Dauphin County Edition
September 2013
Vol. 15 No. 9
And the Winner (Still) Is … Outgoing Idol Reflects on Yearlong ‘Reign’ By Lori Van Ingen Newly named 2012 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL Vickie Kissinger thought it had to be a prank call on her voicemail. Someone claiming to be a producer from NBC wanted her to return the call. But it was no joke. NBC had seen a clip of Kissinger at the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition and sought her out for their new reality show, The Winner Is ... Over a period of five days, Kissinger passed auditions and interviews for the new show, which features the pairing of six contestants or groups of all ages who perform a song of their choice and let 101 voters decide who did better and would go on to compete for a chance to win $1 million. “They wanted a diverse age group,” Kissinger said. But after getting the green light from each of her interviewers, Kissinger declined to be part of the new television series because her first grandson was due at the same time the show was taping. “That was the hitch. It was just not good timing,” Kissinger said. “But it was thrilling. It was very flattering that NBC sought me out.” Besides the call from NBC and her new grandson, Kissinger said this past year since winning the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL has been “fantastic.” Kissinger has been kept busy with a move to downsize her home and with please see WINNER page 11 2012 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL Vickie Kissinger performing at the Northern Lancaster County 50plus EXPO in Lititz in April.
Inside:
Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Patients page 4
Happy Birthday, Rose Marie page 8
The Squint-Eyed Senior
Footnotes to the Family History Theodore Rickard
L
ike a lot of us, my ancestors arrived in this country on the dead run. One set of forebears fled the press gangs; the other, starvation. None of my ancestors ever looked back with anything like nostalgia. As far as they were concerned, it was “good riddance” to the Old Country and the quaint customs of impressment, bonded servitude, and nothing to eat. Today, despite the allure of colorful illustrations in slick-paper travel brochures and the security of now being several generations removed from the terror of it, I still have no desire to seek my “roots.” I feel no inner tug of tribal instinct to go clink frosty beer mugs with the happy peasants of the Rhineland, nor to link arms in bouncy step dance across the shamrocks of the village green with apple-cheeked maidens in elfin-quaint
little villages. I’m not carrying a grudge about it, but neither would I go out of my way to visit the scene where Lord What’s-HisName did the evicting or the derelict castle of a long-forgotten elector of the Palatinate whose henchmen did the round-up. Somebody must have told one of my ancestors to “get over it”—and he did just that. Somehow I can find a secret satisfaction in being the descendent of refugees who were nobodies, especially since we’ve pretty well remained
nobodies. We’ve been schoolteachers, blacksmiths, farmers, lawyers, salesmen, clerks—the kind of people everybody else is. We boast no members of the U.S. Senate, no heroic Confederate generals on horseback, no millionaire entrepreneurs, no inspired preachers, nor people of any particular genius or distinction. Taking this as OK, I’m not being perverse, just comfortable. If I had an ancestor who had once homesteaded a square block of what is now downtown Chicago, I couldn’t help
being resentful every time I visited State Street, especially knowing that the same ancestor would undoubtedly have sold off the property when he found it too swampy to grow potatoes. The past could readily overwhelm me with a sense of entitlement, and I’d probably end up shoplifting—and get arrested for it. Or what if a great-grandparent had actually led the charge at Gettysburg— on whichever side? Would this have affected me when it was my turn as a warrior? I became known as the champion deep-foxhole digger. This lacks the panache of sword-waving while astride a white charger, but it sure worked well for me. On the plus side, if we had any ancestral major criminals, we don’t know about them, either. Entwined in the family tree, there were any number of things that “we don’t talk about,” and I think they were pretty much the same
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things in everybody else’s family, too. There were no ax murderers, train robbers, etc.—at least as far as I know, but it’s hard to be certain. Some things didn’t get talked about at all—not even in the tree house in the empty lot behind Mullins Hardware Store. About as close as we came to notoriety in our family was a cousin who, I believe, was my mother’s cousin
only by marriage, which would hardly seem to count. Out of the blue, Cousin Matthew phoned one day from a downtown hotel and invited my mother and father to join him for dinner. At first, he grandly included us kids, but Mother graciously declined for us since it was obvious that Matthew didn’t know how many of us there were. Even overhearing only half the telephone
conversation, it was obvious that Cousin Matthew did not insist, and I began to wish most heartily that I were an only child. I never did meet this shirttail cousin face to face. Several years later, he was caught up in some sort of problem with the account books where he worked, which got him fired, and this made me feel a lot better about the whole dinner-
invitation thing. Anyway, cousin-by-marriage Matthew is one of those people who, to this day, we don’t talk about. Not in my family, we don’t. A collection of Ted Rickard’s family-fun essays is titled Anything Worth Knowing I Learned from the Grandkids. It is now available in paperback on Amazon.com.
Free Career Development Classes Offered If you are currently unemployed, underemployed, or just dissatisfied with where you are in your career path, P.R.O.B.E. (Potential Re-entry Opportunities in Business and Education) will be offering a free, four-
week career development class beginning Sept. 17 and running through Oct. 10. During those weeks, classes will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 900 Cumbler St., second floor, Steelton.
