Personalized Gifts Grandkids Can Make —
By Kimberly Blaker
That Won’t Break Their Piggy Banks
As the holidays approach, are your grandkids scrounging to buy gifts they can’t afford?
If so, here are some fun craft ideas you can work on together next time they visit that are great gifts your grandkids can make and give.
Tell a story with photos. Create a memory page to add to a friend or relative’s scrapbook. Buy a package of blank scrapbook pages. Then choose a theme such as “my best friend,” “sports car shows,” or “when I was little.”
Design each page using stickers, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, photos, magazine pictures, and fun sayings or descriptions that fit the theme.
Present service coupons. Offer a free evening of babysitting, a week
Thank You, Columnists!
We at On-Line Publishers would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the editorial contributors of 50 plus Life
It is through the varied interests and considerable talents of our contributors and freelance writers that such a range of informative and entertaining content is available to read each month. The pages of 50 plus Life are enriched by your contributions!
Tom Blake (On Life and Love after 50)
Kimberly Blaker
Victor Block (Willing to Wander)
Fred Cicetti (The Healthy Geezer)
Suzy Cohen (Dear Pharmacist)
Jonathen J. David (Legal Ease)
Bob DeLaurentis (Bob’s Tech Talk)
Randal C. Hill (‘70s Flashback Blast to the Past The Reel Deal)
Bill Levine (Booming Voice)
Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature)
Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior)
Doris Montag (The History of Ordinary Things)
Melinda Myers (Melinda’s Garden)
James Patterson
Nancy Schaaf (Nurse Nancy)
Terri Schlichenmeyer (The Bookworm Sez)
Dr. Lori Verderame (Art and Antiques)
Arthur Vidro (The Cautious Consumer Guy)
of taking out the trash, making their sister’s bed, pet sitting, lawn mowing, ironing, or another task they can do.
Shape decorative soaps. Grate bars of inexpensive white soap. Then mix approximately a half cup of warm water with a cup of shredded soap. Add food coloring to the water to create colored soap. Knead the mixture. Add additional warm water as necessary until it forms like dough.
Next, fill cookie cutters with the mixture or flatten it on a sheet of waxed paper and trim into shapes. Let the soap dry slightly. Then press with small leaves or other designs. Allow the decorative soaps to dry for 24 hours, flipping them occasionally.
Design their own pens and pencils. Purchase sheets of large white labels and cut them into 1.5-
14TH ANNUAL
Sierra Club-Lancaster Group Polar Bear 5K Trail Run/Hike
DATE: Saturday, January 18, 2025
R ACE START: 10 A.M.
Dogs on a leash are welcome!
LOCATION: Lancaster County Central Park Pavilion 22 (Kiwanis Lodge)
This is the 5K fun race that awards numerous unique prizes and colorful ribbons. Recipients include the overall top three male and female finishers, the first, second and third place winners in numerous age and gender categories, and the first three finishers (any age group) who race with their dogs. Special door and dog prizes also are presented!
R ACE FEES: $30 through January 5, 2025; and $35 from January 6, 2025, through race day (also the fee for race day walk-ins).
Each Participant will receive a commemorative mug included with their entry.
• All money raised by this event, the Sierra Club - Lancaster Group’s major fundraiser, supports local efforts to ease climate change, the reason polar bears and other creatures are at risk of extinction. Funds raised in the 2025 race will help finance the Group’s popular “green project” grant program, which (over the past nine years) has awarded grants of up to $500 to 95 Lancaster County organizations with environmental preservations projects. The money also will help support the Group’s free-to-the public outdoor activities and educational programs.
For more information and to register, visit runsignup.com/Race/PA/ Lancaster/SierraClubLancasterGroupPolarBear5KTrailRunHike, or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sierraclublancaster.
By participating in this race you will be making tracks for change!
inch strips. Design the pieces with colored markers. Then wrap the design around the length of the pens or pencils.
Personalize them by adding a smaller label to the center of the pencil with “World’s Greatest Grandma” or another catchy phrase. To protect the pencil design, wrap it with transparent scotch tape.
Make a placemat. Choose a subject of interest to your gift recipient, such as model cars or Barbie dolls. Clip pictures from magazines and catalogs. Then glue them to an 11x17-inch sheet of paper. Overlap the images to create a collage, or spread them apart and share details about each.
When they’re done, laminate the design with self-adhesive laminating sheets or have it laminated at an office supply store.
Create bookmarks. Cut colored paper into 2x7-inch strips and then design the pieces with colored pencils and markers. Or clip fancy borders from magazines.
Find out the gift recipient’s favorite author, artist, or historical figure. Then look the person up in a book of quotations. Select a quote, type or write it out, and add it to the bookmark. Then laminate it for protection.
Give magnetic photos. Cut a piece of cardboard from a cereal box to match the size of a photo. Then glue it to the back of the photo for support. Last, glue a small magnet to the cardboard. Now it’s a photo magnet.
Fashion a holiday pin. Buy a package of large safety pins and a small bag of multicolored beads. Open one safety pin. Then dangle several safety pins onto it through the eye at the bottom of those pins. Close the open pin. Then thread colored beads onto the dangling safety pins.
The kids can design a Christmas tree, heart, flag, or whatever their imaginations desire.
Construct a puzzle photo frame. Cut a piece of firm cardboard to the desired size of the frame. An adult should then trim out the center with a razor knife, leaving a 1- to 2-inch-thick frame.
Next, trace the outside edge of the frame onto another piece of thin cardboard, and cut it out. Place a sheet of colored paper between the two pieces of cardboard. Glue the paper and two pieces of cardboard together. Glue jigsaw puzzle pieces around the frame, overlapping each other to cover the entire thickness of the frame. Let the frame dry. Then brush a layer of glue over the puzzle pieces to prevent them from falling off. Stick the photo in the opening of the frame with double-sided tape.
Compose a memory book. Buy a composition book from the office supply store. Cover it with construction paper, then design and decorate the cover. Inside, have the kids write memories of special times they’ve had with the person to whom they’ll present it.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera; and more at sagerarebooks.com
Cover Story
Words from the Publisher and editors
fiNAL PUBLiCATioN
All subscriptions will be reviewed to determine refund status.
As appropriate, partial refunds may be issued. Please call (717) 285-1350 with questions.
CorPor ATe offiCe
P.O. Box 8049, Lancaster, PA 17604
Phone (717) 285-1350
Fax (717) 285-1360
Email 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
Lauren Phillips
BUSiNeSS DeVeLoPMeNT
Senior Marketing Consultant
Joshua Binkley
events Manager
Kimberly Shaffer
ADMiNiSTr ATioN
Business Manager
Elizabeth Duvall
Member of
Awards
50 plus Life is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community.
On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature.
Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.
We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.
Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Colleagues,
For nearly 30 years, I’ve been privileged to work with a wonderful team of individuals to produce publications and events in south-central Pennsylvania that bring consumers, businesses, and service organizations together.
It was a difficult decision to conclude the journey of On-Line Publishers, but as they say, all good things must come to an end. I will be retiring and closing the business at the end of 2024.
In 1995, I began a journey to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the senior community in Lancaster County. Volunteering at the Lancaster County Office of Aging led to the creation of Senior News (now 50 plus Life), a free monthly publication with content specific to the interests of mature consumers.
Fortunately, local businesses who serve this demographic were interested in advertising their products and services, which funded the publication. The journey continued and the audience grew as we reached surrounding counties, including Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York.
Over the years we added 50 plus EXPOs to bring readers and advertisers together in person to further discuss their needs and the products and services that could enhance their lives.
We also added a focus on professional women with
Hello, Readers,
Opportunities present themselves in our lives, and we don’t know where they will lead. About 27 years ago I took a part-time position that turned into a wonderful and whirlwind 27-year experience.
I started out doing some bookkeeping and editing 50 plus Life (then Senior News). As the company grew, Megan Joyce took over as the editor of 50 plus Life, and I turned my attention to new publications we were introducing, such as BUSINESSWoman magazine, beyond50 , Caregiver Solution S magazine, 50 plus Living guide, b magazine, and Lancaster City Living … as well as other specialty focuses. And of course we were hosting expos and expanding our coverage into new counties.
