Dauphin County 50plus Senior News February 2013 by On-Line Publishers, Inc.

Dauphin County Edition

February 2013

Vol. 15 No. 2

Love Songs from Long Ago Local Chorus Director Hopes to Preserve ‘Barbershopping’ By Chelsea Shank Singing has always been a large part of Bruce Van Order’s life, but being part of a barbershop quartet wasn’t something he intentionally set out to do. Today he is the interim director of the White Rose Chorus, a chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society that he has been singing with for 44 years. He sang in choirs all through high school and college. It was during his years at Elizabethtown College as a member of the concert choir that he first had the chance to experiment with singing some barbershop numbers. Van Order, who is now 68, was just beginning his career as a high school guidance counselor when he attended a kickoff event for staff at the beginning of the 1970 school year. It was then that he got discovered—for the White Rose Chorus, that is. “We sang ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ at my table and someone came up and said, ‘I think you ought to sing barbershop,’” said Van Order, laughing at the memory. “I said, ‘What’s that about?’ And then I went to a rehearsal and sat in the tenor section.” Singing tenor is an advantage, Van Order says, because there are fewer men who sing that part. The four-part harmony that the members of the White Rose Chorus sing includes tenor, second tenor lead, baritone, and bass. please see SONGS page 13 Bruce Van Order has been a member of the White Rose Chorus for 44 years. Back row, from left, Mark Downs, Roger Phillips, Roger Wiegand, and Bob Renjillian. Middle row, from left, Roger Coleman, Dave Kelly, Steve Cowfer, and Vern Baum. Front row, from left, Al Davidson, Van Order, and Ed Simmons.

Inside:

How to Choose a Charity You Can Trust page 5

Traveltizers: Rambles Near Atlanta page 14

Savvy Senior

Medicare Preventive Services: What’s Free, What’s Not Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What types of preventive health screenings does Medicare completely cover, and which ones require a coinsurance fee? I’m due to get some preventive tests done, but I want to find out how much I’ll have to pay before I proceed. – Frugal Retiree Dear Frugal, Medicare covers a wide array of preventive services to help you stay healthy, but it’s important to know which services are totally covered and which ones will generate some out-ofpocket costs. Free Services Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, original Medicare now offers many of their preventive health services completely free to beneficiaries. Preventive services include various

exams, lab tests, and screenings that help find health problems in their earliest stages when they’re easier to treat. They also include a number of vaccinations and programs for health monitoring, as well as counseling and education to help you take care of your own health. Here’s a quick rundown of the different Medicare preventive services that won’t cost you a cent, along with the eligibility requirements you’ll

need to meet to get them. Wellness visits: All Medicare beneficiaries are eligible for two types of preventive wellness visits— one when you’re new to Medicare and one each year after that. But don’t confuse these with full physical examinations. These are prevention-focused visits that provide only an overview of your health and medical risk factors and serve as a

baseline for future care. Colorectal cancer screening: The fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy is available to all beneficiaries age 50 or older. Mammograms: All women with Medicare ages 40 and older can get a free breast cancer screening mammogram every year. Pap tests and pelvic exams: These cervical and vaginal cancer screenings are available every two years, or once a year for those at high risk. Prostate cancer screenings: Annual PSA blood tests are available to all male beneficiaries age 50 and older. please see MEDICARE page 6

April 25, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Overlook Activities Center Overlook Park • 2040 Lititz Pike Lancaster

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Limited Sponsorship Opportunities Available 717.285.1350 717.770.0140 610.675.6240

February 2013

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Social Security News

New Online Services Available with ‘my Social Security’ Account By John Johnston ichael J. Astrue, commissioner of Social Security, recently announced the agency is expanding the services available with a “my Social Security” account, a personalized online account that people can use beginning in their working years and continuing throughout the time they receive Social Security benefits. More than 60 million Social Security beneficiaries and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients can now access their benefit verification letter, payment history, and earnings record instantly using their online account. Social Security beneficiaries also can change their address and start or change direct deposit information online.

