Lebanon County Edition
August 2012
Vol. 7 No. 8
Growing Community Spirit One Garden at a Time By Katie Weeber Some people enjoy plants, purchasing a few potted blooms each summer to decorate their backyards, while others are born with natural green thumbs. Francesca McNichol is one of the latter. McNichol has been using her greenery prowess to grow a new crop of gardeners. As a member of a local garden club, McNichol has helped organize and run several successful gardening initiatives that have brought the knowledge of growing living things to adults and children alike, including a community garden and a junior gardening class for inner-city youth. McNichol’s introduction to gardening came naturally, starting with her childhood home on Long Island, N.Y. “My mother loved roses. When I was younger, she had a beautiful rose garden,” McNichol said. In addition to the rose garden, there was a rock garden and other beautiful, growing plants that McNichol’s mother cultivated around their home. When she was 19 years old, McNichol’s older brother purchased a farm in upstate New York. He and his wife became avid gardeners caring for the property, and McNichol spent most of her summers sharing in their labors. please see GARDEN page 18 McNichol in the wooden gazebo positioned in the center of the 127-bed community garden she helped to organize.
Inside:
Second Opinions: When to Get One page 4
Salute to a Veteran page 10
Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel
Traveltizers
All-Important China By Andrea Gross Students welcome American visitors to their classroom.
’m reading the newspaper when I realize that there are almost as many articles about Beijing as there are about Washington, DC. That’s when it hits me. If one of the main purposes—and pleasures—of travel is education, then I have to go to China. I need to learn more about the country whose actions will affect the way I live and, more importantly, the way my children will live. A friend recommends China Spree, a company that offers 12-day tours to Beijing and Shanghai that include air from San Francisco; all meals, admissions, and transportation within China; guide service; and, as I soon find out, very nice hotels. I do the math. Why, I can visit China for not a lot more than I’d have to pay for an all-inclusive two-week vacation in California. I take a deep breath and sign on the dotted line. In Beijing our guide leads our small
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The Forbidden City was home to 24 emperors during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Great Wall was built to protect China from nomadic tribes to its north.
group to the must-sees: Tiananmen Square, where Mao proclaimed the birth of the People’s Republic of China in 1949; the Forbidden City, which was home to 24 emperors; and, of course, the Great Wall, which was designed to protect the country against foreign invaders. To learn about more current endeavors, we visit a jade factory, a silk factory, a tea plantation, and an herbal medicine museum. But my favorite moments occur when we mingle with ordinary folks, like the 76-year-old woman who hosts us for lunch. She shows us her home, which is in a hutong, one of Beijing’s fastdisappearing old neighborhoods. The next day we visit a park where we see seniors doing tai chi, dancing, fencing, and matchmaking. Their children, explains our guide, work such long hours that they don’t have time to search for a spouse. Therefore, the parents must help. They make big signs please see CHINA page 9
Does Your Marketing Reach Active, Affluent Boomers & Seniors? Reserve Your Space Now for the 16th Annual
November 6, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lancaster Host Resort 2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars • Entertainment Presented by: &
Why Participate? It’s the premier event for baby boomers, caregivers, and seniors in Lancaster County • Face-to-face interaction with 3,000+ attendees • Strengthen brand recognition/launch new products
For sponsorship and exhibitor information: www.50plusExpoPA.com • (717) 285-1350 2
August 2012
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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
Lupus Foundation (888) 215-8787
Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Dr. M. Nazeeri (717) 270-9446
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (800) 827-1000
Office of Aging Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (717) 273-9262
Food Resources Food & Clothing Bank (717) 274-2490 Food Stamps (800) 692-7462 Hope/Christian Ministries (717) 272-4400 Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels (717) 273-9262 Salvation Army (717) 273-2655 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Cancer Society (717) 231-4582 American Diabetes Association (717) 657-4310 American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (717) 207-4265 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
Pharmacies Hearing Aid Services Hearing & Ear Care Center, LLC (717) 274-3851 Melnick, Moffitt, and Mesaros (717) 274-9775 Home Care Services CareMinders Home Care (717) 454-0159
Housing Assistance Hope (Helping Our People in Emergencies) (717) 272-4400 Housing Assistance & Resources Program (HARP) (717) 273-9328 Lebanon County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities (717) 274-1401
Hospitals Good Samaritan Hospital (717) 270-7500 Medical Society of Lebanon County (717) 270-7500 Hotlines Energy Assistance (800) 692-7462 Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Hotline (800) 541-2050 IRS Income Tax Assistance (800) 829-1040 Medicaid (800) 692-7462 Medicare (800) 382-1274 PA Crime Stoppers (800) 472-8477 PennDOT (800) 932-4600
Insurance Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833 Legal Services
CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Senior Centers Annville Senior Community Center (717) 867-1796 Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048 Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786 Northern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 865-0944 Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237
MidPenn Legal Services (717) 274-2834
Senior Center of Lebanon Valley (717) 274-3451
Pennsylvania Bar Association (717) 238-6715
Southern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 274-7541
Medical Equipment & Supplies Veterans Services
GSH Home Med Care, Inc. (717) 272-2057
Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681
Neurosurgery & Physiatry Lancaster NeuroScience & Spine Associates (717) 454-0061 (800) 628-2080
Lebanon VA Medical Center (717) 228-6000 (800) 409-8771
Nursing Homes/Rehab Spang Crest (717) 274-1495
Recycling (800) 346-4242
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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50plus SeniorNews
August 2012
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Savvy Senior
Second Opinions: Why Many Seniors Don’t, but Should, Get One
Corporate Office: 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240
Jim Miller
Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Christianne Rupp EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS Megan Joyce
ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR Renee McWilliams PRODUCTION ARTIST Janys Cuffe
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Lori Lampert Angie McComsey Ranee Shaub Miller Sue Rugh SALES COORDINATOR Eileen Culp
CIRCULATION PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer
ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall
Member of
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Winner
50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.
