50plus LIFE Chester County September 2019

Complimentary | Chester County Edition

September 2019 • Vol. 16 No. 9

American Legion Rider Has Drive to Serve page 4

STEPS FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION page 8

travel: new brunswick page 12

Tinseltown Talks

You’re not just a business.

You’re not just an organization.

You’re a resource.

You provide valuable services to seniors, the disabled, caregivers, and their families.

Help them find you by being included in Chester County’s most affordable annual directory of resources.

• Your company’s information reaches those in the decision-making process • Anywhere, anytime, any-device access

•O nline Resource Directory—Added benefit to all packages for greater exposure • Supports local agencies and promotes efficient coordination of services • Print edition distributed at hundreds of 50plus LIFE consumer pickup sites, OLP’s 15 annual expos, and community events • Produced by a company that has been dedicated to the area’s 50+ community for more than 20 years

Sponsorships available for greatest exposure Individual full-color display ads and enhanced listings also available

Ad closing date: Oct. 11, 2019 Contact your marketing consultant or call 610.675.6240 now to be included in this vital annual directory.

717.285.1350 • 717.770.0140 • 610.675.6240 info@onlinepub.com • www.onlinepub.com

2

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

Newhart Turns 90 Nick Thomas

Known for his gentle satire, basset-hound eyes, and witty routines, former Chicago accountant-turned-comedian Bob Newhart turns 90 this month (Sept. 5). This year is also the 60th anniversary of Newhart’s show business career — he signed with Warner Bros.

Records in 1959.

Newhart said he suspected that he lacked the temperament to remain in the accounting profession back in the mid-1950s when his attitude toward taxation arithmetic could be summed up in three words: “That’s Photo courtesy bobnewhartofficial.com close enough!”

Bob Newhart.

So he and a friend began writing humorous routines based on telephone conversations; they sold the routines to radio stations.

“I eventually dropped the partner but kept the telephone in the act,” he said.

Those one-sided phone conversations have remained throughout his radio, recording, television, and stand-up career. They are as Photo courtesy bobnewhartofficial.com much his trademark as the CBS publicity still of straight-faced delivery and The Bob Newhart Show cast. slightly forced stammer. Why keep the stammer all through his career?

“I got my home in Beverly Hills because of that stammer, so I’m not about to drop it now!” he explained.

Newhart stormed onto the comedy scene in the 1960s when The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart became the first comedy record to win a Grammy for Album of the Year, with its now-classic routines such as “Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue.”

He wrote the routine in Chicago when Bill Daily (1927Photo courtesy bobnewhartofficial.com 2018) asked the unknown local CBS publicity still of the cast of Newhart. comedian to come up with a piece about press agents.

Remembered for his sidekick role in the ’60s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, Daily went on to co-star with Newhart and actress Suzanne Pleshette a decade later for five seasons of The Bob Newhart Show, making famous his trademark greeting, “Hi Bob!” Comedian Elayne Boosler first met Newhart after a show in Las Vegas in the www.50plusLifePA.com

world together on vacations. late ’90s. At a time when in-your-face, crude comedy is now “People would ask me how I could go on vacation with everywhere, it’s tempting to suggest Newhart’s gentler style Rickles,” Newhart said. “Well, it’s like elevator music in the of humor is obsolete. background: You just don’t hear it. But we always had fun But Boosler doesn’t think so. together — everyone should have a friend like that.”

“That would be like saying Mozart is outdated,” she said.

Dom DeLuise worked with Newhart in 1964 on the long“Classics survive. When something has a solid foundation forgotten CBS variety show, The Entertainers. DeLuise was and is so unique and perfect, I don’t think it can ever be one of the millions of viewers who watched the final 1990 outdated. And when you’re the best at something, it just episode of Newhart, Bob’s second TV series, set in a Vermont doesn’t go out of style.” inn.

Bob Newhart makes no apologies for his clean humor, “Bob woke up from a dream on the set of the original Bob although he said he can still appreciate more bawdy Newhart Show with his wife Suzanne Pleshette in bed next to comedians such as the late Richard Pryor.

“I even know most of the words he used!” he said. “It’s just Bob Newhart’s breakout album, him,” recalled DeLuise. “The entire second series had been a from the author’s collection. dream! That was just brilliant.” my choice to work the way I do.”

The list of professional comedians who count themselves “The whole idea for the ending was Ginnie’s,” noted as Newhart fans is a long one and includes Carol Burnett, Don Rickles (1926- Newhart, who passed it on to the writers to create the show’s finale. The episode remains a moment cherished in television history — the type of comic 2017), and Dom DeLuise (1933-2009). twist that the button-down mind of Bob Newhart has always relished.

Don Rickles was a longtime friend, and Newhart delighted in recounting When trying to sum up the comedy genius of Newhart, the words of the late his first encounter with Rickles in the late 1960s in Las Vegas. The two comedian Ed Wynn come to mind: “A comic says funny things; a comedian comedians and their wives met in a cafeteria, and Rickles, the perfect says things funny.” gentleman, invited Bob and wife Ginnie to his show.

Clearly, Bob Newhart is a master of both. Happy birthday, Bob! “Don steps out on stage and the first thing out of his mouth is, ‘The stammering idiot from Chicago is in the audience today, along with his hooker Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written wife from New Jersey,’” Newhart told me. features, columns, and interviews for over 750 magazines and newspapers.

But the two families became fast friends and would eventually travel the

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

Nutrition Meals on Wheels Chester County Inc. (610) 430-8500

Salvation Army West Chester (610) 696-8746 Emergency Numbers Central Pennsylvania Poison Center (800) 521-6110

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (302) 573-4027 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900 American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 American Heart Association (610) 940-9540 www.50plusLifePA.com

Southeastern Pennsylvania Medical Institute (610) 446-0662 Hearing Services Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Housing Assistance Community Impact Legal Services (610) 876-0804

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 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.

50plus LIFE u

September 2019

3

Cover Story

American Legion Rider Has Drive to Serve

Corporate Office

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240 Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 Email address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL

Vice President and Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor, 50plus Publications Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENT Project Coordinator Renee McWilliams Production Artist Lauren Phillips

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Senior Marketing Consultants Joshua Binkley Jennifer Schmalhofer Angie Willis Events Manager Kimberly Shaffer

ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall

Member of

Awards

50plus LIFE 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.

4

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

By John Crawford

Since the Legion is a veterans service group, they also participate in many motorcycle events and charity rides like the one along Route 24.

The hum and roar of motorcycles sounded That ride benefited MilitaryShare, a veterans throughout town as riders gathered recently at the program of the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank; American Legion Post 455.

The Higher Standard Project, a recovery home for Under a blue sky with high, patchy clouds that veterans undergoing treatment for substance abuse made the rain date moot, the 64 riders left the or trauma; and Legion parking Mission 22, lot and headed which employs north on Route treatment 24. programs, The riders memorials, quickly arrived and national at the end of awareness to the small town combat veteran and reached suicide. their real “It is a destination: Above and at right: O’Farrell big problem, the open roads worked with an artist to design especially for of central the graphics and gold leaf on veterans coming his 9/11 memorial motorcycle.

Pennsylvania.

On the dash are the names back from the From there, of all 343 New York City Fire Middle East,” the group, Department firefighters who O’Farrell said. organized perished that day, two of The ride through the whom were O’Farrell’s cousins. rose over Legion Post, $2,500 for the rode the organizations. rolling roads of The Legion southern and Riders also eastern York honor fallen County for the veterans with next two hours. procession rides As they and flag lines traveled, they on the service stretched the member’s line of vehicles return, and have far enough Above: ALR Riders pause at the done so since that, combined gravesite of fallen World War I the Legion’s with the curved Cpl. Alvin T. Rehmeyer after placing American flags on veterans’ inception in roads of the graves for Memorial Day. 1919. Among the county, rarely most recent was were the front th honoring the 100 anniversary of the return of local riders visible to those in the rear.

World War I Cpl. Alvin T. Rehmeyer.

Bobby O’Farrell is one of the leaders of this “When someone in the military dies, we come unlikely group of riders: American Legion Riders and do a flag line. (Rehmeyer) passed away a Post 455. day after his 23rd birthday. He was a corporal in “We are a military service organization,” he said.