Social Security beneficiaries and SSI recipients with a “my Social Security” account can go online and get an official benefit verification letter instantly. The benefit verification letter serves as proof of income to secure loans, mortgages, and other housing, and state or local benefits. Additionally, people use the letter to prove current Medicare health insurance coverage, retirement or disability status, and age. People can print or save a customized letter. Social Security processed nearly 9 million requests for benefit verification letters in the past year. This new online service allows people to conduct business with Social Security without having to visit an office or make a phone call and very often wait for a letter to arrive in the mail. It also will reduce the time spent by

Resource Directory

employees completing these requests and free them to focus on other workloads. People age 18 and older can sign up for an account at www.socialsecurity.gov/ myaccount. Once there, they must be able to provide information about themselves and answers to questions that only they are likely to know. After completing the secure verification process, people can create a “my Social Security” account with a unique username and password to access their information. People age 18 and older who are not receiving benefits can sign up for a “my Social Security” account to get a personalized online Social Security statement. The online statement provides eligible workers with secure and convenient access to their Social Security

earnings and benefit information as well as estimates of future benefits they can use to plan for their retirement. In addition, the portal also includes links to information about other online services, such as applications for retirement, disability, and Medicare. “Given our significantly reduced funding, we have to find innovative ways to continue to meet the needs of the American people without compromising service,” said Astrue. “These new enhancements will allow us to provide faster service to more people in more places.” For more information, please go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Cremation Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. (717) 545-4001 Emergency Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110 Dauphin County Office of Aging (717) 255-2790 Floor Coverings Gipe Floor & Wall Covering (717) 545-6103 Funeral Directors Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. (717) 545-4001 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020

PACE (800) 225-7223 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213 Tri-County Association for the Blind (717) 238-2531 Healthcare Information PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services West Shore Hearing (717) 232-5516 Home Care Services Home Care Assistance (717) 540-4663 Safe Haven Quality Care (717) 238-1111

Housing Assistance Dauphin County Housing Authority (717) 939-9301 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937 Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067

Nursing/Rehab Colonial Park Care Center (717) 657-1520 Orthotics & Prosthetics Ability Prosthetics and Orthotics, Inc. (717) 458-8429 Pharmacy

Visiting Angels (717) 652-8899

CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com

Arthritis Foundation – Central PA Chapter (717) 763-0900

Hospice Services Homeland Hospice (717) 221-7890

Retirement Communities Homeland Center (717) 221-7902

Housing/Apartments B’Nai B’rith Apartments (717) 232-7516

The Middletown Home (717) 941-3351

The National Kidney Foundation (717) 757-0604 (800) 697-7007

Toll-Free Numbers American Lung Association (800) LUNG-USA Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555 Meals on Wheels (800) 621-6325

Lincoln Heritage (484) 945-3213

American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383

CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400

The Salvation Army Edgemont Temple Corps (717) 238-8678

National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Affairs (717) 626-1171 (800) 827-1000 Transportation CAT Share-A-Ride (717) 232-6100 Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center (717) 228-6000 (800) 409-8771

Services Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 255-2790

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

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February 2013

Such is Life Corporate Office:

To My Newfound Valentine

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240

Saralee Perel

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 MANAGING EDITOR Christianne Rupp EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR Renee McWilliams PRODUCTION ARTIST Janys Cuffe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Karla Back Angie McComsey Jacoby Valerie Kissinger Ranee Shaub Miller Lynn Nelson Sue Rugh SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR Eileen Culp

CIRCULATION PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall

Member of

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50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.

February 2013

e was seated in the front row of the lecture hall, wearing work boots and jeans. I could see, even from behind my podium, that his sea-blue denim shirt matched the color of his dazzling eyes. It was Thursday, June 10, 1976, the evening of my first lecture on “Life After Divorce,” and many years before I became disabled. So many of us will be either caregivers or the recipients of care in our lifetimes. I wish I had known even a little of what to expect. I put my glasses on, ostensibly to see my notes, but I was able to sneak a quick look to see the blueeyed fellow’s nametag. It read: “Bob.” One year later, he became my husband. After the lecture, we had our first fight. We were in the hallway. Bob asked if he could walk me to my car. “But I don’t even know you,” I said. “How do I know you’re not a mugger just pretending you want to protect me and then in the parking lot, you grab me and steal my purse and my wedding ring?” He leaned against the wall and crossed his arms and his legs in a posture I would see for many years to come. Then he laughed and said, “That whole ridiculous scenario was just so I’d look at your hand and see you’re not married.” “Oh yeah?” I started walking while hiding my smile because he was absolutely right. He caught up with me. “I’m not married either.” “I know that. You’re attending my lectures on divorce, for heaven’s sake.” “That’s quite a presumption. I could be on my second marriage and not want to make the same mistakes.” I tried, unsuccessfully, to resist looking at his left hand. He said, “I already told you I’m not married.”

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“You’re arrogant.” “I’m arrogant?” “At least we agree on something,” I said. I did let him walk me to my car—because I really wanted him to. Thirty-three years later, we still have “our song.” It was played at our wedding. I’ll be loving you Always, With a love that’s true Always.

