Chester County Edition
August 2013
Vol. 10 No. 8
PA State Senior Idol Returns for 2013 Talent Competition Moves to Early Fall for 8th Year By Megan Joyce
Tammy Estep, left, and Curtis Mease, right, will be auditioning for the eighth annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition this fall.
The eighth installment of the annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition— which showcases the talent of the commonwealth’s over-50 performers—has arrived, but with a few changes. Most notably, the SENIOR IDOL “season” has been moved from spring to early fall. Also, vocal, instrumental, dance, or comedic acts will be able to audition during morning, afternoon, or evening time slots. But the heart of the event is still the same, as are the motivations fueling its contestants: a passion for entertaining, for sharing talent, and for bringing happiness to others in doing so. Curtis Mease was first introduced to music in elementary school. After piano lessons didn’t pan out, he moved on to the slide trombone and baritone horn, playing in the school band. During this time he discovered his vocal instrument as well, singing in church choir, high school glee club, and several district and regional chorus festivals. And, during his four years in the Navy in the early 1960s, Mease sang in the naval base Blue Jackets choir until he was assigned to a ship. But then, for the next few decades—during which he attended Penn State please see IDOL page 11
Inside:
What to Consider Before Joining a Clinical Trial page 6
City Slickers in the Wyoming Wilds page 8
Social Security News
Q&A for August must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. We cannot accept photocopies or notarized copies of documents. For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.
By John Johnston Question: How do I change my citizenship status on Social Security’s records? Answer: To change your citizenship status shown in Social Security records: 1. Complete an application for a Social Security card (Form SS-5), which you can find online at www.socialsecurity.gov/ online/ss-5.html. 2. Locate documents proving your new or revised citizenship status. Only certain documents can be accepted as proof of citizenship: your U.S. passport, a Certificate of Naturalization, or a Certificate of Citizenship. If you are not a U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask to see your current immigration documents. 3. Locate documents proving your age and identity. 4. Take (or mail) your completed application and documents to your local Social Security office. All documents
Question: I have never worked but my spouse has. What will my benefits be? Answer: You can be entitled to as much as one-half of your spouse’s benefit amount when you reach full retirement age. If you want to get Social Security retirement benefits before you reach full retirement age, the amount of your benefit is reduced. The amount of reduction depends on when you will reach full retirement age. For example, if you file at age 62, and your full retirement age is 65, you can get 37.5 percent of your spouse’s unreduced benefit; if your full retirement age is 66, you can get 35 percent; and if your full retirement age is 67, you can get 32.5 percent. The amount of your benefit increases
if your entitlement begins at a later age, up to the maximum of 50 percent at full retirement age. If your full retirement age is other than those shown here, the amount of your benefit will fall between 32.5 and 37 percent at age 62. However, if you are taking care of a child who is under age 16 or who gets Social Security disability benefits on your spouse’s record, you get the full spouse’s benefits, regardless of your age. Learn more about retirement benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement. Question: My doctor said he thinks I’m disabled. Who decides if I meet the requirements for Social Security disability benefits? Answer: We first will review your application to make sure you meet some basic requirements for Social Security disability benefits, such as whether you worked enough years to qualify. Then we will send your application to the disability determination services office in your state, often called the
“DDS” or “state agency.” Your state agency completes the disability decision for us. Doctors and disability specialists in the state agency ask your doctors for information about your condition. They consider all the facts in your case. They use the medical evidence from your doctors and hospitals, clinics, or institutions where you have been treated and all other information. The state agency staff may need more medical information before they can decide if you are disabled. If more information is not available from your current medical sources, the state agency may ask you to go for a special examination. We prefer to ask your own doctor, but sometimes the exam may have to be done by someone else. Social Security will pay for the exam and for some of the related travel costs. Learn more about disability benefits at www.socialsecurity.gov/disability. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.
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610.363.2532 Four office locations in Exton,West Chester, Coatesville, and Kennett Square. www.entacc.com
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August 2013
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Started July 2013
Charles Catania, M.D. Myers, Squire and Limpert
You can now schedule appointments online! GATEWAYDOCTORS.COM
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Katherine Chin, M.D. Internal Medicine of West Chester
NCQA Level 3 Certified Patient Certified Medical Home Practice Meaningful Use Recognized
COATESVILLE
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DOWNINGTOWN
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Gateway Family Practice Newtown Maria DeMario, D.O., Newtown Business Center 4667 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA 19073 P 610.356.7870 | F 610.594.2625
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Good Deals, Good Times
Phanatic Comes to Honey Brook The Philly Phanatic recently paid a visit to Tel Hai Retirement Community in honor of lifelong Phillies fan Clarence Beam. Beam marked his 100th birthday this spring and was celebrated by the team for his many years of devoted support and attendance at spring training. The big, green, furry mascot entertained the crowd with his antics—dancing, blowing kisses, and giving hugs to members of his audience.
