Lebanon County Edition
March 2013
Vol. 8 No. 3
Unearthing History’s Underground Mysteries Local Archaeologist’s Work Benefits from Senior Volunteers By Lori Van Ingen Indiana Jones, eat your heart out. Central Pennsylvania native Steve Warfel has made his share of amazing archaeological finds, too. One of Warfel’s finds was a cobble with a face pecked on it that dates back to 2050 to 1770 B.C. He found it just off the shore of Piney Island, below the Holtwood Dam. It was found under water near a habitation layer with charred remains in a hearth, he said. The cobble is now on display at the State Museum of Pennsylvania. Another extraordinary discovery was a glass trumpet at Ephrata Cloister. Dating to the period around A.D. 1730, the German religious communal society, which was devoted to separating itself from the outside world, probably found the trumpet to be too ostentatious and it was disposed of in a trash pit, Warfel said. Warfel’s love of archaeology began when he stumbled across anthropology while attending Franklin & Marshall College as a pre-med major. When Warfel heard that the State Museum of Pennsylvania’s archaeologist needed extra helpers with his dig, he decided to get involved. “I didn’t know what I was getting into, but I had a little coursework under my belt,” he said. please see UNEARTHING page 14 Archaeologist Steve Warfel in front of Dill’s Tavern in Dillsburg, where he conducted an investigation for the Northern York County Historical and Preservation Society in summer 2011.
Inside:
How to Divvy Up Your Stuff page 13
Common Sleep Disorders page 15
The Way I See It
Rough Days Mike Clark his cold starting coming on last Thursday; by Friday, it was accelerating at full throttle toward a wretched head- and chestbuster. My wife and I still went out to eat Friday evening. Being able to down a hearty meal while feeling less than well is not an ideal way to display toughness and resolve against illness. Midway between the eatery and home, I felt something else creeping up on my weakened mass. A perfect storm was brewing. I was about to be crushed by the agonizing process of negotiating a full-scale assault by not just the cold, but also a horrible bout of food-borne illness that was surely brewing inside. It was strange, though, how my body quickly put the cold aside to clear the way for a relatively short but brutal battle to exorcise the evil bug invasion taking over my body. The two storm systems were miraculously diverted from collision
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by the force of self-preservation, an innate sense that I could not handle both afflictions at the same time. All of Saturday was a grueling test of my willingness to battle. And battle I did. By Sunday afternoon, the bacteria army was vanquished. So the reckoning began. My cold took its rightful place in the dark space that was previously occupied by the poison beasties. And it took its place with vicious authority.
It felt as though somebody was running a steel-wool pad in and out of my throat and chest with a rusty pipe, my head was being attacked from within by a troop of little demons with ball-peen hammers, and my muscles were being pulled and twisted by unknown forces. The suggested remedies for the common cold can drive you as crazy as the people who swear by them. I stick to my regimen of drinking instant chicken
noodle soup, taking short (or long) naps, whining, and, of course, taking long, hot showers, minus the joy of singing songs to which I have long since forgotten the words. I have to preserve my ravaged voice for better days. It’s now Tuesday and my wife is eyeing me with that enough-is-enough look. On her way out this morning, she dropped one of those dust-magnet cloths on the table and pointed out that the particle layers were getting thick on the flat surfaces. She also informed me that the vacuum was downstairs in the family room, just in case. In case of what? Oh, now I get it. She just doesn’t respect my pain. 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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Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being.
Emergency Numbers Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 Food Resources Food & Clothing Bank (717) 274-2490 Food Stamps (800) 692-7462 Hope/Christian Ministries (717) 272-4400
Hearing Aid Services Hearing & Ear Care Center, LLC 200 Schneider Drive, Suite 1, Lebanon (717) 274-3851 Melnick, Moffitt, and Mesaros 927 Russel Drive, Lebanon (717) 274-9775 Hospitals Good Samaritan Hospital 252 S. Fourth St., Lebanon (717) 270-7500
Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels (717) 273-9262
Medical Society of Lebanon County (717) 270-7500
Salvation Army (717) 273-2655
Hotlines Energy Assistance (800) 692-7462
Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020
Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Hotline (800) 541-2050
American Cancer Society (717) 231-4582
IRS Income Tax Assistance (800) 829-1040
American Diabetes Association (717) 657-4310
Medicaid (800) 692-7462
American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (717) 207-4265
Medicare (800) 382-1274
American Lung Association (717) 541-5864 Arthritis Foundation (717) 274-0754 Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (717) 787-7500 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 Kidney Foundation (717) 652-8123 The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (717) 652-6520 Lupus Foundation (888) 215-8787
PA Crime Stoppers (800) 472-8477
Housing Assistance & Resources Program (HARP) (717) 273-9328
Senior Centers Annville Senior Community Center (717) 867-1796
Lebanon County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities (717) 274-1401
Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048 Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786
Insurance Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833
Northern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 865-0944
Legal Services Pennsylvania Bar Association (717) 238-6715
Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237
Neurosurgery & Physiatry Lancaster NeuroScience & Spine Associates 1510 Cornwall Road, Lebanon (717) 454-0061 or (800) 628-2080 Office of Aging Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (717) 273-9262 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com
Senior Center of Lebanon Valley (717) 274-3451 Southern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 274-7541 Veterans Services Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
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PennDOT (800) 932-4600 Recycling (800) 346-4242 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (800) 827-1000 Housing Assistance Hope (Helping Our People in Emergencies) (717) 272-4400
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My 22 Cents’ Worth
When Weekdays Were Dedicated
