50plus LIFE Chester County December 2017

Complimentary

Chester County Edition | December 2017 • Vol. 14 No. 12

HONORED VOLUNTEERS KEEP MUSEUM ON TRACK page 4

special section: orthopedics & pain page 13

nutcracker collectibles page 26

Traveltizers

A Christmas Treat in Colonial America

By Andrea Gross

So tangy with spices and sweet with molasses that they’ve become a traditional holiday treat, so fragile that they’re often called “glass cookies” because they’ll shatter if dropped, Moravian cookies hold a special place in the hearts and stomachs of millions of folks.

But who are these Moravians, and how did their cookies become such an integral part of so many people’s holiday celebrations?

To find out, my husband and I go to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, one of the two largest Moravian communities in the United States, the other being Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The town, located about 100 miles west of Raleigh, is both a thoroughly modern city of approximately a quarter million people and the

The Moravians appreciate gardens for their beauty but also because they provide food, medicines, and craft materials.

home of Old Salem, a living history site that is so well preserved it has been declared a National Historic Landmark.

The modern city is known for its

Old Salem became known as a “merchant town” because so many of its residents were skilled craftsmen and women.

vibrant arts scene, culinary delights (many of which are Moravianinspired), and nearness to the more than 40 vineyards of Yadkin Valley.

But for us, the draw is historic

Old Salem. It’s not as well known as Williamsburg or Sturbridge, and while today’s Moravians blend into the dominant population in a way that the Amish with their distinctive dress do not, Old Salem provides visitors with a close-up view of life in the mid-18th century.

The Moravians are a religious group whose core beliefs are similar to those of other Protestant denominations, differing mainly in the details of specific rituals and practices. They left the old Central European countries of Bohemia and Moravia in the early 1700s and came to America seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity.

After stints in Georgia and Pennsylvania, they arrived in North Carolina, where in 1766 they

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founded the town of Salem. They soon became known for their hard work, fine craftsmanship, business ingenuity, and their absolutely delicious, supremely delicate, paperthin cookies.

Meanwhile, as the Moravian community flourished, the nearby secular city of Winston also became a thriving industrial center. In 1913 the two towns merged into a hyphenated whole, now known as Winston-Salem.

As we walk through the business district of Old Salem, an interpreter, clad in a traditional outfit that shows how people dressed during the heyday of the community, explains that the main ingredients for the traditional cookies — molasses, ginger, and cinnamon — were hard to come by in the Old Country, but an experienced baker could stretch the dough into incredibly thin sheets.

This literally made it go further and feed more. Why, some folks could roll the dough so thin that an inch-high stack would contain upwards of 16 cookies — a Christmas gift indeed!

Many of the stores on the main street have two doors, one that

Moravians were — and still are — known for their culinary talents.

traditionally led into a sales area and the other that opened into the owner’s home. Highly trained volunteers are hard at work inside some of the buildings, where they demonstrate historic trades, such as woodworking and gunsmithing.

Nearby is the Moravian Log Church, which was built in 1823 to serve Salem’s African and AfricanAmerican residents, most of whom were enslaved.

In 1861 it was replaced by St. Philips Church, now one of oldest existing African-American churches

Moravians were — and still are — known for their culinary talents.

in the United States. It was from this new pulpit that a Union Army Cavalry chaplain read the Emancipation Proclamation to the congregants.

Equally interesting is the Salem Tavern, a place to house “outsiders” as they passed through town on business. When it was built in 1784 to replace an older one that had been destroyed by fire, it was deliberately constructed without windows on the first floor.

“After all,” says our guide, “the townspeople didn’t need to know

what all those outside folks might be up to!”

Today the tavern is a museum, best known as a sleeping spot for George Washington, who stayed there for two nights while making good on his campaign promise to visit every state if elected.

Finally, we go to Mrs. Hanes’ Hand-Made Moravian Cookie Shop. It isn’t physically part of Old Salem — it’s 10 miles away — but culturally it’s as authentic as it can be. Owner Evva Foltz Hanes learned to make Moravian cookies from her mother, who in turn traces cookie-making in her family back six generations.

Today Mrs. Hanes’ shop, employing the famed Moravian penchant for resourcefulness, makes cookies in a variety of flavors, from traditional ginger to crispy chocolate, and ships them all over the world.

This is why people can happily enjoy Moravian Christmas cookies even in mid-July!

For more on North Carolina travel, see www.traveltizers.com. Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

Our new building will be complete in early 2018.

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December 2017

3

Cover Story

Honored Volunteers Keep Museum on Track 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 E-mail 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

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December 2017

50plus LIFE u

“I feel I just naturally flowed

By Jackie Chicalese from career to those volunteer

activities,” O’Brien said. “It’s History is an integral facet rather like they are extensions of culture and identity, and of what I’ve been doing, except two area men are promoting more fun.” the preservation and education Regarding O’Brien’s of Pennsylvania history 2016 Volunteer of the Year through their volunteer work acknowledgement, Patrick at the Railroad Museum of Morrison, museum director, Pennsylvania. noted that O’Brien “has always Like many, Douglas G. demonstrated a friendly and O’Brien and James “Stu” Jack helpful attitude toward visitors Jr. developed an interest in and his peers, as well as a real railroads as children. Despite dedication to the museum’s both men pursuing unrelated O’Brien, left, and Jack on a GP-30, collection and its mission.” professions — as a broadcaster of which more than 900 were built “I believe everyone has a and air separation manager, in a year and a half in the 1960s. duty to contribute some time respectively— their interest GP stands for “general purpose”; in fields where they can bring in trains did not wane as they the train was designed to handle their talents and skills to bear,” matured. virtually any assignment, and its After 30 years of styling was an attempt to move away O’Brien said.

For O’Brien, this broadcasting in New York from the boxy silhouette of earlier encompasses his role as City, O’Brien and his wife general-purpose diesels. caretaker of a large HO-gauge retired from city life in model railroad layout.

2014, returning to his wife’s “Until I arrived, there was apparently no one to hometown in Lancaster County. look after it,” O’Brien said.

O’Brien was already familiar with the Railroad The railroad runs five trains per day, six and a half Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. In the years days a week, 52 weeks a year, amounting to about prior to their retirement, he and his wife toured the 2,000 hours annually — roughly the amount of museum often, making four or five visits per year. hours most model railroaders run in a lifetime.

“I think I’ve known since the late 1980s that I Due to the complexity of the mechanical parts, as wanted some association with the museum,” O’Brien well as physical demand, the trains at the museum said. require regular maintenance.

Similarly, Jack and his wife, both natives of New “We’re always hopping,” O’Brien said. “Tracks and York state, transferred to southeast Pennsylvania in wheels need to be kept clean for maximum electrical 1976, settling in Chester County. contact, gears need to be lubricated, solder joints Once Jack retired, he began researching different break and need to be repaired — and we like to museums and service organizations with which he improve and enhance the layout with new and better could become involved. After reflecting on his train commutes into New York City as a worker, his Lionel scenery, more working track, and so on.”

Along with railroad maintenance, O’Brien is also trains as a child, and his work building a model qualified to lead educational tours of the museum, railroad for his sons in his basement, Jack had an which displays over 100 locomotives and cars from answer.

“The Railroad Museum was a natural choice since the mid-19th and 20th centuries.

O’Brien’s volunteerism does not end there, I have had a lifelong fascination with trains,” Jack however. He volunteers twice a week at said.

Lancasterhistory.org, where he leads tours through As an organization, the RRMPA aims to preserve Wheatland, President Buchanan’s home, and brings and exhibit railroad history, as well as educate the history to life, appearing in historical reenactments. public on the significance of railroads in the nation’s While O’Brien oversees the mechanics of the history.

RRMPA, Jack manages museum information.

O’Brien has been volunteering at the RRMPA He spends roughly half of his volunteer time in for four years, and in 2016 was named Volunteer the museum library. There, he researches old railroad of the Year. Jack has been volunteering for roughly three and a half years, and in 2017, received the same photos that have been given to the museum.

“Many of the photos have to be sorted and honor. identified by railroad, equipment type, location, O’Brien volunteers three to four hours a day, four or five days a week, at the museum. please see VOLUNTEERS page 6 www.50plusLifePA.com

Is that Still Safe to Eat? Is that fruitcake that’s been in your pantry since last year safe to eat?

Maybe not, but the CNN website offers this list of foods you can safely store for years: Honey. Because it’s low in water and sugars, bacteria can’t easily grow in it.

Small amounts of hydrogen peroxide in honey also inhibit the growth of microbes.

Dried legumes. Beans, lentils, and other legumes stored in airtight, waterproof containers can last for years without losing their nutritional value.

