Complimentary | Dauphin County Edition
December 2016 • Vol. 18 No. 12
Suspense Author Rewrites ‘Retirement’ page 4
small towns celebrate christmas in big ways page 10
Flu Vaccines for older adults page 19
On Life and Love after 50
Men Have Trouble Meeting Women Tom Blake
anyone online, and without a car, meeting someone who lives more than a few miles from him will also be difficult. When I pointed out those things to him, he said he’d give the single women at his church another look. Martin emailed: “I’m 55 and single. I read in
Usually, it’s the women who comment to me that meeting mature single men is difficult. But, lately, older men have also said meeting older single women is difficult. One man, who lives in a Philadelphia suburb, contacted me by telephone, saying he’d like to be introduced to the 68-year-old woman I wrote about in my October article. I told him she would want to see a photo of him and asked if he would email it to me so I could forward it to her. And, I asked how far away from his home he would be willing to date a woman. He said he doesn’t own a computer so he can’t email a photo. Plus, he does not drive or own a car. Those two conditions will make dating hard for him. Without a computer, he won’t be able to meet
your columns that men can meet women anywhere if they are willing to get out of the house. But, I find that reunions, weddings, grocery stores, Laundromats, adult-education classes, bookstores, and churches are hit or miss. Even internet profiles don’t work because the lady you see probably isn’t
the lady you get. “I’ve tried many of the places you have recommended and many of them don’t work.” I responded to Martin. “You say, ‘Many places don’t work.’ You need to try them all. It only takes one. Keep looking and put a positive spin on your search.” Al, 64, wants to know: “How does an average-looking guy like me compete? Where are the average women? In every group I join, there are always five to 10 more men than women, sometimes more. “Even at church, there are more older men than older women. I don’t care what women do—they can wait tables, cashier, be retired, whatever. I just want to find a nice, gentle, intelligent, plain-looking woman to
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spend my life with. Where are they?” Perhaps Al should join a sewing or knitting club. At least he would find more women in places like that. Richard, 71, says he’s in great shape, works out regularly, is nice looking, a good dresser, is educated, and owns a home. But, he has a tough time meeting women because he’s an engineer and works only with men, so he does not meet single women at work. “All I meet are women who’ve been divorced twice and mollycoddle their grandkids and who have a number of women friends they shop with at
expensive stores. Men are not in their mainstream.” I suggested Richard expand his search by seeking women who aren’t totally involved with their grandchildren and don’t shop at expensive stores. Where? That’s up to him; he needs some outside-of-work interests where he’ll meet single women more to his liking. Mike emailed: “In my church, I can’t find single women in my age group. They all seem to be a bit older. Like Social Security-collecting older.” Besides church, Mike needs to
go to other places to meet women. Volunteering to help others less fortunate and internet dating are two recommendations. Bill, who lives in Florida, said, “I’ve never married, have no children, and can put a woman first. I’m looking for a woman who will do the same. “I’ve been in relationships where the grandkids come first, the job second, and the relationship third. When one slips to third on the priority list, it’s time to say adios.” Maybe Bill isn’t meant to be in a relationship. In Florida, there are a plethora of older women who would
love to have a mate. He needs to ask himself, “What am I doing wrong?” The men featured in today’s article are whining a bit too much. They need to get out and join in new activities, make new friends, and exhibit positive attitudes. And then, they may catch the eye of a nice mature woman, of which there are plenty, in most every city and town across America. For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www. FindingLoveAfter50.com.
At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away. Cremation Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. 4100 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-4001 Dental Services Eichman Family Dental 348 Beech Ave., Hershey (717) 534-1750 Emergency Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110
Arthritis Foundation – Central PA Chapter (717) 763-0900
Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 780-6130 Floor Coverings Gipe Floor & Wall Covering 5435 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-6103 Funeral & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Dauphin County (800) 720-8221 Funeral Directors Hooper Memorial Home, Inc. 3532 Walnut St., Harrisburg (717) 651-1000
Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania (717) 238-2531 Healthcare Information PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services Enhanced Hearing Solutions, LLC 431 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey (717) 298-6441
Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. 4100 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-4001 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383
CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (717) 757-0604 (800) 697-7007 PACE (800) 225-7223 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Home Care Services Senior Helpers (717) 920-0707 Home IMPROVEMENT Grand Opening Windows & Doors 46 Warwick Circle, Mechanicsburg (717) 691-5670 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 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937 Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067 Nursing/Rehab Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Personal Care Homes Greenfield Senior Living at Graysonview 150 Kempton Ave., Harrisburg (717) 558-7771 Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Realtors Brokers Realty (888) 774-8488, ext. 753 – Office (717) 608-1284 – Cell Services Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 780-6130
East Shore Healthcare 915 N. Mountain Road, Harrisburg (717) 652-5550 The Salvation Army Edgemont Temple Corps (717) 238-8678 Therapies Madden Physical Therapy 5425 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 901-9487 Toll-Free Numbers American Lung Association (800) LUNG-USA Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555 Meals on Wheels (800) 621-6325 National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Affairs (717) 626-1171 or (800) 827-1000 Transportation CAT Share-A-Ride (717) 232-6100 Travel AAA Central Penn (717) 657-2244 Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
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50plus LIFE H
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Cover Story
Suspense Author Rewrites ‘Retirement’
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By Megan Joyce Publishing technology has changed significantly since Sherry Knowlton’s childhood, when she cranked out a school newsletter on a mimeograph machine in the principal’s office. But Knowlton is still fascinated by the process of putting ink on paper—especially now that the words printed are her own. Knowlton, who graduated from Dickinson College in 1968, embarked on what has become a successful novelist career after retiring from fulltime work in 2009. “Like most authors, my interest in writing grew from my love of reading,” Knowlton said. “As a small child, my mother and father read me stories. As soon as I learned to read on my own, I spent hours with my nose in a book, as my mother would say. “I’d sneak books to bed at night and read under the covers by flashlight,” she said. “I bicycled to the town library at least once a week to get a new stack of books.” Elementary-school writing awards followed, as did that experience of printing the school newsletter on the mimeograph— and she later edited her high school newsletter and yearbook. Knowlton cites a range of authors among her influences, including Ernest Hemingway, John D. MacDonald, John Grisham, Tracy Chevalier, and Jane Austen. “I’ve probably read Pride and Prejudice 10 times. I’m a total sucker for Mr. Darcy and the triumph of romance,” she said. Knowlton’s series of suspense novels follows Alexa Williams, a young lawyer living in SouthCentral Pennsylvania “who keeps stumbling into dangerous situations,” Knowlton said. “Each book tells a unique, contemporary story with a historical subplot.” Her two first novels in the Alexa Williams series, Dead of
The third book in Knowlton’s Alexa Williams suspense series, titled Dead of Spring, is due to be released in early 2017.