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Walt Sonneville n the decade prior to and following World War II, most days of the week were dedicated to a routine of specific activities. Mondays were dedicated to washing the laundry and hanging it to dry, secured by wooden pins to slender rope lines in the backyard. Amazingly, clothes hung in freezing temperatures dried, despite turning stiff as heavy-duty aluminum foil. Undergarments might be hung in the basement, adding a bit of comforting humidity to the heated air in the house. Almost everyone used one or more of three brands of laundry soap: Fels Naptha bars, Rinso powder, and Oxydol powder. Clothes hung outside to dry always had a “fresh smell” regardless of the brand of soap used. Most homes were heated with coal-burning furnaces that emitted bits of black ash (“soot”) through the chimney, speckling laundry hung nearby. Some homes had only a washboard to scrub clothes. The slightly more affluent had a wash machine equipped with dual hardrubber rollers. When hand-cranked, these rollers squeezed out much of the water from laundry passing between them. Americans in the 1930s and 1940s had limited wardrobes. This made family laundry manageable until diapered babies arrived. Tuesday was given to ironing laundry. Wrinkle-free fabrics did not arrive until late in the 1900s. President Truman, in 1947, asked Americans to not eat meat on Tuesdays so this country could ship more grain to the undernourished people in postwar Europe. Wednesday provided relaxation at the movies, where theatres promoted
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attendance by holding a “Bank Night.” The paid admission ticket, usually 25 cents, had identical numbers printed at each end. Half of the ticket was surrendered to the usher upon entry. At intermission a theater employee would pull the winning ticket stub from a jar to award a cash prize of about $20, a coveted sum in those days. Thursday was not a dedicated day. The evening was spent listening to popular radio shows that, through accompanying sound effects, brought
a sense of theatric realism to the listener. Friday, for observant Catholics, meant fish for dinner or perhaps macaroni and cheese. Meat was banned as atonement for sins. There was less opportunity to sin in this era. One lived in a community close to aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents. Our behavior was closely monitored. No one wanted to bring shame to family members. Saturday was given to maintenance of the house, garden, lawn, and car—but not before shopping for the groceries needed for the week ahead. Movie theaters featured matinee films for children, usually presented in serialized segments to encourage return for next week’s episode. Features included Tarzan, Charlie Chan, Buck Rogers, and cowboy heroes. Evening films featured programming for adults. In the 1950s, Saturday-night
movie attendance declined as television gained audiences. Teens with automobiles favored “cruising” downtown streets to attract companionship before heading to the drive-in snack spot. Sunday was the time to attend church. Proper dress was prescribed—church was not a leisurely event. Attendees often selected the same pew seat every Sunday as though it were reserved. Most retail stores were closed all day to observe the Sabbath. Sunday dinner, usually scheduled for early or midafternoon, typically featured chicken, mashed potatoes, a vegetable, and homemade dessert. Potato salad and ham were frequent choices for picnic events. Visiting among relatives and friends provided entertainment, until it was time to hear favored radio programs aired in the evening. Today we shop any day of the week and most hours of the day. Laundry is simplified by automatic washers and dryers. Any night is movie night, thanks to DVDs, Netflix, and cable television. The abandonment of structured weekdays has impaired seeing our friends, relatives, and neighbors at supermarkets, church, and movie theaters. Life is much more convenient as we find ourselves increasingly isolated. Walt Sonneville, a retired marketresearch 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@earthlink.net.
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NurseNews
Taming an Overactive Bladder
Traditions of Hershey Raises Funds for LLS
Gloria May, M.S., R.N., CHES n a recent car trip through the British countryside, we stopped at one of the most wellappointed rest areas I’d ever seen: two restaurants, a video game parlor, a gift shop combo market, a post office, and the most appreciated feature, a dozen ladies’ “facilities.” On the inside door of each cubicle, there was a poster. It was a line drawing of a woman with her knees held together but her ankles flung far out to each side. Her hands, one over the other, were just about at her (pardon me) crotch level. The illustration’s message was clear: She really had to go to the bathroom. Under the image was written: “Back already? Overactive bladder is a treatable medical condition. Ask your doctor.” Very clever, I thought, and great placement. “Overactive bladder” is the name of a distressing problem that, although it can become more troublesome as we grow older, is not a normal part of aging. The symptoms are:
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• Urinary frequency, meaning having to go more than eight times in 24 hours and/or twice during the night • Urinary urgency, defined as the sudden desire to go with the panicky feeling that you won’t be able to wait until you get to a bathroom • Urge incontinence, referring to actually not being able to hold back your urine until you get to a bathroom Some 17 million Americans (mostly women) are plagued by overactive bladder symptoms. The underlying problem usually lies with the nerves and/or the muscles in that area, although there are other contributors: • Medications such as sedatives, diuretics (obviously), and sleeping pills www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
From left, Wendy Tice, sister of Leslie Hedge; Tina Zanetti, marketing director at Traditions of Hershey; Leslie Hedge, leukemia survivor; and Hedge’s son, Daxton.
• So-called “trigger foods” that can irritate the bladder: coffee (even decaf ), alcohol, tomatoes, citrus fruits, corn syrup, honey, milk, carbonated beverages, chocolate, cranberries, and even artificial sweeteners and highly spiced dishes Can overactive bladder be treated as the poster stated? And how? And with what degree of success? Yes, it can be treated, and while there is no one-size-fits-all strategy, there are a number of approaches that, when taken together, result in an estimated 80 percent success rate: Diet: It has been reported that half of overactive bladder sufferers can ease their symptoms just by eliminating trigger foods from their diet. Once the symptoms have improved, it is often possible to add these items back, one at a time; however, if there is one food or drink that’s particularly problematic, it may have to be permanently avoided. Bladder retraining: This is a process of unlearning certain habits, teaching the bladder to hold more urine, and exercising and strengthening pelvic floor muscles. Medications: There are patches, gels, and pills that, although not a cure, can get a person through the course of bladder retraining. However, it takes time, and more importantly, dedication. In addition, an overactive bladder is probably best handled by a urologist or an ob/gyn with specialized training. Of course, none of this will get done unless the patient cranks up the courage to tell their doctor that there is a problem in the first place. Gloria May is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in adult health education and a Certified Health Education Specialist designation.