In addition to her work as the editor of 50 plus Life, Megan was instrumental in proofing all of our publications and event materials. Lauren Phillips, our production artist of many years, and Renee Petros (a past but longtime production artist) kept their creative juices flowing, coming up with new cover ideas and formatting and laying out our many publications, as well as the plethora of work associated with marketing our publications and events.
I have met many wonderful people during my
BUSINESSWoman magazine and Women’s Expos; b magazine, a full-gloss magazine for baby boomers; and the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fair to connect our area’s veterans with resources and employment opportunities.
Many, many publications and more than 200 events later, we arrive at today, where we deliver the final edition of our 50 plus Life publication, and just last month we wrapped up our final expo.
“Thank you” just doesn’t quite express the immense gratitude I feel for the many wonderful relationships that have evolved over the years. I am eternally grateful to our readers, advertisers, sponsors, exhibitors, and expo attendees who allowed this journey to continue for nearly three decades.
No one individual can be credited with our success, but it surely wouldn’t have been possible without the commitment of our team: Christianne Rupp, Vice President and Managing Editor; Elizabeth Duvall, Business Manager; Stanley Anderson, CFO; Kimberly Shaffer, Event Manager; Megan Joyce, Editor; Lauren Phillips, Production Artist; and Joshua Binkley, Senior Marketing Consultant.
As I close, I will wish that the good things of life will be yours in abundance, not only at Thanksgiving but throughout the coming years.
years as managing editor and account representative. I will miss those I have worked with over these many years and members I’ve come to know at the monthly SOS meetings. And since we’ve hosted more than 200 50 plus EXPOs and Women’s Expos, I’ve come to recognize many of you and enjoyed seeing your smiling faces from year to year.
It’s hard to make the decision to retire. What started out as a small part of my life, became a great source of fulfillment. Many of the staff of On-Line Publishers are now my extended family.
And thank you to our loyal readers, advertisers, exhibitors, and expo guests. It has been a pleasure serving you over these many years.
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. – Traditional Irish Blessing
Wishing you the best in life,
Christianne Rupp
Vice President & Managing Editor
Dear Readers,
It is with both sadness and gratitude that I announce that this issue of 50 plus Life will be On-Line Publishers’ last.
Started in 1995 out of the home of company president Donna Anderson as a way to connect seniors with information and resources, 50 plus Life (originally Senior News) has served central Pennsylvania’s older adults for nearly 30 years. Its initial success enabled OLP to eventually expand its outreach with the creation of our 50 plus EXPOs, in-person community events that made manifest the company’s original mission: “serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community.”
I have served as 50 plus Life’s editor for more than 17 years, taking over the mantle from longtime editor Christianne Rupp, now OLP’s vice president, who showed me the ropes and then handed over the reins (how’s that for a mixed metaphor?) to let me make the publication my own.
For me personally, producing this publication has given me the deep satisfaction of putting to noble use the language skills I sought a degree for — but more importantly, 50 plus Life gave me a means to honor the genetic gifts I inherited from my maternal grandmother, who worked well into her later years as a copyeditor and never met a piece of punctuation she didn’t like.
I am grateful she lived long enough to see me continue her occupational legacy and that she and I could enjoy “talking shop.”
We owe a special thank you to the many talented writers and columnists who have contributed to 50 plus Life over the years, whose wordsmithing gave
our pages both variety and vibrancy.
And we offer sincere gratitude to the advertisers whose support enabled us to offer this publication to our community free of charge for nearly three decades.
I owe both professional and personal thanks to Renee Petros and Lauren Phillips, production artists and graphic designers extraordinaire, who were my workplace “other halves” these last 17+ years in the monthly creation of 50 plus Life. I brought them each issue’s words; they blended them with ads and images and artistry to give the publication its architecture and its visual signature.
I deeply enjoyed the monthly challenge of crafting each issue into something I hoped people of all ages would find value in — but that spoke most directly to our region’s older adults, with both the focus and respect they deserve.
I’ve wanted 50 plus Life to be a thoughtfully created, entertaining, and truly helpful monthly funnel for information and resources, a special blend of lifestyle, health and wellness, financial, and fun content in each and every issue I produced — all 213 of them.
With gratitude,
Megan R. Joyce
Editor, 50plus Publications
The evolution of 50 plus Life’s name and look over the years.
Dear Savvy Senior,
Savvy Senior
Best CPAP Alternatives for Sleep Apnea
I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea and have been trying to use a CPAP device for the past six months but can’t tolerate it. Are there any alternative treatment options you can tell me about?
– Sleepy Sam
Dear Sam,
I’m sorry to hear your CPAP mask is keeping you awake at night, but I’m happy to hear you’re addressing your obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) problem. Left untreated, OSA is linked to daytime sleepiness and an increased risk of anxiety, diabetes, hypertension, and stroke.
For those whose aren’t familiar, OSA causes your breathing to pause during sleep because something blocks your airway, like your tongue or relaxed throat muscles. Losing weight, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol can all help ease obstructive sleep apnea symptoms, such as snoring.
The primary treatment for people with moderate or severe OSA is a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine, which keeps your airway open by pumping air through a mask you wear over your mouth and/ or nose when you sleep.
But many people, like yourself, have difficulty tolerating CPAP and don’t stick with it. CPAP machines have become smaller and quieter, however, with more comfortable options available.
And for some people with mild to moderate OSA, less invasive alternatives to CPAP may be worth considering. Here are several to ask your doctor about.
Dental device: This is designed to move the jaw so the tongue shifts toward the front of the mouth to help keep the airway open. It’s one of the primary alternatives to CPAP and can also be used with CPAP to help make severe obstructive sleep apnea milder.
A dentist who specializes in sleep medicine (find one through the American
Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine at dentalsleep.org) will be able to customize its fit to help your breathing without causing harm to your bite or teeth. These custom-made oral appliances can cost between $2,000 and $4,000 but may be covered by insurance.
There are much cheaper options available online to treat snoring, but experts say these may not help with OSA and could move teeth out of place or cause jaw issues if they’re not properly fitted.
Position therapy: For some, sleeping on the back can make obstructive sleep apnea dramatically worse. In these cases, switching to side sleeping — perhaps using pillows or a tennis ball attached to a shirt back — can sometimes help.
Tongue trainer: In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration approved a tongue-stimulating device for mild sleep apnea called eXciteOSA (exciteosa. com), which people wear for 20 minutes a day for six weeks and then 20 minutes a couple of times a week indefinitely. It costs $1,650 and is not covered by insurance.
Surgery: Those who can’t tolerate CPAP could have upper airway surgery to reduce the size of their soft palate or other tissue in their throat. But such options don’t always work, have serious potential complications, and cannot be reversed. So, in general, they should not be first-line treatments.
A newer option is a surgically implanted device called Inspire (inspiresleep. com). Approved in 2014, it stimulates a nerve that moves your tongue to keep your airway open. Inspire can be removed if it is not tolerated, but it should also be tried only if someone is unable to use CPAP, and it is not an option for everyone.
Drug therapy: A new study, recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine, found that tirzepatide — the main ingredient found in Type 2 diabetes medication Mounjaro and weight-loss treatment Zepbound — helps reduce symptom severity by almost two-thirds in adults with obesity and obstructive sleep apnea. Ask your doctor about this option.
Dennis Steinmetz dsteinco@aol.com
www.steinmetzcoins.com LANCASTER 350 Centerville Rd. 299-1211 or 800-334-3903
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.
Jim Miller
Puzzle Page
Across
Scored on serve
Billiards stroke
Sobriquet for Haydn
Reactor part 15. Utopian 16. Arab chieftain
Mangle 18. Unwavering 19. Competent 20. Leave out word
Dog pest
Extended period
Ventilates
Ancient military hub
Sweeney Todd creator Down
Pinnacle
Rock’s Clapton
29. Musical group
32. Bohr’s study
33. Vase
34. Needle
36. Cupolas
40. Wife of Osiris
42. Waste allowances
44. Menu option
45. Crowns
47. “Nothing ___!”
49. It’s made in Japan
50. Shipshape
52. Caribbean Islands group
23. Footless animal
26. Well built
28. Andy’s sidekick
29. Wisecrack
30. Bear dipper
31. “What’s ___ for me?”