Autumn and Dead of Summer, were published by Sunbury Press in September 2015 and July 2016, respectively. The next in the mystery series, Dead of Spring, is slated for release in early 2017. “The options for publishing vary widely these days, ranging from the traditional, big New York publishing houses to smaller, independent presses to selfpublishing,” Knowlton said. The idea for Knowlton’s first book, Dead of Autumn, came from her knowledge of two Central Pennsylvanian historical crimes: the 1993 murder of a young Russian woman found dead in the forest near Carlisle, and the Depression-era “Babes in the Woods” case, where three girls were found dead in the forest near Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Knowlton’s love of creative writing remained a neglected avocation while in the throes of her career. She spent more than 20 years working for the Pennsylvania Department of Welfare (now the Department of Human Services) before becoming deputy secretary for medical assistance programs. “Before writing these books, I’d never done any novel-length fiction … Although I’ve always wanted to tackle a novel, all my earlier attempts fell to the wayside due to the time pressures of career
and family,” Knowlton said. After her tenure with the Department of Human Services, Knowlton moved to executivelevel jobs in the health insurance industry, culminating in her roles as senior vice president and general manager of a national health insurer. When that company downsized, Knowlton had the opportunity to take early retirement in 2009 and began her own part-time healthcare consulting company. “When I began to work as a consultant, I decided that it was ‘now or never’ to begin work on that novel I’d always wanted to write,” Knowlton said. “Working part-time and setting my own schedule gave me the freedom to spend a considerable amount of time writing.” Knowlton still consults occasionally but has scaled back significantly to focus on her novels, which are available online from Amazon.com and IndieBound and at Barnes & Noble and Sunbury Press. Much of Knowlton’s career included professional writing, such as writing regulations and policy, proposals, speeches, and policy statements. To write a suspense novel, however, Knowlton relies on several forms of research, both online and in person. In addition to scouring books and documents and visiting sites featured in her books, Knowlton has cultivated relationships with a wide range of professionals, including contacts in law enforcement and the legal system for her crime-related research. “I’ve spoken to farmers for information on crop cycles; physicians for information on gunshot wounds; state regulators for background on things as disparate as adoption and hydraulic fracturing,” Knowlton said. “I’ve found that people are remarkably generous in sharing their expertise with me.” www.50plusLifePA.com
Knowlton and her husband are avid travelers, starting with their postcollege sojourn around the United States in their self-described “hippie van” and their stop at the infamous Woodstock music festival in 1969. More recently, the Knowltons have broadened their journeys beyond the U.S. to places such as the Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Africa, South America, and Indonesia. “In general, travel has expanded my horizons by exposing me to new experiences, new cultures, and different ways of life,” Knowlton said. “Being out of your element and pushing the limits of your comfort zone can teach you powerful lessons.” Her travels have also afforded Knowlton a rich source of settings for her novels, enabling her to comfortably place her protagonist in exotic locales, like the Golden Triangle region of Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos, and on African safaris. Less familiar, and therefore more challenging, to Knowlton has been adjusting to her role as the public face of her writing and as a crucial cog in its marketing machine. These days, authors—especially new ones—must play an active part in publicizing their work. “Before Dead of Autumn was released, I hadn’t fully appreciated all the effort that authors need to put into promoting their books,” she said. “That effort includes doing
events, often maintaining a blog or newsletter, and more. “Although I struggled with that unfamiliar aspect at first, I now have a knowledgeable publicity team that makes the process much smoother.” This year alone, Knowlton has done a number of book-related events, including appearing on a panel in New York City at the International Thriller Writers’ ThrillerFest conference. Having successfully established a burgeoning “second career” postretirement, Knowlton now makes a point of reading books from upand-coming authors to help pull them up into the spotlight, working specifically with International Thriller Writer’s Debut Author initiative. “As a fairly new author myself, I know how hard it is to break through and connect with an audience of readers,” she said. Despite her newfound appreciation for the business side of publishing, at heart Knowlton’s drive stems from the transportive, simple joy of the written word, from recalling the nostalgic comfort of huddling nosedeep in a novel smuggled under the bedcovers. “As long as I can remember, I’ve liked to lose myself in a world of make-believe—whether I was reading a book or writing a story of my own.” For more on Sherry Knowlton and her novels, visit www.sherryknowlton. com.
Keep Your Fireplace Safe This Winter The winter months are perfect for snuggling up in front of a nice, cozy fire. Just make sure your fireplace doesn’t pose a hazard to your home with these tips from the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association: • Clear the area around the fireplace and chimney. Debris too close to your fireplace can ignite. • Always use a fireplace screen.
• A lways keep a fire extinguisher nearby. • Equip your home with smoke detectors and check your batteries on a regular basis. • Place your logs on a grate at the rear of your fireplace. • Never leave the fire unattended. Make sure the fire is fully extinguished before you go to bed.
• Don’t overload your fireplace with logs.
• Keep fireplace wood stacked, covered, and out of doors—away from the house and off the ground.
• Don’t try to burn your Christmas tree or other refuse in your fireplace.
• Have your fireplace and flue inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney sweep.
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50plus LIFE H
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It Was 50 Years Ago Today
‘Last Train to Clarksville’ Randal Hill
Q: What do “Blowin’ in the Wind,” “Eve of Destruction,” “Give Peace a Chance,” and “Last Train to Clarksville” all have in common? A: During the 1960s, each became a million-selling antiwar song. Wait a minute! A teenybopper Monkees hit belongs on that contentious list? Yes, and soon you too will be saying, “I’m a believer.” In September 1965, both Daily Variety and The Hollywood Reporter ran an unusual advertisement: Madness! Auditions. Folk and Roll Musicians – Singers for acting roles in new TV series. Running parts for four insane boys, age 17–21.