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August 2012
Dear Savvy Senior, Are second medical opinions worth the trouble or risk of offending your doctor? And does Medicare cover them? – Nervous Nelly Dear Nelly, Yes! A second opinion is good medicine and your right as a patient. Besides, good doctors welcome second opinions and will even offer referrals to help you get one. If they don’t, you probably ought to find another doctor. Here’s what you should know.
When to Ask The key times you should seek a second opinion are when: • Your doctor suggests surgery. You should always question elective procedures, especially if a less invasive alternative is available. • You’re diagnosed with a lifethreatening disease such as cancer or heart disease. • You’re not getting any better.
Second Opinions There’s a mountain of evidence that shows that second opinions save lives, prevent mistakes, and cut costs. Yet most older patients choose not to get them because they’re either afraid of offending their doctor, don’t want to hassle with it, or fear their insurance won’t cover it. But getting a second opinion from a different doctor may offer you a fresh perspective, new information, and additional options for treating your condition so you can make a more informed decision. Or, if the second doctor agrees with the first, it can give you reassurance. Who Pays In most cases, Medicare pays for second opinions under Part B and will even pay for a third opinion if the first two differ. Most Medicare Advantage plans also cover second opinions, but some plans will require a referral first from your primary physician. If you have private insurance, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider.
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research and expertise in specific areas of medicine. To locate and research potential doctors, the American Medical Association (www.ama-assn.org) and the American Osteopathic Association (www.osteopathic.org) offer free doctor-finding services that list virtually every licensed physician in the U.S. Another good resource is Health Grades (www.healthgrades.com), which provides detailed reports on doctors for a small fee. Also see Vitals.com, a free service that lets you search for toprated doctors based on their training, expertise, consumer ratings, and recommendations from other doctors. Online Advice
• Your regular doctor can’t diagnose your problem. • You’re having trouble talking with your current doctor. • You’re having multiple medical problems. Where to Look When you opt for a second opinion, you can ask your first doctor for a referral or, if that makes you uncomfortable, seek one on your own. Whatever route you choose, it’s best to go with a doctor that has extensive experience in treating your condition and one that’s affiliated with a different practice or hospital than your original doctor. Hospitals and practices can be set in their ways when it comes to treatments and are likely to offer similar advice. Physicians from research and teaching hospitals are smart choices, especially for rare or complicated conditions, because of their ongoing
If you’re having a hard time finding or getting to another doctor for a second opinion, consider the Internet. Yes, Web-based second opinions are now available from top medical centers that allow you to consult with medical experts regardless of where they’re located. The cost for this online advice ranges between $500 and $1,000 and is usually not covered by insurance or Medicare. Savvy Tips: Before you get a second opinion, you’ll need to have your doctor’s office send your medical records ahead to the second doctor (you may have to pick them up and deliver them yourself ), and be sure he or she knows about your original diagnosis and the course of treatment recommended by your first doctor. If they disagree, you may want to seek that third opinion, or go back to your original doctor for further consultation. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Such Is Life
A Chevy to Remember Saralee Perel y husband, Bob, has gone so far as to name our car. He calls it Old Yeller. Whenever I suggest it’s time to retire it, he lovingly pets the steering wheel and asks, “You mean destroy Old Yeller?” We have a 1970-something yellowish Chevy Blazer. I can see the street whizzing by through the holes in the floorboard. I hear little clinking sounds whenever we drive, and if I look out the rear view, I see tiny pieces of Old Yeller leaving a wake behind us. I really hate this car. “It’s time,” I gently said to Bob last month, as we pulled in our driveway and the door handle came off in my hand. “Great!” he said and jumped out of the car. “I’ll start the gas grill.” I brushed clumps of foam rubber (the insides of the seat) off my pants. We went in the house. “You know what I mean,” I said. “A woodworking show’s on,” he said, and picked up the remote. “Sweetheart.” I took the remote. “Old Yeller’s had a really good life.” “He just needs a tune-up, that’s all.” He picked up the keys. “It put itself into park while we were driving 30 miles per hour.” “He stalled,” he said, fondling the keys. “It stopped, Bob. My forehead’s still bleeding.” He stood and looked out the front door. “I can’t,” he whispered. “It’ll be humane, honey.” “No it won’t,” he said. “No ceremony, no remorse. Nothing. Just a push of a lever and Old Yeller’s squashed like a pancake and dumped in somebody’s scrap heap.” Late that night, I heard him get out of bed and head to the kitchen. I put on my robe and tiptoed in. He was pouring himself a shot of whiskey from a bottle we’ve had over 10 years. He drank it in one gulp. After he finished his coughing fit, I
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held his hand. He said, “If anybody’s going to put Old Yeller to sleep, it will have to be me.” I knew then: I had to go against his wishes and take Old Yeller myself. The next day, I drove the Chevy away and got back to the house around noon. “It was quick, Bob. Painless.” “Old Yeller …” he moaned. Then he went back to the whiskey bottle, picked it up, changed his mind, and put it down. He opened the freezer and found a bag of mini Milky Ways and began stuffing five in his mouth at a time. “Honey. Don’t do this to yourself.” I tried to take the bag away but he grabbed it and ran out of the room, but not before snatching the peanut butter and Ritz crackers. It took two weeks to get Bob back on track. And that happened yesterday. He was still in bed at 11 o’clock when I called him to come into the living room. He was a wreck. Unshaven. Dirty. I wiped the chocolate off his lip. “There’s something for you outside.” “I need marshmallow fluff,” he said. I took his hand and led him out the front door. In the driveway was a car covered by a big brown tarp that I theatrically removed. There, all shiny and bright yellow, was the Blazer. New mirrors, chrome, paint, engine, transmission, and sparkling hub caps. Painted in script on the side was, of course, Old Yeller. Bob was overwhelmed, to say the least. He opened the door and saw the beautiful upholstered seats. Although he was too moved to say anything, I got the biggest hug in history. And though Bob refers to this as one of the best days of his life, I know it couldn’t have been half as good as it was for me.
