50plus LIFE Cumberland County February 2018

Complimentary

Cumberland County Edition | February 2018 • Vol. 19 No. 2

February is american heart month High Blood Pressure Has Been Redefined

special section: tours and trips page 12

page 4

soldier stories page 16

Older But Not Wiser

The 6 Books I Want to Be Buried With Sy Rosen

My father was a big believer in reincarnation. I think it was his way of denying death.

He asked to be buried with the novel Replay. It was about this man who kept coming back, reliving his life.

I actually put the novel in my dad’s coffin, gently laying it on his chest while kissing his forehead. It was a library book, so when my dad does come back, he’ll probably owe a lot of money.

OK, maybe I don’t believe in reincarnation (everybody knows cryogenics is the way to go).

However, this experience got me thinking about the six books I would like to be buried with.

Yes, it’s a little morbid, but we’ve all heard the expression “laughing in the face of death.” How about if we “read in the face of death”?

I gave a lot of thought to the type of books I would choose to read and reread through eternity. I decided that they don’t have to be great literary classics.

For example, I didn’t include Moby Dick because I’ve never been able to get through that novel. The only reason I would have it in my coffin would be to impress guests, and I don’t think I’ll be having a lot of visitors.

I also didn’t choose books that were real downers. I’ll already be dead; that’s

depressing enough. And I didn’t include mysteries because I’ll be reading these books over and over again, spoiling any surprise ending. Therefore, as much as I loved The Girl on the Train, it’s not included.

Anyway, here are the books on my list. They are mostly uplifting and engrossing and transport me into different lives and experiences. I’m sure you may disagree with some of my choices, but hey, it’s my eternity.

The Storied Life of AJ Fikry – This novel by Gabrielle Zevin is a funny, tender, insightful love letter to books and to life.

We watch AJ, a depressed and cranky widower, grow emotionally as he finds new love and a new family. The characters are rich and unforgettable and would be wonderful people to spend eternity with.

Note to self — make sure I’m buried with a reading lamp, preferably battery operated.

Where’d You Go, Bernadette? – A wild adventure that portrays familial dysfunction in all its gory details. Author Maria Semple’s characters are real and multidimensional.

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February 2018

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And most important, this novel makes me laugh out loud. I hope my laughter won’t disturb the other residents in the cemetery.

A Visit from the Goon Squad – This is a joyous, sad, complex book with interconnected stories that shift through time. Written by Jennifer Egan, it’s ostensibly about the music industry but it’s so much more, bursting with ideas and amazing characters.

I find something new each time I read it, which is a terrific quality for a book I’ll be reading for eternity. And the novel takes place in several different countries, which will be great to read about since I probably won’t be doing much traveling.

The Catcher in the Rye and To Kill a Mockingbird – OK, I’m going to lump together two great books by JD Salinger and Harper Lee, respectively.

Holden and Atticus would make terrific roommates (or is it casketmates?).

Also, because I read both these books in high school, I feel like I’m a teenager again whenever I open these novels.

One Plus One – An exhilarating book by Jojo Moyes about underdogs, redemption, and second chances.

I was rooting for Jess and Ed to end up together and for Tanzie to get a math scholarship. Since I was never good in math, I could live vicariously through Tanzie (although “live” might be the wrong word to use when you’re in a casket).

At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away.

Emergency Numbers American Red Cross (717) 845-2751 Central Pennsylvania Poison Center (800) 521-6110 Cumberland County Assistance (800) 269-0173 Energy Assistance Cumberland County Board of Assistance (800) 269-0173 Eye care services Kilmore Eye Associates 890 Century Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 697-1414 Funeral & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Cumberland County (800) 720-8221 Funeral Directors Cocklin Funeral Home, Inc. 30 N. Chestnut St., Dillsburg (717) 432-5312 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 Arthritis Foundation (717) 763-0900 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 PACE (800) 225-7223 Social Security Administration (Medicare) (800) 302-1274 Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania (717) 238-2531 www.50plusLifePA.com

Healthcare Information Pa. HealthCare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services Duncan Nulph Hearing Associates 5020 Ritter Road, Suite 10G Mechanicsburg (717) 766-1500 Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Home Care Services Asbury Home Services (717) 591-8332 Hospice Services Homeland Hospice 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg (717) 221-7890 Housing Assistance Cumberland County Housing Authority 114 N. Hanover St., Carlisle (717) 249-1315 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937 Salvation Army (717) 249-1411 Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067 KeyNet BusinessNetwork (877) 753-9638 Nursing/Rehab Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Nutrition Meals on Wheels Carlisle (717) 245-0707 Mechanicsburg (717) 697-5011

ewville N (717) 776-5251 Shippensburg (717) 532-4904 West Shore (717) 737-3942 Orthopedics OSS Health 856 Century Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 747-8315 Personal Care Homes

Health and Human Services Discrimination (800) 368-1019

Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com salons Earl Gibb for Hair 123 Third St., Lemoyne (717) 737-4347 Services Cumberland County Aging & Community Services (717) 240-6110 Toll-Free Numbers Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555

Organ Donor Hotline (800) 243-6667

Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040 Liberty Program (866) 542-3788 Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833 National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046

Passport Information (888) 362-8668 Smoking Information (800) 232-1331 Social Security Fraud (800) 269-0217 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Services American Legion (717) 730-9100 Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681

Cancer Information Service (800) 422-6237

Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771

Consumer Information (888) 878-3256

Veterans Affairs (717) 240-6178 or (717) 697-0371

Disease and Health Risk (888) 232-3228

Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.

Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233 Drug Information (800) 729-6686 Flu or Influenza (888) 232-3228 50plus LIFE ›

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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

ART DEPARTMENT Project Coordinator Renee McWilliams Production Artist Lauren McNallen

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Account Executives Janette McLaurin Jessica Simmons Angie Willis Account Representatives Matthew Chesson Jennifer Schmalhofer Gina Yocum Events Manager Kimberly Shaffer Marketing Coordinator Martha Lawrence

ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall

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50plus LIFE is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community.

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Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.

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February is American Heart Month Cover Story

High Blood Pressure Redefined High blood pressure should be treated earlier with lifestyle changes and in some patients with medication — at 130/80 mm Hg rather than 140/90 — according to the first new, comprehensive high blood pressure guidelines in more than a decade.

The guidelines are being published by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology for detection, prevention, management, and treatment of high blood pressure.

Rather than 1 in 3 U.S. adults having high blood pressure (32 percent) with the previous definition, the new guidelines will result in nearly half of the U.S. adult population (46 percent) having high blood pressure, or hypertension.

However, there will only be a small increase in the number of U.S. adults who will require antihypertensive medication, authors said.

These guidelines, the first update to offer comprehensive guidance to doctors on managing adults with high blood pressure since 2003, are designed to help people address the potentially deadly condition much earlier.

The new guidelines stress the importance of using proper technique to measure blood pressure. Blood pressure levels should be based on an average of two to three readings on at least two different occasions, the authors said.

High blood pressure accounts for the second largest number of preventable heart disease and stroke deaths, second only to smoking. It’s known as the “silent killer” because often there are no symptoms, despite its role in significantly increasing the risk for heart disease and stroke.

Paul K. Whelton, M.B., M.D., M.Sc., lead author of the guidelines published in the American Heart Association journal, Hypertension, and the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, noted the dangers of blood pressure levels between 130-139/80-89 mm Hg. “You’ve already doubled your risk of cardiovascular complications compared to those with a normal level of blood pressure,” he said.

“We want to be straight with people — if you already have a doubling of risk, you need to know about it. It doesn’t mean you need medication, but it’s a yellow light that you need to be lowering your blood pressure, mainly with non-drug approaches.”

Blood pressure categories in the new guideline are:

• Normal: Less than 120/80 mm Hg • Elevated: Top number (systolic) between 120129 and bottom number (diastolic) less than 80 • Stage 1: Systolic between 130-139 or diastolic between 80-89 • Stage 2: Systolic at least 140 or diastolic at least 90 mm Hg • Hypertensive crisis: Top number over 180 and/or bottom number over 120, with patients needing prompt changes in medication if there are no other indications of problems, or immediate hospitalization if there are signs of organ damage The new guidelines eliminate the category of prehypertension, which was used for blood pressures with a top number (systolic) between 120-139 mm Hg or a bottom number (diastolic) between 80-89 mm Hg. People with those readings now will be categorized as having either elevated (120-129 and less than 80) or stage 1 hypertension (130-139 or 8089).