“Last Train to Clarksville” The Monkees December 1966
Included among the tryout hopefuls were Stephen Stills (later of Crosby, Stills, and Nash), Danny Hutton (later of Three Dog Night), and—supposedly but never verified— mass murderer Charles Manson.
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Beatles’ zany antics in their debut movie A Hard Day’s Night. (Writer Barney Hoskyns once declared the advent of the Monkees a “post-moptop surrealism for pre-teens, with great songs thrown in as part of the package.”) And great songs they often were. Songwriting partners Tommy Boyce and Bobby Hart composed the “manufactured” band’s first single. “Last Train to Clarksville” took its chord structure, “jangly” guitar sound, and tight vocal harmonies directly from the Beatles’ “Paperback Writer” from earlier in 1966. In fact, Hart had thought that Paul McCartney was singing something about a “last train” rather than “paperback writer” at the song’s fadeout. Knowing that The Monkees was to
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be a music/comedy TV show in the style of A Hard Day’s Night, Boyce and Hart figured they couldn’t go wrong emulating the Fab Four. The songwriting pair wanted a simple title that would be easy for fans to remember. On Songfacts (www.songfacts.com), Hart explained, “We were just looking for a name that sounded good. There’s a little town in northern Arizona I used to go through called Clarksdale. We were throwing out names, and when we got to Clarksdale, we thought Clarksville sounded even better.” Boyce and Hart both opposed the Vietnam War, and they wanted the first Monkees “45” to include their take on the conflict. But both writers knew they had to exercise caution. “We couldn’t be too direct with the Monkees,” Hart admitted later. “We
really couldn’t make a protest song out of it. We kind of snuck it in.” In the tune’s storyline, a young soldier pleads with his girlfriend to say goodbye at a train station. He knows he may die in the war, hence the downbeat, often-repeated line, “I don’t know if I’m ever coming home.” The Monkees debuted on NBCTV in September 1966, and “Last Train to Clarksville” on the Colgems Records label rocketed to No. 1 within weeks. While Boyce and Hart would also write the group’s sixth and final hit (“Valleri”), only the first of the Monkees’ tunes offered up a serious (if subtle) antiwar statement. Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.
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The Illusion of Skill
Obviously, Clay, your Friday night get-together is a private game, so letting whoever is gracious enough to supply the table plus the food and beverage is my favorite option on who determines the rules. Home poker play can have all sorts of bizarre rules that define how the game is played. That’s all fine and
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Deal Me In
Dear Mark: A group of us meets every third Friday night to play poker. We stick to Texas Hold’em and as close to Vegas rules as we can. One rule we are not quite sure of is when a player wins a hand at the showdown, is he obligated to show both of his cards, or only the card that made him a winner? Sometimes a player will demand to see both cards. Half of us believe the winner only has to show the card that won the hand, whereas others believe you have to produce both cards. What is your take on this rule, and how is it viewed in the Vegas poker rooms? – Clay B.
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dandy, just as long as they are set up front. With your showdown scenario, some in your group believe the winning player must expose all of their cards, face-up on the table, whether they were used in the final hand played or not. They undoubtedly figure that if they paid to see their opponent’s cards, they should be able request to see the caller’s hand. Personally, Clay, I have always considered it poor etiquette to do so. In Vegas, rules can vary from casino to casino. Thus, it is going to depend upon which Vegas poker room that you are playing in. There is no “official” Las Vegas rulebook of poker. All casinos have their modus operandi that they either shaped themselves or borrowed from another source. That said, I have seen the abovementioned challenge handled both ways. Since Robert’s Rules of Poker is not the end-all reference in Las Vegas poker rooms, if the casino states you please see ILLUSION page 15
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Health Matters
Holiday Help for Alzheimer’s Caregivers Lisa M. Petsche
Many people consider the holiday season a hectic time, due to the preparations and festivities that typically take place. Staying sane, not to mention enjoying this special time of the year, is even more of a challenge when you are caring for someone with dementia. If your relative has changed significantly, you may be particularly uneasy about the approaching holidays. Follow these suggestions to help keep stress manageable for everyone in your household. Gifts • Shop by mail order, online, or buy gift cards. • Use decorative bags and boxes to streamline wrapping.
• Keep presents stored away until it’s time to exchange them. • Be prepared when friends ask for suitable gift ideas for your relative. Suggestions should take into account cognitive and physical limitations. Decorating • Don’t decorate too far in advance. • Keep decorations minimal and out of reach as much as possible. Forgo anything valuable or fragile. • Avoid lights that flash or play music
Give someone you love the gift that entertains, informs, and inspires, month after month! Or renew an existing subscription! Get a 12-month subscription to 50plus LIFE for just $10. Mail form to: 50plus LIFE, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Please start a gift subscription for: Beginning (month) _ ___________________________ Name_ _____________________________________ Street_ _____________________________________ Apt._ ______________________________________ City/State_ __________________________________ Zip_ _______________________________________ Sign card from: Your name___________________________________ Street_ _____________________________________ Apt._ ______________________________________ City/State_ __________________________________ Zip_ _______________________________________ Your phone number____________________________ Paper (or papers/$10 per edition): Expires 12/31/16 qChester qCumberland qDauphin qLancaster qLebanon qYork
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and sound- or motion-activated items. • Don’t keep food, such as a gingerbread house, out in the open. • Don’t let extension cords dangle or run across walkways and don’t rearrange furniture. • Steer clear of decorations that could be harmful if ingested. Entertaining • W henever possible, entertain at home rather than go out. Familiarity provides comfort.
