DENTAL Insurance
Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, I was recently notified that the Affordable Connectivity Program, which subsidized my monthly internet bill, has ended. What are my options for finding affordable home internet services now? I’m 71 years old and live primarily on my Social Security benefits.
– Barely Getting By
How to Find Affordable Internet Services
Dear Barely, It’s unfortunate, but without additional funding from Congress, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended June 1.
For those who aren’t familiar with this program, the ACP was a government benefit that provided millions of financially eligible households with a discount of up to $30 per month toward their home internet service, or up to $75 per month for households on qualifying Tribal lands.
The ACP was initially born out of a pandemic-era program called the Emergency Broadband Benefit in 2021 and replaced six months later by the longer-term ACP when Congress devoted $14.2 billion to the program as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
More than 23 million households were enrolled in the ACP, which significantly helped close the digital divide, as affordability has been the primary barrier that has kept most ACP beneficiaries from getting home internet services.
But funds ran out, and a sharply divided Congress chose not to continue funding the program.
What to Do Now?
A good first step in securing affordable home internet services is to contact your current provider to find out if they offer any other discounts or low-cost services that fit your budget.
If not, you should shop around. The nonprofit organization EveryoneOn (everyoneon.org) has a National Offer Locator Tool that can help you find low-income discounted internet services from providers in your area.
Just go to everyoneon.org/find-offers, type in your ZIP code, and answer a few questions regarding your household financial situation so the internet services you’re eligible for can be located.
Some cities and states across the country are also offering their own local versions of the ACP to help low-income households pay their internet. The best way to look for these services is by going to your web browser and searching for “(location) internet resources.”
Melinda’s Garden Keep Your Houseplants Safe from Cats
Growing houseplants when curious cats are in the house can be challenging. We want our cats to be safe and happy while keeping our houseplants intact.
You can accomplish both with a few simple strategies.
Boost indoor gardening success by selecting plants suited to your home’s growing conditions and gardening style.
Then be sure to remove any toxic plants to ensure your pet’s safety. Consult with your veterinarian and visit the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) website for a list of pet-safe and toxic plants.
Create a list of all the plants you are growing. Include both common and botanical names for accurate identification. Do a bit of research on the care they need and their toxicity to your pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested a toxic plant, you’ll have the proper plant name when contacting your veterinarian.
Match the pet-friendly plants you select to their preferred light conditions. An east- or west-facing window provides enough light for most indoor plants. Keep those that need brighter light within 2 feet of a window. Those that prefer lower light can be grown near a north-facing window or up to 6 feet back or off to the side of an east- or west-facing window.
Keep toxic plants out of the reach of curious cats. This can be challenging if your cat is skilled at jumping and climbing. There are so many beautiful houseplants that it may be safer to simply avoid those that are toxic. Make your houseplants less appealing to your cat with the smell of citrus. Spray a mixture of lemon, lime, or orange juice diluted with some water on the leaves of your plant. Or purchase one of the commercial mixes. If you don’t want to spray your plants, place citrus peels in the pot.
Give your cat a pot of grass to nibble on and enjoy instead of your houseplants. Most cat grass kits contain wheatgrass, oat grass, ryegrass, or a
INTERNET from facing page
Check Lifeline Benefit
If you haven’t already done so, you also need to find out if you’re eligible for the Lifeline program.
Unlike the ACP, Lifeline is a permanently funded federal assistance program that provides a $9.25 monthly subsidy that can help pay your home internet, phone, or bundled services (up to $34.25 if you live on Tribal lands). Only one benefit is available per household.
To qualify, your annual household income must be at or below 135% of the federal poverty guidelines, which are $19,683 for one person or $26,622 for two.
You may also qualify if you’re receiving certain types of government benefits, such as Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, public housing assistance, veterans pension, or survivors pension benefit or if you live on federally recognized Tribal lands.
You can apply for Lifeline online at lifelinesupport.org, via mail, or through your internet or phone provider. Or, if you need assistance, call their support line at (800) 234-9473.
mixture of these. A pot of cat grass can help entertain your cat, provide fiber and some micronutrients, and aid in digestion.
There are several theories as to cats’ attraction to greenery. One theory suggests plants were used to help them regurgitate undigested parts of their prey. Many cat owners find it also works for hairballs.
Another theory is that greens provide vitamins and minerals, may promote health, and aid in digestion.