Soy sauce. Unopened, soy sauce can last for three years on the shelf, thanks

to its combination of fermentation and salt.

Vinegar. Its acidic nature makes it difficult for bacteria to thrive. White vinegar will stay unchanged almost indefinitely, but other vinegars may change color or produce sediment in the bottle over time.

White rice. The key is temperature. White rice stored in an airtight container at about 27 degrees Fahrenheit can last up to 30 years, although brown rice has a shorter shelf life.

Dark chocolate. Chocolate fans rejoice! As long as it’s stored at a constant temperature, dark chocolate is safe to eat for two years or longer.

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

Coatesville VA Medical Center (610) 383-7711

Chester County Emergency Services (610) 344-5000

National Osteoporosis Foundation (800) 223-9994

Salvation Army Coatesville (610) 384-2954

PACE (800) 225-7223

Salvation Army West Chester (610) 696-8746

Senior Healthlink (610) 431-1852

Emergency Numbers Central Pennsylvania Poison Center (800) 521-6110

Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213

Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233

Legal Services Lawyer Referral Service (610) 429-1500 Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (610) 436-4510 medical equipment & supplies Amramp 835 Sussex Blvd., Broomall (800) 649-5215; (610) 585-2308

retirement living Friends Home in Kennett 147 W. State St., Kennett Square (610) 444-2577 Harrison Senior Living Locations in Christiana and East Fallowfield (610) 384-6310 The Hickman 400 N. Walnut St., West Chester (484) 352-2307

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

Senior Centers Coatesville (610) 383-6900

Pennsylvania Hunger Action Center (800) 366-3997

Downingtown (610) 269-3939

Hearing Services Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY

Office of Aging Chester County Department of Aging Services (610) 344-6350

Great Valley (610) 889-2121

home equity loans Glendale Mortgage (610) 853-6500; (888) 456-0988

Oxford (610) 932-5244

home improvement Amramp 835 Sussex Blvd., Broomall (800) 649-5215; (610) 585-2308

Orthopedics Premier Orthopaedics Locations in Coatesville and Pottstown (610) 792-9292 personal services Butler-Ette Services (484) 770-8059

Wayne (610) 688-6246

American Heart Association (610) 940-9540

Housing Assistance Community Impact Legal Services (610) 876-0804

Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com

Arthritis Foundation (215) 665-9200

Housing Authority of Chester County (610) 436-9200

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (800) 232-4636

Housing Authority of Phoenixville (610) 933-8801

Physicians Gateway Medical Associates Locations in Coatesville, Downingtown, Lionville, and West Chester (610) 423-8181

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

www.50plusLifePA.com

Southeastern Pennsylvania Medical Institute (610) 446-0662

Kennett Square (610) 444-4819

Phoenixville (610) 935-1515

West Chester (610) 431-4242 transportation ROVER Community Transportation/ Krapf Transportation (484) 696-3854

50plus LIFE u

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December 2017

5

VOLUNTEERS from page 4

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Happy Holidays!

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 2017.

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.

dates, etc., prior to being stored digitally and made available online,” Jack said.

Morrison said Jack “is consistent, disciplined, and extremely hardworking” with “an uncanny ability to read people, provide a high level of attentiveness to their individual questions and interests, and really make a connection with them.”

In addition to his research for the museum, Jack spends time in the cab of several locomotives, educating visitors on the technical workings of the trains, how the trains were crewed, and the advancement in equipment technology.

“I do ‘pretend trips’ with [visitors], showing them how to operate the locomotive, how to make it go forward and back, how to stop it, how to blow the whistle, etc.,” Jack said.

For both men, the museum provides an opportunity for them to pursue responsibilities they find interesting and engaging.

“I’m doing precisely what I want to do, rather than what someone else wants me to,” O’Brien said.

“I genuinely enjoy the tasks I’ve undertaken.”

Not only are both volunteers able to assume duties of their own volitions, but they are also able to pass their passions on to visitors.

“When it is all said and done, I get to share what I have learned about railroads with all of our guests,” Jack said.

Along with the personal benefits they enjoy while volunteering, all the positive public interactions they experience motivate O’Brien and Jack

to continue their museum work.

One memorable encounter occurred while O’Brien was sitting down to work on layout.

“Out of nowhere, a 3-year-old boy climbed in my lap and asked what I was doing,” O’Brien said. “He very politely sat there while I worked, with grandparents and other visitors snapping away [on their cameras].”

Jack recalled a “pretend trip” that mesmerized a young lady. A man observing told Jack he had made the woman’s day with his demonstration.

“Of course, his remark made my day, too!” Jack said.

The volunteers’ main goal is to provide a pleasant, educational experience for all visitors, and to encourage them to return.

“When I see smiles leaving RRMPA, I know I’ve helped out,” O’Brien said.

“It is a labor of love,” Jack added.

“And I have 50 new grandchildren every day that I am out in our display hall. What can be better than that?”

For more information on the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, call (717) 687-8628 or visit https:// rrmuseumpa.org.

Cover photo: Doug O’Brien, left, and Stu Jack are the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s Volunteers of the Year for 2016 and 2017, respectively. They are pictured with the museum’s working replica of the “John Bull” locomotive, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad for display and operation at the 1939/1940 World’s Fair in New York.

The original 1831 John Bull is in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Thank You, Volunteers!

On-Line Publishers, Inc., and 50plus LIFE would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of the volunteers who donated their time and efforts at our 2017 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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December 2017

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www.50plusLifePA.com

Ms. Senior Pa. Takes 4th in National Pageant is nothing I could Peggy Kurtz have changed at Keller, of Ephrata, the moment of came in fourth competition. I place at the 2017 met 36 wonderful Ms. Senior America women who are pageant, held at talented and Resorts Casino in beautiful, inside Atlantic City Oct. 15-19. and out.”

Carolyn Slade Keller, 2011 PA Harden, of New State Senior Idol Jersey, took home winner and 2017 Ms. the top honor.

Pennsylvania Senior Donna Vincler, of America, performed Photo credit: Rene Green “Summertime” from Peggy Kurtz Keller performed Tennessee, earned Porgy & Bess during “Summertime” for the talent first runner-up; Lee the pageant’s talent portion of the national Ms. Se- Ann Brill, of New nior America pageant in Atlan- York, was second portion. tic City in October. runner-up; and The annual Sharon Parry, of competition included Wyoming, took third runner-up.

37 state-level winners vying for the “I feel that my mission for the next national title.

“I had the best time! I truly lived year is to promote this wonderful opportunity to other women who my philosophy of life last week!” have reached the age of elegance,” Keller said soon after the pageant.

Keller said.

“I did the best I could do—there 4

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I Saw Grandma Kissing Santa Claus

Even after I crept into bed, I never told Grandpa what I saw.

Somehow Santa knew all I witnessed.

For he left me this note I, now, recall.

“From the corner of my twinkling eye, Instead of you being fast asleep, I noticed you on the stairway hiding.

But, now, can this secret will you keep?

“Since your Grandma is the best I know, And whose love for you is not amiss, I always make sure when I am here, Your Grandma gets a Christmas Eve kiss.”

Written and submitted by Michael J. Smajda

50plus LIFE u

December 2017

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Soldier Stories

Robert Naeye

Army Nurse Found Voice, Strength to Care for Vietnam’s Wounded

near the Minnesota how to become an border. She signed Army nurse.

As she recalls, up for the Army “Texas in summer Nursing Corps in is unlivable.”

1962, before she had even heard She specialized in neurology and of Vietnam. She psychiatry but also committed to three learned to march, years of military salute, “and be service in return afraid of other for college tuition officers.” support.

After She performed Ann Thompson, right, with tracheotomies graduating from Linda Goodhart, who also served on goats to learn St. Olaf College as a nurse in Vietnam. Thompson, the lethal effects in Northfield, Goodhart, and three other nurses of different Minnesota, in co-authored a book on their war1964, Thompson ammunition. time experiences, Another Kind of She also had to was sent to Fort War Story.

Sam Houston in go through a gas chamber with a Texas to learn mask, and came out with a severe cough and burning eyes.

She entered the Army as a second Stories of ordinary men and women lieutenant. Two days before her called to perform extraordinary military service. wedding, she received orders to go to Vietnam.

From 1999–2016, writer and World War II After sailing across the Pacific on veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox preserved the a troop transport ship, she arrived firsthand wartime experiences of more than in Saigon in October 1965. When 200 veterans through Salute to a Veteran, his she reached her field hospital in monthly column featured in 50plus LIFE. a defoliated area, there was just one general-purpose tent and no Now, for the first time, 50 of those stories— bathrooms, food, or running water. selected by Wilcox himself—are available to The only thing in abundance was own in this soft-cover book. dust.