We danced to it at every anniversary, until our 25th. Suddenly, the music in our love stopped as abruptly as my disability occurred. Bob became my caregiver. I felt like a burden, but didn’t tell him. Bob was overwhelmed, but didn’t tell me. We cried by ourselves. If only we had cried together, we’d have grieved and started to heal. No longer best friends, the words to “Always” were meaningless. I should have known what we needed. And that was to talk with each other rather than keeping our feelings inside. Instead, we believed it would be too hurtful to share our heartbreaking thoughts. We both put on an “I’m fine,” façade, but like any façade, it was just a veneer of an outward display. Our inner worlds were shattered. Then one day, a wonderful thing happened: I fell. While trying to get myself up, I started crying. Bob

came quickly to help me. And suddenly he began crying too. That was the day we finally cried together. Tears of love. Tears of healing. On a recent Valentine’s Day, he said, “We have to stay home today because there’s a surprise coming.” He kept looking out the front window, anxiously waiting for heaven-knows-what. I knew it was going to be something other than flowers or candy or he wouldn’t have been so nervous. Finally, there was a knock at our door. I opened it to find four gentlemen who greeted me by name, gave me a beautiful red rose, and marched right into our living room, where they asked us to have a seat on our couch. They stood in a group in front of us and, in magnificent barbershop harmony, sang “Always.” I was overwhelmed with tears while they sang. Bob had secretly arranged for this barbershop quartet to bring this singing valentine to me. With my husband plus some of the fellows helping me, I was able to stand while we had our picture taken. When I was a kid at summer camp and we jumped on the trampoline, we always had a “safety.” That was someone who was there to watch over us—to keep us from harm. And so, when Bob or I need one another, in so many ways that we now do, we are always each other’s safety. Not just for an hour, Not just for a day, Not just for a year, But always. Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist. Her new book is Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. To find out more, visit www.saraleeperel.com or email sperel@saraleeperel.com.

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Leaving Your Legacy How to Choose a Charity You Can Trust When giving to charity, most donors support charities whose work they see firsthand locally. But in mailboxes every day, there are appeals from many other local and national charities. How can one verify their accuracy? A recent survey by Hope Consulting shows that despite information available from state government agencies, charity watchdogs, and the organization itself, only 30 percent of donors do any research before making a donation. Experts advise potential donors to look more carefully at solicitation letters they receive and seek out third-party information sources. “While the vast majority of charities are trustworthy, not all are what they appear to be—from the unscrupulous, to the well-meaning but poorly run organizations,” warns H. Art Taylor, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, which seeks to connect donors to charities they can trust. “If donors want to assure their money will be put to good use, they should spend a little bit of time getting to know more about the organization,” says Taylor. The first step is to take a good, hard look at the charity solicitation you receive in the mail or encounter online. Here are several examples of potential problems a donor may encounter in mail, online, or by phone solicitations: • Appeals that don’t clearly explain

what the charity intends to do about the problem it describes • Envelopes or letters that mimic an invoice in order to get a recipient to open the mailing • Solicitations that devote more attention to gifts or prizes (for example, sweepstakes offerings, address labels, or greeting cards) than the charity’s good work

charitable giving decision based solely on the information in a solicitation,” says Taylor. However, it can be difficult for donors to know what to look for in a charity’s financial statement. This is where a monitoring organization can help. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance is the only major national charity monitoring organization that reviews appeal content

for accuracy and truthfulness as a routine part of its charity reporting efforts. Charities are evaluated against 20 BBB standards for charity accountability that address charity governance, finances, and solicitation practices. A recent survey conducted by Porter Novelli’s ConsumerStyles found that nearly six in 10 say that the charity solicitation mail they receive is either not very or not at all trustworthy. So if there’s any doubt, do your research. Before donating, consider accessing a free report on the charity of your choice at www.give.org. And if your charity isn’t listed, you can ask the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to consider a review of that charity. If you plan to give back to your community, ensure your charitable dollars support organizations that don’t use dodgy fundraising tactics. (StatePoint)

• Overly emotional fundraising letters saying little about the charity itself • Appeals using excessive pressure to get an immediate, on-the-spot donation decision • Telemarketing solicitors who decline to send requested written materials about the charity’s programs and finances “Scrutinizing a charity appeal is crucial, but you should never make a

Time is a Priceless Gift Do you know a 50+ volunteer who gives selflessly to others? Tell us what makes him or her so special and we will consider them for 50plus Senior News’

Volunteer Spotlight!

