Complimentary | Chester County Edition
December 2016 • Vol. 13 No. 12
Suspense Author Rewrites ‘Retirement’ page 4
small towns celebrate christmas in big ways page 10
Flu Vaccines for older adults page 18
On Life and Love after 50
Tom Blake
Your family
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December 2016
Chester County AD 5 x 12.5”
50plus LIFE u
Men Have Trouble Meeting Women
Usually, it’s the women who comment to me that meeting mature single men is difficult. But, lately, older men have also said meeting older single women is difficult. One man, who lives in a Philadelphia suburb, contacted me by telephone, saying he’d like to be introduced to the 68-year-old woman I wrote about in my October article. I told him she would want to see a photo of him and asked if he would email it to me so I could forward it to her. And, I asked how far away from his home he would be willing to date a woman. He said he doesn’t own a computer so he can’t email a photo. Plus, he does not drive or own a car. Those two conditions will make dating hard for him. Without a computer, he won’t be able to meet anyone online, and without a car, meeting someone who lives more than a few miles from him will also be difficult. When I pointed out those things to him, he said he’d give the single women at his church another look. Martin emailed: “I’m 55 and single. I read in your columns that men can meet women anywhere if they are willing to get out of the house. But, I find that reunions, weddings, grocery stores, Laundromats, adult-education classes, bookstores, and churches are hit or miss. Even internet profiles don’t work because the lady you see probably isn’t the lady you get.
“I’ve tried many of the places you have recommended and many of them don’t work.” I responded to Martin. “You say, ‘Many places don’t work.’ You need to try them all. It only takes one. Keep looking and put a positive spin on your search.” Al, 64, wants to know: “How does an average-looking guy like me compete? Where are the average women? In every group I join, there are always five to 10 more men than women, sometimes more. “Even at church, there are more older men than older women. I don’t care what women do— they can wait tables, cashier, be retired, whatever. I just want to find a nice, gentle, intelligent, plain-looking woman to spend my life with. Where are they?” Perhaps Al should join a sewing or knitting club. At least he would find more women in places like that. Richard, 71, says he’s in great shape, works out regularly, is nice looking, a good dresser, is educated, and owns a home. But, he has a tough time meeting women because he’s an engineer and works only with men, so he does not meet single women at work. “All I meet are women who’ve been divorced twice and mollycoddle their grandkids and who have a number of women friends they shop with at expensive stores. Men are not in their mainstream.” I suggested Richard expand his search by seeking women who www.50plusLifePA.com
aren’t totally involved with their grandchildren and don’t shop at expensive stores. Where? That’s up to him; he needs some outside-of-work interests where he’ll meet single women more to his liking. Mike emailed: “In my church, I can’t find single women in my age group. They all seem to be a bit older. Like Social Security-collecting older.”
Besides church, Mike needs to go to other places to meet women. Volunteering to help others less fortunate and internet dating are two recommendations. Bill, who lives in Florida, said, “I’ve never married, have no children, and can put a woman first. I’m looking for a woman who will do the same. “I’ve been in relationships where the grandkids come first, the job
second, and the relationship third. When one slips to third on the priority list, it’s time to say adios.” Maybe Bill isn’t meant to be in a relationship. In Florida, there are a plethora of older women who would love to have a mate. He needs to ask himself, “What am I doing wrong?” The men featured in today’s article are whining a bit too much. They need to get out and join in new
activities, make new friends, and exhibit positive attitudes. And then, they may catch the eye of a nice mature woman, of which there are plenty, in most every city and town across America. For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www. FindingLoveAfter50.com.
At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away. Dental services Anna Giacalone, DMD 100 Ridge Road, Suite 36 (610) 558-1760 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 Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Chester County (800) 720-8221 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (800) 272-3900 American Cancer Society (800) 227-2345 American Heart Association (610) 940-9540 Arthritis Foundation (215) 665-9200
www.50plusLifePA.com
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (800) 232-4636 Coatesville VA Medical Center (610) 383-7711 Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233 National Osteoporosis Foundation (800) 223-9994 PACE (800) 225-7223 Senior Healthlink (610) 431-1852 Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 Southeastern PA 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 Housing Authority of Chester County (610) 436-9200 Housing Authority of Phoenixville (610) 933-8801 JEWELERS American Gold & Estate Buyers, Inc. 363 E. Lincoln Highway, Exton (484) 872-8216 Legal Services Lawyer Referral Service (610) 429-1500
retirement living Friends Home in Kennett 147 W. State St., Kennett Square (610) 444-2577
Legal Aid of Southeastern PA (610) 436-4510 Pine and Pine Law Offices 104 S. Church St., West Chester (610) 344-7100 Nutrition Meals on Wheels Chester County Inc. (610) 430-8500 Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (800) 366-3997 Office of Aging Chester County Department of Aging Services (610) 344-6350 orthopedics Premier Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Associates LTD Kennett Square – (610) 444-1344 West Chester – (610) 692-6280 West Grove – (484) 748-6148 personal services Butler-Ette Services (484) 770-8059
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.
Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Physicians The Center for Interventional Pain & Spine Locations in Bryn Mawr, Exton, and Wilmington (844) 365-7246 Gateway Medical Associates Locations in Coatesville, Downingtown, Lionville, and West Chester (610) 423-8181 50plus LIFE u
December 2016
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Cover Story
Suspense Author Rewrites ‘Retirement’
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December 2016
50plus LIFE u
By Megan Joyce Publishing technology has changed significantly since Sherry Knowlton’s childhood, when she cranked out a school newsletter on a mimeograph machine in the principal’s office. But Knowlton is still fascinated by the process of putting ink on paper—especially now that the words printed are her own. Knowlton, who graduated from Dickinson College in 1968, embarked on what has become a successful novelist career after retiring from fulltime work in 2009. “Like most authors, my interest in writing grew from my love of reading,” Knowlton said. “As a small child, my mother and father read me stories. As soon as I learned to read on my own, I spent hours with my nose in a book, as my mother would say. “I’d sneak books to bed at night and read under the covers by flashlight,” she said. “I bicycled to the town library at least once a week to get a new stack of books.” Elementary-school writing awards followed, as did that experience of printing the school newsletter on the mimeograph— and she later edited her high school newsletter and yearbook. Knowlton cites a range of authors among her influences, including Ernest Hemingway, John D. MacDonald, John Grisham, Tracy Chevalier, and Jane Austen. “I’ve probably read Pride and Prejudice 10 times. I’m a total sucker for Mr. Darcy and the triumph of romance,” she said. Knowlton’s series of suspense novels follows Alexa Williams, a young lawyer living in SouthCentral Pennsylvania “who keeps stumbling into dangerous situations,” Knowlton said. “Each book tells a unique, contemporary story with a historical subplot.” Her two first novels in the Alexa Williams series, Dead of
The third book in Knowlton’s Alexa Williams suspense series, titled Dead of Spring, is due to be released in early 2017.
Autumn and Dead of Summer, were published by Sunbury Press in September 2015 and July 2016, respectively. The next in the mystery series, Dead of Spring, is slated for release in early 2017. “The options for publishing vary widely these days, ranging from the traditional, big New York publishing houses to smaller, independent presses to selfpublishing,” Knowlton said. The idea for Knowlton’s first book, Dead of Autumn, came from her knowledge of two Central Pennsylvanian historical crimes: the 1993 murder of a young Russian woman found dead in the forest near Carlisle, and the Depression-era “Babes in the Woods” case, where three girls were found dead in the forest near Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Knowlton’s love of creative writing remained a neglected avocation while in the throes of her career. She spent more than 20 years working for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare (now the Department of Human Services) before becoming deputy secretary for medical assistance programs. “Before writing these books, I’d never done any novel-length fiction … Although I’ve always wanted to tackle a novel, all my earlier attempts fell to the wayside due to the time pressures of career
and family,” Knowlton said. After her tenure with the Department of Human Services, Knowlton moved to executivelevel jobs in the health insurance industry, culminating in her roles as senior vice president and general manager of a national health insurer. When that company downsized, Knowlton had the opportunity to take early retirement in 2009 and began her own part-time healthcare consulting company. “When I began to work as a consultant, I decided that it was ‘now or never’ to begin work on that novel I’d always wanted to write,” Knowlton said. “Working part-time and setting my own schedule gave me the freedom to spend a considerable amount of time writing.” Knowlton still consults occasionally but has scaled back significantly to focus on her novels, which are available online from Amazon.com and IndieBound and at Barnes & Noble and Sunbury Press. Much of Knowlton’s career included professional writing, such as writing regulations and policy, proposals, speeches, and policy statements. To write a suspense novel, however, Knowlton relies on several forms of research, both online and in person. In addition to scouring books and documents and visiting sites featured in her books, Knowlton has cultivated relationships with a wide range of professionals, including contacts in law enforcement and the legal system for her crime-related research. “I’ve spoken to farmers for information on crop cycles; physicians for information on gunshot wounds; state regulators for background on things as disparate as adoption and hydraulic fracturing,” Knowlton said. “I’ve found that people are remarkably generous in sharing their expertise with me.” www.50plusLifePA.com
Knowlton and her husband are avid travelers, starting with their postcollege sojourn around the United States in their self-described “hippie van” and their stop at the infamous Woodstock music festival in 1969. More recently, the Knowltons have broadened their journeys beyond the U.S. to places such as the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Africa, South America, and Indonesia. “In general, travel has expanded my horizons by exposing me to new experiences, new cultures, and different ways of life,” Knowlton said. “Being out of your element and pushing the limits of your comfort zone can teach you powerful lessons.” Her travels have also afforded Knowlton a rich source of settings for her novels, enabling her to comfortably place her protagonist in exotic locales, like the Golden Triangle region of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, and on African safaris. Less familiar, and therefore more challenging, to Knowlton has been adjusting to her role as the public face of her writing and as a crucial cog in its marketing machine. These days, authors—especially new ones—must play an active part in publicizing their work. “Before Dead of Autumn was released, I hadn’t fully appreciated all the effort that authors need to put into promoting their books,” she said. “That effort includes doing
events, often maintaining a blog or newsletter, and more. “Although I struggled with that unfamiliar aspect at first, I now have a knowledgeable publicity team that makes the process much smoother.” This year alone, Knowlton has done a number of book-related events, including appearing on a panel in New York City at the International Thriller Writers’ ThrillerFest conference. Having successfully established a burgeoning “second career” postretirement, Knowlton now makes a point of reading books from upand-coming authors to help pull them up into the spotlight, working specifically with International Thriller Writer’s Debut Author initiative. “As a fairly new author myself, I know how hard it is to break through and connect with an audience of readers,” she said. Despite her newfound appreciation for the business side of publishing, at heart Knowlton’s drive stems from the transportive, simple joy of the written word, from recalling the nostalgic comfort of huddling nosedeep in a novel smuggled under the bedcovers. “As long as I can remember, I’ve liked to lose myself in a world of make-believe—whether I was reading a book or writing a story of my own.” For more on Sherry Knowlton and her novels, visit www.sherryknowlton. com.