Simply complete and mail this form with your payment “I thought, ‘This is not going to be to the address below to order Salute to Our Veterans. fun,’” she recalls.

Thompson later helped set up a On-Line Publishers • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 tent for 500 people. It was time to go Name_ _______________________________________________________ to bed at 10:30 p.m. when a sergeant asked her and several other nurses Address_ ______________________________________________________ to dig a trench around the tent. The City_______________________________ State_ ____ Zip_ ______________ nurses were utterly exhausted, so they refused.

Phone_ _____________________ Email______________________________ But two hours later it rained heavily and water flowed into the tent.

Number of copies_ ______ (Please include $20.80 for each copy) Welcome to Vietnam.

Credit card #______________________________________ Exp. date________ After helping to build the 93rd Evacuation Hospital at Long Bien, she Signature of cardholder_________________________________CVV #________ was driven about 10 miles to another Or send a check made payable to On-Line Publishers, Inc. hospital in an unescorted vehicle, You can also order online at www.50plusLIFEpa.com! while being shot at. The Army even

Books about war are generally filled with tales of sacrifice and courage in mortal combat. But sometimes they neglect the heroism of those who served in support roles. And that is particularly true of nurses.

I recently had the great honor to meet two Central Pennsylvania nurses who served in evacuation hospitals during the Vietnam War: Ann Thompson and Linda Goodhart.

Although neither one fired a shot in anger, they experienced firsthand the horrors of war, while healing and comforting wounded and sick civilians and combatants.

I will tell Thompson’s story this month and Goodhart’s story in 50plus LIFE’s February issue.

Thompson grew up in Madison, South Dakota, a town of about 5,000

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December 2017

50plus LIFE u

stationed ammo dumps right next to her hospital, making it a legitimate target for enemy fire.

Thompson quickly realized that her training in Texas was woefully inadequate for the rigors of wartime medicine. There were no rules on how to run an Army hospital, and the most competent people weren’t necessarily the ones making decisions.

With no well-established frontlines in Vietnam, Thompson often treated severely wounded soldiers right off the battlefield. Making matters worse, enemy Viet Cong guerillas were all around.

“You didn’t know if the little old lady over there will kill you in the morning or at night,” says Thompson.

Thompson vividly recalls one tragic story involving a soldier named George Rodriguez. He came to the hospital with a large, ugly wound running down his back. He didn’t want to return to combat, but Thompson and her colleagues patched him up, and he was sent back to the meat grinder.

“His pleading eyes haunted me,” recalls Thompson.

Rodriguez returned to the hospital three weeks later. But this time he was missing both arms, and his eyes were like those of a dead man. He asked if his wounds would keep him from fighting again.

“I had to go outside and throw up in the mud because I was emotionally exhausted,” says Thompson.

Besides tending to the wounded for 12-hour shifts, six days a week, the nurses had to treat patients suffering from fungal infections, snakebites, and malaria. To prevent this dreaded disease, they gave soldiers orange pills to take once a week. But the pills sometimes made the soldiers sick, so they’d stop taking the medicine and come down with various forms of malaria.

And like all those who served in Vietnam, Thompson had to endure extreme heat and humidity. When she www.50plusLifePA.com

returned to Despite all Washington, the tragedy she D.C., saw firsthand on leave during her year during a hot in Vietnam, September, Thompson says she had to this experience wear wool made her sweaters and stronger. socks to stay And it warm. prepared her “I think for a 30-year in war you postwar career get tired of in psychiatric being afraid, nursing at the so you give area Veterans Ann Thompson, right, backstage at the that up,” she Administration Bob Hope Christmas Special in 1965. says. “We hospital. learned a Although she lot about patience and rules, and we has officially retired, she still does learned a lot about breaking those volunteer work there. rules.

“I was a shy little girl from South “The mission was to always smile Dakota, and I didn’t say bad words. and say to our patients, ‘You’ll feel But I found my voice in Vietnam,” she better tomorrow, and here, have some says. “When I came home, nobody morphine.’ We never ever said, ‘I’m was interested in my voice, but years too tired or too hungry or I’m too later people are finally interested in angry’ to a wounded soldier because what I have to say. People are listening they were the most important part of to nurses, corpsmen, and soldiers.” our mission.”

Thompson shares many of her Thompson takes pride in the Vietnam experiences in a 1993 book medical advances that resulted she co-authored with Goodhart and from the war. These include the three other nurses. This book, Another development of a triage system that Kind of War Story, is available through is currently used in hospitals all over Amazon. the country. And Penn State Hershey’s Robert Naeye is a freelance journalist Life Lion is a direct descendant of living in Derry Township. He is the medevac helicopters in Vietnam. former editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope And, as she says, “We did malaria magazine. studies out the yazoo.”

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April 9, 2018 NEW C LO ATION!

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wyndham Hotel York 2000 Loucks Road, York

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.

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:

Convenient print edition plus extensive online access.

Discover support and services available to meet challenges you may encounter as a senior, as someone who is caring for an older loved one, or a person with a disability.

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

www.veteransexpo.com (717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com

www.ResourceDirectoryPA.com www.50plusLifePA.com

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Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

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.

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: No 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: A veteran-approved “home for heroes” facility, all in a beautiful, rural setting.

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.

Mennonite Home Communities

1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 717-393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 150 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: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Supportive, encouraging environment. Various room types and suites available. Secure memory care offered.

The Hickman Friends Senior Community

Pleasant View Retirement Community

Assisted Living Residence: Yes Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes SSI Accepted: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes (in early 2018) Respite Care: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 96 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: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

400 North Walnut Street • West Chester, PA 19380 484-760-6300 • www.TheHickman.org Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Nonprofit personal care community with new building opening in early 2018. Includes secure dementia care. Call to schedule a personal 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 150 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.

544 North Penryn Road • Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445 • www.pleasantviewrc.org 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: *Three-year private pay spending. Maintain independence in an enriching and supportive environment; now offering respite stays.

Sacred Heart Villa

51 Seminary Avenue • Reading, PA 19605 610-929-5751 • www.sacredheartvillapa.org 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: Yes 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: Located on 20 pristine acres. Offering amenities including homecooked meals; professional, licensed staff; and personalized care.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

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www.50plusLifePA.com

The Beauty in Nature

Hawks in Winter Fields Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Photo by Greg Hume

Photo by Greg Hume

American kestrel

Red-tailed hawk

Merlins are darker and a bit bigger than kestrels. They catch small birds, such as horned larks and various sparrow species, by ambush and their speedy flight low to the ground in open country, including agricultural areas.

The crow-sized peregrines mostly snare rock pigeons, mourning doves, and starlings in midair over open country. Peregrines dive through the air at 180 miles per hour and hit their victims with their chests. The birds are stunned or killed and drop to the ground.

Peregrines swing around in the air, grab their victims in their claws in midair, and fly to a perch to consume their catch. Peregrines and merlins

reduce competition for food between them by catching different-sized prey.

Cooper’s hawks traditionally

are forest dwellers that prey on birds. But some Cooper’s have adapted to catching birds in farm country, perhaps giving peregrines competition. Cooper’s are swift flyers, able to chase down their feathered victims.

Red-tailed hawks soar over farmland to watch for mice and other rodents. When prey is spotted, they dive swiftly to snare it.

Northern harriers flap and soar slowly into the wind close to the ground in farmland to watch and listen for mice and small birds. When victims are spotted, they abruptly drop to the ground to snare them in their claws.

Hawks wintering in farmland prey mostly on mice and birds, doing so in different ways. And they make local fields more interesting in winter.

Please join us for these FREE events!

19th Annual

May 2, 2018 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey

DAUPHIN COUNTY

19th Annual

May 9, 2018 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

LANCASTER COUNTY

Shady Maple Conference Center Smorgasbord Building 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl

June 6, 2018

15th Annual

Wintering flocks of horned larks, house sparrows, starlings, rock pigeons, mourning doves, and other species of birds are adapted to eating grass, weed seeds, and bits of corn in extensive fields in southeastern Pennsylvania during winter.

These same birds also pick chewed, but undigested, bits of corn from livestock manure spread on top of snow when other foods are buried by snow.

Field mice aren’t abundant in those fields because of annual plowing, discing, and harvesting. But mice are common along roadside shoulders and banks in cropland. There they feed, make nests, and raise young among roots of tall grasses and weeds.

At least six kinds of hawks wintering in southeastern Pennsylvania—including American kestrels, merlins, peregrines, Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and northern harriers—prey on mice and birds in open farmland.