Resource Directory PACE (800) 225-7223
Emergency Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110
Tri-County Association for the Blind (717) 238-2531
Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 780-6130
Healthcare Information PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787
Floor Coverings Gipe Floor & Wall Covering 5435 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-6103
Hearing Services Hershey Hearing Center 431 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey (717) 533-7350
Funeral Directors Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. 4100 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-4001
Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY
American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 Arthritis Foundation – Central PA Chapter (717) 763-0900 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (717) 757-0604 (800) 697-7007
class or a future session, call the P.R.O.B.E. office near you. Dauphin, Cumberland, or Perry County: (717) 939-2260 Lebanon or Berks County: (717) 273-2090
This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being.
Cremation Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. 4100 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-4001
Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020
The classes aim to help you to “probe” what makes you tick, what your real career passions are, and what types of positions would be the best fit for you. To make an appointment to see a career counselor or to register for this
Home Care Services Safe Haven Quality Care Serving Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties (717) 238-1111 Visiting Angels Serving East and West Shores (717) 652-8899 or (717) 737-8899 Hospice Services Homeland Hospice 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg (717) 221-7890
Housing/Apartments B’Nai B’rith Apartments 130 S.Third St., Harrisburg (717) 232-7516 Housing Assistance Dauphin County Housing Authority (717) 939-9301 Homeland Center Cumberland and Dauphin counties (717) 221-7727 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937 Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067
StoneRidge Retirement Living (717) 866-3204 Services Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 255-2790 The Salvation Army Edgemont Temple Corps (717) 238-8678 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
National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046
Nursing/Rehab Colonial Park Care Center 800 King Russ Road, Harrisburg (717) 657-1520
Social Security Office (800) 772-1213
Pharmacy CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com
Transportation CAT Share-A-Ride (717) 232-6100
Retirement Communities Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902
Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
Veterans Affairs (717) 626-1171 or (800) 827-1000
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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Savvy Senior Corporate Office: 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240 Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com
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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.
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Music Therapy for Alzheimer’s Patients Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about music therapy for Alzheimer’s patients? I’m helping my dad take care of my 80year-old mother, who has mid-stage Alzheimer’s disease, and thought it might be something worth trying. How do we proceed? – Unmusical Mary Dear Mary, Music has amazing power, especially for people with Alzheimer’s disease. Studies have shown that listening to familiar music can significantly improve mood and alertness, reduce agitation, and can help with a number of behavioral issues that are common in the middle stages of the disease. Even in the late stages of Alzheimer’s, a person may be able to tap a beat or sing lyrics to a song from childhood. Sitting and listening to music together can also provide a way for you and your dad to connect and bond with your mom, even after she stops recognizing your names and faces. Here are a few tips to help you create a music therapy program for your mom. Create a Playlist Your first step is to identify the music that’s familiar and enjoyable to your mom. Does she like jazz, classical, or Frank Sinatra? What songs make her want to get up and dance? Then go back to the era when she was a teenager through her early
20s. Research shows that music during this time period seems to get the best response and triggers the most memories. If you need some help creating a playlist, the Institute for Music and Neurologic Function (www.musictherapy.imnf.org) provides a suggested list of top songs by era and genre on its website. Click on “Outpatient Services” and then on “Top 10s for Memory.” The website Pandora (www.pandora.com) will also tailor a radio station to match your mom’s musical taste when you select an artist, song, or genre. And Music & Memory (www.musicandmemory.org) offers a free guide to creating a personalized playlist. You can also get help from a music therapist. The American Music Therapy Association (www.musictherapy.org) offers a national directory of more than 6,000 therapists to help you find someone in your area. To keep things fresh, it’s best to create a diverse playlist of numerous artists, with no more than five to 10 songs per artist. It’s also important to keep tweaking their playlist. Every week or so, ask your mom which songs she likes and which ones are just soso. Remove the so-so ones, and build on the successful ones so you end up with 100 or 200 songs that all resonate. Music Delivery There are a number of ways you can deliver your mom’s favorite music: a digital listening device, a
CD player, a computer or tablet, or even an old record player. If you don’t have any music and are on a tight budget, check with your local public library. It may have CD selections you can check out. Digital listening devices like an iPod or MP3 player are the most convenient and widely used options among music therapists for delivering music because it’s easy to add and remove songs. The Apple iPod Shuffle (www.apple.com/ipod-shuffle) and SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player (www.sandisk.com), which require headphones, and the Peapod SweetPea3 MP3 Player (www.sweetpeatoyco.com), which has an external speaker, are three excellent devices that are extremely simple to use and very affordable. Another option to consider for listening to music together is through an Internet radio service like Spotify (www.spotify.com) and Rhapsody (www.rhapsody.com). These services will let you create a customized playlist (for free or a small monthly subscription fee) that your mom and you can listen to via computer, mobile device, home entertainment system, or a home Internet radio like the Logitech UE Smart Radio (ue.logitech.com), which is a great alternative that’s simple to use and compatible with most online radio services. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
Walking or Running — Which is Better? Walking and running are two of the simplest ways to exercise. Aside from a good pair of shoes, you don’t need any training or fancy equipment, just some space and time. But which is better for you? In some senses, according to a study reported in USA Today, they’re equally beneficial, depending
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on how much time you’re willing to invest. Two scientists studied data from more than 33,000 runners and 15,000 walkers, monitoring blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and other vital health indicators over six years. They found that, although
walking requires more time than running an equal distance, the health effects come out the same as long as the amount of energy expended is equivalent. Running does burn more calories in less time, but a long, brisk walk can be just as healthy—and easier on your knees. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
How to Tell Crystal from Glass Dr. Lori hen it comes to glassware, most people think that the best way to spot quality is to ting a glass and listen. If you educate your eyes to spot a high-quality piece of crystal, you can give your ears the day off. Why? The sound of a ting from a piece of glass is subjective, and it may not actually tell you anything about the quality of that piece of stemware. The idea that a high-pitched sound will result in the identification of a high-quality and valuable piece of crystal is not always valid. Most people do not think that their commonplace orange-juice glass is a piece of crystal. Most glass in our everyday world is something called sodalime glass, a combination of lime, silica (sand), and soda. It is a cheap glass used for products such as windows, drinking glasses, etc.