Traditions of Hershey Independent Living and local community members recently came together in support of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) and were able to raise $358 during a breakfast fundraiser. All of the proceeds went to Lebanon
County survivor Leslie Hedge and her LLS fundraising team. “I cannot tell you how excited and truly grateful I am that Traditions of Hershey donated their earnings from this event to the LLS through our team,” said Hedge. With the help of the breakfast at Traditions of Hershey, the fundraising total for Hedge’s team for all their combined fundraising efforts this year should make it over the $12,000 mark.
Residents Enjoy Stadium-Sized Feast Although it wasn’t the size of a real football stadium, the residents at Traditions of Hershey enjoyed a feast on Super Bowl Sunday that measured 8 feet in length and was filled with delicious appetizers to snack on during the game. Dave Merrell, a resident at Traditions of Hershey and former fulltime chef, made his fellow residents his infamous Edible Super Chef Dave Merrell with his son and Bowl Stadium for the daughter-in-law, Tim and Sabrina Merrell. Traditions of Hershey Super Bowl party on Feb. 3. hotdog weenies, and chicken taquito Merrell used 46 loaves of bread, 10 rolls. pounds of wings, 100 “yards” of dip, The whole 100 yards of the field and two football posts made of Slim was filled with different dips, and the Jims. The outside of the stadium was football players were Slim Jims with made of assorted sandwiches, and olives as their helmets. around the inside of the stadium was a It took Merrell four and a half hours variety of chips, wings, wrapped to build the stadium. If you have local news you’d like considered for Around Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com
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The Green Mountain Gardener
New Life for Old Plants Dr. Leonard Perry uring winter, some of your houseplants may begin to look leggy. While they may not be in poor enough shape to discard, they do need something. Plants in this condition are often good candidates for air layering. Many houseplants can be air layered—dumb cane, croton, Chinese evergreen, philodendron, rubber plant, fiddle leaf fig, oleander, and camellia, to name a few. In fact, almost any plant with a woody or firm stem can be propagated using this technique. Developed by the Chinese, this ageold propagation technique induces roots to form on the stem. Instead of taking a cutting and putting it in a rooting medium, you take the rooting medium to the plant. The plant stays intact during the entire rooting process. Air layering is not difficult, but you will have to work quickly once you begin. The incision you make in the
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plant’s stem can’t be allowed to dry out. Therefore, assemble all the necessary equipment before you begin. Start by removing all leaves 3 to 4 inches above and below the incision point, which you should make about 12 inches below the tip of the stem. With a sharp knife, make an upward- or downward-slanting cut 1 to 1.5 inches long and about one-quarter of the
way through the stem. Insert a toothpick into the wound to keep it from healing over; then, dust a small amount of root-promoting compound into the incision. Next, wrap the wounded area with moist sphagnum moss, peat moss, or several expanded peat pellets. The moss ball should be about 6 inches long and several inches in diameter. If you are using peat pellets, split several vertically to the center. Hold moss or peat pellets in place
with twine, and wrap with plastic to keep the rooting medium from drying out. Seal the top and bottom edges and then seam with waterproof wrapping tape. If your plant is in the sun, cover the ball with aluminum foil to protect roots from sun scald. Give your plant normal care during the rooting period. After several weeks, roots should be visible near the edge of the moss ball or peat pellet under the sheet of plastic. Then remove the plastic, sever the new plant just below the moss ball, and pot as you would a rooting cutting. Discard the remaining stem. You have just given new life to an old plant! For healthy growth, provide adequate moisture, light, and fertilizer on a continuing basis as you would for any houseplant. Dr. Leonard P. Perry is an extension professor at the University of Vermont.
Have a lifestyle change on the horizon? Let this be your guide.
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Join the Team for a Cure – The Arthritis Walk Let’s move together to fight for a cure this spring by participating in the Arthritis Foundation Central PA Office’s 2013 Capital Area Arthritis Walk on Saturday, May 18, 2013. The Arthritis Walk is a noncompetitive, 5-kilometer (3.1-mile), or 1-mile course with varying distance options to accommodate all levels of fitness. The event also features several fun festivities and a Health Expo. Individual walkers and teams are encouraged to walk in honor of a loved one with arthritis, while men, women, and children living with arthritis lead the way, wearing special blue honoree hats to signify their action in taking control of their condition. Individuals who raise $100 or more will receive a tshirt. Arthritis affects more people than you might imagine. There are 50 million men and women in the United States with doctor-diagnosed arthritis. That’s 50 million reasons to care. That’s 50 million reasons to walk. Children are also affected. Nationwide, there are more than
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300,000 children who suffer from a form of juvenile arthritis, 11,500 of which live in Pennsylvania. Funds raised from the Arthritis Walk support hundreds of programs to help people prevent and control arthritis. It also funds promising arthritis research that is critical to finding new therapies, treatments, and eventually a cure for arthritis. The Arthritis Foundation is the only nationwide, nonprofit health organization helping people take greater control of arthritis by leading efforts to
prevent, control, and cure arthritis and related diseases. The Arthritis Foundation also provides a large number of community-based services located nationwide to make life with arthritis easier and less painful. By joining our 2013 Arthritis Walk, you become a part of the Let’s Move Together movement, a nationwide movement led by the Arthritis Foundation that encourages people to move every day to prevent or treat arthritis. Make a difference in the lives of those
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with arthritis by joining the movement and signing up to participate in the Capital Area Arthritis Walk at Hersheypark on May 18. There is no cost to walk through the park for the Arthritis Walk; however, if you would like to enjoy the park for the whole day, a park ticket is required. Any individual who raises $200 or more will receive a free ticket for the day. There will also be a free Health Expo with lunch provided for all walkers. The Health Expo and lunch are also open to the general public. Parking for this event is also free. You may register online at www.arthritiswalkcapitalarea.kintera.org. For more information on the Arthritis Walk, please contact Douglas Knepp at dknepp@arthritis.org or (717) 8847525. For information on the Health Expo, please contact Joan McCabe at jmcabe@arthritis.org or (717) 8847524. Together we can change lives, and we look forward to seeing you at the Arthritis Walk in May.