Montfaucon, France. He was buried in a makeshift “In fact, I am the post commander … You have to grave, and a year later, they brought him back … in belong to the Legion, in the capacity of the Sons of 1919,” O’Farrell said. the American Legion or the Ladies Auxiliary. What “That was the first thing that the American this will get you is a membership in the American Legion did was honor him (on his return). We did it Legion Riders.” (again) 100 years later.”

The lure of the ride is not the sole reason for the While a strong focus for the Legion Riders is group’s gatherings. Their rides offer comradeship and helping veterans, other local charities benefit from aim to raise money for many area charities. www.50plusLifePA.com

the riders’ activities. said. “I wanted to slow life down a little In May, ALR Post 455 participated bit, so I actually moved from the interior with the Eastern Harley-Davidson of Alaska to the town of Woodbine, Association in the MDA Ride for Life, Pennsylvania … in 1984.” held at Seven Springs Mountain Resort “Slow down” may be a relative term, in Somerset County. The fundraiser as O’Farrell eventually became part of generated more than $1.7 million for the the Federal Fire Service at Aberdeen Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Proving Ground and advanced to Like many Legion Riders, service and become a chief officer. riding come naturally for O’Farrell. A He is a certified fire protection U.S. Army veteran, he has been riding specialist, nationally certified fire and since he joined the Legion and purchased arson investigator, and has been an his first motorcycle while in Panama. adjunct instructor for the University “I joined in 1977, Post No. 1, Balboa of Maryland, Maryland Fire Rescue Canal Zone in Panama. It is also where I Institute, for 28 years. He holds almost married my soulmate, Nora, 43 years ago. every fire-protection certification When I was in Panama, I bought my first available for the fire service.

Harley-Davidson at the Post Exchange. It Even in retirement, O’Farrell remains was shipped down there from someplace active with the American Legion Post Bobby and Nora O’Farrell on a trip to called York, Pennsylvania.”

455, organizing the charity rides and Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.

Originally from New York City, years other events. would pass before O’Farrell and his family “I’ve always been a service-oriented would settle in central Pennsylvania, but the motorcycle rides for charity began person. Even now being retired, I am going to a lot of organizations, and for early during his career. whatever reason, I’m coming to the top of them. “(My) first real charity ride was back in the ’80s,” recalled O’Farrell.

“I like to help people; I like to help veterans. America is No. 1 thanks to our While riding with the Legion and/or Nora has been the usual scenario, veterans,” O’Farrell said. “There are a lot of veterans who are still in need. I am a solo trip in 1982 from his Army days stands out as his most memorable. very lucky. I did very well in life. Not everybody has, and I know that.”

Following a transfer, he rode from New England to Alaska.

On Front Cover: “While I was at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, I had PCS (permanent Post Commander Bobby O’Farrell on his Harley-Davidson 9/11 memorial change of station) orders to Fort Greely, Alaska. I rode my motorcycle from motorcycle in front of American Legion Riders Post 455.

Fort Devens to Fort Greely. It actually took three and a half weeks because I stopped at places with people that I knew.

“The scenery was beautiful,” O’Farrell said. “I left in the May-June timeframe, and they had 3 inches of snow in the highlands of Montana. That was the same year they evacuated all the state and federal parks. They had a big blizzard going on. I went up on a motorcycle in the middle of that. When I got up to Alaska, it was about 90 degrees.”

Around that time, the O’Farrell family expanded from two boys and cat, adding his daughter Jennifer Bridget, born during their three years in Alaska.

With a growing family, they felt the need to stabilize their home front for the children, and O’Farrell began searching for a non-military job.

Throughout his military career, he had worked as military police with Online & In Print. a secondary career in firefighting. He had connections in Maryland that onlinepub.com eventually brought his family to central Pennsylvania as a trainer in firefighting.

“I had a very close friend who was a chief officer in Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland, and he said, ‘Come on down.’ At the time, there was no availability there, so the first place I actually received a position was Bayonne Marine Terminal in New Jersey.

“I did not want to go back to the New York/New Jersey area,” O’Farrell

The ultimate resource for boomer and senior living and care options.

Library Accepting Multimedia Donations Downingtown Library is accepting donations of gently used books, CDs, and DVDs in good condition for its upcoming fall book sale.

Items will be accepted Sept. 9–Oct. 3 during regular business hours at the library, located at 122 Wallace Ave., Downingtown.

For more information, call the library at (610) 269-2741. www.50plusLifePA.com

24th annual edition

Call about Early-Bird Savings! *

* Must reserve by Sept. 30, 2019

to receive early-bird savings.

Closing date: Nov. 1, 2019.

Street date: Jan. 2020

To be included in the 2020 edition of 50plus LIVING, call your marketing consultant, call (717) 285-1350, or email info@onlinepub.com 50plus LIFE u

September 2019

5

The Bookworm Sez

The Pioneers Terri Schlichenmeyer

Your vacation destination is somewhere you’ve never been before.

You want to be surprised and delighted, to see things, experience activities, and try foods that are all new to you. You’re thinking of a good pampering, perhaps, with spas and shopping.

Or maybe, as in The Pioneers by David McCullough, you’ll be roughing it, sans campers, roads, medicine, RVs, or decent boots.

The Rev. Manasseh Cutler saw an opportunity.

As a former army chaplain, he knew that the British had ceded land to the U.S. after the Revolutionary War and that it was available, though the territory was untamed and, aside from a few forts, unsettled by white folks.

The Pioneers

By David McCullough c. 2019, Simon & Schuster 332 pages

Portable Oxygen For The Way You Want to Live

Includes Everything You Need to Regain Your Freedom At just 2.8* lbs, the Inogen One G4 is the ultralight portable oxygen concentrator you have been waiting for. The Inogen One G4 is approximately half the size of the Inogen One G3.

Meets FAA Requirements for Travel

JUST 2.8 LBS.

REQUEST YOUR FREE INFO KIT TODAY!

CALL TODAY! 1-844-846-0234 *With a single battery. © 2019 Inogen, Inc. All rights reserved.

6

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

And so, following a meeting with likeminded, land-seeking New Englanders — many of them war veterans — Cutler saddled his horse and headed to New York to convince members of the U.S. Congress to pass an ordinance making settlement and statehood easier for newly populated territories.

Technically speaking, the government didn’t even own the land yet — local Indians did — but that mattered little to Gen. Rufus Putnam. Putnam had been at the meeting and, unafraid of hardship, was eager to get to this wild land.

On Dec. 31, 1787, he departed for Ohio, leading a group of New Photo credit: William B. McCullough Englanders with eyes on new farms Pioneers author and new beginnings.

Putnam, says McCullough, likely knew the kind of “difficulties and danger” his party faced on the trip, which took more than three months to complete. They were told that the Indians in the area were “friends and brothers,” but “Rufus Putnam thought it best to wait and see.”

His caution was warranted, as it turned out. Over time, the Delaware, Wyandot, Shawnee, and Miami tribes were not happy having white settlers in the area, and they showed it with deadly attacks, stolen scalps, and by wantonly slaughtering local wildlife on which the settlers depended for sustenance.

At the end of 1790, Putnam wrote to President Washington that he feared “the worst.”

On Jan. 2, 1791, “calamity” happened …

These stories — heart-pounding and soul-freezing as they are — aren’t the whole of what you’ll read inside The Pioneers. Inside, you’ll find so much more.

Readers who think “middle America” when they think of settlers are in for a treat in this book.

Author David McCullough not only takes the story back further, but he goes deeper through mini-biographies on various historical figures and by detailing the everyday lives of average settlers, both men and women.

While this is perhaps familiar information, it adds a definite relevance.

Another of the more interesting things about this book is that you may, at times, forget that it’s a historical account! McCullough tells this story with a novelist’s flair inserted into facts, which makes the excitement keener, the atmosphere richer, and the personalities of its people rounder.

Fans of McCullough’s work, therefore, will thoroughly enjoy this latest dip into a corner of history, but novel lovers may want to take a stab at it, too.

The Pioneers is well done and absorbing, but it also makes Ohio, circa 1790, a great destination.

