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March 2015
Vol. 16 No. 3
Highland Harmonies Bagpipe Player, Teacher Took Up Instrument at 56
By Chelsea Peifer For a lot of people who play the bagpipes, the instrument is in their blood. Ken Campbell can trace his lineage back to his ancestors who lived in Scotland in 1612, but as far as he knows he is the only piper that ever existed in the clan. “You don’t have to be Scottish to play the pipes. It was a sound that I always appreciated, but I never got involved with it until later in life,” said Campbell, who took his first lesson when he was 56. One weekend his wife suggested they check out the Celtic Fling at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire. He was captivated by the bagpipe band competition and told his wife on the way home that he was going to learn to play. “And that was that,” said Campbell, who is now 69. He took his first lesson through Ceòl Nèamh Pipe Band. The group consists of approximately 20 pipers and 10 drummers, and their name translates to “music from heaven” from Scots Gaelic. He took weekly group lessons, where he started on a practice chanter. Playing the practice chanter for one full year prepares the musician to then transfer to playing the full pipes. He took a few private lessons as well. please see HARMONIES page 15
Bagpiper Ken Campbell took up the “brash” instrument at age 56. He now teaches and performs locally and played for a Scottish duke while touring Scotland.
Inside:
Screening Colonoscopies Now Covered by Medicare page 8
Special Feature: Living for the Long Term page 11
Tinseltown Talks
Dawn Wells Shares Mary Ann’s Lessons for Life Nick Thomas hat should have been “a threehour tour” turned into a 50year journey for Dawn Wells, who played castaway Mary Ann in the zany sitcom Gilligan’s Island, which debuted on CBS in September 1964. “I’m still talking and writing about the show and it continues to gain new fans,” said Wells, from her home in Los Angeles. “If you’re a 10-year-old kid watching the show today, there’s not much to date it—a desert island is a desert island!” To celebrate the show’s 50th anniversary, Wells draws on her life’s experiences in a recently released book, What Would Mary Ann Do? A Guide to Life, co-written with Steve Stinson. “I wrote the book partly in response to fans over the years,” said Wells. “It’s amazing that so many people still appreciate Mary Ann’s sense of values.” While there are a few Gilligan’s Island
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stories in the confused on book, the focus values these is on down-todays.” earth advice Although the from Mary book’s advice is Ann’s—and frequently Wells’s— directed toward perspective. girls and “It was a younger women, fun, silly show Wells says one that made you chapter, “Hey! laugh and Who’s That Old didn’t preach to Gal in the the audience,” Mirror?” is she said. “But aimed at a more there was an mature crowd. Dawn Wells (far right) with Gilligan’s Island cast awful lot in the “Sometimes I character of Mary Ann that kids could look at myself in the mirror and think, learn from today: She was fair, she ‘Really, I’m that age?’” said Wells, who pitched in to help, she had standards, she turned 76 in October. wasn’t worried about a $500 purse, and “I don’t know where the years went, she would be your best friend you could but I’m not obsessed with it,” she trust. I think the world is a little admitted. “As you get older, I think it’s
important to keep a positive attitude about life. I know I have a million things I still want to accomplish! You just have to surround yourself with things that interest you. Even though there may be activities you can no longer enjoy, there are probably many that you can.” Back on the island, there were plenty of weekly adventures to interest the seven castaways during the three seasons the show aired. Wells says she got along with all her fellow actors—even Tina Louise (Ginger), despite the rumors over the years that the two feuded—and was particularly close to Natalie Schafer, who played the wealthy socialite Mrs. Lovey Howell. “The character you saw her play was pretty much who she was in real life,” recalled Wells. “She really was a grande dame, very independent, with a great sense of humor.” Wells says Schafer handled her aging
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well and PE. I took a responded theater course, accordingly. and my “She had professor said large I was so good ankles, so that I should she almost major in it.” always wore After pants rather transferring to than the University dresses. In of fact, she Washington wore pants in Seattle as a A 2014 publicity photo of Wells (left), before they theater major, and the cover of her latest book were ‘in’ for Wells was women. Her hands also showed signs of asked to enter the Miss America contest aging, so she usually wore gloves on the and in 1959 to run for Miss Nevada—her show. And her clothes were always home state. colorful because that made her face look “I thought it would be fun to get up in bright and cheery. So she was very front of an audience and do a dramatic conscious of her age, but I thought she scene for the contest, but never thought I handled it very smartly.” would win because I was so tiny and Beyond Gilligan’s Island, Wells has short,” she explained. “But I won! After appeared in more than 150 TV shows and graduating, I told myself I would give films and starred in more than 60 acting a chance for one year, and if it was theatrical productions, which continue to not successful, I would go back to attract her. But acting, she says, was never medicine.” her plan. She never returned to med school! “I wanted to be a pediatric surgeon!” Thomas’ features and columns have appeared she said. “I went to Stephen’s College in in more than 400 magazines and newspapers, Missouri but had problems with my knees and he is the author of Raised by the Stars, since I was a little girl. So aside from published by McFarland. He can be reached archery and canoeing, I couldn’t do much at his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.com
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Salute to a Veteran
He Saw His Boyhood Nemesis Die Just Feet from Him in Combat
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March 2015
Robert D. Wilcox ill Dillon was raised in a tough, Irish section of South Brooklyn, N.Y., where there were plenty of fights as part of growing up. One particular tormentor was a boy named Joe O’Conner. He and Dillon fought regularly, and neither would have believed that they would one day meet halfway around the world and become best friends—let alone that one would lose his life in the blink of an eye while the other was nearby and saw it happen. Dillon was too young for World War II, but he read about all the battles. And, when he was 14 years old, he lied about his age and joined the State Guard, later federalized to the National Guard. He left the Guard in 1950, just before his outfit shipped out to Germany. He was drafted in 1951 and was soon on his way to Pusan, Korea. He says the 8th Army band was waiting for them and played, “If I Knew You Were Coming, I’d Have Baked a Cake.” After being assigned to an 81 mm mortar company, he was told to “report to Corporal O’Conner’s bunker.” He says, “It never even dawned on me that I might know the guy.” But Dillon says it was the same Joe O’Conner he used to fight with as a kid. “We were dumbfounded to find ourselves face-to-face in a small bunker on the side of a hill 10,000 miles from the good old USA,” he says. “After that, we ate and slept in the same bunker and fought a war together, spending many weeks and having narrow escapes together. “On the last day of Joe’s life, we were hit by a very heavy artillery barrage. It was one of those bad days. Joe was forward observer for our mortars. We took turns doing that job. Pfc. Rutledge had just come down from the outpost— Little Nori, as it was called. “Our fire direction control (FDC), where our mortars were located, couldn’t get through to the
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outpost Joe was on. It was 500 yards in front of the MLR (front lines), and the enemy had cut the phone lines with their artillery fire. “I was told to take two men and trace and repair the lines from the FDC up to the outpost where Joe was. On our way up there, we were under constant artillery and mortar fire from the enemy.