W
Crystal is made are the most of silica (sand), lead important oxide, and soda, characteristics. and it is known to Crystal shows more be beautiful and clarity than a strong. Crystal is a typical piece of term used to soda-lime glass, and describe any its reflective quality glassware that looks is why crystal is fancy or is used in used for the service of chandeliers, fine champagne, wine, wine glasses, and Photo courtesy staff of www.DrLoriV.com or spirits. Crystal is jewelry pendants. Crystal dish by the French collectibles the choice for spirits Very fine firm Lalique. and wine crystal—like those connoisseurs because pieces made by it allows the drinker to assess the color high-quality firms such as Waterford— and viscosity of the wine or liquor. may even exceed the 24 percent lead If your piece of crystal is very clear, it content requirement and provide probably has a greater amount of lead products that are upward of 30 percent content than its cloudier counterpart. lead content or more. When it comes to crystal, its reflective The confusion surrounding crystal is quality and the 24 percent lead content based in history and chemistry. First of
all, despite its name, crystal does not have a crystalline structure. And, crystal is a term (cristallo) coined by Italian glassmakers in the famous Murano glassblowing center near Venice to define quality glassware that did not meet the European lead-content standard. It is easier to sculpt glass with a high lead content—the lead lowers the working temperature of the glass. It also extends the time that the glassblower has to sculpt a piece. In order to tell the difference between soda-lime glass and crystal, look for the following attributes of crystal: 24 percent lead content; bright, reflective quality; clear overall appearance; silver or silver/purple color hue; rainbow prism effect when held up to the light; thinner than regular soda-lime glass; and heavier please see CRYSTAL page 7
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September 2013
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The Way I See It
About September Mike Clark m I the only one who gets a little melancholy when August comes to an end? How is it, with three weeks of summer left, I start reminiscing about the season, practically implying that it’s over? I seldom think of the next
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three weeks as still being summer (the calendar says so, though). Cool, foggy mornings; warm afternoons without stifling humidity; and noticeably shorter days lead us to concede that autumn is surely on its way.
Celebrate Those Strongly Tied Knots!
Are you or is someone you know commemorating a special anniversary this year? Let 50plus Senior News help spread your news—for free! We welcome your anniversary announcements and photos. Anniversaries may be marking any number of years 15 and over. (Fields marked with an * are required.) *Anniversary (No. of years) _________________________________________ *Contact name __________________________________________________ E-mail ________________________ *Daytime phone ___________________ *Husband’s full name _____________________________________________ Occupation (If retired, list former job and No. of years held)___________________ _____________________________________________________________ *Wife’s full maiden name __________________________________________ Occupation (If retired, list former job and No. of years held)___________________ _____________________________________________________________ *Couple’s current city and state __________________________________________ *Marriage date_____________ Location ______________________________ Children (name and city/state for each)_________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ Number of grandchildren________ Number of great-grandchildren___________ Photos must be at least 4x6'' and/or 300 dpi if submitted digitally. Completed information and photo can be emailed to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mailed to:
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My wife and I often take day trips to the beach in September. We live close enough to our favorite shore points that our jaunts are relatively easy and inexpensive. Well, they were until recently. Gas prices have precluded us from taking these trips as frequently as before, and my eyes give me some trouble when trying to drive home at night. Oncoming headlights are so piercing that negotiating winding roads and turns is challenging. So now we leave early in the morning, spend the day, and try to get home before nightfall; it is so much easier on my aging peepers. Parking at the shore is easier and sometimes free, the beaches are not crowded, and the traffic is lighter in September. Overall, it is quieter. But the truth is that I miss the highspirited atmosphere of youth. The college kids and new high-school graduates fill shops, amusement rides, hotels, and restaurants, either as consumers or employees. They project a vitality and exuberance that can make you feel younger, or sometimes older, depending on your attitude and outlook on life. I choose to feel younger; there are enough things in my life that make me feel older. Another thing I miss seeing at the shore in September is the delight on the faces of families as they romp about on the sand and frolic in the seawater. I love to watch as they gather later for lively family dinners. They’ll settle on one of the countless pizza parlors or steak-andseafood joints along the boardwalks and main thoroughfares. Seemingly, money is no object. But having experienced all of it many years ago, I appreciate how they saved their money over many months to be able to relish these significant moments together. I know of the sacrifices, believe me. By September, most of that vacation excitement has faded. Kids are back in school, and the folks are already stashing away whatever extra coins they can spare
for next year’s trip. That’s how we did it. School busses are now rolling twice a day, and they will be for at least the next nine months. I’m no longer on the clock, which means I can choose to avoid the big, yellow obstacles. Even if I am on the road at the same time as the busses, I’m usually in no hurry, so I can be patient. I remember once being so relaxed and patient that I drifted off into a power nap. Which is somewhat troublesome if you have just only risen from bed within the last two hours. I was thankful that the person behind me had a quality car horn and was willing to use it. But I do remember when getting behind a school bus could bring out my irascible side. When some little bugger heading toward the bus door failed to muster a reasonable sense of urgency, I would mutter unspeakable things through my clenched teeth. It never made the kid move any faster, but it did help to mitigate my impatience. September is not the time to take a break from yard work. Actually, my wife told me that. Just mowing the grass and sprinkling a little bit of mulch here and there does not prepare the lawn and garden for winter. I was pretty sure it did. It’s hard to imagine, but I guess I was wrong. I’m not sure what she has in mind—I just know that there will be sweat. I’ll take the canvas patio awning down in a couple of weeks. That is another thing that adds to my end-of-summer sadness. OK, by then it really will be the end of summer. Also, by then I’ll start anticipating the upcoming color change in the autumn foliage. With that and football being in full swing, summer memories will probably have fully faded, and my melancholia will be cured. I just hope the yard work is finished. Mike Clark writes a regular column for The Globe Leader newspaper in New Wilmington, Pa. He lives outside Columbia, Pa., and can be contacted at mikemac429@aol.com.