Previous guidelines classified 140/90 mm Hg as stage 1 hypertension. This level is classified as stage 2 hypertension under the new guidelines.

The impact of the new guidelines is expected to be greatest among younger people. The prevalence of high blood pressure is expected to triple among men under age 45 and double among women under 45, according to the report.

The guidelines stress the importance of home blood pressure monitoring using validated devices and appropriate training of healthcare providers to reveal “white-coat hypertension,” which occurs when pressure is elevated in a medical setting but not in everyday life.

Home readings can also identify “masked hypertension,” when pressure is normal in a medical setting but elevated at home, thus necessitating treatment with lifestyle and possibly medications.

“People with white-coat hypertension do not seem to have the same elevation in risk as someone with true sustained high blood pressure,” Whelton said. “Masked hypertension is more sinister and very important to recognize because these people seem to have a similar risk as those with sustained high blood pressure.” www.50plusLifePA.com

February is American Heart Month Other changes in the new guideline include: • Only prescribing medication for stage 1 hypertension if a patient has already had a cardiovascular event, such as a heart attack or stroke, or is at high risk of heart attack or stroke based on age, the presence of diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, or calculation of atherosclerotic risk (using the same risk calculator used in evaluating high cholesterol) • Recognizing that many people will need two or more types of medications to control their blood pressure and that people may take

their pills more consistently if multiple medications are combined into a single pill • Identifying socioeconomic status and psychosocial stress as risk factors for high blood pressure that should be considered in a patient’s plan of care The American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and nine other health-professional organizations developed the new guidelines, which were written by a panel of 21 scientists and health experts who reviewed more than 900 published studies.

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In romance novels, a fluttering of the heart usually means true love.

In real life, the sudden sensation of your heart racing and pounding in your chest can be frightening enough to send you scrambling to call 911.

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The human heart normally beats at a rate of 60–100 times a minute.

A heart rate of over 100 beats per minute is called tachycardia, a condition that may be serious.

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hormone changes (connected with pregnancy, menstruation, or menopause), diet pills and some cold medications, or drug use.

If you feel your heart pounding, try to relax with some deep breathing or relaxation exercises. If such attacks are frequent, keep a record so you can discuss them with your doctor.

On the other hand, if your heart palpitations are accompanied by chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or loss of conscious, seek emergency medical attention right away.

Palpitations can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as hyperthyroidism or arrhythmia.

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February 2018

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February is American Heart Month Dear Pharmacist

5 Natural Remedies for High Blood Pressure that Really Work

Suzy Cohen

While waiting for a prescription, a friend of mine decided to check his blood pressure. He was dealing with a bout of walking pneumonia and his blood pressure spiked to 140/100!

Has this ever happened to you where you checked your BP at the pharmacy and it was suddenly high?

You can blame stress, the modern diet, lack of exercise, or a bad infection like my buddy had. You can blame other lifestyle factors, like smoking, too. Or it could simply be your genes, as high blood pressure, termed hypertension, tends to run in families.

If left untreated, hypertension can cause or lead to blindness, stroke, kidney failure, atherosclerosis, and heart failure.

Now, the good news. Here are five natural remedies that are proven to really work!

Account Representative

2. Magnesium Threonate Some forms of vitamins are better for certain conditions. With hypertension, look for the mineral magnesium threonate because this form of magnesium leaves your gut.

This type of magnesium can get into the bloodstream and get across your blood brain barrier, is easily absorbed by the cells, and has been proven to lower blood pressure and be stroke preventative as well.

Magnesium threonate is also great for helping promote good, healthy sleep and relaxation.

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3. Garlic Garlic cloves and garlic supplements have been proven to lower blood pressure.

Garlic is an allium vegetable that is rich in antioxidants, good-for-you phytochemical and polyphenols, and sulfur-containing compounds called allicin (which are wonderful for collagen promotion too!).

Garlic is especially effective at lowering systolic blood pressure.

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1. Hibiscus Tea Hibiscus tea is a wonderful remedy for high blood pressure. It’s been used to lower blood pressure in other countries for decades, and it really works.

In one study, researchers found that drinking hibiscus tea for just 12 days reduced systolic pressure by an average 11.7 percent and diastolic pressure by 10.7 percent.

You can buy commercially prepared teabags, or you can easily make your own fresh hibiscus tea each morning. It’s fabulous for memory.

In fact, if you email my customer service team (customerservice@suzycohen. com), I’ll send you the recipe card by email for “Memory Mint Hibiscus Tea.”

EOE

4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fatty fish and some plant foods, such as nuts, seeds, and cruciferous vegetables.

Fish oil is wonderful for lowering high blood pressure because it contains the compounds EPA and DHA, which lower BP and keep your heart www.50plusLifePA.com

February is American Heart Month healthy overall. Fish oils help reduce triglycerides, and that reduces risk for heart attack and stroke.

5. Berries and Dark Chocolate I saved the best for last. Berries and dark chocolate … mmm! This sounds like a wonder-combo all of you can get on board with, right?

Raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, goji, and acai are rich in compounds called polyphenols, which lower blood pressure. Dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which dilate blood vessels, reducing pressure.

A tasty combo comes to mind: Try chocolate-covered blueberries or darkchocolate-dipped strawberries.

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This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit SuzyCohen.com

Vitamin C, Vitamin E Help Reduce Stroke Risk The good news is that people are living longer, and the chance that you will live past age 65 is excellent (just 100 years ago, only 50 percent of Americans made it past 65).

The bad news? Women over 65 face double the stroke risk. But research shows that two supplements are excellent in helping reduce the stroke risk for older people.

In the survey, the participants with the highest amount of vitamin C intake — at least 133 milligrams per day — reduced their risk of stroke by 30 percent.

Smokers also benefited greatly from the highest vitamin C intake www.50plusLifePA.com

and cut their stroke risk by 70 percent.

And don’t forget your vitamin E, either, for added benefits. The study found that people whose intake was at least 15.5 milligrams per day reduced their risk for stroke by 20 percent.

To get an idea of how to get these nutrients in your diet, here are a few nutritional facts: a quarter cup of red bell peppers renders 71 milligrams of vitamin C, a half cup of strawberries renders 42 milligrams of vitamin C, and about 22 almonds renders 7.4 milligrams of vitamin E. – Adapted from Prevention magazine

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February 2018

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On Life and Love after 50

Tom Blake

5 Lessons I’ve Learned in 3 Years of Retirement

When I was pondering retirement from the deli I had founded and worked in for 25 years, the main thing I looked forward to was having “free time.” With it, I could do nothing — if I wanted — which sounded great after all those years of serving sandwiches.

Three years ago, I sold the deli. I’m glad I worked until age 75. Working until then helped me build a small financial nest egg and kept my body moving and my mind active.

However, I realized quickly that I didn’t want a lot of “free time.” It wasn’t good for me. I’m not built to sit around; I found I must have projects to work on.

Every morning, I make a to-do list for the day. If I haven’t crossed each item off by day’s end, so be it. But, the list keeps me focused.

Soon, that “free time” became “busy time.” And from three years of busy time came five lessons learned in retirement.

1. The most important retirement lesson learned is the need to have social interaction with people. To be too isolated is not good for one’s health.

A good way to interact with people is by joining groups. Meetup.com

lists thousands of groups and activities and should provide plenty of ideas for people not sure what to do to meet others.

Another important note about social interaction after retirement: Mix interactions with younger people into your life — kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, or friends younger than yourself — to keep you thinking young.

2. The second retirement lesson I’ve learned is the importance of keeping my body moving. It’s a daily priority for me.

My goal is 10,000 steps a day as measured by my wrist Fitbit device. I don’t always reach that goal, but I’m there four to five days a week.

And I admit that there are nights, when I haven’t quite reached the 10,000 goal, where I walk around the kitchen and living room enough times to get the goal. It’s a little weird, but it keeps me moving.