• Prepare guests for your relative’s cognitive and physical functioning and any uncharacteristic behaviors. • Enlist a friend to supervise your relative while you’re engaged in hosting duties. • Keep rooms well lit, since shadows may cause confusion and fear. Avoid candles. • Keep music soft and familiar. • Keep gatherings small. Otherwise, situate your relative in a quiet spot and have guests visit one or two at a time. • Instruct guests to introduce themselves to your relative by name and relationship—for example, “I’m Mary, your brother John’s wife.” • Place guests’ coats and handbags in a secure area if your relative is prone
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to rummaging. • Clean up immediately after entertaining, before your relative has a chance to consume anything that might make them ill. • Before inviting overnight guests, consider how disruptive this might be to your relative’s routines. Outings • If you accept an invitation, do so on the condition that you may back out if your relative is having a bad day. • Limit the time and ensure there’s a quiet place your relative can retreat to if they can’t handle the stimulation. • Take along medications, adapted dishes and utensils, a bib, extra briefs, and a change of clothes as needed. • Recognize that your relative may not eat as well as they normally do, owing to anxiety or distractions. • Attend an event without your relative, if it’s not feasible to take them with you. Further Tips • Let family and friends know your
needs and limitations. • Share plans with your relative on a need-to-know basis. • Include your relative in simple preparations to make them feel valued. • Share holiday memories. Bring out photo albums or home movies and play favorite seasonal music. • Schedule holiday activities during your relative’s best time of the day. Space them out and try to stick to routines. • Have a plan in place to deal with challenging behaviors that may arise. • Don’t pressure your relative to participate in festivities. Previously enjoyed events may cause distress if they don’t understand the significance or no longer recognize family or friends. • Last, but not least, find something relaxing you can do each day. And do treat yourself to a special gift. Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior health matters. She has personal and professional experience with elder care.
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Traveltizers
By Andrea Gross
Small Towns Celebrate Christmas in Big Ways
St. Augustine, Florida, which was founded by Spanish conquistadors in 1565, is festooned with 3 million lights. These represent the candles that brighten Spanish homes during the Christmas season. The town of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, features a parade of les petits chanteurs who sing French carols, while the Kansas community of Lindsborg, settled by Swedes in the late 19th century, celebrates Christmas with Scandinavian music and folk dancing. And so it goes. Across the United States, people come together to observe the holidays in ways that combine quintessentially American customs while at the same time honoring the traditions of their ancestors. Here, a spotlight on three towns that speak to the best of America: its commonalities as well as its diversity. St. Augustine’s Spanish Heritage I take a sip of water. According to legend, this water, which comes from a natural spring near St. Augustine, Florida, is going to bestow upon me a magical gift—the gift of eternal youth. Convinced that they’d found the storied Fountain of Youth, the Spanish, along with enslaved AfricanAmericans and native Timucuan Indians, established the first
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Photo courtesy of FloridasHistoricCoast.com
St. Augustine honors its Spanish heritage by putting lights in the windows of downtown buildings.
Photo courtesy of Ste. Genevieve Tourism
Photo by Irv Green
Ste. Genevieve’s holiday parade honors the town’s many traditions.
Ste. Genevieve is known for its well-preserved collection of early French architecture.
permanent settlement in what became the United States. Then, knowing that their families back in Europe were celebrating the Fiesta de Navidad, they celebrated a Christmas Mass. It was the first Christmas in the New World. I swallow the water, but it’s laden with sulfur and smells like hardboiled eggs. I’d rather have eggnog.
Today, St. Augustine’s annual “Nights of Lights,” which has been selected by both National Geographic and the Smithsonian as one of the world’s best holiday displays, begins the Saturday before Thanksgiving and runs through the end of January.
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The Colonial Spanish Quarter in St. Augustine is filled with museums, eateries, and shops that reflect the town’s heritage.
Ste. Genevieve’s French Connection Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, 60 miles
south of St. Louis, is a charming town of 4,500 people, most of whom trace their ancestry back to France. We explore streets filled with intriguing shops and eateries, stopping for nearly an hour at ASL Foundry, where we watch folks craft pewter plates, goblets, and—to my delight— Christmas ornaments. Finally, we make our way to the town’s historic district, which has gained worldwide recognition for its collection of French Creole buildings. Christmas in the historic district begins the day after Thanksgiving with Vieux Noël in Lights, during which folks follow a path marked with signs that tell the Christmas story. The path ends at a small crèche that has been secreted in a boxwood grove. The Holiday Christmas Festival, which takes place a few days later on the first weekend in December, celebrates 500 years of the area’s rich musical traditions. Free performances feature everything from chamber concerts and violin concertos to church music and holiday carolers. For good measure, there’s even a grand holiday parade with Santa. In addition, the Felix Vallé State Historic Site hosts Le Réveillon, which features a French Christmas circa the early 1800s. As French music plays in the
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background, guides in historically accurate dress explain the various decorations and encourage people to taste test dessert items such as bûche de Noël, a sweet rendition of the Yule log. But the biggest holiday celebration is La Gulannée Watch Party on New Year’s Eve. Similar to the English custom of wassailing, partygoers dress in outlandish costumes and go from house to house begging for favors. Lindsborg’s Swedish Celebration In Lindsborg, Kansas, where more than a third of the residents are of Swedish descent, Christmas is all about music. The season kicks off the first Sunday in December with a musicfilled Jultide Concert and doesn’t fully end until spring, when the town choir performs the country’s longestrunning annual presentation of Handel’s Messiah. The biggest event of the season is the St. Lucia Festival, which celebrates the shortest day of the year, the winter solstice. To brighten a time when light is in short supply, a young girl adorned
Photo by Jim Turner
Lindsborg’s Christmas festivities, like those in Sweden, lighten the dark days of winter.
Photo by Jim Turner
Lindsborg is home to the world’s longest-running annual performance of Handel’s Messiah.
Photo by Irv Green
During the summer festivals, the streets of Lindsborg are filled with folk dancing.
Photo by Irv Green
Lindsborg has strong musical traditions.
with a crown of lighted candles is chosen to serve cookies and coffee. The candles, which are set among green leaves, are meant to show that the dark winter is turning into a bright spring. Finally, as Christmas winds down, folks begin to prepare for the spring presentation of Handel’s Messiah. Although the oratorio is traditionally associated with Christmas, only the first section focuses on the birth of Christ. The latter parts tell the story of death and resurrection and were originally intended to be performed at Easter. It is then, after a weeklong celebration, that the 200-person Bethany Lutheran Choir performs the well-known piece. As the last notes fade away, Lindsborg’s Christmas truly ends, just as the sights and sounds of spring begin to fill the air. Feliz Navidad, joyeux Noel, god Jul ... Happy holidays to all! For an expanded version of this article that includes other ways that these towns celebrate their heritage, see www. traveltizers.com. Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).
