50plus LIFE Lebanon County December 2017

Complimentary

Lebanon County Edition | December 2017 • Vol. 12 No. 12

HONORED VOLUNTEERS KEEP MUSEUM ON TRACK page 4

special section: orthopedics & pain page 13

nutcracker collectibles page 26

Traveltizers

A Christmas Treat in Colonial America

By Andrea Gross

So tangy with spices and sweet with molasses that they’ve become a traditional holiday treat, so fragile that they’re often called “glass cookies” because they’ll shatter if dropped, Moravian cookies hold a special place in the hearts and stomachs of millions of folks.

But who are these Moravians, and how did their cookies become such an integral part of so many people’s holiday celebrations?

To find out, my husband and I go to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, one of the two largest Moravian communities in the United States, the other being Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

The town, located about 100 miles west of Raleigh, is both a thoroughly modern city of approximately a quarter million people and the

The Moravians appreciate gardens for their beauty but also because they provide food, medicines, and craft materials.

home of Old Salem, a living history site that is so well preserved it has been declared a National Historic Landmark.

The modern city is known for its

Old Salem became known as a “merchant town” because so many of its residents were skilled craftsmen and women.

vibrant arts scene, culinary delights (many of which are Moravianinspired), and nearness to the more than 40 vineyards of Yadkin Valley.

But for us, the draw is historic

Old Salem. It’s not as well known as Williamsburg or Sturbridge, and while today’s Moravians blend into the dominant population in a way that the Amish with their distinctive dress do not, Old Salem provides visitors with a close-up view of life in the mid-18th century.

The Moravians are a religious group whose core beliefs are similar to those of other Protestant denominations, differing mainly in the details of specific rituals and practices. They left the old Central European countries of Bohemia and Moravia in the early 1700s and came to America seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity.

After stints in Georgia and Pennsylvania, they arrived in North Carolina, where in 1766 they

Support the Troops This Holiday Season!

Our troops deserve our help and to know they aren’t forgotten!

Keystone Military Families, a PA-based nonprofit, encourages you to brighten the holidays for our troops overseas by sending or sponsoring a care package!

Below are just some of the items the troops have requested:

• Power Bars, cereal bars, trail mix, nuts, granola bars, and individual healthy snacks • Slim Jims and beef or turkey jerky • Small sewing kits and manicure kits • Sunscreen and Chapstick with sunscreen, Carmex, Blistex • Body wash and deodorant – men’s and ladies’ (small travel sizes) • Foot powder and foot cream for athlete’s foot • Hand sanitizer – small-size bottles to carry with them • Men’s and ladies’ calf-high socks or boot socks in black and white • Hand and foot warmers for cold nights

Monetary donations to help ship the packages are always needed, too!

The cost for one box is $27-$77, depending on the destination.

Donations may be made to: Keystone Military Families 331 Main Street Shoemakersville, PA 19555

We need your help to make this happen!

For a full list and further information, visit KeystoneMilitaryFamilies.org, call (610) 698-2122, or email keystonemilitary@yahoo.com.

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Thank you to ARC Marketing Solutions and Brenneman Printing for the printing of the Christmas stocking notecards.

Sending 10,000 stockings to troops all over the world.

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www.50plusLifePA.com

founded the town of Salem. They soon became known for their hard work, fine craftsmanship, business ingenuity, and their absolutely delicious, supremely delicate, paperthin cookies.

Meanwhile, as the Moravian community flourished, the nearby secular city of Winston also became a thriving industrial center. In 1913 the two towns merged into a hyphenated whole, now known as Winston-Salem.

As we walk through the business district of Old Salem, an interpreter, clad in a traditional outfit that shows how people dressed during the heyday of the community, explains that the main ingredients for the traditional cookies — molasses, ginger, and cinnamon — were hard to come by in the Old Country, but an experienced baker could stretch the dough into incredibly thin sheets.

This literally made it go further and feed more. Why, some folks could roll the dough so thin that an inch-high stack would contain upwards of 16 cookies — a Christmas gift indeed!

Many of the stores on the main street have two doors, one that

Visit Our Website At:

Moravians were — and still are — known for their culinary talents.

traditionally led into a sales area and the other that opened into the owner’s home. Highly trained volunteers are hard at work inside some of the buildings, where they demonstrate historic trades, such as woodworking and gunsmithing.

Nearby is the Moravian Log Church, which was built in 1823 to serve Salem’s African and AfricanAmerican residents, most of whom were enslaved.

In 1861 it was replaced by St. Philips Church, now one of oldest existing African-American churches

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in the United States. It was from this new pulpit that a Union Army Cavalry chaplain read the Emancipation Proclamation to the congregants.

Equally interesting is the Salem Tavern, a place to house “outsiders” as they passed through town on business. When it was built in 1784 to replace an older one that had been destroyed by fire, it was deliberately constructed without windows on the first floor.

“After all,” says our guide, “the townspeople didn’t need to know

For more on North Carolina travel, see www.traveltizers.com. Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

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Moravians were — and still are — known for their culinary talents.

what all those outside folks might be up to!”

Today the tavern is a museum, best known as a sleeping spot for George Washington, who stayed there for two nights while making good on his campaign promise to visit every state if elected.

Finally, we go to Mrs. Hanes’ Hand-Made Moravian Cookie Shop. It isn’t physically part of Old Salem — it’s 10 miles away — but culturally it’s as authentic as it can be. Owner Evva Foltz Hanes learned to make Moravian cookies from her mother, who in turn traces cookie-making in her family back six generations.

Today Mrs. Hanes’ shop, employing the famed Moravian penchant for resourcefulness, makes cookies in a variety of flavors, from traditional ginger to crispy chocolate, and ships them all over the world.

This is why people can happily enjoy Moravian Christmas cookies even in mid-July!

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| Harrisburg, PA

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December 2017

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Cover Story

Honored Volunteers Keep Museum on Track Corporate Office

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240 Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL

Vice President and Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor, 50plus Publications Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENT Project Coordinator Renee McWilliams Production Artist Lauren McNallen

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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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and a half years, and in

By Jackie Chicalese 2017, received the same

honor.

History is an integral O’Brien volunteers facet of culture and three to four hours a day, identity, and two area four or five days a week, men are promoting at the museum. the preservation “I feel I just naturally and education of flowed from career to Pennsylvania history those volunteer activities,” through their O’Brien said. “It’s rather volunteer work at the like they are extensions Railroad Museum of of what I’ve been doing, Pennsylvania. except more fun.”

Like many, Douglas Regarding O’Brien’s G. O’Brien and James 2016 Volunteer of the “Stu” Jack Jr. developed Year acknowledgement, an interest in railroads Patrick Morrison, as children. Despite museum director, noted both men pursuing O’Brien, left, and Jack on a GP-30, of which that O’Brien “has unrelated professions more than 900 were built in a year and a half always demonstrated — as a broadcaster and in the 1960s.

GP stands for “general purpose”; a friendly and helpful air separation manager, the train was designed to handle virtually any attitude toward visitors respectively— their assignment, and its styling was an attempt to and his peers, as well as interest in trains did not move away from the boxy silhouette of earlier a real dedication to the wane as they matured. general-purpose diesels. museum’s collection and After 30 years of its mission.” broadcasting in New “I believe everyone has a duty to contribute some York City, O’Brien and his wife retired from city life in 2014, returning to his wife’s hometown in Central time in fields where they can bring their talents and skills to bear,” O’Brien said.

Pennsylvania.

For O’Brien, this encompasses his role as caretaker O’Brien was already familiar with the Railroad of a large HO-gauge model railroad layout.

Museum of Pennsylvania in Strasburg. In the years “Until I arrived, there was apparently no one to prior to their retirement, he and his wife toured the look after it,” O’Brien said. museum often, making four or five visits per year.

The railroad runs five trains per day, six and a half “I think I’ve known since the late 1980s that I wanted some association with the museum,” O’Brien days a week, 52 weeks a year, amounting to about 2,000 hours annually — roughly the amount of said. hours most model railroaders run in a lifetime.

Similarly, Jack and his wife, both natives of New Due to the complexity of the mechanical parts, as York state, transferred to southeast Pennsylvania in well as physical demand, the trains at the museum 1976. require regular maintenance.

Once Jack retired, he began researching different “We’re always hopping,” O’Brien said. “Tracks and museums and service organizations with which he wheels need to be kept clean for maximum electrical could become involved. After reflecting on his train commutes into New York City as a worker, his Lionel contact, gears need to be lubricated, solder joints break and need to be repaired — and we like to trains as a child, and his work building a model improve and enhance the layout with new and better railroad for his sons in his basement, Jack had an scenery, more working track, and so on.” answer.

Along with railroad maintenance, O’Brien is also “The Railroad Museum was a natural choice since qualified to lead educational tours of the museum, I have had a lifelong fascination with trains,” Jack which displays over 100 locomotives and cars from said. the mid-19th and 20th centuries.