Weather permitting, I do stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) four to five times a week with a buddy. We meet all kinds of friendly men and women who are walking or paddling. So, there is social interaction in addition to the exercise.

3. The third retirement lesson I’ve learned is the need to have a purpose in life — something with meaning. It doesn’t have to be a huge project.

Volunteering and helping others is a great way to fulfill this human need.

Some people use the words “giving back.” There are lots of people around who are way less fortunate than I am.

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They can use a little help.

How I help them doesn’t matter — giving of my time, or what little money I can afford — makes me feel good.

For people still working, I think it’s important to start planning for retirement before the big day arrives.

Find an interest, a purpose, or a passion so that you’ll be up to speed when the time comes.

4. The fourth retirement lesson I’ve learned is the importance of keeping one’s mind and brain stimulated. For some, it’s the love of reading that fulfills this need.

For me, it’s my writing. I’ve been a newspaper columnist for 23 years.

I love it; every week I generate a column and/or a newsletter article. I am grateful for the opportunity.

5. The fifth retirement lesson I’ve learned is to be willing to step out of one’s comfort zone.

If you’re single, and you’ve made a list of the qualities you seek in a mate, don’t be shackled by the list. For example, let’s say one of the qualities is to meet a widower of the same faith.

But you meet a divorced man instead. And he’s not of the same faith or the same nationality. But you like him because he’s a gentleman.

Step out of your comfort zone and take a chance on him. Let yourself be enlightened. You’d be surprised at the number of seniors unwilling to do that. Don’t be an old fuddy-duddy.

Those are the five biggest takeaways I’ve learned in three years of retirement. In 2018, I’ll probably learn a few more retirement lessons.

But, if I can master these five, I will be ahead of the game.

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

FindingLoveAfter50.com.

www.50plusLifePA.com

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay’ Randal Hill

Sittin’ in the morning sun/I’ll be sittin’ when the evening comes Otis Redding was at peace — sort of — when he began his best-known creation on a friend’s houseboat in Sausalito, California.

On one lazy, sunny afternoon in 1967, Redding strummed his acoustic guitar and softly sang whatever lyrics drifted into his head.

He was going somewhere with a tune; he just didn’t know where.

Looks like nothing’s gonna change/ Everything still remains the same Were those lines meant to be ironic? At that point Otis Redding was really all about change.

He had wowed the (overwhelmingly white) crowd at the recent Monterey Pop Festival.

Aretha Franklin had taken his “Respect” to No. 1 on Billboard’s pop chart.

He had been listening to Bob Dylan and the Beatles.

He talked of starting his own record label.

•••

Born in 1941, Redding had grown up in Macon, Georgia, the home of Little Richard and James Brown, both early major influences. Redding left school at age 15 and went on the road to sing with the Upsetters, Little Richard’s former backup group.

Later on, Redding market,” Cropper hooked up — as would say later.

But only Redding lead singer — with another Macon and Cropper outfit, Johnny believed in the future Jenkins and the classic. The power Pinetoppers. They people behind Volt had scored a regional Records (Redding’s hit called “Love label) hated what Twist,” and Atlantic was offered and Records was showing condemned the interest. song as being too In October 1962 “pop” for Redding’s Atlantic invited hardcore fans.

Jenkins to do Where was that “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” signature Otis some recording in Otis Redding Memphis. Jenkins Redding soul? And February 1968 didn’t drive, so what was with that Redding chauffeured adlibbed whistling of his friend in a borrowed station Redding’s that showed up at the end? wagon.

Three days after finishing recording The Memphis house band that “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay,” day included a future Redding collaborator, guitarist Steve Cropper.

The Jenkins session never came together, but in the studio that afternoon Redding cut an original soul ballad called “These Arms of Mine.”

It became the first of 21 hit singles he would record in his brief lifetime.

Redding died at age 26 when his small private plane slammed into a Wisconsin lake.

He and his five-piece band, the Bar-Kays, had been heading to Madison for a club date. One band member survived the crash.

Steve Cropper ended up tinkering with Redding’s work by adding sound effects of gently lapping waves. The result was a fine point on what rock historian Dave Marsh once declared was “as whole, as fully realized and mature, as any record ever made.”

Music fans obviously agreed; by the end of the century, “Dock” had earned a phenomenal 6 million spins on the radio.

Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

•••

On Oct. 4, 1967, Redding met with Cropper in a Memphis recording studio to polish Redding’s “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay.” “We knew we finally had the song that would cross him over to the pop

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February 2018

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CCRCs/ Life Plan Communities Designed with their residents’ changing needs in mind, CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities)/Life Plan Communities offer a tiered approach to the aging process.

Healthy adults entering these communities can live independently. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can transition to personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities.

Some CCRCs/Life Plan Communities have designated dementia areas that address the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia. In addition, some communities have sought out and earned accreditation from CARF International, signifying they have met CARF’s stringent set of quality standards. CCRCs/Life Plan Communities enable older adults to remain in one care system for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out—creating both comfort and peace of mind.

The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

Bethany Village

325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org

Cornwall Manor

1 Boyd Street, P.O. Box 125 Cornwall, PA 17016 Jennifer Margut Director of Marketing (717) 274-8092 info@cornwallmanor.org www.cornwallmanor.org

Homeland Center

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Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities

1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org

Enhanced Senior Living 1800 Marietta Avenue P.O. Box 3227 Lancaster, PA 17604-3227 Christina Gallagher Director of Marketing (717) 397-4831, ext. 158 www.homesteadvillage.org

544 North Penryn Road Manheim, PA 17545 Amanda Hall Sales & Marketing Manager (717) 664-6207 ahall@pleasantviewrc.org www.pleasantviewrc.org

2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org

Cross Keys Village The Brethren Home Community 2990 Carlisle Pike New Oxford, PA 17350 Amy Beste Senior Retirement Counselor (717) 624-5350 a.beste@crosskeysvillage.org www.crosskeysvillage.org

Landis Homes

1001 East Oregon Road Lititz, PA 17543 Sarah Short Director of Residency Planning (717) 381-3549 sshort@landishomes.org www.landishomes.org

If you would like your CCRC/Life Plan Community to be featured on this page, please contact your account representative or call (717) 285-1350.

The CCRCs listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.

Can Beet Juice Keep Your Brain Young?

Beet juice may keep your brain young and fit, according to an article on the Runner’s World website.

The article cites a study reported in the Journal of Gerontology: Medical Sciences that found that a shot of beet juice an hour before exercise can have positive benefits to brains as they get older.

In the study, 26 sedentary men with an average age of 65 participated in six weeks of exercise. Some took daily shots of beet juice; others received a placebo.

The participants walked on a treadmill three times a week for six weeks,

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building up to 50 minutes per session at increased effort.

Comparing MRIs from before and after the trial, researchers found that the group that drank beet juice had significantly higher levels of “community consistency” within their brains.

The nitrate in beet juice, which converts to nitrite and then nitric oxide in the blood, has a strong positive effect on responsiveness in blood vessels, which, in turn, can increase the amount of oxygen reaching the brain and boost aspects of cognitive function. www.50plusLifePA.com

Eyeglass Donations to Benefit Disadvantaged Geisinger Holy Spirit collected nearly 750 pairs of prescription eyeglasses, readers, and sunglasses this fall in partnership with local Lions Clubs.

Geisinger Holy Spirit encouraged employees and patients to donate gently used glasses for use in countries where vision screening and eyeglasses are unavailable to the poor.

Several Lions Clubs in southcentral Pennsylvania, including From left, Carl Winfield, Camp Hill Lions; those in Camp Hill and Lower Kathleen Fouse, Lower Paxton Township Paxton Township, donated the Lions; Kyle Snyder, chief administrative officer, collection boxes and will sort Geisinger Holy Spirit; and Sister Mary Joseph and ship the collected eyewear Albright, director of mission integration, to distribution facilities in New Geisinger Holy Spirit.

Jersey and Virginia.

Additional donations of For more information about the eyeglasses will be accepted on an Lions Clubs Sight Programs, visit ongoing basis in the hospital lobby, lionsclubs.org/EN/how-we-serve/ 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill. health/sight/index.php.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Need more LIFE in your life?