Please join us for these FREE events! 18th Annual
May 9, 2017 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
DAUPHIN COUNTY
Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey
18th Annual
May 18, 2017
A History of Caring ... A Commitment To Excellence Since 1867.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
LANCASTER COUNTY
Shady Maple Conference Center Smorgasbord Building 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl
14th Annual
June 8, 2017 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
CHESTER COUNTY
Church Farm School 1001 East Lincoln Highway Exton
Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars • Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes Limited Sponsorship Opportunities Available (717) 285-1350 (717) 770-0140 (610) 675-6240
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Your Friends’ and Neighbors’ December Holidays Trust. Honor. Integrity. Service. Take Time to Enjoy the Peace and Joy of the Season! Traditional Funeral Service t Cremation Options Pre-Planning for Peace of Mind t Veteran’s Benefits Dale A. Auer, Supervisor
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Are You Reading? Join the 2017 One Book, One Community campaign by reading Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein 80 libraries in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties and their community partners present the regional reading campaign. Read the book during December and January and attend free library programs and discussions throughout the winter and early spring!
Visit www.oboc.org or your library to learn more
Happy Holidays! We at On-Line Publishers, Inc. are grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportive advertisers who have all enabled us to continue our mission to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community in 2016. We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50plus LIFE a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment for our readers in Central Pennsylvania. At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.
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The celebrations and holidays of December come from many different countries and cultures. Here’s a guide to what your friends and neighbors are up to this month: Hanukkah, Dec. 24 to Jan.1 Hanukkah marks the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem following the Jews’ victory in the Maccabean Revolt in 165 B.C. According to the Talmud, the Jews had only enough olive oil to keep the eternal flame in the temple burning for a single day—but miraculously, the oil continued to burn for eight days, during which time the Jews were able to produce and consecrate fresh oil for the flame. The eight-day Jewish holiday begins at sundown. Hanukkah is observed by the lighting of a nine-branched candelabrum, called a menorah. One candle is lit each of the eight nights, with a central candle lit each night to light the others. Christmas, Dec. 25 This Christian holiday celebrates the birth of Jesus, sometime between the years 7 and 2 B.C. The word Christmas comes from “Christ’s Mass,” a phrase first recorded in old English in 1038. Christmas began to be observed with feasts and celebrations in
the Middle Ages—the online encyclopedia Wikipedia notes that King Richard II of England hosted a Christmas feast in 1377, with 28 oxen and 300 sheep eaten. The colonial Puritans of New England disapproved of Christmas celebrations, banning them during the 17th century. But other colonists observed the day with Christmas trees and nativity scenes. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the law making Christmas a federal holiday in 1870. Kwanzaa, Dec. 26 to Jan. 1 A seven-day celebration of African heritage and culture, Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by activist Maulana Karenga to provide African-Americans with a holiday that emphasized their shared history and experience. The name Kwanzaa derives from “matunda yakwanza,” a Swahili phrase meaning “first fruits.” Houses are decorated with African art and colorful cloth, and seven candles are placed in the kinara, a candleholder. The central candle in the kinara is black, with three red candles on the left and three green candles on the right. The candles represent the Seven Principles of Kwanzaa, which are contemplated each day as one is lit: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. www.50plusLifePA.com
Social Security News
‘Extra Help’ Available for Prescription Costs By John Johnston
Making ends meet should not mean going without your medications. If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Extra Help to pay for some healthcare and prescription drug costs. Drug costs in 2016 for most people who qualify for Extra Help will be no more than $2.95 for each generic drug and $7.40 for each brand-name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services estimates that more than 2 million people with Medicare may be eligible for Extra Help but aren’t currently enrolled to take advantage of these savings. A recent law changed how your income and assets are counted: • Life insurance policies don’t count as resources. • A ny help you get from relatives, friends, and others to pay for household expenses—like food, mortgage, rent, heating fuel or gas, electricity, water, and property taxes—doesn’t count as income. Many People Qualify and Don’t Know It Even if you were previously turned down for Extra Help due to income or resource levels, you should reapply. If you qualify, you’ll get help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage premiums, copayments, and deductibles. To qualify, you must make less than $17,655 a year (or $23,895 for married couples). Even if your annual income is higher, you may still qualify for some extra help. Your resources must also be limited to $13,640 (or $27,250 for married couples). Resources include bank accounts, stocks, and bonds, but not your house or car. There’s No Cost or Obligation to Apply It’s easy and free to apply for Extra Help. You, a family member, trusted counselor, or caregiver can apply online www.50plusLifePA.com
at www.socialsecurity.gov/i1020 or call Social Security at (800) 772-1213. TTY users should call (800) 325-0778. You can also get help in your community from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), the Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRC), and many tribal organizations. For information about how to contact these organizations, visit Eldercare Locator (www.eldercare.gov) or call (800) 677-1116. To learn more about Medicare prescription drug coverage, visit Medicare.gov, or call (800) MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227. TTY users should call (877) 486-2048. This information prepared by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Helping seniors and their families to make smooth residential transitions Barbara Kauffman, Realtor Certified Negotiation Expert (CNE) Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) Certified New Home Sales Professional (CSP) Accredited Buyer Representative and Seller Representative Specialist
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Celebrate Those Strongly Tied Knots! Are you or is someone you know commemorating a special anniversary this year? Let 50plus LIFE 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________________________________________
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My 22 Cents’ Worth
Every Hero Has a Name. Is your military hero also your spouse, child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor? Help us put a face and a name to the courageous men and women who are currently serving or who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.
Salute to Service
is an online photo gallery honoring the military heroes in our lives.
Upload your hero’s picture, name, and information at VeteransExpo.com/salute-to-service.
Stories of ordinary men and women called to perform extraordinary military service. Since 1999, writer and World War II veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox has preserved the firsthand wartime experiences of more than 200 veterans through Salute to a Veteran, his monthly column featured in 50plus LIFE. Now, for the first time, 50 of those stories— selected by Wilcox himself—are available to own in this soft-cover book.