Corporal William M. Dillon at discharge in 1953.
“We found and repaired eight breaks in the wire. At this time we had no way of knowing if we had fixed all of the breaks, so we continued on our way up to the outpost still under heavy enemy fire. When we finally got to the outpost where Joe was, they were taking a tremendous pounding from enemy artillery fire, as well as from a 76 mm gun mounted on top of a Russian-built tank. “The shelling was so intense that the bunker they were in started caving in on them. The South Korean with them got hit, the radio man was next man out, and Joe was the last. Just then another round came in, exploding and killing Joe instantly. “It took me a long time to get over Joe’s death. Perhaps I never did. I saw a lot of death and wounded, but Joe’s always stayed with me the most. “One day something really big came in. It had a fuse delay. It dug itself deep into the ground before it blew. When it exploded, it seemed
like it took half of Korea hundreds of feet into the air. Rocks and boulders of all sizes flew sky high. I remember when they came down all around me, with the sound of the large boulders pounding hard into the ground just inches from where I was crouching. “This was nothing like the Korea that was portrayed on the M*A*S*H television show. I never saw anyone with a still or guys running around in dresses. Instead, I remember the hideous, graphic details of war— such as the condition of the bodies of our men when we found them. The enemy had tortured and mutilated their bodies gruesomely before they killed them.” Dillon says that the foot soldiers in Korea had to contend with not only the combat, but also the poor personal hygiene. He says he went three months without a shower and with no change of clothing, including underwear. When they were finally trucked back to the rear for a shower, he says, “Being back in the real world was wonderful. Hot water, electricity, switches that turned lights on and off. Flush toilets. Then back to hell on the lines. It was like putting a steak in front of a large dog and then taking it away. “For the longest time after I returned to the States, I took four showers a day. I just couldn’t get used to the idea that my body was clean. Thankfully, I am back down to only one shower a day now.” When Dillon’s war ended, he went by ship to Seattle and then by train to New Brunswick, N.J., where he was discharged as a corporal in September 1953. For many years, he had nightmares, which, fortunately, eventually stopped. Now Dillon says, “A combat veteran and his family are married to his experiences for life. There is never a day that goes by that most of us don’t think about them.” Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
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Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Adult Day Services LIFE Lutheran Services, Inc. 1920 good Hope Road, Hampden Twp. (717) 728-5433 CCRC Church of god Home 801 N. Hanover St., Carlisle (717) 866-3204 Emergency Numbers American Red Cross (717) 845-2751 Central PA 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 Directors Cocklin Funeral Home, Inc. 30 N. Chestnut St., Dillsburg (717) 432-5312
PACE (800) 225-7223
Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833
Social Security Administration (Medicare) (800) 302-1274
Personal Care Homes Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902
Healthcare Information Pa. HealthCare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787
Pharmacies CvS/pharmacy www.cvs.com
Organ Donor Hotline (800) 243-6667
Hearing Services Duncan Nulph Hearing Associates 5020 Ritter Road, Suite 10g, Mechanicsburg (717) 766-1500
Retirement Living The Woods at Cedar Run 824 Lisburn Road, Camp Hill (888) 265-0613
Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 v/TTY
Services Cumberland County Aging & Community Services (717) 240-6110
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
Meals on Wheels Carlisle (717) 245-0707 Mechanicsburg (717) 697-5011 Newville (717) 776-5251 Shippensburg (717) 532-4904
Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle (717) 243-4511
Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067
Cancer Information Service (800) 422-6237
Gifts Edible Arrangements 3401 Hartzdale Drive, Camp Hill (717) 730-6240
Legal Services Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner, LLC Attorneys at Law 635 N. 12th St., Lemoyne (717) 724-9821
Disease and Health Risk (888) 232-3228
Arthritis Foundation (717) 763-0900 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007
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Smoking Information (800) 232-1331 Social Security Fraud (800) 269-0217 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Services American Legion (717) 730-9100
Lebanon vA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
Toll-Free Numbers bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555
American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383
Passport Information (888) 362-8668
governor’s veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681
Salvation Army (717) 249-1411
Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020
National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046
veterans Affairs (717) 240-6178 or (717) 697-0371
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
Consumer Information (888) 878-3256
Domestic violence (800) 799-7233
Medical Equipment & Supplies Medical Supply (800) 777-6647
Drug Information (800) 729-6686
Memory Impairment The Woods at Cedar Run 824 Lisburn Road, Camp Hill (888) 265-0613
Health and Human Services Discrimination (800) 368-1019
Nursing/Rehab Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902
Liberty Program (866) 542-3788
Flu or Influenza (888) 232-3228
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Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040
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March 2015
5
The Search for Our Ancestry
The DNA Testing Community Angelo Coniglio he more people who participate in genealogical DNA testing, the more potential relationships can be found. The fact that there are several testing venues available seems to work at cross purposes to that goal, because you may have your DNA tested by 23andMe, while a long-lost cousin may have his tested at, say, Family Tree DNA (FTDNA). There may be valid reasons for the choice of provider. As in my case, one venue may fail to extract enough genetic
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material from a sample, while another has no problem doing so. One venue may offer comparison of health- and medical-oriented genome characteristics, another might not. FTDNA offers the option to join “surname projects,” in which others researching similar surnames can share information and wish lists; 23andMe does not offer such projects, etc. Fortunately, there are some ways for users of diverse DNA-testing venues to compare their results to those of subscribers to other venues.