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Pa. Team Wins Medal at National Senior Games
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Back row, from left, Leora Andrews, Shippensburg; Beverly Miller, Kennett Square; Donna Miller, Drumore; and Caroline Bookheimer, Chambersburg. Front row, from left, Linda Geary, Harrisburg; Linda Landis-Bohannon, Lititz; and Betty Jeffrey, Harrisburg.
Hailing from Central Pennsylvania, the Keystone Diggers volleyball team earned the bronze medal at the National Senior Games volleyball competition in Cleveland, Ohio, in August, despite a knee injury to a setter in the second day of competition. They placed third out of 11 teams, and they were the only team to take a game from Texas’s team, which won the silver medal. The gold-medal-winning team from Colorado was undefeated.
CRYSTAL
Does Your Health Plan Provide These Benefits?
from page 5
than soda-lime glass. In fact, high-quality crystal with a lead content over 35 percent will actually sparkle. If you are trying to tell if you have a piece of cut crystal, place your thumb into the incised or cut design of the piece, and if you move your thumb around and you feel as if you will get cut, then you have a piece of cut crystal. Crystal will take on the properties of sharp cutting. Fine glassware may contain some lead
When you patronize our advertisers, please let them know you saw their ad in
content, but if the 24 percent lead content level is not reached for a specific piece of glassware, then a manufacturer cannot by law call that piece “crystal.” Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, awardwinning TV personality, and TV talk show host, Dr. Lori presents antiques appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on Discovery channel’s hit TV show Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.
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Tinseltown Talks
Happy Birthday, Rose Marie Nick Thomas est known for her role as Sally Rogers in the ’60s CBS sitcom The Dick Van Dyke Show, Rose Marie turned 90 in August. “I don’t feel it,” she admitted when I spoke with her recently. “I feel 60 and still keep busy.” In the past year, that included voiceover work for The Garfield Show on the Cartoon Network. “I love it. You don’t have to dress up or put on makeup. All you have to do is show up! Although I can do many different voices, the producer wanted my voice so people would know ‘that’s Rose Marie.’” Audiences have known Rose Marie for nine decades, since she began performing at an age when most children would still be potty training. Her phenomenal singing voice as a child (see www.missrosemarie.com) rocketed her to fame overnight.
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Rose Marie poses with a hair bow and shoes from her Baby Rose Marie days, donated to the Smithsonian’s Museum of American History in 2008. To this day, she wears a bow in her hair, which has great significance for her, but she has refused to explain why in any interview throughout her life. “It’s a very personal thing,” she said.
A huge fan, Johnny Depp personally invited her backstage during a screening of the 2007 film Sweeney Todd at Paramount, where he introduced her to Steven Spielberg, Tim Burton, and others. Later, she said it was one of the best nights of her life.
“I have no idea where that voice came from; I think God just gave me a wonderful gift,” she said. “When I was 3, I won an amateur contest, and my family took me to Atlantic City. We saw a showgirl named Evelyn Nesbit perform, and I started singing along. She invited me up on stage to sing with her; then, people began throwing money.” Backstage, Nesbit suggested changing her name to Baby Rose Marie, and her career soon took off. “I had my own radio show coast to coast on NBC when I was 5.” But there were also doubters. “Unlike other child singers, I sang adult songs with adult phrasing and mannerisms. People would write to the station in disbelief saying that no child could sing like that, and I must have been a midget. So NBC sent me out to play theaters to prove I was a child.” please see ROSE MARIE page 14
Cumberland County
omen’s Expo
Sponsorship and exhibitor applications now being accepted.
Pump-U Up Your Business. Be an Exhibitor! November 9, 2013 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center 100 K Street, Carlisle
717.285.1350
To reserve space or for more information, go to:
a G r e a t Wa yTo S p e n d M y D a y. c o m FREE advance guest registration online! ($5 at the door)
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September 2013
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Mark Your Calendar! Join Us for FREE Lunch & Learn Seminars Hear from the experts: Wed., Oct. 16th, 2013 • 10:45 a.m.: Sign In; 11 a.m.: Seminar; Noon: Lunch Build Your Retirement Income Strategy Are you considering retirement, or in retirement, and want to enjoy the lifestyle you pictured? We’ll explore the various challenges that are faced at retirement and prudent steps to consider. Deborah E. Pajak, CFP®, ChFC®, CLTC, CDFA™, CFBS, Partner of uFinancial Group assists clients to prepare for retirement and how to manage their assets during retirement.
