Complimentary | Chester County Edition
February 2019 • Vol. 16 No. 2
UKES ON THE RISE page 4
Writing to Preserve and Revive Memory page 2
can you deduct medicare costs? page 16
Writing to Preserve and Revive Memory By Beth N. Carvin If you’re old enough to remember the John F. Kennedy assassination or the Cuban missile crisis, you’re probably realizing that your memory isn’t what it used to be. Indeed, the Centers for Disease Control has reported that 1 in 8 Americans over the age of 60 complains of worsening memory loss. The problem may be related to a medical condition, emotional problems, cognitive impairment, or simply the indignities of aging, but it’s distressing regardless of the cause. As it turns out, one way to preserve and in some cases even enhance memory is to proactively revisit your past. One form is a technique called reminiscence therapy, which is widely used in applications ranging from mental health interventions to memory care in nursing homes. But simply committing your life experiences to paper (virtual or otherwise) can be helpful and even therapeutic. Research also shows the health benefits of writing. Over a decade ago, the American Psychological Association published a study indicating that expressive writing reduces “intrusive and avoidant thoughts about negative events and improves working memory.” Researchers concluded that these improvements help individuals cope more effectively with stress, because they have freed up cognitive resources.
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sharing your memories in writing.
More recently, in discussing the use of writing in education, neurologist Judy Willis, M.D., noted that writing can “enhance the brain’s intake, processing, retaining, and retrieving of information … it promotes the brain’s attentive focus … boosts long-term memory, illuminates patterns, gives the brain time for reflection, and when well guided, is a source of conceptual development and stimulus of the brain’s highest cognition.” In other words, writing can transform an individual’s brain and memory. Whether you or someone you know is impacted by a memory deficit, or you are simply looking for a way to tell your own story for yourself and your family, here are five simple strategies for preserving and
1: Choose a writing aid. Today’s technology offers a variety of writing platforms to help you organize your thoughts and store them in one place. There are personal blogs, journaling applications, memoir-writing software, and reminiscing platforms that offer predefined topics to help trigger memories. Many of these solutions are free and can give you the structure you need to both simplify and encourage the process.
OU R N EW B U IL DIN G IS N OW OP EN
When you’re here, you’re home.
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2: Use prompts. When people sit down to write for the first time, they often don’t know where to begin. A prompt like, “Who was your childhood best friend?” or “What was the first pet you owned?” can provide direction as well as get the memory juices flowing. The same thing can be accomplished by using prompts like objects or photos. 3: Don’t worry about chronology. Recording your memories doesn’t always have to follow a chronological order. Sometimes attempting to follow a timeline can prevent you from writing about what you’re feeling or affect what you’re inspired to share. Maybe it’s your first car or your first kiss. Your favorite pets or favorite trips. Family holidays or family problems. Write what you want, when you want, and break it up into pieces to avoid feeling overwhelmed by the size of the project. 4: Find your writing sweet spot. Some people write better after their first cup of coffee. Others are more productive midday or at night. Start by recognizing what works best for you.
Ask yourself when your words seem to flow best. Is it as soon as a memory pops into your head? Is it when you wake up each morning, or before you go to sleep each night? Try different approaches until you find the one that clicks. 5: Invite others to contribute. Several years ago, my family began reminiscing via a group email. We wrote about an old bar in Boston that my grandfather owned, which prompted an engrossing series of stories from my dad and uncles about the barmaids, the keys to the liquor cabinet, and some incidents involving local law enforcement that many of us had never heard. The more we wrote, the more everyone wanted to share and chime in, and the more we learned. This kind of collaboration, made easy by today’s online environment, helps unearth details you may not remember or may not have known. With or without memory loss, it enriches the experience of taking a trip down memory lane. Beth N. Carvin is CEO and co-founder of JamBios (jambios.com), a collaborative writing application and social platform for reminiscing, sharing, and preserving memories.
At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away. Disasters American Red Cross Greater Brandywine (610) 692-1200 Chester County Emergency Services (610) 344-5000 Salvation Army Coatesville (610) 384-2954
Arthritis Foundation (215) 570-3060
Housing Authority of Chester County (610) 436-9200
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (800) 232-4636
Housing Authority of Phoenixville (610) 933-8801
Coatesville VA Medical Center (610) 383-7711 Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233
JEWELERS American Gold & Estate Buyers, Inc. 363 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton (484) 872-8216
National Osteoporosis Foundation (800) 223-9994
Legal Services Lawyer Referral Service (610) 429-1500
PACE (800) 225-7223
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (610) 436-4510
Office of Aging (610) 344-6350/(800) 692-1100
Senior Healthlink (610) 431-1852
Financial Services Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-3676
Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213
Natural health Chasing Miracles www.chasingmiracles.com
Salvation Army West Chester (610) 696-8746 Emergency Numbers Central Pennsylvania Poison Center (800) 521-6110
Funeral & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Chester County (800) 720-8221 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900 American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 American Heart Association (610) 940-9540
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Southeastern Pennsylvania Medical Institute (610) 446-0662 Hearing Services Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY home equity loans Glendale Mortgage (610) 853-6500; (888) 456-0988 Housing Assistance Community Impact Legal Services (610) 876-0804
Nutrition Meals on Wheels Chester County Inc. (610) 430-8500 Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (800) 366-3997 Office of Aging Chester County Department of Aging Services (610) 344-6350 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com
retirement living Friends Home in Kennett 147 W. State St., Kennett Square (610) 444-2577 Harrison Senior Living Locations in Christiana and East Fallowfield (610) 384-6310 The Hickman 400 N. Walnut St., West Chester (484) 760-6300 Senior Centers Coatesville (610) 383-6900 Downingtown (610) 269-3939 Great Valley (610) 889-2121 Kennett Square (610) 444-4819 Oxford (610) 932-5244 Phoenixville (610) 935-1515 Wayne (610) 688-6246 West Chester (610) 431-4242 Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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Cover Story
Ukes on the Rise
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By Megan Joyce In America, the ukulele has struggled to attain a cachet of legitimacy since folk musician Tiny Tim employed the petite, stringed instrument to score his kitschy pop single, “Tiptoe through the Tulips,” more than 50 years ago. Members of Ukulele Uprising!, a community ukulele orchestra based in Lancaster, love that the uke is a simple — but not simplistic — instrument, and know that much of its charm lies in its relative ease of play. Dana Edsall, a retired postal employee from Washington Boro and integral member of UU!, first picked up a ukulele more than a decade ago while visiting Hawaii. He found the fingering to be similar to that of a traditional guitar, which Edsall had played — “albeit poorly,” he said — for a number of years. “The uke is easy to learn,” Edsall said. “It only has four strings, and these are generally made of nylon, which is easier on the fingers than guitar strings. That ease of playing and the sweetness of sound are what attract so many people.” Fellow Lancastrian Steve Patterson founded Ukulele Uprising! in 2012, and since its inception, the group has grown from just four attendees at the group’s first weekly meeting to now more than 75, about 20 of whom are “regulars.” UU! is open to anyone interested, and membership is free. Novices can learn on loaner ukuleles, funded through the group’s collaboration with Music for Everyone, a nonprofit charitable organization that raises awareness and resources to strengthen the role music plays in local schools and communities, according to its website (musicforeveryone. org). UU! players’ skill levels range from complete beginner to intermediate; membership age also spans a wide range. “Right now, our youngest regular is 14, and on any given week, at least a couple of Medicare-eligible players are there,” Edsall said. “We also have one family represented by three generations: a father, daughter, and granddaughter.” The club’s weekly strum sessions feature a variety of musical genres, from folk, standards, and Hawaiian and Latin songs
Photo credit: Eric Max
Dana Edsall, right, with wife Sherry Getz at the 2017 Ukulele Harmonic Convergence.