If you have local news you’d like considered for Around Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com
Resource Directory
The recent Kennett Area Senior Center annual garage sale included decorations for the home, kitchen supplies, appliances, puzzles, toys, books, and much more. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and drinks were also available for purchase at the new food court, Oasis. This was a great time for Sarah Cruz-Ortiz, left, about to use her people of all ages to shop, face-painting skills on Kathleen socialize, and strengthen Ankney, right, at the KASC garage sale. intergenerational bonds.
This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being.
Dental Services
Health & Medical Services
Hearing Services
Family Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry 1646 West Chester Pike, Suite 1,West Chester (610) 692-8454
Advanced Hearing Aid Audiology Locations in Exton, Honeybrook, Kennett Square, Malvern, Pottstown, and West Grove (610) 781-9001
Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY
Disasters American Red Cross Greater Brandywine (610) 692-1200 Chester County Emergency Services (610) 344-5000 Salvation Army Coatesville (610) 384-2954 Salvation Army West Chester (610) 696-8746 Emergency Numbers Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110 Office of Aging (610) 344-6350/(800) 692-1100 Financial Services Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-3676 Funeral & Cremation Services D’Anjolell Memorial Homes & Crematory 392 Lancaster Ave., Frazer (610) 356-4200
Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900 American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 American Heart Association (610) 940-9540 Arthritis Foundation (215) 665-9200 Center for Disease Control and Prevention (888) 232-3228 Coatesville VA Medical Center (610) 383-7711
National Osteoporosis Foundation (800) 223-9994 PACE (800) 225-7223
Chester County Department of Aging Services (610) 344-6350 Pharmacies
Housing Eastwood Village Homes, LLC 102 Summers Drive, Lancaster (717) 397-3138 Housing Assistance Community Impact Legal Services (610) 380-7111
CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Physicians Gateway Medical Associates Locations in Coatesville, Downingtown, Lionville, and West Chester (610) 423-8181
Housing Authority of Chester County (610) 436-9200 Housing Authority of Phoenixville (610) 933-8801 Legal Services
Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233
Office of Aging
Senior Centers Coatesville (610) 383-6900 Downingtown (610) 269-3939
Lawyer Referral Service (610) 429-1500
Great Valley (610) 889-2121
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (610) 436-4510
Kennett Square (610) 444-4819 Oxford (610) 932-5244
Nutrition
Senior Healthlink (610) 431-1852
Meals on Wheels Chester County Inc. (610) 430-8500
Phoenixville (610) 935-1515
Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213
Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (800) 366-3997
Wayne (610) 688-6246
Southeastern PA Medical Institute (610) 446-0662
West Chester (610) 431-4242
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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August 2013
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50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.
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August 2013
In the Iraq War, He Flew the First 250 Marines Home Robert D. Wilcox
K
enneth Smith’s family had a military tradition. His father had been a machinist’s mate on an LST in World War II and had survived drifting in the Pacific for three months after a Japanese attack had disabled his LST’s power and communications. His much-decorated Irish grandfather had earned the French Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre for extraordinary valor and extreme heroism in battle during the bloody Battle of the Somme during World War I, where the British force had suffered 60,000 casualties on the very first day of the battle. So it seemed quite natural for Smith to join the military as well. He had entered Millersville University in the fall of 1969 and then transferred to the University of Houston, where he graduated with a BS in civil engineering and construction technology in 1975. He had enlisted in the Navy officers program in 1974 while still in school and attended the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate School (AOCS). Upon graduation, he was commissioned as an ensign. He earned his coveted “Navy Wings of Gold” at Pensacola in 1977 and was soon flying the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, a 675 mph jet fighter. He still thinks admiringly of that particular aircraft. Grinning, he says, “You could barely touch the stick, and it would snap roll. It was any fighter pilot’s dream of an airplane.” After flying a number of different kinds of jets and making 785 carrier landings, he left the Navy as a lieutenant in 1985. He was then hired by American Airlines and flew the Boeing 727. That led to his becoming a captain and spending nine years flying Boeing 767s to major cities around the world. He had stayed in the Naval Reserve and, in August of 1990, he was recalled during the Gulf War.
50plus SeniorNews
He flew American troops to many hotspots around the globe. He remembers once flying to Izmir, Turkey, where he picked up Seal Team 6, which became worldfamous years later when they killed Osama bin Laden. His airplane was a McDonnellDouglas C-9B with a female flight attendant. Smith says that they had some difficulty with the Turks before they were cleared to leave. And, when they straightened that out, he says he told the flight attendant that he had good news
Capt. Kenneth A. Smith in the B-767 he flew to airlift troops from Iraq.