Get 50plus LIFE sent straight to your mailbox!

Simply mail this form and $15 for an annual subscription to: 50plus LIFE • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Call (717) 285-8131, or subscribe online at www.50plusLIFEPA.com!

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Please specify edition: oChester oCumberland oDauphin oLancaster oLebanon oYork

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February 2018

11

Tours and Trips Traveltizers

By Andrea Gross

In Their Shoes: Special Museums with a Personal Touch

It’s one thing to envision yourself as a fictional person who represents a group of anonymous folks, like a soldier or farmer. It’s another to imagine the thoughts of a real man or woman whose story has been well documented.

But here, in three extraordinary museums, each visitor actually takes on the identity of a particular individual whose future is still unknown.

Upon entering the museum, the participant is randomly assigned to follow a specific person who took part in a historic event.

Through a combination of digital technology, threedimensional displays, and a host of diaries, documents, and artifacts, he is able to see his alter ego’s actions and become privy to his thoughts.

According to the old proverb, you can’t truly know someone until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. These are walks you’ll long remember.

Dioramas depict typical Civil War military camps at the National Museum of the Civil War.

Costumed interpreters fire canons at the National Museum of the Civil War.

The Grand Staircase has become symbolic of the opulence that defined the Titanic. It was 60 feet high and 16 feet wide.

A replica of a 1940s Pullman train, like that used by soldiers leaving for war, takes visitors to the first stop on their interactive journey through World War II.

A Civil War Soldier I’m communing with 13-year-old Delavan Miller, a drummer boy in the Union Army of the Potomac, circa 1862.

As I stop in front of a diorama depicting a typical military camp, Delavan confides that he had considered “falling out of line.” Across the room, my husband is listening to 21-year-old Eli Pinson

Landers, who fought for the South.

Delavan and Eli were real people, and my husband and I are using personal digital players to listen to their actual words, as recorded in letters and journals and spoken by actors.

The two boy-men fought for different causes, yet their thoughts were remarkably similar.

And this — the similarities of those on both sides of the war — is the overriding lesson of the National Museum of the Civil War Soldier at Pamplin Historical Park (www.pamplinpark.org) in Petersburg, Virginia.

As I don my headphones and listen to Delavan describe his experiences, I suddenly hear a gasp from another visitor. Her “comrade” was describing a battle when a loud shot interrupted his words.

“He was killed,” she says quietly.

A Titanic Passenger The stars are out tonight. The weather is chilly; I pull my wrap around me more tightly … Oh my! What’s that? The ship shudders. I reach for a chair to keep my balance.

L & L Tours and Travel We’re going places and we’d love to have you join us! Many day trips already scheduled and a few multi-day excursions as well. Theatres, historic tours, the beach, national museums, and more.

Check out our website at www.lltourstravel.com for more information or call (717) 486-7061 for a 2018 travel booklet.

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www.50plusLifePA.com

Tours and Trips My name, according to the He was quite a man — a “boarding pass” I received Medal of Honor winner, a POW, when I entered the Titanic and a member of the unit that Museum in Branson, Missouri, inspired the award-winning is Eleanor Widener, and my film Twelve O’Clock High. I feel cabin number aboard the illhonored to have known Lt. Col. fated ship is C-80-82.

Morgan, if only for a few hours.

The Titanic left I also feel incredibly lucky. I’ve Southampton, England, on accompanied three people on April 10, 1912, and was due my museum visits, and they all to arrive in New York seven survived. days later. Five days into the My husband wasn’t as Visitors stop at the “Wall of Stories” to The National World War II Museum journey and about 1,300 miles fortunate. His alter egos left him see if the Titanic passenger whom they has thousands of artifacts, northeast of its destination, it thrice dead. represent lived or died. from small helmets to huge jeeps. struck an iceberg. Most of the passengers drowned.

For more information on these Unlike other museums that museums and the surrounding and experiential journey through the jungles of match visitors with a real person and depict history areas, go to www.traveltizers.com. Photos © Irv Green Southeast Asia and onto the beaches of the Pacific. unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www. through the diaries and photographs of that person, I begin in Europe, where, at various stops, I use andreagross.com).

Branson’s Titanic Museum (www.titanicbranson. my dog tag to unlock the story of John Morgan. com) recreates the past in its three-dimensional glory through a half-size replica of the actual ship as well as more than 4,000 artifacts.

Thus, in my role as the real Eleanor, I spend what may be my few remaining hours in this world February May climbing the grand staircase, shivering in the 14 Dutch Apple – Ring of Fire $89pp 4 Herndon on Rocks $65pp cold night air, and finally sitting in a lifeboat and 19 NYC on Your Own

$35pp 5,12 Springtime in NYC

$65pp praying that I’ll make it to safety.

19 Lion King on Broadway $175pp 13-18 Savannah & Charleston $ 999pp Dble Finally the real me goes to the ship’s Memorial $1299pp Sngle 20 Mt. Airy Casino –Basically Bennett $99pp Hall to find out what happened to my counterpart.

19 Ellis Island & 9/11 $115pp Eleanor survived. Her husband and son did not.

March 22 Blue Angels

$110pp In their honor, she donated more than $3.5 5,6,7,8,9 Phl Flower Show $89pp 23 Frozen on Broadway $210pp million to establish a Harry Elkins Widener Library 13 JESUS at Sight & Sound $115pp 28-1 Cape Cod $699pp Dble at Harvard University, at the same time insisting 15 St. Patrick’s Festival $115pp June that all Harvard students pass a swimming test 17-18 Williamsburg Escape $150pp Dble $225pp Sngle 2 DC on Your Own $50pp before graduation.

17 St. Patrick’s Parade NYC

$65pp

11-14 Vermont/New Hampshire

$789pp Dble After all, Harry might have saved himself had he $889pp Sngle 15-24 Gardens of the Deep South $1999pp Dble been able to swim.

16 Cape May on Your Own $70pp 21 The Producers – Bristol Theatre $135pp 22 Phila. Zoo/Camden Aquarium $85pp 28 Frozen on Broadway $210pp A World War II Aviator 30 Museum of the Bible

$65pp I’m so busy munching a beignet that I almost August 31 Springtime in NYC

$65pp miss my train.

13-16 Ark Encounter/Creation Museum $595pp Dble I sink into my seat on the recreated Pullman April October car and stare at my digital dog tag. It contains the 4 Dolly/Bernadette Peters $159pp 22-25 Ark Encounter/Creation Museum $595pp Dble individual story of “my” veteran, the person I will 7,21 Springtime in NYC $65pp follow as I go on a multimedia journey through 12 Dover Downs/Oh What a Night Show $99pp World War II. 14 Washington DC Cherry Blossom Festival $50pp Suddenly the train stops, and I’m in the 20 Mansions of Fairmont Park $135pp Campaigns of Courage Pavilion, a 32,00021 Alexandria Garden Festival $159pp square-foot exhibition hall at New Orleans’ 22-24 Presidential Trail $579pp Dble $729pp Sngle National World War II Museum (www. nationalww2museum.org).

Much more on www.lowees.com It contains two permanent exhibits: “The Road to Berlin,” where people become immersed in the Call or email ckelly@lowees.com to register sights and sounds of war-torn Europe, and “The Since 1984 Road to Tokyo,” which leads visitors on a digital PUC # A-00116038

ESCORTED MOTORCOACH TRIPS

717-657-9658

www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE ›

February 2018

13

Tours and Trips Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

Escort Services that Can Help Seniors with the Rigors of Travel If, however, your mom doesn’t require a lot of assistance, or if you can’t afford a travel escort, consider asking a trusted family member or friend that has some air travel experience.

Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any services that help seniors with the rigors of traveling? My youngest daughter is getting married in a few months and would love to have my 82-year-old mother attend, but she needs help flying across the country.

– Searching Daughter Dear Searching, Traveling can be daunting under the best circumstances, but for elderly seniors, those with disabilities, or those recovering or rehabilitating from an illness or injury, it can seem particularly overwhelming or unmanageable.

Fortunately, there are a number of companies that provide traveling companion/escort services to help older adults with the rigors of travel.