Uke players of all ages and skill levels are welcome to attend the group’s Tuesday-evening practices in the lobby of VisionCorps in downtown Lancaster.
Photo credit: Eric Max
Members of Ukulele Uprising! perform on stage during the 2018 Ukulele Harmonic Convergence held at Tellus360 in Lancaster.
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to Bob Dylan, the Grateful Dead, and the Beatles. as performances at Barnstormers games, the Ware “Rock ’n’ roll is well represented,” Edsall said. Center, and the Red Rose Run. “We’ve added a ukulele version of Guns N’ Roses’ Summertime is usually busiest, when the demand ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ that’s really pretty. A couple of for luau-themed parties is higher. our members become ‘Axlettes’ in the chorus on that “Our favorite venue, though, is playing on the one.” street for one of MFE’s Music Fridays,” Edsall said. Edsall said the group is eager to expand the “Those are vibrant evenings in downtown Lancaster, diversity of its members; Music for Everyone has with lots of people wandering around and lots of undertaken targeted outreach programs to connect energy in the air. We play for others those nights, but with the rich cultural diversity in Lancaster city. we play for ourselves, too.” “Every new member brings their own tastes, The group will also be participating in its fourth expressed through song,” he said. “Expanding our annual Ukulele Harmonic Convergence on March cultural base would help us grow and improve as 2 from noon to 6 p.m. at Tellus360 in Lancaster. musicians and people.” UU! co-hosts the event with Hummelstown’s Central Bringing authentic culture to Ukulele Uprising Pennsylvania Ukulele Club and the Philadelphia is Hawaiian native Mika Cox McDougall, now a Main Line Ukulele Group. longtime UU! member who adds hula dancing to “Everyone is welcome, it’s free, and you’ll hear over some of the group’s performances. 100 ukuleles from across Pennsylvania and nearby McDougall, now of Peach Bottom, moved to states playing together,” Edsall said. Philadelphia in 1997 and then to Lancaster in 2002. Ukulele Uprising! meets at 7:30 p.m. each Tuesday “When I moved … I was missing home, and going in the lobby of VisionCorps at 244 N. Queen St., back to hula dance and Hawaiian music really kind Lancaster. The group pays VisionCorps a lease of $1 Photo credit: Eric Max of helped me with my homesickness and made me per year and, in return, teaches ukulele classes to kids Native Hawaiian Mika Cox McDougall adds hula dancing to some of the feel more in touch with back home,” McDougall, a who are part of the VisionCorps community. group’s performances. Hawaiian hula dance instructor and mother of two “You can’t help smiling when you play a ukulele,” daughters, said. Edsall said. “Being around so many people, singing, Although the instrument originated on the playing, and smiling together is just wonderful.” islands, its appeal has extended beyond Hawaiian music, McDougall said, For more information on Ukulele Uprising!, email uke.rise@gmail.com, call with many millennials being drawn to the “bright, happy instrument.” Each (717) 872-7991, or visit sites.google.com/site/ukeuplanc or www.facebook.com/ year, McDougall teaches a master class on the ukulele at Franklin & Marshall ukuleleuprising. College. “Of course, [people] don’t take it seriously; they think it’s a toy,” she said of the ukulele. “But it has a really rich history to the islands, and it’s really changed Hawaiian music through the years.” McDougall joined Ukulele Uprising! several years ago, bringing not only her cultural heritage, but also her musical chops to the burgeoning group of uke players. In addition to playing her six ukuleles of varying shapes and sizes, McDougall has played the violin since childhood. “I’m able to easily play music [on the ukulele] without being such a trained musician like you kind of have to do on the violin,” she said. “It’s just more casual and inviting.” A welcome side effect of the group’s visibility is the increased interest and “legitimization” of the ukulele in the local community. Read it online, in print, and UU! contributes to a summer arts program run by the YWCA, and they on mobile/tablet devices. have “started getting requests for ukuleles in schools,” McDougall said. “Even onlinepub.com some of our members — a lot are elementary school music teachers — now teach the ukulele to their students.” Ukulele Uprising!’s performance schedule is busy and includes regular gigs at parties, fundraisers, senior centers, retirement homes, and weddings, as well
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Soldier Stories
Robert Naeye
Vietnam Medevac Pilot Faces His Toughest Challenge
John Travers was once a larger-than-life character. This Vietnam War hero was a star basketball player, prolific prankster, and an outgoing husband and father who was admired by almost everybody who came in contact with him. Yet today, this Harrisburg native is living in a California healthcare facility due to exposure to Agent Orange, a defoliant widely deployed by American aircraft during the war. This toxic chemical has caused physical ailments and brain damage that limit his activities, speech, and quality of life. Travers’s story is one of resilience and hope in the face of daunting odds. And it’s a story powerfully documented in the new film All Were Forgotten and Then Came John. Travers was born in Harrisburg in 1948. His father, John Sr., was a B-17 bomber pilot in World War II. “Big John,” as he was known to family and friends, later became a highly regarded sports writer and editor for Harrisburg’s
Photo credit: Anwar Saeed
John Travers holding a photo of a challenge coin created in his honor.