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Salute to a Veteran
Aboard the Intrepid, He Saw Action in Major Battles Across the Pacific Robert D. Wilcox
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alter Miles was in high school in Maryland when the Japanese attacked Pearl
Harbor. And, like many youngsters in those days, he couldn’t wait to get in uniform and battle the enemy. Several of his friends had joined the Navy and told him how great it was. So, although he was only 16, he did as many others had done, claiming he was 17 and enlisting in the Navy. The Navy was pleased to have him and, after three weeks of boot camp in Norfolk, sent him to Electrician’s Mate School in Newport, R.I. Graduating from there as a third class electrician’s mate in 1943, he was assigned to the brand-new USS Intrepid, which was the fifth of 24 Essex-class aircraft carriers built for the Navy during World War II. It was to have one of the most
distinguished service records of any Navy ship, seeing active service in the Pacific Theater including the Marshall Islands, Truk, Leyte Gulf, and Okinawa. And Miles was aboard for them all. He boarded the ship in August 1943 for its shakedown cruise to Maine, then to Trinidad. Then it passed through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor, where it took on needed supplies and armament before heading to the Marshall Islands, the
Third Class Electrician’s Mate Walter A. Miles in Norfolk in 1943, about to board the USS Intrepid.
next objective in the Navy’s massive island-hopping campaign. There, she and the carriers Cabot and Essex destroyed all of the 83 Japanese aircraft based on Roi-Namur, and her aircraft strafed Ennuebing Island until 10 minutes before the Marines reached the beaches. That opened up the North Pass into Kwajalein Lagoon for the assault on Roi. Next, the three carriers headed for
Truk, the tough Japanese base in the center of Micronesia. There they sank two destroyers and 200,000 tons of merchant shipping in two days. Miles says he remembers Truk well. “One night I was standing my watch in the gyro compass compartment. I had just sat down with a cup of coffee when there was a huge explosion that blew me across the room. A Japanese plane had put a torpedo in us about 40 feet from where I was sitting, blowing a huge hole in the side of the ship, flooding several compartments, and distorting our rudder. “We were able to limp back to Pearl Harbor for temporary repairs, then to Hunter’s Point Navy Yard in San Francisco for permanent repairs.” By June 1944, the Intrepid was back in fighting trim and headed for the southwest Pacific. She struck airfields
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and artillery emplacements on Peleliu, and then steamed to join the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest sea battle in history. One of her aircraft spotted Vice Admiral Kurita’s flagship Yamato and accompanying ships. A day-long attack from carrier aircraft then sank one Japanese battleship and heavily damaged three more, forcing the Japanese to withdraw. As the Intrepid’s aircraft hit Clark Field on Oct. 30, a burning kamikaze suicide plane crashed into one of the carrier’s port gun tubs, killing 10 men and wounding six. Miles says, “We placed the dead in canvas sacks, each weighted down with a 5-inch shell; then, after a religious ceremony, slid them from a board into
the sea.” Point again for Later in the repairs, and then battle, two went to kamikazes Okinawa, where crashed into the they were flight deck, attacked by scores killing 69 men. of kamikazes. A Miles was part good friend of of the crew who Miles’s was fought the manning a 20flames and mm gun when successfully put his tub was hit, them out. He and he had both The USS Intrepid (CV-11) in the Philippine Sea in November 1944. says the stress of legs blown off battle got to the and died. A men in different twin-engine ways. One, he remembers, couldn’t talk bomber exploded next to the ship, at all. Another’s hair went completely spraying fire and body parts across the gray. deck, and Miles helped fight the fire and The Intrepid returned to Hunter’s clear the deck of body parts.
When the war ended and the Intrepid returned to Long Beach, they picked up many soldiers from various islands on the trip home. Miles went by train to Bainbridge, Md., where he was discharged on Jan. 10, 1946. He then earned a BS in education from Salisbury State Teachers College and taught fifth and sixth graders for a couple of years. And then he worked in sanitary engineering for 30 years before retiring and coming to a retirement home in Central Pennsylvania. He’s happy there, saying with a smile, “It’s a great place for anyone who appreciates good food … and plays bridge.” Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
Secret to Longevity: Don’t Worry, Be Happy Want to live a good long time? Eating right and getting lots of exercise are essential, but so is the right attitude. At least that’s what one study suggests. Researchers at the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine questioned 243 people age 100 or older. They found that centenarians tend to share certain personality traits (in
addition to other factors, like genetics). In general, these long-lived people are …
• Open with their emotions
• Outgoing
• Unlikely to obsess about anxieties or guilt
• Conscientious and disciplined
• Positive-minded about other people • Full of laughter
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The scientists point out that these characteristics don’t necessarily represent
a cause-and-effect relationship. They did notice, however, that in many cases the personality traits they observed weren’t necessarily lifelong tendencies, but behaviors their subjects learned as they grew older. Focusing on the good and not worrying about the negatives may have a positive impact on overall life expectancy.