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and photos are encouraged. Email preferred to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail nominations to 50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

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February 2013

Harrisburg’s Premier Home Care Changing the Way the World Ages Need help with Mom or Dad? • Hourly and live-in care options • Rigorously screened and expertly trained caregivers • Assistance with bathing, meals, housekeeping, medication reminders, transportation • No contracts necessary

Call today for a FREE in home assessment 717-540-HOME (4663) HomeCareAssistance.com 2304 Linglestown Rd., Harrisburg, PA 17110 (In New Giant Shopping Center)

VA, SSA, and IRS Cut Red Tape for Vets, Survivors The Department of Veterans Affairs Service and the Social Security announced recently it is cutting red Administration to verify continued tape for veterans by eliminating the eligibility for pension benefits. need for them to complete an annual All beneficiaries currently receiving Eligibility VA pension Verification benefits will Report (EVR). receive a letter VA will implement a VA will from VA implement a explaining these new process for new process for changes and confirming eligibility confirming providing eligibility for instructions on for benefits. benefits, and how to continue staff that had to submit their been responsible unreimbursed for processing the old form will instead medical expenses. focus on eliminating the compensation More information about VA pension claims backlog. benefits is available at Historically, beneficiaries have been http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension. required to complete an EVR each year Information on other VA benefit to ensure their pension benefits programs can be found on the joint continued. Under the new initiative, Department of Defense/VA Web portal, VA will work with the Internal Revenue eBenefits (www.ebenefits.va.gov).

“

MEDICARE

Have you photographed a smile that just begs to be shared? Send us your favorite smile—your children, grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling” pet!—and it could be 50plus Senior News’ next Smile of the Month! You can submit your photos (with captions) either digitally to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or by mail to:

50plus Senior News Smile of the Month 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Digital photos must be at least 4x6'' with a resolution of 300 dpi. No professional photos, please. Please include a SASE if you would like to have your photo returned.

February 2013

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“

NOW OPE N

from page 2

Cardiovascular screenings: Free blood tests to check cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride levels are offered every five years to all Medicare recipients. Diabetes: Screening available twice a year for those at risk. Bone mass measurements: This osteoporosis test is available every two years to those at risk, or more often if medically necessary. Abdominal aortic aneurysm screening: To check for bulging blood vessels, this test is available to men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked. Vaccinations: An annual flu shot, a vaccination against pneumonia, and the hepatitis B vaccine are all free to all beneficiaries. In addition, Medicare also offers free smoking cessation counseling; medical nutrition therapy to help beneficiaries with diabetes or kidney disease; depression screenings; alcohol screening and counseling; obesity screening and counseling; annual cardiovascular risk reduction visits; sexually transmitted infection screening and counseling; and HIV screenings.

Cost-Sharing Services Medicare also offers several other preventive services that require some out-of-pocket cost-sharing. With these tests, you’ll have to pay 20 percent of the cost of the service (Medicare picks up the other 80 percent), after you’ve met your $147 Part B yearly deductible. The services that fall under this category include digital rectal exams for prostate cancer, glaucoma tests, and diabetes self-management training services. For detailed information on all Medicare preventive services, see www.medicare.gov/share-the-health, or call Medicare at (800) 633-4227 and ask them to mail you a free copy of Your Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Service (publication 10110). Medicare Advantage If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll be happy to know that all Advantage plans are also now required to cover the same free preventive services as original Medicare. 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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CCRC Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Part independent living, part assisted living, and part skilled nursing home, CCRCs offer a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ unique and often changing needs. Healthy adults entering a CRCC are able to live independently in a home, apartment, or condominium of their own within the community. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can move into personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities. Some CCRCs have designated dementia areas within the community. These units address the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia. With a wealth of available resources, these communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the duration of their life, with much of their future care already figured out — which equals 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 Calvary Fellowship Homes 502 Elizabeth Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 Marlene Morris Marketing Director (717) 393-0711 www.calvaryhomes.org Chapel Pointe at Carlisle 770 South Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Linda Amsley Director of Marketing / Admissions (717) 713-2201 www.chapelpointe.com Garden Spot Village 433 South Kinzer Avenue New Holland, PA 17557 Scott Miller Chief Marketing Officer (717) 355-6000 www.gardenspotvillage.org Homeland Center 1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org

Homestead Village Enhanced Senior Living 1800 Marietta Avenue P.O. Box 3227 Lancaster, PA 17604-3227 Susan L. Doyle Director of Marketing (717) 397-4831 ext. 158 www.homesteadvillage.org Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community 1700 Normandie Drive York, PA 17408 Joyce Singer Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 718-0937 www.normandieridge.org St. Anne’s Retirement Community 3952 Columbia Avenue Columbia, PA 17512 Christina E. Gallagher Director of Marketing (717) 285-6112 www.stannesretirementcommunity.com Willow Valley Retirement Communities 600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17602 Kristin Hambleton Manager of Sales (717) 464-6800 (800) 770-5445 www.willowvalleyretirement.com Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities 2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org