two major daily newspapers: The Patriot-News and The Evening News. Big John’s love of sports filtered down to his son. The father recommended that John Jr. focus all of his energy and attention on one sport. Travers decided on basketball. He chose well, leading an undersized Bishop McDevitt High School squad to the Pennsylvania state championship game in 1966, his senior year. During his high school years, he befriended his fellow student Kathleen Torchia. Travers would frequently walk her home from school. They went to the senior prom together but lost touch after high school and would not see each other for 36 years. Photo credit: Calvin Ligh “I had a huge crush on him; a lot of girls did,” After more than recalls Torchia. 30 years, Kathleen Penn State and Notre Dame offered Travers an Torchia and John athletic scholarship. He chose to stay close to home. Travers reconnected at a high school reunion His parents had raised him as a strict Catholic and did not allow him to date in high school. That all changed committee meeting. They married in 2005. when he got to State College. “They turned me loose on a campus with 20,000
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Dougie Dougie is a smart, fun, and clearly handsome guy. He knows his basic commands, he enjoys a game of fetch, and he is quite popular in the BVSPCA Doggers jogging program. All that said, he really loves a good belly rub. Dougie is 4 years old and hopes to be your only fur-baby in a home with older folks. Stop by to see all of Dougie’s charms! For more information, contact Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, at (484) 302-0865 or www.bvspca.org.
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females and all this alcohol and then expect that I was going to have some kind of bodily control,” Travers said years ago. Travers neglected his classes and became academically ineligible after his freshman year. He and Penn State agreed to part ways. Shortly thereafter, Travers received a draft notice in the mail. “I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to get drafted,’” he recalled. After speaking to an Army recruiter, he signed up to be an Army helicopter pilot. Travers became a Dustoff pilot, flying medevac missions into active combat zones. Travers’s chopper frequently took hits from enemy fire. But he flew these incredibly dangerous missions 10 hours a day, six days a week. He estimates that he evacuated more than 2,100 patients during the war. Time was of the essence because 99 percent of wounded Americans who survived the first 24 hours after their injuries would live. One of Travers’s fellow Dustoff pilots, Bernie Goldensweig, said of him, “John had a reputation as an excellent Dustoff pilot. He was very competent and fearless. Like all of us, he would accept any mission and would do whatever was necessary to help the wounded soldiers on the ground.” “You’re talking about a real, true American hero,” adds retired Sgt. Joseph Novak Sr., president of Vietnam Veterans Association Chapter 542, to which Travers belongs. Travers’s exemplary service did not end when he returned to Harrisburg. During 1972’s Hurricane Agnes, Travers was based at Fort Indiantown Gap while serving in the National Guard. He flew helicopter missions to rescue people from their roofs. During one mission, he flew his chopper under a bridge to save people trapped in the Susquehanna River. Travers returned to Penn State. This time, he earned a master’s degree in European history, graduating summa cum laude. Travers had married and had a daughter before going off to war, but he received a “Dear John” letter while serving in Vietnam. He remarried and had another daughter after his return, but this marriage did not last, although he still maintains a very close relationship with his daughter. Then, in 2002, Travers attended www.50plusLifePA.com
a high school reunion committee meeting. It was there that he laid eyes on Kathleen Torchia for the first time since 1966. She had returned to Harrisburg from California to stay with her father, who was living alone. “I walked in the door and there was John Travers,” she recalls. They talked for two hours. Torchia found him very interesting and intelligent and a man with strong moral values. The two became best friends. Travers asked Torchia if she would consider dating him, but she was turned off by the smoking and drinking he used to cope with his war memories. Eventually, he agreed to refrain from smoking and drinking in her presence. After an 18-month courtship, they married in September 2005. “We were so happy. We were best friends and we had a beautiful, beautiful marriage, and I just couldn’t have been happier,” says Torchia. During this period, Travers was deeply active in veterans’ affairs. He helped breathe new life into the struggling Harrisburg chapter of the Vietnam Veterans Association, tripling its membership and expanding its activities while serving as president. “John Travers got the Vietnam vets in south-central Pennsylvania organized; he got them out of their shells. He got them to take pride in the service they had provided to the country. And he gave them a unified voice,” says former Harrisburg mayor Stephen R. Reed. Travers also lobbied the Army and Congress on behalf of the hundreds of Dustoff crews who served valiantly in Vietnam but who were never awarded their own Combat Medical Badge. Inexplicably, this campaign has yet to bear fruit. Just six months after their wedding, Torchia started noticing that her husband was behaving abnormally. Travers was at first reluctant to visit a doctor, but finally he received a diagnosis of a rare form of lymphoma — the result of exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam. “He had already seen so many of his comrades die from various cancers caused by Agent Orange. He thought now it was his turn. It was horrible,” says Torchia. And this was just the start of Travers’s medical ordeals. His treatments for lymphoma were
March 26, 2019 May 30, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Wyndham Hotel York 2000 Loucks Road York
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These events are FREE to attend. Veterans (of all ages) and the military community and their families are invited to join us!
The Expo brings federal, state, and local agencies together with area businesses to provide information and resources to veterans and their families.
The Job Fair brings veterans and spouses who need jobs together with employers who can benefit from this rich source of talent to aid their organizations.
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please see PILOT page 8
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CCRCs/ Life Plan Communities Designed with their residents’ changing needs in mind, CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities)/Life Plan Communities offer a tiered approach to the aging process. Healthy adults entering these communities can live independently. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can transition to personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities. Some CCRCs/Life Plan Communities have designated dementia areas that address the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia. In addition, some communities have sought out and earned accreditation from CARF International, signifying they have met CARF’s stringent set of quality standards. CCRCs/Life Plan Communities enable older adults to remain in one care system for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out—creating both comfort and peace of mind.
Bethany Village
Cornwall Manor
Homeland Center
Pleasant View Retirement Community
Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities
Zerbe Retirement Community
1 Boyd Street, P.O. Box 125 Cornwall, PA 17016 Jennifer Margut Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations (717) 274-8092 info@cornwallmanor.org www.cornwallmanor.org
325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org
544 North Penryn Road Manheim, PA 17545 Amanda Hall Sales & Marketing Manager (717) 664-6207 ahall@pleasantviewrc.org www.pleasantviewrc.org
2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org
1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org
2499 Zerbe Road Narvon, PA 17555 Lynne Bickta Director of Independent Living (717) 445-8741 lbickta@zerberetirementcommunity.com www.zerberetirementcommunity.com
If you would like your CCRC/Life Plan Community to be featured on this page, please contact your marketing consultant or call (610) 675-6240. The CCRCs listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.