For example, in certain cases, raw genealogical data may be downloaded by a subscriber of 23andMe or AncestryDNA and uploaded to FTDNA for a cost that is less than FTDNA’s $100 testing cost. The genomes from the other venues can then be compared to those of FTDNA subscribers, FTDNA’s surname projects can be joined, etc. Unfortunately, FTDNA is not yet programmed for 23andMe’s latest data format, and only older records can be uploaded. A site that gets around such problems
is the free site GEDmatch (www.gedmatch.com). It accepts raw data from several vendors. Users provide their contact information and give permission for their email addresses to be posted. This is an advantage over 23andMe, for example, since correspondence can be made directly via email, rather than by anonymous correspondence through the vendor. However, some participants who freely give their email address still don’t respond to emails! GEDmatch has more detailed graphs of segment matches within chromosomes
Calendar of Events
Cumberland County
Support Groups
March 3, 6 p.m. CanSurmount Cancer Support Group HealthSouth Acute Rehab Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 691-6786 March 5, 6:30 p.m. Too Sweet: Diabetes Support Group Chapel Hill United Church of Christ 701 Poplar Church Road Camp Hill (717) 557-9041
Free and open to the public. March 10, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Carlisle Area Men’s Cancer Support Group The Live Well Center 3 Alexandria Court, Carlisle (717) 877-7561 sirbrady12@gmail.com March 11, 1 p.m. Parkinson’s Support Group HealthSouth Rehab Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 877-0624
Community Programs Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 12:45 p.m. Silver Sneakers Class: Muscular Strength and Range of Movement Living Well Fitness Center 207 House Ave., Suite 107 Camp Hill (717) 439-4070
March 17, 1 p.m. Caregiver Support Group Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren 501 Gale St., Mechanicsburg (717) 766-8880 If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Free and open to the public. March 11, 11:30 a.m. NARFE West Shore Chapter 1465 VFW Post 6704 4907 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg (717) 737-1486 www.narfe1465.org Visitors welcome; meeting is free but fee for food.
March 11, 6:30 p.m. Amputee Support Team Meeting Helen M. Simpson Rehabilitation Center Community Osteopathic Hospital 4300 Londonderry Road, Harrisburg (717) 944-2250 dehoss67@comcast.net
What’s Happening? Give Us the Scoop! Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about free events occurring in Cumberland County! Email preferred to: mjoyce@onlinepub.com
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March 2015
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Senior Center Activities
Big Spring Senior Center – (717) 776-4478 91 Doubling Gap Road, Suite 1, Newville Fridays through April 10 (except April 3) – Free Income Tax Preparation by Appointment March 6, 10 a.m. – Foot Health March 25, 9:30 a.m. – Annual Diabetic Forum at Green Ridge Village Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.
Cumberland County Library Programs Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St., Carlisle, (717) 243-4642 March 2, 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. – Monday Bosler Book Discussion Group March 11, 1 to 2 p.m. – Wicked Wednesday Book Discussion Group March 27, 1 to 2 p.m. – Just Mysteries! Book Club Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, (717) 761-3900 March 3, 7 p.m. – Diabetes Overview March 14, 4 to 7:30 p.m. – Blood Drive March 16, 7 p.m. – A Celtic Concert with Seasons New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, (717) 774-7820 March 5, 10:15 a.m. – Ruth’s Mystery Group: Teenage or Senior Sleuths March 7 and 21, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Library Book Sale March 25, 6 to 9 p.m. – Pennwriters Writing Group www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
than does 23andMe. Like 23andMe, GEDmatch allows you to set the significant length of segments to be considered (a match of seven centiMorgans or more is generally considered significant), but through color-coding, it also shows shorter segments that are shared. GEDmatch allows one-to-one and one-to-many comparisons. The former are similar to comparisons on 23andMe but with more detail in the graphs. The one-to-many comparisons list all users who have a match of at least seven cM and include the length and number of matching segments, an email address, the percent of matching DNA, and the estimated number of generations to a common ancestor. Interestingly, some relatives whose DNA I compared to mine on both 23andMe and GEDmatch show slightly different results: a matching segment being 23 cM in one and 24 cM in the other or a segment match in three chromosomes rather than in just two. Since the raw data in both cases is identical, this seems to reflect differences in the software algorithms used by each venue. So some of the error in the analyses is not just lab error in extracting genetic material from my
saliva, but computer error in the sense that two programs analyzed the same data and produced different results (even if minutely). An aspect of DNA testing that I haven’t addressed is the use of a subscriber-provided family tree. In one way or another, most venues allow participants to enter their own family trees into the system: 23andMe has a routine wherein you start with your own name and add ancestors online, until the tree is as complete as you want it; GEDmatch allows uploading of a family-tree data file created by an offline program; and AncestryDNA links to Ancestry.com trees entered in either fashion. While I otherwise encourage researchers to share their trees online, in order to make connections with others who may be researching similar information, I hesitate to upload my tree to a DNA testing site, and I have not done so as yet. Next time, I’ll tell you why not. Coniglio is the author of a novella inspired by his Sicilian research, The Lady of the Wheel. You can order the paperback or the e-book at amzn.to/racalmuto. For helpful hints, visit his website, bit.ly/AFCGen. For questions or group lecture requests, email him at genealogytips@aol.com.