As an organization, the RRMPA aims to preserve While O’Brien oversees the mechanics of the and exhibit railroad history, as well as educate the RRMPA, Jack manages museum information. public on the significance of railroads in the nation’s He spends roughly half of his volunteer time in history.

O’Brien has been volunteering at the RRMPA for the museum library. There, he researches old railroad photos that have been given to the museum. four years, and in 2016 was named Volunteer of the Year. Jack has been volunteering for roughly three please see VOLUNTEERS page 6 www.50plusLifePA.com

Social Security News

Is it Medicare or Medicaid?

By John Johnston

A lot of people have a difficult time understanding the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

Both programs begin with the letter “M.” They’re both health insurance programs run by the government.

People often ask questions about what Medicare and Medicaid are, what services they cover, and who administers the programs.

Medicare tax while you work.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is the agency in charge of both Medicare and Medicaid, but you sign up for

Medicare Let’s start with Medicare, the national healthcare program for those aged 65 or older and the disabled.

You pay for some Medicare expenses by paying the

Medicare A (hospital) and Medicare B (medical) through Social Security.

You can apply for Medicare online from the convenience of your home at the link on our website: www. socialsecurity.gov/medicare.

If you’re already receiving Social Security retirement benefits when you reach age 65 or are in the 25th month please see MEDICARE page 22

At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away.

Office of Aging Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (717) 273-9262 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Senior Centers Annville Senior Community Center (717) 867-1796

Emergency Numbers Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 Food Resources Food Stamps (800) 692-7462

Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (717) 787-7500

Medicaid (800) 692-7462

CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400

Medicare (800) 382-1274

Kidney Foundation (717) 652-8123

PennDOT (800) 932-4600

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels (717) 273-9262

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (717) 652-6520

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers (800) 472-8477

Lupus Foundation (888) 215-8787 Hearing Services Melnick, Moffitt & Mesaros ENT Associates 927 Russell Drive, Lebanon (717) 274-9775

Recycling (800) 346-4242

Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Hospitals Medical Society of Lebanon County (717) 270-7500

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (800) 827-1000 Housing Assistance Housing Assistance & Resources Program (HARP) (717) 273-9328

WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital 252 S. Fourth St., Lebanon (717) 270-7500 Hotlines Energy Assistance (800) 692-7462

Lebanon County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities (717) 274-1401

Lebanon County Christian Ministries (717) 272-4400 Salvation Army (717) 273-2655 Funeral & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Lebanon County (800) 720-8221 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

Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Hotline (800) 541-2050 IRS Income Tax Assistance (800) 829-1040

Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048

Social Security Information (800) 772-1213

Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786

United Way of Lebanon County 2-1-1

Lebanon HOPES (717) 274-7528, ext. 3201 Insurance Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833 Legal Services Pennsylvania Bar Association (717) 238-6715

Northern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 865-0944 Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237 Senior Center of Lebanon Valley (717) 274-3451 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 Volunteer opportunitIes Compeer of Lebanon County 4 S. Fourth St., Lebanon (717) 272-8317 RSVP of the Capital Region (717) 454-8647

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

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50plus LIFE p

December 2017

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VOLUNTEERS from page 4

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Code LebSN

“Many of the photos have to be sorted and identified by railroad, equipment type, location, dates, etc., prior to being stored digitally and made available online,” Jack said.

Morrison said Jack “is consistent, disciplined, and extremely hardworking” with “an uncanny ability to read people, provide a high level of attentiveness to their individual questions and interests, and really make a connection with them.”

In addition to his research for the museum, Jack spends time in the cab of several locomotives, educating visitors on the technical workings of the trains, how the trains were crewed, and the advancement in equipment technology.

“I do ‘pretend trips’ with [visitors], showing them how to operate the locomotive, how to make it go forward and back, how to stop it, how to blow the whistle, etc.,” Jack said.

For both men, the museum provides an opportunity for them to pursue responsibilities they find interesting and engaging.

“I’m doing precisely what I want to do, rather than what someone else wants me to,” O’Brien said.

“I genuinely enjoy the tasks I’ve undertaken.”

Not only are both volunteers able to assume duties of their own volitions, but they are also able to pass their passions on to visitors.

“When it is all said and done, I get to share what I have learned about railroads with all of our guests,” Jack said.

Along with the personal benefits they enjoy while volunteering, all the positive public interactions they

experience motivate O’Brien and Jack to continue their museum work.

One memorable encounter occurred while O’Brien was sitting down to work on layout.

“Out of nowhere, a 3-year-old boy climbed in my lap and asked what I was doing,” O’Brien said. “He very politely sat there while I worked, with grandparents and other visitors snapping away [on their cameras].”

Jack recalled a “pretend trip” that mesmerized a young lady. A man observing told Jack he had made the woman’s day with his demonstration.

“Of course, his remark made my day, too!” Jack said.

The volunteers’ main goal is to provide a pleasant, educational experience for all visitors, and to encourage them to return.

“When I see smiles leaving RRMPA, I know I’ve helped out,” O’Brien said.

“It is a labor of love,” Jack added.

“And I have 50 new grandchildren every day that I am out in our display hall. What can be better than that?”

For more information on the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, call (717) 687-8628 or visit https:// rrmuseumpa.org.

Cover photo: Doug O’Brien, left, and Stu Jack are the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania’s Volunteers of the Year for 2016 and 2017, respectively. They are pictured with the museum’s working replica of the “John Bull” locomotive, built by the Pennsylvania Railroad for display and operation at the 1939/1940 World’s Fair in New York.

The original 1831 John Bull is in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C.

Thank You, Volunteers!

On-Line Publishers, Inc., and 50plus LIFE would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of the volunteers who donated their time and efforts at our 2017 50plus EXPOs and the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fairs.

Because of your assistance, we were able to bring the contents and the mission of 50plus LIFE to life for the residents of Central Pennsylvania!

www.50plusLifePA.com

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)’ Randal Hill

When John Fred misheard the Beatles’ Sergeant Pepper album track of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” — he thought Paul McCartney was singing “Lucy in disguise with diamonds” — he decided to create a send-up of the Fab Four’s work.

Before long, he and fellow musician pal Andrew Bernard were filling notebooks with such pseudopsychedelic lyrics as “Cantaloupe eyes come to me tonight” and “Lemonade pies with a brand new car” and “Cross your heart with your living bra.”

(Thank you, Playtex, for that last inspiration.)

John Fred Gourrier was born in 1941 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The son of one-time Detroit Tigers third baseman Fred Gourrier, young Fred was a standout athlete at Catholic High School.

He also loved Southern R&B — rhythm and blues — music and, at age 15, formed a blue-eyed soul group with several classmates. They called themselves John Fred and the Playboys, named after Hugh Hefner’s popular magazine.

Late in 1958, they cut a bouncy single called “Shirley” with Fats Domino’s band in New Orleans.

Issued on Baton Rouge’s Montel Records label, “Shirley” began receiving airplay throughout the South, and the teenage Playboys toured whenever their school schedule

permitted.

Beatles’ “A Day in the Life.” above such But when Coincidentally, it was John Fred nonsense.

Dick Clark But Fred and His Playboy Band’s goofy novelty invited the that knocked the Fab Four’s “Hello prevailed, lads onto Goodbye” out of first place on the assuring his American Billboard chart. skeptical Bandstand, When “Judy in Disguise (with pals that leader Fred they were Glasses)” hit worldwide, John Fred declined and His Playboy Band toured both sitting on the offer.

America and the U.K. In England, a potential Why turn they met Paul McCartney and John smash and down such Lennon, who both loved the parody. that “Judy” “Judy in Disguise (with Glasses)” a golden Wordplay-loving Lennon even joked offered a John Fred and His Playboy Band opportunity? that, when he went home that day, ticket to the December 1967 Fred had big time. he was going to sit down and write a a basketball similar fun song.

Despite game scheduled at school that day.

He said he would call it “Froggy in the Playboys’ objections, “Judy in After “Shirley” failed to break Disguise (with Glasses)” was recorded. a Pond with Spectacles.” nationally, the Playboys disbanded It featured a cacophony of brass, to concentrate on their schoolwork. strings, piano, sitar, bass, drums, and Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be Fred eventually earned an education guitar. And gasps and moans. And reached at wryterhill@msn.com. degree from Louisiana State College ascending strings that matched the but soon found that the music world held more interest for him than did Stories of ordinary men and women the classroom. called to perform extraordinary military service.

He re-formed John Fred and the Playboys and signed onto the Paula From 1999–2016, writer and World War II Records label in Shreveport. However, veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox preserved the when California’s Gary Lewis and the firsthand wartime experiences of more than Playboys burst onto the music scene, 200 veterans through Salute to a Veteran, his the Louisiana fellows became John monthly column featured in 50plus LIFE. Fred and His Playboy Band.