Older But Not Wiser
The Weigh-in
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My yearly physical was coming up, and that, of course, meant the dreaded, horrible, humiliating weighin. I consider the scale at the doctor’s office my enemy. The yearly ritual is the same—I stand on the base of the scale as the nurse keeps sliding the little cylindrical weight to the right as the pounds add up. And each pound is marked by a little notch, like the notches on an outlaw’s gun. www.50plusLifePA.com
This year I desperately wanted to beat the scale and get below 200 pounds. When I was in high school, I weighed 165 pounds. How did I gain so much? Yeah, yeah, I know it’s because I eat like a horse—I was hoping for another explanation. Anyway, to get below 200 I had to use my own rituals—and nothing as ridiculous as going on a diet. please see WEIGH-IN page 7
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It Was 50 Years Ago Today
‘Last Train to Clarksville’ Randal Hill
Q: What do “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Eve of Destruction,” “Give Peace a Chance,” and “Last Train to Clarksville” all have in common? A: During the 1960s, each became a million-selling antiwar song. Wait a minute! A teenybopper Monkees hit belongs on that contentious list? Yes, and soon you too will be saying, “I’m a believer.” In September 1965, both Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter ran an unusual advertisement: Madness! Auditions. Folk and Roll Musicians – Singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running parts for four insane boys, age 17–21.
“Last Train to Clarksville” The Monkees December 1966
Included among the tryout hopefuls were Stephen Stills (later of Crosby, Stills, and Nash), Danny Hutton (later of Three Dog Night), and—supposedly but never verified— mass murderer Charles Manson.
From the 437 applicants, coveted roles went to musicians/non-actors Mike Nesmith and Peter Tork and actors/non-musicians Davy Jones and Mickey Dolenz. The quartet was hired to ape the
Beatles’ zany antics in their debut movie A Hard Day’s Night. (Writer Barney Hoskyns once declared the advent of the Monkees a “post-moptop surrealism for pre-teens, with great songs thrown in as part of the package.”) And great songs they often were. Songwriting partners Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart composed the “manufactured” band’s first single. “Last Train to Clarksville” took its chord structure, “jangly” guitar sound, and tight vocal harmonies directly from the Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” from earlier in 1966. In fact, Hart had thought that Paul McCartney was singing something about a “last train” rather than “paperback writer” at the song’s fadeout. Knowing that The Monkees was to
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We at On-Line Publishers, Inc. are grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportive advertisers who have all enabled us to continue our mission to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community in 2016. We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50plus LIFE a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment for our readers in Central Pennsylvania. At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.
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December 2016
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be a music/comedy TV show in the style of A Hard Day’s Night, Boyce and Hart figured they couldn’t go wrong emulating the Fab Four. The songwriting pair wanted a simple title that would be easy for fans to remember. On Songfacts (www.songfacts.com), Hart explained, “We were just looking for a name that sounded good. There’s a little town in northern Arizona I used to go through called Clarksdale. We were throwing out names, and when we got to Clarksdale, we thought Clarksville sounded even better.” Boyce and Hart both opposed the Vietnam War, and they wanted the first Monkees “45” to include their take on the conflict. But both writers knew they had to exercise caution. “We couldn’t be too direct with the Monkees,” Hart admitted later. “We
really couldn’t make a protest song out of it. We kind of snuck it in.” In the tune’s storyline, a young soldier pleads with his girlfriend to say goodbye at a train station. He knows he may die in the war, hence the downbeat, often-repeated line, “I don’t know if I’m ever coming home.” The Monkees debuted on NBCTV in September 1966, and “Last Train to Clarksville” on the Colgems Records label rocketed to No. 1 within weeks. While Boyce and Hart would also write the group’s sixth and final hit (“Valleri”), only the first of the Monkees’ tunes offered up a serious (if subtle) antiwar statement. Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.
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WEIGH-IN from page 5 1. Wardrobe – I wear shorts and a short-sleeved shirt to my examination because they weigh less. I do this even if it’s below 50 degrees outside. 2. Parking – I park two blocks away from the doctor’s office. The first reason is that he doesn’t validate. And most important, I hope to lose an ounce or two by walking to the doctor’s office. (If it’s below 50 degrees, I run to the doctor’s office.) 3. The Sample – I ask to give my urine sample before I step on the scale. I figure that’s another 3 or 4 ounces—5 ounces if I drank a lot of black coffee that morning. 4. Emptying My Back Pocket – I remove my wallet. It’s a fat one. There’re expired credit cards and coupons from stores that have gone out of business. These artifacts are part of my life but will not be part of my weight. 5. Emptying My Left Pocket – I take out my keys, cell phone, and change. Hey, they definitely add up. 6. Emptying My Right Pocket – I www.50plusLifePA.com
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take some Kleenex out of my pocket. OK, that’s a little crazy, but it fits my personality. 7. Removing Clothing – Don’t get excited; I’m just taking off my shoes and belt. 8. Trying to Cheat – I get on the scale and slightly lift my left foot into the air, thinking this will bring my weight down. The nurse starts to giggle and says that technique doesn’t work. I put my foot back down on the scale. 9. Exhale – OK, I’m really not sure if air weighs anything, so I looked it up on the internet. This is what I found: A column of air 1 square centimeter has a mass of about 9.8N. Lung capacity of an adult male is about 5.8 liters. In other words, I still have no idea if air weighs anything. But just to be safe, I do exhale, letting all the air out of my lungs. The nurse then begins her ritual of sliding the small cylindrical object until she’s satisfied that she has my correct weight. And miracle of miracles, I’m under 200 pounds. OK, it’s just barely, but I did it. I inhale, taking a deep victory breath. Uh oh, I’m back to 200.