Simply complete and mail this form with your payment to the address below to order Salute to Our Veterans. On-Line Publishers • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Name_ _______________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________ City_______________________________ State_ ____ Zip_ ______________ Phone_ _____________________ Email______________________________ Number of copies_ ______ (Please include $20.80 for each copy) Credit card #______________________________________ Exp. date________ Signature of cardholder_________________________________CVV #________
Or send a check made payable to On-Line Publishers, Inc. You can also order online at www.50plusLIFEpa.com!
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Walt Sonneville
The Peace of Christmases Past
It has now been 102 years since a Christmas when a sense of the brotherhood of humanity momentarily seized warring soldiers in Western Europe. Dec. 25, 1914, saw an unofficial Christmas truce on segments of the battle line in the fields of Flanders (Belgium) between German soldiers and the allied Belgian, British, and French troops. The war then was only 5 months old. It was not a mutiny, as happened among some French troops in April 1917 to protest poor provisioning of food and medical needs. The 1914 event was a manifestation of the spirit of Christmas. The opposing forces on segments of the Western Front left their muddy trenches, laid down their weapons, and fraternized in the “no-man’s land” that separated them. It began when some German soldiers placed small, candlelit Christmas trees atop their trenches. This was followed by the Germans caroling, with the British, Belgians, and French joining in. They shook hands, exchanged gifts, and some played soccer. By the time the war ended in November 1918, more than 35 million deaths had resulted among World War combatants and civilians. The Treaty of Versailles, signed June 1919, concluded vindictive terms imposed on Germany by the victorious nations, setting the stage for the Second World War that caused another 60 million deaths (40 million in Europe). With their guns muted, Dec. 25, 1914, was truly a “silent night.” The opportunity raised by this occasion was lost on their superior officers, who took measures to make sure this sanity would not recur. Just 30 years later, American forces repelled a major German offensive on the Western Front at the Battle of the Bulge. Americans observed a religious service, after which German prisoners
of war sang “Silent Night.” By then, the war was virtually over. The nights were not yet silent, except for the many millions of casualties that had gone to eternal rest. The War of 1812, between the fledgling United States and the United Kingdom, was concluded diplomatically on Christmas Eve 1814 by the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. The Christmas of that year saw no cessation of hostilities, however, due to delayed communications between Ghent, Belgium, and our nation’s capital. For a decade following World War II, there were several movements to promote world peace through a global federalism that would extend beyond the framework of the Charter of the United Nations. Clarence Streit, Gary Davis, Grenville Clark, Robert Hutchins, and Henry Wallace were unsuccessful in their separate campaigns to restrain future warring. One of the co-signers of the Declaration of Independence, Dr. Benjamin Rush, wrote an essay in 1793 entitled “A Plan of a Peace Office for the United States.” He was much ahead of his time. Beginning in 1935, and continuing through 1979, bills were introduced in the U.S. Congress calling for a U.S. Department of Peace. The U.S. government now has an agency called the U.S. Institute of Peace, signed into law in 1984 by President Reagan. While its intentions are noble, its budget of $39 million (2012), to support a staff of about 275 employees, is inadequate in view of the numerous conflicts that continue around the globe. This institute should be replaced by an international consortium of nongovernment organizations working toward the avoidance of conflicts. The United Nations has decreed Sept. 21 as the annual International Day of Peace, also known as World www.50plusLifePA.com
Peace Day. With 200 member countries, one would think the U.N. peace momentum would take hold on some parts of the planet during each day of the year. Peace is bolstered when the leaders of opposing armed sides experience the war-weary despair of Chief Joseph, a leader of the Nez Perce tribe of American Natives. In his people’s flight to escape the American army, Chief Joseph said: “I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever.” The spread of an uncensored
internet may be our hope for a reemergence of the Spirit of the Christmas of 1914. In the first half of this century, the internet could become the international forum for promoting and organizing protests to abandon war and bloody insurgencies. The voices of many millions of Josephs around the globe for peaceful conciliations will have more influence than the decrees of 200 sovereign states. Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research analyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen and A Musing Moment: Meditative Essays on Life and Learning, books of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. Contact him at waltsonneville@verizon.net.
ILLUSION from page 7 must show your “whole” winning hand, then you must. Other casinos have guidelines that say you only have to show the cards that made you a winner. Although you might be bellied up to a felted octagonal table in someone’s den, it’s not Las Vegas. I would recommend that house rules should be discussed at the onset of the evening, and not after a riff ensues. Dear Mark: I like to play on slot machines that allow me to stop the reels from spinning. Does having control of the outcome make any difference? – Kate S. Whether you stop the reels yourself or allow the machine to do it, both ways, Kate, produce random results. Many a superstitious player believes in synchronicity, that simultaneous occurrence of events that appear significantly related. The game’s designers prefer to call it the “illusion of skill.”
Those who favor stopping the reels from whirling think they are in charge of the outcome. In reality, Kate, your result had already been predetermined when the reels started spinning. Sorry, Kate, but your golden touch will not make any difference, although the rabbit’s foot in your purse may, notwithstanding the evidence that it didn’t work for the rabbit. Gambling Wisdom of the Month: “The people who run the casinos are tough and smart in so many ways, but they belong in the Dark Ages. They explain the phenomena of their world the way the ancient astrologers did. They really believe that dice get hot.” – Edward O. Thorp, The Green Felt Jungle (1965) Mark Pilarski is a recognized authority on casino gambling, having survived 18 years in the casino trenches. Pilarski is the creator of the bestselling, award-winning audio book series on casino gambling, Hooked on Winning. www.markpilarski.com
April 20, 2017 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
York Expo Center • Memorial Hall East 334 Carlisle Ave., York
This event is FREE to attend. Veterans (of all ages) and the military community and their families are invited to join us!
The Expo brings federal, state, and local agencies together with area businesses to provide information and resources to veterans and their families.
The Job Fair brings veterans and spouses who need jobs together with employers who can benefit from this rich source of talent to aid their organizations.