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Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Kate’s Royal Portrait Dr. Lori he official portrait of HRH the Duchess of Cambridge was unveiled at London’s National Portrait Gallery on Jan. 11, 2013, and is currently on public display there. The portrait was commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery through the Art Fund. It was painted by the BP Portrait Award-winning artist Paul Emsley (born in 1947 in Glasgow, Scotland), who has also painted such notable figures as South African President Nelson Mandela and author V.S. Naipaul. Experts are categorizing the painting within the tradition of Italian Renaissance portrait master Leonardo da Vinci, citing a keen ability to capture likeness and the use of dark and light areas to convey drama to the image. Soon other royal portraits will be compared to this painting of the Duchess of Cambridge, like the paintings by Hans
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Holbein of the royal court members of King Henry VIII to the more current and famous painting of Princess Diana by American artist Nelson Shanks. Onlookers the world over—that is anyone with a pair of eyes—have offered their critique of the painting too. Some adjectives that have been used to describe the work of art include dark, unflattering, inconsistent, etc. I think that the way that the artist has captured the duchess’ trademark flowing, long hair and coy yet understated smile is an achievement, aesthetically speaking. Of course, the natural beauty of the
Duchess of Cambridge contributes to the success of the Emsley painting. Some say that the painting shows a more serious side of the duchess, but I disagree with that assessment. As an art historian, appraiser, and former museum director, I think that the painting depicts a youthful royal with a zest for life and a sincere smile that shows her unique understanding of her position. The piece captures her likeness, suggests her vigor, and makes the viewer want to take a second look. The duchess sat twice for the artist, in both May and June 2012. One sitting took place at the artist’s studio and the
other in the duchess’ own surroundings at Kensington Palace. Like most contemporary portrait artists, Emsley produced photographs and worked from them to complete the portrait. The painting was completed after approximately four months of work by the artist. The duchess’ eyes are attractive, realistic, and bright. An oddly familiar earring emerges from the duchess’ curled hair, which shows a strong resemblance to the famous sapphire-and-diamond engagement ring that was once owned by the late Princess Diana. The portrait of the Duchess of Cambridge is a bust-length portrait that does not show the sitter’s hands, so the earring may serve as a remembrance of the family tradition and the famous history of the royal jewels. I think that, as with many works of fine art, the earring may be a symbol of the legacy of
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the royals. This object is a recognizable link to her husband, Prince William, and his royal lineage. Reports indicate that the duchess wanted to be portrayed naturally, not officially. Many who know her say that including the duchess with her smile was a good and obvious choice. Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, now the Duchess of Cambridge, was born in Berkshire and attended Marlborough College. The duchess studied at the British Institute in Florence before enrolling at the University of St. Andrews in Fife. She has a degree in the history of art. She married Prince William of Wales at Westminster Abbey on April 29,
2011. She holds an honorary position as a patron of the National Portrait Gallery. HRH The Duchess of Cambridge by Paul Emsley is on display now as part of the Contemporary Collections in the Lerner Galleries of the National Portrait Gallery, London. Judging from the portrait, it looks like it’s good to be Kate. Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and awardwinning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the expert appraiser on the hit TV show Auction Kings on Discovery channel, which airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/ DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.
The premier events for baby boomers, caregivers, and seniors!
14th Annual
April 25, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Overlook Activities Center
14th Annual
Overlook Park • 2040 Lititz Pike Lancaster
The Beauty in Nature May 28, 2013
Red-Wings
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hershey Lodge 10th Annual
West Chocolate Avenue & University Drive, Hershey
Clyde McMillan-Gamber ed-winged blackbirds are handsome birds that are symbolic of cattail marshes. Males are almost robin-sized and black with red shoulder epaulets and a yellow line under each scarlet patch. Females are brown with darker streaks for camouflage around their nests and young. Males repeatedly sing “o-ka-lee” while raising their wings and displaying their shoulder patches as they sway on cattails and tall grasses, or perch on trees and other objects. The adaptable red-wings are abundant in Lancaster County farmland in March when thousands of them migrate through here from farther south. While flying in large, dense flocks, the males’ red shoulder patches gleam like hot coals in a black furnace. Some red-wings nest locally, while others continue to their breeding grounds. Red-wings form nesting colonies to take advantage of limited acreages of cattail and tall grasses in marshes and around ponds where they raise one or two broods a season. Female red-wings take several days to make grassy nests on plant stalks above the water or soil. They need four or five more days to lay three or four eggs and
R
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about 12 days to incubate the eggs. Both parents need a couple of weeks to raise the youngsters to fledgling, feeding them protein-packed invertebrates. That’s about 36 days, and more to bring broods to independence. Some pairs of red-wings nest in clover and alfalfa fields, but usually unsuccessfully because of monthly mowing of hay for livestock forage, which destroys eggs or offspring. But during droughts when the plants are slow-growing or in rainy weather when the hay is too wet to cut, some red-wings nesting in hay fields raise young to maturity. Red-wings stop breeding in mid-July when flocks of adults and young gather in marshes and fields to feed and perch overnight prior to drifting south for the winter. Most habitats that were full of nesting redwings and their singing are nearly empty and silent. Though their breeding habitats are limited in size, red-wings’ feeding environments aren’t. They eat invertebrates and grain in marshes, fields, and meadows. Red-winged blackbirds are interesting and beautiful. Go to local wetlands to experience them.