PILOT from page 7 successful and have kept him alive to the present day. But around the same time, his speech began to slur, and then he had trouble walking. A neurologist diagnosed him with a form of brain degeneration, also triggered by Agent Orange. The brain damage would eventually affect his speech, emotions, and impulse control. Travers was bedridden for two years and was prone to outbursts of screaming. “The PTSD was just raging at this point,” recalls Torchia, referring to post-traumatic stress disorder. Travers spent time in a Veterans
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Administration hospital in California, but his conditioned worsened due to neglect. His situation started to improve after Torchia transferred him to another hospital, where he received more attention and medication. Torchia later took him to the Brain Treatment Center in Newport Beach, California. There, he received experimental stem cell and regenerative medicine treatments. Miraculously, Travers’s physical and mental condition has improved dramatically in the past few years thanks to these treatments. During these 12 years of ordeal and anguish, Torchia has patiently stood by her husband, constantly searching for
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the best possible care. “Many others would not have had the courage, the stamina, the persistence, the devotion, the love to do such things. But Kathy has,” says Reed. “Frankly, John Travers would probably not be around today if Kathleen had not stayed by his side.” In a recent email, Torchia wrote, “John is currently the best he has been mentally, since the onset of his illness.” She says he is present, sharp, and able to carry on conversations despite impaired speech. She describes his demeanor and attitude as “pleasant,” and says he smiles and laughs more. These medications and treatments
have given Travers and Torchia new hope. “John is a fighter!” Torchia says. “He has physical therapy three times a week, and he hopes and prays that he will walk again one day. I continue to encourage him in his hope of coming home and being a husband again.” To learn more about Travers’s inspiring story and the documentary film All Were Forgotten and Then Came John, visit katalinafilmworks.com. Robert Naeye is a freelance journalist living in Derry Township. He is the former editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope magazine.
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On Life and Love after 50
Senior Dating Guilt: Let It Go Tom Blake
“There’s no place like home.” We agree. –L. Frank Baum
It surprises me how many seniors contact me regarding their guilt over dating. Take Donna, for example. A widow since 2011, Donna emailed, “My friend passed away from cancer two years ago. Her ex-husband is the man I am writing to ask you about. We live in two different eastern states, not too far from each other. We are both in our early 60s, and at the end of 2018, we retired. “I didn’t know him at all. I have seen him three times in the past 30 years for about 10 minutes just to say hi. My friend said she and he never got along during 25 years of marriage. “My friend — rest her soul — was very opinionated, controlling, and bossy with her husband and the children, which I witnessed one of the three times I saw him. It got to a point that when my friend and I talked over the phone, we never talked about him. “We talked three timesa year, but I was the one who would call, untilthat one day she called me to tell me she had cancer. By this time, she and he had been separated 10 years.Now she is gone … theirchildren are grown and on their own and are not close to him, because of her. “He and I have been talking over the phone for two years. We have becomegood friends and have a lot in common. I would like to see him, but I have the guiltthat he was my friend’shusband hangingover my head. “Now, we are just friends. But what I am feeling guiltyabout is: If we do startseeing each other, how would his www.50plusLifePA.com
grown children feel about us being together? “His marriage and family life were calmly dysfunctional, if you can picture that. We are both reluctant, but I know we will see each other soon. We are not getting any younger. “We are bothhealthyand able to still have fun before we die, so why not? But the guilt?” My response to Donna: Your friend had been separated for 10 years. She had a miserable marriage. Why worry about his children? You say he is not close to them. They probably won’t care if you two start dating. If you enjoy each other, go for it, now! Live in the present. Have you been together in person at all? Do that. You might find you want to be together or you may find you don’t. You and your friend weren’t that close, talking to each other only three times a year. One concern: If the family is dysfunctional, do you want to get involved in that? For people age 60 and older, it’s hard enough to meet potential mates. You’ve met a man you have much in common with. Ditch the guilt. Wait no longer. Get together in person and see what happens. For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www. FindingLoveAfter50.com.
That’s why Harrison Senior Living strives to provide warmth, comfort, and exceptional care from people you can trust, making our communities the next best thing.
www.Harrisonseniorliving.com Harrison House—Chester County 300 Strode Avenue East Fallowfield, PA 19320 610.384.6310 Harrison House—Christiana 41 Newport Avenue Christiana, PA 17509 610.593.6901
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Older But Not Wiser
Does This Heart Monitor Make Me Look Fat? Sy Rosen
I now have a cardiologist. Saying I have a “The doctor wants to talk to you personally,” she cardiologist makes my heart race and makes me replied. want to go see my cardiologist. “OK, but let me ask you one question, am I Without going into too much detail, my regular dying?” doctor heard an irregular heartbeat and sent me to The secretary chuckled and said, “I really don’t a specialist, who had a heart monitor attached to think so.” February is American Heart Month my chest. “I really don’t like the word think,” I replied. When I got home the first question I asked my That night I was very worried and started listing wife was, “Does this heart monitor make me look all the things I still wanted to do with my life (besides fat?” She assured me it wasn’t the heart monitor that was not dying). Right now, a big night on the town is going to causing this impression. the movies with my wife, Wanda. I don’t know if any of you have ever worn a heart monitor, but it’s very Anyway, here’s what I came up with: annoying. It’s tough to sleep with it on. And if I did fall asleep, it would 1. I want to make 30 new friends — not Facebook friends, real friends I can sometimes beep in the middle of the night, saying I needed to change batteries. count on to come to my funeral. Why was it always in the middle of the night? 2. I want to run for political office. If you think I’m too old, look at some of the This machine was insidious. And it was very painful every time I had to politicians in Washington. remove the stickers attached to my chest, tearing away whatever little hair I had left. 3. I want to go snowboarding, cliff diving, skateboarding, skydiving, and, of But if you’re wearing a heart monitor, the one thing you really don’t want is a course, play a heated game of dodgeball (because I loved it in elementary call from the cardiologist’s secretary saying he needs to see you first thing in the school). morning. 4. I want to go to plays, and concerts, and art galleries, and the opera (OK, “My appointment isn’t for two weeks. What’s wrong?” I asked. forget the opera). 5. I want to be on the Supreme Court (I may have to go to law school).