The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years old, and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 14,000 books.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen

Hormone Strategies for Fatigue and Postmenopause

Many times, when a woman time, so you can test it and be sure that is fatigued and experiencing adjustments to the levels of hormones postmenopausal symptoms, practitioners can be made before you buy a 90-day are quick to recommend hormone supply. replacement therapy, referred to as HRT. Oftentimes, the bioidentical This can mitigate the symptoms of hormones used in the cream include menopause and particularly serves as some or all of the following: DHEA, a quick first-line defense against hot testosterone, estriol, estrone, estradiol, flashes, usually the most troubling of all and progesterone. Estriol is hardly ever menopausal symptoms. mentioned, but it’s a fun fact that the HRT seeks to bring your estrogen placenta produces this estrogen in large (and sometimes progesterone) levels back amounts during pregnancy. up to a higher level, which is what you Find a physician in your city had when you were more youthful. that specializes in reading labs and Estrogen is typically provided as prescribing hormones, rather than just a prescription called “estradiol.” You asking your general practitioner for a can receive prescription hormones one-size-fits-all pill. via pills, patches, pellets, and creams.

September is Menopause This information is not intended to Estradiol is one of the three sisters of diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For estrogen; remember, estrogen refers to Awareness Month more information about the author, visit a combination of estradiol, estriol, and suzycohen.com. estrone.

Unfortunately, many physicians prescribe the one “sister” by herself, meaning they just give you estradiol and not the other two estrogens. They also do not always give you progesterone with the estrogen medication.

This is a mistake, in my opinion. The estrogen prescribed all by itself is termed “unopposed estrogen.” Despite progesterone’s far-reaching impacts on health, many doctors still wrongly assume its only job is to protect the uterus, Butters is a and they don’t usually prescribe it with estrogen.

4-year-old with a But there are receptors everywhere in your body for progesterone, so you powerfully cute need it whether or not you still have a uterus. pout. Sweet and Taking estrogen and/or progesterone doesn’t always help because you might gentle, he spends his also be deficient in pregnenolone or DHEA, two hormones that are higher up time in our doggy on the chain. playgroups mingling Certain HRT medications come with an increased risk of breast and and soaking up the uterine cancer as well as the small, but potential, risk of heart attack, deep vein sun. thrombosis, and stroke.

Butters would love HRT medicines are potent drug muggers and are capable of suppressing a home where he can nearly every mineral in the body, as well as your B vitamins. settle in and relax Take synthetic HRT long enough and you’ll have even worse fatigue, into your arms. The depression, hypothyroidism, confusion, memory lapses, anxiety, insomnia, and shelter life is not for weight gain. him, and he cannot You can choose bioidentical hormone therapy if traditional HRT doesn’t wait to finally have improve your postmenopausal symptoms. a loving place to lay Doing so provides your body with estrogen and progesterone in forms that his head. are biologically identical to what was naturally produced in your youth. That Come by and get means you experience more of the benefits and fewer side effects. to know Butters; maybe he’ll capture your heart as quickly These therapies are usually created in compounding pharmacies as topical as he has the volunteers’. creams, and the dose is customized for you. The dose is determined by the For more information, contact Brandywine Valley SPCA, amount that you make, as well as your response.

1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, at (484) 302-0865 or It’s a trial-and-error thing, so when you start with bioidentical hormones, bvspca.org. you should ask the pharmacy if you can purchase just a week or two at a

Pet of the Month

Butters

www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE u

September 2019

7

Recognizing the Warning Signs for Suicide Can Help Prevent It

By Barry Sparks

• Do not leave the person alone. If possible, ask for help from friends or other family members.

Many people would say Randy Saunders never had a chance.

• A sk the person to give you any weapons he He was born in a poverty-stricken area of or she might have. Take away sharp objects Trenton, New Jersey. He describes his parents and or anything else the person could use to hurt relatives as “alcoholics and criminals.” His father themselves. spent time in and out of prison while his mother hung out in bars.

• Try to keep the person as calm as possible.

Saunders, his three brothers, and a sister had to fend for themselves.

• Call 911 or take the person to an emergency “I had to steal food from the grocery store so department. we could eat,” he says. “To complicate matters, my siblings and I were verbally, sexually, and Saunders was diagnosed with a mental physically abused.” illness after his third suicide attempt. He In his early teens, Saunders’ mother moved stopped drinking, started to see a psychiatrist, to Hamburg, Pennsylvania, with her boyfriend, and got involved with the American leaving him and his brother with relatives in Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

Trenton. They ended up taking to the streets, Things were going along well until he got drinking and taking drugs. into trouble with the law in 2013.

At age 16, Saunders quit school to join the “My life changed on Dec. 12, 2013,” he military to escape his environment. Shortly September is Suicide Prevention says.

“That’s when I graduated from the afterward, he got married and was assigned Awareness Month Dauphin County Veterans’ Treatment Court, overseas. At age 19, he was admitted to a naval and I started to take responsibility for my hospital for alcohol detoxification. actions.”

When he was discharged in 1974, he discovered The Veterans’ Treatment Court is a his wife had been unfaithful to him. His first specialized criminal court for veterans with suicide attempt followed. substance dependency and/or mental illness who have been charged with “I felt betrayed,” he says. “My life was crap. It was filled with too much criminal offenses. The court substitutes a treatment program for traditional alcohol and drugs.”

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide most court processing.

After graduating from veterans’ treatment court, Saunders became a peer often occurs when stressors and health issues converge to create an experience support specialist, helping other veterans. As an AFSP board member, he of hopelessness and despair. participates in a number of community activities and educational events.

Depression is the most common condition associated with suicide, and it’s “Advocating for suicide prevention and increasing awareness of mental illness often undiagnosed or untreated. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, and are two things that help keep me alive,” he says. substance problems, especially when unaddressed, increase the risk for suicide.

One of the lessons Saunders has learned over the years is that it’s important In 2017, more than 47,000 Americans died by suicide. White males to ask for help, whether you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts or struggling accounted for nearly 70% of the suicide deaths. with a mental illness.

For years, Saunders led what he termed an “OK” life. But he never As a kid, he says he was afraid to ask for help. When he was in the military, conquered his battle with alcoholism. he didn’t want anyone to think he had a problem.

He invested in a number of real estate properties, but because of his “A lot of people won’t ask for help,” he says. “That’s why we need to look drinking, he says he ignored the properties and had to file for bankruptcy in for signs. Suicide is preventable. If someone had asked me as a kid how I was 2002. His second suicide attempt followed. feeling, I might have talked about my problems. But, I didn’t have anyone who In 2009, he attempted suicide again. cared.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, the best way to prevent suicide is to “Asking for help is hard, but it’s important,” he continues. “You have to be know the risk factors, be alert to the signs of depression and other mental willing to accept you have a problem, and you can’t fix it.” disorders, recognize the warning signs for suicide, and intervene before the It’s been a long, rocky road for Saunders, but he’s optimistic about the person can complete the process of self-destruction. future.

If someone you know is exhibiting warning signs for suicide, don’t be afraid “I’m on a new journey — one of hope and happiness — and I have a strong to ask if he or she is depressed or thinking about suicide. desire to stay alive,” he says.

In some cases, the person just needs to know that someone cares. If asked, For more information, visit the AFSP at https://afsp.org or call (888) 333they may talk about their feelings. Encouraging them to seek professional help AFSP. is important.

If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) If someone you know is talking about committing suicide, take the 273-TALK (8255) or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. following steps:

8

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

www.50plusLifePA.com

Fifties Flashback

Hoop-De-Do!

Have you or has anyone you know been diagnosed with any of these conditions?

Randal C. Hill

During the 1950s, Richard P. Knerr and Arthur K. “Spud” Melin manufactured slingshots, boomerangs, and paddleballs in their Wham-O toy factory in the Los Angeles suburb of San Gabriel.

The partners had recently struck gold with the plastic Pluto Platter disc, later known as the Frisbee. Like anyone in the toy business, though, they were constantly on the lookout for the Next Big Thing.

At a 1957 New York toy fair, the two were discussing boomerangs with a visitor from Australia, when he happened to mention that, for exercise in his native land, gym-class students often spun bamboo hoops around their waists by twirling their hips.