Busy and new gardeners can successfully grow a pot of cat grass. Look for an easy-care growing kit like True Leaf Market’s Organic Self-Watering Cat Grass Kit. You’ll only need to fill the water reservoir twice a week, and the container helps eliminate messes and spills that often happen with traditional pots.
Prevent curious cats from knocking over any of your plant containers with the help of mounting putty. A couple of pieces on the bottom of the pot will help reduce the risk of toppling.
Prevent cats from using indoor plants as litterboxes. Cover the soil surface with coarse mulch, like cork or large-nugget mulch. If this is not an option, spray the soil surface with the citrus-and-water mix to help discourage digging. Regular play can entertain your cat, help reduce stress, and even reduce plant nibbling. This is also good for your well-being and the beauty of your indoor plants.
Implement these strategies and you’ll be able to help your cats and plants coexist in your home.
Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books and hosts The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything instant video and DVD serie s and Melinda’s Garden Moment TV and radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine and was commissioned by True Leaf Market for her expertise to write this article. melindamyers.com
Other Options
If you find you aren’t eligible for any of the lower-income services, you may still be able to save on your internet by shopping and comparing.
The best way to do this is at websites like InMyArea.com, which provides a list of internet providers in your area, along with pricing and download speeds. Most providers offer plans under $50 monthly, and you can often find additional discounts for things like bundling with a cellphone plan or signing an annual contract.
Another way to save some money is to buy your own equipment. Most internet service providers charge around $15 per month to rent a modem and router from them. But you can buy your own for as little as $100, which will pay for itself within the first year.
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.
Melinda Myers
Photo credit: True Leaf Market
Self-Watering Cat Grass Kit
A Little Bit Rock ‘n’ Roll
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By Lynda Hudzick
For Thomas Grosh of Lititz, it all started with “Ahab the Arab,” the 1962 hit by Ray Stevens.
“When I was in second grade, I found that record in the hallway and was told that by the end of the year, if no one had claimed it, it was mine,” Grosh recalls.
Fortunately for him, no one did, and with that very first record, he began a lifelong love of record collecting that continues to this day.
“My grandfather used to take me to stores to buy records with my allowance that I saved,” he said.
Grosh remembers going to Nichols and Two Guys and making trips to Ephrata and downtown Lancaster to shop. He always had an eye for the unusual, though.
“In my college years, artists began to release picture discs and colored vinyl, and it really started to catch on. I thought, ‘This is going to be collectible someday,’” he said.
Grosh began visiting record shows and enjoyed checking out the big shows in larger cities like New York. Before long, he decided to start his own business and attend shows himself, selling highquality collectible items.
“People would come up and say, ‘You have some really good stuff, some really British stuff — what is the name of your company?’” he said. “So my buddy and I came up with the name ‘Very English and Rolling Stone’ in part because of my love of the Beatles, Rolling Stones, and other British rock legends of the ’60s.”
Music has always been a part of his life, Grosh said.
“I grew up listening to the radio, but for a long time, we only had AM radio. When they added FM, that was great because it was an opportunity to listen to more kinds of music.”
Grosh enjoys playing the guitar and has followed many local bands, collecting their records. His personal taste in music leans toward rock and the blues, anything from the 1950s up through present day.
“But I enjoy collecting and selling from all genres, not just focusing on my personal preferences,” he said. “If you only sold what you liked, you would have a limited selection to offer your customer.”
Grosh has had the pleasure of meeting some of the biggest names in the industry, including Bill Wyman of the Rolling Stones, Bo Diddley, and David Lee Roth. He very much enjoys personal interactions, he said, whether speaking with legends of the music industry or with his customers.
Having spent many years working at Doneckers in Ephrata as a salesperson, Grosh learned there is nothing like face-to-face interaction to give that personal touch.
“Today, this business of buying and selling can be so impersonal — you just sit down with your phone or laptop and start searching for what you want, but I prefer dealing with people in person,” he said.
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Grosh and many of his colleagues in the business often traveled to Baltimore for shows sponsored by record-collecting groups in that area, and they found that “there were more of us from Pennsylvania going down there than there were people from the Baltimore clubs.”
So in 1979, they decided to form their own organization, calling themselves the Keystone Record Collectors.
“We’re still going strong, selling at shows. We’re at Spooky Nook Lanco every second Sunday,” Grosh, who also served as past president, said. “We’re really seeing a resurging interest in collectible vinyl, and I hope it lasts.”