Kestrels, peregrines, Cooper’s, and red-tails nest locally, and all these diurnal raptors make croplands more interesting in winter.

Kestrels, merlins, and peregrines are all fast-flying falcons that perch on roadside poles to watch for prey. They all have tapered, swept-back wings for swift flight. Smallest of the falcons, kestrels are about the size of blue jays.

They hover into the wind as they watch for mice along grassy roadsides.

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

CHESTER COUNTY

Church Farm School 1001 East Lincoln Highway Exton

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

www.50plusLifePA.com

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Put Your Equity to Work!

Get Tax-Free Cash for Any Purpose

P A re you 62 years old or

P D o you own your home

older?

P Do you need more monthly income, and want to retain ownership of your home?

and live there?

PW ould you like to remain in your home and eliminate your mortgage payment?

Call today to receive a FREE consultation!

Contact Rob Miller at Glendale Mortgage to learn about the benefits of obtaining a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage.

ROB MILLER, NMLS #142151

President, HECM Mortgage Specialist

Direct: 610.853.6500 Toll Free: 888.456.0988 RMiller@GlendaleMortgage.com

Your Financial Partner Glendale Mortgage NMLS 127720 is an Equal Housing Lender. Some products and services may not be available in all states. Credit and collateral are subject to approval.

Terms and conditions apply. If you qualify we will reimburse you for the cost of the appraisal at closing. This is not a commitment to lend. Programs, rates, terms and conditions are subject to change without notice. Licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Banking, State of Delaware Bank Commissioner, and the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance. www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org

Reverse Mortgage – Right-Size Home!

Is it time to “right-size”? With your children grown and out on their own, have you been looking around at your large home and wondering if you really need all this space at this stage of your life?

Perhaps you have stairs that may become an issue as you get older, or you just don’t want to heat so many square feet—not to mention keeping up with yard work and shoveling snow!

Using a reverse mortgage to purchase a home that is the right size for you may be an excellent answer. You can use equity that is tied up in your current home to purchase a “rightsize” home and never have a mortgage payment as long as you live there.

In one smooth transaction, you sell your current home and move into your “right-size” home. Whether you have selected an existing home or one that is new and built to your specifications, a “reverse mortgage for purchase” may be the tool that can offer you new opportunities.

The idea of living the rest of one’s life in a comfortable home with no

mortgage payment is very appealing to many senior citizens.

Of course, you will be responsible for property taxes and insurance.

Rob Miller, President Recent changes made to the government-insured Reverse for Purchase program from HUD have made the process much more convenient than in years past.

Homeowners are encouraged to get information to understand the options available. You will want to know the price range in which to shop and have your realtor include some specific information when the contract for the new property is written.

Give me a call so we can discuss the details and smoothly transition you into your “right-size” home!

Contact Rob Miller, NMLS No. 142151, president of Glendale Mortgage, NMLS No. 127720, to discuss the possibilities.

(610) 853-6500 / toll-free: (888) 4560988

Support the Troops This Holiday Season!

Our troops deserve our help and to know they aren’t forgotten!

Keystone Military Families, a PA-based nonprofit, encourages you to brighten the holidays for our troops overseas by sending or sponsoring a care package!

Below are just some of the items the troops have requested:

• Power Bars, cereal bars, trail mix, nuts, granola bars, and individual healthy snacks • Slim Jims and beef or turkey jerky • Small sewing kits and manicure kits • Sunscreen and Chapstick with sunscreen, Carmex, Blistex • Body wash and deodorant – men’s and ladies’ (small travel sizes) • Foot powder and foot cream for athlete’s foot • Hand sanitizer – small-size bottles to carry with them • Men’s and ladies’ calf-high socks or boot socks in black and white • Hand and foot warmers for cold nights

Monetary donations to help ship the packages are always needed, too!

The cost for one box is $27-$77, depending on the destination.

Donations may be made to: Keystone Military Families 331 Main Street Shoemakersville, PA 19555

We need your help to make this happen!

For a full list and further information, visit KeystoneMilitaryFamilies.org, call (610) 698-2122, or email keystonemilitary@yahoo.com.

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Thank you to ARC Marketing Solutions and Brenneman Printing for the printing of the Christmas stocking notecards.

Sending 10,000 stockings to troops all over the world.

Registered 501c-3

www.50plusLifePA.com

Orthopedics & Pain Special feature

www.50plusLifePA.com

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Ask a Foot & Ankle Surgeon: Why Does My Heel Hurt?

Dr. Michael T. Ambroziak, DPM, FACFAS One of the most common questions I am asked by my patients is, “Why does my heel hurt?”

While there can be many reasons for heel pain, we as foot and ankle surgeons categorize heel pain into four major causes: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, and nerve pain. Diagnosing the specific issue depends on the exact location of the pain and how the pain affects the mechanical movement of the leg.

The most common cause of the heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes.

When patients suffer from this ailment, the fascia becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain or pain in the arch of the foot. Plantar fascia pain is a telltale sign there are mechanical issues going on in how the foot works.

We typically treat plantar fasciitis first with nonsurgical strategies, such as stretching exercises; rest; shoe pads and footwear modifications; orthotic devices; night splints; and injection therapy. While most patients respond well to conservative treatments, some require surgery to correct the problem.

Achilles tendonitis, or the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, can also be a cause of heel pain.

We often see this “overuse” condition in our athletic patients who play highimpact sports, such as basketball or tennis. They often have a sudden increase of repetitive activity involving the Achilles tendon, which puts too much stress on the tendon too quickly, leading to micro-injuries.

To treat Achilles tendonitis, we often immobilize the foot with a walking boot or cast and also use physical therapy, orthotics, and ice to help repair the tendon. If the tendon is severely damaged or if nonsurgical treatments don’t work, surgery may be necessary.

Another cause of heel pain commonly seen is bursitis, where the “fat pad”

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of the heel exhibits redness and swelling from inflammation of the small, fluidfilled sac inside the heel, called the bursa.

The bursa, which protects the heel from friction, can become inflamed from repetitive motion or irritation from shoes. In the case of bursitis, the heel and the toes are most often affected.

Treatment may include resting the foot, applying ice, and anti-inflammatory drug therapy, padding, and corticosteroid injections to reduce the inflammation and relieve pain. Surgery may be necessary if conservative methods do not provide relief.

Finally, a somewhat less common cause of heel pain is nerve pain. When the nerves are involved, it feels more like a burning or electrical pain shooting or radiating down the foot from the heel, typically toward the toes.

A patient will often tell me their heel “burns.”

There are medications that may help with nerve pain, but in this instance, the patient tends to need nerve decompression surgery, a procedure to help “un-trap” the nerve causing the pain.

These patients often have several misdiagnoses before they visit with a foot and ankle surgeon to correctly remedy their pain.

Whatever your heel pain, I always encourage people to see a foot and ankle surgeon for a proper diagnosis. We specialize in only the foot and ankle, and our training helps us effectively get to the bottom of what is ailing our patients.

To find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ patient-education website, or talk with one of the specialists included in this special section.

Dr. Michael Ambroziak, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Bay City and West Branch, Mich., is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Ambroziak is a fellow member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeon and a diplomat, American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

Exercises that Help Ease Arthritis Pain and Stiffness Dear Savvy Senior, What exercises are best suited for seniors with arthritis? I have osteoarthritis in my neck, back, hip, and knee and have read that exercises can help ease the pain and stiffness, but I don’t know where to start, and I certainly don’t want to aggravate it.

– Stiff and Achy Dear Stiff, Many people who have arthritis believe that exercise will worsen their condition, but that’s not true. Exercise is actually one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis.

Proper and careful exercises can help reduce joint pain and stiffness, strengthen muscles around the joints, and increase flexibility. Exercise also helps manage other chronic conditions that are common among seniors with arthritis, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Here are some tips to help you get started.

Recommended Exercises Determining exactly which types of exercises are best for you depends on the form and severity of your arthritis and which joints are involved. It’s best to work with your doctor or a physical therapist to help you develop a please see EXERCISES page 16

Premier Orthopaedics is delighted to welcome Dr. Scott Ritterman to our medical staff

Glenn E. Lipton, M.D.

James T. Guille, M.D.

Scott Ritterman, M.D.

Nikos K. Pavlides, M.D.

Linda P. D’Andrea, M.D.

Dr. Ritterman specializes in joint replacement surgery and is trained in all aspects of fracture care, including OPERATIVE and NON-OPERATIVE TREATMENT as well as sports medicine.