Hmm. Could there be a market here for such an item?

Knerr and Melin built a few hoops from scrap wood and then tested them with local kids to see if interest existed for such a novelty.

“We took it out into the neighborhood, the best testing ground there is for toys,” Knerr explained to writer Paul Sann. “The kids just wouldn’t put the hoop down!”

Once on the market early in 1958, Wham-O’s Hula Hoop (so named because users’ hip movements resembled the Hawaiian hula dance) became a sales sensation. For a while, the demand was so great that producing 20,000 hoops a day still

Anxiety Depression Schizophrenia Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Obsessive Compulsive Disorder If so, you may qualify for one of our research studies.

Qualified patients receive study medication and care at no cost, and may be compensated for their time and travel.

meant that Wham-O was running behind in orders.

Costing about 50 cents each to produce ($3.50 today), the brightly colored, lightweight polyethylene hoops rolled off toy shelves to the tune of $1.98 each ($14.50 today).

Even some adults became Hula Hoopers, including Hollywood celebrities Jane Russell, Debbie Reynolds, and Red Skelton.

A reported 100 million hoops were sold. At the fad’s peak, 40 or so competitors with such names as Spina-Hoop, Hoop Zing, and Hooper Dooper were muscling in for some of the sales action.

Records were occasionally set when it came to Hula Hoop endurance. For example, a 10-year-old Boston boy named Bobby Travers managed 18,200 turns within a four-hour period, doing so while operating under the hindrance of having a broken arm at the time.

Unfortunately, some grown-ups

All of our studies are FDA approved and participation is on a voluntary basis.

Please contact us today to see if you qualify.

(610) 891-7200 www.suburbanresearch.com

107 Chesley Drive, Media, PA 19063 | 50 James Buchanan Drive, Thorndale, PA 19372

Time To Sell!

Need Cash? Great GOLD PRICES We at 6-Year High!! ll e S , y u B e & Trad

We Pay Cash on the SPOT! Guarantee We’ll Beat Any Legitimate Offer

please see HOOP page 11

Independent Living • Personal Care • Skilled Nursing

A vibrant community in bloom.

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.

147 West State Street, Kennett Square 610.444.2577 | www.FHKennett.org Call today to find out how to join the Friends Home Family.

www.50plusLifePA.com

We offer patients the alternative of new advanced treatments while helping the medical research field develop and grow.

Class Rings • Bracelets • Earrings (1/2 Pairs OK!) House Calls Available for Larger Estates & Antiques

STERLING SILVER FLATWARE & HOLLOWARE ~ BROKEN OR NOT ~

Premium paid for estate jewelry

- Larger Diamonds - Rolex Watches - Patek Phillipe Watches

- Gold Pocket Watches - David Yurman Jewelry - Tiffany Jewelry

Cannot be combined with any other offers or used on coins or bullion.

Exp. 9/30/19. With this ad

- Cartier Jewelry - Original Art & Bronzes

Cannot be combined with other offers or used on coins or bullion. Age 62 years & older. Exp. 9/30/19. With this ad.

363 E. Lincoln Hwy. (Bus. Rt. 30), Exton, PA 19341 484-872-8216 • Mon.–Fri. 10–5, Sat. 10–3, or call for appointment

50plus LIFE u

September 2019

9

Savvy Senior

How to Help an Aging Loved One with a Hoarding Problem

Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, My 70-year-old mother has become somewhat of a hoarder. Since my father died a few years ago, her house is so disorganized and messy with stuff that it’s becoming a hazard. What should I

do to help her?

– Troubled Son Dear Troubled, Clutter addiction is a problem that affects up to 5% of Americans,

E

October 5, 2019

omen’s Expo Lancaster County

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lebanon Expo Center 80 Rocherty Road Lebanon

October 12, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Spooky Nook Sports

omen’s Expo Cumberland County

2913 Spooky Nook Road Manheim y Holida g in Shopp

November 9, 2019

& Health ty Beau

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Carlisle Expo Center

Fun!

100 K Street Carlisle

Please, join us!

717.285.1350 community outreach sponsor

Homeland at Home associate sponsor

Wegmans

Health & Wellness sponsor

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health lunch bag sponsorS

May-Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology UPMC Pinnacle

supporting sponsors

Agora Cyber Charter School

media sponsors

seminar sponsor Ricker Sweigart & Associates

BeBalanced

Visiting Angels

FREE advance guest registration online! ($5 at the door) Talk to us about sponsor and exhibitor opportunities.

aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com

10

September 2019

many of whom are seniors.

The problems can range anywhere from moderate messiness to hoarding so severe it may be related to a mental health disorder like obsessivecompulsive disorder.

Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help your mom.

50plus LIFE u

Why People Hoard The reasons most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions, or they believe they might need their items at a later date.

Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed or showing early symptoms of dementia.

Common problems for seniors who live in excessive clutter are tripping, falling, and breaking a bone; overlooking bills and missing medications that are hidden in the clutter; and suffering from the environmental effects of mold, mildew, and dust, and even living among insects and rodents.

What to Do To get a handle on your mom’s problem, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization offers a free “Clutter Hoarding Scale” that you can download off their website (www. challengingdisorganization.org). They can also be reached at (800) 674-7818.

If you find that your mom has a moderate cluttering problem, there are a number of things you can do to help.

Start by having a talk with her, respectfully expressing your concern

for her health and safety, and offering your assistance to help her declutter.

If she takes you up on it, most professional organizers recommend decluttering in small steps. Take one room at a time or even a portion of a room at a time. This will help prevent your mom from getting overwhelmed.

Before you start, designate three piles or boxes for your mom’s stuff: one pile is for items she wants to keep and put away, another is the donate pile, and the last is the throwaway pile.

You and your mom will need to determine which pile her things belong in as you work. If your mom struggles with sentimental items that she doesn’t use, like her husband’s old tools or her mother’s china, for example, suggest she keep only one item for memory’s sake and donate the rest to family members who will use them.

You will also need to help her set up a system for organizing the kept items and new possessions.

Find Help If you need some help with the decluttering and organizing, consider hiring a professional organizer who can come to your mom’s home to help you prioritize, organize, and remove the clutter.

The nonprofit group National Association of Productivity and www.50plusLifePA.com

Organizing Professionals has a directory on their website (www.napo. net) to help you locate a professional in your area. Their phone number is (856) 380-6828.

If your mom has a bigger, more serious hoarding problem — if her daily functioning is impaired or if she is having financial difficulties, health problems, or other issues because of her hoarding — you’ll need to seek professional help.

Antidepressants and/or talk therapy can help address control issues, anxiety, depression, and other feelings that may underline hoarding tendencies and make it easier for her to confront her disorder.

To learn more and find professional help, contact the International OCD Foundation at (617) 973-5801; they provide a hoarding center on their website (www.hoarding.iocdf.org) that offers information, resources, treatments, self-help groups, and more.

Also see Hoarding Cleanup (www. hoardingcleanup.com, (800) 4627337), a site that has a national database of qualified resources, including cleaning companies and therapists that can help.

No Need for Disguises.

We’re Pet Friendly!

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

HOOP from page 9 saw the plastic circle as a royal pain.

One New Jersey school board banned Hula Hoops from the playground after kids returned to class after recess “too wound up.”

Hooping became an overnight British craze, but the British Medical Journal soon reported an increase in neck, back, and upper abdominal pains with prolonged use. Russians scoffed at the toy as a mindless craze and declared it further proof of “the emptiness of American culture.”

Like most instantly popular fads, Hoopmania exploded onto the scene overnight and died off just as quickly.

In November 1958, the Wall Street Journal proclaimed, “Hoops Have Had It.” Ten years later, though, in a reaction to growing nostalgia for the “carefree” days of the 1950s, Wham-O reformulated their nearly forgotten toy with noisy ball bearings that rolled around inside the hoop as it twirled.

Alas, the “Shoop Shoop Hula Hoop” faded fast and proved the Wall Street Journal to be right after all.

Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@ msn.com.

Hotline to Assist Grandparents Raising Grandchildren A new hotline to help connect thousands of grandparents who are raising their grandchildren to the resources and programs available to them is now live.

KinConnector can be reached by calling 1-866-KIN-2111, or (866) 5462111.