32. Ancient Greek state
Go yachting
Firstborn
Stew morsel
Color of honey
Kitchen light
Combat zone
35. Modern (prefix)
37. Poet Angelou
38. Balanced
39. D.C. group
41. Moss capsule
43. Commissary
46. Spill the beans
54. Station identification?
57. Area unit
58. ___-Magnon
59. Rowels
62. Eucalyptus eaters
66. Epitaph starter
68. V.I.P.
70. Severe blow
71. Verse form
72. Honshu port
73. Form of ether
74. Repose
75. Fertilizer ingredient
76. Stagger
48. Greek sandwich
51. Church official
53. Scanty
54. Yellow-orange
55. French pancake
56. Pamplona runners
60. He loved Lucy
61. Thin strip
63. Rural route
64. African flower
65. Order to a broker
67. Guinness suffix
69. Scratch (out)
Social Security Announces 2.5% Benefit i ncrease for 2025
The Social Security Administration Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase 2.5% in 2025.
On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January.
Over the last decade, the COLA increase has averaged about 2.6%. The COLA was 3.2% in 2024.
Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see the cost-ofliving adjustment beginning in January 2025. Increased payments to nearly 7.5 million people receiving SSI will begin on Dec. 31, 2024. (Note: Some people receive both Social Security benefits and SSI).
“Social Security benefits and SSI payments will increase in 2025, helping tens of millions of people keep up with expenses even as inflation has started to cool,” said Martin O’Malley, commissioner of Social Security. Some other adjustments that take effect in January of each year are
Looking for entertainment?
Booking shows for any occasion!
We have many variety shows featuring the music from the 1930s to the 60s. Songs by legendary artists like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Kay Starr, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, and the Mills Brothers.
Specialty shows include …
Songs from the WWII Years • The Post WWII Years: 1945 – 1955
AMERICA: From Sea to Shining Sea Salute to the Rat Pack (or if you prefer, just Sinatra)
Elvis & Patsy • Classic Country
Please contact Memory Music to book your next event!
based on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum) is slated to increase to $176,100 from $168,600.
Social Security begins notifying people about their new benefit amount by mail starting in early December.
This year, for the first time, Social Security beneficiaries will receive a newly designed and improved COLA notice that makes it easier for customers to find the information they need most.
The simplified COLA notice is now only one page, uses plain and personalized language, and provides exact dates and dollar amounts of a person’s new benefit amount and any deductions.
Individuals who have a personal my Social Securit y account can view their COLA notice online, which is secure, easy, and faster than receiving a letter in the mail.
People can set up text or email alerts when there is a new message — such as their COLA notice — waiting for them in my Social Securit y.
People need to have set up a personal my Social Securit y account by Nov. 20 to see their COLA notice online.
Information about Medicare changes for 2025 will be available at medicare.gov. For Social Security beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare, the 2025 benefit amount was available via my Social Security’s Message Center starting in late November.
Those who have not opted to receive messages online will receive their COLA notice by mail in December.
The Social Security Act provides for how the COLA is calculated. The act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Source: Social Security Administration
Almost 6 million people in the U.S. care for an ill or disabled partner
WSA addresses the unique challenges that well spouses face every day. If you could benefit from this information, please join us!
Meetings held 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month 7:00 p.m. – Wegmans, 2000 Crossings Blvd., Lancaster, PA 17601
Tom & Randi LaNasa “MEMORY MUSIC”
‘Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds’
Lucy O’Donnell was 4 years old when she attended the upscale Heath House School in Weybridge, Surrey, England. One of her best friends there was John Lennon’s son, Julian, who arrived at school each day in a Rolls-Royce.
Years later, in a BBC interview, O’Donnell recalled, “I remember Julian and I both doing pictures on a doublesided easel and throwing paint at each other, much to the horror of the classroom attendant. Julian painted a picture of me.”
The lad’s 5”x7” paper artwork showed O’Donnell floating in an orange haze among stars that he called “diamonds.” That afternoon, the boy took his creation home and proudly showed it to his dad.
“Lucy
By elton John December 2024
Lennon loved the image. It reminded him of a scene from Lewis Carroll’s classic Through the Looking Glass, in which Alice floats in a boat beneath a sunny sky. Lennon immediately summoned Beatles partner Paul McCartney to work up a song inspired by Julian’s picture.
Four days later, the two had “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” ready to be added to what would become the quartet’s LP masterpiece, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band . (The name supposedly derived from the Dr Pepper drink, unavailable in the U.K. until 1982 and enjoyed by the Beatles whenever they toured America.)
Recording at London’s Abbey Road studios, the Fab Four spent 700 drugfueled hours recording psychedelic-inspired music that would, in essence, sweep away traditional rock ’n’ roll and usher in sophisticated “rock art.”
Much of the creation of Sgt. Pepper was McCartney’s idea, including the wearing of marching-band uniforms and displaying the songs’ lyrics on the back of the 1967 album.
Although drugs had fueled the “Lucy” recording, the tune itself, according to Lennon, had nothing to do with lysergic acid diethylamide — LSD.
“Until somebody pointed it out, I never even thought of it,” he said later. “I mean, who would ever bother to look at the initials of a title?”
As 1974 drew to a close, Elton John’s version of “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” gave him his third No. 1 American single when his MCA Records disc topped the Hot 100 chart for two weeks.
His friend (and the song’s co-creator) John Lennon had provided some guitar work and backup vocals along the way, although Lennon forgot some of the chords during the recording session.
OK, so “Lucy” supposedly wasn’t about drugs, but no one can deny that many of the lyrics are “trippy”:
Picture yourself in a boat on a river
With tangerine trees and marmalade skies
Somebody calls you, you answer quite slowly
A girl with kaleidoscope eyes
Lucy O’Donnell (later Lucy Vodden) appreciated the Beatles’ music but did once admit, “As a teenager, I made the mistake of telling a couple of friends at school I was the Lucy in the song. They said, ‘No, it’s not about you. My parents said it’s about drugs.’ And I didn’t know what LSD was at the time, so I just kept it quiet, to myself.”
Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.
Lancaster County Office of Aging
Are you a Lancaster County resident who is 55 years and older seeking full or part-time employment? e 55 + Job Bank program through the Employment Unit at the Office of Aging offers various employment possibilities to meet your goals. Based on an evaluation of your skills and abilities, we can match you with a position needed by a local employer. Some employers are specifically looking for mature workers because of the dependability, reliability, and experience they bring to the workplace. Full-time and part-time positions require varying skill levels and experience, with a wide range of financial compensation. Interested candidates should contact the Office of Aging Employment Unit at 717-299-7979 or by email aging@lancastercountypa.gov
Lancaster County Office of Aging 150 North Queen St., Suite 415 Lancaster, PA 17603
randal Hill
Photo credit: Steve Morley- redferns
elton John and John Lennon share the stage at Madison Square Garden 1974.
in the Sky with Diamonds”
find Holiday Tranquility with 5 Herbal Teas
With the bustling holiday season, finding calm amidst the festive chaos is essential.
While wine and cocktails are popular choices, the serenity brought by herbal teas should not be underestimated. I always carry a selection of high-quality, organic herbal teas, especially during travels, as they offer a personalized touch that hotel teas don’t provide.
Herbal teas, known for their soothing qualities, are ideal for the holiday rush. They’re not only calming, but they also carry medicinal benefits.
Their universal appeal is evident across cultures, each with its unique herbal traditions. My collection of herbs in mason jars is a testament to my passion for natural remedies!
The cultural significance of herbal teas is profound. From chamomile
Merry christmas
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 2024.
We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50 plus Life a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment for our readers in central Pennsylvania.
The staff of On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.
Let’s talk about that next.
in ancient Egypt to the green tea ceremonies in Japan, these brews have been central to wellness practices for ages. Their health benefits and diverse flavors are recognized worldwide.
Why choose herbal teas for the holidays? It’s an understandable question when there’s a dazzling array of alcohol everywhere. And the obvious answer is that herbal teas don’t damage your liver or intoxicate you and make you unfit to drive!
Incorporating herbal teas into your holiday regimen (as opposed to liquors) offers various advantages too. They’re often hydrating, which is vital for our bodies during colder months, and they also benefit mind and body.
1. Chamomile: Known for its calming effect, it’s perfect for relaxing during holiday activities. However, pregnant women should limit their intake, and those allergic to certain flowers should avoid it. Chamomile’s apigenin content aids sleep and reduces insomnia.