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Sept. 23, 2015 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Spooky Nook Sports 2913 Spooky Nook Road Manheim
1001 East Lincoln Highway Exton
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Sept. 30, 2015
Oct. 21, 2015
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center
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March 2015
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Screening Colonoscopies Now Covered by Medicare By Linda Burkley March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and an excellent opportunity to become more aware of how to prevent and treat the disease by scheduling a colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., even though 70 percent of all cancer cases could be prevented with early detection. The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is one in 20; however, a variety of risk factors can increase those odds. Each year, more than 140,000 men and women are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, but more than 1 million colorectal cancer survivors are living full lives thanks to early detection and improvements in prevention and treatment. But for many others, the lack of a preventive screening allowed the cancer to advance, making more invasive treatments necessary. Researchers have made great strides in determining ways to detect the early signs of cancer and have developed definitive guidelines to aid in its prevention.
Colon cancer, in particular, is a cancer A colonoscopy screening is a 30found predominantly in men and minute, simple, and pain-free procedure women over the age of 50. With 90 that allows a doctor to check for polyps, percent of abnormal March is cases of growths in colon the colon cancer that can diagnosed become after the age cancerous. of 50, Treatment screening is will begin vital for immediately men and for any women in patient with a that age cancer group. diagnosis. In Patients with addition to no findings age, anyone have peace of experiencing mind. symptoms For most of colon women in the cancer or with a family history of the United States, scheduling a mammogram disease should be screened. Thanks to is an important part of their preventive changes in insurance coverage with the health routine. But many other passage of the Affordable Care Act, screenings and preventive measures go screening colonoscopies are now fully unchecked because of a lack of covered by Medicare and by many information or understanding about their insurance plans for people who are 50 or importance. older. Unfortunately, many women never
Colon Cancer Awareness Month
consider the need for a colonoscopy screening as a way to prevent colorectal cancer. According to Dr. Karen Kormis, a board-certified gastroenterologist, women often attribute early warning signs of colon cancer to gynaecological problems and don’t seek appropriate treatment. “Colorectal cancer is one cancer that is treatable and preventable for men and women,” Kormis said. “With early prevention, the prognosis is excellent for any patient who is diagnosed with cancer.” The old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is the best guideline to follow when considering a colonoscopy screening. National Colon Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to schedule an appointment with a gastroenterologist for yourself or for someone you love. Take a moment during National Colon Cancer Awareness Month to learn more about colon cancer symptoms, the preventive colonoscopy screening procedure, and how you can get screened. Look for more information on the American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org.
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INDEPENDENT LIVING • SENIOR LIVING • MEMOR MEMORY Y CARE
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FIFTY OR OLDER? GET SCREENED FOR COLON CANCER. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.
But this disease is highly preventable by getting screened beginning at age 50.
MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH If you’re age 50 or above, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. Screening tests help prevent colorectal cancer by finding precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) so they can be removed. Screening also finds this cancer early, when treatment can be most effective.
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March 2015
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Interviewing at 60+ By Lois Guarino Hazel
April 15, 2015 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center, Memorial Hall East 334 Carlisle Ave., York
This event is FREE to attend. Veterans (of all ages) and the military community and their families are invited to join us! Presentation of Colors, special appearances, speakers, and employment seminars.
At the Expo Veterans Benefits & Services Community Services Products and Services Available Support/Assistance Programs Education/Training Services
At the Job Fair Employers Job Counseling Workshops/Seminars Resume Writing Assistance
Hosted by:
Sponsored by: Church & Dwight Co., Inc. • PHEAA Pennsylvania State Headquarters VFW • ESPN Radio 92.7
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available
www.veteransexpo.com (717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com
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Am I savvy, confident, sharp? Does my pared-down resume accurately reflect my relevant experience? Nearly wrinkle-free, still trim, and with a high energy level, I dress appropriately and have learned that less is more when donning jewelry. Arriving a few minutes early, I announce myself to the young woman at the cash register, who escorts me to a small back room where I am invited to sit at a cozy, round table. Quickly, I am joined by a man and a woman who are at least 20 years my junior. They have notepads and questions, are engagingly friendly, and seem nonthreatening. I soon learn that the woman is the manager of this health food store and the young man is the vice president of the four-store, family-owned organization. We all lean forward into the conversation, which flows easily. I am well prepared, and we’re off to a good start as the interview questions begin. Am I flexible? I share a few examples of this tenet of my personality and don’t let fly what I really think. Aren’t most wives/mothers/grandmothers flexible? I wear all these hats and have dealt with more than my share of last-minute plan changes, runs to the emergency room, 11th-hour requests for babysitters, or pleas for “just an hour or two” of my time. Yes, I am flexible. Is there a type of supervisor you feel more comfortable working with? A civil one would be lovely—not one who throws telephones. (Alas, I worked for a crazed woman who did this once, and it was before the advent of cell phones!) To add a bit of levity, I share this tidbit with the interviewers. They promise not to heave more than one phone per week. We are warming to each other. Can I lift 50 pounds? Indeed I can. My
younger grandson weighs more than that, and I’ve wrestled large dogs into the tub at the SPCA where I volunteer. Ah, a bonus point for community service. This is beginning to look promising. What do I like about the organization? I’ve shopped there, and I can truthfully say, “A lot.” The employees are a tightly knit, small group of people who smile easily and frequently. That’s what first sold me on working for them. Apparently, they have no bad hair or other bad juju days—or they don’t show it until after working hours. Do I have anything to add? After mentioning that my personal philosophy aligns neatly with their mission statement, I assure them that I would blend seamlessly into their workforce. Hey, this is getting easier by the minute. They have no further questions or comments, nor do I. The interview ends with smiles and hearty handshakes. What’s it like to interview at 60+? Not as difficult as I imagined. I guess I still have it, whatever “it” is. Yet I feel compassion for those well-worn but capable workers of my age who must market themselves because of necessity, not from a desire to try something new. There is a large folder on my computer table bulging with employment-rejection emails. Fortunately, I ignored them and kept on plugging, remembering that I had years of life experience, talents, and applicable skills. To those brave souls trying to break through the age barrier, I would offer a quote that hung above my desk when I toiled in the corporate world: “Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” – Mary Anne Radmacher P.S. They just called. I got the job.