Whether it’s seniors going on vacation or grandparents wanting to join their far-off families for weddings and graduations, travel companions help clients who need help moving through airports, managing luggage, navigating busy terminals and hotel lobbies, and much more.

Some companion services even provide personal care, such as medication reminders, dressing, bathing, and feeding. And for those with specific medical needs, traveling nurse services are available too.

But be aware that these services aren’t cheap.

You will pay for the travel companion’s tickets, the companion’s hotel room if necessary, meals,

incidentals, and fees for the service.

The price to accompany a client on a plane trip within the United States — including the companion fees and travel costs for all parties — can range anywhere from $1,500 to $5,000 or more for coach airfare. Business or first class would cost more.

To locate a travel-companion service in your area, search online for “senior travel companion” or “senior travel escort,” followed by your mom’s city or state.

Or use an experienced national service, such as Flying Companions (www.flyingcompanions.com) or FirstLight Home Care (www.firstlighthomecare. com), which has a national network of franchises that provide in-home care for seniors and offers travel companion programs in about one-third of its 130 franchises.

Or, for medical travel companions, do a search for “traveling nurse escort” or “medical travel companion,” or check out Travel Care & Logistics (www.yourflightnurse.com), which provides registered nurses as escorts.

Questions to Ask If you’re interested in hiring a travel-companion service to help your mom, there are a number of things you need to check into to ensure you get the right escort.

First, if your mom requires personal or medical care while traveling, find out if the escort is trained to manage her healthcare needs. What sort of medical certifications do they have (nursing credentials, CPR training, etc.)?

Also, find out how many trips the companion has taken with clients. Have they completed trips with travelers like your mom? How long has the travel service company been in business?

What is the company’s safety record? And what sort of insurance does it carry, and what and whom does it cover?

Also, get a quote breaking down exactly what you’ll be required to pay, in addition to the companion’s fees. And, get a list of two or three clients/references who have used their service and call them.

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

Watch Your Manners When You Travel Traveling abroad is stressful enough without accidentally offending the people you’re visiting.

Check out these warnings from the BuzzFeed

Jamann Sailing Adventures Virgin Islands Sailing Charters Come sail the clear blue warm waters of the Virgin Islands like pirates of old. Beaches, snorkeling, hiking.

Special 2018 rates.

4 guests, 7 nights for only $6000 www.JamannSailingAdventures.com (717) 917-7118 Jim@JamannSailingAdventures.com

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website to steer clear of a faux pas in a foreign nation: China – Don’t give any kind of gift with the number four in it.

The Chinese word for “four” sounds close to the word for “death.”

Denmark – You’ll show bad manners if you take the last item of food off a plate. If you want a little more, take only part of it and leave the rest.

India – Use your right hand when eating or passing food, never your left. The left hand is considered unclean in India, as well as other places like Africa and the Middle East.

Japan – Don’t stick your chopsticks straight up in a bowl of rice. Rice is presented this way during funerals.

Doing it at a meal will be seen as bad luck.

Mexico – Your server won’t bring your check to the table before you ask for it, so don’t assume he or she isn’t paying attention to you. www.50plusLifePA.com

Cumberland County

Calendar of Events

Support Groups Free and open to the public

Senior Center Activities

Feb. 1, 6:30 p.m.

Too Sweet: Diabetes Support Group Chapel Hill United Church of Christ 701 Poplar Church Road, Camp Hill (717) 557-9041

Feb. 12, 1:30-3 p.m.

Caregivers Support Group St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 310 Hertzler Road, Upper Allen Township (717) 766-8806

Feb. 5, 4-5 p.m.

Caregivers Support Group Messiah Lifeways Meetinghouse 1155 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle (717) 243-0447

Feb. 13, 6:30-8 p.m.

Carlisle Area Men’s Cancer Support Group The Live Well Center 3 Alexandria Court, Carlisle (717) 877-7561 sirbrady12@gmail.com

Big Spring Senior Center – (717) 776-4478 91 Doubling Gap Road, Suite 1, Newville Feb. 8, 6 :30-8:30 p.m. – Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia and Memory Impairment Feb. 13, noon – Preventing Dehydration Feb. 17, 6 p.m. – Valentine’s Potluck Dinner

Feb. 6, 6 p.m.

CanSurmount Cancer Support Group HealthSouth Acute Rehab Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 691-6786 Feb. 6, 6-7 p.m.

Alzheimer’s Support Group Senior Helpers 3806 Market St., Suite 3, Camp Hill (717) 920-0707 Feb. 7, 1:30 p.m.

The Bridges Support Group for the Alzheimer’s Association The Bridges at Bent Creek 2100 Bent Creek Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 795-1100 Feb. 7, 7 p.m.

Caregivers Support Group Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 1000 Claremont Road, Carlisle (717) 386-0047

Feb. 14, 1:30 p.m.

Parkinson’s Support Group Bethany Village West – Springfield Room 325 Asbury Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 877-0624 Feb. 15, 1 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren 501 Gale St., Mechanicsburg (717) 766-8880 Feb. 27, 6 p.m.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 486-3596 apcoulson@comcast.net If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

Library Programs Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St., Carlisle, (717) 243-4642 Feb. 2, 7 p.m. – Music @ Bosler Feb. 5, 7:30-8:45 p.m. – Monday Bosler Book Discussion Group Feb. 23, 1-2 p.m. – Just Mysteries! Book Club Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, (717) 761-3900 Feb. 10, 1:30 p.m. – Lincoln’s Highlights Feb. 20, 7 p.m. – Gardening with Nature: Why Master Gardeners?

Feb. 23, 2 and 7 p.m.; Feb. 24, 2 p.m. – Film Fridays: The 2018 Oscar-Nominated Short Films New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, (717) 774-7820 Feb. 8, 6:30 p.m. – Learn the Art of Zentangle Feb. 13, 10:30-11:30 a.m. – Book Review Program: Gettysburg Monuments Feb. 28, 6-9 p.m. – PennWriters Writing Group www.50plusLifePA.com

Branch Creek Place – (717) 300-3563 115 N. Fayette St., Shippensburg Carlisle Senior Action Center – (717) 249-5007 20 E. Pomfret St., Carlisle Mary Schaner Senior Citizens Center (717) 732-3915 98 S. Enola Drive, Enola Mechanicsburg Place – (717) 697-5947 97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg West Shore Senior Citizens Center (717) 774-0409 122 Geary St., New Cumberland Please call or visit their website for more information.

Community Programs

Free and open to the public

Mondays and Wednesdays, noon SilverSneakers Exercise Class Susquehanna View Apartments Community Room 208 Senate Ave., Camp Hill (717) 439-4070 jesseswoyer.com@gmail.com Feb. 14, 11:30 a.m.

NARFE West Shore Chapter 1465 VFW Post 7530 4545 Westport Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 774-4031 www.narfe1465.org Visitors welcome; meeting is free but fee for food.

Feb. 17, 8:30 a.m. to noon “Healthy Heart, Healthy You” Cardiovascular Awareness Event Geisinger Holy Spirit Hospital Auditorium 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill (717) 972-4289 GHSevents@geisinger.edu Feb. 20, 5:30 p.m.

Heart Smart Workshop Geisinger Holy Spirit and Weis Markets Café at Weis Markets 4525 Valley St., Enola (717) 732-7830 edunleavy@weismarkets.com 50plus LIFE ›

February 2018

15

Soldier Stories

Robert Naeye

Near Chu Lai, Army Nurse Treated Civilians, Soldiers — and Vietcong

In the December 2017 issue of 50plus LIFE I told the story of Ann Thompson, who served as an Army nurse during the early period of direct American involvement in the Vietnam War. Now I turn to her friend and fellow nurse, Linda Goodhart, who served in Vietnam four years after Thompson, from October 1969 to October 1970.

Although she now resides in Central Pennsylvania, Goodhart was born in Philadelphia in 1947 and graduated from nearby West Chester High School. She went directly into a three-year nursing program at Philadelphia General Hospital, where she received her diploma.

The Army helped pay for her training in return for two years of service and four years of active reserve — although she was never specifically

Goodhart at the 91st Evacuation Bunker near Chu Lai Air Base, 1970.

told about the additional four years.