Have you photographed a smile that just begs to be shared? Send us your favorite smile—your children, grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling” pet!—and it could be 50plus Senior News’ next Smile of the Month! You can submit your photos (with captions) either digitally to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or by mail to:
50plus Senior News Smile of the Month 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Digital photos must be at least 4x6'' with a resolution of 300 dpi. No professional photos, please. Please include a SASE if you would like to have your photo returned.
Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist. Her new book is Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. To find out more, visit www.saraleeperel.com or email sperel@saraleeperel.com.
50plus SeniorNews
August 2012
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One Book , One Community
NurseNews
Visual Examples Prove Persuasive
2012 Book Announcement Please join 70 libraries and their community partners in celebrating the 2012 One Book, One Community book announcement and reception.
Wednesday, August 22 at 4 p.m.
Gloria May, M.S., R.N., CHES
at the
Manheim Township Public Library 595 Granite Run Drive Lancaster, Pa. 17601
RSVP by August 17, 2012 online at www.mtpl.info.
September 8, 2012 City Island, Harrisburg Registration at 8:30 a.m. • Walk at 10:30 a.m.
September 15, 2012 Morgan Cousler Park, York Registration at 9:30 a.m. • Walk at 11 a.m.
September 22, 2012 Long’s Park, Lancaster Registration at 8 a.m. • Walk at 10:30 a.m. Registration brochures, team packets, and sponsorship packets available. Please call (717) 651-5020 or email tiffani.chambers@alz.org • Easy online registration at http://www.alz.org/walk • Volunteer opportunities available. • Teams and individuals welcome.
Chapter Sponsors Tiffani Chambers, Constituent Relations Manager Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 tiffani.chambers@alz.org Alzheimer’s Association 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205 • Harrisburg, PA 17110
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August 2012
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ack is my friend Jenny’s companion. He’s a big bear kind of guy, handsome, but with dangerously high blood pressure, and he carries an extra 40 pounds. If it weren’t so potentially threatening to his life and independence, it would be amusing the way he dismisses his hypertension. He’ll say it’s “white coat syndrome,” meaning it reflects the anxiety of seeing a doctor but which, away from the doctor’s office, is “just fine.” Or he’ll excuse it away as the consequence of the salty meal he had had the night before his appointment. Until last week’s checkup, Jack had brushed off both his doctor’s and Jenny’s clearly stated concerns and he’d not been at all interested in diet modifications or medication. Jenny told me that Jack saw a new doctor in the practice who, without muss or fuss or many words, brought out a graph that showed the direct and positive correlation between rising high blood pressure and the increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, and kidney failure. Then the doctor dropped a zinger. “Jack,” he said, “I can safely predict you’ll have one of these ‘events’ within five years if we don’t get this hypertension and weight under control.” Now, Jack’s a man with an engineering background, so visual representations are what he’s comfortable with, what he understands. Jenny said he studied the graph for a moment, and then to everyone’s surprise, said, “OK. What do I need to do?” Is that all it took, for heaven’s sake? A graph? Or was it the one-sentence forecast? Or the combination? If you think this is merely an isolated
incident of one man’s finally getting the picture, maybe. But also, maybe not. At a recent conference of heart doctors in Chicago, two studies were presented that showed similar phenomena: Patients who were shown detailed pictures of their hearts and arteries (done by a heart CT scan) were 2.5 times more likely to take their medication as directed. And by the way, those who needed to lose weight were more than three times more likely to do so than those who were merely only told to. The underlying concern for these docs at the meeting was that between 50 and 80 percent of patients who have been prescribed cholesterolreducing medication fail to take it. And as far as losing weight and embracing a diet lower in saturated fat, just look around. What do you think? There is an abundance of evidence that indicates that visual communication is more effective than verbal, but the most effective style combines the two. In other words, we understand more if we see it; we understand the most if we can both see it and hear about it. Is this the future of patient education? Don’t be surprised if your next doctor’s appointment includes a PowerPoint presentation. After all, it does make sense. Instead of trying to decipher all the medical language, why not show pictures, charts, graphs, images—whatever it takes to drive the point home and help motivate patients to make necessary changes? Gloria May is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in adult health education and a Certified Health Education Specialist designation.
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CCRC Continuing Care Retirement Communities CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities) have so much to offer the vibrant, active, semi- or retired individuals of today. These communities present a variety of residential living options in addition to comprehensive medical and nursing services. Residents move between independent living, personal care or assisted living, and nursing care based on changing needs. CCRCs can range from all-inclusive monthly rates to pay-as-you-go or fee-for-service. These communities may also offer scheduled activities, programs, swimming pools, banks, chapels, fitness centers, walking paths, computer rooms, and more. More important, these communities strive to provide the best in care, which includes a professional staff.
The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message.