At Premier Orthopaedics we take great pride in delivering the highest quality of care in the community across a full range of services, including: • Joint replacement • Sports medicine • Spine surgery • Hand surgery • Foot surgery • Medicare approved in-office injections for joint pain/osteoarthritis • Bracing and assistive devices • Pediatric, adult, and geriatric sub-specialties within the group

Dr. Ritterman will be seeing patients out of our Brandywine Hospital location

* APPOINTMENTS WITHIN 24 HOURS * To schedule an appointment, please call

(610) 792-9292

or visit us on the web at www.premierortho.com.

Brandywine Institute of Orthopaedics 1561 Medical Drive Pottstown, PA 19464 (610) 792-9292

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Premier Physical Therapy in Pottstown 1561 Medical Drive Pottstown, PA 19464 (484) 941-6734

Brandywine Hospital 201 Reeceville Road Suite 24 Coatesville, PA 19320 (610) 792-9292

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EXCERCISES from page 15 personalized exercise program.

The different types of exercises that are most often recommended to seniors with arthritis include: Range-of-motion exercises: These are gentle stretching exercises that can relieve stiffness as well as improve your ability to move your joints through their normal range of motion. These exercises should be done daily.

Strengthening exercise: Calisthenics, weight training, and working with resistance bands are recommended (two or more days a week) to maintain and improve your muscle strength, which helps support and protect your joints.

We focus on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic pain.

Creamery Way Health Pavilion: 460 Creamery Way, Suite 102, Exton, PA

Brandywine Town Center:

3401 Brandywine Parkway, Suite 202, Wilmington, DE

Main Line Health & Fitness Bldg.:

931 East Haverford Rd., Suite 202, Bryn Mawr, PA

“Great at what we do, better for who we are.”

844-365-PAIN

Fax: 302-477-1708

www.centerpain.com

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Aerobic exercises: Low-impact activities, such as walking, cycling, swimming, or water aerobics, are all recommended three to five times per week to help improve cardiovascular health, control weight, and improve your overall function.

It’s also important to keep in mind that when you first start exercising, you need to go slow to give your body time to adjust. If you push yourself too hard, you can aggravate your joint pain.

However, some muscle soreness or joint achiness in the beginning is normal.

To help you manage your pain, start by warming up with some simple stretches or rangeof-motion exercises for five to 10 minutes before you move on to strengthening or aerobic exercises. Another tip is to apply heat to the joints you’ll be working before you exercise, and use cold packs after exercising to reduce inflammation.

If you’re experiencing a lot of pain while you exercise, you may need to modify the frequency, duration, or intensity of your exercises until the pain improves. Or you may need to try a different activity—for example, switching from walking to water aerobics.

But it you’re having severe, sharp, or constant pain or large increases in swelling, or if your joints feel hot or red, you need to stop and see your doctor.

Exercising Aids To help you exercise at home, the Arthritis Foundation offers a variety of free online videos (see www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/videos) to guide you through a range of exercises.

Or there are arthritis exercise DVDs you can purchase through the Arthritis Foundation Store (www.afstore.org).

Also see Go4Life (www.go4life.nia.nih.gov or call (800) 222-2225), a National Institute on Aging resource that offers a free exercise guide that provides illustrated examples of different exercises.

If you need some motivation or don’t like exercising alone, ask your doctor about exercise programs in your area for people with arthritis. Hospitals and clinics sometimes offer special programs, as do local health clubs and senior centers.

The Arthritis Foundation also conducts exercise and aquatic programs for people with arthritis in many communities throughout the U.S. Contact your local branch (see www.arthritis.org/local-offices, or call (800) 283-7800 for contact information) to find out what may be available near you.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org

www.50plusLifePA.com

6 Ways to Keep Your Knees Feeling ‘Younger’

By James Dowd, M.D. Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint condition that causes stiffness and swelling in joints such as the knees. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that 1 in 2 people will be affected by some form of osteoarthritis in their lifetime.

However, people who suffer from osteoarthritis aren’t as old as some may think. In fact, recent data shows more than half of all people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis are younger than 65 years of age.

As life expectancies continue to increase and people lead more active lives, there is greater potential that they may experience knee pain in their lifetime, making it even more important for people to care for their joints.

A recent online survey commissioned by DePuy Synthes of 500 U.S. women aged 45-65 who had hip or knee replacement surgery or plan to have surgery soon found that knee or hip pain can negatively impact the ability to take part in basic activities, such as climbing stairs or getting in and out of a car, thus taking an emotional toll due to a lack of independence.

I always encourage my patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle—mentally, emotionally, and physically. And, taking care of your knees, especially prior to feeling any severe pain, is extremely important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

So, what can you do to take care of your knees to keep them healthy and feeling “younger”?

Stay moving: It is easy for joints to stiffen when you’re sedentary. Make it a point to stay active with simple activities, such as taking a quick walk at the top of every hour. It can even be around your kitchen or office space.

Maintain a healthy weight: Weight gain and joint pain are closely connected, and small weight gains can make a big difference for weight-bearing joints like knees and hips.

In fact, data indicates that for every 11-pound weight gain, there is a 36 percent increased risk for developing osteoarthritis. Managing and maintaining a healthy weight can help ease the pressure on your knees.

Strengthen your quads, hamstrings, and glutes: The quadriceps and hamstrings are the two main muscle groups that support the knee.

Quadriceps are vital for the stability and healthy movement of the knee joint, while hamstrings bend the knee and move the leg behind your body.

While the connection isn’t as obvious, strong glutes can decrease your risk for knee injury.

Strengthening these muscle groups can have an impact on your overall knee health. Consider doing straight-leg raises to strengthen the quads and walking backward to strengthen the hamstrings.

Don’t ignore the pain: When it comes to the knees, minor discomfort can sometimes turn into a major issue. Pain shouldn’t interfere with everyday tasks, such as walking from a parking spot in the back of the lot, getting the mail at the end of the driveway, or sleeping.

No matter the severity of your pain, it is important to talk to a doctor about ways to treat and manage your symptoms before it becomes debilitating.

Don’t overexert yourself: Before you begin any exercise regimen, talk with your doctor. Listen to what your body is telling you, and respect your body’s limits. Pushing your body too hard can lead to injuries, so take regular breaks from repetitive activities and don’t overdo any exercise or physical activity. Overexertion is preventable.

Talk to your doctor: Whether you are experiencing pain and discomfort sporadically or it is affecting your everyday activities, it is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

You can set up a separate appointment to talk through what you’re experiencing, or it can be done during your annual checkup. Ask for tips on preventing your joints from daily wear and tear and treatment options that are right for you.

For additional information and resources on knee pain, visit www.timetohitplay.com.

James Dowd, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon at Jordan-Young Institute in Virginia Beach, Va. www. jordan-younginstitute.com

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The Green Mountain Gardener

Make Your Own Holiday Decorations Dr. Leonard Perry

Natural holiday decorations such as roping, swags, wreaths, and table arrangements are not hard to make.

You will catch on to the simple principles quickly, and in a short time your results may surprise everyone, including yourself.

Most of the materials you need are inexpensive or free for the asking, in many locales. But remember to get permission before cutting branches or fruits on someone else’s land!

Your local florist also should have natural materials, both local and from warmer climates. Tree farms are a good source of greenery or even undecorated products you can then decorate yourself.

For plant materials, evergreen twigs and boughs are the most important.

You may be surprised at how much material goes into even small

decorations.

For longest life, keep greens away from heat, wind, and sun.

The most common evergreens include balsam fir, spruce (needles don’t last as long as fir and are prickly), white pine, and hemlock (needles will drop in dry air).

Give someone you love the gift that entertains, informs, and inspires, month after month!

Or renew an existing subscription!

Get a 12-month subscription to 50plus LIFE for just $10.

Mail form to: 50plus LIFE, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Please start a gift subscription for: Beginning (month) _ ___________________________ Name_ _____________________________________ Street_ _____________________________________ Apt._ ______________________________________ City/State_ __________________________________ Zip_ _______________________________________ Sign card from: Your name___________________________________ Street_ _____________________________________ Apt._ ______________________________________ City/State_ __________________________________ Zip_ _______________________________________ Your phone number____________________________ Paper (or papers/$10 per edition): Expires 12/31/17 qChester qCumberland qDauphin qLancaster qLebanon qYork

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Other less commonly used evergreens are white cedar or arborvitae (foliage fades to yellow in a few weeks), red cedar and other wild junipers (sharp needles, so use sparingly to add variety, color, texture, and form), and broad-leaved evergreens like rhododendrons.