Eventually Fred brought “Judy in Now, for the first time, 50 of those stories— Disguise (with Glasses)” to his band, selected by Wilcox himself—are available to only to find that most of the members own in this soft-cover book. hated it. After all, they groused, theirs Simply complete and mail this form with your payment was a respectable R&B outfit and

to the address below to order Salute to Our Veterans.

On-Line Publishers • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

Name_ _______________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________ City_______________________________ State_ ____ Zip_ ______________ Phone_ _____________________ Email______________________________ Number of copies_ ______ (Please include $20.80 for each copy) Credit card #______________________________________ Exp. date________ Signature of cardholder_________________________________CVV #________

Or send a check made payable to On-Line Publishers, Inc. You can also order online at www.50plusLIFEpa.com! www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE p

December 2017

7

Soldier Stories

Robert Naeye

Army Nurse Found Voice, Strength to Care for Vietnam’s Wounded

South Dakota, Sam Houston in a town of about Texas to learn how to become an 5,000 near the Army nurse.

Minnesota border.

As she recalls, She signed up for the Army Nursing “Texas in summer is unlivable.”

Corps in 1962, She specialized before she had even in neurology and heard of Vietnam. psychiatry but also She committed learned to march, to three years of salute, “and be military service in return for college afraid of other Ann Thompson, right, with officers.” tuition support.

Linda Goodhart, who also served She performed After as a nurse in Vietnam. Thompson, tracheotomies graduating from Goodhart, and three other nurses on goats to learn St. Olaf College co-authored a book on their warin Northfield, the lethal effects time experiences, Another Kind of of different Minnesota, in War Story.

1964, Thompson ammunition. She also had to go was sent to Fort through a gas chamber with a mask, and came out with a severe cough and burning eyes.

She entered the Army as a second lieutenant. Two days before her wedding, she received orders to go to 50plus LIFE continues to bring important information as well as entertaining Vietnam. articles to the 50+ community. We at On-Line Publishers After sailing across the Pacific on would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the a troop transport ship, she arrived editorial contributors of 50plus LIFE: in Saigon in October 1965. When she reached her field hospital in Tom Blake (On Life and Love after 50) Saralee Perel (Such is Life) a defoliated area, there was just Suzy Cohen (Dear Pharmacist) one general-purpose tent and no Dr. Leonard Perry (The Green Mountain Gardener) bathrooms, food, or running water.

Andrea Gross (Traveltizers) Mark Pilarski (Deal Me In) The only thing in abundance was Randal C. Hill (It Was 50 Years Ago Today) Sy Rosen (Older But Not Wiser) dust.

John Johnston (Social Security News) Terri Schlichenmeyer (The Bookworm Sez) “I thought, ‘This is not going to be Bill Levine (Booming Voice) fun,’” she recalls.

Walt Sonneville (My 22 Cents’ Worth) Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature) Thompson later helped set up a Abby Stokes (Is This Thing On?) Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior) tent for 500 people. It was time to go Nick Thomas (Tinseltown Talks) Robert Naeye (Soldier Stories) to bed at 10:30 p.m. when a sergeant Victor Parachin (Fragments of History) Dr. Lori Verderame (Art and Antiques) asked her and several other nurses to dig a trench around the tent. The nurses were utterly exhausted, so they refused.

It is through the varied interests and But two hours later it rained considerable talents of our contributors heavily and water flowed into the tent. and freelance writers that such a range of informative and entertaining content is Welcome to Vietnam. available to read each month.

After helping to build the 93rd The pages of 50plus LIFE are enriched by Evacuation Hospital at Long Bien, she your contributions. was driven about 10 miles to another hospital in an unescorted vehicle,

Books about war are generally filled with tales of sacrifice and courage in mortal combat. But sometimes they neglect the heroism of those who served in support roles. And that is particularly true of nurses.

I recently had the great honor to meet two nurses who served in evacuation hospitals during the Vietnam War: Ann Thompson, of Lebanon, and Linda Goodhart, of Palmyra.

Although neither one fired a shot in anger, they experienced firsthand the horrors of war, while healing and comforting wounded and sick civilians and combatants.

I will tell Thompson’s story this month and Goodhart’s story in 50plus LIFE’s February issue.

Thompson grew up in Madison,

Thank You, Columnists!

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50plus LIFE p

while being shot at. The Army even stationed ammo dumps right next to her hospital, making it a legitimate target for enemy fire.

Thompson quickly realized that her training in Texas was woefully inadequate for the rigors of wartime medicine. There were no rules on how to run an Army hospital, and the most competent people weren’t necessarily the ones making decisions.

With no well-established frontlines in Vietnam, Thompson often treated severely wounded soldiers right off the battlefield. Making matters worse, enemy Viet Cong guerillas were all around.

“You didn’t know if the little old lady over there will kill you in the morning or at night,” says Thompson.

Thompson vividly recalls one tragic story involving a soldier named George Rodriguez. He came to the hospital with a large, ugly wound running down his back. He didn’t want to return to combat, but Thompson and her colleagues patched him up, and he was sent back to the meat grinder.

“His pleading eyes haunted me,” recalls Thompson.

Rodriguez returned to the hospital three weeks later. But this time he was missing both arms, and his eyes were like those of a dead man. He asked if his wounds would keep him from fighting again.

“I had to go outside and throw up in the mud because I was emotionally exhausted,” says Thompson.

Besides tending to the wounded for 12-hour shifts, six days a week, the nurses had to treat patients suffering from fungal infections, snakebites, and malaria. To prevent this dreaded disease, they gave soldiers orange pills to take once a week. But the pills sometimes made the soldiers sick, so they’d stop taking the medicine and come down with various forms of malaria.

And like all those who served in Vietnam, Thompson had to endure www.50plusLifePA.com

extreme Despite all heat and the tragedy she humidity. saw firsthand When she during her year returned to in Vietnam, Washington, Thompson says D.C., this experience on leave made her during a hot stronger.

September, And it she had to prepared her wear wool for a 30-year sweaters and postwar career socks to stay in psychiatric warm. nursing at “I think the Veterans Ann Thompson, right, backstage at the in war you Administration Bob Hope Christmas Special in 1965. get tired of hospital in being afraid, Lebanon. so you give that up,” she says. “We Although she has officially retired, she learned a lot about patience and rules, still does volunteer work there. and we learned a lot about breaking “I was a shy little girl from those rules.

South Dakota, and I didn’t say bad “The mission was to always smile words. But I found my voice in and say to our patients, ‘You’ll feel Vietnam,” she says. “When I came better tomorrow, and here, have some home, nobody was interested in morphine.’ We never ever said, ‘I’m my voice, but years later people are too tired or too hungry or I’m too finally interested in what I have to angry’ to a wounded soldier because say. People are listening to nurses, they were the most important part of corpsmen, and soldiers.” our mission.”

Thompson shares many of her Thompson takes pride in the Vietnam experiences in a 1993 book medical advances that resulted she co-authored with Goodhart from the war. These include the and three other nurses. This book, development of a triage system that is Another Kind of War Story, is available currently used in hospitals all over the through Amazon. country. And Penn State Hershey’s Robert Naeye is a freelance journalist Life Lion is a direct descendant of living in Derry Township. He is the medevac helicopters in Vietnam. former editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope And, as she says, “We did malaria magazine. studies out the yazoo.”

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Veterans (of all ages) and the military community and their families are invited to join us!

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December 2017

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Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

Bethany Village — MapleWood

325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: Yes Personal Care Home: Yes Private: 100 Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes

Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom suites; secured memory support neighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.

Colonial Lodge Community

2015 North Reading Road • Denver, PA 17519 717-336-5501 • www.coloniallodgepa.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 70 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: A veteran-approved “home for heroes” facility, all in a beautiful, rural setting.

Homewood at Plum Creek

425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewood.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 92 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Excellent care in a lovely environment. Call to schedule a visit.

Mennonite Home Communities

1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 717-393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 150 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Supportive, encouraging environment. Various room types and suites available. Secure memory care offered.

The Hickman Friends Senior Community

Pleasant View Retirement Community

Assisted Living Residence: Yes Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes SSI Accepted: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes (in early 2018) Respite Care: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 96 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

400 North Walnut Street • West Chester, PA 19380 484-760-6300 • www.TheHickman.org Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Nonprofit personal care community with new building opening in early 2018. Includes secure dementia care. Call to schedule a personal tour.

Homeland Center

1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 56 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes

Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Providing exemplary care in a beautiful environment for more than 150 years. Our continuum includes a hospice program, therapy services, home care and home health services, and 24-hour medical staffing. All-private rooms with full baths and kitchenettes.

544 North Penryn Road • Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445 • www.pleasantviewrc.org Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *Three-year private pay spending. Maintain independence in an enriching and supportive environment; now offering respite stays.