and bad news. The good news was that the Turks had cleared them to leave, but the bad news was that he had had to agree to sell her to them. Smiling at the memory, he says, “She didn’t seem to feel that that was so funny.” The Seal Team 6 that they picked up was returning from a clandestine mission, and he returned them to a training base in Scotland. He retired from the Navy Reserve in 1994 as a lieutenant commander and returned to American Airlines. In 2005, he retired from American and moved with his wife to Ireland, where they bought a home in the same village where his grandfather had grown up. It was there that he learned of North American Airlines, a company that flew military charter flights on Boeing 757 and 767
aircraft. It was a perfect fit for him, and in 2007 he joined the company. Shortly after taking office for his first term, President Obama had promised to bring all American combat forces home from the War in Iraq by Dec. 31, 2010. He set a goal to return the first 30,000 troops in the month of August. And North American was picked to start the process. Some pilots were wary of flying to Iraq, intimidated by the real possibility of being shot down by insurgents armed with shoulderfiring missiles. But Smith agreed to go, flying a Boeing 767 on the contract flight that flew the first 250 Marines back to the U.S. Had it been a nonstop flight? “Not really,” he says. “The 767 could have made the 14-hour flight nonstop, but it was a civilian airplane without in-flight fueling capability, so it was prudent for us to make one refueling stop at a friendly country en route.” Another factor that made flight in Iraq difficult was the constant heat. The hotter air is, the less lift it offers to aircraft. Jets like the ones he flew were red-lined at 120 degrees, and temperatures of 105 were routine in Iraq. He and his co-pilot were responsible for planning the routes through which later flight could enter and exit Iraq with reasonable safety. That made further flights routine. And that, in turn, made possible the airlifting of all 30,000 troops, as promised. By 2010, Smith had flown hundreds of flights for North American, not only to Iraq, but often also delivering troops to many other locations around the globe. After retiring in the fall of 2010, he and his wife returned to Central Pennsylvania to live. He had known the area, of course, from his college days at Millersville, and he says he just could not picture a more perfect place to spend his retirement years. Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
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Such is Life
Survey
Does Worrying Ever Help?
Each returned survey will receive a free six-month subscription to 50plus Senior News. 1) Where did you pick up your last copy of 50plus Senior News?
Saralee Perel y husband, Bob, gets the brunt He never worried about the audit, the of my worry storms. Yet he $8,000 we don’t have, the paperwork, or still loves me. the ludicrous process of reaching a “You hungry?” I said. human being, so to speak, at the IRS. “Not really.” “How do you not worry, Bob?” “What’s wrong?” I grabbed the “In the long run, most problems won’t thermometer from my keychain. matter. Plus, I always say, ‘Wait to “Nothing. Will you please stop being worry.’ If I didn’t win with the IRS, I you for let’s say, four minutes a day?” would have worried then.” “Well, sue me for caring.” What he does worry about is me. My “I’m sorry. Let’s eat. Fried food sound walking problem makes me fragile. good?” Frankly, like most of us, Bob is having an “Not if it’s fried in canola oil.” overall harder time as we get older. He sighed. “What’s wrong with canola “I worry about the future,” he said oil?” tearfully. “A canola “It’s almost is a too sad to Canadian think ola—that’s about.” Spanish for I told tomato, him, “It’s which is in only too the deadly sad nightshade because it’s family. And so deadly beautiful.” nightshade I touched is his arm. poisonous. “Don’t No miss me canolas!” while I’m Saralee and Bob, June 2013 “Canola here.” oil is made He was from seeds of the field mustard plant.” still tearful. “Oh.” “Sweets,” I said, “thinking about We drove to a vegetable stand. “Bob, losing our dog didn’t make it any better I’m worried you have a stomachache.” when she died. It was just as painful. “I don’t. I do, however, have one huge Look at this day. Here we are, so lucky to pain in the—neck.” live near the seashore in our tiny, cozy Many years ago, Leo Buscaglia wrote, home. Don’t miss today by worrying “Worry never robs tomorrow of its about something inevitable that you can’t sorrow; it only saps today of its joy.” control.” Yesterday I called the billing I took his hand and led him to the department at a huge hospital and spoke bedroom, where we spent an entire hour with a gal named Dianne. She could tell doing what people in love do when they I was freaking out about my bill. are spending a glorious day together near She ever-so-gently said, “You can a seaside town: Googling “fried seafood.” choose to worry yourself sick about Then we went to a local shanty and problems or not. That same problem is gorged ourselves on fried shrimp. still going to be there either way.” Made with canola oil. Earlier this year, we received an audit Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally notice from the IRS incorrectly stating syndicated columnist. Her new book is we owed $8,000. Bob persevered through phone calls with 45-minute wait Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. To find out more, times, emails, faxes, and a zillion trips to visit www.saraleeperel.com or email the bank, as well as certified letters. And sperel@saraleeperel.com. he won.
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Advertise in the Most Comprehensive Directory of Its Kind 2013–14
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Space Reservation Deadline: August 30, 2013. Contact your account representative today, or call (717) 675-6240.
If you’re an organization or business that offers a product or service relevant to seniors, the disabled, caregivers or their families, call now to be included in this vital annual directory. 717.285.1350 • 717.770.0140 • 610.675.6240 • info@onlinepub.com On-Line Publishers, Inc., 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 • www.onlinepub.com
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August 2013
50plus SeniorNews
Savvy Senior
What to Consider Before Joining a Clinical Trial Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about clinical trials and how to go about finding one? My wife has a chronic condition, and we’re interested in trying anything that may be able to help her. – Looking For Help Dear Looking, Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans participate in clinical trials in hopes of gaining access to the latest, and possibly greatest, but not yet on the market treatments for all types of illnesses. But, you need to be aware that clinical trials can vary greatly in what they’re designed to do, so be careful to choose one that can actually benefit your wife. Here’s what you should know about clinical trials, along with some tips for locating one. Clinical Trials A clinical trial is the scientific term for a test or research study of a drug, device, or medical procedure using people. These trials—sponsored by drug companies, doctors, hospitals, and the federal government—are conducted to learn whether a new treatment is safe and if it works. But, keep in mind that these new treatments are also unproven, so there may be risks too. Also be aware that all clinical trials have certain eligibility criteria (age, gender, health status, etc.) that your wife must meet in order to be accepted. And before taking part in a trial, she’ll be asked to sign an informed consent agreement. She can also leave a study at any time.