June 6, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Church Farm School 11th Annual
1001 East Lincoln Highway Exton
Sept. 18, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center
14th Annual
Memorial Hall East 334 Carlisle Avenue York
Oct. 24, 2013 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center 17th Annual
100 K Street Carlisle
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717.285.1350 717.770.0140 610.675.6240
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Calendar of Events
Lebanon County
Senior Center Activities
Lebanon County Department of Parks and Recreation
March 2, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Spring Open House March 3, 1 to 4 p.m. – Music by the Fire: Bluegrass and Country Music Jam March 22, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Frog Walk
Annville Senior Community Center – (717) 867-1796 200 S. White Oak St., Annville March 15, 11 a.m. – St. Patty’s Day Party March 25, 7:15 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Bus Trip: “American Spirits” Exhibition at National Constitution Center, Philadelphia
Lebanon County Library Programs
Maple Street Community Center – (717) 273-1048 710 Maple St., Lebanon
Annville Free Library, 216 E. Main St., Annville, (717) 867-1802 March 2, 10:15 to 11 a.m. – Tai Chi March 4, 9:45 a.m. – Yoga March 5, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Beginning Knitting Class
Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-6786 51 W. Stoever Ave., Myerstown March 19, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Bus Trip: Hollywood Casino March 27, noon – 39th Anniversary Party at Hebron Banquet Hall
Lebanon Community Library, 125 N. Seventh St., (717) 273-7624 March 9, 2 to 4 p.m. – Master Gardener Program
Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 865-0944 335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown – www.jonestownpa.org/senior.html
All events held at the Park at Governor Dick unless noted.
Matthews Public Library, 102 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, (717) 865-5523 March 26, 5 p.m. – Book Club Myerstown Community Library, 199 N. College St., Myerstown, (717) 866-2800 Palmyra Public Library, 325 S. Railroad St., (717) 838-1347 March 11, 6:45 to 7:45 p.m. – Book Club Meeting: Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks Richland Community Library, 111 E. Main St., Richland, (717) 866-4939 March 19, 2 to 3 p.m. – Recipe Exchange
Programs and Support Groups
Free and open to the public
If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Palmyra Senior Community Center – (717) 838-8237 101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra Wednesdays, 10:15 a.m. – Low-Impact Tai Chi Arthritis Class March 21, 10:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Bus Trip: Shady Maple and Good’s Store March 25, 9:30 a.m. – Healthy Steps for Older Adults: Fall-Prevention Program Southern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 274-7541 Midway Church of the Brethren, 13 Evergreen Road, Lebanon Privately Owned Centers Senior Center of Lebanon Valley, Inc. – (717) 274-3451 710 Maple St., Lebanon Washington Arms – (717) 274-4104 303 Chestnut St., Lebanon March 9, 9 a.m. – Summer Breakfast with “The Girls” March 13, 4:30 to 8 p.m. – One Night with Elvis March 26, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Bus Trip: Rainbow Dinner Theatre
Don’t Overlook EITC Tax Credit Millions of workers could overlook and miss out on up to $5,891 extra in their federal income tax refunds through the Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC. Last year, on average, the credit boosted refunds for eligible workers by $2,100. Anyone earning $45,060 ($50,270 for married couples) or less from wages, selfemployment, or farming in 2012 should see if they qualify. Eligible workers must file federal income tax returns—even if they are not required to file—and specifically must claim the credit to get it. Individuals can get free help determining their EITC eligibility and claiming the credit at one of three sites in Lebanon County: Lebanon Valley
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College, 101 College Ave., Annville; The Hispanic Center of Lebanon in the Pathfinder Building, 410 N. Ninth St.; and the Lebanon County Democratic Committee Headquarters, 23 S. Sixth St. Help is available from IRS-trained and certified volunteers on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday evenings, as well as Tuesday and Thursday mornings, through mid-April. An additional oneday site, for veterans only, will also be available in March at the Veterans Administration Medical Center. All sites are by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled by calling (717) 867-6054 for the LVC site or (717) 273-9328 for any of the other sites.
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To help preparers accurately determine EITC eligibility and prepare returns, individuals should bring with them to their scheduled appointment:
• Interest and dividend statements from banks (form 1099)
• Photo proof of identification
• Bank routing and account numbers for direct deposit of their refunds
• Social Security cards for themselves, their spouse, and all dependents, or Social Security number verification letters issued by the Social Security Administration • Birth dates for all persons who will be listed on the tax return • Wage and earning statement(s) forms W-2, W-2G, and 1099-R, from all employers
• Copies of their prior-year federal and state returns, if available
• Other relevant information about income and expenses • Amounts paid for daycare, if applicable, and the daycare provider’s identifying number Both spouses must be present to sign joint returns.