Sacred Heart Villa

51 Seminary Avenue • Reading, PA 19605 610-929-5751 • www.sacredheartvillapa.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: No Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Located on 20 pristine acres. Offering amenities including homecooked meals; professional, licensed staff; and personalized care.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

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www.50plusLifePA.com

The Beauty in Nature

Hawks in Winter Fields Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Wintering flocks of horned larks, house sparrows, starlings, rock pigeons, mourning doves, and other species of birds are adapted to eating grass, weed seeds, and bits of corn in extensive fields in southeastern Pennsylvania during winter.

These same birds also pick chewed, but undigested, bits of corn from livestock manure spread on top of snow when other foods are buried by snow.

Field mice aren’t abundant in those fields because of annual plowing, discing, and harvesting. But mice are common along roadside shoulders and banks in cropland. There they feed, make nests, and raise young among roots of tall grasses and weeds.

At least six kinds of hawks wintering in southeastern Pennsylvania—including American kestrels, merlins, peregrines, Cooper’s hawks, red-tailed hawks, and northern harriers—prey on mice and birds in open farmland.

Kestrels, peregrines, Cooper’s, and red-tails nest locally, and all these diurnal raptors make croplands more interesting in winter.

Kestrels, merlins, and peregrines are all fast-flying falcons that perch on roadside poles to watch for prey. They all have tapered, swept-back wings for swift flight. Smallest of the falcons, kestrels are about the size of blue jays.

They hover into the wind as they watch for mice along grassy roadsides.

Photo by Greg Hume

Photo by Greg Hume

American kestrel

Red-tailed hawk

Merlins are darker and a bit bigger than kestrels. They catch small birds, such as horned larks and various sparrow species, by ambush and their speedy flight low to the ground in open country, including agricultural areas.

The crow-sized peregrines mostly snare rock pigeons, mourning doves, and starlings in midair over open country. Peregrines dive through the air at 180 miles per hour and hit their victims with their chests. The birds are stunned or killed and drop to the ground.

Peregrines swing around in the air, grab their victims in their claws in midair, and fly to a perch to consume their catch. Peregrines and merlins

reduce competition for food between them by catching different-sized prey.

Cooper’s hawks traditionally

are forest dwellers that prey on birds. But some Cooper’s have adapted to catching birds in farm country, perhaps giving peregrines competition. Cooper’s are swift flyers, able to chase down their feathered victims.

Red-tailed hawks soar over farmland to watch for mice and other rodents. When prey is spotted, they dive swiftly to snare it.

Northern harriers flap and soar slowly into the wind close to the ground in farmland to watch and listen for mice and small birds. When victims are spotted, they abruptly drop to the ground to snare them in their claws.

Hawks wintering in farmland prey mostly on mice and birds, doing so in different ways. And they make local fields more interesting in winter.

A EDWK \RX·OO ORYH

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December 2017

11

Stop a Cold Before it Starts New research shows you can stop a cold in its tracks if you take one simple step with a new GHYLFH ZKHQ \RX ÂżUVW feel a cold coming on.

Colds start when cold viruses get in your nose. Viruses multiply fast. If you don’t stop them early, they spread and cause misery.

Research: Copper stops colds if used early.

But scientists have Pat McAllister, age 70, received found a quick way to kill a virus.

Touch it with copper. Researchers at one for Christmas and called it “one labs and universities agree, copper of the best presents ever. This little is “antimicrobial.� It kills microbes, jewel really works.�

People often use CopperZap for such as viruses and bacteria, just by SUHYHQWLRQ .DUHQ *DXFL ZKR ÀLHV touch.

That’s why ancient Greeks and often, used to get colds after crowded Egyptians used copper to purify wa- ÀLJKWV 7KRXJK VNHSWLFDO VKH WULHG LW ter and heal wounds. They didn’t several times a day on travel days for know about viruses and bacteria, but PRQWKV ³6L[WHHQ ÀLJKWV DQG QRW D VQLIÀH ´ VKH H[FODLPHG now we do.

Businesswoman Rosaleen says Researchers say a tiny electric when people are sick around her she charge in microbe cells gets short-circuited by the high conductance of uses CopperZap morning and night. copper, destroying the cell in seconds. “It saved me last holidays,� she said.

Tests by the Environmental Pro- “The kids had colds going round and tection Agency (EPA) show germs round, but not me.�

Some users say it also helps with die fast on copper. So some hospitals switched to copper touch surfaces, sinuses. Attorney Donna Blight had like faucets and doorknobs. This cut D GD\ VLQXV KHDGDFKH 6KH WULHG the spread of MRSA and other ill- CopperZap. “I am shocked! My head nesses by over half, and saved lives. cleared, no more headache, no more The strong evidence gave inven- congestion.�

Some users say copper stops tor Doug Cornell an idea. When he felt a cold coming on he fashioned a QLJKWWLPH VWXIÂżQHVV WRR LI WKH\ XVH LW smooth copper probe and rubbed it just before bed. One man said, “Best sleep I’ve had in years.â€? gently in his nose for 60 seconds.

Users also report success in stop“It worked!� he exclaimed. “The ping cold sores and warts. It can also cold went away completely.� It worked again every time he felt a prevent infection in wounds, cuts and cold coming on. He reports he has abrasions.

7KH KDQGOH LV VFXOSWXUHG WR ÂżW WKH never had a cold since.

He asked relatives and friends to KDQG DQG ¿QHO\ WH[WXUHG WR LPSURYH try it. They said it worked for them, contact. Tests show it kills germs on too, every time. So he patented Cop- ¿QJHUV VR \RX GRQœW VSUHDG LOOQHVV WR your family. perZap™ and put it on the market. &RSSHU PD\ HYHQ VWRS ÀX LI XVHG Soon hundreds of people had tried it and given feedback. Nearly 100 early and for several days. In a lab percent said the copper stops their WHVW VFLHQWLVWV SODFHG PLOOLRQ OLYH colds if used within 3 hours after the ÀX YLUXVHV RQ D &RSSHU=DS 1R YL¿UVW VLJQ (YHQ XS WR GD\V LI WKH\ ruses were found alive soon after.

The EPA says the natural color still get the cold it is milder than usuchange of copper does not reduce its al and they feel better.

Users wrote things like, “It ability to kill germs.

CopperZap is made in the U.S. stopped my cold right away,� and “Is of pure copper. It has a 90-day full it supposed to work that fast?� “What a wonderful thing,� wrote PRQH\ EDFN JXDUDQWHH DQG LV Physician’s Assistant Julie. “No more at CopperZap.com or toll-free colds for me!�

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Ms. Senior Pa. Takes 4th in National Pageant is nothing I could Peggy Kurtz have changed at Keller, of Ephrata, the moment of came in fourth competition. I place at the 2017 met 36 wonderful Ms. Senior America women who are pageant, held at talented and Resorts Casino in beautiful, inside Atlantic City Oct. 15-19. and out.�

Carolyn Slade Keller, 2011 PA Harden, of New State Senior Idol Jersey, took home winner and 2017 Ms. the top honor.

Pennsylvania Senior Donna Vincler, of America, performed Photo credit: Rene Green “Summertime� from Peggy Kurtz Keller performed Tennessee, earned Porgy & Bess during “Summertime� for the talent first runner-up; Lee the pageant’s talent portion of the national Ms. Se- Ann Brill, of New nior America pageant in Atlan- York, was second portion. tic City in October. runner-up; and The annual Sharon Parry, of competition included Wyoming, took third runner-up.

37 state-level winners vying for the “I feel that my mission for the next national title. “I had the best time! I truly lived year is to promote this wonderful opportunity to other women who my philosophy of life last week!� have reached the age of elegance,�

Keller said soon after the pageant.

Keller said. “I did the best I could do—there

I Saw Grandma Kissing Santa Claus I saw Grandma kissing Santa Claus My Grandpa was nowhere to be found.

As I watched the two misbehaving, Outside, deer were lurking ’bout the ground.

While the two were lovingly hugging Underneath the hanging mistletoe, They acted like they knew each other.

As if they’ve been friends from long ago.

While remaining hidden from his view, Santa lay our presents on the floor.

Then, he kissed my Grandma one more time ’Fore disappearing out the front door.

Even after I crept into bed, I never told Grandpa what I saw.

Somehow Santa knew all I witnessed.

For he left me this note I, now, recall. “From the corner of my twinkling eye, Instead of you being fast asleep, I noticed you on the stairway hiding.

But, now, can this secret will you keep? “Since your Grandma is the best I know, And whose love for you is not amiss, I always make sure when I am here, Your Grandma gets a Christmas Eve kiss.�

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December 2017

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Orthopedics & Pain Special feature

www.50plusLifePA.com

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Ask a Foot & Ankle Surgeon: Why Does My Heel Hurt?