The KinConnector helpline is staffed by social service professionals prepared to help families understand and access local, state, and federal resources.

A website of resources will also be available in the near future.

The KinConnector hotline was established through Act 89 of 2018 to address the growing number of grandparents who have become primary caregivers to their www.50plusLifePA.com

At Harrison Senior Living, we believe that your four-legged friend can improve your overall health and happiness; that’s why we pride ourselves on being a pet-friendly community.

After all, your pets are family too.

www.Harrisonseniorliving.com

H

N

Independent Living Personal Care Respite Care

grandchildren in the commonwealth.

It is a situation that has skyrocketed in recent years as a result of the state’s opioid epidemic. An estimated 82,000 grandparents are the sole caregivers for nearly 89,000 grandchildren in Pennsylvania.

300 Strode Avenue East Fallowfield, PA 19320 610.384.6310

Short-Term Rehabilitation Long-Term Care Memory Care Respite Care 41 Newport Avenue Christiana, PA 17509 610.593.6901

See our website for more locations and information.

50plus LIFE u

September 2019

11

Traveltizers

By Andrea Gross

Sept. 12, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lebanon Expo Center 80 Rocherty Road Lebanon

Nov. 7, 2019

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Farm and Home Center 1383 Arcadia Road Lancaster

This event is FREE to attend.

Veterans (of all ages), 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.

At the Expo

Veterans Benefits & Services Medical/Nonmedical Resources Products and Services Available Support/Assistance Programs Education/Training Services

At the Job Fair

Employers Job Counseling Workshops Employment Seminars Resume Writing Assistance Hosted by:

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

www.veteransexpo.com

Brought to you by:

12

September 2019

(717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com

50plus LIFE u

Hello and Bonjour in New Brunswick

Two rows of young men are standing before me, poised at crisp attention and perspiring heavily.

The perspiration is understandable because despite the 90-degree heat, the men are formally outfitted in white helmets and heavy red coats with high black collars. About 100 people are staring at us.

I’ve been selected The Changing of the Guards is a ceremonial from among the throwback to the 1800s when British Loyalists onlookers to “inspect the ruled Fredericton. guards,” a ceremonial throwback to the 1800s when the British were settling North America.

At that time, Fredericton, now the capital of the Canadian province of New Brunswick (www. tourismnewbrunswick. ca), was a refuge for U.S. Loyalists who remained true to the crown while many of their brethren championed an independent United Kings Landing was constructed using old States. buildings that belonged to original settlers.

The head cadet and I walk down the aisles, checking the troops.

Their boots — polished. surrounding counties have more Their pants — pressed. Their jackets craftspeople per capita than any other — neatly belted. place in Canada.

“Satisfactory,” I say.

During the summer, free concerts He nods and leads his men through are performed on the old military a high-stepping series of formations. parade ground, and people can enjoy Then they strut off the green to the 50 miles of well-maintained walking delight of the many tourists. trails that follow the banks of the St. Fredericton is awash with free and John River. low-cost tourist-pleasing activities. In But for us the biggest attraction is addition to the changing of the guards, Kings Landing, a recreated Loyalist the Historic Garrison District is filled village. There are no power lines and with museums and old government no motor vehicles. Instead we find buildings and surrounded by trendy wagons with wooden wheels, women restaurants and craft shops. with hooped skirts, and men with hoes In fact, Fredericton and the two and fiddles. www.50plusLifePA.com

As we wander through the 70plus buildings that once belonged to settlers from the surrounding area, we speak with articulate and knowledgeable costumed interpreters: a woman who is quilting, a lad who is tending his horse, a man who is working at the sawmill. They tell us stories about Village Historique Acadien shows how the Acadians the former owners of the various homes and lived from the mid-1700s through the mid-1900s. workplaces.

Two hundred miles to the north, life was very different. The French were also lured by the agriculturally rich area, and by the mid-1600s they had established communities in the region they called Acadia.

In 1755, after years of increasingly hostile skirmishes between the two European powers, the British ordered the Acadians to pledge allegiance to the In the Acadian parts of the province, the French crown. The Acadians word arrêt precedes the English word stop. refused, and the British ordered them deported.

Thousands lost their lives as they were herded onto small boats and forced out to sea. Others fled to the American colonies or other parts of Canada, hiding until it was safe to return to the rural areas of New Brunswick. There they eked out a living in British-controlled territory.

Today New Brunswick is the only Canadian province that is officially bilingual. People who live in the central and western parts of the province trace their heritage to England, while those in the north and east are fiercely French in their customs and language.

As we proceed up the coast toward the Village Historique Acadien, which is the French counterpart to Kings Landing, the Acadian flag seems to be everywhere. It’s painted on the fronts of buildings, flies on poles in the yards of private homes, and hangs from ropes strung in front of gas stations.

By the time we reach Caraquet, even the stop signs have changed to reflect

Like 50plus LIFE? Then “Like” 50plus LIFE!

www.facebook.com/50plusLIFEPA

“Like” us on Facebook to receive a free 6-month subscription!

Plus, you’ll receive event updates, story links, and more!

www.50plusLifePA.com

the predominant population. Whereas in Fredericton the English word stop is above the French arrêt, in this part of New Brunswick, the arrêt precedes the stop.

To visit the Village Historique Acadien is to time travel through Acadian life from after the Deportation (Le Grand Dérangement) in the mid-1700s up to Spinning is one of the crafts depicted the mid-1900s. at Village Historique Acadien.

As we did in Kings Landing, we make our way through the village — stopping at homes, sipping beer at the tavern, watching fish processing at the hatchery — while interpreters help us understand daily life in French Canada.

It’s easy to see that life in Acadia was difficult.

“Acadians started the day with the sun and ended with the sun,” says one woman, as she adjusts her apron and adds some vegetables to the stew that’s cooking over the fire. “They had to work hard, but c’est la vie.”

As is true on most of our trips, the more we learn, the more we want to know. But now we have to say farewell to New Brunswick — in two languages, of course.

Au revoir and goodbye.

Photos ©Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (andreagross.com). www.traveltizers.com

ADVANCED HEARING AID TECHNOLOGY

“I was amazed!

Sounds I hadn’t heard in years came back to me!”

— Don W., Sherman, TX

For Less Than $200

How can a hearing aid that costs less than $200 be every bit as good as one that sells for $2,250 or more?

The answer: Although tremendous strides have been made in Advanced Hearing Aid Technology, those cost reductions have not been passed on to you. Until now...

MDHearingAid® uses the same kind of Advanced Hearing Aid Technology incorporated into hearing aids that cost thousands more at a small fraction of the price.

Over 300,000 satisfied MDHearingAid customers agree: High-quality, FDA-registered hearing aids don’t have to cost a fortune. The fact is, you don’t need to spend thousands for a 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” appointments. You can contact a licensed hearing specialist conveniently online or by phone — even after your purchase at no cost. No other company provides such extensive support.

Now that you know...why pay more?

Can a Hearing Aid Delay or Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

A study by the National Institute on Aging suggests older individuals with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop Alzheimer’s and 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!

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR 45-DAY RISK-FREE TRIAL!

Hearing is believing and we invite you to try this nearly invisible hearing aid with no annoying whistling or background noise for yourself. If you are not completely satisfied with your MDHearingAid, return it within 45 days for a FULL REFUND. Use Code HQ99 and get

For the Lowest Price Call

1-888-508-4879

50plus LIFE u

FREE Batteries for 1 Year Plus FREE Shipping

September 2019

13

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

Sept. 10 and 24, 6:30-8 p.m.

Bereavement Support Group Jennersville Hospital Conference Room B 1015 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove (610) 998-1700, ext. 226

Sept. 3, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Grief Support Group Phoenixville Senior Center 153 Church St., Phoenixville (610) 327-7216

Sept. 11, 1:30 p.m.

Family Caregiver Support Group Sarah Care 425 Technology Drive, Suite 200, Malvern (610) 251-0801

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 Sept. 5 and 19, 11 a.m. to noon – Veterans Coffee Club Sept. 11 and 25, 1-2 p.m. – Bingo

Sept. 3 and 17, 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.

Sept. 11, 7-8:30 p.m.