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Bethany Village 325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org
The Middletown Home 999 West Harrisburg Pike Middletown, PA 17057 Jennifer Binecz Director of Residential Services (717) 944-3351 www.middletownhome.org
Calvary Fellowship Homes 502 Elizabeth Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 Marlene Morris Marketing Director (717) 393-0711 www.calvaryhomes.org
Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community 1700 Normandie Drive York, PA 17408 Joyce Singer Director of Marketing (717) 718-0937 www.normandieridge.org
Ephrata Manor 99 Bethany Road Ephrata, PA 17522 Admissions Department (717) 738-4940 www.ucc-homes.org Garden Spot Village 433 South Kinzer Avenue New Holland, PA 17557 Scott Miller Director of Marketing (717) 355-6000 www.gardenspotvillage.org Homeland Center 1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org Homestead Village Enhanced Senior Living 1800 Marietta Avenue P.O. Box 3227 Lancaster, PA 17604-3227 Susan L. Doyle Director of Marketing (717) 397-4831 ext. 158 www.homesteadvillage.org
Willow Valley Retirement Communities 600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17604 Kristin Hambleton Sales Manager (717) 464-6800 (800) 770-5445 www.willowvalleyretirement.com Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities 2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org Woodland Heights Retirement Community 2499 Zerbe Road Narvon, PA 17555 Lynne A. Bickta Director of Marketing and Sales (717) 445-8741 www.retireatwoodlandheights.com
50plus SeniorNews
August 2012
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Book Review
Raw Nerves By Saralee Perel
ape Cod psychiatrist Dr. Sophie Green is a hypochondriac and a compulsive eater who comically quells her conflicts with leftovers. Now, Sophie has a problem of her own: One of her patients wants her dead. There’s Elizabeth, whose abusive husband blames Sophie for his wife’s independence. There’s Gracie, who is involved with a menacingly brilliant psychiatrist, and there’s Charlie, a man with obsessive-compulsive disorder who thinks he’s in love with Sophie. This is not your classic whodunit. For more information, visit her
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website, www.saraleeperel.com. Raw Nerves is available via Amazon.com. About the Author Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist. She is a regular contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul and has been published in many of the nation’s leading magazines and newspapers, including 50plus Senior News. Although Saralee, a psychotherapist, claims that the central character, a neurotic psychiatrist, is not autobiographically inspired, readers who know her insist she is lying.
Calling All Authors
Time is a Priceless Gift Do you know a 50+ volunteer who gives selflessly to others? Tell us what makes him or her so special and we will consider them for 50plus Senior News’
Volunteer Spotlight! August 2012
50plus SeniorNews
Please send to: On-Line Publishers, Inc., Megan Joyce, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. For more information, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com.
Travel Safety Tips When you’re traveling, whether on business or vacation, your hotel should be a safe sanctuary. But thieves can rob you of your security along with your valuables unless you’re careful. Take these simple precautions to prevent your trip or vacation from becoming a nightmare: Pick the safest room. Generally, higher rooms are safer from thieves and criminals. Though if you’re nervous about fires or other possible emergencies, you may want to be closer to the ground where rescue is more practical. Check your security. Make sure the doors are secure, self-closing, and lock automatically. Deadbolts should have at least a 1-inch bolt. Make sure your windows close and lock firmly and that any balconies can’t be accessed from the room next door. Don’t be afraid to ask
Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and photos are encouraged. Email preferred to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail nominations to 50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.
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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.
for another room if necessary. Watch your valuables. Before leaving on your trip, photocopy your credit cards and other documents, and take pictures of any jewelry or valuables you’re bringing with you (if you must bring them at all.) This will come in handy if they’re lost or stolen. Don’t let your luggage out of your sight. Take your laptop and other important items with you when you leave the room, or lock them in the hotel safe. Know where you are. Pick up a few business cards in the lobby when you check in, and keep them with you at all times. Leave one near your room phone as well. A large city may have more than one Westin or Sheraton, and if you get lost or need to tell someone where you are, you want to have accurate information readily available. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
CHINA
from page 2
proclaiming their child’s attributes and network with other parents. If the seniors spot a potential match, they arrange a date for their children. It’s a low-tech eHarmony. My husband and I deliberately chose an itinerary that included two free days for personal exploration. In Beijing we go to the Art District, where world-class galleries occupy Communist-era factory buildings. One heart-stopping exhibition focuses on prostitution; another has a disturbing display of soldiers toting machine guns camouflaged by flowers. There’s no thought suppression here. In Shanghai, the energy is palpable. We walk along the riverfront, through a shopping thoroughfare, and over to a public park that has carnival-style rides. After visiting a market, we go to an acrobatic show. Our days are packed. During our free day, we explore two contrasting neighborhoods: a workingclass area filled with small, slightly grubby shops and the French Concession, which has upscale boutiques and trendy restaurants. Our guides are remarkably forthcoming. They criticize their government but at the same time make clear that they admire it. They say that a
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Shanghai’s Nanjing Road attracts a humongous number of shoppers, especially during weekends and holidays.
Beijing’s streets are a mix of old and new. Shanghai’s waterfront is the face of modern China.
U.S.-style democracy could never work in China because there are too many people. They speak to us about China’s onechild policy, religion, education, medical care, the lack of a social safety net, and, most of all, how hard they have to work in order to survive.
“We work much harder than people in America,” says Chang.* We’re amazed at their misconceptions. Chang owns a condominium, can afford to fly his family from his village on the Yangtze to Shanghai for a holiday, and has a car that he bought new two years ago.