Wed., Nov. 20th, 2013 • 10:45 a.m.: Sign In; 11 a.m.: Seminar; Noon: Lunch
Medicare 101 Do you have unanswered questions about Medicare? We’ll review the basics of Medicare – the different parts of Medicare, eligibility, and important programs – that may help you save money. Shannon Vallier, Administrative Officer I APPRISE Coordinator/Long Term Care Ombudsman Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging
Seminars held at:
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September 2013
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Beyond the Battlefield
He Flew in Big Planes and Piloted Small Ones – Part 2 Alvin S. Goodman aughn L. Schwalm, 66, of Pine Grove, has been a flight engineer in the largest military airplanes of the Pennsylvania Air National Guard. He was also a pilot for the state police, patrolling our highways from the air in a small, fixed-wing aircraft. During his long military career, he has flown to at least 20 countries. He also has touched down or driven in almost all 50 states. Over the course of a career spanning more than four decades, Schwalm has earned dozens of military decorations and ribbons, including some citations and medals from foreign countries. Schwalm was interviewed on the Discovery Channel program, Commando Solo: Afghan Skies, about the 193rd Special Operation Wing’s involvement in the War in Afghanistan. “Our aircraft fly radio and TV stations from which we transmit messages to the
V
State Trooper Schwalm in front of his plane.
inhabitants of many countries concerning their well-being,” he said. “The Discovery program depicted our mission to that end while flying over enemy territory.” In 1973, while continuing in the Air
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Schwalm is current commander of the York Camp, Heroes of ’76, Harrisburg.
National Guard with the 193rd, Schwalm became a trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police. During that career, he was stationed in Altoona, Chambersburg, and Harrisburg.
His last eight years were spent flying fixed-wing aircraft on patrol. His combined Air National Guard and state police total flight times accumulated more than 11,800 hours. Schwalm has been married twice and has two daughters and two stepdaughters. He and his current wife, Donna, moved to Pine Grove in 1996 when they were married and are members of the United Church of Christ. Upon turning 60 in February 2007, Schwalm received an honorable discharge and left the military with the rank of master sergeant (E-7) with 41 years and five months of service. After discharge, he received a letter from President George W. Bush congratulating him on his career. After retirement, Schwalm was hired to fill a part-time position with Lockheed Martin, teaching flight crew members of
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September 2013
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Sept. 18, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center Memorial Hall East 334 Carlisle Avenue, York
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Oct. 24, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center 100 K Street Carlisle
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the 193rd how to avoid being hit by surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft artillery, a position he still holds. Schwalm is a member of numerous organizations, including the Mechanicsburg American Legion Post, life member of the Shellsville VFW, the Philip C. Melley Memorial Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 65, and the Ancient and Secret Order of Quiet Birdmen, of which he is the key man (current presiding officer) in the Harrisburg hangar. He is also past president of Harrisburg Chapter No. 76, National Sojourners, and is current commander of its York Camp, Heroes of ’76; a dual
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member of Lowther Manor Lodge No. 781, Camp Hill, and the Pine Grove Lodge No. 409, F&AM; Harrisburg Consistory, AASR; and the Zembo Shriners. Other organizations include a lifetime endowment member of the NRA, the Tulpehocken Rifle and Pistol Club, Mechanicsburg Sportsmen’s Association, life member of the Red Suspenders Hunting Club, the Pine Grove Fish and Game Protective Association, and the Middletown Anglers and Hunters. He is also a licensed commercial multiengine instrument rated airplane pilot.
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many performances and concerts. SENIOR IDOL “has opened up the performance aspect for me. I’ve gotten quite a few shows as a result,” she said. Among her performances, Kissinger sang at several 50plus EXPOs this year. “Everyone has been so good to work with at On-Line Publishers. They’ve always been kind and accommodating,” she said. Kissinger grew up loving music, a trait she got from her grandparents, who took her for organ and piano lessons. By age 13, she was playing in church, and by 15, she was substituting for two different congregations. After high school graduation, she was offered an organist position. As a young woman, Kissinger also sang at local gigs such as restaurants, banquets, and clubs, but she took a hiatus from her musical pursuits to focus on raising her family after her husband was killed in an auto accident in 1991. When Kissinger decided it was time to get back to her musical roots, she earned a music education degree from Millersville University. She now has been a private vocal, piano, and beginning-strings instructor with a specialization in special-needs students for more than 15 years. Kissinger’s vocal performances are her way “to express who I am. I get to express me,” she said after winning the 2012 SENIOR IDOL title. At last year’s competition, Kissinger wowed the judges and audience alike with her powerhouse renditions of Etta James’s “At Last” and “My Heart Will Go On” from Titanic. For winning the 2012 SENIOR IDOL contest, Kissinger received a trip for two to New York City via limousine for dinner and a Broadway show. “I went to see Wicked on Broadway.