Hearing Loss Support Group Christ Community Church, Second Floor 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester (484) 402-4907 hlaaachesco@gmail.com www.hearinglosschesco.com

Sept. 3 and 17, 6:30-8 p.m.

Bereavement Support Group Brandywine Hospital Conference Room 2N 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville (610) 998-1700, ext. 226

Sept. 17, 6 p.m.

Family Caregiver Support Group Sunrise of Westtown 501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester (610) 399-4464

Sept. 4, 6 p.m.

Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group Sunrise Assisted Living of Paoli 324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern (610) 251-9994

Sept. 19, 12:30-2:30 p.m.

To Live Again … Support and Socialization for Widows and Widowers Surrey East Goshen 1201 N. Chester Road, West Chester (610) 389-1124

Sept. 9 and 23, 10:30 a.m. to noon Caregiver Coffee Break/Support Group Active Day of Exton 201 Sharp Lane, Exton (610) 363-8044

Sept. 25, 6 p.m.

Living with Cancer Support Group Paoli Hospital Cancer Center 255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli (484) 565-1253

Community Programs Free and open to the public Sept. 3, 11:30 a.m.

West Chester University Retirees Luncheon Call for location (610) 269-1503 Sept. 5, 7:30 p.m.

Compassionate Friends Valley Forge Chapter Good Shepherd Lutheran Church 132 E. Valley Forge Road, King of Prussia (484) 919-0820 www.tcfvalleyforge.org

Sept. 7 and 21, 5-10 p.m.

Bingo Night Marine Corps League Detachment 430 Chestnut St., Downingtown (610) 429-8174 Sept. 17, noon AARP Valley Forge Chapter Meeting St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 647-1823

If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

Downingtown Senior Center – (610) 269-3939 983 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown www.downingtownseniors.org Weekdays, 2 p.m. – Aquatics Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. – Technology 101 Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Games and Puzzles Great Valley Senior Center – (610) 889-2121 47 Church Road, Malvern Sept. 11, 11 a.m. – Lunch & Learn: Free Legal Services Sept. 17, 5 p.m. – Senior Supper Sept. 26, 5 p.m. – F ascinating Facts about Theodore Roosevelt Kennett Area Senior Center – (610) 444-4819 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square http://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 http://phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org West Chester Area Senior Center – (610) 431-4242 530 E. Union St., West Chester http://wcseniors.org Thursdays, 1 p.m. – WCASC Chorus Submit senior center events to mjoyce@onlinepub.com.

Library Programs Avon Grove Library, 117 Rose Hill Ave., West Grove, (610) 869-2004

Sept. 3 and 16, 3 p.m. – Sit & Knit Sept. 5 and 12, 6:30 p.m. – Craft and Create Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. – Book Club Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (610) 269-2741

Sept. 17, 10-11 a.m. – Book Walkers Sept. 17, 6:30 p.m. – Crafters Maker Space Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. – Downingtown Library Writers Group Paoli Library, 18 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996

Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times West Chester Public Library, 415 N. Church St., West Chester, (610) 696-1721

14

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

www.50plusLifePA.com

Puzzle Page

CROSSWORD

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16 SUDOKU

WORD SEARCH

Gemstones

Across 1. Bridge actions 5. Styptic 9. Preface, briefly 14. China setting 15. Shopper stopper 16. Water wheel 17. Split apart 18. Audio recording 20. Tease 22. Kind of party 23. ___ amis 24. Fortune 25. Chime 26. Old World duck

28. EU language 29. Guitar relative 33. Heroic poem 34. It can be shocking 35. Tiny swimsuit 37. Eyeglass 39. Weakling 40. Unsaturated alcohol 41. Office machine 42. River isles 43. British gun 44. Word of possibility 45. Fair attraction 46. Group of two

48. Go for the gold?

49. Heating fuel 52. Double curve 53. Good-for-nothing 57. Final demands 61. Dismounted 62. Memorize 63. Great times 64. Straight, at the bar 65. Fringe benefits 66. Pickable 67. Not all

21. Depressed 25. Toothpaste type 26. Vision problem 27. Haystacks painter 28. Command to a horse 30. Slavic natives 31. Not bold 32. Related maternally 33. German spa 34. Annex 35. Kind of seat 36. “___ show time!”

38. Denounces 39. Period of time 41. Craze

44. Overlord 45. Kind of race 47. It’s a free country 48. Sheriff’s group 49. Swig 50. Toward shelter, nautically 51. Hollywood Boulevard sight 54. Butter alternative 55. Musical kingdom 56. Fem. suffix 58. Peeve 59. Mentalist Geller 60. Tourist’s aid

Down 1. Owl’s hangout 2. Fortuneteller’s opening 3. Have supper 4. Horseback riding result, maybe 5. Good point 6. Asian language 7. Eskimo knife 8. Teacher 9. Printing process 10. ___’easter 11. Streetcar 12. Food grain 13. Acorn producers 19. Family room

Your ad could be here on this popular page!

Please call (610) 675-6240 for more information.

www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE u

September 2019

15

Foil Falls Before They Take You Down

By Eric Edelman

Puzzles shown on page 15

Puzzle Solutions

exercises can help improve balance and prevent falls, there exists meaningful evidence that the discipline of tai chi may reduce the risk of falling There’s truth in numbers, and the sad in older adults. truth is that nearly 3 million older adults In brief, the ancient Chinese practice of tai in this country go to the emergency room chi is a soft martial art whose name translates each year for fall-related injuries — this approximately as “supreme, ultimate harmony.” according to the Centers for Disease With the ultimate purpose to enhance life and Control. balance, tai chi is based on the principles of yin and Among seniors, falls have the dubious yang, with yin representing the parasympathetic distinction of being the No. 1 cause of nervous system (rest and digest) and yang the fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, sympathetic nervous system (fight or flight). and loss of independence.

Tai chi involves soft, slow movements in As we age, we may develop more risk opposite directions (yin and yang) to increase factors that can lead to a fall. During the strength and improve flexibility and concentration. normal aging process, individuals have Fall Prevention Awareness Week It can also restore self-confidence in those who have decreased muscle strength and a slowing of Sept.

23–29 fallen in the past and fear a repeat performance. reflexes and balance reactions, and they can To achieve balance, tai chi employs principles develop fear of falling. of upright posture, coordinated breathing, weight shifting, and slow, fluid Balance and gait are also affected by neurological conditions, such as movements. The slow, smooth, and continuous movements of tai chi help Parkinson’s disease or stroke, in addition to complications related to visual strengthen internal muscles that support and strengthen the spine. disturbances, diabetes, and unstable blood pressure.

In addition to its physical benefits, this form of gentle resistance can calm And with aging, we also tend to take more prescription medications; in fact, the National Institutes of Health indicates that those taking four or more the mind, helping reduce falls resulting from sudden movements that lead to significant blood pressure drop, particularly in those who take medication that prescriptions have an increased risk of falling. can cause blood pressure variations.

According to the CDC, 1 in 5 falls causes a serious injury, such as a broken Tai chi practitioners are mindful of the importance of transferring weight bone or head trauma. The severity of such an injury can be compounded if the with each step; this assists mobility, coordination, and balance and places injured takes certain medications, such as blood thinners. emphasis on upright and supple posture to further strengthen muscles.

So, how can we mitigate the fear and the actual act of falling? Balance and That said, tai chi — which can best be described as a moving form of gait training can be beneficial and accomplished by performing exercises on meditation — is extremely low impact, placing minimal stress on joints and level or uneven surfaces. muscles.

A basic balance exercise can be done by positioning the body to the side Regular vision examinations, good lighting, and fall-proofing measures of a chair, placing one hand on the chair for support, and standing with feet throughout the home are certainly part of the fall-prevention mix. shoulder width apart.

Remove unnecessary obstacles, such as throw rugs and electrical and phone Weight is then shifted to the left foot while the right foot is slowly lifted; the cords, from walkways; repair loose floorboards or carpeting; store clothing and position should be held for 30 seconds to maintain balance. food items within easy reach; use nonslip mats in tub/shower; place nightlights The process is then repeated with the left side, and, as it becomes easier, the in bedrooms and bathrooms; and immediately clean spilled liquids/food. exercise can be done without the additional support of the chair.