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Savvy Senior
How to Divvy Up Your Stuff Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best, conflict-free way to divvy up my personal possessions to my kids after I’m gone? I have a lot of jewelry, art, family heirlooms, and antique furniture, and five grown kids that don’t always see eye to eye on things. Any suggestions would be appreciated. – Seeking Peace Dear Seeking, Divvying up personal possessions among adult children or other loved ones is a task that many parents dread. Deciding who should get what without showing favoritism, hurting someone’s feelings, or causing a feud can be difficult, even for close-knit families who enter the process with the best of intentions. Here are some tips to consider that can help you divide your stuff with minimal conflict. Problem Areas For starters, you need to be aware that it’s usually the small, simple items of little monetary value that cause the most conflicts. This is because the value we attach to the small, personal possessions is usually sentimental or emotional, and because the simple items are the things that most families fail to talk about. Family battles can also escalate over whether things are being divided fairly by monetary value. So for items of higher value like your jewelry, antiques, and art, consider getting an appraisal to assure fair distribution. To locate an appraiser, visit the American Society of Appraisers (www.appraisers.org). Ways to Divvy The best solution for passing along your personal possessions is for you to go through your house with your kids (or other heirs) either separately or all at once. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Open up cabinets, drawers, and closets, and go through boxes in the attic to find out which items they would like to inherit and why. They may have some emotional attachment to something you’re not aware of. If more than one child wants the same thing, you will have the ultimate say. Then you need to sit down and make a list of who gets what on paper, which will be signed, dated, and referenced in your will. You can revise it anytime you want. You may also want to consider writing an additional letter or creating an audio tape, CD, or DVD that further explains your intentions. You can also specify a strategy for divvying up the rest of your property. Some fair and reasonable options include: Take turns choosing: Use a round-robin process where family members take turns picking out items they would like to have. If who goes first becomes an issue, they can always flip a coin or draw straws. Also, to help simplify things, break down the dividing process room by room, versus tackling the entire house. Have a family auction: Give each person involved the same amount of “play money,” or use “virtual points” to bid on the items they want. This can also be done online at eDivvyup.com, a website for families and estate executors that provides a fair and easy way to distribute personal property. For more ideas, see “Who Gets Grandma’s Yellow Pie Plate?” (www.yellowpieplate.umn.edu), which is a resource created by the University of Minnesota Extension Service. For a fee, the service offers a detailed workbook, interactive CD, or DVD that gives pointers to help families discuss property distribution and lists important factors to keep in mind that can help avoid
conflict. You can order a copy online or by calling (800) 876-8636. It’s also very important that you discuss your plans in advance with your kids so they can know what to expect. Or, you may even want to start
distributing some of your items now, while you are still alive. 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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UNEARTHING
from page 1
The dig was conducted at the Strickler site, along the shores of the Susquehanna River, just south of Washington Boro. This site was where the Susquehannock Indians traded with Europeans. “We found datable objects from 1640 to 1660,” Warfel said. It was that first dig that Warfel credits with changing his life. “The light bulb went off and I had my career. Once you’ve got the bug, you’ve got it,” Warfel said. After graduating in 1971 with a degree in archaeology, Warfel taught four years at Sterling High School in Summerdale, N.J. Each summer, Warfel worked with the State Museum of Pennsylvania. That job helped him understand he really wanted to pursue archaeology full time. “I was lucky enough to land a job with just an undergraduate degree as an industrial archaeologist in Paterson, N.J.,” Warfel said. Paterson was the nation’s first planned industrial community in the late 1790s to early 1800s. Then, from 1978 to 1980, Warfel went back to grad school to earn his master’s degree in anthropology from Brown University, Providence, R.I. Warfel was hired full time by the State Museum of Pennsylvania in 1980. He worked there until retiring in 2007 as the senior curator of archaeology. Since retiring, Warfel, 63, has worked as an archaeological consultant for small local historical societies.
stone house in York County. It had “It’s been fulfilling and busy,” he said. reportedly been used as a prison camp Warfel recently completed work with during the Revolutionary War. the Shippensburg Historical Society, “We were unable to prove that, but we trying to discover the actual site of Fort hope to do more work in the future,” Morris, which stood from 1756 to 1765 Warfel said. during the French and Indian War. Warfel During the worked at two project’s third other sites of phase, Warfel note. The first was fortunate was in to find Columbia’s evidence of Rotary Park. the fort site In the late and solve the 1720s, Samuel mystery of Blunston built which of three his home possible sites there. the fort was Blunston was actually William Penn’s located on. Volunteers working at the Dill’s Tavern dig in land manager. During the summer 2011. If anyone last phase, wanted to “our biggest handicap was that the fort was located in settle across the river, he had to get a license from Blunston, Warfel said. a part of town that was developed in the When Blunston died, the property was 1890s. We were working in side yards and backyards of houses,” he said. “It was deeded to close friend Susanna Wright, and the home became known as the challenging work in an urban setting.” Wright’s Ferry Mansion. Locating the entire outline of the fort A private company wanted to know was hampered, he said, because they about Wright’s life in her later years, so couldn’t access all of the properties and Warfel was asked to help. there had been a lot of utility “As luck would have it, we also disturbances because of the property discovered a prehistoric site from the development. Shenk’s Ferry culture,” Warfel said. By But the dig yielded a “tremendous” radiocarbon dating charred hickory nuts amount of recovered objects, he said. uncovered there, Warfel determined the They found 20,000 artifacts. Warfel also worked with Historic York Native American settlement was from 1468. Inc. on the Schultz House, the earliest
In the summer of 2011, Warfel worked on a dig at Dill’s Tavern in Dillsburg. The Colonial-period tavern was being restored when elements of another building were found in the ground. “They wisely didn’t open the site until archaeologists were on hand to expose the area,” he said. As they dug the site, they found an outbuilding, which probably was a summer kitchen that served the tavern, he said. “I was fortunate to work on it. It was a really interesting site.” But Warfel doesn’t work on digs alone. He said he has a large number of volunteers who help him. Because the small historical organizations have to raise their own funding or get small grants, they can’t hire many professional archaeologists and must rely on volunteers, he said. Most volunteers are either undergrad students or senior citizens, he said. Some of the senior volunteers have donated as much as 3,000 hours of labor. Oftentimes, seniors are more available than anyone else because they have flexible work schedules or they are retired, he said. “Many have always wanted to do an archaeological dig,” he said, and are fulfilling their lifelong dreams. Warfel said he is straightforward with the physical demands of digging and sifting soil. Those who aren’t up to the physical challenges are quite useful in the lab, cleaning, labeling, and organizing the artifacts. What the volunteers do is a “great service to their communities,” he said.