Dr. Michael T. Ambroziak, DPM, FACFAS One of the most common questions I am asked by my patients is, “Why does my heel hurt?”

While there can be many reasons for heel pain, we as foot and ankle surgeons categorize heel pain into four major causes: plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, bursitis, and nerve pain. Diagnosing the specific issue depends on the exact location of the pain and how the pain affects the mechanical movement of the leg.

The most common cause of the heel pain is plantar fasciitis, which is an inflammation of the band of tissue (the plantar fascia) that extends from the heel to the toes.

When patients suffer from this ailment, the fascia becomes irritated and then inflamed, resulting in heel pain or pain in the arch of the foot. Plantar fascia pain is a telltale sign there are mechanical issues going on in how the foot works.

We typically treat plantar fasciitis first with nonsurgical strategies, such as stretching exercises; rest; shoe pads and footwear modifications; orthotic devices; night splints; and injection therapy. While most patients respond well to conservative treatments, some require surgery to correct the problem.

Achilles tendonitis, or the inflammation of the Achilles tendon, can also be a cause of heel pain.

We often see this “overuse” condition in our athletic patients who play highimpact sports, such as basketball or tennis. They often have a sudden increase of repetitive activity involving the Achilles tendon, which puts too much stress on the tendon too quickly, leading to micro-injuries.

To treat Achilles tendonitis, we often immobilize the foot with a walking boot or cast and also use physical therapy, orthotics, and ice to help repair the tendon. If the tendon is severely damaged or if nonsurgical treatments don’t work, surgery may be necessary.

Another cause of heel pain commonly seen is bursitis, where the “fat pad”

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of the heel exhibits redness and swelling from inflammation of the small, fluidfilled sac inside the heel, called the bursa.

The bursa, which protects the heel from friction, can become inflamed from repetitive motion or irritation from shoes. In the case of bursitis, the heel and the toes are most often affected.

Treatment may include resting the foot, applying ice, and anti-inflammatory drug therapy, padding, and corticosteroid injections to reduce the inflammation and relieve pain. Surgery may be necessary if conservative methods do not provide relief.

Finally, a somewhat less common cause of heel pain is nerve pain. When the nerves are involved, it feels more like a burning or electrical pain shooting or radiating down the foot from the heel, typically toward the toes.

A patient will often tell me their heel “burns.”

There are medications that may help with nerve pain, but in this instance, the patient tends to need nerve decompression surgery, a procedure to help “un-trap” the nerve causing the pain.

These patients often have several misdiagnoses before they visit with a foot and ankle surgeon to correctly remedy their pain.

Whatever your heel pain, I always encourage people to see a foot and ankle surgeon for a proper diagnosis. We specialize in only the foot and ankle, and our training helps us effectively get to the bottom of what is ailing our patients.

To find a foot and ankle surgeon near you, visit FootHealthFacts.org, the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons’ patient-education website, or talk with one of the specialists included in this special section.

Dr. Michael Ambroziak, DPM, FACFAS, a foot and ankle surgeon with offices in Bay City and West Branch, Mich., is board certified in foot surgery by the American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery. Ambroziak is a fellow member of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeon and a diplomat, American Board of Foot and Ankle Surgery.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

Exercises that Help Ease Arthritis Pain and Stiffness Dear Savvy Senior, What exercises are best suited for seniors with arthritis? I have osteoarthritis in my neck, back, hip, and knee and have read that exercises can help ease the pain and stiffness, but I don’t know where to start, and I certainly don’t want to aggravate it. – Stiff and Achy Dear Stiff, Many people who have arthritis believe that exercise will worsen their condition, but that’s not true. Exercise is actually one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis.

Proper and careful exercises can help reduce joint pain and stiffness, strengthen muscles around the joints, and increase flexibility. Exercise also helps manage other chronic conditions that are common among seniors with arthritis, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

Here are some tips to help you get started.

Recommended Exercises Determining exactly which types of exercises are best for you depends on the form and severity of your arthritis and which joints are involved. It’s best please see EXERCISES page 16

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EXCERCISES from page 15 which helps support and protect your joints.

to work with your doctor or a physical therapist to help you develop a personalized exercise program.

The different types of exercises that are most often recommended to seniors with arthritis include:

Aerobic exercises: Low-impact activities, such as walking, cycling, swimming, or water aerobics, are all recommended three to five times per week to help improve cardiovascular health, control weight, and improve your overall function.

Range-of-motion exercises: These are gentle stretching exercises that can relieve stiffness as well as improve your ability to move your joints through their normal range of motion. These exercises should be done daily.

Strengthening exercise: Calisthenics, weight training, and working with resistance bands are recommended (two or more days a week) to maintain and improve your muscle strength,

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It’s also important to keep in mind that when you first start exercising, you need to go slow to give your body time to adjust. If you push yourself too hard, you can aggravate your joint pain. However, some muscle soreness or joint achiness in the beginning is normal.

To help you manage your pain, start by warming up with some simple stretches or range-of-motion exercises for five to 10 minutes before you move on to strengthening or aerobic exercises. Another tip is to apply heat to the joints you’ll be working before you exercise, and use cold packs after exercising to reduce inflammation.

If you’re experiencing a lot of pain while you exercise, you may need to modify the frequency, duration, or intensity of your exercises until the pain improves. Or you may need to try a different activity—for example, switching from walking to water aerobics.

But it you’re having severe, sharp, or constant pain or large increases in swelling, or if your joints feel hot or red, you need to stop and see your doctor.

Exercising Aids To help you exercise at home, the Arthritis Foundation offers a variety of free online videos (see www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/exercise/videos) to guide you through a range of exercises.

Or there are arthritis exercise DVDs you can purchase through the Arthritis Foundation Store (www.afstore.org).

Also see Go4Life (www.go4life.nia.nih.gov or call (800) 222-2225), a National Institute on Aging resource that offers a free exercise guide that provides illustrated examples of different exercises.

If you need some motivation or don’t like exercising alone, ask your doctor about exercise programs in your area for people with arthritis. Hospitals and clinics sometimes offer special programs, as do local health clubs and senior centers.

The Arthritis Foundation also conducts exercise and aquatic programs for people with arthritis in many communities throughout the U.S. Contact your local branch (see www.arthritis.org/local-offices, or call (800) 283-7800 for contact information) to find out what may be available near you.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org

www.50plusLifePA.com

6 Ways to Keep Your Knees Feeling ‘Younger’

By James Dowd, M.D. Osteoarthritis is the most common chronic joint condition that causes stiffness and swelling in joints such as the knees. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is estimated that 1 in 2 people will be affected by some form of osteoarthritis in their lifetime.

However, people who suffer from osteoarthritis aren’t as old as some may think. In fact, recent data shows more than half of all people with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis are younger than 65 years of age.

As life expectancies continue to increase and people lead more active lives, there is greater potential that they may experience knee pain in their lifetime, making it even more important for people to care for their joints.

A recent online survey commissioned by DePuy Synthes of 500 U.S. women aged 45-65 who had hip or knee replacement surgery or plan to have surgery soon found that knee or hip pain can negatively impact the ability to take part in basic activities, such as climbing stairs or getting in and out of a car, thus taking an emotional toll due to a lack of independence.

I always encourage my patients to maintain a healthy lifestyle—mentally, emotionally, and physically. And, taking care of your knees, especially prior to feeling any severe pain, is extremely important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

So, what can you do to take care of your knees to keep them healthy and feeling “younger”?

Stay moving: It is easy for joints to stiffen when you’re sedentary. Make it a point to stay active with simple activities, such as taking a quick walk at the top of every hour. It can even be around your kitchen or office space.

Maintain a healthy weight: Weight gain and joint pain are closely connected, and small weight gains can make a big difference for weight-bearing joints like knees and hips.

In fact, data indicates that for every 11-pound weight gain, there is a 36 percent increased risk for developing osteoarthritis. Managing and maintaining a healthy weight can help ease the pressure on your knees.

Strengthen your quads, hamstrings, and glutes: The quadriceps and hamstrings are the two main muscle groups that support the knee.

Quadriceps are vital for the stability and healthy movement of the knee joint, while hamstrings bend the knee and move the leg behind your body.

While the connection isn’t as obvious, strong glutes can decrease your risk for knee injury.

Strengthening these muscle groups can have an impact on your overall knee health. Consider doing straight-leg raises to strengthen the quads and walking backward to strengthen the hamstrings.

Don’t ignore the pain: When it comes to the knees, minor discomfort can sometimes turn into a major issue. Pain shouldn’t interfere with everyday tasks, such as walking from a parking spot in the back of the lot, getting the mail at the end of the driveway, or sleeping.

No matter the severity of your pain, it is important to talk to a doctor about ways to treat and manage your symptoms before it becomes debilitating.