Don’t be a statistic — by practicing basic balance, resistance training, Movement can also be added to the raised foot, such as writing your name stretching programs, or tai chi in concert with taking simple fall-prevention or a portion of the alphabet with the toe of the right foot while balancing on measures throughout the home, you have a much better chance of not the left. becoming one of this year’s 3 million to visit the ER for a fall-related injury.

Balance discs, foam pads and rollers, balance boards, and stability balls are tools that can add variety and challenge to balance-training programs.

Improvement in balance can also be realized with resistance training and Eric Edelman, PT, is the owner of Peak Physical Therapy & Sports Performance with locations in Scituate, Norwell, Quincy, and Hanover, Mass. stretching programs. While these and other “traditional” physical therapy

16

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

www.50plusLifePA.com

Financial Focus

Steven Brettler

Achieving Financial Well-Being after the Loss of a Spouse

Losing a spouse is a traumatic event. It drains your emotions and makes it hard to focus on simple daily tasks, let alone financial matters.

Unfortunately, financial obligations don’t stop for grief; there are bills to be paid and decisions to be made.

Taking an active role in understanding the key financial issues you could face before they happen can help you implement a plan that will bring more confidence and clarity to your life.

Your Journey to Financial Well-Being The loss of a spouse can be financially derailing. This is especially true if the family’s financial obligations are managed by just one partner.

Suddenly, you could be met with an unfamiliar set of worries: Do I have enough income to maintain my lifestyle? Will I be able to stay in my house or will I need to sell it?

What do I do about my spouse’s retirement account? Can I collect on my spouse’s Social Security benefits?

These questions can be overwhelming and confusing. Rather than tackling them all at once, these important steps can help you begin your journey to financial well-being: Before: Gather information about all your financial documents.

Talk to your spouse about where the passwords and account numbers are; whom to contact at various banks; and where the will and other important documents are kept.

These may include bank and brokerage statements, retirement statements, credit card statements, loan information, property titles, business agreements, tax returns, and life insurance policies.

After: Prioritize your financial obligations.

If you have any joint accounts, begin retitling them, but consider keeping a joint checking account open for at least one year in the event you receive checks made payable to your spouse.

As bills come in, pay the most important obligations first. These typically include mortgage and car payments, taxes, utilities, and insurance premiums.

If you’re not sure how much cash you have available, consider making minimum payments on credit cards until you have a budget in place.

Honor a “Decision-Free Zone” While some financial decisions require immediate attention, others can wait. www.50plusLifePA.com

Consider committing to a oneyear “decision-free zone” where you avoid making any major, irrevocable decisions that involve large investments, gifts to family members or charities, and your home.

Instead, focus on paying the bills and running your household as you usually do. If you receive a large sum of money from an insurance policy, deposit it in the bank. This will give you the time you need to adjust to your new life and make more objective financial decisions.

Create a Plan and Stick to It Determine your spending needs by tracking your household income and expenses for a few months. This will help you understand how much you will need to achieve your definition of financial security.

In the event of losing a spouse, regaining your financial balance isn’t easy, but you don’t have to do it alone.

It may be a good idea to surround yourself with a support team you can trust. An experienced team of advisers, including an accountant, estate attorney, and financial advisers, can help you make informed decisions and provide critical support when you need it most.

Steven Brettler is a financial adviser and branch manager with Morgan Stanley in Greenville, Del. He may be reached at (302) 573-4027 or advisor.morganstanley. com/steven.brettler.

Footnotes 1 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information, July 2018.

2 John Hancock Insurance Long-Term Care Calculator. Based on five years of private room nursing home care during the years 2048 to 2052, and assuming a hypothetical 4.1% annual inflation rate.

3 Society of Actuaries (www.soa.org) Simple Life Expectancy Calculator (2017). Averages takes into account age and sex, using the 2012 Individual Annuitant Mortality table, with 1% mortality improvement.

4 EBRI Notes, Employee Benefit Research Institute, January 2017.

Disclosures Article by Morgan Stanley and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor. Steven Brettler is a Financial Advisor in Greenville, DE at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). He can be reached by email at steven.brettler@ms.com or by telephone at 302-573-4027. His website is https://advisor. morganstanley.com/steven.brettler This article has been prepared for informational purposes only. The information and data in the article has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice and has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. The strategies and/or investments discussed in this article may not be suitable for all investors. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Insurance products are offered in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s licensed insurance agency affiliates.

Steven Brettler may only transact business, follow-up with individualized responses, or render personalized investment advice for compensation, in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration, https://advisor.morganstanley.com/steven.brettler © 2018 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 2283635 10/2018

50plus LIFE u

September 2019

17

Flu Shot Clinics Scheduled throughout County The Chester County Health Department will be offering flu vaccinations this fall at a variety of community locations for anyone over 6 months of age.

Most insurance will be accepted. If individuals have insurance, they should bring their cards with them to the clinic.

For those who do not have insurance, or whose insurance does not cover the cost of a flu vaccine, a flu shot will be provided at no charge.

No appointments necessary.

• Oct. 3, 3–7 p.m. – Unionville High School, 750 Unionville Road, Kennett Square

• Sept. 26, 2:30–6 p.m. – Great Valley Middle School, 225 N. Phoenixville Pike, Malvern

• Oct. 10, 2:30–6:30 p.m. – Kennett High School, 100 E. South St., Kennett Square

• Oct. 4, 5–7:30 p.m. – Oxford Union Fire Company No. 1, 315 Market St., Oxford • Oct. 7, 2:30–6 p.m. – Fugett Middle School, 500 Ellis Lane, West Chester

Classifieds

help wanted General TRUCK DRIVER TRAINEES NEEDED at Stevens Transport! Earn $1000 per week! Paid CDL Training! No experience needed! 1-844-452-4121 drive4stevens.com Notice Miscellaneous AIRLINES ARE HIRING - Get FAA approved hands on Aviation training. Financial Aid for qualified students - Career placement assistance. CALL Aviation Institute of Maintenance 888-686-1704 MEDICAL BILLING TRAINEES NEEDED! Train at home for a career as a Medical Office Professional at CTI! 1-833-7664511 AskCTI.com Eliminate gutter cleaning forever! LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 15% off and 0% financing for those who qualify. PLUS Senior & Military Discounts. Call 1-855-995-2490 Spectrum Triple Play! TV, Internet & Voice for $99.97/mo. Fastest Internet. 100 MB per second speed. Free Primetime on Demand. Unlimited Voice. NO CONTRACTS. Call 1-877-338-2315 or visit http://tripleplaytoday.com/ news Recently diagnosed with LUNG CANCER and 60+ years old? Call now! You and your family may be entitled to a SIGNIFICANT CASH AWARD. Call 877-648-6308 today. Free Consultation. No Risk.

Start Saving BIG On Medications! Up To 90% Savings from 90DAYMEDS! Over 3500 Medications Available!

Prescriptions Req’d. Pharmacy Checker Approved. CALL Today for Your FREE Quote. 844-584-5104 Over $10K in Debt? Be debt free in 24 to 48 months. No upfront fees to enroll. A+ BBB rated. Call National Debt Relief 866-243-0510

Stay in your home longer with an American Standard Walk-In Bathtub. Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-855-534-6198 PROTECT YOUR HOME AND FAMILY with Vivint Smart Home. Call 844-475-6160 today to receive a FREE $50 GIFTCARD with your purchase. Use promo code: FREE50 MobileHelp, America’s Premier Mobile Medical Alert System. Whether You’re Home or Away. For Safety and Peace of Mind. No Long Term Contracts! Free Brochure! Call Today! 1-855-401-6993 BATHROOM RENOVATIONS. EASY, ONE DAY updates! We specialize in safe bathing. Grab bars, no slip flooring & seated showers. Call for a free in-home consultation: 888-912-4745 DENTAL INSURANCE. Call Physicians Mutual Insurance Company for details. NOT just a discount plan, REAL coverage for 350 procedures.888-623-3036 or http://www.dental50plus.com/58 Ad# 6118 ATTENTION OXYGEN THERAPY USERS! Inogen One G4 is capable of full 24/7 oxygen delivery. Only 2.8 pounds.