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Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes Bethany Village — MapleWood
325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: Yes Personal Care Home: Yes Private: 100 Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom suites; secured memory support neighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.
The Bridges at Bent Creek
2100 Bent Creek Blvd. • Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 717-795-1100 • www.thebridgesatbentcreek.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: No
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Home-like setting, personalized, tailored care and healthcare, secured memory supports, peace of mind. Call today!
Colonial Lodge Community
2015 North Reading Road • Denver, PA 17519 717-336-5501 • www.coloniallodgepa.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 70 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *SSI depends on availability. A veteran-approved “home for heroes” facility, all in a beautiful, rural setting.
Harrison House of Chester County
300 Strode Avenue (Rt. 82) • East Fallowfield, PA 19320 610-384-6310 • www.harrisonseniorliving.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 80 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Excellent arts and entertainment programs. Affordable rates and professional staff. Call to schedule a tour.
Homeland Center
1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 56 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Providing exemplary care in a beautiful environment for more than 149 years. Our continuum includes a hospice program, therapy services, home care and home health services, and 24-hour medical staffing. All-private rooms with full baths and kitchenettes.
Homewood at Plum Creek
425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewood.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 92 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Excellent care in a lovely environment. Call to schedule a visit.
The Middletown Home
999 West Harrisburg Pike • Middletown, PA 17057 717-944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 64 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Beautifully appointed apartments overlooking the garden terrace with the safety and security of 24-hour nursing care.
Pleasant View Retirement Community
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Fragments of History
10 Quick Facts about Santa Claus Victor Parachin
1. He’s only been “Santa Claus” for about 300 years. When the Dutch came to the United States in the 17th century, they brought along “Sinter Claus”—their name for St. Nicholas. Before long, Sinter Claus was Anglicized to Santa Claus. 2. He first slid down a chimney in 1809. In Washington Irving’s satire book A History of New York, he characterized Santa Claus as a portly, bearded man who slid down a chimney. 3. His reindeer were introduced in 1832 via a poem written by Clement Clark Moore, “’Twas the Night before Christmas.” Their names were Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen. The popular reindeer, Rudolph, was
introduced in a 1939 booklet written by Robert L. May. 4. He became a department store Santa in 1890 when Massachusetts businessman James Edgar developed the idea of dressing up in a Santa Claus costume as a marketing tool. It worked, as children from all over the state begged their parents to take them to Edgar’s small dry-goods store in Brockton, Massachusetts.
5. He was a bachelor until the 19th century. Mrs. Claus was first introduced in the 1849 short story A Christmas Legend by James Rees. Over the next decades, other poems and stories referenced his wife. 6. He helps the Salvation Army. Around 1890, the Salvation Army needed more money to pay for the free Christmas meals they provided to needy families.
They came up with idea of dressing unemployed men in Santa Claus suits and assigning them to New York City streets to solicit donations. Those familiar Santas continue to ring bells on behalf of the Salvation Army. 7. He is immortalized in song. Every December he appears in songs such as “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” and “Santa Baby.” New songs about him continue to be added. 8. He has a town named after him: Santa Claus, Indiana. The town was established in 1854 and was originally known as Santa Fe, Indiana.
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Traveltizers
By Andrea Gross
Small Towns Celebrate Christmas in Big Ways
St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1565, is festooned with 3 million lights. These represent the candles that brighten Spanish homes during the Christmas season. The town of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, features a parade of les petits chanteurs who sing French carols, while the Kansas community of Lindsborg, settled by Swedes in the late 19th century, celebrates Christmas with Scandinavian music and folk dancing. And so it goes. Across the United States, people come together to observe the holidays in ways that combine quintessentially American customs while at the same time honoring the traditions of their ancestors. Here, a spotlight on three towns that speak to the best of America: its commonalities as well as its diversity. St. Augustine’s Spanish Heritage I take a sip of water. According to legend, this water, which comes from a natural spring near St. Augustine, Florida, is going to bestow upon me a magical gift—the gift of eternal youth. Convinced that they’d found the storied Fountain of Youth, the Spanish, along with enslaved AfricanAmericans and native Timucuan Indians, established the first
Photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com
St. Augustine honors its Spanish heritage by putting lights in the windows of downtown buildings.
Photo courtesy of Ste. Genevieve Tourism
Photo by Irv Green
The Colonial Spanish Quarter in St. Augustine is filled with museums, eateries, and shops that reflect the town’s heritage.
Photo by Irv Green
Ste. Genevieve’s holiday parade honors the town’s many traditions.
Ste. Genevieve is known for its well-preserved collection of early French architecture.
permanent settlement in what became the United States. Then, knowing that their families back in Europe were celebrating the Fiesta de Navidad, they celebrated a Christmas Mass. It was the first Christmas in the New World. I swallow the water, but it’s laden with sulfur and smells like hardboiled eggs. I’d rather have eggnog.