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

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February 2013

Beyond the Battlefield

He Survived 34 Days in a Lifeboat: Part 1 of 4-Part Series Alvin S. Goodman lvin T. Kemble, 88, of suburban Harrisburg, is a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II who served aboard a Merchant Marine “Liberty Ship” that was sunk by a German submarine in the North Atlantic. He spent 34 days adrift in a lifeboat before being rescued by a small Spanish fishing boat near the Canary Islands. Born May 28, 1924, in Lykens, Dauphin County, Kemble received only an eighth-grade education in a one-room school. He enlisted in the Navy in April 1942. After 42 days of basic training at Bainbridge, Md., he was given 10 days’ leave before being sent to gunnery school at Little Creek, Va., after which he was supposed to go home to get married, but the Navy had other plans for him. Kemble became a member of a little-

known branch of the Navy, known as the Armed Guard. This unit served primarily as gunners, signal men, radio and radar operators, and officers on cargo ships, tankers, troop ships, and other vessels, along with civilian crews of the Merchant Marine. The Armed Guard was disbanded following the end of World War II. During the war, they were responsible for defending U.S. and Allied merchant ships from attack by

Alvin T. Kemble

enemy aircraft, submarines, and surface ships. Kemble was assigned to the S.S. James W. Denver, a new cargo ship designed and built specifically for hauling freight for the wartime effort. Tanks, jeeps, guns, ammunition, clothing, food, and medical supplies were stocked deep in her hold and even above deck. The ship was 479 feet long, 57 feet wide, and 25 feet high. The Denver had a

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crew of 85 seamen: 59 in the Merchant Marine and 26 in the Navy’s Armed Guard. “I boarded her at Sparrow Point, Md. After stowing my gear, we were off to New York City to pick up her first load. We cast off our lines and left the Port of New York on April 1, 1943; joining with a convoy, we headed east; our destination, Casablanca. “We were out at sea two or three days when the fog got so thick, you couldn’t see the other ships. We got separated from the others and soon found ourselves alone in this vast wilderness of water. “Normally, the procedure of operation dictated returning to port to pick up another convoy. A ship of this size, loaded to the hilt, shouldn’t be chugging along all alone in the Atlantic. The German wolf-packs love to hit a slowmoving target.

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“Procedures are not always followed, however. Our captain decided to attempt to make this trip solo. It wasn’t too long until our ship came to a sudden stop. The engines broke down and now we were a sitting duck. It was quickly determined that an engine bearing was at fault. Repairs were made and once again we were under way. “With what seemed to be the worst behind us, we were located about 350 miles due west of the Canary Islands. It was here that we met with the worst problem any American ship could encounter, a German U-boat. It was 5 p.m., dinnertime, on Sunday, April 11, 1943, when the Denver was struck with two torpedoes on her port side. “The impact brought the ship to a sudden stop, as if she had hit a brick wall. She was shaking like a wet dog and you could smell what seemed to be spent gunpowder everywhere. “When the first torpedo hit, I was lying on my bunk reading a book. The

explosion was so strong, it ripped my bunk from the wall mounts and dropped me to the floor. I no sooner got to my feet when the second torpedo struck. Again, the impact threw me to the floor. I knew it was time to grab my life jacket. “G.Q. (general quarters) sounded and I headed directly to my battle station, a 5-inch gun located at the back of the ship. I was the first shell man to get there. We were at battle stations for what seemed to be an eternity when we noticed that the Denver was sinking, bow first. It wasn’t long before we heard the word to abandon ship.” End of part one; to be continued next month … If you are a mature veteran and have interesting or unusual experiences in your military or civilian life, phone Al Goodman at (717) 541-9889 or email him at klezmer630@comcast.net.