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Living for the Long Term
A special section featuring some of Central Pennsylvania’s many options for long-term care.
Savvy Senior
Who Should Buy Long-Term Care Insurance? Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Is there a good rule of thumb on who should buy a long-term care insurance policy? My wife and I have a few assets we’d like to protect, but we hate the idea of paying expensive monthly premiums for a policy we may never use. – Planning Ahead Dear Planning, There are two key factors—your financial situation and health history— you need to mull over that can help you decide if buying a long-term care (LTC) insurance policy is a wise decision for you and/or your wife. Currently, only around 8 million Americans own a policy. Here’s what you should know.
LTC Insurance? As the cost of LTC (which includes nursing home, assisted living, and inhome care) continues to skyrocket, it’s important to know that most people pay for LTC either from personal savings or Medicaid when their savings is depleted, or through an LTC insurance policy. National median average cost for nursing-home care today is more than
$87,000 per year, while assisted living averages $42,000/year. While national statistics show that about 70 percent of Americans 65 and older will need some kind of LTC, many people do not need to purchase an LTC insurance policy. According to a recent study at the Boston College Center for Retirement Research, only 19 percent of men should get one, whereas it is
recommended for almost one-third of women: 31 percent. The reasons stem from a range of factors, including the fact that relatively few people have enough wealth to protect to make purchasing a policy worthwhile. Seniors with limited financial resources who need LTC turn to Medicaid to pick up the tab after they run out of money. Another important factor is that most seniors who need LTC only need it for a short period of time—for example, when they’re recovering from surgery. For those people, Medicare covers in-home healthcare and nursing-home stays of 100 days or fewer following a hospital stay of more than three consecutive days. please see INSURANCE page 17
Because you care … There comes a time when doing the best for your loved one means talking with them about a personal care residence. For almost 150 years, Homeland Center has answered the needs of the central Pennsylvania community. • Spacious studio suites or shared rooms designed for privacy. • Rehab including physical, occupational, and speech therapies. • Daily entertainment and activities plus frequent outings to restaurants and theaters. • Skilled nursing and dementia care, ensuring your loved one is supported through all stages of life. Hospice is available as well.
Call us today at 717-221-7902 and discover all Homeland Center has to offer.
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March 2015
11
Deal Me In By Mark Pilarski
Does the Golden Arm Exist? Dear Mark: I have read about people who are selling info about how to set dice. Is there anything to someone’s ability to set dice and to throw them a certain way to improve their ability to throw desired numbers? On the other hand, are you convinced no matter how you “set” the dice that you will have a completely random roll? I think there must be something to dice setting, as some casinos do not let you set them. – Wade J. Setting dice on a crap game has been practiced forever and is typically not considered illegal. Dice-setting rules or decisions come under each individual casino’s policy. Where it is allowed, the only problem dice setters might run into is that they could take some heat from a boxman for holding up the game by taking too long
to find their set. The superstitious player might not like seeing a seven or a craps facing them once they take delivery of the dice from the stickman, so they rotate the dice—set them—until they have their favorite number on top. Then there is the dedicated community of crap players who believe in “controlled shooting,” which goes far beyond simply setting the dice to their liking before a roll. These shooters feel that by gripping and tossing the dice at the correct angle, they can limit the rotational characteristics of the dice. By doing so, they will be able to control the results and, hence, the game’s long-term odds in their favor.