“The Army was my way of saving

Stories of ordinary men and women called to perform extraordinary military service.

From 1999–2016, writer and World War II veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox 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) 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!

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Linda Goodhart today, right, with Ann Thompson, a fellow Vietnam nurse, in Goodhart’s backyard.

money for college,” says Goodhart.

Like Thompson, Goodhart attended officer’s training school at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. She learned basic navigation skills and how to shoot 45-calibre pistols. She also performed tracheotomies on goats to learn basic combat surgery.

But she agrees with Thompson that her Army training was woefully inadequate for the grim realities of wartime medicine.

“I wasn’t expecting to go to Vietnam, so I didn’t think about it,” she recalls.

But her Philly hospital would often treat very sick patients or victims of gunshot wounds or domestic abuse.

“You really got to see terrible things, so I felt, ‘I can do this, no problem,’” Goodhart says. “I thought it couldn’t get much worse than this — then I found out it could.”

Goodhart took a flight across the Pacific to Saigon. When she arrived, the heat and humidity hit her hard.

Making matters worse, nobody at the airport had her name, so she had no idea where to go. But she eventually figured things out by asking questions.

A few days later she was flown by helicopter to the 91st Evacuation

Hospital in the area of Chu Lai Air Base, about 100 miles south of the demilitarized zone. The pilot flew over the South China Sea to avoid enemy fire.

She spent her first three months in the South Vietnamese ward, treating primarily civilians and children. She was overwhelmed by the sight of so many patients.

“It was difficult at times dealing with that population because you couldn’t speak their language, but eventually we could figure out what they wanted,” says Goodhart.

Goodhart recalls one tragic incident where she and her colleagues were treating a comatose boy about 2 or 3 years old. His brain was swollen from malaria.

As was common in Vietnam hospitals, family members came to stay with the patients. The boy’s mother spoke very good English, so a nurse took her to the intensive care unit to translate for an enemy patient.

Shortly thereafter, the boy went into cardiac arrest. The doctors and nurses tried everything they could to save him, but he didn’t make it.

“When the mother came back, I had to tell her that her son had died and that we did everything we could,” recalls Goodhart.

The mother spent the night holding her baby. The next day the mother thanked Goodhart for trying to save her child, and Goodhart broke out in tears. But that was the last time she cried in Vietnam.

Goodhart’s evacuation hospital was relatively small, with about 70 beds and 20-25 nurses. But her Army base also had a surgical hospital.

Goodhart’s hospital was located on a gorgeous beach, but with 12-hour shifts six days a week, she had little time to appreciate it.

Conditions were often primitive.

The hospital’s only air conditioning was in the ICU. All personnel were given daily doses of antibiotics to fend off infections. And they had to www.50plusLifePA.com

contend with pouring rain without adequate clothing and footwear.

Goodhart asked her parents to send her a heating blanket, which she used to prevent items on her bed from collecting mildew.

Officers had to pay for their meals.

The Army food wasn’t great, but it was edible. To spice things up, Goodhart wrote home and asked her parents to send bottles of A.1.

“Pretty soon people started sitting with me so they could use my steak sauce,” she says.

Her parents also sent her copies of The Philadelphia Inquirer, which would generally arrive about a week late.

“I would read these stories and think, ‘This isn’t what’s going on here.’ The secret war in Cambodia was secret to the news people and to the people in the United States, but it wasn’t so secret to us because we’d get those folks [at the hospital].”

The hospital had a triage system that prioritized military personnel over civilians. Abdominal wounds usually came first, and brain injuries often came last. Patients with less severe injuries were kept either in “the rear” or at another hospital.

“Our philosophy was that if they live 12 hours, they’ll live for the rest of the time. But if they get too well too quickly, they get to go back to the fight. That’s what Army medical is for — to preserve the fighting strength.”

Goodhart frequently cared for enemy prisoners. There was always a military police officer present — two if prisoners were numerous — so Goodhart felt safe.

North Vietnamese POWs sometimes showed genuine appreciation for the care they received. Goodhart befriended two North Vietnamese captives who were later shot in cold blood by South Vietnamese soldiers while being driven to a POW camp.

In stark contrast, Goodhart describes Vietcong prisoners as “very scary people” who would sometimes threaten to slit the throats of the doctors and nurses. These guerillas

were often from the local area, so from their perspective, they were defending their homeland against foreign invaders.

The movie M*A*S*H came out in 1970, when Goodhart was on leave in Hong Kong. She says many of the characters were similar to doctors and nurses in Vietnam. The movie was set in the Korean War, but it was really about Vietnam.

One thing the movie (and television series) depicted accurately was what happened when wounded soldiers were coming in fast and furious. The doctors would have to practice “meatball surgery,” meaning they’d have to sew up patients and move them on.

“One of the biggest problems is that when we had new doctors coming in, they wanted to practice their specialties; they wanted to practice stateside medicine,” says Goodhart. “We would say, ‘No, you can’t do that.’”

Goodhart came home in October 1970 and attended college in Connecticut. She later went on to earn two master’s degrees in healthcare from Yale University. She moved back to Pennsylvania in 1980 to work in a nursing administration job at the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

After meeting at a Vietnam nurses group more than 25 years ago, in 1997 Goodhart and Thompson traveled with other nurses to Vietnam.

The trip was pleasant and cathartic, and most of the locals were very friendly. She even got to reacquaint herself with one of her Vietnamese patients.

Besides their friendship born of common hardship and experiences, Goodhart and Thompson got together with three other Vietnam War nurses to coauthor the book Another Kind of War Story, which is available through Amazon.

Robert Naeye is a freelance journalist living in Derry Township. He is the former editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope magazine.

Subscribe Online At:

50plusLIFEPA.com www.50plusLifePA.com

April 9, 2018 May 30, 2018 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wyndham Hotel York

NEW LOCATION!

2000 Loucks Road York

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel 1741 Papermill Road Wyomissing

Please, join us!

This combined event is FREE for veterans of all ages, active military, and their families.

At the Expo

Veterans Benefits Community Services Products and Services Available Support/Assistance Programs Education/Training Services

At the Job Fair

Employers Job Counseling Workshops/Seminars Resume Writing Assistance Principal Sponsors:

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

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

50plus LIFE ›

Brought to you by:

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February 2018

17

We’d Like to Know More About You Complete Our Reader Survey to be Entered in Our Drawing

Please participate in our confidential reader survey. The information you provide is important to us.

The results are for 50 LIFE’s use only. Thank you for participating and good luck in the drawing!

Mail your completed survey to: 50 LIFE Survey • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 by March 15, 2018.

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Please give us your opinion so that we can give you a better publication. Thank you! The gift card winner will be announced in our July issue.

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3. If you could make one change to 50 LIFE, what would it be? ________________________________________________________________ 4. What topics would you like us to cover? ________________________________________________________________ 5. How often do you pick up your copy of 50 LIFE?  Monthly  Semi-regularly  Occasionally  Rarely

26. In the next two years, might you consider moving to any of the following?  Smaller House  Apartment  Condo  Retirement Community 27. How many times do you dine out each month?  14 or more  10-13 times  6-9 times  Fewer than 5 times

7. Do you patronize 50 LIFE advertisers?  Often  Sometimes  Never 8. How important to you is our calendar of events?  Very important  Somewhat important  Not important 9. How often do you do the puzzles on the Puzzle Page?  Every Issue  Sometimes  Never 10. Number of people (include yourself) who read your copy of 50 LIFE? ___________ 11. What percentage of 50 LIFE do you read? __________________________ 13. Have you visited 50 LIFE’s website?  Yes  No 14. Do you read 50 LIFE online?  Often  Sometimes  Never 15. How likely are you to read our website’s additional editorial content?  Very likely  Somewhat likely  Not likely 16. Do you have a computer?  Yes  No 17. Do you use the internet for: • Researching Information Frequently Sometimes Never • Emailing Frequently Sometimes Never • Social Media (Facebook, etc.) Frequently Sometimes Never • Reading Newspapers/Magazines Frequently Sometimes Never Don’t Have Internet  18. Do you prefer:  Print  Digital 19. Have you visited 50 LIFE on Facebook?  Yes  No 20. I am (check all that apply):  Male  Female  Married  Divorced  Widowed  Single