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It was fabulous. I loved it. I just had a great time. It was nice to be chauffeured all over New York City. I went in midSeptember and had really nice weather. I had a wonderful time. I’m amazed that a year has already passed.” Kissinger will perform one last time as the reigning PA STATE SENIOR IDOL to open the 2013 finals on Oct. 14 at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster. Kissinger’s advice for the upcoming PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competitors comes from her years as a vocal instructor. “What I tell my students when they go audition is that you have to pick a song that you can sing with all your heart. You have to shine. Sing the song you love and tell the story,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be complex, but do it really well so the listener knows you are doing it with your heart and soul.” She also advises them to choose music that shows the judges their range and then deliver it, telling the story. “Nerves always play a part (in competitions), but that comes with experience,” Kissinger said. After her reign comes to an end, Kissinger said she plans to work on a CD and continue on with her performances. An upcoming show will be a Relay for Life concert with one of her voice students, Dr. Jun Chon, on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at the Ephrata Legion ballroom. For tickets, call Cindy Mellinger at (717) 733-6006, ext. 2551. Kissinger also is taking on new students of all ages at her private studios. She can be reached at (717) 354-6575 or through her website (www.vkmusicstudio.com). For more information on the 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition, visit the official website (www.SeniorIdolPA.com) or call (717) 285-1350.
Join the 2013 One Book, One Community campaign by reading The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway 93 libraries in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties and their community partners present the regional reading campaign:
One Book, One Community Get a copy at your local library or area bookseller
Visit www.oboc.org or your library to learn more
Pick up your monthly refill…of news!
50plus Senior News is available each month near the entrance of your local CVS/pharmacy. Pick up a free copy with your shopping basket!
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September 2013
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We’re on the Move to End Alzheimer’s September commemorates World Alzheimer’s Month, and within that month is World Alzheimer’s Day on Sept. 21. There is a lot to stop and pause for during September, but the Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter does the opposite—we make people get up and move! The Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the association’s largest annual awareness and fundraising event, which occurs during September and October.
The money raised allows our chapter to contribute to research—breakthroughs that we hope will one day be lifechanging for people with dementia. The funding will allow for increases in the accurate and timely diagnosis of people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. As well, added dollars will ensure we have a significant increase in affordable, high-quality care and support for people with the disease and their caretakers. And while we know what the walk means for us, we are keenly aware that it
September 14, 2013
Morgan Cousler Park, York Registration at 9:30 a.m. • Walk at 11 a.m.
World Alzheimer’s Day September 21, 2013 City Island, Harrisburg Registration at 8:30 a.m. • Walk at 10:30 a.m.
September 28, 2013
is personal for many of you. Some walk to honor and remember those they have lost. Some walk to share stories of living with Alzheimer’s or related dementias. Some walk so that future generations won’t have to face the debilitating and devastating effects of the disease. Some walk because they want to help make a difference and fight back. For our Greater Pennsylvania Chapter board chair, Debra Pierson, this walk is a walk toward breaking the chain of young-onset Alzheimer’s that has dramatically linked itself in her family. In a recent meeting, she was asked to jot down a personal goal. From there, she was told to imagine that the goal was accomplished, and then posed with the question, “Now what is possible?” This is how Deb responded: “Imagine a world where every child has a committed, active grandparent or great-grandparent to love them, encourage their gifts, and pass on values, family, and cultural history. Imagine if our seniors had the funds available in their retirement accounts to travel and enjoy life. Imagine when our government has billions in extra funds per year to allocate to the greater good. What you’ve
just imagined is a world without Alzheimer’s.” The Greater Pennsylvania Chapter can imagine it. Can you? Join us in the move toward a world without Alzheimer’s. Let’s transform our imagination into realization. Register today at www.alz.org/walk or call our Helpline, available 24 hours, seven days a week, at (800) 272-3900. Your local walks include: Saturday, Sept. 14 York, Morgan E. Cousler Park Registration at 9:30 a.m. Walk at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21 Harrisburg, City Island Park Registration at 8:30 a.m. Walk at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 Lancaster, Long’s Park Registration at 8 a.m. Walk at 10:30 a.m. For more information on your local Walk to End Alzheimer’s, visit www.alz.org/walk or contact Katie Warner at (717) 561-5020 or kwarner@alz.org.
Free Bus Trip for Local Veterans
Long’s Park, Lancaster
Registration at 8 a.m. • Walk at 10:30 a.m. Registration brochures, team packets, and sponsorship packets available. Please call (717) 651-5020 or email kwarner@alz.org • Easy online registration at http://www.alz.org/walk • Volunteer opportunities available. • Teams and individuals welcome.
Chapter Sponsors Katie Warner, Volunteer Coordinator Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 kwarner@alz.org Alzheimer’s Association 2595 Interstate Drive, Suite 100 • Harrisburg, PA 17110
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September 2013
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Korean War era veterans at the Korean War Memorial in April 2013.
Central PA Honor Bus is sponsoring the 10th totally free bus trip for World War II and Korean War era veterans on Sunday, Sept. 29. Deluxe chartered buses will transport veterans to their war memorials in Washington, DC. The trip is fully escorted with medical
staff and all meals are included. Departure locations are on both East and West Shores. Seating is limited. Registration and reservations required. Contact Honor Bus at (717) 462-0594 or email honorbus2009@gmail.com. For more information, visit www.honorbus.webs.org.