2. Peppermint : Beyond its festive flavor, peppermint tea aids digestion and eases stomach discomfort, making it ideal after holiday feasts.
3. Cinnamon: This spice isn’t just for pies. Cinnamon tea’s warming quality is great for chilly nights. It also helps regulate blood sugar, which is beneficial during holiday indulgences.
4. Ginger: Known for its digestive and immune-boosting properties, ginger extract adds zest to your holiday table.
5. Rosehips: A lesser-known choice, rosehips are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and add a unique tangy flavor to holiday blends. Rosehips grow at the base of the blossom of roses.
Creating a personalized tea blend is an art; that’s why I’ve listed five herbs above. Balance the flavors and consider the desired health benefits. Choose organic, fresh herbs for potency. Opt for loose-leaf over bagged teas for a fuller experience.
Herbal teas can enhance holiday gatherings, like post-dinner tea sessions or holiday tea parties. They can even be mixed into festive cocktails for a unique twist.
These natural remedies offer a historical connection and a source of relaxation during the holiday season.
This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.
Suzy Cohen
The Beauty in Nature Two Hollies
American holly trees and winterberry shrubs (a type of deciduous holly) are two kinds of hollies that are native to the eastern United States, including southeastern Pennsylvania.
And they are appropriate to winter and the holiday season because of the attractive, deep-green foliage on American hollies in winter and the decorative, bright-red berries on female plants of both these related species.
Wild American hollies grow sparingly in woods along the Susquehanna River in Lancaster and York counties, including on the Lower Susquehanna’s islands. And they are common in forests in Maryland and farther south.
Interestingly, many American holly trees have leaf-covered shapes that resemble partly opened umbrellas. Those trees offer shelter to small birds from snow, rain, cold wind, and predators.
American hollies have thick leaves throughout the year, which add to their winter beauty. And that appealing foliage highlights the eye-catching red berries on green-leafed female hollies through winter and into early spring.
Individual plants of both these related kinds of hollies are either male or female. Pollen blows from male flowers onto female blooms, which form green berries that grow and ripen to bright, wonderful red. If people want lovely holly berries of either kind on their lawns, they must plant at least one male plant among the females.
Winterberries shed their leaves in autumn and are bare through winter,
exposing the females’ red berries to our adoring eyes. This holly’s habitat is in swamps of bare, deciduous trees.
The females’ scarlet berries are a readily noticeable, inspiring highlight in those woods through winter and into spring. These shrubs grow up to about 10 feet high and bear many berries that brighten their wooded habitats.
Raccoons, opossums, rodents, and other kinds of mammals ingest many holly berries through winter and into early spring. And a variety of berry-eating birds — including American robins, starlings, cedar waxwings, and other species — consume many of them as well. I’ve seen large, exciting flocks of starlings and robins stripping trees and bushes of their delightful red berries.
The birds digest the pulp of berries but pass the seeds, often miles from the parent plants. As a result, I’ve seen many young, volunteer American hollies in woods and on lawns, including our own lawn!
American hollies and winterberries bear tiny white flowers late in spring. Insects sip nectar from those blooms, pollinating the blossoms in the process. American hollies and winterberries are delightful woody plants to experience in winter and around the holidays. The dark-green foliage of American hollies and the scarlet berries of both species are truly delightful to behold!
Clyde McMillan-Gamber is a retired Lancaster County Parks naturalist.
Clyde McMillan-Gamber
American holly
Winterberry
Lori
Vintage Holiday Brooches
During the holidays, we dress in our best clothes, shoes, and hats. Yet, when it comes to jewelry, albeit fine or costume, a big statement piece makes a holiday outfit stand out.
Earrings, necklaces, and bracelets are must-have accessories for holiday style, and a brooch tops off any blouse, blazer, sweater, or coat.
When evaluating holiday brooches, there are some aspects of the popular keepsakes that should not be overlooked. Gemstones, like rubies and emeralds, are often the choice of the season because of their red and green colors.
Precious metals, like silver, are popular during the winter holidays. It’s true that if it’s good enough for the bells, then it’s good enough for the bling.
One-Floor Living
Open House Dates
Villages at Greenfield (formerly Eastwood Village) offers:
Land Lease Community
High-quality manufactured homes on foundations
Covered Front Porches
Energy Star Certified
Landscape package included
Optional Garage / Storage Shed
Natural Gas Community
Public Water and Sewer
Of course, gold jewelry pieces — including rose gold, yellow gold, or white gold — are always in fashion. These pretty and precious metals are the basis for any goodlooking brooch.
Settings
When choosing a holiday brooch, the importance of a brooch’s setting is important. Look for classic settings like wreaths, circles, or natural forms, such as poinsettias, holly, evergreen trees, etc.
Prongs are a quality indicator for both fine and costume jewelry brooches. Remember, the more prongs on a brooch to hold a gemstone or faux gemstone in place, the better. Most faceted-cut gemstones are set with at least four prongs; it is better to have six or more. Prongs should be curved and tightly secured to the gemstone on a brooch.
Like prongs, which come in various types, pinback clasps come in a variety of types too. Some typical pinback clasps are c-clasps resembling the letter “C,” trombone clasps, barrel clasps, and rotating clasps. All are made to secure a fancy brooch to any garment.
Styles
For holiday brooches, prevalent styles are those that resemble wreaths, candles, or winter-themed objects like sleighs, snowmen, or snowflakes. Figural brooches of Santa Claus, elves, reindeer, Hanukkah menorahs, dreidels, and other seasonal objects are popular.
Collectors know that brooches are making a big comeback on the vintage fashion scene. Today’s holiday fashion demands that a bigger vintage brooch is a better brooch. These big brooches, called statement brooches, command high values on the market.
Vintage brooches from the mid-1900s to the end of the 20th century enjoy a very active resale market online on platforms like eBay, Etsy, Thrilling, and
Lori Verderame
Credit: Staff of drloriv.com
Assorted holiday brooches.
Gemstones
The most popular gemstones or faux gemstones used in holiday brooches are red and green stones. Red stones, such as garnets and rubies, and green stones, like emeralds, peridots, and jades, highlight the holiday color scheme. These color pairs attract the eye using color theory: red and green are complementary colors that stimulate the optic nerve and attract one’s eyes to the color pair.
Colorless or white gemstones, such as pearls, crystals, rhinestones, and diamonds, are used by holiday jewelry designers to recall a wintery mood suggestive of white snow, crystals, or angels’ sparkling wings.
Blue topaz and aquamarines are often paired with pearls in holiday brooches to conjure the feeling of the season’s cold and icy wintry weather, too.
In addition to these precious gems, faux gemstones are integrated into holiday brooch design, like blue Austrian crystals or carved cabochon stones such as carnelian, chalcedony, and aventurine.
When it comes to fine jewelry, look for high-quality materials, gemstones, and stunning modern designs by some of the most impressive designers like David Yurman, Chanel, Cartier, etc.
For vintage costume or faux jewelry collectors, brooches by Hattie Carnegie, Miriam Haskell, Ben Amun, Trifari, and Eisenberg have good value and strong market interest.
Happy holidays.
Dr. Lori Verderame is a Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality. Dr. Lori appears on Netflix’s King of Collectibles and History channel’s Pawn Stars Do America and The Curse of Oak Island. She presents her live stage show, Dr. Lori’s Antiques Appraisal Comedy Tour, at venues nationwide. See youtube.com/drloriv and drloriv.com or call (888) 431-1010.
Credit: Staff of drloriv.com Assorted holiday brooches.
By Lynda hudzick
Although the art of tie dye goes back almost 2,000 years — originating with the art of shibori, an ancient Japanese dying technique — we still tend to think of it as something that began just a few decades ago as a way for young people to express themselves.
Today, expressing himself creatively is exactly what Ed Dodds does through his work with tie dye. But he does also admit that “I guess most people would call me an old hippie,” he said. “I do make tie dye and enjoy the music of the Grateful Dead.”
This Lancaster County native, a proud father of four and grandfather of 10, has always enjoyed sharing his creative side. He began playing guitar at a young age and has since mastered several musical instruments.
For more than three decades he has also worked as a chef, where he enjoys doing elaborate plate and buffet presentations.
Although both of those passions are definitely considered art forms, Dodds said, “I have always appreciated art but was never able to draw or paint very well.”