Don’t overexert yourself: Before you begin any exercise regimen, talk with your doctor. Listen to what your body is telling you, and respect your body’s limits. Pushing your body too hard can lead to injuries, so take regular breaks from repetitive activities and don’t overdo any exercise or physical activity. Overexertion is preventable.

Talk to your doctor: Whether you are experiencing pain and discomfort sporadically or it is affecting your everyday activities, it is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor.

You can set up a separate appointment to talk through what you’re experiencing, or it can be done during your annual checkup. Ask for tips on preventing your joints from daily wear and tear and treatment options that are right for you.

For additional information and resources on knee pain, visit www.timetohitplay.com.

James Dowd, M.D., is an orthopaedic surgeon at Jordan-Young Institute in Virginia Beach, Va. www. jordan-younginstitute.com

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50plus LIFE p

December 2017

17

My 22 Cents’ Worth

Inspiration from the Afflicted Walt Sonneville

in their real lives, they have responded to physical disabilities. Harold Russell, who lost both hands, played an Oscar-winning role in the memorable movie The Best Years of Our Lives. Later he went on to become the national commander of AMVETS. Christopher Reeve, who played the movie role of Superman, became paraplegic as a result of an accident but maintained an irrepressible spiritual strength. He authored two books, the titles of which attest to this strength: Nothing is Impossible and Still Me. Actor Michael J. Fox started a foundation bearing his name after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The titles of three books he authored subsequent to his diagnosis reveal much about his attitude: Lucky Man: A Memoir; Always Looking Up: The Adventures of an Incurable Optimist; and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Future: Twists and Turns and Lessons Learned.

In her book, Destiny of the Republic, historian Candice Millard offers a remarkably profound observation attributed to President James Garfield: “I have sometimes thought that we cannot know any man thoroughly well while he is in perfect health. As the ebb-tide discloses the real lines of the shore and the bed of the sea, so feebleness, sickness, and pain bring out the real character of a man.”

That statement invites reflection about all among us who experience any number of adversities.

Consider some who have never known normal health, such as being born sightless or losing vision in early childhood. Several went on to become well-known pianists. They include Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, George Shearing, and Alex Templeton. The songs in their hearts inspire us no less than their musical talent.

We have seen movie actors showing how,

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We at On-Line Publishers, Inc. are grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportive advertisers who have all enabled us to continue our mission to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community in 2017.

We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50plus LIFE a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment for our readers in Central Pennsylvania.

At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.

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December 2017

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Historical figures who rose above their physical or mental demons have demonstrated that will often triumphs over won’t. Napoleon, Julius Caesar, Isaac Newton, and Harriet Tubman all displayed symptoms of epilepsy.

Despite suffering from a depression, which he called his “black dog,� Winston Churchill led his country through World War II. After the war, he “tamed� his black dog by returning to the writing of books and painting a few hundred artworks—mostly tranquil landscapes.

There are many celebrities of our time that lived with depression but successfully tamed their black dogs.

They include astronaut Buzz Aldrin; J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter series; television personality Mike Wallace; and football quarterback Terry Bradshaw.

Whole classes of people deserve recognition for being points of light within a community. AfricanAmerican women who raised their children, despite the material impoverishment and denial of education thrust upon them,

provide one example.

Other examples are spouses who remain committed to a severely disabled family member. Children with cancer demonstrate a courage that, in the words of the American Cancer Society, “humble their parents and caregivers.�

What is it that compels some of those seriously afflicted to become beacons for others? Helen Keller, born deaf and blind, provides her explanation: “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.�

On the battlefield, combat reveals our base character under extreme stress and fear. The contest of life is fought, metaphorically, on a broader battlefield. Most of us will not avoid assaults on our health, disruption in family relationships, unemployment, or victimization by criminals.

To survive intact, we need faith in ourselves and the leadership of those who can show us the way.

50plus LIFE just earned 4 Media Awards!

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December 2017

19

The Green Mountain Gardener

Make Your Own Holiday Decorations Dr. Leonard Perry

Other less commonly used evergreens are white cedar or arborvitae (foliage fades to yellow in a few weeks), red cedar and other wild junipers (sharp needles, so use sparingly to add variety, color, texture, and form), and broad-leaved evergreens like rhododendrons.

One caution about using yew (or taxus) is that all plant parts are poisonous, especially the attractive seeds. Look for a few branches of yellow-leaved evergreens for some color, such as certain variegated yews, gold-thread false cypress, old-gold juniper, or one of the gold arborvitae.

Other plant parts you can use for interest, and to give arrangements a “country” appearance, include cones, grasses, pods, and berries. Florist shops may carry more exotic plant parts such as lotus pods, holly, mistletoe, and various greens.

Some people like to add artificial decorations like bells, balls, and fake berries to their natural arrangements.

In addition to plants and other decorative materials,

Natural holiday decorations such as roping, swags, wreaths, and table arrangements are not hard to make.

You will catch on to the simple principles quickly, and in a short time your results may surprise everyone, including yourself.

Most of the materials you need are inexpensive or free for the asking, in many locales. But remember to get permission before cutting branches or fruits on someone else’s land!

Your local florist also should have natural materials, both local and from warmer climates. Tree farms are a good source of greenery or even undecorated products you can then decorate yourself.

For plant materials, evergreen twigs and boughs are the most important. You may be surprised at how much material goes into even small decorations. For longest life, keep greens away from heat, wind, and sun.

The most common evergreens include balsam fir, spruce (needles don’t last as long as fir and are prickly), white pine, and hemlock (needles will drop in dry air).

Do you or does someone you know have an interesting hobby or collection?

A special passion or inspirational experience?

A history of dedicated volunteer work?

If so, tell us, and we’ll consider your suggestion for a future profile story!

Just fill out the questionnaire below and return it to:  LIFE, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512, or email your responses to Megan Joyce, editor, at mjoyce@onlinepub.com.

Your name: ___________________________ Your phone number/email address: _____________________________________________________ Name of person nominated (if not you):__________________________________ Their town of residence: _______________________________ Please receive their permission to nominate them. Nominee’s age range: 50–59

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Why would you/your nominee make a great profile? ____________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

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December 2017

50plus LIFE p

(717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240

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you will need something for a base for most decorations if starting from scratch. Wreaths require a wire, foam, or straw wreath form or a coat hanger bent into a circle.

Rope or thick, coarse twine makes a good base for garlands or roping.

Florist foam, which comes in “bricks” that can be cut to fit any container, may be purchased at florist or craft shops.

Other essentials include a pair of clippers or utility scissors, florist picks (to hold greens to straw bases), and florist wire. The latter is a thin, green wire, available in several widths, that is used to hold everything together, such as cones to wreaths, greens to frames or rope, and decorations to walls.

To make wreaths or ropings, you will need individual branchlets or bundles of them. Simply cut small branch pieces 4–6 inches in length from the main branches, and wire or pin them directly to the frames. Or you can wire several together into a bundle and then wire the bundle to the base.

Overlap one branchlet or bundle over the cut ends of the last to hide them and the wire or rope base.

Proceed down the rope or around the frame in this manner. Finally, once the greens are secured, add a bow and a few ornaments of interest, such as cones, berries, or artificial decorations.

To make a table arrangement, start with a wet block of florist foam, either freestanding or cut to fit a basket or other decorative container. Use a

saucer under the wet foam, unless the container is water tight.

Place sprigs of green in the foam, followed by natural ornaments such as berries and artificial ornaments.

Berries can be wired to a florist pick and then stuck in the foam. Follow the same design principles as you would if arranging flowers.

A door swag is simple. Take several branches of a desired length, usually 2 feet or so, and tie together to hang upside down. Then tie a shorter branch or two on top, upright.

Where these all tie together, place a bow, group of cones, or other ornamentation.

If you want to use candles, use decorative lanterns to keep candles away from the greens (which, when dry, can be quite flammable) and then decorate around these with greenery and color.

Get a mold for making a luminary of ice, and place greens and berries in the water before freezing. These, with a candle inside, make an elegant table decoration for a special dinner.

If you have a stairway and banister, hang a grouping or two of greens and berries from the upright supports.

Many other decorations are possible using wire or Styrofoam bases in the shapes of candy canes, cones, or balls, among others. You’ll find these online or at local craft stores.

Simply follow the above procedures and your own creativity!

Dr. Leonard P. Perry is an extension professor at the University of Vermont.

Watch Out for ‘Masked’ Hypertension Being diagnosed with high blood pressure may be scary, but thinking your blood pressure is normal when it’s not? Scarier still.

The Live Science website reports that almost 1 in 8 Americans who believe their blood pressure is just fine may really have a masked form of hypertension that doesn’t show up when they visit their doctors.

Instead, their blood pressure is elevated during their daily activities, so they may be at increased risk of heart disease without realizing it. www.50plusLifePA.com

To diagnose masked hypertension, researchers suggest wearing 12-hour blood pressure monitors that take readings through the day.