• What kinds of tests and treatments does the study involve, and how often and where they are performed? • Is the experimental treatment in the study being compared with a standard treatment or a placebo? Keep in mind that if your wife gets the placebo, she’ll be getting no treatment at all. • Who’s paying for the study? Will you have any costs, and if so, will your insurance plan or Medicare cover the rest? Sponsors of trials generally pay most of the costs, but not always. • What if something goes wrong during or after the trial and your wife needs extra medical care? Who pays? • If the treatment works, can your wife keep using it after the study?
• What’s the purpose of the study and can it improve your wife’s condition? You may be surprised to know that many drug or procedural trials are not designed to find a cure or improve a patient’s health, but only to provide scientific data.
Find a Trial Every year, there are more than 100,000 clinical trials conducted in the U.S. You can find them at conditionfocused organizations like the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association, or by asking her doctor, who may be monitoring trials in his or her specialty. Or, use the National Institutes of Health’s clinical trials website (www.clinicaltrials.gov). This site contains a comprehensive database of federally and privately supported clinical studies in the U.S. and abroad on a wide range of diseases and conditions, including information about each trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details. If, however, you don’t have Internet access or could use some help finding the right trial, use the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (www.ciscrp.org). This is a nonprofit organization that will take your wife’s information over the phone and do a thorough clinical-trials search for you and mail or email you the results in a few days. Call (877) 633-4376 for assistance.
• What are the risks? Some treatments can have side effects that are unpleasant, serious, and even life threatening.
Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
Things to Know Before deciding to participate in a trial, you and your wife need to first discuss it with her doctor. Then, schedule an appointment with the study’s medical team and ask lots of questions. Here are some to get you started.
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CCRC Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Bethany Village
CCRCs offer a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ unique and often changing needs. Healthy adults entering a CRCC are able to live independently in a home, apartment, or condominium of their own within the community. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can move into personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities. Some CCRCs have designated dementia areas within the community. These units address the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia. With a wealth of available resources, these communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out — which equals both comfort and peace of mind.
Calvary Fellowship Homes
Chapel Pointe at Carlisle
502 Elizabeth Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 Marlene Morris Marketing Director (717) 393-0711 www.calvaryhomes.org
770 South Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Linda Amsley Director of Marketing/Admissions (717) 713-2201 www.chapelpointe.com
Cornwall Manor
Homeland Center
Homestead Village
1 Boyd Street Cornwall, PA 17016 Anne Peiffer V.P. for PR & Development (717) 274-8092 www.cornwallmanor.org
1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org
Enhanced Senior Living 1800 Marietta Avenue P.O. Box 3227 Lancaster, PA 17604-3227 Susan L. Doyle Director of Marketing (717) 397-4831 ext. 158 www.homesteadvillage.org
Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community
Pleasant View Retirement Community
St. Anne’s Retirement Community
1700 Normandie Drive York, PA 17408 Joyce Singer Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 718-0937 www.normandieridge.org
544 North Penryn Road Manheim, PA 17545 Amanda Eckinger Communications Coordinator (717) 664-6207 www.pleasantviewrc.org
3952 Columbia Avenue West Hempfield Township, PA 17512 Christina E. Gallagher Director of Marketing (717) 285-6112 www.stannesretirementcommunity.com
StoneRidge Retirement Living
Willow Valley Communities
Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities
325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org
440 East Lincoln Avenue Myerstown, PA 17067 Stacia Keith Director of Sales (717) 866-3553 www.stoneridgeretirement.com
600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17602 Kristin Hambleton Manager of Sales (717) 464-6800 (800) 770-5445 www.willowvalleycommunities.org
2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org
The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.
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50plus SeniorNews
August 2013
7
Traveltizers
Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel
City Slickers in the Wyoming Wilds By Andrea Gross
he sign says we’re entering paradise. I’m skeptical. The six of us—my husband, me, our son, our daughter-in-law, and their two children—are about to spend a week at a top-rated guest ranch. Back in December when we’d made the reservations, we’d all agreed that this would be a perfect experience for our intergenerational group, but now I’m having second thoughts. We’re city-folks through and through—better at driving four-lane highways than riding four-legged creatures, more familiar with walking through manicured parks than hiking on canyon trails. And we’re used to plucking fish from market showcases, not from mountain streams. But here we are, on a mountain road in north-central Wyoming. We round a curve, and I catch my first glimpse of Paradise Guest Ranch. It’s in a valley
T
The ranch is surrounded by a million acres of unspoiled land.