Today, St. Augustine’s annual “Nights of Lights,” which has been selected by both National Geographic and the Smithsonian as one of the world’s best holiday displays, begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs through the end of January. Ste. Genevieve’s French Connection Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, 60 miles
south of St. Louis, is a charming town of 4,500 people, most of whom trace their ancestry back to France. We explore streets filled with intriguing shops and eateries, stopping for nearly an hour at ASL Foundry, where we watch folks craft pewter plates, goblets, and—to my delight— Christmas ornaments. Finally, we make our way to the town’s historic district, which has gained worldwide recognition for its collection of French Creole buildings. Christmas in the historic district begins the day after Thanksgiving with Vieux Noël in Lights, during which folks follow a path marked with signs that tell the Christmas story. The path ends at a small crèche that has been secreted in a boxwood grove. The Holiday Christmas Festival, which takes place a few days later on the first weekend in December, celebrates 500 years of the area’s rich musical traditions. Free performances feature everything from chamber concerts and violin concertos to church music and holiday carolers. For good measure, there’s even a grand holiday parade with Santa. In addition, the Felix Vallé State Historic Site hosts Le Réveillon, which features a French Christmas circa the early 1800s. As French music plays in the
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background, guides in historically accurate dress explain the various decorations and encourage people to taste test dessert items such as bûche de Noël, a sweet rendition of the Yule log. But the biggest holiday celebration is La Gulannée Watch Party on New Year’s Eve. Similar to the English custom of wassailing, partygoers dress in outlandish costumes and go from house to house begging for favors. Lindsborg’s Swedish Celebration In Lindsborg, Kansas, where more than a third of the residents are of Swedish descent, Christmas is all about music. The season kicks off the first Sunday in December with a musicfilled Jultide Concert and doesn’t fully end until spring, when the town choir performs the country’s longestrunning annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah. The biggest event of the season is the St. Lucia Festival, which celebrates the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. To brighten a time when light is in short supply, a young girl adorned
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Photo by Jim Turner
Lindsborg’s Christmas festivities, like those in Sweden, lighten the dark days of winter.
Photo by Jim Turner
Lindsborg is home to the world’s longest-running annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.
Photo by Irv Green
During the summer festivals, the streets of Lindsborg are filled with folk dancing.
Photo by Irv Green
Lindsborg has strong musical traditions.
with a crown of lighted candles is chosen to serve cookies and coffee. The candles, which are set among green leaves, are meant to show that the dark winter is turning into a bright spring. Finally, as Christmas winds down, folks begin to prepare for the spring presentation of Handel’s Messiah. Although the oratorio is traditionally associated with Christmas, only the first section focuses on the birth of Christ. The latter parts tell the story of death and resurrection and were originally intended to be performed at Easter. It is then, after a weeklong celebration, that the 200-person Bethany Lutheran Choir performs the well-known piece. As the last notes fade away, Lindsborg’s Christmas truly ends, just as the sights and sounds of spring begin to fill the air. Feliz Navidad, joyeux Noel, god Jul ... Happy holidays to all! For an expanded version of this article that includes other ways that these towns celebrate their heritage, see www. traveltizers.com. Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).
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Your Friends’ and Neighbors’ December Holidays The celebrations and holidays of December come from many different countries and cultures. Here’s a guide to what your friends and neighbors are up to this month: Hanukkah, Dec. 24 to Jan.1 Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem following the Jews’ victory in the Maccabean Revolt in 165 B.C. According to the Talmud, the Jews had only enough olive oil to keep the eternal flame in the temple burning for a single day—but miraculously, the oil continued to burn for eight days, during which time the Jews were able to produce and consecrate fresh oil for the flame. The eight-day Jewish holiday begins at sundown. Hanukkah is observed by the lighting of a nine-branched candelabrum, called a menorah. One candle is lit each of the eight nights, with a central candle lit each night to light the others.
Christmas, Dec. 25 This Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus, sometime between the years 7 and 2 B.C. The word Christmas comes from “Christ’s Mass,” a phrase first recorded in old English in 1038.
Christmas began to be observed with feasts and celebrations in the Middle Ages—the online encyclopedia Wikipedia notes that King Richard II of England
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Kwanzaa, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 A seven-day celebration of African heritage and culture, Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by activist Maulana Karenga to provide African-Americans with a holiday that emphasized their shared history and experience. The name Kwanzaa derives from “matunda yakwanza,” a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits.” Houses are decorated with African art and colorful cloth, and seven candles are placed in the kinara, a candleholder. The central candle in the kinara is black, with three red candles on the left and three green candles on the right. The candles represent the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, which are contemplated each day as one is lit: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
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England disapproved of Christmas celebrations, banning them during the 17th century. But other colonists observed the day with Christmas trees and nativity scenes. President Ulysses S. Grant signed
the law making Christmas a federal holiday in 1870.
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hosted a Christmas feast in 1377, with 28 oxen and 300 sheep eaten. The colonial Puritans of New
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Chester County
Calendar of Events
Support Groups Free and open to the public Dec. 6, 1:30 p.m. Grief Support Group Phoenixville Senior Center 153 Church St., Phoenixville (610) 327-7216 Dec. 6 and 20, 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. Dec. 6 and 20, 6:30–8 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Brandywine Hospital Conference Room 2N 201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville (610) 998-1700, ext. 226 Dec. 7, 6 p.m. Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group Sunrise Assisted Living of Paoli 324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern (610) 251-9994 Dec. 12 and 26, 10:30 a.m. to noon Caregiver Support Group Adult Care of Chester County 201 Sharp Lane, Exton (610) 363-8044
Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Hearing Loss Support Group Christ Community Church 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester (610) 444-445 www.hearinglosschesco.com Dec. 13 and 27, 6:30–8 p.m. Bereavement Support Group Jennersville Hospital Conference Room B 1015 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove (610) 998-1700, ext. 226 Dec. 14, 1:30 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sarah Care 425 Technology Drive, Suite 200, Malvern (610) 251-0801 Dec. 20, 6 p.m. Family Caregiver Support Group Sunrise of Westtown 501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester (610) 399-4464 Dec. 28, 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 Dec. 1, 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 Dec. 3 and 4, 1–5 p.m. Annual Model Railroad Open House Schuylkill Valley Model Railroad Club 400 S. Main St., Phoenixville (610) 935-1126 www.svmrrc.com Dec. 3 and 17, 5–10 p.m. Bingo Night Marine Corps League Detachment 430 Chestnut St., Downingtown (610) 429-8174
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Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m. West Chester University Retirees Luncheon For restaurant location, please email darsie@verizon.net Dec. 20, noon AARP Valley Forge Chapter Meeting St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 688-5733 Dec. 21, 7:30 p.m. Quiet Christmas Service Grove United Methodist Church 490 W. Boot Road, West Chester (610) 350-9372 www.grovechurch.org If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Senior Center Activities Coatesville Area Senior Center – (610) 383-6900 250 Harmony St., Coatesville – www.coatesvilleseniorcenter.org Monthly Veterans Coffee Hour – Call for date and time Downingtown Senior Center – (610) 269-3939 983 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown – www.downingtownseniors.org Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 11–11:45 a.m. – Wake Up! Cardio Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – Chorus Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Games and Puzzles 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 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 West Chester Area Senior Center – (610) 431-4242 530 E. Union St., West Chester – www.wcseniors.org Just a snippet of what you may be missing … please call or visit their website for more information.