50plus SeniorNews
His daughter has a new iPad as well as an iPod. I tell him that this is more than many people his age in the United States can afford, and yes, they work as many or more hours than he does. Another guide dreams of living on Wisteria Lane, the home of ABC’s Desperate Housewives, and we realize how television shapes Chinese views of the United States as well as our views of China. This, says my husband, is why it’s important for people to travel, to see things for themselves. We’re aware that we saw only two cities, and we spoke with only a handful of people. We didn’t visit the countryside, which, despite China’s rapid urbanization, is still home to the majority of the population. We didn’t visit the factory towns that are churning out goods that are flooding the world’s markets. That will have to wait until next time. But in the meantime, we treasure the glimpse we got of a country that is, and will continue to be, a major player on the world’s stage. Photos © Irv Green; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).
*Name has been changed
August 2012
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Salute to a Veteran
The Bomb Dump on Saipan Blew Up in His Face Robert D. Wilcox hen Huie Petty grew up in Illinois, he was part of a family of eight boys. Two of the boys died early. The other six all served in combat overseas during World War II … two in the Army, two in the Navy, and two in the Marines. Petty says, “I always wanted to be a Marine.” Of course, he didn’t know much about what a real Marine did. But, one day, he was about to find out. When World War II broke out, he promptly went to Chicago and enlisted in the Marine Corps. After boot camp in San Diego, he was assigned to the 2nd Marine Division and shipped off to New Zealand. Why New Zealand? “Because,” he says, “the Japanese owned the rest of the Pacific. Even Australia had been bombed.” So the job of the Marines was to help take back the Pacific, a vast and highly
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Corporal Huie Petty, after discharge from the Marine Corps at Quantico after World War II.
problematic job. After more training, the 2nd Division left for Guadalcanal to reinforce the 1st Marine Division and the Army troops who had driven the Japanese from the airfield that they then named Henderson Field. Guadalcanal was of immense strategic importance, since the Japanese who occupied it could attack supply routes between the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The 1st Marines had suffered large losses in the invasion, and, by the time Petty and his division arrived, remaining resistance was from Japanese stragglers who, although virtually starving and existing by eating roots, still fought tenaciously, preferring to die rather than surrender. All told, 1,592 American troops died on Guadalcanal, and 4,183 were wounded. The Japanese lost 14,800 in
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August 2012
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battle and 9,000 from disease. Petty has today the pocket manual he took from a dead Japanese soldier, learning from a Japanese lady who translated it for him many years after the war that it was the Japanese Field Service Code—Senjinkun—issued to Japanese soldiers. It specifically forbade retreat or surrender. Petty says, “The Japanese weren’t the only danger on Guadalcanal, however. Almost the entire division contracted malaria, and we were all returned to New Zealand to recuperate.” The whole division had it? “Well,” he says, “I never knew anyone who didn’t have it.” When they were fit again, it was on to Tarawa, a tiny atoll whose main island was 2 miles long but only 800 yards wide at the widest part. It was important because it had to be taken in order to launch the invasion of the heavily defended Marianas Islands, which stood in the way of our setting up forward air bases capable of supporting operations across the mid-Pacific to the Philippines and into Japan. Tarawa proved a horrible place to fight. Taking it produced one of the fiercest and bloodiest battles in Marine Corps history. Anticipating an invasion, the Japanese had worked intensely for nearly a year to fortify the island, building 500 pillboxes, many of which
were reinforced with cement. The Japanese commander had told his Because of coral atolls that ringed the troops, “It would take 1 million men island, the Higgins boats could approach 100 years” to conquer Tarawa. It took no closer than 1,000 yards from shore. the Marines three days, although From there, most of the Marines waded incurring nearly 3,000 casualties. Of the ashore through waist-deep water over 4,700 Japanese defenders, only 17 piercing, razorsurvived. sharp coral. The division Others boarded was sent to small, rubber boats Hawaii to and paddled a recuperate for mile to the shore. seven months; Many Marines then they were were lost in the sent to invade effort to man Saipan. It was those boats in the supposed to be choppy water. easy. There were Petty was one of no atolls, so the six Marines on one Higgins boats such boat, and it were able to took them a full approach the six hours to reach beach and drop the beach just as the ramps from night fell. which the troops They entered streamed. Eight by a lagoon other A rubber boat like the one Petty manned in thousand Marines Marines had were landed from the assault on Tarawa during World War II. cleared earlier. more than 300 Japanese had gone LVTs during the out to vessels that had been destroyed by first two hours after dawn on June 15, the coral reefs. There, they fired at the 1944. backs of the landing troops, and, because The battle was fierce during the next it was now dark, lead was firing three weeks until it ended with a final everywhere. suicidal banzai charge by 3,000 Japanese.
Almost the entire garrison of at least 30,000 Japanese died, while, of the 71,000 of our troops who landed, 2,949 were killed and 10,464 were wounded. And it was there that Petty’s war ended. Exploding ammo from a bomb dump caused head injuries and burst both his ear drums. With blood streaming down his face, he was evacuated to a hospital in Hawaii … and then to the Marine Detachment at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he was an outpatient. He was selected to attend Officer Candidate School at Quantico, but partway through, the atomic bombs dropped on Japan brought the war to an end, and his training was terminated. Petty left the Marines as a corporal and entered the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. After a few years as a pharmacist, he became a medical representative of Sterling Drug for 25 years before retiring in 1977. He lives today with his collection of war memorabilia. On the table sits his well-worn cap with the legend, “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” When asked if that’s true, he looks at you sharply, and then with a thin smile says, “You better believe it.” Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
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M. Nazeeri, M.D., P.C.