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6. I want to spend a week rhyming everything I say. Although it may annoy, for some reason it brings me great joy. It makes me elated, as previously stated. 7. W anda and I should spend a year living in France. And wear no underpants. OK, I’ve got to stop rhyming. 8. I want to find a cure for a disease. Hopefully the disease I am suffering from. 9. I want to do something completely frivolous, like buying a $4,000 bottle of wine, drinking it, and pretending I like it. Make it a $200 bottle of wine — I may be dying, but I’m not crazy. The next day I got to the doctor’s office an hour early, and as soon as I saw him, I blurted out, “Am I dying?!” “Not today,” he chuckled. “Tomorrow?” I chuckled back. Yeah, there was way too much chuckling going on. The doctor explained that my heart rate was a little fast, and while I had the monitor on he just wanted to prescribe some medication to see how I reacted. “If it were serious, I would have talked to you directly on the phone.” “So not talking to me directly was a good thing?” I asked. “Absolutely.” “Well, I hope you never talk to me directly again,” I said. And of course we both chuckled. I left the doctor’s office ecstatic and knew I had to do something to celebrate. I thought of all the things I wrote on my list and decided that tonight Wanda and I were going to the movies. Sy Rosen has written for many TV shows, including The Bob Newhart Show, Taxi, M.A.S.H., Maude, The Jeffersons, Rhoda, Frasier, Northern Exposure, and The Wonder Years. He now spends much of his time telling jokes to his grandkids and trying to convince his wife that he’s funny.
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Dear Pharmacist
Suzy Cohen
Can You Eat Dark Chocolate with a Milk Allergy?
Dark chocolate is a staple in my house. What are you supposed to do if you’re allergic to milk and want to eat dark chocolate? It’s a good question. Milk is actually allowed as an ingredient in “dark” chocolate, but sometimes it produces a harmful allergy in dairy-sensitive individuals. The reality is that most chocolates contain some milk, and it’s undisclosed. The FDA actually tested 100 different brands of dark chocolate bars, and they specifically tested it for the presence of milk. Of these 100 bars, only six of them listed milk as an ingredient! The other 88 bars did not disclose milk as an ingredient, yet 51 of them contained milk. Dairytainted chocolates are among the most frequently reported allergic reactions. It’s unfortunate but true that milk can get into a dark-chocolate product even when it’s not directly added. The problem happens because dark chocolate is often produced on the same equipment that makes milk-chocolate bars, and traces of milk often inadvertently wind up in the dark-chocolate batter. It’s essentially a problem of cross-contamination. My best suggestion to you is to completely avoid dark chocolate (if you’re allergic to milk or dairy) unless the brand you’re buying is made on equipment dedicated to dark-chocolate bars only. This is hard to find, but possible. The food industry doesn’t mean to make people sick, but these oversights can lead to pain and suffering for some of you. As a result, you see warnings on the label that serve as a wink of sorts: This product “may contain dairy” or “may contain traces of milk,” or this one: “manufactured in a facility that uses milk.” There are others, but if you’re my best friend, I would tell you to replace the word “may” with “probably”! The take-home message is you should not assume that your dark chocolate is free of milk, and you should not consume it if you have serious allergic reactions to milk, regardless of the label.
Valentine’s Day: Thursday, Feb. 14
I have a checklist of 14 alias names for milkderived ingredients that may be hidden in your food. My list will help you find undisclosed milk in your candy bars and chocolates. Visit my website (suzycohen.com) for more information. I’ll also tell you why some chocolate bars aren’t good for vegans. Here’s a fun fact: White chocolate doesn’t contain any cacao whatsoever. It’s just a combination of cocoa butter, sugar, and milk, but it contains no cocoa solids, like dark and milk chocolate have. It’s definitely something to avoid if you’re dairy intolerant or allergic to milk. In closing, when it comes to dark chocolate, the dairy-free claims and statements on the label are best completely disregarded if the manufacturer fails to use dedicated machinery and equipment to avoid cross-contamination.
This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit SuzyCohen.com
We ll Buy, Se e & Trad
Where friends become family. A MISSION TO SERVE This vibrant senior community provides for the needs of older men and women with independent living, personal care, and skilled nursing. Residents enjoy a homey atmosphere with a Quaker mission. AN ADAPTABLE APPROACH & A HEART FOR COMMUNITY Rather than having residents adapt to Friends Home, we work to adapt our environment to their individual interests and needs. In addition, residents actively participate in various intergenerational programs throughout the community and enjoy giving back.
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February 2019
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Reverse Mortgage: Using Home to Stay at Home
Many people have considered life in a nursing home and decided that it is not for them. Adult children often agree that living in a nursing home is not the best decision for their parent. Maintaining the same surroundings, friendships, and associations that have been in place for many years has a positive effect on the elderly, according
to studies. Helping a loved one to age in place is often the best and healthiest choice. A reverse mortgage can Rob Miller, President be a key factor in providing the financial resources for elderly parents to remain at home. Many times the children see it as a way to provide the assistance needed by allowing “the house to support their parents” and funding their longevity. After all, Mom and Dad have paid for the home by faithfully making house payments for years. Why shouldn’t they derive benefit now in their golden years by accessing the cash “shored in their home”? Call Rob Miller, NMLS No. 142151, President of Glendale Mortgage, NMLS No. 127720, and Reverse Mortgage Specialist, to learn more. (610) 853-6500 or (888) 456-0988 RMiller@GlendaleMortgage.com, www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org
National Foot Health Awareness Month.
If you are at least 62 years old and own your own home, a reverse mortgage may be a useful financial tool. There’s no limitations to how you use the money, so you can cover medical expenses, fund education for your grandchildren, or any other reason.
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Your Financial Partner
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President, HECM Mortgage Specialist
Direct: 610.853.6500 Toll Free: 888.456.0988 RMiller@GlendaleMortgage.com
April 30, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
DAUPHIN COUNTY
National Foot Health Awareness Month
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
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Space Reservation Deadline: March 1, 2019. Contact your account representative today, call (717) 285-1350, or email info@onlinepub.com
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n NO MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS REQUIRED. LOAN IS DUE WHEN YOU MOVE OUT PERMANENTLY, SELL THE HOME, OR PASS AWAY.
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Many adults don’t give their feet the attention they deserve!
February 2019
Let Your Home Work for You.
Please join us for these FREE events!
The April issue of 50plus LIFE will include a special focus on foot health in recognition of
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Relax.
20th Annual
“I live alone. I fell at my home and I was taken to the hospital, where I was pressed by the staff into going to a nursing home. I hated it! I did not want to be there, but I needed money to be able to have nursing care in my own home. “I decided to do a reverse mortgage so that I could get the cash I needed to stay at home. I am happy to report that I can wake up in my own bed every morning, see my flowers, and have my grandchildren visit me in the privacy of the home I have owned for over 40 years. “Without the reverse mortgage, I would be in that nursing home. I thank God for the ability to get access to the money tied up in my house!” – M.A.S., Exton, Pa.