Most folks go on at least one trail ride a day; many go on two.
Newcomers to the ranch can take their time getting acquainted with the horses.
A 9-year-old girl who takes ballet dancing in the city becomes a fan of square dancing during her week at the ranch.
surrounded by more than a million acres of Bighorn National Forest, and with the hills awash with wildflowers, it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Then I see the corral, and I feel a rumble in the pit of my stomach. The kids—aged 9 and 6—have never been on a horse; the rest of us have a combined total of, perhaps, 10 hours of horsebackriding experience. Will we be the only novices in a group of experts? The answer becomes clear the next morning when we go to the stables for our first horseback ride. Everyone else is wearing a cowboy hat or riding helmet. We, on the other hand, are decked out in baseball caps and bonnets. Oh, dear! We exhaust the first wrangler when he tries to take us out on the trail. Grandson can’t make his horse move. Daughter-in-law’s horse goes backward when she pulls too hard on the reigns. I can’t make mine stop eating. But that afternoon, a second wrangler takes us into the arena for a course in horseback riding basics.
Whether they’re looking for a new home Or the help needed to stay in their old one — Will your services come to mind?
Call about Early Bird Savings! Must reserve by Aug. 30, 2013 • Active adult and residential living • Independent and retirement living communities • Assisted living residences and personal care homes • Nursing and healthcare services • Home care, companions, and hospice care providers • Ancillary services
In print. Online at onlinepub.com. To include your community or service in the 2014 edition or for a free copy of the 2013 edition, call your representative or (717) 285-1350 or email info@onlinepub.com Your key to choosing the right living and care options for you or a loved one.
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August 2013
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Granddaughter’s journal, day one: My horse’s name is Pollywog. I thought the horse would know what to do, but today I found out that I’m the one who’s supposed to know what to do. The next morning we ride a trail— across a stream, up a rocky mountain path, through a meadow, back to the stables. Grandson declares that “now we’re really cowboys.” By Wednesday we’re beginning to feel like pros. Granddaughter’s journal, day four:
The ranch is at an altitude of 8,000 feet, making a walk in the woods a huff-puff experience for some.
While experienced fishermen go on all-day outings to more remote locations, others choose to practice on the ranch proper.
I think I’ve learned Pollywog’s personality, which is that sometimes he wants to do things his way. But now I can sometimes make him do things my way. The week progresses, offering us a mix of family time and individual time. We ride together and eat together, but in between we can each explore our own interests. Daughter-in-law and I take a long (for us) hike—proudly puffing our way along trails that rise to an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet. Son tries his hand at flyfishing, and Husband finishes two books and starts a third. The kids spend offhorse time doing crafts or swimming in the pool. After dinner the counselors entertain the kids while the adults have a chance to
Guests of all ages tend to gather around the swimming pool in late afternoon.
get to know each other. Out of 12 groups, five are adults-only; the rest have children ranging from toddlers to teens. Only three, like us, are first-timers. Every day we learn something new. One day we have a lesson on wildflowers. Another day we hear stories of Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, who had
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an “Outlaw Cave” nearby. And another time we watch a moose moseying around the grounds near the fishing pond. Saturday is Rodeo Day, a chance for the kids to show off their equestrian skills. “Mount your horse.” Grandson is too short to do it alone—
a ranger has to lift him on—but he grabs the reigns like a pro. “Circle the barrels.” No problem. “Weave between the poles.” Granddaughter does it at a trot. Six days has transformed them both from Western Wimps to Cowboy Champs. But it’s at the square dance where Granddaughter really shines. Blond hair flying, she allemandes left and circles right. Wrangler Dave grabs Grandson’s hand. “Come on, Buddy. Let’s dance!” he calls, as he propels a grinning Grandson ’round the room. Then, the next morning, we have our first crisis. None of us wants to leave. “Wait! We have to go down to the barn to say goodbye to Pollywog.” “Wait! We have to take one more picture of the fishing pond.” Wait, wait, wait! It takes us two hours to say our goodbyes and get into the car. Grandson’s comment, day seven:
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Calendar of Events
Chester County
Chester County Department of Parks and Recreation
Senior Center Activities
www.chesco.org/ccparks
Coatesville Area Senior Center – (610) 383-6900 22 N. Fifth Ave., Coatesville – www.cascweb.org
th
Aug. 10, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – 85 Annual Old Fiddlers’ Picnic, Hibernia County Park Aug. 24, 8 to 10 a.m. – Birding at Black Rock, Black Rock Sanctuary
Support Groups
Free and open to the public
Tuesdays, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Wellness Community of Philadelphia: Support Group for People with Cancer The Cancer Center at Paoli Hospital 255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli (215) 879-7733
Aug. 6 and 20, 5 to 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.