So he found an art form that suited him and his unique skill set very well, and one that didn’t involving painting or drawing. He became a tie dye artist.
Dodds believes he’s been tie dyeing for about 35 years, having gotten involved with it with his first wife. He recalls hosting tie dye parties in those early days, even before his children were born.
“I found a photo of my son wearing a nice dye as an infant,” he said. “He is now 31, so it’s been a while.”
Known for his unusual and intricate design work, Dodds explained some of the differences between the simple tie dye process of using paint on fabric, which we’re all a bit familiar with, and what he likes to do.
“Most of the cheaper dyes are surface dyes,” he said. “They sit on top of the fabric and eventually wash out. I use fiberreactive dye that requires natural fabric. Fiber-reactive dyes bond with the natural cellulose molecules and form a permanent bond.”
Dodds also likes to use something called an ice dye process that gives his work a unique look. Most people think of the process of applying dye in terms of squirting liquid on a shirt, but ice dyeing
Colorful Creativity
is different.
“Think of a color like purple,” he said. “The dye powder may be made up of four to five colors. I use the dye powder and cover the shirt in ice — sometimes with the powder under the ice, sometimes on top of the ice, sometimes both. With ice, you will see those colors separate.”
One of the hardest parts with an icedyed project is waiting to see how it turns out. A project “needs to sit for at least 24 hours after the ice melts,” Dodds said.
“When it is ready, you need to rinse, rinse, and rinse. I wash it once in cold and twice in hot water to make sure all the dye is removed. I wouldn’t want someone to have a shirt bleed into their other laundry.”
Shirts aren’t the only items that have been touched by the creativity of Ed Dodds.
“I’ve dyed just about anything that will take dye,” he said. “Tapestries are fun. Socks are a popular item. Also yoga pants, onesies, shoes, tote bags, and scrunchies. I like thrifting for dresses and men’s dress shirts. My first wife is a talented seamstress, and she would take pieces of dyed fabric and make pillow covers or purses.”
Dodds has taught classes in tie dye, sharing his love of the art with others.
“I’ve done classes for a couple that wanted to do a family picture of everyone in tie dye,” he said. “My daughter and I once taught a group of about 200 people over six hours. That was interesting.”
How does he come up with design ideas for all those various items?
“There is a ton of inspiration out there,” Dodds said. “I usually start the folding process with an idea in my head of what the shirt will look like. The shirt doesn’t always cooperate, which is part of the beauty of tie dye.”
He also likes to build on a technique he has used before, trying variations of it or combining it with another.
“Geode-looking dyes are great,” Dodds said. “I also like gravity dyes. This is where the shirt actually hangs off the side of a table or something else, and the dye slowly runs down.”
Some of his designs are more popular than others, and so when he is going to an art show, for example, “I make the design of a shirt that has sold well in the past and that I know people will buy. Sometimes the balance of art and business don’t
Photo credit: Abby Holbach
ed Dodds and just a few examples of his tie dye creations. please see CoLorfUL on page 19
We Buy, Sell & Trade
– BROKEN OR NOT –
Class Rings • Bracelets & Chains • Earrings (1/2 Pairs OK!) • Chains, Etc. House Calls Available for Larger Estates & Antiques
PREMIUM PAID FOR ESTAT E JEW ELRY
- Larger Diamonds
- Rolex Watches
- Patek Phillipe Watches
- Gold Pocket Watches
- David Yurman Jewelry
- Tiffany Jewelry
- Cartier Jewelry
- Original Art & Bronzes
Be an Advocate in the Life of a Long-Term Care Resident
Duties include: Call us for the next training schedule
The Lancaster County Office of Aging trains community members to serve as Volunteer Ombudsmen, advocating for residents of long-term care facilities.
• Educating residents about their rights
• Encouraging and assisting residents to ask questions and express concerns
• Helping them reach solutions, in collaboration with facility staff and family
Background checks and online/virtual training by PA Department of Aging are required. Schedule and assignments are flexible, based on volunteer’s availability. Visits can be made days, evenings, and/or weekends.
To learn more about this unique volunteer opportunity, contact Robin Work, LTC Ombudsmen Volunteer Coordinator at 717-299-7979 or 1-800-801-3070 or by e-mail at RWork@lancastercountypa.gov.
The Cautious Consumer Guy Minimizing Mortgage and Car e xpenses
There are ways to save on mortgage expenses.
Are you making one large mortgage payment every month? Try taking half the amount and paying it every two weeks. Is that doable for you? It is for many.
The advantage is that instead of making 12 monthly payments per year, you end up making the equivalent of 13 monthly payments per year.
Because there are 52 weeks in a year, by making a half-payment every two weeks, you end up making 26 biweekly halfpayments — which corresponds to 13 monthly payments.
This pays off your loan principal faster and decreases the overall amount of interest you pay for the privilege of having borrowed the money.
Let’s illustrate. If you have a $200,000 mortgage with a 30-year term and a 5% interest rate, switching to the biweekly method would pay off the mortgage in about 25 years instead of 30 and would save you about $34,500 in overall interest.
Remember, the longer the duration of your mortgage payments, the more you end up paying in interest.
Since you’re not contracted to make the payments every two weeks, there is no punishment if you need to lapse back into the monthly method. It’s also more economical to make a larger down payment or buy a smaller
house. Or both.
Now let’s look at car loans.
We drive a car we bought with 70,000 miles on it. We were able to scrape together just enough money to buy it without taking out a loan.
But our prior car, a Saturn, was bought new in May 2002. The purchase price was roughly $17,000; I did not make a down payment, but my trade-in netted $2,800, so the amount financed was $14,200.
I borrowed from General Motors and agreed to a 48month payback schedule at $331.78 a month. But I rarely paid that amount. Usually I was able to swing two payments at once, and pay off $663.56 at a time, once each month. In a little over two years, the car was paid off, and we had saved a good amount of money in interest.
Once the title transferred fully to me, I canceled much of the car’s insurance. No longer insured it against windshield breakage. Or theft. Or getting banged up in a collision. I kept the insurance for any damage we might cause to other vehicles or other people. (Not that this insurance ever came into play.)
By buying a cheaper car, I saved money. By paying off the car loan quickly, I saved more money. By reducing my insurance coverage (which you can’t do until you fully own the car), I further cut back my expenses.
But for reasons I don’t understand, most people buying a car don’t look at the low end of the market. They want the biggest, flashiest, most advanced car they qualify to buy.
Then they spread the payments out as far into the future as possible — often six years! — solely to reduce the size of the monthly payment. As a result, they end up spending far more for the car itself, far more for loan interest, and far more for insuring the car.
Right now, more than 17% of new loans for cars require monthly payments exceeding $1,000. People are buying vehicles that are big, fancy, and expensive.
Remember, the longer the duration of your car payments, the more you end up paying in interest. It’s more economical to make a larger down payment or buy a less fancy car. Or both.
If you want to avoid big payments, don’t buy a $50,000 vehicle. Buy one that costs $30,000 or less.
Arthur Vidro worked for a decade in the stock industry. Before and after, he wrote newspaper articles and edited a few books. He has served as treasurer of theater and library organizations. He’s been cautious with money ever since a dollar was worth a dollar.
Arthur Vidro
always line up,” he said.
Dodds enjoys doing local art shows and hopes to do about 35 of them this year alone.
“I found that more and more people wanted to buy my dyes,” he said. “I realized if I could get my work and myself in front of more people, this could grow. I found that not only my work, but my enthusiasm in what I do and discussing it led to even more sales.”
He also has done some custom work but said that can be tricky.
“People can have a vision in their head, and often tie dye doesn’t work that way … and I don’t like to work that way,” Dodds said. “I tell people, ‘I’ll get you in the neighborhood.’ It’s like live music. Create something right in front of me that will never be exactly the same. There’s the beauty, the art, the creativity.”
Having a creative outlet, no matter what form it takes, is important for all of us.
“In August of 2020 my second wife passed away,” Dodds said. “I was in a really dark place and needed help.”
At the treatment center where he sought that help, Dodds recalled they provided guitars and a keyboard, which helped him rediscover his longtime love of music. But he also discovered something else.
“One day they did tie dye, and I rediscovered the passion I had for creating art. It was a huge part of my recovery and still is to this day. Folding and dyeing becomes a meditation.