Hummelstown Couple Marks 56 Years Alfonso L. Santiago Sr. and Shirley Iris (Ryan) Santiago of Hummelstown celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary on Jan. 30. They were married on Jan. 30, 1957, in Steelton. Mr. Santiago is a retired chef who worked at the Hotel Hershey for 10 years, the Penn Harris Hotel for 10 years, and the West Shore Country Club for 16 years. He now volunteers his culinary services at the Royalton Senior Center. Mrs. Santiago is retired after working 21 years at the Veterans House and 15 years as the owner/CEO of a clothing company. They are the parents of the late Chris Santiago of Middletown; the late Tony Santiago; Doria Rogers of Nathalie, Va.; the late Carlos Santiago of North Carolina; and Alfonso Santiago Jr. of Harrisburg. They have 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

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February 2013

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

How to Preserve that Antique Dr. Lori cross the country, many people that attend my antiques appraisal events are shocked to hear about some of the little-known methods used in major museums to preserve and protect precious art and antiques. While museums make a long-term commitment to preserving and protecting objects in their care to educate the public, most of us are equally committed to keeping our family heirlooms and keepsakes in good condition in order to retain their value. Some of the most common ways an object can be harmed include: pests and other insects, pollutants (dust, mold, etc.), temperature and humidity fluctuations, lights or sunshine, and oils from the human touch.

Hands Off For instance, the oils on your hands and the hydrogen sulphide compounds in

the air cause silver to tarnish and will leave a permanent mark on your valuable silver pieces. “Do not touch” signs seem extreme but are necessary when objects are on display in museums. When it comes to collectibles that we live with on a daily basis, it is a good idea to handle with care and handle only occasionally. So, if you must handle an object, don’t handle it too often. Remember, the oils and small dust particles on your

hands can cause permanent damage to your heirlooms and aging treasures.

Photos courtesy of staff of www.DrLoriV.com

Handling objects too much, even vintage objects like these Pez dispensers, can cause long-term damage. Don’t use commercial cleaners when dusting old plastics.

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much heat), bathrooms and laundry rooms (too much moisture and possible mold) are not the best places for art or antiques. Improper climate conditions can stimulate mold growth and cause objects to mildew, dry out, and crack.

Climate Control It is best to store your private collections in an area of your home where it is cool and dry. Attics (too hot with poor ventilation), basements (too damp), foyers (where temperature changes are frequent), kitchens (too many cooking odors and too

Devastating Effects Hanging a framed print in a sunny window, storing objects in acidic cardboard boxes, and over-cleaning your antiques can damage your pieces forever. Sunlight is the first culprit that damages most works of art. Heat is a close second. Painted objects, prints, and textiles should not be placed in sunny areas of your home as they are sensitive to light and will be damaged in a few short months. There are few options to repair sun damage and fading once it happens. However, you can prevent heat from damaging your antiques. One of the

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hottest places where you display your collectibles is your china cabinet. The glass doors act like a greenhouse and your objects are baking inside. Be sure to open those doors and let your objects get some good air flow every three months or so. Spray the Rag, Not the Renoir Cleaning a framed work of art, such as a print, seems straightforward. However, there is a right way and a wrong way to clean it. Spray the rag first. Do not spray the cleaner directly onto the glass, as the chemical could drip in between the glass and the work of art and damage it. Beware of Bugs Insects are monsters, killers. They carry bacteria and they will eat and not stop eating until they have damaged your antiques—particularly wooden ones— beyond recognition. You may stop an infestation by

wrapping a small wooden object in acidfree tissue paper and placing the object in a freezer. The bugs will die off in the cold. Also, bugs love dark spaces and close quarters. An easy way to protect your antiques from insects is to clean around your objects regularly, don’t eat food near your collectibles, and use insect traps when necessary. Certain types of art and antiques need special types of care. Be diligent and handle your antiques carefully and you’ll enjoy them for years to come. Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and awardwinning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on the hit TV show Auction Kings on Discovery channel, which airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/ DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.

Book Review

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eet “The Cowboy,” “The Musician,” and “The New Age Guy,” the author’s first three husbands who showed up, one after another, to teach life’s biggest lessons about love and understanding. This book answers the question of all questions: “What was she thinking?!”’ My First Three Husbands tells the hidden story behind a three-time divorcee who turned her greatest weakness into her greatest strength, and how she finally found joy in marriage and peace in her home with her fourth husband, whom she calls “The Brave One.” The book is available for sale at Au Jewelers, 261 W. Chocolate Ave., Hershey, Pa., and as an e-book on

Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble online (www.bn.com). For more information, visit www.myfirstthreehusbands.com. About the Author Jennifer Monahan is an award-winning author. Her first book, An American in Oz, won first place in the 2011 Global eBook Awards Contest. She’s also earned a “Ph.D.” from “The School of Hard Knocks” in marriage and divorce, having been through the process more times than any one person ought to in one lifetime. For more about the author, go to: www.jennifermonahan.com. Ten percent of all profits from the sale of this book go to local women’s shelters in the Harrisburg, Pa., region.