FREE information kit. Call 877-929-9587 A PLACE FOR MOM has helped over a million families find senior living. Our trusted, local advisors help find solutions to your unique needs at no cost to you. Call 855-741-7459 WANTED Automobiles Donate Your Car to Veterans Today! Help and Support our Veterans. Fast - FREE pick up. 100% tax deductible. Call 1-800-245-0398 CARS/TRUCKS WANTED!!! 2002 and Newer! Any Condition. Running or Not. Competitive Offer! Free Towing! We’re Nationwide! Call Now: 1-888-416-2330.

CASH FOR CARS: We Buy Any Condition Vehicle, 2002 and Newer. Nationwide Free Pick Up! Call Now: 1-800-8645960.

Placing your classified ad is as easy as 1,2,3!

1. Choose a Category

COST

$50 for up to 45 words.

MAIL

50plus LIFE Attn: Classifieds 3912 Abel Drive Columbia, PA 17512

FOR SALE o Antiques o Appliances o Automobiles o Boats o Computers/Electronics o Furniture o Household Goods o Lawn & Garden o Sporting Goods

o Tools o Miscellaneous HELP WANTED o Business Opportunities o General

NOTICE o Announcements o Garage/Yard Sale o Lost & Found o Miscellaneous o Services Provided REAL ESTATE o Apartment for Rent o Foreclosures

o o o o o

House for Rent House for Sale Land Miscellaneous Timeshares

WANTED o Automobiles o Miscellaneous

2. Write Your Ad (45-Word Maximum)

______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________

3. Provide Your Information and Submit

PHONE

717-285-8130

Your Name ___________________________________ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­

# of Months to Run ____________________________

Address ______________________________________

Check Enclosed o or

City ________________ State ____ Zip __________ ­­

Credit Card # _________________________________

Phone _______________________________________

Exp. Date _______________ CVV Code __________

Email ________________________________________

Authorized Signature __________________________

On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to refuse any advertisement. A $30 service charge will be added for any returned checks.

18

September 2019

50plus LIFE u

www.50plusLifePA.com

• Oct. 14, 2:30–6 p.m. – Octorara Senior High School, 226 Highland Road, Atglen • Oct. 17, 3–6 p.m. – Gordon Early Literacy Center, 351 Kersey St., Coatesville • Oct. 21, 3–6:30 p.m. – Owen J. Roberts Middle School, 881 Ridge Road, Pottstown • Oct. 24, 2:30–6:30 p.m. – Fred S. Engle Middle School, 107 School House Road, West Grove • Oct. 26, 10 a.m. to noon – Phoenixville Hospital Fall Festival, Hospital Parking Lot, 140 Nutt Road, Phoenixville • Nov. 4, 3–6 p.m. – Tredyffrin/Easttown School District Administration Office, West Valley Business Center, 940 West Valley Road, Suite 1700, Wayne

Remember What Labor Day is All About

�

Th �� e �

�

e

�

2018

o ic

este Best of Ch r County �

�

��

�

�

�

����

Ask about our limited-time promotional rates

(484) 760-6300

400 N WALNUT STREET, WEST CHESTER, PA 19380 WWW.THEHICKMAN.ORG

Please join us for these FREE events!

23rd Annual

Sept. 18, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Spooky Nook Sports 2913 Spooky Nook Road Manheim

LANCASTER COUNTY

Sept. 25, 2019

17th Annual

As you fire up your grill one last time for the summer, remember that Labor Day is about more than barbecuing.

This yearly celebration of the American worker is a tribute to labor’s contribution to the economic and social well-being of the United States.

Labor Day originated in an age of 12-hour workdays, seven-day-a-week schedules, child labor, and terrible working conditions. Its origins aren’t clear.

Some say that Labor Day originated in 1882 with Peter J. McGuire, a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor.

Others claim that a machinist named Matthew Maguire proposed the celebration while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York.

However, there’s little dispute that the first Labor Day parade was held on Sept. 5, 1882, when 10,000 workers in New York City marched from City Hall to Union Square.

The Central Labor Union selected the first Monday of September as its annual holiday in 1884.

The first state to recognize Labor Day officially was Oregon, in 1887. By 1894, 23 more states had followed suit, and in that same year Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September a legal holiday throughout the country.

L o c a l R e a d e r s’ il y Da � � � � � Ch

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

York Expo Center Memorial Hall East 334 Carlisle Ave., York

YORK COUNTY

20th Annual

Oct. 16, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Carlisle Expo Center 100 K Street Carlisle

Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars • Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available (717) 285-1350 (717) 770-0140 (610) 675-6240

www.50plusLifePA.com

www.50plusExpoPA.com 50plus LIFE u

September 2019

19

BOOK YOUR VACATION NOW � CALL FOR LIMITED�TIME SAVINGS FROM

1,549

$

FROM

*

$

1,299 *

2,349 *

2,099 *

$

$

FREE INTERNET

FREE BEVERAGE PACKAGE

GREECE & HER ISLANDS

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS CRUISE & TOUR

Athens • Mykonos • Santorini

Oahu • Maui • Hawaii • Kaui

10 days, departs March - September 2020

12 days, departs year-round

Go back in time for a 10-day trip through the heart of ancient Greece. Start with 3 fascinating days in Athens, where you will enjoy visits to the Parthenon, the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, and more, after meeting your fellow travelers at a delicious welcome dinner. Then it’s on to 2 of the most popular Greek islands—striking Mykonos, famous for its windmills, whitewashed buildings and domed churches; and Santorini, named by numerous publications as the world’s top island. Return to Athens by ferry for your final night in Greece.

Discover Hawaii on this island-hopping cruise tour. Spend 7 nights aboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s renovated Pride of America and enjoy freestyle cruising at its finest. Experience the lush Iao Valley on Maui, the beauty and charm of Hilo, Kona’s coffee-rich “Gold Coast,” and Kauai’s spectacular Na Pali coast and Waimea Canyon. Your land tour includes Pearl Harbor and Honolulu city tours, and time to relax on world-famous Waikiki Beach. Guided on Oahu by our friendly Tour Directors—your local experts.

FROM

1,749

$

FROM

*

1,549 *

$

1,499 *

1,299 *

$

$

FREE ONBOARD CREDIT

CRIMSON CANYONS & MESAS NATIONAL PARKS TOUR Las Vegas • Grand Canyon • Bryce Canyon • Zion • Arches • Capitol Reef National Park • and more!

10 days, departs May - September 2020 Prepare to be awed as you experience the stunningly red rocks of these 6 iconic southwestern national parks. Formed by the elements over countless centuries, these natural treasures are still grand enough to make our jaws drop.

Experience several of the most popular National Parks in America, traveling through deserts, forests, mountains, and to the very edge of one of the natural wonders of the world.

GRAND ALASKAN CRUISE & TOUR Seattle • Vancouver • Ketchikan • Juneau • Skagway • Glacier Bay National Park • Anchorage • and more 12 days, departs May - September 2020 Enjoy a cruise & tour between Seattle and Alaska including 7 nights aboard Holland America Line’s ms Westerdam and 4 nights on land. You’ll cruise the Gulf of Alaska and the Inside Passage—a sea lane teeming with marine wildlife, where you’ll pass glaciers, mountains, and lush forests, with stops in Ketchikan, Skagway and magnificent Glacier Bay. On land, you’ll go deep into Denali National Park, tour Anchorage, and see the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center.

GUIDED TOUR EXPERTS � CALL FOR YOUR FREE BROCHURE TM

Promo code N7017

CALL 1�855�400�0373

*Prices are per person based on double occupancy plus up to $299 in taxes & fees. Cruise pricing based on lowest cabin category after Instant Rebate is applied. Single supplement and season surcharges may apply. Add-on airfare available. Onboard Credit requires purchase of Ocean View or Balcony Cabin.

For Hawaiian Islands Cruise & Tour, Free Internet and Free Beverage Package offers vary based on cabin category purchased. Additional service charges are required and payable to YMT with final balance for select Set Sail offers. For full Set Sail terms and conditions ask your Travel Consultant. Offers apply to new bookings only made by 11/30/19. Other terms & conditions may apply.