Today, his company boasts an extensive website (veryenglish.com) listing their inventory and offer in-person sales at record shows. In addition to records, they also offer “very-good-plus” to mint-condition collectible items, including tour itineraries, programs, and tickets.
“We specialize in collectible records; that’s kind of how our niche began,” he said. “Color vinyl promotional things, things that are hard to get a hold of — we have probably 5,000-10,000 items available.”
“Customers will say to me, ‘Here’s what I’m looking for,’ and I’ll do my best to find it for them. You keep your eyes open, you check all your sources — there are a lot of good auction houses I use to look for specific items …
“It is a lot of fun for me to see how excited a customer gets when I find something for them that they’ve been looking for.”
Grosh has had people contact him who want to sell their collections successfully, and it is his pleasure to help them achieve that goal.
“Sometimes people, as they’re getting older, decide they want to keep just part of their collection, and sell the balance of it,” he said. “Or someone wants to sell a collection to buy something like a car or other high-ticket item.”
For many of us, music can take us back to a specific time in our lives and can quickly trigger strong emotional responses. It’s no different for Grosh.
“I could be playing Fleetwood Mac for example, and I’m right back in my college years again,” he said.
“On days when you need to get up and get going, you’ll put on a song that really gets you moving. On days that you’re feeling down, you
might put on something a little mellow. Music can have so much power.”
Artists whose careers have spanned decades often change and evolve as time goes on, and their sound today may be very different from the early days of their careers.
But the way we listen to that music changes and evolves, too. From vinyl albums, 8-track tapes, cassettes, and CDs to digital downloads and the current resurgence in the popularity of vinyl, music is an ever-evolving world.
It’s a world Grosh loves being a part of, and although the format may change, music will always be around for people to enjoy.
“Sometimes I wish I had a crystal ball to figure out what’s next,” he said.
“You truly just don’t know — but that’s the fun!”
on the cover: Tom Grosh amongst the 5,000-10,000 music-related items in his collection.
Lend us your ear!
A small sampling of the vinyl records that make up Tom Grosh’s collection.
On Life and Love after 50 The Challenges of Senior Long-Distance Relationships
Many older adults were glued to their TVs last fall watching The Golden Bachelor, Gerry Turner, age 72, date 22 women before choosing Theresa Wist, age 69, to be his partner. Their marriage was televised on Jan. 4, 2024.
Three months later, on Good Morning America , Turner and Wist shocked seniors and others when they announced they were getting a divorce. They said that neither could adjust to being in an LDR (long-distance relationship). Turner lives in Indiana; Wist lives in New Jersey. Neither wanted to relocate.
One wonders if, during the hoopla and excitement of being on national TV, either thought about how living 1,000 miles away from each other might affect their marriage? Apparently not.
After the divorce, I received several emails from mature adults who are either currently dating online or considering it. Many wanted my opinion about LDRs: Can they work for seniors?
The ultimate resource for boomer and senior living and care options.
Andrea wrote, “I lost my husband of 30 years this past October. We had a great marriage and, of course, I miss him every day. However, at 74, I’m ready to look for my next ‘chapter.’ What do you think about online dating?”
I replied: “Online dating helps you broaden your search to find a mate. However, besides the scammers, you will encounter people who live hours or miles away, which means you may become involved in an LDR. Are you prepared for that?”
A question evolved: In the 60-to-80+ age range, can an LDR work?
A major consideration is the distance between each other in either time or miles. My rule of thumb is anything more than a half hour’s drive or 25 miles is too far for me.
And for older adults, what if either person — or both — doesn’t drive? Or, what if one or the other doesn’t drive at night? One woman said: “There’s always Uber or Lyft, so those obstacles can be overcome.”
I said the cost can be prohibitive. In 2023, I took an Uber 13.4 miles from my home and back. The cost was $52 plus a tip.
And what if the new couple wants to be together every night? Who is going to relocate?
Some senior LDRs work. Larry, 72, recently emailed me about his senior LDR story.
He said, “I met Liz, who lived only 4 miles away, but it could have been 100 miles. Driving back and forth in traffic, keeping clothing at two locations, meals, and children visiting from out of town are just some of the issues seniors deal with in even a short-mileage LDR.”