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Calendar of Events
Dauphin County
Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation
Senior Center Activities
Sept. 8, 1:30 to 3 p.m. – Flower Walk: Goldenrods, Asters, and Other Fall Surprises, Wildwood Park
Bistline Senior Center – (717) 564-5633
Weekdays, Sept. 11 to Oct. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Archaeological Excavation, Fort Hunter Mansion
B’Nai B’rith Senior Center – (717) 232-6757
Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Fort Hunter Day, Fort Hunter Park East Hanover Township Senior Center – (717) 469-7514
Dauphin County Library Programs
Edgemont Senior Center – (717) 236-2221
East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, (717) 652-9380 Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville, (717) 362-9825 Sept. 5, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Elizabethville Library Meeting
Friendship Senior Center – (717) 657-1547 Heinz-Menaker Senior Center – (717) 238-7860 Hoy/Latsha Senior Center – (717) 939-9833
Harrisburg Downtown Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976
Jewish Community Center – (717) 236-9555
Johnson Memorial Library, 799 E. Center St., Millersburg, (717) 692-2658
Lick Towers Senior Center – (717) 233-0388
Kline Branch, 530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-3934
Lykens Senior Center – (717) 453-7985
Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg, (717) 232-7286 McCormick Riverfront Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976 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 Sept. 3, 6:30 p.m. – Novel Thoughts Book Club Sept. 4, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Alexander Family Library Meeting Sept. 17, 1 p.m. – Novel Thoughts, Too! Book Club
Millersburg Senior Center – (717) 692-2657 Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002 www.hersheyseniorcenter.com Sept. 12, 9:30 a.m. – Aging Forum Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682 www.rutherfordhouse.org Mondays, 11:30 a.m. – Sign Language Thursdays, 10 a.m. – Healthy Steps in Motion Fridays, noon – Chair Yoga Steelton Senior Center – (717) 939-0693
Programs and Support Groups
Please call or visit the centers’ websites for additional activities.
Free and open to the public.
AARP Driver Safety Programs
Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Senior Citizens Expo Giant Food Store – Second Floor Community Center 2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 651-0100
Sept. 19, 1:30 p.m. Hershey Area AARP Chapter #3466 Meeting Spring Creek Church of the Brethren 335 E. Areba Ave., Hershey (717) 832-3282
Sept. 7, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. GermanFest Evangelical Lutheran Church of Our Saviour 420 N. Progress Ave., Harrisburg (717) 545-9992 www.oslutheranharrisburg.org
Sept. 21, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sew Much for Charity and Free Fabric Event Trinity United Methodist Church 210 Main St., Hummelstown (717) 561-9964
Sept. 10, 6 to 7 p.m. Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group Graysonview Personal Care Community 150 Kempton Ave., Harrisburg (717) 561-8010 Sept. 18, 1:30 p.m. Parkinson’s Support Group on East Shore Jewish Home of Harrisburg 4004 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 441-8627 www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Sept. 24, 6 p.m. Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Walking Club Gander Mountain 5005 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 991-5232
For a Safe Driving Class near you, call toll-free (888) 227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/findacourse. Sept. 17, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Boscov’s – Colonial Park Route 22 and Colonial Road, Harrisburg (717) 540-4222 Sept. 17, 5 to 9 p.m. Mohler Senior Center 25 Hope Drive, Hershey (717) 533-2002 Sept. 24 and 25, 1 to 5 p.m. Boscov’s – Colonial Park Route 22 and Colonial Road, Harrisburg (717) 540-4222
If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
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September 2013
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Delayed Retirement: Are There Some Advantages?
Panzanella/Bread Salad By Pat Sinclair The first time I heard about panzanella, I didn’t think it sounded very appetizing. But that was before I tasted it! A simple salad, panzanella takes advantage of fresh, ripe tomatoes; cucumbers; and fresh basil. Adding fresh mozzarella turns it into a main dish, perfect for a hot summer night. Use chewy, firm bread such as Italian or ciabatta.
The prospect of more and more baby boomers delaying retirement may be a good thing for the U.S. economy, according to the Fiscal Times website. In 2013, 18 percent of the over-65 population of the U.S. were still on the job, up from 11 percent in 1993; a 2008 study of 50-and-older retirees who had returned to the workplace found that 54 percent worked full time, and 19 percent put in more than 41 hours a week. Among the potential economic
advantages: • Increased tax revenue, with positive (though small) effects on the nation’s deficit • Lower government expenditures, as workers delay taking Social Security past traditional retirement age • More talent in the workforce, since the aging U.S. population means fewer young people are available for jobs
ROSE MARIE from page 8
Serves 2 1 1/2 cups firm bread cubes, crust removed and cubed 3/4 inch 2 medium ripe tomatoes, peeled (about 1/2 to 3/4 pound) 1/2 clove garlic or to taste 6 ounces fresh mozzarella bocconcini, cut into cubes 1/2 cup cucumber, diced 1/2 inch 2 tablespoons finely chopped red or mild white onion 2 tablespoons yellow or red bell pepper, cubed 1/2 inch, if desired 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar 1/8 teaspoon salt or to taste 2 or 3 fresh basil leaves, shredded Heat the oven to 400 degrees F. Place the bread on a baking sheet and bake until golden brown and toasted, 10 to 12 minutes. I usually stir once in the middle of baking. Cool to room temperature. Place one tomato and the garlic in a small food processor and puree. Place in a medium bowl and stir in bread cubes. Season to taste with salt. Allow to stand 15 minutes to absorb juices. Cut the remaining tomato into cubes. Add tomato, mozzarella, cucumber, onion, and yellow pepper to the bread and toss gently. Whisk the olive oil, vinegar, and salt in a small bowl. Drizzle over salad and toss gently. Garnish with basil.