The Handwriting on the Wall Email, texting, and tweeting all make communication quicker and easier. But some worry that electronic communication tools are eroding our ability to write the old-fashioned way: by hand.
A study conducted by Doc-mail, an online stationer, found that the average adult (out of 2,000 participants) goes about 40 days without writing anything by hand, and one in three haven’t written a note on paper for more than
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six months. In addition, 50 percent feel that their handwriting has significantly declined, with one in seven being “ashamed” of their writing. Spelling may be another casualty,
with four in 10 of the participants reporting that they depend on autocorrect for the right words. Many writers may find themselves helpless without a keyboard in the near future.
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Keep Your Eyes Open for Common Sleep Disorders Barking dogs and ambulance sirens can interfere with a good night’s sleep, but so can a number of physical conditions. Because sleep is essential to your health, get familiar with these common disorders and conditions that prevent restful shuteye. Teeth grinding. Technically known as “bruxism,” grinding your teeth can cause pain in the jaw, as well as annoy whomever you’re sleeping with. It’s often associated with anxiety and stress. A mouth guard can reduce tooth abrasion, so talk to your dentist.
off oxygen for 20-40 seconds as you sleep, preventing you from getting the rest you need. And you may not even be aware of the problem unless a partner notices your breathing difficulty. Treatment depends on the seriousness of the condition; surgery is one option, but lifestyle changes such as losing weight and avoiding alcohol can also be effective.
National Sleep Awareness Week is March 5–11
Sleep paralysis. While drifting off to sleep, or waking up, you may suddenly realize you’re unable to move your body. The condition can go on for several minutes. It happens when part of your brain is in REM sleep and it shuts down your ability to move so you don’t injure yourself during dreams. It’s not dangerous—just unnerving. Obstructed sleep apnea. An obstruction in the upper airway can cut
Night terrors. Not a nightmare, but an intense sensation of fear that’s most common in children. Though scary for parents and kids alike, night terrors aren’t considered dangerous and usually don’t result in any lost sleep for the sufferer. Restless leg syndrome. An irresistible compulsion to move parts of your body as you’re trying to fall asleep, RLS is a neurological disorder that can affect your arms, torso, and even phantom limbs. Stretching or shaking your limbs can bring some relief; iron supplements may be effective, but have your iron level tested by your doctor before taking any pills.
Free Tax Assistance Offered Through April 15 of each year, the AARP Tax-Aide program offers free one-on-one counseling as well as assistance on the telephone and Internet to help individuals prepare basic tax forms, including the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, and other standard documents. The following are locations in your area. Please call for an appointment or visit www.aarp.org/money/taxaide for more information.
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Lebanon Senior Citizen Center 710 Maple St., Lebanon Tuesdays and Thursdays 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (717) 274-2596
Book Review ‘Is This Thing On?’ A Computer Handbook for Late Bloomers, Technophobes, and the Kicking and Screaming By Abby Stokes s the landscape of technology explodes with innovations and new gadgets almost daily, the digital divide continues to broaden for “digital immigrants” (those baby boomers and beyond who were not born with a mouse and a keyboard in hand), while “digital natives” take to it all like fish to water. And that is where “Is This Thing On?” comes in—an essential guide for seniors, technophobes, and the digitally challenged. “Is This Thing On?” introduces computers and gadgets to the many new users who are bewildered by all the buttons, screens, and computer lingo. With a lively voice and crystal-clear, step-by-step instructions, this simple, jargon-free, nuts-and-bolts guide is the how-to for basics such as:
A
• Conquering your fear of technology • Deciding between a desktop or a laptop • Creating a comfortable, safe workspace • Sending your first email • Getting the scoop on BlackBerrys, iPads, iPods, e-readers, and more This all-in-one manual also
explains how to maximize your digital experience through special sections on topics including: • Researching health issues • Safe and secure online shopping • Getting the most out of computer searches • Protecting your privacy • Social networking: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and beyond • Online dating • Netiquette (Internet etiquette) • Uploading and organizing photos • Keeping in touch with family and friends via Skype and instant messaging • Customizing your gadgets to fit your needs About the Author Abby Stokes has demystified computers for more than 135,000 people, mostly seniors, during the past 17 years. Stokes has taught courses in basic computing at Cooper Union and New York University’s School of Lifelong Learning, as well as computer skills to private and corporate clients. She has lectured on the topic across the country. She splits her time between New York City and Niantic, Conn.
Calling All Authors Myerstown Senior Center 21 W. Stoever Ave., Myerstown Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (717) 274-2596 Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church 22 S. Sixth St., Lebanon Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (717) 274-2596
If you have written and published a book and would like 50plus Senior News to feature a Book Review, please submit a synopsis of the book (350 words or fewer) and a short autobiography (80 words or fewer). A copy of the book is required for review. Discretion is advised. Please send to: On-Line Publishers, Inc., Megan Joyce, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. For more information, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com.
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Get screened for colon cancer.
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in America among cancers that affect both men and women. Over 50,000 Americans die of the disease every year. Regular screening tests could save many of those lives by finding precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn to cancer or by finding cancer early when treatment often leads to a cure. Your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age. More than 9 in 10 cases occur in people who are 50 years old or older. Talk with your doctor or call Good Samaritan Digestive Health Specialists today to schedule your colorectal cancer screening. Good Samaritan Digestive Health Specialists provide convenient and quick scheduling for colonoscopies and other colorectal cancer screening tests. Our highly-skilled and experienced team not only has the expertise you deserve, but also the understanding to help ease your concerns. That’s powerful medicine and comforting care. Only at Good Samaritan.
Good Samaritan Digestive Health Specialists | 761 Norman Drive | Lebanon, PA | 717.376.1180 | www.gshleb.org/digestivehealth
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