At the Expo
Veterans Benefits & Services Medical/Nonmedical Resources Products and Services Available Support/Assistance Programs Education/Training Services
At the Job Fair
Employers Job Counseling Workshops Employment Seminars Resume Writing Assistance Hosted by:
Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available
www.veteransexpo.com (717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com
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Calendar of Events
Dauphin County
Support Groups Free and open to the public Mondays, 6:30–8 p.m. Grief Support Group Mohler Senior Center 25 Hope Drive, Hershey (717) 732-1000 Dec. 7, 6–7 p.m. Cancer Support Group Spring Creek Rehabilitation and Nursing Center 1205 S. 28th St., Harrisburg (717) 565-7000 Dec. 7 and 21, 7–8:30 p.m. ANAD Eating Disorders Support Group PinnacleHealth Polyclinic Landis Building, Sixth Floor, Classroom 1 2501 N. Third St., Harrisburg (717) 712-9535 Dec. 13, 6–7 p.m. Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group Greenfield Senior Living at Graysonview 150 Kempton Ave., Harrisburg (717) 561-8010 Dec. 14, 6–7 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group Emeritus at Harrisburg 3560 N. Progress Ave., Harrisburg (717) 671-4700
Dec. 15, 6–8 p.m. Harrisburg Area Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver Support Group Giant Food Stores – Second Floor 2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 580-7772 Dec. 19, 6:30 p.m. Support Group for Families of Those with MemoryRelated Illnesses Frey Village 1020 N. Union St., Middletown (717) 930-1218 Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m. Parkinson’s Support Group on East Shore Jewish Home of Harrisburg 4004 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 441-8627 Dec. 28, 7 to 8 p.m. Connections Support Group: Families of Memory Impaired Ecumenical Retirement Community Building 3, Second Floor 3525 Canby St., Harrisburg (717) 561-2590 If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Community Programs Free and open to the public Dec. 1, 7 p.m. Central Pennsylvania World War II Roundtable Meeting Grace United Methodist Church 433 E. Main St., Hummelstown (717) 503-2862 charlie.centralpaww2rt@gmail.com www.centralpaww2roundtable.org Dec. 7, 7 p.m. World Culture Club of Central PA Meeting Penn State Hershey Medical Center Fifth Floor, Lecture Room B 500 University Drive, Hershey www.worldcultureclubpa.org Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Roundtable Meeting Vietnam Veterans of America, Michael Novosel MOH Chapter 542 8000 Derry St., Harrisburg (717) 545-2336 centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net www.centralpavietnamroundtable.org
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Dec. 11, 4 p.m. Holiday Concert: An Alpine Christmas Derry Presbyterian Church 248 E. Derry Road, Hershey (717) 533-9667 www.derrypres.org Dec. 17, 9–10:30 a.m. Breakfast with Santa and Buddy the Elf Spring Creek Rehabilitation and Healthcare 1205 S. 28th St., Harrisburg (717) 565-7000 Dec. 20, 7 p.m. “Longest Night” Worship Service Derry Presbyterian Church 248 E. Derry Road, Hershey (717) 533-9667 www.derrypres.org Dec. 27, 6 p.m. Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Walking Club Bass Pro Shop – Hunt Room Harrisburg Mall 3501 Paxton St., Harrisburg (717) 805-9540
Senior Center Activities Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002, www. hersheyseniorcenter.com Mondays, 8:15 a.m. – SilverSneakers Exercise Dec. 16, 11:30 a.m. – Holiday Social and Annual Meeting Dec. 19, noon – Luncheon with Elementary School Carolers Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682, www. rutherfordcenter.org Mondays, 10 a.m. – Line Dancing Tuesdays, noon – Circuit Exercise with Personal Training Fridays, 11 a.m. – Chair Yoga Just a snippet of what you may be missing … please call or visit their website for more information.
PARKS & RECREATION Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, 12:30–4:30 p.m. – Festival of Trees, Fort Hunter Tavern House Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 18, 12:30–4:30 p.m. – Toy Train Exhibit, Fort Hunter Centennial Barn Dec. 2, noon to 9 p.m.; Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; De c. 4, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Craft Reunion, Fort Hunter Centennial Barn
Try These Tips for Better Napping Sleep is important to your health, and regular naps can make a positive difference. One Harvard study found that people who nap at least three times a week for a half hour or more have a much lower risk of heart disease. Other studies suggest that a 40-minute nap can improve performance on the job. So what’s the best way to nap? The Science of Us website summarized the findings of different studies. First, try to sleep for at least an hour to get a deeper sleep, even though shorter naps have positive benefits as well. Second, lie down for your nap; you’ll wake up feeling more alert than if you sleep sitting up in a chair. Finally, nap in the morning if possible. You’re more likely to get REM sleep because your brain still craves it from the night before. Although, on the other hand, afternoon naps tend to be more restorative and improve memory. www.50plusLifePA.com
Is This Thing On?
Abby Stokes
How to Navigate Google Maps on Your Smartphone
Whether you want to find your way to your granddaughter’s ballet class or finally drive cross country, it’s time for you to learn to use the free GPS app on your smartphone or tablet. Google Maps is an app that offers global mapping with satellite imagery, street maps, and actual traffic conditions as well as route planning for getting from here to there by foot, car, bicycle, and public transportation. So where a smartphone has improved driving safety is when it’s used for navigation. With a car phone holder accessory, your smartphone hangs from the rearview mirror or attaches to the dash, letting you be hands-free while it guides you on your way—much better than trying to read an unwieldy map while driving. Visit the store on AskAbbyStokes.com for some choices about car phone holders. Google Maps vs. Maps
If you have an iPhone, Google Maps may not be preinstalled; iPhones come pre-installed with Maps. They are very similar in purpose and use, but we’re focusing specifically on Google Maps.
Finding Your Way Around Before we ask Google Maps to provide directions, let’s get used to some of its features. To find yourself,
Once you see your destination on the screen, tap on the blue circle in the bottom right. The next screen will allow you to choose whether you’re
tap on . The map will then zero in on your current location. From here, you can pinch or spread the screen to zoom in or out of your location.
traveling by car
The blue dot represents where you are. At the top of the screen is a text box where you type in the address of your destination. As you type, suggestions for what you seek will start to appear in a list below. If your destination appears, then you can stop typing and tap on it. But be sure that it’s the correct town and state—not just the street. There are a lot of 25 Main Streets out there!