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Tech Talk
Mark Rinaudo
Internet Not Working? Here’s How to Troubleshoot
Question: What steps should I take to troubleshoot when my internet isn’t working before calling my internet service provider? We’ve all been there. At the most inopportune time when you need your internet to be working, it’s either completely off or it’s cutting in and out. Internet access is another utility almost as important as electricity. If you’re without it, you’re stuck disconnected from the outside world. As more internet service providers are offering other products to piggyback on your internet access, such as phone service, these outages are causing more of a disconnect for their customers. There are a few simple steps you can perform at home that may help bring your service back without having to call your internet service provider. If you find that your computer or smartphone is not connecting to the internet, the first step is to look at your modem/router. If this device is not lit up, that can definitely indicate a problem on your end. Power cycling the modem, which means unplugging its power and then plugging it back in after 30 seconds, is usually the first step given by internet service providers’ support staff. Service interruptions are commonly caused by work being performed in the area, and a simple power cycle of your modem can restore the service. The modem would eventually perform a reset after a certain amount of time, but manually power cycling the modem speeds up the process and restores your service sooner. If you find that your modem is lit up, everything looks like normal, and a power cycle does not fix the issue, then you may have a problem somewhere else on your system. If you only have a computer that’s using your internet service, then you may have an issue with the computer itself. The first step I usually recommend to customers when something is acting awry on a computer is to reboot it. The beauty of rebooting a computer is that it’s like starting over new and fresh, leaving behind whatever bugs have crept in and possibly caused the issue. If after rebooting you still have no internet access, the next thing to check is whether you have connectivity to your modem. Your computer may be connected via wired connection or a wireless connection. If your computer is connected via a wire, you can always trace from the modem back to your computer to ensure both ends of the cable are plugged in. Sometimes hardware can lock up, and simply unplugging the cable and plugging it back in can reset the hardware. Find the place on your modem where the cable from your computer is plugged in. Unplug from there and then simply plug it back in. Most modems have a set of status lights on the front that give a good indication of whether your service is up or if it’s experiencing an issue. If power cycling does not change the status lights on your modem, then it’s most likely an issue on your service provider’s end. www.50plusLifePA.com
All service providers have a way for their customers to check if any outages are occurring on their network by visiting their website. This, however, does you no good when your internet is down. But if you have a smartphone with a data plan, you can simply turn off your WiFi connection on your phone and then you’ll be able to use your carrier’s data network to visit your service provider’s website to see if they are indeed having trouble. With a little troubleshooting, it’s quite possible that you can restore your internet service on your own when you need it the most. Mark Rinaudo has worked in IT in Shreveport, La., for more than 20 years. He is the owner and operator of Preferred Data Solutions. Email mark@preferreddatasolutions. com to submit a question for this column.
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Calendar of Events
Chester County
Support Groups Free and open to the public
Senior Center Activities
Mondays (except holidays), 10-11:30 a.m. Sunshine Memory Café United Methodist Church of West Chester 129 S. High St., West Chester (610) 349-3401 adean0413@gmail.com
Feb. 12 and 26, 6:30-8 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Jennersville Hospital Conference Room B 1015 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove (610) 998-1700, ext. 226
Feb. 5, 1:30 p.m. Grief Support Group Phoenixville Senior Center 153 Church St., Phoenixville (610) 327-7216
Feb. 13, 1:30 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sarah Care 425 Technology Drive, Suite 200, Malvern (610) 251-0801
Senior Center Activities Coatesville Area Senior Center (610) 383-6900 250 Harmony St., Coatesville www.coatesvilleseniorcenter.org Mon days, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. – Going Fit Exercise Program Feb. 7 and 21, 11 a.m. to noon – Veterans Coffee Club Feb. 13 and 27, 1-2 p.m. – Bingo
Feb. 5 and 19, 5-6:30 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Main Line Unitarian Church 816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 585-6604 phoenixbereavement@yahoo.com Nondenominational; all are welcome.
Feb. 13, 7-8:30 p.m. Hearing Loss Support Group Christ Community Church 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester (610) 444-445 www.hearinglosschesco.com
Feb. 5 and 19, 6:30-8 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Brandywine Hospital Conference Room 2N 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville (610) 998-1700, ext. 226 Feb. 6, 6 p.m. Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group Sunrise Assisted Living of Paoli 324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern (610) 251-9994 Feb. 11 and 25, 10:30 a.m. to noon Caregiver Coffee Break/Support Group Active Day of Exton 201 Sharp Lane, Exton (610) 363-8044
Feb. 19, 6 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sunrise of Westtown 501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester (610) 399-4464 Feb. 27, 6 p.m. Living with Cancer Support Group Paoli Hospital Cancer Center 255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli (484) 565-1253
If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Community Programs Free and open to the public Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 132 E. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia (484) 919-0820 www.tcfvalleyforge.org
Feb. 2 and 16, 5-10 p.m. Bingo Night Marine Corps League Detachment 430 Chestnut St., Downingtown (610) 429-8174 Feb. 5, 11:30 a.m. West Chester University Retirees Luncheon For restaurant location, please email darsie@verizon.net Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m. Compassionate Friends Valley Forge Chapter
Feb. 19, noon AARP Valley Forge Chapter Meeting St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 647-1823
parks and recreation Feb. 16, 1-3 p.m. – Cleanup Competition, Black Rock Sanctuary Feb. 17, 1-2 p.m. – Hibernia Winter Mansion Tours, Hibernia County Park Feb. 28, 6:30-8 p.m. – Exploring Chester County Parks, Chester County Library
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Downingtown Senior Center – (610) 269-3939 983 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown www.downingtownseniors.org Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. – Walking Club at Mall Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to noon – “Boom” Move it Dance Class Fridays, 12:30-3 p.m. – Bridge Club Great Valley Senior Center – (610) 889-2121 47 Church Road, Malvern Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – Scrabble Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Exercise Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Cards Kennett Area Senior Center – (610) 444-4819 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square www.kennettseniorcenter.org Oxford Senior Center – (610) 932-5244 12 E. Locust St., Oxford – www.oxfordseniors.org Wednesdays, 8:30-11:30 a.m. – Paint Class Phoenixville Area Senior Center – (610) 935-1515 153 Church St., Phoenixville www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org West Chester Area Senior Center – (610) 431-4242 530 E. Union St., West Chester www.wcseniors.org Thursdays, 1 p.m. – WCASC Chorusus Submit senior center events to mjoyce@onlinepub.com.