I added, “What happens if the senior who drives forgets his or her meds and absolutely must have them that night? Does that mean going back home and then returning? Or going home and not returning that night? Meds are easy to forget; I’m speaking from experience.”
Larry continued, “Liz moved in with me after nearly two years of dating. Now, we are learning a lot about each other, and this ‘experiment continues’ with both sets of eyes wide open.
“LDRs for seniors today are even more difficult, whether a couple lives miles away or close.”
Jim also commented about LDRs, “What happens if you have a dog or a cat that you leave at home, as I do? Are you going to leave your animal alone for six hours or overnight? That wouldn’t be right.
“And how about the person you’re going to visit? He or she might also have an animal that might not mix well with your pet. This is another challenge of senior dating.”
However, Jim admits he is willing to travel a few extra miles for the right woman.
Mature adults need to have the LDR discussion if they meet someone who lives a challenging distance away.
dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to findingloveafter50.com.
Tom Blake
Puzzle Page
Across
1. Struggle for air
5. Blabs
10. Martial arts school
14. Having the means
15. Cantilevered window
16. Effluvium
17. Bubbly name
18. Romance language
20. Dutch commune
21. Indian buzzard
22. Argonon and cyanogen
23. Fix
25. Gawk at
26. Nave neighbor
1. Spunky athlete
2. Quarters
3. Siesta
4. Favorite
5. Inebriates
6. Olympic archer
7. Turkish money
8. Sanction
9. Home run hitters
10. Put out, as a fire
11. Words from Wordsworth
12. San ___, Costa Rica
13. Tram loads
19. Strong winds
28. Pokes fun at
32. Cold war inits.
35. Deceivers
37. ___ Khan
38. Shopper stopper
39. Twinges
40. Fat unit
41. Historic period
42. None too brainy
43. Walk in water
44. Enjoyed
46. Optimistic
49. Lancelot and MixaLot, for two
21. Service award
24. River to the Rhine
25. Donkey relative
27. African antelopes
29. Zhivago’s love
30. “Holy mackerel!”
31. Ditto
32. Manipulates
33. ___ Delano Roosevelt
34. Moravian, e.g.
36. Seat holders
39. Unrivaled
40. Celtic underworld god
42. Carpenter’s tool
50. After gun or road
54. Bar request
57. Nasty
59. Rope-a-dope boxer
60. Beside the point
62. Bad to the bone
63. Seaweed substance
64. Restorative
65. Chess ending
66. Oodles
67. Death row reprieves
68. Downhill racer
45. Willow twigs
47. Bloviates
48. Bright light
51. Like some forces
52. First-class
53. Ticked off
54. Iranian coin
55. Proof word
56. Social group, briefly
57. ___ fide (in bad faith)
58. A deadly sin
61. Winery sight
62. German resort
Arthur Vidro
The Cautious Consumer Guy Save Money by Minimizing Loan Interest
My sister-in-law recently discovered the mortgage payment she and her husband fork over each month is not reducing their mortgage debt one iota. Their mortgage payments are being applied exclusively to interest payments on the loan. The loan balance has not been reduced.
Some mortgages are fixed-rate (the interest rate remains constant for the life of the loan); some are variable-rate (the interest rate will fluctuate depending on what the future cost of borrowing money becomes); and some are balloon-rate, which means your rate is fixed until a given date, and then it skyrockets.
Too many people only concern themselves with their rate at the moment and don’t worry about rates they might be contractually bound to pay down the road.
Some mortgage lenders will let you pay down your loan balance. It’s a simple matter of making an additional payment — in addition to your monthly payment, which is probably for interest — and earmarking it specifically for the loan balance.
This is best accompanied by writing “reduce loan balance” in the subject
section of your check and accompanying it with a note spelling out your intention. And then following up to make sure your instructions were carried out.
If you borrowed from the local savings and loan or credit union, you can avoid confusion by paying down your loan in person.
Why pay down your loan balance? Because it results in your interest rate being applied subsequently to a smaller principal, meaning less money paid in interest over the life of the loan.
Some mortgages, though, are drawn up in language that prohibits you from paying down your balance until after all your interest is paid off. This is to the lender’s advantage, for it guarantees that the maximum amount of interest will be paid on your loan.
On a smaller scale, the same system applies to car loans.
Many dealerships make more money from the interest you pay them on a car loan than from selling you the car in the first place. That is why dealerships try very hard to make sure you take out your car loan from them, not from a third party.