The flip side of this phenomenon is so-called “white-coat hypertension,” in which patients’ blood pressure increases at the doctor’s office (possibly from nervousness?) but is normal the rest of the time. Unlike masked hypertension, these people don’t appear to be at a higher risk of heart disease.

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December 2017

21

Calendar of Events

Lebanon County

Community Programs/Support Groups Free and open to the public

Senior Center Activities

Dec. 2, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Lebanon Christkindl Market Coleman Memorial Park 1400 W. Maple St., Lebanon

Annville Senior Activity Center (717) 867-1796 200 S. White Oak St., Annville Dec. 1, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – New Signup Sheets Available Dec. 14, 10:30 a.m. – A Vintage Christmas Celebration Dec. 28, 10:30 a.m. – A New Year’s Gala

Dec. 27, 6-7 p.m.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Support Group Linden Village 100 Tuck Court, Lebanon (717) 274-7400

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

Library Programs Annville Free Library, 216 E. Main St., Annville, (717) 867-1802 Tuesdays, 6:15 p.m. – AFL Knitters Dec. 5, 6:30 p.m. – Adult Coloring Club Lebanon Community Library, 125 N. Seventh St., (717) 273-7624 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

parks and recreation All events held at the Park at Governor Dick unless noted.

Dec. 3, 1-4 p.m. – Christmas Music by the Fire

MEDICARE from page 5 of receiving disability checks, we will enroll you automatically.

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (prescription drug) plans are available for purchase in the insurance marketplace.

Social Security administers a program called Extra Help to help people with low income and low resources pay for premiums, co-pays, and co-insurance costs for Part D plans. You can find out more about Extra Help and file for it at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/ prescriptionhelp.

Each year, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services publishes Medicare and You, available online at their website at www. medicare.gov/medicare-and-you/medicare-andyou.html. This publication is a user’s manual for Medicare.

Medicaid Each state runs its own Medicaid program under guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Although it does not require paying taxes while working, it does

22

December 2017

50plus LIFE p

have guidelines about how much income and resources you can have to qualify.

Medicaid offers care for the most vulnerable among us, providing coverage for older people, people with disabilities, and some families with children.

Each state has its own eligibility rules and decides which services to cover. The names of the Medicaid program may vary from state to state.

You can read about each state’s Medicaid program at www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/bystate/by-state.html. You can find each state’s Medicaid contact information at www.medicaid. gov/about-us/contact-us/contact-state-page.html.

Medicare and Medicaid are two of the major insurance programs that provide healthcare to the American public. Understanding each program, as well as how the two programs differ, can help you and those you care about find the right healthcare program.

John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048 710 Maple St., Lebanon Dec. 1, 10 a.m. – Christmas Party at Hershey Country Club Dec. 8, 8:30 a.m. – Christmas Breakfast at Inn 422 Dec. 19, 9:30 a.m. – Christmas Party for Dance Class and Ball Class Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786 Myerstown Baptist Church, 59 Ramona Road, Myerstown Dec. 5, 1 p.m. – Bible Study with Pastor Bitner Dec. 13, 7:45 a.m. – Breakfast Club at Dutch-Way Restaurant Dec. 18, noon – Christmas Luncheon at Mt. Aetna Banquet Hall Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 865-0944 335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown www.jonestownpa.org/senior.html Dec. 8, 10 a.m. – Healthy You Dec. 19, 10 a.m. – Christmas in Other Lands Dec. 20, 10 a.m . – Christmas Caroling and Lunch at Northern Lebanon High School Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237 101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra Dec. 8, 11:30 a.m. – Christmas Banquet and Entertainment at Hometown’s Dec. 19, 10:45 a.m. – “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” Scavenger Hunt Dec. 20, 10:30 a.m. – Christmas Karaoke Party and Gift Exchanges Privately Owned Centers Senior Center of Lebanon Valley, Inc. (717) 274-3451 710 Maple St., Lebanon Washington Arms – (717) 274-1401 303 Chestnut St., Lebanon www.50plusLifePA.com

Puzzle Page

CROSSWORD

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 25

SUDOKU

Across 1. Yucatan native 5. Jaunts 10. Stagnate 14. Ajar 15. Readjust 16. Yuletide 17. Authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s goal 19. Bird feature 20. Annex 21. Muse of poetry 23. Locomotive type 26. Formal wear 30. Paddle 31. Lynx

35. Current 36. Midge 38. Oracle 39. A great deal 41. Mark of Cain 43. Actress Gardner 44. Half-baked 45. Cruelty 47. Before Las Vegas or voce 49. Coin 52. Spoil 53. Eternal 56. Gesture of assent

57. Scabbard 59. Words of resignation 61. Bellow 64. A Gershwin 65. Light seeker 68. Fascinated with fame 73. Great Lakes lake 74. Implied 75. Pocketbook 76. Some bills 77. Sales outlets 78. Obligation

23. Pet 24. Author Fleming 25. Expunction 27. Interlace 28. Scot. river 29. Possess 32. Exit 33. The Tempter 34. Thirst for 37. Poet. contraction 40. Rage 42. Below (poet.)

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Down 1. Throng 2. Emulator 3. Okay 4. Wagers 5. Vine support 6. Elec. unit 7. ____ of Wight 8. Equal 9. Rock layers 10. Memo holder 11. Deer 12. Cow pasture 13. Cervid 18. Murdered 22. Coach

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December 2017

23

Dear Pharmacist

7 Common but Strange Reasons for Insomnia

Suzy Cohen

I’m cranky if I don’t sleep, are you? There’s more violence associated with people who have insomnia, which doesn’t come as any surprise to me.

The start of daylight saving time in March is always associated with a small spike in heart attacks, according to two different studies from the American Journal of Cardiology (2013) and the New England Journal of Medicine (2008).

Research published in New England Journal of Medicine shows an increase in car accidents in those first few days after the time change.

Interestingly, a 2015 study published in The Review of Economics and Statistics estimates a 7 percent decrease in robberies after DST goes into effect, saving $59 million in social costs. Fascinating that the burglars are too tired to rob people if they lose sleep.

This research is just so cool, and it got me thinking about the reasons people don’t sleep. Here are some other reasons you don’t get normal shut-eye. These

Do you have an ear to the ground?

Would you like to see your name in print?

50plus LIFE is looking for

Local Liaisons We want to include your neighborhood news in 50plus LIFE— but we need your help!

We’re looking for volunteers to serve as our designated Local Liaisons in Central Pennsylvania.

If you seem to always know what’s happening in your community and would be willing to send us brief stories, event info, and photos, email mjoyce@onlinepub.com for more information.

24

December 2017

50plus LIFE p

are seven common or unexpected causes for insomnia: 1. Taking thyroid medication at night.

It should be taken first thing in the morning on an empty stomach because that’s when you usually produce it.

When you pump out thyroid hormones (or take a pill), you naturally feel more energized and refreshed, so take the medicine first thing in the morning to mimic your own body’s rhythm.

2. Methylation. This is a chemical pathway in your body that produces and breaks down neurotransmitters such as epinephrine (which is stimulating) and melatonin (which causes sleep).

If your methylation pathway is cramped, it could trigger insomnia as well as seizures, agitation, combativeness, panic attacks, and other “stimulating” issues.

3. Quinolinic acid. This is a neurotoxin that is made in our brains, and we can produce too much of it for a variety of reasons.

Ironically, you can do it to yourself by taking certain sleep supplements, such as tryptophan. Too much quinolinic acid contributes to insomnia, depression, and suicidal thoughts and attempts.

4. Fluoride. Drinking tap water or taking certain fluoride-containing antidepressants, medications, or vitamins can harm your pineal gland. That’s bad because your pineal gland makes melatonin, your main sleep hormone.

If you think fluoride is impacting your melatonin levels, which wane as you age, think about a supplement.

5. Prescription medications. Stimulating pharmaceuticals could keep you tossing all night. Among the worst offenders are albuterol, steroids, modafinil, metoclopramide, antidepressants, pseudoephedrine, ciprofloxacin, and others.

6. Chronic pain. Only 36 percent of chronic pain sufferers get regular good sleep, compared to 65 percent of people without pain, according to a 2015 Sleep in America poll conducted by the National Sleep Foundation.

7. Allergies. Your environment matters. Itchy eyes, sinus congestion, and frequent sneezing from dust or pollen allergies can keep you awake.

To improve sleep, keep your bedding and pillows as allergen-free as possible.

Get a clean new bed and buy a zippered bedbug mattress cover immediately.

Consider changing from a down comforter to an organic cotton blanket.

Close the windows if the pollen count is high. Shower before bed.

Remember to change daytime clothes before hopping into bed, and regularly change sheets and pillowcases. Clean your fan blades of accumulated dust.