Library Programs Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (610) 269-2741 Feb. 12, 6:30 p.m. – Film Forum Feb. 19, 10-11 a.m. – Book Walkers Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m. – Crafters Maker Space Easttown Library, 720 First Ave., Berwyn, (610) 644-0138 Henrietta Hankin Library, 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, (610) 321-1700 Honey Brook Community Library, 687 Compass Road, Honey Brook, (610) 273-3303 Paoli Library, 18 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996 Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times
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Puzzle Page
CROSSWORD
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16 SUDOKU
WORD SEARCH
Sea Creatures
Across 1. Squabble 5. Invoice amount 8. Pennant 12. Fable writer 14. Falls behind 16. Ready for picking 17. Cousin of a loon 18. Fair-sized garden 19. Fairytale villain 20. Collar inserts 21. Like some lingerie 23. Part of H.R.H. 24. Tease 26. Railroad support 28. Mentor
31. It’s a wrap 33. Slight 34. In awe 35. Chums 37. Brusque 40. Eskimo knife 41. DiCaprio, to fans 42. Elderly 43. Type of mob 46. Summoned 48. Offshoot 49. Twosome 51. Barbell abbr. 52. Chip in 53. Scorched
56. Western Indians 58. Irritation 59. Rich tapestry 61. Indian state 65. Black, to poets 67. Shed 68. Medicinal plant 69. Adjoin 70. Monroe flick, ___ Like It Hot 71. Silas Marner author 72. Don’t believe it 73. Average 74. Healthful retreats
15. Mediums 22. It’s overhead 25. Kind of story 27. Seek damages 28. Celt 29. Hideous 30. Traffic circle 32. Perfect 36. Farmer 38. Open, as an envelope 39. Head start 44. Mongrel 45. Mother of Ares
47. Extreme suffix 48. Sword knots 50. Conditions 53. Coffee extra 54. Spouse, affectionately 55. Slump 57. Facilitate 60. Diva Gluck 62. Salon sound 63. Small buffalo 64. Gym equipment 66. Utmost degree
Down 1. Droops 2. Flippant 3. Between ports 4. Drinking mug 5. Photo equipment, once 6. Apiece 7. Everglades bird 8. To and ___ 9. Ecru 10. Spring month 11. Honkers 13. Cancún coin
Your ad could be here on this popular page! Please call (610) 675-6240 for more information.
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February 2019
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Savvy Senior
Jim Miller
Can You Deduct Medicare Costs on Your Income Taxes?
Dear Savvy Senior, Can I deduct my Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments on my income taxes? I had a knee replacement surgery last year and spent quite a bit on medical care out of pocket and would like to know what I can write off. – Frugal Dave
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.
Puzzles shown on page 15
Puzzle Solutions
Dear Dave, The short answer is yes, you can deduct your Medicare costs, but only if you meet certain conditions required by the IRS. Here’s how it works. As a taxpayer, you’re allowed to deduct many medical and dental expenses as well as your Medicare out-of-pocket costs. But you can deduct only those expenses that exceed 7.5 percent of your 2018 adjusted gross income (AGI), and you’ll also need to itemize your deductions. Next year (2019 tax season), the threshold will rise to 10 percent. Here’s an example. Let’s say that your AGI in 2018 was $50,000. Of that, 7.5 percent is $3,750. If your total allowable medical expenses last year were $8,000, you’d be able to deduct $4,250 ($8,000 minus $3,750). But, if your medical expenses were less than $3,750, you couldn’t claim any as a deduction. You also need to understand that when taking a medical expense deduction, you don’t actually get back every dollar you claim. While a tax credit reduces your taxes dollar-for-dollar, tax deductions simply reduce your taxable income, and your savings ultimately depend on the effective rate at which you’re taxed. So, for example, if you qualify for a $4,250 deduction and your effective tax rate is 22 percent, you would get $935 in savings from that particular deduction. To get this deduction you will need to file an itemized Schedule A (1040) tax return. You cannot claim medical expenses on Form 1040A or Form 1040EZ.
Allowable Medical Expenses The list of allowable medical expenses, as defined by the IRS, is long and fairly flexible. As a Medicare beneficiary, you can deduct your monthly premiums for Part B, Part C (Medicare Advantage plans), Part D drug plans, and any supplemental (Medigap) insurance you have. If you have to pay a premium for Part A, that’s allowed too. You can also deduct the cost of all your deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments under Medicare. In addition, you’re also allowed to deduct the cost of medical services not covered by Medicare, including dental treatment, vision care, prescription eyeglasses, hearing aids, and even long-term care. They also allow transportation to and from medical treatment to count as an eligible medical expense. And if necessary, you may even be able to deduct home alterations and equipment — such as entrance ramps, grab bars, stair lifts, etc. — that can help you age in place. Some things, however, you cannot deduct, such as vitamins and supplements, unless recommended by a physician to treat a specific medical condition. You are also unable to deduct Medicare late penalties added to Part B or Part D premiums. Medicare beneficiaries who fail to sign up during their initial enrollment period are typically hit with a penalty that gets added to their monthly premiums, but these additional costs won’t count for tax purposes. For more information, including a detailed rundown of allowable and unallowable medical expenses, see IRS Publication 502 Medical and Dental Expenses at irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf or call the IRS at (800) 829-3676 and ask them to mail you a copy.