“Having great passion in creating for yourself is amazing, and when you share it — bonus. When you can make money doing it — wow! I have a strong belief that everyone needs some creativity in their life, whatever form that takes.”
Pet of the Month
Chunkette
This gorgeous 8-yearyoung lady is Chunkette! She is a gentle, loving gal who is ready to retire in a forever home of her own where she can enjoy her golden years and get all of the love and attention she deserves.
Do you have room in your home and your heart for cute Chunkette?
Stop by our West Chester campus, Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, to meet Chunkette today!
For more information, call (484) 302-0865 or visit bvspca.org. Pennsylvania Kennel License No. 01647
Lancaster County Office of Aging
Maintaining the independence and quality of life for Lancaster County’s aging population through information, protection, services, and community support
Our Philosophy:
Support the older person’s right to decide his/her own destiny. Encourage consumer self-determination and choice.
Support the older person’s right to risk.
Promote independence and dignity.
Avoid unnecessary/inappropriate institutionalization.
About Us – The Lancaster County Office of Aging (LCOA) was established 45 years ago as a result of the passage of the Older Americans Act. This act directed states to develop a network of services and supports to help keep older adults healthy and independent.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging was created to fulfill this mandate. In turn, a network of 52 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) was established throughout the commonwealth to carry out this mission at the local level.
Funding for aging-related services is a combination of state and federal monies, with the Pennsylvania Lottery providing the major source of funding.
In Lancaster County, the AAA is part of county government. We are dedicated to providing Lancaster County residents, 60 years of age and older, with a wide range of informational resources and services as well as advocacy efforts and elder abuse protection.
The LCOA offers the following services:
• Information and referral services
• Long-term living assessments
• Home and community-based support services
• Protection from abuse and neglect
• APPRISE, Medicare, and related health insurance counseling
• Senior center services
• Adult daily living services
• Caregiver support
• Employment
• Ombudsman services
• Transportation
• Legal services
• Health and wellness programming
• Volunteer opportunities
For more information, please call us Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 717-299-7979/1-800-801-3070, visit our website at www.lancoaging.org , or email aging@co.lancaster.pa.us.
’70s Flashback Bobby r iggs Said Whaaaaat?
On Sept. 20, 1973, over 30,000 people crowded into Houston’s cavernous Astrodome. At the same time, TV viewers around the world switched on over 90 million sets.
The reason? To witness a tennis match that promoters had trumpeted as the Battle of the Sexes.
The contestants were 55-year-old Bobby Riggs, at one time the nation’s best male tennis professional, and Billie Jean King, age 29, consistently ranked among the greatest female players of all time. The winner would take home $100,000 — about $700,000 today.
In Las Vegas, sports bettors heavily favored Riggs; Jimmy the Greek declared, “King money is scarce. It’s hard to find a bet on the girl.”
Riggs boasted that he could beat any female player on the planet. King felt she had a duty to accept Riggs’ highly publicized challenge for the event after thinking, “It would set us back 50 years if I didn’t win that match. It would affect the self-esteem of all women.”
(At the time, a woman could still not obtain a credit card without a man’s signature.)
Riggs, though, viewed the quirky contest as a springboard to easy cash and a late-in-life career launch playing exhibition matches against easily defeated women.
Both players hailed from Southern California. Riggs had begun playing tennis at age 12, and by 1946 he was the world’s top professional. King also proved to be a natural at the game and, at 17, won the women’s doubles title at Wimbledon, the first of 20 such victories for her there.
Riggs had always loved the media spotlight, and by the early 1970s female tennis players had become a
favorite target of his bombast.
Some of his jawdropping proclamations back then included such whoppers as, “Women belong in the kitchen and the bedroom, in that order,” and “Women don’t have the emotional stability to win.”
His first tennis coach had been a woman.
Riggs usually trained rigorously for his matches, but he had slacked off with the King contest. While King spent practice time playing skilled male players, Riggs chased women, went to parties, knocked back cocktails, puffed on cigars, and gained 15 pounds.
When asked about King as an opponent, he chortled, “There’s no way that broad can beat me.”
Riggs ended up eating his words. From the match’s outset, King forced Riggs to cover the entire court as she ran him from side to side, always playing to his weak backhand and rocketing shots past the out-of-shape opponent.
Winning three straight sets, King had simply ground down her much older rival, a man the same age as her father.
Riggs declared himself a “bum” and sank into a six-month funk before becoming a tennis pro and greeter at a Las Vegas casino. King continued to mow down the competition and retired with 39 Grand Slam titles.
“To beat a 55-year-old guy was no thrill for me,” King said later about the match. “The thrill was exposing a lot of new people to tennis.”
Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn. com.
randal C. Hill
Photo credit: Associated Press
Billie Jean King is carried on a litter onto the tennis court at the Houston Astrodome before the 1973 Battle of the Sexes against Bobby riggs.
Billie Jean King and Bobby riggs in 1973.
Jonathan J. David
Use Caution when Attempting a DiY Trust
Dear Jonathan: I am proud of myself. I just finished preparing my own trust. It wasn’t that hard to do with all the various forms to pick from on the internet.
I do have one question, however. How do I put my home into my trust? Do I simply include a paragraph in my trust that says that at my death my home is owned by my trust? I want to make sure I get this right so my house doesn’t go through probate.
Jonathan says: No, including a paragraph in your trust stating that your home is automatically owned by your trust at the time of your death will not be effective to transfer your home to your trust.
When you purchased your home, the prior owner conveyed its ownership interest in the home to you by executing a deed. You will need to do the same thing here — prepare and execute a deed conveying your interest in the home to your trust or, to be more exact, to the trustee of your trust.
You didn’t ask for my advice regarding the trust you prepared using the online forms you found, but it is important that you have that trust reviewed by an estate planning attorney. There are thousands of forms that can be found on the internet, but those forms are by their nature generic and will not address a person’s specific personal circumstances.
Another problem with generic internet forms is that if you pick the wrong form or insert the wrong provisions, you can end up hurting rather than helping yourself.
This is because there are many different types of trusts that are utilized for very different purposes, so you have to know what type of trust you are trying to prepare and make sure that whatever forms you are looking at are consistent with that type of trust.
For example, I recently had a client attempt to prepare his own trust just like you and, in so doing, he pulled provisions from a variety of different types of trusts he found on the internet. These trusts included revocable trusts, a variety of different types of irrevocable trusts, and certain other specialized trusts that were totally different from the type of trust he was trying to prepare.
Consequently, the trust he created turned out to be a hodgepodge of different trusts and a complete mess.
Further, unless you are knowledgeable about trusts and how to prepare them, you will have no way of knowing whether you included the correct provisions for the type of trust you wanted to create. In other words, you don’t know what you don’t know.
I recommend you have an estate planning attorney at least review the trust you prepared to make sure there are no problems with that instrument. If problems are found, that attorney can help correct those problems.
That attorney can also help with preparing the deed conveying your home to the trust. Preparing a deed may appear to be a simple matter, but deeds are
more complicated than you think and are easy to screw up if you don’t know what you are doing.
Finally, if you decide to engage an attorney to review your trust, you should consider asking that attorney to review with you the other types of estate planning documents that should be included as part of your overall estate plan. Having a trust can be beneficial, but it is not necessarily the most important estate planning document to have.
Whether you choose to follow that attorney’s advice is up to you; however, at least you will have had the opportunity to hear what types of other estate planning documents are available to you. Good luck.
Jonathan J. David is a shareholder in the law firm of Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C., 1700 E. Beltline N.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49525.
Pet of the Month
Hey there, I’m PJ, a distinguished 9-year-old gentleman with a heart full of love and a whole lot of purrs to give!
I may be a little older, but I’m as friendly and sweet as can be, always looking to settle down beside you or keep you company. My dream is a cozy, caring home where I can enjoy my “old man” lifestyle: sunny spots for naps, tasty treats, and gentle head scratches.
If you’re looking for a relaxed, loving friend, I’m your guy!
Thanks to a wonderful anonymous sponsor celebrating National Senior Pet Month, my adoption fee is completely waived, which means you can bring me home without a cost — just a promise of love and snuggles.
PJ’s ID number is 238222. Please send your application to the Lancaster Center for Animal LifeSaving at adoptlancaster@humanepa.org, or give the shelter a call at (717) 393-6551 to learn more.