Aug. 6, 2 p.m. Grief Support Group Phoenixville Senior Center 153 Church St., Phoenixville (610) 327-7216
Aug. 7, 6 p.m. Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group Sunrise Assisted Living of Paoli 324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern (610) 251-9994
If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Aug. 12 and 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Caregiver Support Group Adult Care of Chester County 201 Sharp Lane, Exton (610) 363-8044 Aug. 14, noon Family Caregiver Support Group Sarah Care 425 Technology Drive, Suite 200, Malvern (610) 251-0801 Aug. 20, 6 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sunrise of Westtown 501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester (610) 399-4464
Community Programs Aug. 3 and 17, 5 to 10 p.m. Bingo Nights Marine Corps League Detachment 430 Chestnut St., Downingtown (610) 431-2234
Downingtown Senior Center – (610) 269-3939 983 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown – http://home.ccil.org/~dasc Great Valley Senior Center – (610) 889-2121 47 Church Road, Malvern Kennett Area Senior Center – (610) 444-4819 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square – www.kennettseniorcenter.org Aug. 15, noon to 4 p.m. – AARP Driver Safety Program Aug. 25, 1 to 3 p.m. – Sunday Dinner with Friends: “Our Picnic Dinner” Aug. 28, 6 to 8 p.m. – Medicare 101 Session Oxford Senior Center – (610) 932-5244 12 E. Locust St., Oxford – www.oxfordseniors.org Phoenixville Area Senior Center – (610) 935-1515 153 Church St., Phoenixville – www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org
Free and open to the public Aug. 6, 11:30 a.m. West Chester University Retirees Luncheon For restaurant location, please email darsie@verizon.net
Aug. 24, 8:30 a.m. Busy Buddies: Widows & Widowers Social Group of Chester County Dutch Way Restaurant 365 Route 41, Gap Reservations required (484) 667-0738
West Chester Area Senior Center – (610) 431-4242 530 E. Union St., West Chester – www.wcseniors.org Please call or visit the centers’ websites for additional activities.
Chester County Library Programs Chester County Library, 450 Exton Square Parkway, Exton, (610) 280-2615 Chester Springs Library, 1685-A Art School Road, Chester Springs, (610) 827-9212 Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (610) 269-2741 Aug. 13, 6:30 p.m. – Film Forum Aug. 15, 6:30 p.m. – Downingtown Library Writers Group Aug. 22, 1 p.m. – Senior Book Club
Give Us the Scoop!
Easttown Library, 720 First Ave., Berwyn, (610) 644-0138 Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about free events occurring in Chester County!
Henrietta Hankin Library, 215 Windgate Drive, Chester Springs, (610) 321-1700 Honey Brook Community Library, 687 Compass Road, Honey Brook, (610) 273-3303 Malvern Library, 1 E. First Ave., Malvern, (610) 644-7259 Oxford Library, 48 S. Second St., Oxford, (610) 932-9625
Email preferred to: mjoyce@onlinepub.com
Paoli Library, 18 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996 Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times Phoenixville Library, 183 Second Ave., Phoenixville, (610) 933-3013 Spring City Library, 245 Broad St., Spring City, (610) 948-4130 Tredyffrin Library, 582 Upper Gulph Road, Strafford, (610) 688-7092 West Chester Library, 415 N. Church St., West Chester, (610) 696-1721
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IDOL
from page 1
and embarked on a longtime job driving an 18-wheeler—Mease’s voice went quiet. “For the next 45 years, I was merely a listener, a spectator, until a couple years ago when a karaoke experience revealed I had not lost my singing voice,” Mease said. On that occasion, Mease’s rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” was so well received that he became motivated to resume singing, adding to his repertoire songs made popular by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Neil Diamond. Now retired, Mease still drives a truck part time and is active on the karaoke circuit. He continues to be amazed and heartened by the multi-generational encouragement from his audience members. “The songs I’ve chosen at karaoke have been enthusiastically received by those close to my own age and, surprisingly, by younger people as well,” Mease said. “I thought my choices from among the ‘crooning ballad’ type of music from yesteryear were a refreshing departure from the more often heard ‘pop rock’ of today.”