Parks And Recreation Dec. 3, 9–10 a.m. – Resolution Hike, Nottingham County Park Dec. 10, 9–10 a.m. – Paws on the Path, Wolf’s Hollow County Park Dec. 10, 10–11 a.m. – Predators of Pennsylvania, Warwick County Park
LIBRARY PROGRAMS Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (610) 269-2741 Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. – Fantasy Book Club Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m. – Downingtown Library’s Writers’ Group Dec. 22, 6:30 p.m. – Reading the Classics Paoli Library, 18 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996 Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times 50plus LIFE u
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Health Matters
Holiday Help for Alzheimer’s Caregivers Lisa M. Petsche
Many people consider the holiday season a hectic time, due to the preparations and festivities that typically take place. Staying sane, not to mention enjoying this special time of the year, is even more of a challenge when you are caring for someone with dementia. If your relative has changed significantly, you may be particularly uneasy about the approaching holidays. Follow these suggestions to help keep stress manageable for everyone in your household.
• Keep presents stored away until it’s time to exchange them. • Be prepared when friends ask for suitable gift ideas for your relative. Suggestions should take into account cognitive and physical limitations.
Gifts • Shop by mail order, online, or buy gift cards. • Use decorative bags and boxes to streamline wrapping.
Decorating • Don’t decorate too far in advance. • Keep decorations minimal and out of reach as much as possible. Forgo anything valuable or fragile. • Avoid lights that flash or play music
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and sound- or motion-activated items. • Don’t keep food, such as a gingerbread house, out in the open. • Don’t let extension cords dangle or run across walkways and don’t rearrange furniture. • Steer clear of decorations that could be harmful if ingested. Entertaining • W henever possible, entertain at home rather than go out. Familiarity provides comfort. • Prepare guests for your relative’s cognitive and physical functioning and any uncharacteristic behaviors. • Enlist a friend to supervise your relative while you’re engaged in hosting duties. • Keep rooms well lit, since shadows may cause confusion and fear. Avoid candles. • Keep music soft and familiar. • Keep gatherings small. Otherwise, situate your relative in a quiet spot and have guests visit one or two at a time. • Instruct guests to introduce themselves to your relative by name and relationship—for example, “I’m Mary, your brother John’s wife.” • Place guests’ coats and handbags in a secure area if your relative is prone to rummaging. • Clean up immediately after entertaining, before your relative has a chance to consume anything that might make them ill. • Before inviting overnight guests, consider how disruptive this might be to your relative’s routines.
Outings • If you accept an invitation, do so on the condition that you may back out if your relative is having a bad day. • Limit the time and ensure there’s a quiet place your relative can retreat to if they can’t handle the stimulation. • Take along medications, adapted dishes and utensils, a bib, extra briefs, and a change of clothes as needed. • Recognize that your relative may not eat as well as they normally do, owing to anxiety or distractions. • Attend an event without your relative, if it’s not feasible to take them with you. Further Tips • Let family and friends know your needs and limitations. • Share plans with your relative on a need-to-know basis. • Include your relative in simple preparations to make them feel valued. • Share holiday memories. Bring out photo albums or home movies and play favorite seasonal music. • Schedule holiday activities during your relative’s best time of the day. Space them out and try to stick to routines. • Have a plan in place to deal with challenging behaviors that may arise. • Don’t pressure your relative to participate in festivities. Previously enjoyed events may cause distress if they don’t understand the significance or no longer recognize family or friends. • Last, but not least, find something relaxing you can do each day. And do treat yourself to a special gift. Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. She has personal and professional experience with elder care.