Thank You, Volunteers! On-Line Publishers, Inc., and 50plus LIFE would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of the individual and senior group volunteers who donated their time and efforts at our 2016 50plus EXPOs and the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fairs. Because of your assistance, we were able to bring the contents and the mission of 50plus LIFE to life for the residents of Central Pennsylvania!
www.50plusLifePA.com
transportation
, public , foot
, or
bicycle . The next screen gives you a choice of route, if there is a choice. Tap on whichever route you desire, and then tap on the arrow in the blue circle at the bottom right. The screen will also show the length of the trip and the estimated time of the trip. Once you’ve tapped on the arrow, you’re on your way. The app will now talk you through the journey, while the map indicates your place en route and alerts you to when and how soon your next turn will be. Any calls, texts, or emails will be
held on the phone until you’ve arrived. So, please don’t be tempted to answer any overtures while you are in transit. Happy trails! Abby Stokes, author of “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming and its companion website, AskAbbyStokes.com, is the Johnny Appleseed of Technology, singlehandedly helping more than 300,000 people cross the digital divide.
Thank You, Columnists! 50plus LIFE continues to bring important information as well as entertaining articles to the 50+ community. We at On-Line Publishers would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the editorial contributors of 50plus LIFE: Tom Blake (On Life and Love after 50) Mike Clark (The Way I See It) Suzy Cohen (Dear Pharmacist) Dick Dedrick (Nostalgia Road) Andrea Gross (Traveltizers) John Johnston (Social Security News) Bill Levine Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature) Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior) Victor Parachin (Fragments of History)
Saralee Perel (Such is Life) Dr. Leonard Perry (The Green Mountain Gardener) Mark Pilarski (Deal Me In) Sy Rosen (Older But Not Wiser) Terri Schlichenmeyer (The Bookworm Sez) Walt Sonneville (My 22 Cents’ Worth) Abby Stokes (Is This Thing On?) Nick Thomas (Tinseltown Talks) Dr. Lori Verderame (Art and Antiques) Robert Wilcox (Salute to a Veteran)
It is through the varied interests and considerable talents of our contributors and freelance writers that such a range of informative and entertaining content is available to read each month. The pages of 50plus LIFE are enriched by your contributions.
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Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.
Bethany Village — MapleWood
325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: Yes Personal Care Home: Yes Private: 100 Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom suites; secured memory support neighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.
The Bridges at Bent Creek
2100 Bent Creek Blvd. • Mechanicsburg, PA 17050 717-795-1100 • www.thebridgesatbentcreek.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: No
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Home-like setting, personalized, tailored care and healthcare, secured memory supports, peace of mind. Call today!
Colonial Lodge Community
2015 North Reading Road • Denver, PA 17519 717-336-5501 • www.coloniallodgepa.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 70 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *SSI depends on availability. A veteran-approved “home for heroes” facility, all in a beautiful, rural setting.
Harrison House of Chester County
300 Strode Avenue (Rt. 82) • East Fallowfield, PA 19320 610-384-6310 • www.harrisonseniorliving.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 80 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Excellent arts and entertainment programs. Affordable rates and professional staff. Call to schedule a tour.
Homeland Center
1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 56 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Providing exemplary care in a beautiful environment for more than 149 years. Our continuum includes a hospice program, therapy services, home care and home health services, and 24-hour medical staffing. All-private rooms with full baths and kitchenettes.
Homewood at Plum Creek
425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewood.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 92 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Excellent care in a lovely environment. Call to schedule a visit.
The Middletown Home
999 West Harrisburg Pike • Middletown, PA 17057 717-944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 64 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Beautifully appointed apartments overlooking the garden terrace with the safety and security of 24-hour nursing care.
Pleasant View Retirement Community
544 North Penryn Road • Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445 • www.pleasantviewrc.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 96 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *Three-year private pay spending. Maintain independence in an enriching and supportive environment; now offering respite stays.
This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.
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December 2016
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Savvy Senior
Jim Miller
Flu Vaccines Designed Specifically for Older Adults
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any specific flu shots that are better suited for seniors? I just turned 65 and would like to find out what’s recommended and how Medicare covers it. – Semi-Healthy Senior Dear Semi-Healthy, There are actually two different flu vaccines available this year that are designed specifically for adults age 65 and older. One option is the Fluzone HighDose, which has been available since 2010, and the other is the new FDA-approved FLUAD vaccine (you only need to get one of these). The Fluzone HighDose (see www.fluzone. com) is a high-potency vaccine that contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection. The new FLUAD vaccine (www. fluad.com) also contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. The extra protection these vaccines provide is particularly helpful to individuals who have weaker immune defenses and have a great risk of developing dangerous flu complications. The CDC estimates that the flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills an average of 24,000—80 to 90 percent of whom are older adults. But be aware that both the Fluzone High-Dose and FLUAD are not recommended for people who are allergic to chicken eggs or those who have had a severe reaction to a flu vaccine in the past. You should also know that the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not recommend one vaccination over the www.50plusLifePA.com
other, and to date, there have been no studies comparing the two vaccines. If you decide you don’t want to get an over-65 flu shot, there are other options available, including the standard (trivalent) flu shot; the quadrivalent flu shot, which protects against four different flu viruses; and the FluBlok vaccine for those who have egg allergies. To locate a vaccination site that offers any of these flu shots, visit Vaccines.gov and type in your ZIP code. You’ll also be happy to know that as a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu shot, as long as your doctor, health clinic, or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays. Pneumonia Vaccines Two other important vaccinations the CDC recommends to people over 65, especially this time of year, are the pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia. Around 1 million Americans are hospitalized with pneumonia each year, and about 50,000 people die from it. The CDC is now recommending that all adults 65 or older get two vaccinations—Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are administered just once at different times, work in different ways to provide maximum protection. If you haven’t yet received any pneumococcal vaccine, you should get the Prevnar 13 first, followed by Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. But if you’ve already been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23, wait at least one year before getting the Prevnar 13. Medicare Part B covers both shots if they are taken at least 11 months apart. 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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December 2016
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