One caution about using yew (or taxus) is that all plant parts

are poisonous, especially the attractive seeds. Look for a few branches of yellow-leaved evergreens for some color, such as certain variegated yews, gold-thread false cypress, old-gold juniper, or one of the gold arborvitae.

Other plant parts you can use for interest, and to give arrangements a “country” appearance, include cones, grasses, pods, and berries.

Florist shops may carry more exotic plant parts such as lotus pods, holly, mistletoe, and various greens.

Some people like to add artificial decorations like bells, balls, and fake berries to their natural arrangements.

In addition to plants and other decorative materials, you will need something for a base for most decorations if starting from scratch.

Wreaths require a wire, foam, or straw wreath form or a coat hanger bent

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) Suzy Cohen (Dear Pharmacist) Andrea Gross (Traveltizers) Randal C. Hill (It Was 50 Years Ago Today) John Johnston (Social Security News) Bill Levine (Booming Voice) Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature) Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior) Robert Naeye (Soldier Stories) 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)

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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into a circle.

Rope or thick, coarse twine makes a good base for garlands or roping.

Florist foam, which comes in “bricks� that can be cut to fit any container, may be purchased at florist or craft shops.

Other essentials include a pair of clippers or utility scissors, florist picks (to hold greens to straw bases), and florist wire. The latter is a thin, green wire, available in several widths, that is used to hold everything together, such as cones to wreaths, greens to frames or rope, and decorations to walls.

To make wreaths or ropings, you will need individual branchlets or bundles of them. Simply cut small branch pieces 4–6 inches in length

from the main branches, and wire or pin them directly to the frames. Or you can wire several together into a bundle and then wire the bundle to the base.

Overlap one branchlet or bundle over the cut ends of the last to hide them and the wire or rope base.

Proceed down the rope or around the frame in this manner. Finally, once the greens are secured, add a bow and a few ornaments of interest, such as cones, berries, or artificial decorations.

To make a table arrangement, start with a wet block of florist foam, either freestanding or cut to fit a basket or other decorative container.

Use a saucer under the wet foam, unless the container is water tight.

Place sprigs of green in the foam, followed by natural ornaments such as berries and artificial ornaments.

Berries can be wired to a florist pick and then stuck in the foam. Follow the same design principles as you would if arranging flowers.

A door swag is simple. Take several branches of a desired length, usually 2 feet or so, and tie together to hang upside down. Then tie a shorter branch or two on top, upright.

Where these all tie together, place a bow, group of cones, or other ornamentation.

If you want to use candles, use decorative lanterns to keep candles away from the greens (which, when dry, can be quite flammable) and then decorate around these with

greenery and color.

Get a mold for making a luminary of ice, and place greens and berries in the water before freezing. These, with a candle inside, make an elegant table decoration for a special dinner.

If you have a stairway and banister, hang a grouping or two of greens and berries from the upright supports.

Many other decorations are possible using wire or Styrofoam bases in the shapes of candy canes, cones, or balls, among others. You’ll find these online or at local craft stores.

Simply follow the above procedures and your own creativity!

Dr. Leonard P. Perry is an extension professor at the University of Vermont.

Watch Out for ‘Masked’ Hypertension Being diagnosed with high blood pressure may be scary, but thinking your blood pressure is normal when it’s not? Scarier still.

The Live Science website reports that almost 1 in 8 Americans who believe their blood pressure is just

fine may really have a masked form of hypertension that doesn’t show up when they visit their doctors.

Instead, their blood pressure is elevated during their daily activities, so they may be at increased risk of heart disease without realizing it.

To diagnose masked hypertension, researchers suggest wearing 12-hour blood pressure monitors that take readings through the day.

The flip side of this phenomenon is so-called “white-coat hypertension,� in which patients’

blood pressure increases at the doctor’s office (possibly from nervousness?) but is normal the rest of the time. Unlike masked hypertension, these people don’t appear to be at a higher risk of heart disease.

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December 2017

19

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen

7 Common but Strange Reasons for Insomnia

I’m cranky if I don’t sleep, are you?

There’s more violence associated with people who have insomnia, which doesn’t come as any surprise to me.

The start of daylight saving time in March is always associated with a small spike in heart attacks, according to two different studies from the American Journal of Cardiology (2013) and the New England Journal of Medicine (2008).

Research published in New England Journal of Medicine shows an increase in car accidents in those first few days after the time change.

Interestingly, a 2015 study published in The Review of Economics and Statistics estimates a 7 percent decrease in robberies after DST goes into effect, saving $59 million in social costs. Fascinating that the burglars are too tired to rob people if

they lose sleep.

This research is just so cool, and it got me thinking about the reasons people don’t sleep.

Here are some other reasons you don’t get normal shut-eye. These are seven common or unexpected causes for insomnia: 1. Taking thyroid medication at night. It should be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach because that’s when you usually produce it.

When you pump out thyroid hormones (or take a pill), you

naturally feel more energized and refreshed, so take the medicine first thing in the morning to mimic your own body’s rhythm.

3. Quinolinic acid. This is a neurotoxin that is made in our brains, and we can produce too much of it for a variety of reasons.

Ironically, you can do it to yourself by taking certain sleep supplements, such as tryptophan. Too much quinolinic acid contributes to insomnia, depression, and suicidal thoughts and attempts.

2. Methylation. This is a chemical pathway in your body that produces and breaks down neurotransmitters such as epinephrine (which is stimulating) and melatonin (which causes sleep).

If your methylation pathway is cramped, it could trigger insomnia as well as seizures, agitation, combativeness, panic attacks, and other “stimulating” issues.

4. Fluoride. Drinking tap water or taking certain fluoride-containing antidepressants, medications, or vitamins can harm your pineal gland.

That’s bad because your pineal gland makes melatonin, your main sleep hormone.

If you think fluoride is impacting your melatonin levels, which wane as please see INSOMNIA page 24

Do you or does someone you know have an interesting hobby or collection?

A special passion or inspirational experience?

A history of dedicated volunteer work?

If so, tell us, and we’ll consider your suggestion for a future profile story!

Just fill out the questionnaire below and return it to:  LIFE, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512, or email your responses to Megan Joyce, editor, at mjoyce@onlinepub.com.

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It Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)’ Randal Hill

When John Fred misheard the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album track of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” — he thought Paul McCartney was singing “Lucy in disguise with diamonds” — he decided to create a send-up of the Fab Four’s work.

Before long, he and fellow musician pal Andrew Bernard were filling notebooks with such pseudopsychedelic lyrics as “Cantaloupe eyes come to me tonight” and “Lemonade pies with a brand new car” and “Cross your heart with your living bra.”

(Thank you, Playtex, for that last inspiration.)

John Fred Gourrier was born in 1941 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The son of one-time Detroit Tigers third baseman Fred Gourrier, young Fred was a standout athlete at Catholic High School.

He also loved Southern R&B — rhythm and blues — music and, at age 15, formed a blue-eyed soul group with several classmates. They called themselves John Fred and the Playboys, named after Hugh Hefner’s popular magazine.

Late in 1958, they cut a bouncy single called “Shirley” with Fats Domino’s band in New Orleans.

Issued on Baton Rouge’s Montel Records label, “Shirley” began receiving airplay throughout the South, and the teenage Playboys toured whenever their school schedule permitted.

Day in the Life.”

But Fred But when prevailed, Coincidentally, it was John Fred Dick Clark assuring his and His Playboy Band’s goofy novelty invited the that knocked the Fab Four’s “Hello skeptical lads onto pals that Goodbye” out of first place on the American they were Billboard chart.

Bandstand, sitting on When “Judy in Disguise (with leader Fred Glasses)” hit worldwide, John Fred a potential declined smash and and His Playboy Band toured both the offer. that “Judy” America and the U.K. In England, Why turn offered a they met Paul McCartney and John down such ticket to the Lennon, who both loved the parody. a golden “Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)” big time.

Wordplay-loving Lennon even joked opportunity?

John Fred and His Playboy Band Despite that, when he went home that day, Fred had December 1967 he was going to sit down and write a the a basketball Playboys’ similar fun song. game objections, “Judy in Disguise (with He said he would call it “Froggy in scheduled at school that day.

Glasses)” was recorded. It featured a Pond with Spectacles.”

After “Shirley” failed to break a cacophony of brass, strings, piano, nationally, the Playboys disbanded sitar, bass, drums, and guitar. And Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian to concentrate on their schoolwork. who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be gasps and moans. And ascending Fred eventually earned an education reached at wryterhill@msn.com. strings that matched the Beatles’ “A degree from Louisiana State College but soon found that the music world advertisement held more interest for him than did the classroom.