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CROSSWORD
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16 SUDOKU
brainteasers
More Singers of the Top Songs of the ’50s Find the last names of the singers of these top songs of the ’50s: 1. “Honeycomb,” 1957 – Jimmie __________s 2. “It’s Not for Me to Say,” 1957 – Johnny __________s 3. “Singing the Blues,” 1957 – Guy __________l 4. “Jamaica Farewell,” 1957 – Harry __________e 5. “Great Balls of Fire,” 1958 – Jerry Lee __________s 6. “Splish Splash,” 1958 – Bobby __________n 7. “Peggy Sue,” 1958 – Buddy _________y 8. “All the Way,” 1958 – Frank __________a 9. “Johnnie B. Goode,” 1958 – Chuck __________y 10. “Lipstick on Your Collar,” 1959 – Connie __________s Radio Shows of the ’50s Find the titles of these radio shows that were popular in the ’50s. Many of them were popular both before and after the ’50s: 1. Amos ’n’ A_____ 2. My Little M_____ 3. Can You T_____ This? 4. The C_____ Kid 5. F_____ McGee and Molly 6. Gang B_____ 7. The Green H_____ 8. Hopalong C_____ 9. The Life of R_____ 10. S_____ King Written by Alan Stillson. Please see http://stillsonworks.com
Across
1. Cut off 4. Aeneid 8. To and ___ 11. Roof 12. ___ B. Toklas 14. Appeal 15. Dill seed 16. Jamborees 17. Expel 18. Majestically 20. Hateful 22. Age 23. Affirmative vote 24. Egg holders
28. Retrieve 30. Mollusk 31. Gazelles 33. Adolescent 35. Macaw 36. Fuse together 37. Dig 38. Shade trees 39. Goal 40. Brink 41. Porters 42. Locomotive type 45. Saddle horses 47. Disease controller
48. Wildebeest 49. Watering hole 52. Tern 55. Revolves 57. Thought 60. Transported, as gas 62. Workspace 63. Perjurer 64. Fling 65. College studies 66. Allow 67. Not daughters 68. My (Fr.)
25. Moth-eaten 26. Conditions 27. Sp. ladies (abbr.) 28. Craze 29. Wife of Hagar the Horrible 30. Single 31. Spirit 32. More anile 34. Fir, for example 36. Espouses 37. Actress Dolores ___ Rio 38. Golfer Ernie 41. Meet
43. Sweetener 44. Ostrich relative 46. Electrodes 49. Cubic meter 50. Blighters 51. Queries 53. Old records (abbr.) 54. Mouth parts 56. Garden man 57. Sick 58. Expire 59. Consume 61. Country club figure
Down
1. Hermit 2. Gr. letter 3. Conservation org. 4. Young bird 5. Performed on stage 6. Cooking additive 7. Swindle 8. Grippe 9. Thing, in law 10. Cereal grain 11. Challenge 13. Compass point 14. Cornbreads 19. Caustics 21. Some
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More Singers of the Top Songs of the ’50s
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December 2016
1. Jimmie Rogers 2. Johnny Mathis 3. Guy Mitchell 4. Harry Belafonte 5. Jerry Lee Lewis
6. Bobby Darin 7. Buddy Holly 8. Frank Sinatra 9. Chuck Berry 10. Connie Francis
Radio Shows of the ’50s 1. Amos ’n’ Andy 2. My Little Margie 3. Can You Top This? 4. The Cisco Kid 5. Fibber McGee and Molly
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6. Gang Busters 7. The Green Hornet 8. Hopalong Cassidy 9. The Life of Riley 10. Sky King
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Is This Thing On?
Abby Stokes
How to Navigate Google Maps on Your Smartphone
Whether you want to find your way to your granddaughter’s ballet class or finally drive cross country, it’s time for you to learn to use the free GPS app on your smartphone or tablet. Google Maps is an app that offers global mapping with satellite imagery, street maps, and actual traffic conditions as well as route planning for getting from here to there by foot, car, bicycle, and public transportation. So where a smartphone has improved driving safety is when it’s used for navigation. With a car phone holder accessory, your smartphone hangs from the rearview mirror or attaches to the dash, letting you be hands-free while it guides you on your way—much better than trying to read an unwieldy map while driving. Visit the store on AskAbbyStokes.com for some choices about car phone holders. Google Maps vs. Maps
If you have an iPhone, Google Maps may not be preinstalled; iPhones come pre-installed with Maps. They are very similar in purpose and use, but we’re focusing specifically on Google Maps.
Finding Your Way Around Before we ask Google Maps to provide directions, let’s get used to some of its features. To find yourself,
Once you see your destination on the screen, tap on the blue circle in the bottom right. The next screen will allow you to choose whether you’re
tap on . The map will then zero in on your current location. From here, you can pinch or spread the screen to zoom in or out of your location.
traveling by car
The blue dot represents where you are. At the top of the screen is a text box where you type in the address of your destination. As you type, suggestions for what you seek will start to appear in a list below. If your destination appears, then you can stop typing and tap on it. But be sure that it’s the correct town and state—not just the street. There are a lot of 25 Main Streets out there!
Thank You, Volunteers! On-Line Publishers, Inc., and 50plus LIFE would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of the individual and senior group volunteers who donated their time and efforts at our 2016 50plus EXPOs and the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fairs. Because of your assistance, we were able to bring the contents and the mission of 50plus LIFE to life for the residents of Central Pennsylvania!
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transportation
, public , foot
, or
bicycle . The next screen gives you a choice of route, if there is a choice. Tap on whichever route you desire, and then tap on the arrow in the blue circle at the bottom right. The screen will also show the length of the trip and the estimated time of the trip. Once you’ve tapped on the arrow, you’re on your way. The app will now talk you through the journey, while the map indicates your place en route and alerts you to when and how soon your next turn will be. Any calls, texts, or emails will be
held on the phone until you’ve arrived. So, please don’t be tempted to answer any overtures while you are in transit. Happy trails! Abby Stokes, author of “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming and its companion website, AskAbbyStokes.com, is the Johnny Appleseed of Technology, singlehandedly helping more than 300,000 people cross the digital divide.