So, Wade, can dice shooters set the dice in a particular way and alter the conventional odds of the game? I fly on the side of gaming folklore and hold that “it ain’t so.” Others in the gaming business disagree. A favorite gambling author of mine, Frank Scoblete, penned a very enjoyable book, Golden Touch, Dice Control Revolution. I’m not saying “no dice” to his belief, but it’s just that after spending 18 years on the inside and umpteen on the out, I have to see it to believe it. And I haven’t seen it yet—with an officially permitted toss, that is. As for a player setting and then sliding the dice across the table to get a specific
result, sure; how hard is that? You can do that on your dining-room table all day long. But you can expect to see crap dealers, a boxman, the pit boss, or the eye in the sky go bonkers when some dice charlatan tries to illegally manipulate the cubes in a manner where a random outcome won’t occur. Cheating at craps is illegal, and there could be some substantial consequences not if, but when, you are caught. Dice must be thrown across the table with some degree of oomph. They cannot be pushed, “trickled,” or slid across the table by the shooter. My personal take, Wade, is that the chance of affecting the dice after they have bounced off a surface of rubber pyramids on the back wall of a 12-foot crap table is slim to none, no matter how you set them or what axis the dice were on in flight before they hit. Now, playing cup-free, laissez
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March 2015
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faire Yahtzee with my wife—well, that is a different story. Gambling Wisdom of the Month: “The dice goad like hooks and prick like whips; they deceive and torment. They are coated with honey.” – Better’s
Lament, Rig Veda hymn Mark Pilarski is a recognized authority on casino gambling, having survived 18 years in the casino trenches. Pilarski is the creator of the bestselling, award-winning audio book series on casino gambling, Hooked on Winning. www.markpilarski.com
The Facts Behind St. Patrick For many people, St. Patrick represents an excuse to wear green on March 17, maybe go to a parade, and drink some Irish whiskey. But who was St. Patrick in real life? The most common belief is that he drove the snakes out of Ireland. Ireland probably never had snakes, though, and the myth may refer to Patrick’s efforts to stamp out the serpent imagery used by the Druids. He also may have used the threeleafed shamrock to illustrate the concept of the Holy Trinity to the people he was trying to convert to Christianity as a missionary in Ireland during the fifth century. Historians agree that Patrick was born in Roman-occupied Britain, the son of a Christian deacon. At age 16 he was captured and taken to Ireland, where he was a slave for six years.
During this time, his Christian faith strengthened. One day, according to a letter he wrote about his early life, he heard a voice promising he would soon return home. Shortly afterward, he escaped his captors and went back to his family. He later wrote that an angel appeared to him in a dream, telling him to return to Ireland as a missionary. Patrick went back to the land where he had been a slave to convert the Irish and to minister to those Christians living there. Why do we celebrate him on March 17? That’s believed to be the date of his death. Although never formally canonized, Patrick came to be considered a saint. March 17 was celebrated as a religious holiday until 1903, when it became a public holiday in Ireland by an act of the British Parliament.
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CROSSWORD
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16 bRainteaSeRS
Major Movie Titles of the ’50s Fill in the blanks: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Rear W _ _ _ _ _ S___e A _ _ _ _ _ _ of a Murder G_a__ S_____a Singers of the Top Songs of the ’60s
Find the last names of the singers of these top songs of the ’60s: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Puppy Love,” – Paul __________a “At Last,” 1960 – Etta __________s “Hello Mary Lou,” 1961 – Ricky __________n “Palisades Park,” 1962 – Freddy __________n “Go Away Little Girl,” 1963 – Steve __________e
Written by Alan Stillson. Please see http://stillsonworks.com
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Descend Outcry Countertenor Obedient person Abuse Ratite bird Saturn’s wife Blubbered Most cunning Siamese Love (Fr.) Hawk’s target Sharp curves Chicken
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HARMONIES
from page 1
“It was a challenge at my age that I was able to meet, and to be accepted in the field was also rewarding,” he said. Campbell plays the Great Highland Pipes, which is the type of bagpipe most people are familiar with. He also owns and plays two different types of small pipes. Lessons are highly recommended for anyone interested in learning to play, because the finer points are quite difficult to teach yourself. Campbell competed with Ceòl Nèamh for eight years, playing in band competitions, shows, and parades. “I never got any prizes, but I had fun,” he said. “There’s a certain amount of emotional satisfaction out of being able to produce something that is musical and pleasing—if only for myself.” At one point, he had 75 tunes memorized. “When I was in competition I practiced for an hour minimum of continuous play, for 365 days a year. And I enjoyed it,” Campbell said. Practice, practice, practice. That is the only way to become better at playing the bagpipes, said Campbell. “Your muscles that operate your
fingers have to memorize where to go, and the only way to do that is to practice,” he explained. Losing weight is another outcome of practicing the bagpipes because of the high air pressure the musician needs to apply to play. Naturally, even more calories are burned when playing and marching with the heavy instrument. Only nine notes can be played on the bagpipes, and there are no octaves, sharps, or flats. “It is what it is,” said Campbell. “You can’t adjust the volume. It is a brash, right-out-there instrument.” When Campbell teaches lessons on how to play the bagpipes, he is quick to remind his students that it is an instrument that demands attention. “It takes a person with some stamina and some guts to play it.” When Campbell began giving lessons to a shy student, he told him that the bagpipe is an in-your-face instrument. A bagpipe player needs to hold their head high and be prepared for the impact that their music will have on the audience, he said. As the lessons continued, Campbell watched the student break out of his shell
and grow in confidence. “You see the change not only in their playing, but in their personality,” he explained. The bagpipes are not taught in schools, and some music teachers do not even consider it a true musical instrument. Very few young children are interested in playing these days, he said. Campbell has played the bagpipes in a local Memorial Day service for the past 10 years. He plays at weddings and funerals and occasionally at his church. He formed a small band at his church: Hogmanny, after a Gaelic term that translates to New Year’s Eve, or “new beginning.” Hogmanny consists of a pianist, flutist, guitarist, fiddler, and, of course, the bagpiper. They played at their church’s Christmas service last year and perform sporadically throughout the year at various events. Campbell and his wife of 48 years, Marilyn, have three children, five grandchildren, and an Australian Shepherd named Madison Star—or just Maddie. “Maddie loves pipe music; she sings when I play,” said Campbell.