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February 2013

Calendar of Events

Dauphin County

Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation

Senior Center Activities

Feb. 1–28, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Sixth Annual Used Book Sale, Wildwood Park Feb. 12, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Wildwood Winter Lecture Series: “The First Frontier,” Wildwood Park Feb. 26, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Wildwood Winter Lecture Series: “A Sense of Where We Are – Landscape, Prehistory, and History in Central Pennsylvania,” Wildwood Park

Bistline Senior Center – (717) 564-5633

Dauphin County Library Programs

Edgemont Senior Center – (717) 236-2221 Friendship Senior Center – (717) 657-1547 Heinz-Menaker Senior Center – (717) 238-7860

East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, (717) 652-9380 Highspire Area Senior Center – (717) 939-4580 Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville, (717) 362-9825 Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of Elizabethville Area Library Meeting

Hoy/Latsha Senior Center – (717) 939-9833

Harrisburg Downtown Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976

Hummelstown Senior Center – (717) 566-6855

Johnson Memorial Library, 799 E. Center St., Millersburg, (717) 692-2658

Jewish Community Center – (717) 236-9555

Kline Branch, 530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-3934 Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Kline Library Meeting

Lick Towers Senior Center – (717) 233-0388 Lykens Senior Center – (717) 453-7985

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg, (717) 232-7286 Millersburg Senior Center – (717) 692-2657 McCormick Riverfront Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976 Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002, www.hersheyseniorcenter.com

Northern Dauphin Library, 683 Main St., Lykens, (717) 453-9315 William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second St., Hummelstown, (717) 566-0949 Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m. – Novel Thoughts Book Club Feb. 19, 1 p.m. – Novel Thoughts, Too! Book Club

Programs and Support Groups Free and open to the public. Feb. 26, 6 p.m. Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Walking Club Gander Mountain 5005 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 991-5232

Feb. 20, 1:30 p.m. Parkinson’s Support Group on East Shore Jewish Home 4004 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 441-8627

Feb. 26, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parental Loss Support Group AseraCare Hospice 75 S. Houcks Road, Suite 101, Harrisburg (717) 541-4466

Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m. Hershey Area AARP Meeting: Luncheon and Musical Spring Creek Church of the Brethren 335 E. Areba Ave., Hershey (717) 832-3282

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

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 Dauphin County! Email preferred to: mjoyce@onlinepub.com

February 2013

Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682, www.rutherfordhouse.org Wednesdays, 12:15 p.m. – Free Aerobics Steelton Senior Center – (717) 939-0693

Feb. 16, 10 a.m. Teamster 776 Retirees Meeting Union Hall 2552 Jefferson St., Harrisburg (717) 233-8766

Let

Royalton Senior Center – (717) 944-4831

help you get the word out!

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Please call or visit the centers’ websites for additional activities.

Riverboat Society to Offer Free Admission to Vets As thanks to current and past members of the military, the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society will be extending free admission on any 45-minute public sightseeing cruise during the 2013 season to veterans, active-duty members of the military, and their immediate families, with appropriate ID. These cruises occur from Memorial Day to Labor Day 2013 and weekends in the fall. 2013 marks the 25th anniversary season for the Harrisburg Area Riverboat Society and the Pride of the Susquehanna Riverboat. As a community service organization, the Riverboat Society has always offered a free monthly cruise during the summer to the Lebanon VA Hospital. For more information, visit www.harrisburgriverboat.com or call (717) 234-6500. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

SONGS

from page 1

“I liked the sound,” he said. “It is a lot of seventh chords, which means they sing four notes and then there is an implied note.” The tradition of barbershop quartets began when men would gather on the front porches of barbershops, waiting for their appointments to start, said Van Order. “Someone would strike up a song, like ‘Sweet Adeline,’ and the others would fill in the different parts,” Van Order explained. The White Rose Chorus carries on that tradition, singing at local churches, nursing homes, and other events. Their biggest fundraiser each year is the singing valentines service they provide for anyone who would like to wish a loved one a happy Valentine’s Day. Decked out in white jackets and bowties, members of the quartets show up at offices, homes, or public places where their presence is requested in the form of a singing valentine. “We step in and everything stops,” said Van Order. Sometimes people will specify the song they would like them to sing to the person receiving the singing valentine, and other times they will take requests on