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Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori
Pets for the Presidents Lori Verderame
With Presidents Day upon us, there is an interest in the Kennedy a 6-month-old white, mixed-breed dog named ways that our presidents relax and enjoy family time. Pushinka (“Fluffy”), as noted on the dog’s Russian passport. Eisenhower played golf and painted landscapes, Reagan Pushinka had gone into space on Sputnik 2. rode horses, and Obama played basketball. But, many of our The Clintons had a dog and a cat. President Obama had past presidents also enjoyed downtime with a first family two large Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny. In 2009, pet. Bo was a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy, who helped Obama During the first decades of the 1900s, the White House keep a promise to his young daughters that if he won the was full of pets. President William McKinley owned an 2008 election, they would get a puppy. exotic Mexican yellow-headed parrot. When it comes to pet names, President Johnson had two President Teddy Roosevelt, a Rough Rider and bigbeagles whose names were hard to forget. The pair were game hunter who decorated the State Dining Room with national celebrities, the focus of press photos and magazine his taxidermy hunting trophies, brought pets to the White articles, lived in a newly redesigned doghouse, and had the House. run of the Johnson White House. The Roosevelts kept owls, lizards, roosters, badgers, The beagles were named simply “Him” and “Her.” Millie’s Book (Barbara Bush) guinea pigs, snakes, raccoons, hyenas, ponies, and a macaw Happy Presidents Day! named Eli Yale at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Presidents Day: Dr. Lori Verderame is an author and award-winning TV William Taft brought the last cow, the most common Monday, Feb. 18 personality who appears on History channel and Fox Business U.S. presidential pet at the time, to the White House. Network. With a Ph.D. from Penn State University and President Wilson let sheep graze on the White House lawn, experience appraising 20,000 antiques every year from audiences nationwide, Dr. Lori along with a tobacco-chewing ram named Old Ike. presents antique appraisal events. Visit www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010. Not to be outdone, President Calvin Coolidge maintained a mini-zoo at the White House with many breeds of dog and various canaries, geese, and mockingbirds. Foreign dignitaries brought exotic pets to the White House as gifts, such as a wallaby, pigmy hippo, bear, and lion cubs. “I was amazed! The Roosevelts, the Coolidges, and the Kennedys had a great many — Sounds I hadn’t nearly 25 — pets. heard in years Some of the most interesting presidential pets at the White House since the came back to me!” middle of the 1900s followed in the paw-steps of President Franklin Delano — Don W., Sherman, TX Roosevelt’s faithful companion named Fala, a black Scottish terrier. Fala traveled with Roosevelt on trips abroad and was often photographed by For Less Than $ the press. He did tricks and entertained the president, diplomats, and others How can a hearing aid that costs less than $200 during the period before and during World War II. be every bit as good as one that sells for $2,250 or more? Fala resembled Miss Beazley, another Scottish terrier that arrived at the The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in White House in January 2005 during George W. Bush’s time in office. Miss Advanced Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now... Beazley was a birthday present for first lady Laura Bush. MDHearingAid® uses the same kind of Advanced Hearing Aid Technology incorporated into Like her daughter-in-law, first lady Barbara Bush also had a dog in the hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price. White House, a springer spaniel named Millie. In 1992, Millie “penned” a Over 300,000 satisfied MDHearingAid customers agree: High-quality, FDA-registered hearing New York Times nonfiction bestseller entitled Millie’s Book: As Dictated to aids don’t have to cost a fortune. The fact is, you don’t need to spend thousands for a Barbara Bush, describing presidential life. hearing aid. MDHearingAid is a medical-grade hearing aid offering sophistication and high performance, and works right out of the box with no time-consuming “adjustment” In terms of animal vigor, Teddy Roosevelt’s pony Algonquin not only took appointments. You can contact a licensed hearing specialist conveniently online or by phone a ride in a White House elevator, but also rivaled Caroline Kennedy’s pony — even after your purchase at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support. named Macaroni, a gift from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Macaroni was Now that you know...why pay more? one of many pet gifts that the Kennedy children received during their father’s Can a Hearing Aid Delay or Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia? term. A study by the National Institute on Aging suggests older individuals with In 1960, Premier Nikita Khrushchev of the Soviet Union gave Caroline hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and
ADVANCED HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY 200
dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. They suggest that an intervention — such as a hearing aid — could delay or prevent this by improving hearing!
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A New Year’s Resolution for Fiscal Fitness Most New Year’s resolutions revolve around getting fit. Although that frequently means losing weight, one area you want to fatten up is your money supply. Here are some simple resolutions for adding some healthy heft to your overall financial profile: Pay down your mortgage. You can save more than $63,000 on a 30-year, $200,000 mortgage by paying just $100 more a month.
Save 10 percent. Put aside 10 percent of your income for long-term investments and retirement savings before paying any bills. Track your expenses. Record every dollar you spend, for at least one week. You’ll get a clearer idea of where the money goes and what you can cut back on. Energize your house. Look for ways to make your house more energy efficient. You’ll save on
heating and cooling costs and help the environment. Stay home. Resist the temptation to eat out. Cook more meals at home. Instead of going to the movies, stream a video, read a book, or a play a game with your whole family. Don’t rely on credit cards. Credit card debt can eat up your savings and your future. Start reducing your debt, and don’t buy anything on credit if you don’t have the money to pay the bill off promptly.
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February 2019
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It Was 50 Years Ago Today
‘Proud Mary’
Reach Active, Affluent Boomers & Seniors!
Randal Hill
Creedence Clearwater Revival lead singer John Fogerty once recalled seeing a Will Rogers movie about old-time paddle-wheelers. “I believe at one point they actually sing ‘Rolling on the river,’” Fogerty says. “I know that buried deep inside of me are all these little bits and pieces of Americana. It’s deep in my heart, deep in my soul. As I learned in English 101, write about what you know.”
which he scribbled song-title ideas. “My first entry was ‘Proud Mary,’” he says. “I didn’t know what those two words meant, but I liked how they sounded together.” Fogerty took his guitar and began playing a song introduction he had been working on, the chord riff based on the opening to Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. “I didn’t like how Beethoven had composed it. I preferred hitting the first ••• chord hard for emphasis, not the fourth Starting in the late 1960s, Fogerty’s … When I added rhythm to the chords, band brought images of rural America the song had the motion of a boat. I to the world with a unique musical style had always loved Mark Twain’s writing dubbed “swamp and the music of rock,” which Stephen Foster, so I featured Southern wrote lyrics about a country music, riverboat … gritty blues, and a “I finished heavy, danceable most of the song beat. in two hours. CCR hailed Then I opened my from California, notebook for a song and none of its title. There was “Proud Mary” Creedence Clearwater Revival members had ever ‘Proud Mary.’” February 1969 been to the South Not happy with before fame came the way the tune their way. The Bay Area quartet had sounded when his band recorded it, started as the Blue Velvets and then Fogerty stayed behind that day and became the Golliwogs before military overdubbed all the background vocal obligations caused a temporary breakup. parts himself after the other members When the band members came had left the studio. together again, they gleaned a new A longtime fan of black music, name from three sources: Creedence he sought a more authentic feel and from mutual pal Credence Newball, claimed to channel rhythm-and-blues Clearwater from a TV beer commercial icons Wilson Pickett and Howlin’ Wolf that promoted the brew as coming for the rerecording. It was Wolf’s bluesy “from the land of sky-blue waters,” influence that led Fogerty to pronounce and Revival for the band members’ turnin’ as toinin’ and burnin’ as boinin’. ••• commitment to their reformation. The group’s debut album — “Proud Mary” — a Billboard No. 2 Creedence Clearwater Revival — chart hit — came from CCR’s second featured the minor swamp-rock hit album, Bayou Country, a million-seller “Susie-Q,” a tune first recorded by that fed the music-from-the-South Louisianan Dale Hawkins in 1957. rumor even more. Music fans hailed CCR’s music as For Ike and Tina Turner, their a refreshing breakthrough, and many sizzling 1971 remake became a millionwere convinced — erroneously — that seller — and their biggest single ever. the band must have come from the Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian South, so authentic was their sound. •••
Fogerty had a small notebook in www.50plusLifePA.com
who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.
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