24. Our/my household net worth is (includes home, pensions, investments, etc.): Under $50,000  $50,000-$99,999  $100,000-$249,999  $250,000-$349,999 $350,000-$499,999 $500,000-$999,999 $1 million or more 25. Our/my housing status (check all that apply):  Own  Rent  Condo  Single-Family House  Apartment  Retirement Community  Nursing Home

6. Which of the following actions have you taken in the last 12 months as a result of reading 50 LIFE?  Requested information offered in an article  Requested information from an advertisement  Visited a specific store  Bought/ordered advertised product or service  Visited a specific travel destination  Attended a local event or meeting  Saved an article for future reference  Other

12. Is 50 LIFE an important source of information for you?  Yes  No

23. My present work status is:  Full-Time  Part-Time  Retired  Volunteering My spouse’s current work status is:  Full-Time  Part-Time  Retired  Volunteering

28. How many times a month do you attend cultural events, plays, concerts, movies, etc.?  1-4  5-8  9-11 12 or more times 29. How many times a year do you travel?  1-4 times  5-8 times  9-11 times  12 or more times 30. Have you visited a casino in the past year?  Yes  No If yes, how many times?  1-2  3-4  5-9 10 or more 31. What professional services have you employed in the past year?  Elder Law Attorney  Insurance Broker  Travel Agent  CPA  Financial Planner  Real Estate Agent  Other ______________ 32. What professional services do you foresee using? Home Health Services Retirement Living Community: 50+ Community Personal Care CCRC  Assisted Living  Nursing  Dementia Insurance Broker  Travel Agency  Real Estate Agent  Home Improvement 33. Check which purchases you plan to make in the next 12 months: New Car Make? ___________________ Used Car  Motor Home or RV  Computer/Tablet/e-Reader  Furniture  Television  Major Appliance  Eyeglasses Heater/Air Conditioner  Hearing Aid  Airline Tickets/Travel Health/Long-Term Care Insurance  Other__________________________ 34. How would you rate your overall health? Excellent  Good  Fair  Poor 35. How much do you spend on prescription drugs annually?  $100 or less  $101-$300  $301-$500  $501-$999  more than $1,000 36. Have you taken out a policy for long-term care insurance?  Yes  No 37. Do you have home care assistance?  Yes  No 38. Have you or has someone you know taken out a reverse mortgage?  Yes  No

Thank You For Your Participation In Our Survey.

P rize:s A re 18

February 2018

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Puzzle Page

CROSSWORD

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 22

SUDOKU

Across 1. Flying mammal 4. Biz supervision (abbr.)

7. Senegal capital 12. ____ mater 13. Center 14. Thrill 15. Impartial 16. Toward shelter 17. Quoted 18. Dutch capital 20. Levels 21. Thing, in law 22. Catch one’s breath 23. Gaming cube 24. Owns

25. Legal document 27. Time zone 30. Anticipate 33. Buckeye State 34. Card game 35. Solid; unwavering 38. Large and scholarly book 39. Morsels 40. Aeries 41. Fruit drink 42. Mirth 43. Mature 44. Noah’s creation 45. Replete

47. Used to be 50. Netherlands Antilles island 53. Coolest 55. Common grape vine 56. Byron poem 57. Contest 58. Oil source 59. Greek god of war 60. Swear 61. Discourage 62. Time periods (abbr.)

63. Fish catcher

19. Muse of poetry 23. Designer name 24. Boost 26. BBQ choice 27. After place and door 28. Mild oath 29. High rocky hills 30. Ionian gulf 31. Golf club 32. Pinnacle 33. Demon 34. Escape 36. People in general

37. Wing bearer 42. Kitchen utensil 43. Gazetteer 44. Higher up 46. Eng. river 47. Interlace 48. Cravat 49. Goulash 50. Footless 51. Upset 52. Building block 53. Talon 54. Neighbor of Pakistan

Down 1. Find fault 2. Haywire 3. Sharp 4. Forms 5. Man-eater 6. Swarm 7. Duplicity 8. Existing 9. Actress Capshaw 10. Solar disk 11. Scarlet and cerise 12. Distant 13. Anxious feelings

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February 2018

19

Fragments of History

Victor Parachin

Fascinating Facts about the ‘Feel-Good Food’

Chocolate has been making Americans smile for at least 4,000 years now — South Americans, that is.

Scientists believe the first cocoa trees grew wild in the Amazon valleys of South America. Archaeologists note that cocoa was cultivated by the ancient Mayans, who took it with them when they migrated to the Yucatan.

The Aztecs were also familiar with the cocoa bean, and they too carried it with them as they journeyed through Central America. Spanish explorers reported that the Aztec emperor, Montezuma, drank up to 50 cups of chocolate daily.

Today, four millennia later, chocolate has won over the world. Here are some fascinating chocolate facts.

Chocolate has been transformed. Today’s chocolate is quite different from what the ancient Mayans and Aztecs consumed. They allowed beans to ferment

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February 2018

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in the pod, and then roasted them and ground them into a fine powder, which was mixed with water.

The drink was cold, somewhat bitter, and called chocolatl. Some of the bitterness could be tempered with the addition of vanilla beans.

Columbus brings chocolate to Europe.

Among the treasures Columbus brought back from the New World was a beverage he called cocoa.

His mixture was more pleasing to European tastes because of the generous addition of sugar and milk.

It became such a sensation in the Spanish court of King Ferdinand that he demanded a vow of silence; no one was permitted to reveal the new, secret drink. The penalty for doing so was death.

His demand, combined with the threat of capital punishment, was effective.

Quick Chocolate Stats The Spanish had chocolate to themselves for nearly a • Cocoa is the third-largest cash crop, full century before word of it behind coffee and sugar. The United leaked out.

States and Europe consume twothirds of all the chocolate produced.

It was believed to be a • A single chocolate chip provides medicine. Early Spanish explorers declared chocolate a sufficient food energy for an adult to “divine drink” and believed it walk 150 feet. It would take about heightened resistance to disease 875,000 chocolate chips for an and guarded against fatigue. around-the-world hike.

Like the Aztecs, they also used • Cocoa only grows within 20 degrees it as a medicine for dysentery. of the equator. In 1996, Hawaii As the popularity of this became the first U.S. state to mystical bean first spread to produce cocoa.

Europe, it was promoted as a • Chocolate makes use of 40 percent chocolate medicinal drink that of the world’s almonds, 20 percent could cure various ills. of the peanuts, and 8 percent of the Many Europeans, including Italian adventurer and author sugar.

Giacomo Casanova, claimed • W hile sales of most food products in it was an inducement to the United States grow at an average romance. Called an “inflamer rate of 1 percent a year, chocolate of passions,” chocolate was said sales grow at 3 percent. to tempt monks to break their • A mericans consume more than 2 vows. Its romantic powers are billion pounds of chocolate in one likely the reason chocolate is year or 11 pounds per person per connected to Valentine’s Day. year. On Valentine’s Day alone, Americans will spend half a billion Chocolate spreads across dollars for chocolate.

Europe. The first country beyond Spain to enjoy www.50plusLifePA.com

chocolate was Italy in 1606. An Italian visiting Spain — Antonio Carletti — encountered chocolate and brought samples back to Italy.

Soon Italians were in search of their own source of chocolate.

France received chocolate as part of the dowry for the marriage of the Spanish princess Maria Theresa to King Louis XIV in 1660.

French royals, like their Spanish counterparts, were enthralled with chocolate. In fact, King Louis established a new court position: royal chocolate maker to the king.

It was a French citizen who brought chocolate to England when he opened a London shop in 1657, where he sold blocks of chocolate to turn into a drink. Soon cocoa pubs were appearing all over England, developing such a following that ale makers tried to restrict the sale of their new competitor.

the cocoa plant its scientific name: Theobroma cacao, literally “the food of the gods.”

The tree is cacao, the bean is cocoa, and the food is chocolate.

This plant bears no relation to coconuts or coca, the source of cocaine.

The Swiss produce a new chocolate texture. Rodolphe Lindt, a Swiss citizen, experimented with producing a smoother, creamier chocolate, one that would melt on the tongue.