the spot. Popular song requests include “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” and “The Story of My Rose.” The element of surprise makes the singing valentines the most fun of all the performances through the course of the year, said Van Order. Workplace deliveries are particularly delightful, because everyone who notices the four matching men is eager to assist them in finding their way to the right person. “You go into a cubicle to sing to someone at work, and it’s like the turtle effect,” said Van Order—everyone is anxiously sticking their heads out to see where the men are going, and as soon as they start singing, everyone wants to know what is going on. “It’s a fun thing and it’s really fun because it is a surprise,” Van Order said. Sometimes the secret is too much suspense for the giver, and the quartet members end up delivering the live songs to someone who has already been told about what they are receiving. Van Order jokes with the recipients that they still have to act surprised, even if the person giving the gift couldn’t keep it a secret. An order for a singing valentine also includes the delivery of a single rose and a

photograph of the person taken with the quartet. Last year the chorus sent out one quartet, but this year they hope to have enough men to mobilize two quartets. New members are always welcome in the White Rose Chorus. It is helpful if the person can sing and read music, said Van Order, but other members can help them to learn if they are not sure how. Listening to each other at practices also helps each member to learn how to sing their part correctly. “It’s not impossible,” Van Order said. “People think it looks easy, but what they do not realize is that for every hour that you sing, there are probably three to four hours of background singing.” The four-decade time commitment to the White Rose Chorus has been worth it for Van Order. “It has been very fulfilling,” he said. “It has been a good run and I highly recommend it to anyone.” Men of all ages are welcome, and Van Order understands that life can be busy for young husbands and fathers especially. But setting aside time to spend on a hobby each week with other men helped him to develop lasting friendships and memories, as well as improving his skills as a singer and continuing the tradition of

an increasingly rare art form. “It does take time and I had the support of my wife and my four kids,” said Van Order. “That made it pretty busy for (my wife), and she was willing to do that.” Since his wife, Martha, passed away in August 2011, Van Order said the camaraderie of the White Rose Chorus has been an important and helpful part of his grieving process. Singing even has medical benefits, such as helping to develop stronger breathing muscles, he said. Van Order was born with asthma but he believes that all of the singing he does plays a large role in helping to keep his asthma in check. Singing relieves stress and it stirs up memories. For Van Order, they are memories like listening to his grandfather and father sing. His grandfather had an excellent voice and could play the violin and piano by ear. His father, on the other hand, “couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. “But he would still sing,” said Van Order. “I guess it can skip a generation.” For more information about joining the White Rose Chorus and ordering singing valentines, visit www.whiterosechorus.com or call (717) 767-1862.

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February 2013

Traveltizers

Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

Rambles Near Atlanta By Andrea Gross love old-style books—you know, the kind that are printed on paper and stored on shelves rather than in clouds. Here, in Horton’s, the oldest bookstore in Georgia and the 10th oldest in the nation, books from bestsellers to travel guides are lined on antique shelving that dates back to the store’s founding in 1892. The one-story brick building in Carrollton’s town square was built in the 1880s and has a warm, comfortable atmosphere. I select a book, and the cashier rings it up on a stately brass cash register that has been there since the store’s first owner, N.A. Horton, abandoned paper-and-pencil transactions in 1914. Then I walk through a connecting door to the newsstand, order an icy mocha drink, and sit down to plot my route through northwest Georgia,

where I’ll find remnants of a thriving Native culture, good art, and enough outdoor activities keep me happily healthy. Here, overviews of three small towns, each within 65 miles of Atlanta:

Cherokee Chief James Vann’s home features beautiful hand carvings, a charming “floating” staircase, and a 12foot mantle.

To raise money for education, Martha Berry entertained the country’s elite at her home and gardens.

Carrollton’s Quilt and Textile Museum showcases fine works of art by regional quilters.

Rome A general overview: Rome—so named because, like the Italian capital, it is built on seven hills—is the big city of northwest Georgia. As such, it’s a perfect hub for exploring nearby towns and attractions. [www.romegeorgia.org] What you’ll love: Time travel back to the early 1800s, when the Cherokee were flourishing in north Georgia. First, visit the Chieftain’s Museum in Rome, a must for those wanting insight into the events leading up to the Cherokees’ forced removal from the eastern United States. Then drive a half hour north to Calhoun to see the Chief Vann House, one that is as elegant as any owned by European settlers. Finally, visit New

Have a lifestyle change on the horizon? Let this be your guide.

Harrisburg’s Oldies Channel! 17th Edition Now Available! In print. Online: onlinepub.com

• Breakfast with Ben Barber and News with Dennis Edwards • John Tesh with Music and Intelligence for Your Workday • Bruce Collier & The Drive Home

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WE PLAY OVER 1500 GREAT SONGS! www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Booth Western Art Museum prides itself on showing art of the American West but also has a fine collection of pieces that depict the American Southeast.

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2013

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