Bob DeLaurentis
Apple Photos, Better Holiday Pictures, Qi Chargers
Q. The Apple Photos app is really different after this last update. Is there a way to change it back?
A. Apple revamped the Photos app this year. All the same functions are there, but the initial screen presents them differently. Although it might seem like change for change’s sake at first, let’s take a deeper look.
In many ways, the old app wasn’t that great. The new design makes it easier to find the major part of the app more quickly. Rather than simply showing the photos, it presents the major parts of the app in a single scrolling window.
The photos remain at the top, and the tabs from the previous app are now sections in a list. Things like Albums, Shared Albums, Memories, and more are there.
The biggest improvement is that now you can customize the main screen with the sections you want. To do this, scroll all the way down to the bottom of the main screen and tap on the Customize and Reorder button.
From the resulting screen, you can sort the sections in the order you prefer, and hide items you do not use often.
The other big feature this year is a new editing tool called “Clean Up.” To use it, select a single photo to view. At the bottom of the screen, tap the Edit button (immediately to the right of the Info button). The rightmost button that appears in the edit mode is labeled “Clean Up.”
Tap that button, and then touch any object you want removed from the photo.
Q. I want to make the most of my holiday pictures this year. What simple things can I do to take better photos?
A. Get closer. Fill the frame with your subject. Almost every photo will look better if the camera is closer to the subject. This can be done while shooting, or afterward by cropping the photo.
Take more photos. The more photos you attempt, the more images will be successful. Instead of taking a single shot of a subject, take several. Move the camera to capture a different angle or look for a different pose. Often unique images result from placing the camera somewhere other than eye level.
Group photos are some of the most difficult, but you can make it easier by interacting with everyone. Direct your subjects so their faces are close to one another. Take a dozen or more shots, hopefully catching one with everyone looking their best.
Edit ruthlessly. Do not share every image you take. The numbers vary, but a good rule of thumb is 10%. Aim for taking a few hundred images, and only share the best 10 or 20 of them.
If you move a little closer, take more photos, move the camera high and low, and be patient with groups, your photos will look better than typical snapshots.
Q. Is there any benefit from charging my smartphone battery with a cord? My phone can use either a cable or a magnetic charging stand. Is one method better than the other?
A. Phones that charge wirelessly use a round-shaped coil known as a Qi (pronounced “chee”) charger. These chargers use magnets to cinch the device to the charger, and magnets are generally better than stands that rely on you placing the device on the charger.
When it comes to Qi chargers, position matters. And if the coils inside the devices are not aligned, the charge may never finish.
As for which method is better, there are advantages and disadvantages to each.
Give the Gift of Preserving the Garden’s Harvest
Give a gift that helps your favorite gardeners enjoy the flavors of their garden well past the end of the growing season.
Both new and experienced gardeners often spend their gardening budget on plants and seeds, leaving little or none to invest in food-preservation equipment and supplies.
Canning jars, freezer containers, spice cubes, and airtight bottles for canning, freezing, and storing dehydrated herbs and vegetables are always welcome gifts. These supplies come in handy throughout the harvest season and are often in short supply when food preservation is at its peak.
Most gardeners grow their own fresh herbs, and drying is the easiest way to preserve the harvest. Simply gather stems, secure with a rubber band, and suspend in a warm, dry location. As the stems dry and shrink, the rubber band does as well, keeping the stems secure.
Use a spring clothespin to secure the herb bundles to wires or other support. Create your own drying setup or invest in one of the commercial herb-drying racks.
If space is limited, your gift recipient will appreciate a system like the Stack-it Herb Drying Rack (gardeners.com) that allows them to dry lots of herbs in a very small footprint. The drying system you purchase or create should provide the needed space for the harvest and allow sufficient air circulation for fast drying.
Herbs with high moisture content — like basil, oregano, lemon balm, and mints — will mold if not dried quickly. If this has been a problem in the past, try placing a small bunch in a paper bag with holes in the side and stems outside the bag. Hang these from a drying rack, or speed up the process by using a microwave or food dehydrator.
Many gardeners grow onions, garlic, and potatoes for long-term storage. All three of these vegetables prefer cool, dark storage locations with good air circulation. Separate potatoes from onions that give off pungent gases that can taint the potatoes’ flavor.
PHoToS from facing page
Cords are significantly faster and use less energy. In general, they are more reliable. Cords can break with heavy use, however, and cord connectors are one of the few parts of your smartphone likely to wear out or break.
Qi chargers are slower, which can be an advantage since battery life is extended with slow charge times. They avoid the frayed-cable or bentconnector problems entirely, which is also a plus.
Avoid plastic bags that retain moisture and can shorten these vegetables’ storage life. Breathable potato and onion storage baskets have been used by gardeners for centuries. Boost the style and space savings with the Stackable Bamboo Harvest Storage Basket with Lid. Just stack as needed and place on the rolling base for easy storage and accessibility.
Help your gift recipient turn their harvest into something delicious.
Fermentation is a relatively easy preservation technique that has been used for thousands of years. Preserve some of your cucumbers as pickles, cabbage as sauerkraut, and berries as preserves with fermentation.
For most projects you just need the fruit or vegetables, water, salt, and spices. The desired ingredients are placed in a covered vessel like a stoneware pickling crock. Weights are used to keep the fruit and vegetables submerged in water throughout the fermentation process.
Consider smaller fermentation kits for those with limited space. A 3-liter glass jar with an air-lock lid and ceramic weights will allow you to ferment small quantities of vegetables.
Reduce the workload and boost the enjoyment for those making tomato juice, sauces, and soups. Hand crank and electric tomato presses, strainers, and sauce makers allow gardeners to separate the skins and seeds from the tomato meat for quicker and easier processing.
Giving a gift that helps preserve flavors from the recipient’s garden will be useful and remembered for seasons to come.
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books and hosts The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything instant video and DVD series and Melinda’s Garden Moment TV and radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. melindamyers.com
They do waste energy compared to a cord. Placement and alignment are the other downsides, although that can be eliminated by magnets or cradles with precise guides.
In my household, Qi wins overall for convenience and less clutter. But for Qi without alignment support, I recommend cables.
Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
Melinda Myers
Credit: Gardener’s Supply Company/gardeners.com Tomato press and sauce makers turn garden-ripe tomatoes into seed-free, skin-free sauce with the turn of a handle.
Nurse Nancy Can You Stand Like a flamingo?
How long can you stand like a flamingo?
A new study suggests that maintaining balance on one leg may be a key indicator of well-being and healthy aging. As we age, balance changes provide a more revealing measure of aging than changes in strength or gait, a new Mayo Clinic study found.
The study assessed grip strength, knee strength, gait, and balance. The research indicated that standing on one leg, specifically the nondominant leg, showed the highest rate of decline with age. Balance is an important measure because it requires all your body systems to work together in addition to muscle strength.
Good balance makes daily activities more accessible, such as climbing stairs or carrying heavy items. A strong and stable center allows you to move with more coordination and flexibility.
Developing good balance helps improve overall health and fitness. These improvements can prevent the risk of injury and falls, especially in older adults, allowing you to maintain your independence longer.
The good news is that working on your balance is simple and can be done anywhere. You can do this at home while washing dishes or brushing your teeth. Just time yourself to see how long you can spend on one leg. Ensure you have a chair or a wall nearby to steady or catch yourself.
You are doing well if you can stand on one leg for 30 seconds. In a group of people over age 65, they averaged 11 seconds. The number that causes concern would be below five seconds. That signifies you are at risk of falling.
By standing on one leg, you are training to coordinate your muscle and vestibular responses to maintain correct balance. The vestibular system includes structures inside your inner ear and semicircular canals that detect head movements. Your brain uses this information to help you balance.
When older adults fall, the consequences can be severe and even deadly. Statistics show that each year, numerous older Americans die from broken hips due to falls, and many more experience a loss of independence after a fall.
Older adults can use balance exercise programs to reduce and prevent falls.
Research shows that these programs reduce falls that cause injuries by 37%, serious injuries by 43%, and broken bones by 61%.
Improving your balance can be challenging but rewarding. Enjoy the process. You can do these exercises throughout the day and find creative ways to incorporate them into your daily life. Consistent effort makes these exercises more effortless, and you can gradually increase the number of repetitions as they become easier.