The Search for Our Ancestry
Diplomate, American Board of Family Physicians
Medical Care for Adults and Children
The 1930 Census
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Angelo Coniglio ast time, I covered the 1940 U.S. but if the property was owned, it may census. I have, in an earlier also be possible to find land or probate column, also discussed the 1920 records that further elucidate the family’s U.S. census. This month, I want to cover life or give names of relatives not living the intermediate one, the 1930 U.S. with the family at the time of the census. census. I’ll continue this discussion into As an aside to the “radio set” next month, as well. question: On the 1930 census page The 1930 census had some basic where my family appears, there were information consistent with others that seven households. Only one (not my were taken since the first one in 1790. parents’) had a radio. The question was This included surname or family name, designed to measure the extent of the gender, and address. Some of the other nation’s leap into new home-appliance questions were unique, and responses to technology. According to the 1930 them can be valuable in finding further census, the total U.S. population at the information about the family. time was 122,775,046, and only 12 For example, there is a column headed million people, or less than 10 percent, “Relation – Relationship of this person had access to radios. to the head of the Under “Personal family.” This may Description,” in be answered addition to “Sex” “head,” “wife,” and “Color or Some of the questions “son,” or race,” was the subon the 1930 census “daughter” but column “Age at last were unique, and also may contain birthday.” Take this other descriptions. into consideration responses to them can The surname of when calculating a be valuable in finding the wife is usually birth year. For not shown, or it example, the further information may be written in census was taken about the family. as the same as the on April 12. My husband (or late father’s age was husband). given as 40, but his However, if the name of a mother-in-law birth year was not necessarily “1930 or other in-law of the male head is given, minus 40 equals 1890.” He may not that surname could also be the maiden have yet reached his 41st birthday on April 12. Other information confirms name of the wife. this, as he was born on April 26, 1889. If the “Relation” column shows The remaining two sub-columns stepson or stepdaughter, that obviously under this category were “Marital indicates that the “head” had been condition” and “Age at first marriage.” previously married. If the stepchild’s The condition column was marked M surname is different than that of the for married, S for single, or W for head, that’s a clue to the child’s natural father’s name. A person may be identified widowed. The age at first marriage can be used with other information on the as a “boarder,” meaning the family augmented their income by renting space census to determine whether the person was married before or after immigration in the home. to the U.S. Next is a column headed “Home Under “Education,” the census asked Data,” containing four sub-columns: whether the person had attended school “Home owned or rented,” filled in with an O or an R; “Value of home, if owned, or college since September 1929, and or monthly rent, if rented,” filled in with whether he or she was able to read and write. a dollar amount; “Radio set,” filled in The “Place of Birth” columns are with an R if the family had a radio, left headed “Person,” “Father,” and blank if they didn’t; and “Does this “Mother,” with the description “Place of family live on a farm?” birth of each person enumerated and of The answers not only tell something his or her parents. If born in the United about the financial status of the family,
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States, give State or Territory. If of foreign birth, give country in which birthplace is now situated. Distinguish Canada-French from Canada-English, and Irish Free State from Northern Island.” Usually, only the country or state is
given; however, sometimes the name of a city or county is given. Don’t overlook the part about “country in which birthplace is now situated.” National boundaries in Europe were anything but fixed during this time, so, for example, a place may have been called Prussia when
a person was born in 1890 but Germany in 1930. Next time, I’ll discuss the remainder of the 1930 census questions and explain how to interpret the information to uncover other information about ancestors.
Angelo Coniglio encourages readers to contact him by writing to 438 Maynard Drive, Amherst, NY 14226; by email at Genealogytips@aol.com; or by visiting www.conigliofamily.com/ConiglioGenealogy Tips.htm. His new historical fiction novel, The Lady of the Wheel, is available through Amazon.com.
The Politics of Cars In this election year, pollsters and political strategists are looking at all kinds of data to determine trends and attitudes. A two-year study by the research group Strategic Vision, for example, looked at how your choice of car correlates with your political affiliation. The results:
Top five cars driven by Republicans Ford Mustang Convertible Audi A8 Mercedes GL Ford Expedition Ford F-150
Top five cars driven by Democrats Honda Civic Hybrid Volvo C30 Nissan Leaf Acura TSX Wagon Ford Fiesta Sedan
Lebanon County
Calendar of Events Lebanon County Department of Parks and Recreation All events held at the Park at Governor Dick unless noted. Aug. 1, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. – Midweek Meander Aug. 5, 1 to 4 p.m. – Music on the Porch: Bluegrass Jam – Patsy Cline Aug. 25, 10 a.m. – Mushroom Man Bill Russell
Lebanon County Library Programs Annville Free Library, 216 E. Main St., Annville, (717) 867-1802 Lebanon Community Library, 125 N. Seventh St., (717) 273-7624
Senior Center Activities Annville Senior Community Center – (717) 867-1796 200 S. White Oak St., Annville Aug. 1, 9 a.m. – Potluck Breakfast Aug. 8, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. – Bus Trip: Jonah at Sight & Sound Theatre Aug. 16, 10:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Fiddler on the Roof at Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre Maple Street Community Center – (717) 273-1048 710 Maple St., Lebanon Aug. 8, 10:15 a.m. – Bunco Dice Game Aug. 15, 10:30 a.m. – International Food Day: Oriental Aug. 27, 5 to 8 p.m. – End of Summer “Crazy Rhythm Fancy Feet” Plated Meal