This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit SuzyCohen.com

www.50plusLifePA.com

On Life and Love after 50

Tom Blake

Recent Widower, Widow Refuse to Give Up Dating Hope

In October, this paper featured an article about Chuck, 78, a Lancaster widower, who had lost his wife of 55 years.

Chuck refused to quit; he refused to give up hope. He wanted a companion, not for marriage, but to pal around with and possibly spend winters together in Florida.

He decided to enter the dating world. One step he took in seeking a mate was to contact me. I wrote the article about him.

Chuck recently sent an update on his dating efforts:

And now, Melinda, a widow from Sonoma County, California, and her story. I met Melinda 11 years ago. She and her boyfriend, Dale, at the time lived two houses away from my mom, who was in her 90s.

They were so good to her, watching out for her, offering to help often and driving her places. I so appreciated their thoughtfulness. I lived 500 miles away, and it was a great relief to me that friendly, caring neighbors were keeping an eye on her.

At the time, I was writing a book

titled, How 50 Couples Found Love After 50. Melinda and Dale met after age 50, while walking on a beach in Sonoma County. They later married.

I loved their story so much I included them in the 50 Couples book.

When the book was published, I sent them an autographed copy.

After my mom passed away, I lost track of Dale and Melinda.

Last month, I received this heartwrenching email from Melinda: “I don’t know if you heard that Dale passed away this January. He developed a brain disease, CJD, that moved very quickly, so that by the time we had a diagnosis, he only lived 18 more days. Hospice was absolutely amazing.

“Then, this past month, our house (we bought it March 2016) burned in the fires here in Sonoma. I got out with my car, in my pajamas, slippers, phone, and wallet. Dale’s ashes scattered among the household items, the books he loved reading, our art collection.

“I was hoping you might still have copies of your How 50 Couples Found Love After 50 book, in which Dale

and I were included as one of the couples. The autographed copy you sent us burned along with everything else. Perhaps you could sign one again for me.

“And, if you get a good lead, I’m not too old to fall in love again. Dale would want me to.”

Melinda’s email shook me to my core. I did not know that Dale had died. And then, to top things off, in October, her home burned in the California fires.

And her very modest, humble request was for me to autograph another copy of the 50 Couples book.

You can imagine how quickly I sent her an autographed copy.

But what Melinda wrote in her last sentence is the takeaway here. Within nine months, she experienced double adversity—losing her husband and her home—and yet, she is picking herself up and moving forward with her life.

I will do my best to send her some dating leads.

Both Chuck the widower and Melinda the widow are inspirations to all seniors: No matter what life throws at us, there is always hope.

For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www.

FindingLoveAfter50.com. To receive an autographed copy of his book at a 50plus LIFE reduced rate, email Tom at tompblake@gmail.com for details.

Puzzle Solutions

“Your article has attracted about 40 responses and kept me busy meeting very interesting people.

“Twenty percent of the responses were promising. A wonderful woman just spent a day with me; I was her first date in over 10 years since her husband died.

“She reread your 50plus LIFE article over 25 times before she shared her thoughts with another couple. They emailed me that I should expect a telephone call from a very wonderful woman who they thought was made for me. They spent $25 to check my criminal record and what they could find about me on the internet.

“It is going to be difficult settling in with just one woman because a solid relationship takes time to build.

“There are some very expensive dating services out there that have

had mixed success. The inexpensive dating websites have worked for many people. I just don’t feel comfortable with them and most seniors don’t either.

“I am impressed by so many wonderful women I have met (including three this week). Fifty-five years ago, I was dating three women and by a process of circumstances, I happened to marry a wonderful woman who turned out to be my best friend. I hope I am as lucky this time as well.

“Hope and time come before love in a relationship!”

Puzzles shown on page 23

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December 2017

25

Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Nutcracker Collectibles Lori Verderame

Some early nutcrackers display metal hinges Nutcrackers span the globe among various or levers. For instance, a lever-forced nutcracker cultures. According to reports, an Italian bronze works with a nut placed in the mouth of a castnutcracker dating back to the 4th century B.C. is metal figure, such as a dog, alligator, or wolf. among the earliest one known. England’s King A nut positioned in the belly of a carved Henry VIII gave Anne Boleyn a nutcracker as a nutcracker figure helps prevent damage to the gift. decorated face, with a lever at the back or an Sparked by famous examples amassed by elongated nose creating a lever for cracking. collectors, an interest in the history of cracking Dating to the 1700s, Italy’s Gröden Valley the nut uncovers three basic methods to free a nut was the famous site for the creation of figural from its shell: percussion, lever, or screw. Materials nutcrackers made of pine and paint. In northern used to make nutcrackers run the gamut, including Italy, carvers produced lever nutcrackers. Wellstone, wood, and metal. known artisan Anton Riffeser established the For instance, nutting stones were found in North Anri woodcarving firm in the 1920s.

America and parts of northern Europe 5,000-8,000 Germany’s Erzgebirge percussion nutcrackers years ago. A nut placed in the depression of a stone Steinbach and Ulbricht nutcrackers, from the Ore Mountain region are popular with was smashed by another stone, called a hammer circa 1960s-1980s. collectors for their tall hats and brightly colored stone, to reveal a nut inside the shell. costumes. Carvers from Norway, Denmark, and Nutcrackers may be carved from pine, cedar, Sweden produce highly recognizable nutcracker figures of fishermen, street spruce, or other conifer trees. Linden, beech, ash, oak, or boxwood often vendors, and seafarers. are chosen among deciduous trees. With a wooden screw-type nutcracker, German makers Otto Ulbricht and the Steinbach firm became known for introduced in the 17th century, a nut sits in an open cavity of the cracker and a nutcrackers with fanciful accessories. Holiday forms often include reindeer, screw comes down hard enough to crack it.

Santa Claus, or characters from, of course, The Nutcracker Suite.

4 Ivory was tried but could not withstand the force of repeated use. Highstyle china table settings included porcelain nutcrackers. The top of a famous 4 porcelain screw nutcracker by Meissen, with a brass wheel for crushing the nut, matched a china pattern.

Once nuts were cracked, metal picks became necessary to dislodge them.

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December 2017

50plus LIFE p

Celebrity appraiser Dr. Lori Verderame is an internationally syndicated columnist, author, and award-winning TV personality who stars on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Discovery’s Auction Kings. With a Ph.D. from Penn State University, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events to worldwide audiences. Visit www.DrLoriV.com/events or call (888) 431-1010.

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Is that Still Safe to Eat? Is that fruitcake that’s been in your pantry since last year safe to eat?

Maybe not, but the CNN website offers this list of foods you can safely store for years: Honey. Because it’s low in water and sugars, bacteria can’t easily grow in it. Small amounts of hydrogen peroxide in honey also inhibit the growth of microbes.

Dried legumes. Beans, lentils, and other legumes stored in airtight, waterproof containers can last for years without losing their nutritional value.

Soy sauce. Unopened, soy sauce can last for three years on the

shelf, thanks to its combination of fermentation and salt.

Vinegar. Its acidic nature makes it difficult for bacteria to thrive. White vinegar will stay unchanged almost indefinitely, but other vinegars may change color or produce sediment in the bottle over time.

White rice. The key is temperature. White rice stored in an airtight container at about 27 degrees Fahrenheit can last up to 30 years, although brown rice has a shorter shelf life.

Dark chocolate. Chocolate fans rejoice! As long as it’s stored at a constant temperature, dark chocolate is safe to eat for two years or longer.

Volunteer Spotlight Longtime Volunteer Serves Less Fortunate community. She also volunteers Rosita Velez is the RSVP Lebanon County Volunteer in the Salvation Army of the Month. She is kitchen, where she enjoys sharing her talents. originally from Añasco, Puerto Rico, and has Velez also volunteers with the American Red been living in the city of Cross in their outreach Lebanon for 13 years.

Velez has been a very program in Lebanon. humanitarian person all She has two daughters, her life and has served two sons, and two in a wide range of Rosita Velez grandchildren. circumstances. She has For further information about volunteer opportunities with served through RSVP in many of RSVP in Lebanon County, contact these opportunities.

Velez has volunteered with Margie Groy, RSVP Lebanon the Salvation Army in Lebanon County development coordinator, for 12 years, helping in the at (717) 454-8647 or lancleb@ rsvpcapreg.org.

Second Harvest program for the 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 LIFE’s Volunteer Spotlight!

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

www.50plusLifePA.com

“Be a friend. Change a life.”

Volunteers NEEDed Make a difference and be a friend to someone who is lonely and isolated. All it takes is 4 hours per month, with training and support provided.

Caring adults like you are matched in one-to-one supportive friendships with people of the same gender who are living with mental illness.

Are you a veteran?

We need your help to be a friend to a fellow veteran who is living with a mental illness.

You can help a person in mental health recovery by giving the gift of friendship this holiday season!

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December 2017

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