nice for them to let off steam after a long, rough winter. Many of them like to venture to the sunny beaches

Spring 2015 | www.PittsburghFiftyFivePlus.com

of Florida in Daytona and Fort Lauderdale. When I was a young boy, it was a great time to fly a kite. I don’t think as many kids do this today. It was always a fun to see how high my kite would go. I would also get my bike out. Why not rent a bike out from the bike place in North Park, and ride around our great North Park? You could also start your spring off by playing golf, or planting some early spring flowers. You can plant vegetables or try your luck with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, squash, beans and cucumbers. In May, you can enjoy spring a little more. There are many things a family can do together. There is the zoo, the Carnegie Science Center and the other Carnegie Museums. Or you could take in a baseball game, or plan a spring vacation with your family. Well, God Bless and have a great spring! I leave you with this – Take time to be friendly; it is the road to happiness. Take time to dream; it is what the future is made of. Take time to pray; it is the greatest power on earth. — Author Unknown




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