The whole family traveled to Scotland together in April 2014, where they spent a week touring the country in a 16passenger van. “We ranged in age from 2 to 68, and there were no fights, and no bickering. It was unbelievable,” Campbell said. “That was by far the best vacation I’ve ever taken. I think we would all say it’s our favorite place.” Sheep graze along the roads and sometimes meander onto the one-lane roads where the speed limit is about 60 mph, he said. “It’s just beautiful. I’m a little bit prejudiced, but if you get a chance, you should go.” He has visited Scotland three times and had the chance to play the pipes at Inveraray Castle for the duke of Argyll, the chief of Clan Campbell. His goal was to play outside in the garden, but due to pouring rain he had the honor of playing inside the castle. One of the duke’s young sons befriended Campbell and even insisted he play in a room of the castle blocked off from tourists. “That was one of the highlights of my life,” he said.
As 50plus Senior News celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we hope you’ll enjoy a monthly peek back at the world in 1995! This month, the top-grossing movies of 1995:
1. Toy Story 2. Batman Forever 3. Apollo 13 4. Pocahontas 5. Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls 6. GoldenEye 7. Jumanji 8. Casper 9. Se7en 10. Die Hard: With a Vengeance
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Social Security News
Social Security to Expand Field-Office Hours Nationwide s a result of Congress’ approval of the fiscal year 2015 budget, Social Security will expand its hours nationwide and offices will be open to the public for an additional hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays effective March 16. A field office that is usually open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will remain open until 4 p.m. Offices will continue to close to the public at noon every Wednesday so employees have time to
A
complete current work and reduce support to process critical work. With backlogs. the commitment of resources in fiscal In recent years, Social Security year 2015, the agency is able to restore reduced some service public office hours to the hours due to public. Most Social Security Most congressional business does not require Social budget cuts, Security growing a visit to a local field office. business backlogs, and does not staffing losses. require a visit to a local field office. The agency began recovery in fiscal year 2014 by replacing some field-office Many services, including applying for staffing losses and providing overtime retirement, disability, and Medicare
“
“
By John Johnston
benefits, creating a “my Social Security” account, replacing a Medicare card, or reporting a change of address or telephone number are conveniently available anytime at www.socialsecurity.gov. Social Security also offers assistance via a toll-free number, (800) 772-1213 (voice) and (800) 325-0778 (TTY). Representatives are available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.
Property Tax/Rent Rebate Forms Now Available Forms for Pennsylvania’s Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for the 2014 tax year are now available online and at state government district offices. Eligible participants can receive a rebate of up to $650 based on their rent or property taxes paid in 2014. The program benefits eligible Pennsylvanians who are 65 years or older, widows and widowers 50 years or older, and those 18 years or older with disabilities. Eligibility income limits for homeowners are set at the following levels, excluding 50 percent of Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, and Railroad Retirement Tier 1 benefits:
• $8,001 to $15,000, maximum $500 rebate (homeowners and renters)
• $0 to $8,000, maximum $650 rebate (homeowners and renters)
Due to a law passed last year to ensure claimants aren’t disqualified from rebates
• $15,001 to $18,000, maximum $300 rebate (homeowners only) • $18,001 to $35,000, maximum $250 rebate (homeowners only)
solely because of Social Security costof-living adjustments, homeowners and renters may be eligible for rebates even if their eligibility income is greater than these limits. Any homeowner who collected Social Security, received a property tax rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012, and had annual income last year—discounting half of Social Security—up to $36,129 is encouraged to apply for a rebate for claim year 2014.
Any renter who collected Social Security, received a rebate in 2013 for claim year 2012, and had annual income last year—discounting half of Social Security—up to $15,484 is also encouraged to apply. Residents need not pay a private company for assistance in filing the forms. Copies of the forms, as well as assistance with filing them, are available at your state representative’s district office at no cost. Applicants should be prepared to provide all the necessary income, property tax, or rental information required to process claims quickly and accurately. Forms are also available to download at www.revenue.pa.gov. Applications are due by June 30.