Matthews Public Library, 102 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, (717) 865-5523 Myerstown Community Library, 199 N. College St., Myerstown, (717) 866-2800 Palmyra Public Library, 325 S. Railroad St., (717) 838-1347 Richland Community Library, 111 E. Main St., Richland, (717) 866-4939 If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
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Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-6786 51 W. Stoever Ave., Myerstown Aug. 8, 11:30 a.m. – Timbers Dinner Theatre Aug. 15, noon – Everybody’s Birthday Party at Hebron Banquet Hall Aug. 22, 10:15 a.m. – Card-Making Class Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 865-0944 335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown – www.jonestownpa.org/senior.html Aug. 7, 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. – Bus Trip: American Music Theatre, American Icon Aug. 8, 10 a.m. – War Horse Movie and Snacks Aug. 24, 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle Club Palmyra Senior Community Center – (717) 838-8237 101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra Aug. 23, 10:15 a.m. – Sports Bloopers Video Aug. 28, 11:30 a.m. – Lunch at Heisey’s and Visit Local Orchard Aug. 29, 10:30 a.m. – How to Write a Legacy Letter 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
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anda and I went to the county fair, which was kind of odd for us. We’re not big fair people, although I was looking forward to the pig races. Wanda has been on a kick to try new things, to live life to the fullest. I tried to convince her that lying on the couch and watching the new fall TV season is an exciting adventure, but for some reason, she just wouldn’t buy it. The fair was kind of fun but a little dangerous. Everywhere I looked there was food— hotdogs, corndogs, sausage dogs, beef ribs, pork ribs … Just by breathing, I was filling my body with secondhand cholesterol. And the rides were a little scary. You see, I’m afraid of heights. Well, actually, that’s not true. I’m afraid of falling from heights. Wanda, on the other hand, was fearless, especially when we came to this 60-foot giant slide where you had to climb to the top, put a blanket under your butt, and then hurtle down to the bottom. Wanda insisted that we both try it, so we trudged up to the top. Being a manly man, or at least pretending to be, I said I’d go first. I pushed off and the wind was in my face—it was exciting and thrilling and the best 4 feet of my life. That’s when I somehow managed to stop myself and crawl off. Slightly humiliated, I told Wanda I’d wait for her at the bottom and I began my walk of shame downward. When I reached the bottom, I waved up to Wanda and she began her fastpaced decent. She was really flying and
W
had a look of total exhilaration on her face. I was smiling just watching her, when I heard a young couple talking next to me. The guy, referring to Wanda, said, “There goes Granny!” The thing is, I’m not exactly sure why I took it as such an insult. Our daughter got married about 6 months ago and we definitely want grandchildren. But it was the way he said it—it was mocking, condescending, and patronizing, like Wanda didn’t belong on that slide. He was definitely making fun of her. Luckily, she didn’t hear him. I was mad, but I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. I wanted to handle the whole situation maturely, and I think I did that by not directly confronting him. Since the guy was overweight, I simply mumbled under my breath, “The pig races are starting in 10 minutes. You better scurry on down there if you want to participate.” The chubby guy thought he heard something but wasn’t quite sure, so he said, “Huh?” I very forcefully said “huh” back. I then took Wanda’s arm and we went on our way. When we passed tubby, I may have made a snorting sound, but it was done very tastefully and maturely. The rest of the day was a lot of fun. Wanda went on several different rollercoasters and I watched her while eating several different sausage dogs. As we were leaving the fair, Wanda said, “I went on a lot of rides today.” “Yes, you did,” I replied. “Not bad for an old lady!” she exclaimed. And when Wanda said it, it was OK. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 18 WORD SEARCH
Across 1. Rushed 6. Church seat 9. Paddington Bear’s homeland 13. Convex molding 14. Popular activity at Heavenly in CA 15. Harold & _____ Go to White Castle 16. Army aid 17. Precedes senator 18. Circular gasket 19. Drum sound 21. Willy Wonka’s heir 23. Longest division of geological time 24. Pinocchio dreamed of becoming this type of boy 25. He floated like a butterfly? Down 1. Read-only storage 2. Affirm 3. Musical finale 4. Like last eight in college basketball 5. Dolittle’s title 6. Attention grabber 7. Increase 8. Make face in pain 9. Make like a cat 10. Astrid Lindgren’s ____ of Lonneberga 11. Raja’s wife 12. Strong desire 15. Eucalyptus-loving marsupials 20. Beside, archaic
28. 30. 35. 37. 39. 40. 41. 43. 44. 46. 47. 48. 50. 52.
Network of intersecting nerves Middle Eastern confection Like boys that lived in Neverland Lacking sensation “_____ the day” International Civil Aviation Organization Attempts Small ladies’ handbag Deep opening To strike a piece of stone sharply Deep-red variety of chalcedony Stay clear of Clobber Big Island flower necklace
53. 55. 57. 61. 64. 65. 67. 69. 70. 71. 72. 73. 74.
Of the highest quality 2000 lbs. Flying nanny Aunt Polly’s wayward nephew Fully informed Type of brew County across Golden Gate Bridge A pariah avoided by others To Kill a Mockingbird author “_____ and well” A cold ____ of weather “____’s the word” Having no cover
22. 24. 25. 26. 27. 29. 31. 32. 33. 34. 36. 38. 42. 45. 49.
Exclamation of suspicion What prompter does She followed the white rabbit Lakes in Scotland Asimov or Mizrahi, e.g. Syrian neighbor Plural of #70 Across ____ signs Light shade of blue Girl from the Swiss Alps Comedy Central’s ____.O Corduroy, e.g. Phlegms Strong point Who ___ the prize?
51. 54. 56. 57.
Robin Hood or Eragon, e.g. Bible song African antelope Toot and Puddle or Frog and Toad, e.g. ____ & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship Bear with the biggest chair Pre-college school Appear Viking name Tear violently Romanian money Flanders of The Simpsons
58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 66. 68.
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GARDEN
from page 1
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YWCA Junior Gardeners showing the fruits (or veggies) of their labor at the Ribbon Cutting Day ceremony in June 2012.
Flowers and vegetable plants coexist happily at the Penn-Cumberland Garden Club’s community garden at the Ames True Temper site.