To do this he invented the “conching” machine. To “conche” meant to heat and roll chocolate in order to further refine it. He conched chocolate for 72 hours, adding more cocoa butter until it became smooth and creamy.

Chocolate is heavenly and healthy. If you’re concerned that this delicious treat may not be all that good for you, take heart — some research indicates that chocolate may be the olive oil of desserts.

Three separate studies indicate that even when chocolate is consumed on a daily basis over a long period of time, it does not raise blood cholesterol levels in healthy individuals, while other forms of saturated fat do.

Those studies confirm what most of us already know — namely, that chocolate tastes good and may even be good for us!

It’s called the ‘Food of the Gods.’ In 1753 the Swedish botanist, Carolus Linnaeus, gave

North Americans experience chocolate. The first North American chocolate was manufactured in 1765 in the corner of a Boston factory by John Hannon, an Irish immigrant.

America’s most famous chocolatier was a Pennsylvanian named Milton Hershey. In 1894 Hershey presented Americans with the first Hershey bar. He made it out of simple, basic ingredients: sugar, cocoa, chocolate, and milk.

The Hershey bar, which sold for a few pennies, was affordable to most Americans and was an astounding success.

Workplace Sexual Harassment: Alive and Well As scandals in show business and politics demonstrate, sexual harassment hasn’t gone away.

From a study conducted

by Cosmopolitan magazine come these unsettling facts: • 1 in 3 women age 18-34 say they’ve been sexually harassed at work.

• Eighty-one percent say their harassment was verbal.

• Forty-four percent have experienced unwanted touching or sexual www.50plusLifePA.com

Your guide to choosing the right living and care options for you or a loved one.

advances.

• Twenty-five percent have received lewd texts or emails.

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22nd annual edition

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Division C Profile “Suspense Author Rewrites ‘Retirement’”

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• Seventy-one percent did not report anything.

• The three industries with the highest reported level of sexual harassment are food service/ hospitality (42 percent), retail (36 percent), and STEM (31 percent, tied with arts and entertainment).

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February 2018

21

5 Things Everyone Should Do to Stay Safe Online, Particularly Older Adults

By Davis Park As we increasingly depend on an interconnected world, we also have a responsibility to practice safe internet behaviors every day of the year.

Unfortunately, as the number of adults 65 and older using connected devices continues to rise, so does the population of individuals most at risk for cyber crime.

Sixty percent of Americans aged 65 and above have reported using the internet. Yet for every incident of violent crime, three incidents of internet crime are committed against seniors. Older adults are estimated to lose $2.9 billion annually to financial abuse.

Although internet “hygiene” may seem overwhelming to people unfamiliar with new technologies, including the older adult population, anyone can feel confident and empowered by following a few easy steps.

This is exactly why the not-for-profit Front Porch Center of Innovation and Wellbeing offers five tips for internet safety for older adults, families, and caregivers everywhere.

1. Choose a Password.

Passwords are important “keys” to give us access to specific resources on the internet (such as email or bank accounts) and inform the websites we’re doing business with who we are.

While it can be a challenge keeping track of passwords, it’s important we avoid reusing them and protect this information.

Instead of changing your password: • Use a strong password rather than changing passwords regularly.

to help us stay connected while we’re traveling and wherever we go — but be wary. Hackers also love free or less secure Wi-Fi networks because they can use tools to intercept your internet communications.

Not all free Wi-Fi connections are created equal.

Confirm that the business Wi-Fi connection you want to join belongs to the business you know and trust. If you aren’t sure, ask.

• Using different passwords on each of your online accounts prevents hackers from accessing additional accounts.

• Add another layer of protection, if available, such as fingerprints or security questions.

Don’t panic. These guidelines can go a long way to keep you safe. Most websites, applications, and software limit the number of password guesses, which prevents someone from “nonstop guessing” your password.

2. Keep that Antivirus Software Up to Date!

Your antivirus company is doing its part to be a step ahead of hackers. To get the best use of the software, stay current on your updates!

Antivirus software can: • Help prevent people from hacking your computer, laptop, smartphone, and even, in some cases, your smart home device (like Amazon Alexa or Google Home) • A lert you to websites and downloads that could be an entry point for suspicious software • Reduce the likelihood that malicious software is installed on your computer

• Strategically place special characters or symbols to avoid patterns rather than grouping them at the end.

3. Use Only Trusted Wi-Fi Resources.

Who doesn’t like free Wi-Fi? Many mobile devices come with wireless internet capabilities

Puzzles shown on page 19

Puzzle Solutions

• Create passwords of 12–15 characters; focus on length over complexity.

22

February 2018

• Avoid conducting personal business on community devices, such as public computers.

Software may have been installed to track what you type and where you go on the internet to steal your information.

• W hen in doubt, try to use your personal WiFi, hotspot, or the network connection on your smartphone.

4. Google it! Yahoo it! Bing it!

Regardless of what search engine you favor, use it to research an unfamiliar website before giving up your information.

Oftentimes, hackers create a link that may appear, at first glance, to be a legitimate website to trick you into giving up your personal data.

5. Safeguard your personal information.

Personal information, such as date of birth, Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and passwords, are like gold to nefarious hackers, so treat and protect them as such.

Be wary of unsolicited phone calls and emails.

Did you know that most banks are not allowed to ask you for passwords or personal identification numbers (PINs)? Asking for password/PIN information is a breach of “terms of service.”

• A sk which websites will have the personal information you have provided.

• A sk who else can access your information.

• Be careful where you put your current or past information. Dispose of everything as safely as possible (whether online or on paper).

The internet is a lively, expansive world of information, resources, and experiences. As many more older adults increasingly go online to take advantage of these conveniences and powerful tools, it’s important to use responsible and safe internet practices!

Davis Park is the director of the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing in Glendale, Calif. FPCIW has an ongoing mission of using technology to enhance well-being among older adults. For more information and resources, visit http://fpciw.org.

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The Beauty in Nature

Wintering Feathered Commuters

Afternoon & Evening Hours Thursday & Friday Mornings & Afternoons Saturday

123 3rd St., Lemoyne

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Several kinds of adaptable, whistling of duck wings as those birds wintering birds — including horned pass overhead. larks, Canada geese, mallard ducks, Sometimes those geese and ducks rock pigeons, mourning doves, land in croplands seething with pinkAmerican crows, red-tailed hawks, tinted, drifting snow. The geese mostly American kestrels, and screech owls — consume green blades of rye while the feed in fields harvested to the ground ducks shovel up corn. in southeastern Rock pigeons Pennsylvania, and mourning but they rest and doves eat weed digest their food and grass seeds elsewhere. and corn kernels Fields are in farmland. banquet tables Interestingly, flocks but not bedrooms of pigeons resemble between feeding gray-and-white forays for those confetti tossed common birds, across the fields except one species: when they land to horned larks. consume seeds and Sparrow-sized grain. horned larks eat Pigeons roost Mallard duck weed and grass on top of silos and seeds and bits in barns between of corn kernels feeding forays, but lying in harvested doves generally fields. These little perch on roadside brown birds, with wires and in attractive blacksheltering spruce and-yellow face trees on lawns. patterns, are the Gangs of only ones that wintering American winter exclusively crows ingest bits in those barren of corn and other fields. edible tidbits in They blend into cropland but roost bare ground, or overnight in stands nearly so, making of coniferous trees, Mourning dove them impossible deciduous trees in to see until they cities, or in larger fly. trees near shopping malls.

Canada geese and mallard ducks Red-tailed hawks hunt mice, rest on slow waterways and humansquirrels, and other critters in made impoundments but do much farmland but spend nights in spruce of their feeding in rye fields and trees in suburban areas. harvested cornfields. Both species are American kestrels and screech owls exciting to watch leaving their watery hunt mice in cropland — kestrels by roosts at sunset to fly to feeding fields. day and owls at night. But both these Flock after flock of them, for a few species roost in tree cavities, many of minutes, sweep swiftly up from the them in suburban lawns. water and power silhouetted across Fields are dining tables for these the brilliant sunset. One can hear birds. But each species rests and the excited honking of the geese and digests elsewhere. www.50plusLifePA.com

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February 2018

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