He re-formed John Fred and the Playboys and signed onto the Paula Records label in Shreveport. However, If you want a funeral with an expensive casket when California’s Gary Lewis and the Playboys burst onto the music scene, and embalming, go to a funeral home! the Louisiana fellows became John If you are interested in affordable cremation services, Fred and His Playboy Band. we are the name to remember!

Eventually Fred brought “Judy in We specialize in cremation only, statewide, no removal fees.

Disguise (with Glasses)” to his band, No Embalming No Caskets only to find that most of the members hated it. After all, they groused, theirs was a respectable R&B outfit and above such nonsense.

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Calendar of Events

Chester County

Support Groups Free and open to the public

Senior Center Activities

Dec. 5, 1:30 p.m.

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

Coatesville Area Senior Center – (610) 383-6900 250 Harmony St., Coatesville www.coatesvilleseniorcenter.org Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10:30-11:15 a.m. – Going Fit Exercise Program Dec. 7 and 21, 11 a.m. to noon – Veterans Coffee Club Dec. 13 and 27, 1-2 p.m. – Bingo

Dec. 12 and 26, 6:30-8 p.m.

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

Dec. 5 and 19, 6:30-8 p.m.

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

Dec. 13, 1:30 p.m.

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

Dec. 6, 6 p.m.

Memory Loss and Dementia Support Group Sunrise Assisted Living of Paoli 324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern (610) 251-9994 Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon Caregiver Support Group Adult Care of Chester County 201 Sharp Lane, Exton (610) 363-8044 Dec. 12 and 26, 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. 13, 7 p.m.

Hearing Loss Support Group Christ Community Church 1190 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester (610) 444-445 www.hearinglosschesco.com Dec. 19, 6 p.m.

Family Caregiver Support Group Sunrise of Westtown 501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester (610) 399-4464 Dec. 27, 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. 2-3, 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. 7, 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. 2 and 16, 5-10 p.m.

Bingo Night Marine Corps League Detachment 430 Chestnut St., Downingtown (610) 429-8174

Dec. 19, noon AARP Valley Forge Chapter Meeting St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church 203 N. Valley Forge Road, Devon (610) 647-1823

Dec. 5, 11:30 a.m.

West Chester University Retirees Luncheon For restaurant location, please email darsie@ verizon.net

22

December 2017

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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 Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 a. m. – Balance and Flexibility Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – Quiddler Word Game Wednesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. – Core and More Great Valley Senior Center – (610) 889-2121 47 Church Road, Malvern Tuesdays, 10 a.m. – Coloring and Puzzles Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Exercise Dec. 21, 10 a.m. – Pinochle Kennett Area Senior Center – (610) 444-4819 427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square www.kennettseniorcenter.org Dec. 4 – Free Medicare Help by Appointment Oxford Senior Center – (610) 932-5244 12 E. Locust St., Oxford – www.oxfordseniors.org Wednesdays, 8:30-11:30 a.m. – Paint Class Phoenixville Area Senior Center – (610) 935-1515 153 Church St., Phoenixville www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.org West Chester Area Senior Center – (610) 431-4242 530 E. Union St., West Chester www.wcseniors.org Thursdays, 1 p.m. – WCASC Chorus Just a snippet of what you may be missing … please call or visit their website for more information.

parks and recreation Dec. 9, 10-11 a.m. – Predators of Pennsylvania, Warwick County Park

Library Programs Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, (610) 269-2741 Dec. 11, 6:30 p.m. – Fantasy Book Club Dec. 28, 1 p.m. – Senior Book Club Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m. – Reading the Classics Paoli Library, 18 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996 Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times www.50plusLifePA.com

Puzzle Page

CROSSWORD

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 25

SUDOKU

Across 1. Yucatan native 5. Jaunts 10. Stagnate 14. Ajar 15. Readjust 16. Yuletide 17. Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal 19. Bird feature 20. Annex 21. Muse of poetry 23. Locomotive type 26. Formal wear 30. Paddle 31. Lynx

35. Current 36. Midge 38. Oracle 39. A great deal 41. Mark of Cain 43. Actress Gardner 44. Half-baked 45. Cruelty 47. Before Las Vegas or voce 49. Coin 52. Spoil 53. Eternal 56. Gesture of assent

57. Scabbard 59. Words of resignation 61. Bellow 64. A Gershwin 65. Light seeker 68. Fascinated with fame 73. Great Lakes lake 74. Implied 75. Pocketbook 76. Some bills 77. Sales outlets 78. Obligation

23. Pet 24. Author Fleming 25. Expunction 27. Interlace 28. Scot. river 29. Possess 32. Exit 33. The Tempter 34. Thirst for 37. Poet. contraction 40. Rage 42. Below (poet.)

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46. Humbugâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pal 48. Abets

50. I (Fr.) 51. Time zone 54. Poltergeists 55. Class 58. Fire aftermath 60. Exposed 62. W. state 63. Mexican snack 65. Assembled 66. Pay dirt 67. Metallic element 69. Rend 70. Shoshonean 71. Young carnivore 72. Ditty bag

Down 1. Throng 2. Emulator 3. Okay 4. Wagers 5. Vine support 6. Elec. unit 7. ____ of Wight 8. Equal 9. Rock layers 10. Memo holder 11. Deer 12. Cow pasture 13. Cervid 18. Murdered 22. Coach

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INSOMNIA from page 20 you age, think about a supplement.

5. Prescription medications.

Stimulating pharmaceuticals could keep you tossing all night. Among the worst offenders are albuterol, steroids, modafinil, metoclopramide, antidepressants, pseudoephedrine, ciprofloxacin, and others.

6. Chronic pain. Only 36 percent of chronic pain sufferers get regular good sleep, compared to 65 percent of people without pain, according to a 2015 Sleep in America poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation.

7. Allergies. Your environment matters. Itchy eyes, sinus congestion, and frequent sneezing from dust or

pollen allergies can keep you awake.

To improve sleep, keep your bedding and pillows as allergen-free as possible. Get a clean new bed and buy a zippered bedbug mattress cover immediately. Consider changing from a down comforter to an organic cotton blanket.

Close the windows if the pollen count is high. Shower before bed.

Remember to change daytime clothes before hopping into bed, and regularly change sheets and pillowcases. Clean your fan blades of accumulated dust.

This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease.

For more information about the author, visit SuzyCohen.com

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On Life and Love after 50

Tom Blake

Recent Widower, Widow Refuse to Give Up Dating Hope

In October, this paper featured an article about Chuck, 78, a Lancaster widower, who had lost his wife of 55 years.

Chuck refused to quit; he refused to give up hope. He wanted a companion, not for marriage, but to pal around with and possibly spend winters together in Florida.

He decided to enter the dating world. One step he took in seeking a mate was to contact me. I wrote the article about him.

Chuck recently sent an update on his dating efforts:

And now, Melinda, a widow from Sonoma County, California, and her story. I met Melinda 11 years ago. She and her boyfriend, Dale, at the time lived two houses away from my mom, who was in her 90s.

They were so good to her, watching out for her, offering to help often and driving her places. I so appreciated their thoughtfulness. I lived 500 miles away, and it was a great relief to me that friendly, caring neighbors were keeping an eye on her.

At the time, I was writing a book

titled, How 50 Couples Found Love After 50. Melinda and Dale met after age 50, while walking on a beach in Sonoma County. They later married.

I loved their story so much I included them in the 50 Couples book.

When the book was published, I sent them an autographed copy.

After my mom passed away, I lost track of Dale and Melinda.

Last month, I received this heartwrenching email from Melinda: “I don’t know if you heard that Dale passed away this January. He developed a brain disease, CJD, that moved very quickly, so that by the time we had a diagnosis, he only lived 18 more days. Hospice was absolutely amazing.

“Then, this past month, our house (we bought it March 2016) burned in the fires here in Sonoma. I got out with my car, in my pajamas, slippers, phone, and wallet. Dale’s ashes scattered among the household items, the books he loved reading, our art collection.

“I was hoping you might still have copies of your How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book, in which Dale

and I were included as one of the couples. The autographed copy you sent us burned along with everything else. Perhaps you could sign one again for me.

“And, if you get a good lead, I’m not too old to fall in love again. Dale would want me to.”

Melinda’s email shook me to my core. I did not know that Dale had died. And then, to top things off, in October, her home burned in the California fires.

And her very modest, humble request was for me to autograph another copy of the 50 Couples book.

You can imagine how quickly I sent her an autographed copy.

But what Melinda wrote in her last sentence is the takeaway here. Within nine months, she experienced double adversity—losing her husband and her home—and yet, she is picking herself up and moving forward with her life.