The garden is outfitted with hoses that are connected to the water lines of the corporate office building, which help the gardeners enjoy prolific yields from their plots.
May 31, there was not a plot left in the garden. As of now, we have a three-year waiting list.” After her success with that garden project, McNichol was asked to act as chairman for the garden club’s Junior Gardening Committee. McNichol agreed, on the condition that she could establish a garden at a community nonprofit organization so she could work with inner-city youth. McNichol worked with the staff at the nonprofit organization to apply for funding for the garden. After receiving a private family donation, they were able to put in a number of garden plots, surrounded by a split rail fence with rabbit proofing. McNichol and her class of 30 students, ranging from kindergarteners to sixth graders, tend the plots. In addition to gardening, McNichol’s students are exposed to a world of information about the environment and how it works. Their projects have included building birdhouses and maintaining a worm farm and compost pile to help fertilize the garden plots. Thanks to some shelving donated by Home Depot, the class was able to begin growing plants indoors over the winter of 2011 and has since moved them outside. “They made wonderful arrangements out of greens and flowers that they brought home during Christmastime,” McNichol said. The students also received information about nutrition from Giant Foods’ nutritionist. They even had a class dedicated to sampling fruits and vegetables, many of them unique and new to the children. The students were asked to close their eyes and eat a piece of the fruit or vegetable, focusing on the texture and taste. They then wrote poems about the experience. The class has also been enjoying the fruits of their labor. “The children have already been eating what they have been growing,” McNichol said. She is very proud of her class and all that they have learned, including the basic principles of permaculture (a method of sustainable living that can be applied to countless aspects of human life). McNichol receives the loving support of her husband, Bill, and son, Tim. Tim is a professional beach volleyball player who has inherited his mother’s love of flowers. McNichol is certain that when he settles down and marries, he will have a beautiful garden of his own.
Puzzles shown on page 17
Puzzle Solutions
She has very fond memories of those summers, including times picking blackberries that would later be used to make baked goods. It is from her experiences on her brother’s farm that McNichol believes her interest in flower gardening comes. After their marriage, McNichol and her husband, Bill, lived in an apartment, which limited McNichol’s ability to garden. Eventually, they moved into a house on the south shore of Long Island, where McNichol was able to put in an expansive garden that included flowers, vegetables, and grapes. “People would come by and remark that I had a beautiful garden,” said McNichol. When the company that Bill had worked for in New York went bankrupt, the couple relocated to Pennsylvania, where McNichol became involved with the local garden club—and she was no ordinary member. McNichol has held almost every position available at the club, from secretary to vice president. “You name it, I did it,” McNichol said. What makes McNichol such a valuable asset to the garden club is her ability to organize and champion many of the group’s largest initiatives. In the winter of 2010, an area company that has produced gardening tools since the 1700s, asked for help with a community garden project. The company had $100,000 and a 1.7-acre plot of empty land next to its temporary headquarters. The CEO of the company at the time had envisioned using the money and the land to establish a community garden that the garden club would then manage and maintain. The garden contains 127 raised beds and is outfitted with hoses, connected to the water lines of the corporate office building, and a gardening shed filled with all the tools a gardener could possibly need. Community gardeners, therefore, need only bring their seeds and a willingness to work to have a successful plot. A set of rules and regulations was established and gardeners signed up for a specified plot. In addition, she helped organize bimonthly gardening talks, inviting local gardening experts to give lectures and hold discussions for the community garden members. “It turned out to be an incredible success,” McNichol said. “We had no idea we would be able to fill [all the plots] up. We opened up May 1, and by
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Ms. PA Senior America Chosen
Sept. 19, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center Memorial Hall–East • 334 Carlisle Avenue, York
Oct. 23, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center 100 K Street, Carlisle Standing, from left, Marie Tennant, 2010 state winner; Inge Richard Kiebach, contestant; Peggy Pablon, contestant; Ilene Gentzler, state first runner up; Willie Breeze, contestant; Patti Kuhn, 2006 winner; and Barbara Ann de Leon, co-director and 2011 state winner. Seated, from left, Nannette Swanson, 2011 state winner; Kimberley Moore, Ms. Senior America 2010; Linda Bullock, 2012 state winner; Shirley Karinch, 2001 state winner; and Doris Ulrich, co-director and 2007 state winner.
Linda Bullock, 65, of Berks County was recently chosen Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America at the Elks Lodge in York. Bullock was chosen out of six contestants who competed for the title to compete in the national Ms. Senior America competition in Atlantic City at Harrah’s in October. The competition is open to women over the age of 60 who are U.S. citizens. Each contestant is expected to speak, sharing her philosophy of life; appear in an evening gown; and present her special talent for the audience.
Bullock volunteers her time to Alzheimer’s patients. Her duties for the next year in Pennsylvania will be to entertain and work with the Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America organization. Under the direction of two state directors, the Ms. Pennsylvania Senior America organization prepares programs for senior centers, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities in Pennsylvania. For further information, visit: www.mspennsylvaniasenioramerica.com or call Doris Ulrich, MSPA 2007 and co-director, at (717) 926-1322 or email dulrich@paonline.com.
Nov. 6, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Lancaster Host Resort 2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster
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And maximum reassurance. She couldn’t ride her bike, hike with her husband or even plan a vacation. Still, the last thing Trudy Gates wanted was surgery. But when a friend told her about a new minimallyinvasive procedure at Good Samaritan, Trudy checked it out. She’d have a smaller incision, less scarring, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery. Best of all, the nurses assured her she’d feel as good as new. They were wrong. She feels better than new. The Women’s Wellness Network at Good Samaritan offers a number of advanced procedures and services. For more information or to find a physician, visit comfortingcare.org.
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