Mease hopes the exposure he gains through the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition can boost his performance “hobby” into a second part-time career, with gigs at parties, reunions, or retirement centers. He would also like to continue to cultivate his “Sinatra touch.” “I seem to have been able to pick up his timing and phrasing,” Mease said, “and I can relate ever so realistically to the life themes he sang about.” A recurring “life theme” among people with a gift for singing is that they often don’t remember exactly when they started doing it—or a time when they didn’t. Such is the case for Tammy Estep, who estimates she may have begun exercising her pipes around age 5. Her vocal gifts were likely passed down to her from her mother, who was slated to appear on The Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour in the ’50s— until her father forbid her from going. “I think if she would have auditioned, she would have been a music star, and I probably wouldn’t be here!” Estep said. Estep sang all throughout her school years; her guitar was “always strapped” to her, and she performed at every school event. Four months before she was set to begin attending East Stroudsburg
University, Estep was asked to sing lead for a local band. “Much to my parents’ dismay, I accepted that offer and ditched college,” Estep said. “While there have been many occasions that I have regretted that decision, my music career as a guitar soloist and as a member of several bands with some very talented people spanned over 18 years of my life.” In addition to those years with various bands, Estep spent eight years as a solo performer. Her style leans toward a Bonnie Raitt or Linda Ronstadt sound, she said. Estep also traveled to Nashville in the 1980s as a contestant on You Can Be a Star, where, in one round, she actually beat now-famous country musician Aaron Tippin. Tippin went on to win the competition in 1985. Currently a branch manager for a local financial institution, Estep has stepped away from singing for the last several years but is eager to rekindle both the happiness it brings her and the joy she sees others receive from her music. “There are a lot of people over 50 that I’ve met in my lifetime who are from this area and who are extraordinarily talented,” she said. “And they’re still
[performing]; I think that’s commendable.” She added that she is embarking on her upcoming SENIOR IDOL experience not just for herself, but also for those fellow musicians she’s worked with along the way. “I have so many people I know that I’ve played with over the years. I’m kind of doing this for them—because we worked very hard when we played,” she said. “It was many weekends, many late nights driving home, and I’m doing it for all those people that sacrificed so we could have a good time.” Morning and early-afternoon auditions for the 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg – East, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg. Afternoon and evening auditions will be held Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Heritage Hotel – Lancaster, 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster. For more information, call (717) 2851350 or check out www.SeniorIdolPA .com to see clips from previous years or to download an application. If your business would like to support the 50-plus community, please call to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
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How Fixing Cataracts Can Improve Your Health Remember the old song lyric: “The foot bone’s connected to the leg bone?” Well, here’s an interesting connection— better vision could lead to a 16 percent lower risk of hip fractures. Sure, fixing cataracts can restore clear, colorful vision, but according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, having cataract surgery lowers the risk of breaking a hip as well in adults 65 and older. “Seeing helps you navigate a new environment and helps with balance,” lead investigator Dr. Anne L. Coleman of Brown University told the New York Times. “You really need your eyes and vision to help you stay stable.” Older patients and those who were very ill benefited the most from having cataracts removed, with a 23 to 28 percent reduced risk of hip fractures. Cataracts are more treatable than ever. That’s good news, considering half of all Americans will be diagnosed with cataracts by age 80. Cataract surgery has come a very long way over the last 50 years. What was once a complicated surgery with a twoweek hospital stay is now a simple
outpatient procedure that takes a few Medications, eye drops, exercises, and minutes. eating healthy can’t reverse cataracts. The About 3 million people have cataracts only effective way to correct a cataract is removed in to remove the the U.S. clouded each year, lens with making it minor one of the surgery. It most becomes a common matter of procedures. “when” The rather than eye’s “if ” you cloudy lens should have is removed the and procedure replaced done. with an This artificial study intraocular suggests lens. that acting Traditional earlier may lenses can Photo Credit: (c) jamstockfoto – Fotolia help correct prevent distance vision, but newer, advancedother health problems that accompany poor vision, such as falls. Cataract technology lenses can also help correct surgery can also mean more independpreexisting eye conditions like ence, as better vision allows you to astigmatism and age-related presbyopia. confidently do more everyday things on These newer intraocular lenses can potentially eliminate the need for glasses. your own.
August is Cataract Awareness Month
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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only half of the estimated 61 million adults at high risk for serious vision loss visited an eye care professional in the last year. To make sure you are protecting your eye health, follow these simple steps. Everyone 50 or older should get yearly comprehensive eye exams. This allows for detection of eye diseases in early stages, before you experience vision problems, some of which may be permanent. Adults over 50 should be mindful of symptoms of common age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, the leading cause of reversible blindness in the U.S. Blurry vision and needing more light to read even while wearing glasses can be early signs. In later stages, you may experience poor night vision, colors looking dull, difficulty with glares or halos, and double vision. Seniors should talk to their doctors and visit the National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute website (www.nei.nih.gov) to learn about cataracts and treatment options. Source: Courtesy of Alcon Labs
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CROSSWORD
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 14
WORD SEARCH
Across
SUDOKU
1. 4. 8. 13. 15. 16. 17. 19. 20. 21. 23. 24. 25.
Drill part Maximum words Hand gun Burden Swimming place Accustom Space rock Roy Rogers’ mate, Dale ___ Mustang Distress signal Formerly Layers Battery filler
27. 30. 33. 36. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 46. 48. 50.
Pastries Bulbous herbs Aligned Capital of Morocco So. state (abbr.) Triumph Closed auto Fall mo. On-___ switch Spice rack item Moisten a turkey German prison Bordered Tiny amount
51. 55. 57. 60. 61. 63. 65. 66. 67. 68. 69. 70.
Most antiquated Food shop Took a chair Earth color Mine entrances One of a pair of shoulder straps Dogma Fr. priest Exploit Hot under the collar Toll Parched
18. 22. 26. 28. 29. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 37. 40. 43.
Eight The Tempter Write out Very (fr.) ___ Thompson Secret plan Economize The terrible ___ Breach Constant Hairless Adventure stories Flying mammal
44. 45. 47. 49. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 58. 59. 62. 64.
Contradict Add a number Hang around Religious text Concluded Facial expression Unpunctual Information Paradise Quick inits. Pea shooter Eye infection Commerce org.
Down
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14.