I will do my best to send her some dating leads.

Both Chuck the widower and Melinda the widow are inspirations to all seniors: No matter what life throws at us, there is always hope.

For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www.

FindingLoveAfter50.com. To receive an autographed copy of his book at a 50plus LIFE reduced rate, email Tom at tompblake@gmail.com for details.

Puzzle Solutions

“Your article has attracted about 40 responses and kept me busy meeting very interesting people.

“Twenty percent of the responses were promising. A wonderful woman just spent a day with me; I was her first date in over 10 years since her husband died.

“She reread your 50plus LIFE article over 25 times before she shared her thoughts with another couple. They emailed me that I should expect a telephone call from a very wonderful woman who they thought was made for me. They spent $25 to check my criminal record and what they could find about me on the internet.

“It is going to be difficult settling in with just one woman because a solid relationship takes time to build.

“There are some very expensive dating services out there that have

had mixed success. The inexpensive dating websites have worked for many people. I just don’t feel comfortable with them and most seniors don’t either.

“I am impressed by so many wonderful women I have met (including three this week). Fifty-five years ago, I was dating three women and by a process of circumstances, I happened to marry a wonderful woman who turned out to be my best friend. I hope I am as lucky this time as well.

“Hope and time come before love in a relationship!”

Puzzles shown on page 23

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50plus LIFE u

December 2017

25

Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Stop a Cold Before it Starts New research shows you can stop a cold in its tracks if you take one simple step with a new GHYLFH ZKHQ \RX ÂżUVW feel a cold coming on.

Colds start when cold viruses get in your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Research: Copper stops colds if used early.

But scientists have Pat McAllister, age 70, received found a quick way to kill a virus.

Touch it with copper. Researchers at one for Christmas and called it â&#x20AC;&#x153;one labs and universities agree, copper of the best presents ever. This little is â&#x20AC;&#x153;antimicrobial.â&#x20AC;? It kills microbes, jewel really works.â&#x20AC;?

People often use CopperZap for such as viruses and bacteria, just by SUHYHQWLRQ .DUHQ *DXFL ZKR Ă&#x20AC;LHV touch.

Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s why ancient Greeks and often, used to get colds after crowded Egyptians used copper to purify wa- Ă&#x20AC;LJKWV 7KRXJK VNHSWLFDO VKH WULHG LW ter and heal wounds. They didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t several times a day on travel days for know about viruses and bacteria, but PRQWKV Âł6L[WHHQ Ă&#x20AC;LJKWV DQG QRW D VQLIĂ&#x20AC;H ´ VKH H[FODLPHG now we do.

Businesswoman Rosaleen says Researchers say a tiny electric when people are sick around her she charge in microbe cells gets short-circuited by the high conductance of uses CopperZap morning and night. copper, destroying the cell in seconds. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It saved me last holidays,â&#x20AC;? she said.

Tests by the Environmental Pro- â&#x20AC;&#x153;The kids had colds going round and tection Agency (EPA) show germs round, but not me.â&#x20AC;?

Some users say it also helps with die fast on copper. So some hospitals switched to copper touch surfaces, sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had like faucets and doorknobs. This cut D GD\ VLQXV KHDGDFKH 6KH WULHG the spread of MRSA and other ill- CopperZap. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am shocked! My head nesses by over half, and saved lives. cleared, no more headache, no more The strong evidence gave inven- congestion.â&#x20AC;?

Some users say copper stops tor Doug Cornell an idea. When he felt a cold coming on he fashioned a QLJKWWLPH VWXIÂżQHVV WRR LI WKH\ XVH LW smooth copper probe and rubbed it just before bed. One man said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Best sleep Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had in years.â&#x20AC;? gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

Users also report success in stopâ&#x20AC;&#x153;It worked!â&#x20AC;? he exclaimed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The ping cold sores and warts. It can also cold went away completely.â&#x20AC;? It worked again every time he felt a prevent infection in wounds, cuts and cold coming on. He reports he has abrasions.

7KH KDQGOH LV VFXOSWXUHG WR ÂżW WKH never had a cold since.

He asked relatives and friends to KDQG DQG ÂżQHO\ WH[WXUHG WR LPSURYH try it. They said it worked for them, contact. Tests show it kills germs on too, every time. So he patented Cop- ÂżQJHUV VR \RX GRQÂśW VSUHDG LOOQHVV WR your family. perZapâ&#x201E;˘ and put it on the market. &RSSHU PD\ HYHQ VWRS Ă&#x20AC;X LI XVHG Soon hundreds of people had tried it and given feedback. Nearly 100 early and for several days. In a lab percent said the copper stops their WHVW VFLHQWLVWV SODFHG PLOOLRQ OLYH colds if used within 3 hours after the Ă&#x20AC;X YLUXVHV RQ D &RSSHU=DS 1R YLÂżUVW VLJQ (YHQ XS WR GD\V LI WKH\ ruses were found alive soon after.

The EPA says the natural color still get the cold it is milder than usuchange of copper does not reduce its al and they feel better.

Users wrote things like, â&#x20AC;&#x153;It ability to kill germs.

CopperZap is made in the U.S. stopped my cold right away,â&#x20AC;? and â&#x20AC;&#x153;Is of pure copper. It has a 90-day full it supposed to work that fast?â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;What a wonderful thing,â&#x20AC;? wrote PRQH\ EDFN JXDUDQWHH DQG LV Physicianâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Assistant Julie. â&#x20AC;&#x153;No more at CopperZap.com or toll-free colds for me!â&#x20AC;?

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December 2017

50plus LIFE u

Nutcracker Collectibles Lori Verderame

Nutcrackers span the globe among deciduous trees. With a wooden various cultures. According to screw-type nutcracker, introduced reports, an Italian bronze nutcracker in the 17th century, a nut sits in an open cavity of the cracker and a screw dating back to the 4th century B.C. is among the earliest one known. comes down hard enough to crack it.

Englandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s King Henry VIII gave Some early nutcrackers display Anne Boleyn a nutcracker as a gift. metal hinges or levers. For instance, Sparked by famous examples a lever-forced nutcracker works with amassed by collectors, an interest a nut placed in the mouth of a castin the history of cracking the nut metal figure, such as a dog, alligator, uncovers three basic methods to free or wolf. a nut from A nut its shell: positioned percussion, in the belly lever, or of a carved screw. nutcracker Materials figure helps used to make prevent nutcrackers damage to run the the decorated gamut, face, with a including lever at the stone, wood, back or an and metal. elongated Steinbach and Ulbricht nutcrackers, For nose creating circa 1960s-1980s. instance, a lever for nutting cracking. stones were found in North America Dating to the 1700s, Italyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s GrĂśden and parts of northern Europe 5,000Valley was the famous site for the 8,000 years ago. A nut placed in the creation of figural nutcrackers made depression of a stone was smashed by of pine and paint. In northern Italy, another stone, called a hammer stone, carvers produced lever nutcrackers. to reveal a nut inside the shell.

Well-known artisan Anton Riffeser Nutcrackers may be carved from established the Anri woodcarving pine, cedar, spruce, or other conifer firm in the 1920s. trees. Linden, beech, ash, oak, or Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Erzgebirge percussion boxwood often are chosen among nutcrackers from the Ore Mountain

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region are popular with collectors for their tall hats and brightly colored costumes. Carvers from Norway, Denmark, and Sweden produce highly recognizable nutcracker figures of fishermen, street vendors, and seafarers.

German makers Otto Ulbricht and the Steinbach firm became known for nutcrackers with fanciful accessories.

Holiday forms often include reindeer, Santa Claus, or characters from, of course, The Nutcracker Suite.

Ivory was tried but could not withstand the force of repeated use. High-style china table settings included porcelain nutcrackers. The top of a famous porcelain screw nutcracker by Meissen, with a brass wheel for crushing the nut, matched a china pattern.

Once nuts were cracked, metal picks became necessary to dislodge them. Other accessories include nut bowls, serving spoons, and nut

openers used to pry open cracked nuts.

Fruit knives, essentially smallscale pocket knives, were used to eat fruits and nuts at the end of a meal.

Ever-popular nut bowls often came in pairs—one for nuts and the other to hold loose shells.

Sets of a nutcracker and assorted pick have been popular. They were the brainchild of a 19th-century dentist, Henry Quackenbush, whose initial start in making dental tools made him famous as a nut-cracking technician.

Celebrity appraiser Dr. Lori Verderame is an internationally syndicated columnist, author, and award-winning TV personality who stars on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Discovery’s Auction Kings. With a Ph.D. from Penn State University, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events to worldwide audiences. Visit www.

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