Cook’s Note: Peeling fresh tomatoes is easy using a soft fruit peeler. (I use it for peeling pears and peaches also.) If you don’t have this peeler, you can drop the tomatoes into boiling water for 15 seconds and then plunge into cold water. The skins will slip right off. The tomatoes don’t have to be peeled but puree better when the skins are removed. Copyright by Pat Sinclair. Pat Sinclair’s second cookbook, Scandinavian Classic Baking (Pelican Publishing), has a color photo of every recipe. Her first cookbook, Baking Basics and Beyond (Surrey Books), won the 2007 Cordon d’Or from the Culinary Arts Academy. Contact her at http://PatCooksandBakes.blogspot.com
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With cast of The Dick Van Dyke Show
As her fame grew, the famous wanted to meet her. President Franklin Roosevelt invited her to the White House when she was just 6. “After I sang for him, we played tiddlywinks with some poker chips I found in his office.” She caught the attention of the infamous, too. While working with Milton Berle in Chicago, a visitor came backstage. “It was Al Capone, and he wanted to invite me to dinner! He picked me up the next day and we went out to eat with all the mob.” Years later as a young adult, she was invited to perform at the opening of the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas in 1946, along with Jimmy Durante, bandleader Xavier Cugat, and other stars of the day. The invitation came from notorious mobster and hotel owner Bugsy Siegel. “We became friends and he was very good to me. I just didn’t think of those guys as gangsters.” At age 10, Rose Marie met Morey Amsterdam, who would become an important influence in her career and later her co-star on The Dick Van Dyke Show.
Baby Rose Marie
“He was a popular writer for comedians like Fanny Brice and Fred Allen and became a comic himself,” she recalled. “We met when I guest starred on a radio program. He also wrote most of my nightclub material and become a lifelong friend. I actually got him the Dick Van Dyke Show job.” As for Dick Van Dyke, she says it was a joy to work with someone so talented and has only fond memories of Van Dyke and the cast. “We were a close group and genuinely liked working together. Everyone came to work happy, and oh, did we laugh!” Speaking from his Malibu home, Dick Van Dyke recalled meeting Rose Marie for the first time. “I knew she had been in show business since she was 3 but never met her until the first reading of the script,” he said. “She just knocked me over. She probably had the most razor-sharp sense of timing of anybody I ever worked with. She was a delight and still is.” Thomas’ features and columns have appeared in more than 300 magazines and newspapers, and he is the author of Raised by the Stars, published by McFarland. He can be reached at his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.com
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Social Connections Most Important for Seniors Relationships with friends and family outweigh financial concerns among older Americans seeking fulfillment in their senior years, according to the second annual United States of Aging Survey. When asked what is most important to maintaining a high quality of life in their senior years, staying connected to friends and family was the top choice of four in 10 seniors, ahead of having financial means (30 percent). For the 2013 edition of The United States of Aging Survey, the National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare, and USA TODAY surveyed 4,000 U.S. adults, including a nationally representative sample of seniors ages 60 and older. This year, for the first time, the survey also included a nationally representative sample of adults ages 18-59 to provide contrasting perspectives on aging and explore how the country could better prepare for a booming senior population. The Importance of Connectivity Nationally, more than half of seniors (53 percent) indicate that being close to friends and family is important and only 15 percent report occasional feelings of isolation. Eighty-four percent of seniors nationally cite technology as important to their ability to connect with the world around them. Low-income seniors also face challenges. While they cite technology as important to staying in touch with family and friends (81 percent), issues of technology access persist, with 47 percent of low-income seniors reporting cost as a barrier to using more technology, and 48 percent indicating they have trouble understanding how to use technology. Health Management Improves Outlook Eighty-six percent of seniors say they are confident about their ability to maintain a high quality of life, and 60 percent expect their health to stay the same during the next five to 10 years (compared with 53 percent of adults ages 18-59). The survey also finds that women and African-Americans are among the most optimistic about growing older. Seniors focused on taking care of their www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
health are more optimistic about aging. Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of optimistic seniors have set one or more specific goals to manage their health in the past 12 months, compared with 47 percent of the overall senior population. While 65 percent of seniors report having at least two chronic health conditions, less than one in five has received guidance in the past year to develop an action plan for managing their health. Additionally, 26 percent of seniors indicate they exercise less than once a week for 30 minutes or more. Communities Responsive but Not Doing Enough Most seniors (71 percent) feel the community they live in is responsive to their needs, but less than half (49 percent) believe their city or town is doing enough to prepare for the future needs of a growing senior population. Seniors give low ratings to the quality of public transportation and job opportunities in their city or town: just 16 percent and 10 percent, respectively, rate their community’s transit and employment offerings as “excellent” or “very good.” Changing Economics of Retirement Nearly half (47 percent) of retired seniors have access to pensions, and among seniors that are not yet retired, 41 percent plan to rely on Social Security as their primary source of retirement income. In contrast, just 23 percent of adults ages 18-59 plan to rely primarily on Social Security. Forty-eight percent of adults ages 18-59 say they will live mostly off of their personal savings and investments in their senior years. While most seniors are able to pay their monthly expenses, many express concern about the financial impact of living longer. Though two-thirds (66 percent) of seniors believe it to be very easy or somewhat easy to pay their monthly living expenses, more than half (53 percent) are somewhat to very concerned that their savings and income will not be sufficient to last them for the rest of their lives. For complete survey results, visit www.ncoa.org/UnitedStatesofAging.
Call 717.866.3553 for information.
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September 2013
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