If you practice balance, you are more likely to maintain it. It doesn’t require special equipment, only effort!
Here are nine balance exercises for seniors to improve mobility and stability:
Sit-to-stand exercise 1. : Helps improve dynamic balance, strength, and coordination.
Single-leg balance exercises 2. : Stand on one leg to enhance balance.
Toe stand exercises 3. : Rise up on your toes for balance.
Heel-to-toe walks 4. : Walking heel to toe strengthens legs and improves balance.
Side leg lifts 5. : Lift one leg sideways to work on balance.
Back leg raises 6. : Lift one leg backward to improve balance.
Wall pushups 7. : Use a wall for stability while doing pushups.
Tai chi 8. : A gentle exercise that promotes balance and flexibility.
Rock the boat 9. : Shift weight from side to side to challenge balance.
Nancy J. Schaaf, a retired RN, worked as a school nurse, a nurse supervisor at a men’s prison, and a health educator. She earned her BSN at Edinboro University. She is a freelance writer whose health articles appear in magazines throughout the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at nancyjschaaf@gmail.com.
Nancy J. Schaaf
Pursuing a Passion after Parkinson’s
By Julie Steffen, Director of Dynamic Living
Bob Barker spent much of his professional career as a graphic designer in and around New York City.
“I had always wanted to be a painter but never gave myself permission,” he says.
It was only after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease, followed by the passing of his longtime partner, that he took up oil painting about three or four years ago.
He rented office space, bought some color paints, and “let the paint speak for itself.”
For Barker, it is almost a spiritual experience.
“What comes out of me, I say, ‘I didn’t do that. I just helped it be created.’”
Barker relocated to central Pennsylvania about a year ago and is a resident of Country Meadows of Hershey, where he can receive care for his Parkinson’s. There, Barker was inspired to transform a large walk-in closet into an art studio.
Although painting in his apartment has meant changing mediums from oil painting to acrylic because of the odor of oil paint, there is an advantage to being able to bring a piece out day or night to reevaluate his work.
“Because many times I don’t like what I did, and then I stop,” he says. “And then a voice says to me, ‘Go back and put another layer of paint on.’ And that’s where the magic happens. That’s where I see things that I hadn’t seen before.”
Barker had never considered an exhibit of his artwork, but when the idea was suggested to him, he quickly embraced it.
His work was on special display at Country Meadows of Hershey through the month of September and as part of a commemoration of National Active Aging Week.
Staff members who helped organize the show hoped to use Barker as their “poster child” to show residents it’s never too late to try something new — and that they should be confident in pursuing their talents and passions.
“I’m glad to be the representative,” he says, “because you learn about old people by being one.”
He adds, “One good thing about this stage in life is that I can pretty much
do what I want. And there’s a great freedom in that, but this is a phase in life that you kind of wish never happened, but it did. But I look out my window here, and it’s a really good experience, a good place to be.”
Now, Barker would like to try painting large-scale pieces, such as 40-foot by 60-foot canvases, and exhibit in a gallery.
“I can’t predict where my art is going to go next. So, I hope it goes someplace that pleases me. I’m a passenger on the train.”
He also dreams of transforming a shed (currently destined to be a woodworking shop) on the community’s property into an art studio.
“It’s a beautiful space,” he says. Barker encourages the old and young alike to follow their passions.
“There may be something you haven’t tried. Try it and fail. It’s OK. It’s no fun to fail, but there’s no telling what might pop up in your world if you give it a try. I always tell people, ‘It’s not what you think it’s going to be. It’ll be something else. And be open to the something else.’
“That’s my story and I’m sticking with it.”
Surgical
Bob Barker sits surrounded by his artwork.
The History of Ordinary Things The What & Why of Mistletoe Traditions
Mistletoe isn’t a normal plant. It is a parasite, which means it grows on other trees to survive. Mistletoe grows best on tall trees in sunshine; its favorite host trees include apple, hawthorn, and poplar. Mistletoe does injure the host tree, however, and can kill it.
The plant name “mistletoe” comes from two Anglo-Saxon words: “mistel,” which means dung, and “tan,” which means twig or stick. Translated, mistletoe is “poo on a stick.”
This is quite literally the case, because birds eat the red mistletoe berries and carry the seeds in their poop. If the sticky seed lands on a tree branch, it sticks and begins to grow.
The mistletoe plant begins using photosynthesis to provide the energy it needs to grow. The seedlings then burrow roots into the bark of the tree and begin to sap nutrients and water from its sponsor.
Across the world there are more than 900 mistletoe species. In some locations, certain species contribute to the habitat. Birds, deer, elk, squirrels,
and porcupines seek mistletoe berries when other food is scarce.
Raw mistletoe berries are poisonous and tend to fall off the plant easily. They contain a toxic substance called phoratoxin, which is particularly concentrated in the leaves. If ingested, mistletoe can cause seizures or death. It is especially lethal to children and pets.
Mistletoe has been considered a symbol of life because it is evergreen and bears fruit in the winter. Druid priests thought it was a sacred plant because it didn’t grow from roots in the ground.
The faithful would wear mistletoe charms for good luck and protection from witches and evil spirits. Sprays of mistletoe were hung over the doorway to ward off bad spirits and to ensure that only happiness could enter the home.
The modern story of mistletoe is one of romance. Kissing under the mistletoe was first referenced in 1784 in a song from a musical comedy called Two to One.
Doris Montag
A traditional Christmas card entitling the recipient to one kiss today. ireland, circa 1880s.
The custom appears to have started in England around the 1720s. Mistletoe has been included in English wreaths called the “Christmas bough” or “kissing bough” since the 1700s.
In the 1800s, Washington Irving wrote, “Young men have the privilege of kissing the girls under [mistletoe], plucking each time a berry from the bush. When the berries are all plucked, the privilege ceases.”
There were illustrations of kissing under the mistletoe in the first book version of A Christmas Carol , published in 1843.
One of the most popular mistletoe songs is “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” sung from the viewpoint of a young child catching his mother canoodling the mysterious red-clad suitor “underneath the mistletoe last night.”
The tune, written by British lyricist Tommy Connor and performed by 13-year-old Jimmy Boyd, debuted in December 1952.
Frank Sinatra brought us “Mistletoe and Holly” in 1957 as a Capitol 7-inch single. “Mistletoe and Wine” by Cliff Richard was the biggest-selling single in 1988. Justin Bieber released a single, “Mistletoe,” in 2011.
Mistletoe, a toxic parasite, has become a nostalgic fantasy of the season. Somehow it does not seem so special under a dried-up sprig or plastic facsimile, but that kiss might be nice!
Doris Montag is a homespun historian and an exhibit curator who researches and displays historical collections of ordinary things, such as can openers, crochet, toy sewing machines, hand corn planters, powder compacts, egg cartons, and more. Contact or follow her on Facebook, HistoryofOrdinaryThings.
The Lancaster County Office of Aging is currently recruiting volunteers for the PA Medi (formerly APPRISE) Program.
PA Medi offers beneficiaries assistance navigating the oftenconfusing Medicare system. They also help with Medicaid and other insurance questions. Topics are discussed in an unbiased and easy-to-understand manner. Our volunteer counselors provide these objective services for free.
One must be available weekdays for online and face-to-face training, shadowing a mentor, and conducting counseling by phone and in person in our interview rooms at the Office of Aging. Most volunteers donate at least 4 hours per week. Volunteers are trained in these areas:
• Medicare eligibility and enrollment
• Medicare benefits, services through Parts A and B and Medigap
• Prescription Drug (Part D) plans
• Medicare Advantage Plans
• Medicaid, PACE and other financial assistance programs
• Assistance with the Medicare appeal process
• Long-Term Care policies
• How to make presentations during Open Enrollment
If you have questions or would like to join this fulfilling team of volunteers, please contact the Office of Aging Volunteer Coordinator at (717) 299-7979.
We are located at:
Lancaster County Office of Aging
150 North Queen St., Suite 415 Lancaster, PA 17603
Credit: “PhoradendronLeucarpum4.jpg,” by Douglas Goldman, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0.
American mistletoe, or oak mistletoe, native to Mexico and the continental U.S.
A bare tree overcome by clusters of mistletoe in Germany.
Welsh boys collecting holly and mistletoe to sell, 1959.