Thank You, Columnists! 50plus LIFE continues to bring important information as well as entertaining articles to the 50+ community. We at On-Line Publishers would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the editorial contributors of 50plus LIFE: Tom Blake (On Life and Love after 50) Mike Clark (The Way I See It) Suzy Cohen (Dear Pharmacist) Dick Dedrick (Nostalgia Road) Andrea Gross (Traveltizers) John Johnston (Social Security News) Bill Levine Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature) Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior) Victor Parachin (Fragments of History)
Saralee Perel (Such is Life) Dr. Leonard Perry (The Green Mountain Gardener) Mark Pilarski (Deal Me In) Sy Rosen (Older But Not Wiser) Terri Schlichenmeyer (The Bookworm Sez) Walt Sonneville (My 22 Cents’ Worth) Abby Stokes (Is This Thing On?) Nick Thomas (Tinseltown Talks) Dr. Lori Verderame (Art and Antiques) Robert Wilcox (Salute to a Veteran)
It is through the varied interests and considerable talents of our contributors and freelance writers that such a range of informative and entertaining content is available to read each month. The pages of 50plus LIFE are enriched by your contributions.
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Savvy Senior
Jim Miller
Flu Vaccines Designed Specifically for Older Adults
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any specific flu shots that are better suited for seniors? I just turned 65 and would like to find out what’s recommended and how Medicare covers it. – Semi-Healthy Senior Dear Semi-Healthy, There are actually two different flu vaccines available this year that are designed specifically for adults age 65 and older. One option is the Fluzone High-Dose, which has been available since 2010, and the other is the new FDA-approved FLUAD vaccine (you only need to get one of these). The Fluzone High-Dose (see www. fluzone.com) is a high-potency vaccine that contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune
response for better protection. The new FLUAD vaccine (www. fluad.com) also contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. The extra protection these vaccines provide is particularly helpful to individuals who have weaker immune defenses and have a great risk of developing dangerous flu complications. The CDC estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000
people in the hospital each year and kills an average of 24,000—80 to 90 percent of whom are older adults. But be aware that both the Fluzone HighDose and FLUAD are not recommended for people who are allergic to chicken eggs or those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. You should also know that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend one vaccination over the other, and to date, there have been no
studies comparing the two vaccines. If you decide you don’t want to get an over-65 flu shot, there are other options available, including the standard (trivalent) flu shot; the quadrivalent flu shot, which protects against four different flu viruses; and the FluBlok vaccine for those who have egg allergies. To locate a vaccination site that offers any of these flu shots, visit Vaccines.gov and type in your ZIP code. You’ll also be happy to know that as a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu shot, as long as your doctor, health clinic, or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays. Pneumonia Vaccines Two other important vaccinations
Stories of ordinary men and women called to perform extraordinary military service. Since 1999, writer and World War II veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox has preserved the firsthand wartime experiences of more than 200 veterans through Salute to a Veteran, his monthly column featured in 50plus LIFE. Now, for the first time, 50 of those stories— selected by Wilcox himself—are available to own in this soft-cover book.
Simply complete and mail this form with your payment to the address below to order Salute to Our Veterans. On-Line Publishers • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Name_ _______________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________ City_______________________________ State_ ____ Zip_ ______________ Phone_ _____________________ Email______________________________ Number of copies_ ______ (Please include $20.80 for each copy)
Every Hero Has a Name. Is your military hero also your spouse, child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor? Help us put a face and a name to the courageous men and women who are currently serving or who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Salute to Service
is an online photo gallery honoring the military heroes in our lives.
Upload your hero’s picture, name, and information at VeteransExpo.com/salute-to-service.
Credit card #______________________________________ Exp. date________ Signature of cardholder_________________________________CVV #________
Or send a check made payable to On-Line Publishers, Inc. You can also order online at www.50plusLIFEpa.com!
18
December 2016
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the CDC recommends to people over 65, especially this time of year, are the pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia. Around 1 million Americans are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 people die from it. The CDC is now recommending that all adults 65 or older get two vaccinations—Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are administered just once at different times, work in different ways to provide maximum protection.
If you haven’t yet received any pneumococcal vaccine, you should get the Prevnar 13 first, followed by Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. But if you’ve already been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23, wait at least one year before getting the Prevnar 13. Medicare Part B covers both shots if they are taken at least 11 months apart. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
9. He has other names: Grandfather Frost, Kris Kringle, Father Christmas, St. Nicholas, Papa Noel, and Old Saint Nick. 10. His residence is a mystery. Some say he lives in Finland. Others
say he resides in Sweden. Still others claim he lives in Greenland. Perhaps the most popular residence for Santa Claus is the North Pole. That was established by 19thcentury cartoonist Thomas Nash, who did a series of drawings for Harper’s Weekly. Nash’s drawings clearly show Santa living at the North Pole, where he has a workshop for building toys as well as a large book filled with the names of children who had been naughty or nice.
Around Town
This event is FREE to attend. Veterans (of all ages) and the military community and their families are invited to join us!
The Expo brings federal, state, and local agencies together with area businesses to provide information and resources to veterans and their families.
The Job Fair brings veterans and spouses who need jobs together with employers who can benefit from this rich source of talent to aid their organizations.
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:
Dr. William Stellfox, quartermaster of VFW Post 845, presents veteran Helmut Ascher with a pin on Veterans Day.
If you have local news you’d like considered for Around Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com
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York Expo Center • Memorial Hall East
At the Expo
Vets Honored at Downingtown Senior Center The Downingtown Area Senior Center held its annual Veterans Day celebration on Friday, Nov. 11. The West Chester University ROTC was in attendance to present the colors of every military branch, and each veteran present was awarded a certificate and pin to thank them for their service.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. 334 Carlisle Ave., York
SANTA from page 9 However, when the town tried to establish its postal service, the USPS declined their application, saying there was already a Santa Fe. Town meetings were held and the name Santa Claus, Indiana, was selected.
April 20, 2017
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available
www.veteransexpo.com (717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com
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December 2016
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