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Puzzles shown on page 14
Puzzle Solutions
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March 2015
Brainteasers Answers 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Rear Window Shane Anatomy of a Murder Giant Sabrina
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
“Puppy Love,” 1960 – Paul Anka “At Last,” 1960 – Etta James “Hello Mary Lou,” 1961 – Ricky Nelson “Palisades Park,” 1962 – Freddy Cannon “Go Away Little Girl,” 1963 – Steve Lawrence
50plus SeniorNews ›
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Free Tax Assistance Offered Through April 15 of each year, the AARP Tax-Aide program offers free oneon-one counseling as well as assistance on the telephone and Internet to help individuals prepare basic tax forms, including the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, and other standard documents. The following are locations in your area. Please call for an appointment or visit www.aarp.org/money/taxaide for more information. Big Spring Senior Center 91 Doubling Gap Road, Newville Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (717) 776-4478 Carlisle Baptist Church 701 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle Mondays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. (717) 243-5523 The Cottages of Shippensburg Community Room 200 Cottage Drive, Shippensburg Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (717) 530-1573 East Pennsboro Community Center 98 S. Enola Drive, Enola
INSURANCE
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (717) 732-3915 Mechanicsburg Place 97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg Mondays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (717) 697-5947 Mission Central Church 5 Pleasant View Drive, Mechanicsburg Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (717) 766-1533 New Cumberland Fire House 319 Fourth Street, New Cumberland Mondays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. (717) 697-4117 South Middleton Township Municipal Building 520 Park Drive, Boiling Springs Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (717) 258-5324 Trinity Lutheran Church 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill Mondays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (717) 737-8635
from page 11
So who should consider buying a policy? LTC insurance policies make the most sense for people who can afford the monthly premiums and who have assets of at least $150,000 or more that they want to protect—not counting their home and vehicles. Another factor to weigh is your personal health and family health history. The two most common reasons seniors need extended long-term care is because of dementia and/or disability. And, almost half of all people who live in nursing homes are 85 years or older. So, what’s your family history for Alzheimer’s, stroke, or some other disabling health condition, and do you have a family history of longevity? The U.S. surgeon general offers a free tool at www.familyhistory.hhs.gov to help you collect, organize, and evaluate your genetic risks. You need to factor in gender, too. Because women live an average of five years longer than men, they are at greater risk of needing extended LTC. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
LTC Policy Shopping After evaluating your situation, if you’re leaning toward buying an LTC policy, be sure to do your homework. The cost of premiums can vary greatly (ranging anywhere between $1,200 and $8,000 per year for a couple) depending on your age, the insurer, and the policy’s provisions. To help you find a policy, try a longterm care insurance specialist who works with a variety of companies. See the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (www.aaltci.org) to locate one. It is worthwhile to shop lifeinsurance companies—who work only with their own agents—as well. You can find out if your state offers an LTC partnership program (see www.aaltci.org/partnership). Under these programs, if you buy a long-term care policy approved by your state Medicaid agency, you can protect an amount of assets from Medicaid equal to the benefits that your policy pays out. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
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March 2015
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Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Making the Old Stuff New Again Lori Verderame here are many DIY projects and repurposing options when it comes to antiques, but right off the bat, I want to warn you to know the value of your keepsakes, heirlooms, and treasures before your start repurposing. Some pieces are too valuable to repurpose. Once you know the true value of your antique and you are comfortable with your plan to repurpose it, consider these tips to make something old feel and look new again.
repurpose this group of similar objects. Try taking the group of mix-matched glass, porcelain, or metal doorknobs and installing them in your guest bathroom to create useful, vintage towel hooks. Arrange the group of doorknobs on a wall near the tub or shower as handy hooks.
Tip 1: Repurpose something that is a multiple for greater impact. If you have many dissimilar items, you can always make them seem like a group by uniting them with a uniform paint color. You can also unite related objects by putting them together in a repurposing project. For instance, if you have a bunch of old doorknobs or door handles,
Tip 3: Rethink the scraps. Tip 2: Go all the way! Do you have a cedar chest Don’t be afraid to really filled with old textile pieces change an antique. like parts of crocheted For example, if you love afghans? Needlepoint pictures your grandmother’s that will never see the light of highchair but you would day? Quilted squares that really like to put it to good were never made into a full use in your home instead of quilt? just having it sit in a corner Doorknob towel holders If you know that you will
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Framed quilt squares
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as a display piece, remove the arms and tray and repurpose the highchair as a child’s chair. It will look cute in a corner of a kitchen, a child’s playroom, a grandparent’s den, or a dining room. Be sure you know what you are doing when repairing and refinishing wooden pieces and search online for helpful hints.
never complete these projects, don’t despair. Frame them up and enjoy a great graphic picture of your crochet, quilt square, or needlepoint picture. Remember to use acid-free materials whenever you frame textiles or any antique piece. Install the framed textiles on an interior wall away from direct sunlight to protect the item from fading and sun damage. Repurposing is a fun way to integrate antique pieces into a contemporary home and to enjoy the process of sprucing up something old. Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori hosts antiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr. Lori is the star appraiser on Discovery channel’s TV show Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/ DoctorLori, Lori Verderame at Google+, or call (888) 431-1010.
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The Way I See It
Getting a Sense Mike Clark morning snow shower ends almost as quickly as it begins, as snow showers are inclined to do. The slowly rising temperature transforms the following precipitation into a cool, intermittent rain; and the static gray sky offers a solid backdrop for the sheets of dark, wispy clouds that form and bustle beneath. A stiff breeze shoots about, sweeping dank debris from a brown, denuded landscape desperate for life. Gusts carry the earthy scents of thawing turf, which becomes a spongy mat beneath my feet. An occasional whiff of wormy mud and wet bark gives me a sense that change is coming. It’s a welcome message that spring is on the way. Seasons do not suddenly end and go away, as you well know. The transition can be an unpredictable mess. We will still have some bitter cold and snow and ice.
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Occasionally, we will be tantalized by unseasonable temperatures and solid sunshine. I have heard it called a false spring. Have patience, my friends, and the real thing will soon enough envelop our shivering flesh. But let’s not be hasty; there is still much to relish in the last days of winter. I will miss long, cold nights before a blazing fire. The contrasting colors of the red barn and blue silo on the farm down the road look
best after a snowfall; I slow down to gaze each time I pass that way. And the joyful but fading memories of the not-sodistant holidays can still generate smiles, thanks to our grandchildren. You have your own reasons to celebrate the final charms of the season. Don’t let them pass without appreciation. Last November we planted crocus and tulip bulbs. We can only look forward to
the product of a limited effort, however. By that I mean we only planted the crocuses. The tulips never made it into the ground because of the limited motion of my new knee and the unpleasant turn in the weather. While we waited for a better day, our enthusiasm waned. I regret that we deprived ourselves of such potential beauty. Be assured, though, that there will be tulips next year. Yes, we look forward to spring; it will arrive as it always does—in fits and starts. But don’t miss all the beauty of winter’s end. Don’t wait for a better day. Mike Clark writes a regular column for The Globe Leader newspaper in New Wilmington, Pa. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational behavior/applied psychology from Albright College. Mike lives outside Columbia, Pa., and can be contacted at mikemac429@aol.com.
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