Depth charges Unreactive Coach Hubbub Hawaiian dish Youngsters Bread spread Misinform Expose Protectors Sea eagles Repose House of Congress
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My 22 Cents’ Worth
Taboos in the Land of the Free Walt Sonneville aboos confront us in every sector of life. They permeate society—in households, offices, religion, supermarkets, within ethnicities, and elsewhere. Each sector has its own prescribed norms. We are told Americans live in “the land of the free,” but even in our homes it can take the truly brave to defy taboos. As some taboos collapse, others emerge to fill the ranks. A household can be thought of as a “sovereign jurisdiction,” often governed by a monarch who establishes taboos. Some of these prohibitions are anticipated by visitors. Others are ambiguous or incomprehensible. Men must leave the toilet seat down in a mixed-sex household. That maxim is accepted by most. Bathroom sinks must not be left to give the appearance of a “wet bar.” Fair enough. But a ban against wearing shoes in the house can arouse resistance by guests wearing socks that do not match or have
T
holes. Enforcement of taboos within many households is both certain and swift. Taboos in supermarkets are understood but rarely enforced. Prohibitions limiting the number of items in the express checkout line or writing checks in the cash-only line are silently waived. Taboo enforcement can be expected in offices. It is inadvisable for an entry-level employee to address the chief executive or a senior executive by that person’s first name. If a common-use refrigerator stores food brought by employees for their personal consumption, others sampling the fare can lead to an embarrassing scene. Society’s taboos underwritten by law provoke periodic legal challenges. Gay marriage, marriage between first cousins, medical marijuana, military women barred from certain combat situations, and assisted suicide are prohibitions that divide public opinion. Taboos decreed by custom, but unsupported by law, fade as attitudes
toward them moderate. Men emoting tears in public, considered unmanly in decades past, has had a change in perception. Breastfeeding infants in public is fading as a “morality” issue. Topics considered inappropriate for television commercials, such as bladder incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are now accepted, however begrudgingly, by viewers. There are countless examples of traditional taboos that persist. Women smoking cigars, jokes about mothers-inlaw, burping in public, cellular calls during meetings, and the “one-finger salute” come to mind. Society traditionally regarded tattoos as distasteful, suited only for drunks and sailors. Life Magazine in 1936 estimated that 6 percent of Americans had a tattoo. Tattooing lost much of its appeal during the decades immediately following World War II. Perhaps the practice of the Nazis tattooing concentration-camp prisoners inhibited its acceptability.
Tattoos in the past decade have seen growing acceptance. Harris Polls in 2008 estimated that 14 percent of Americans had one or more tattoos, prevalent mostly among those in the 25-39 age group. Over the past decades, new taboos have emerged as others fade. Wary mothers often exhibit apprehension when their toddlers receive unwelcomed admiration from strangers. When rejection is indicated, the admirer feels a melancholic separation from the youngest generation. We live in “the land of the free,” but take care where you tread. You may, perhaps unwittingly, have violated a taboo. Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research analyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen and A Musing Moment: Meditative Essays on Life and Learning, books of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. Contact him at waltsonneville@earthlink.net.
Pa. Ranked 17th in National Senior Health Report
14
Pennsylvania ranked 17th overall. In 2013, 28 percent of Pennsylvanians over 65 are obese; 9.1 percent are smokers; 80.5 of diabetics are receiving appropriate disease management; and 32.4 percent are physically inactive. By contrast, 23.7 percent of Minnesotans over age 65 are considered obese, versus 27.9 percent of Mississippians. Of Minnesota’s seniors, 8.6 percent smoke; the rate is 10
percent for Mississippi. Minnesota came in at 83 percent for diabetes management, versus 74.1 percent in Mississippi. Finally, 28.9 percent of Minnesota seniors are physically inactive, versus 38.1 percent of seniors in Mississippi. The 34 measures that comprise America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report are of two types: determinants and outcomes. Determinants represent
those actions that can affect the future health of the population, whereas outcomes represent what has already occurred either through death or disease. View the entire report online at www.americashealthrankings.org. Source: America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report. 2013 United Health Foundation. All Rights Reserved. ©
Puzzles shown on page 13
Puzzle Solutions
America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report shows Minnesota at the top of the list of healthiest states for older adults. Vermont is ranked second and New Hampshire is third, followed by Massachusetts and Iowa. Mississippi is ranked 50th as the least healthy state for older adults. Oklahoma, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Arkansas complete the bottom five states.
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You bring the talent, We’ll provide the stage! Do you dance … sing … play an instrument … perform magic … do comedy? Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be called PA STATE SENIOR IDOL? Then we’re looking for you!
Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the eighth annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition at one of these locations:
Tuesday, August 27
Thursday, September 5
Holiday Inn Harrisburg East
Heritage Hotel – Lancaster
4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
500 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
(Morning/Early Afternoon Auditions)
(Afternoon/Evening Auditions)
Win a limousine trip to New York City with dinner and a Broadway show! Finals to be held on October 14, 2013 at: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 • (717) 898-1900
For more information, updates, or an application:
911 Photo Graphics
717.285.1350 • www.SeniorIdolPA.com
16
August 2013
50plus SeniorNews
Emcee:
Diane Dayton of Dayton Communications
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com