They’ll tell you they offer the best possible rates; sometimes that’s true, sometimes it’s a lie.
Back in 1996, I bought a new car for the first time. After a salesperson and I had settled upon a car, I was directed to another office, where the chap in charge of paperwork sat. We finally reached the point of having to decide on a schedule of monthly car payments.
“How much would you like to pay?” he asked.
I thought for a moment and then replied, “What are the options?”
I was asking a simple enough question, I thought, but he did a double-take and leaned back with pleasure.
“You know,” he said, “that’s the first time I’ve ever been asked that. It’s refreshing.”
I asked, “How do other people respond when you ask them how much they’d like to pay?”
He told me they all pretty much tell him they want to pay “as little as possible” each month.
But paying as little as possible per month means it will take you many more months (perhaps years) to pay off the car. It will extend the lifetime of the loan. It will extend the timespan you will be in debt. And it will vastly increase the amount of interest you end up paying over the life of the loan.
I selected a four-year plan but paid it off in three. The plan allowed the borrower to make additional payments as often as desired, and by doing so, one could pay off the loan earlier than contractually called for and thus reduce the amount of total interest paid on the loan.
Not all auto loans allow you to do that. After all, the lender wants your money and as much of it as possible — which they maximize by having you pay as little as possible each month.
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.
The Beauty in Nature Fake Eyes Save Lives
July, August, and September are the months of insects in southeastern Pennsylvania. And many kinds of insects have unique ways to protect themselves, including exhibiting large, fake eyes that frighten away would-be predators.
Several kinds of insects in woods and suburbs of the eastern United States — including io moths, spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillars, and eyed click beetles — display dark spots in strategic places that resemble the eyes of larger creatures.
Those “eyes” formed by trial and error through many, many years. And only the insects that developed protective eye spots lived long enough to reproduce themselves, with the genetic code passed along to grow those “eyes,” as their ancestors did.
Io moths have a round, dark spot (the O) on each of two hind wings. Each dark O has a bit of white that resembles reflected light. And each O has a black semi-circle around it (the I).
Io moths keep their wings flat and closed when at rest by day on a tree limb or other object. But when alarmed, the moth abruptly opens its four wings, revealing the two dark spots on the hind wings and its abdomen.
Those “light-reflecting” black spots and the abdomen, suddenly seen together, should make a bird or other predator feel as though it is looking into the face of an owl, scaring that predator away.
Newly hatched spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillars are brown and white and look like bird droppings on the spicebush and sassafras leaves they consume. But as those larvae grow, they are mostly green, which camouflages
them, and each one uses its silk to wrap a leaf around itself as it ingests that leaf from the inside.
But spicebush caterpillars’ best defenses are the two large black spots on their humped-up upper thoraxes, just behind their heads. Each “eye” has yellow “lids” and white spots in the black that looks like reflected light. There is even a yellow “ear” behind each “eye.”
Those fake eyes appear so real that when I look deeply into them, which I have, they appear to be staring back at me!
Eyed click beetles are about an inch long and black with many tiny white dots, which camouflage them on logs and among dead leaves on forest floors. Click beetles that find themselves vulnerable on their “backs” quickly flip upright by snapping muscles between their thoraxes and abdomens, often with an audible click.
Their wormlike larvae, called wireworms, are thin and segmented, living in rotting logs and ingesting beetle grubs they find in those logs.
And eyed click beetles have two large, oval black spots on their upper thoraxes that, again, resemble black eyes, but with white rims. I imagine those false eyes would startle away a skunk or bird that dug one out of a log or woodland soil.
These kinds of insects developed fake eyes to frighten away would-be predators, as well as developing camouflage and other means of defense. These are attractive and intriguing critters that are well worth knowing, as all wild plants and animals are, each species in its own way.
Clyde McMillan-Gamber
Spicebush swallowtail butterfly caterpillar.
Photograph taken by Patrick Coin, Wikimedia.org. Io moths, female (upper), male (lower).
The History of Ordinary Things The Umbrella’s Got You Covered
An umbrella, as well as a parasol, is a folding canopy supported by wooden or metal ribs that is usually mounted on a wooden, metal, or plastic pole. They fold and close along the pole and are opened when needed.
The umbrella is used when it rains, while the parasol is used to protect oneself from sunlight.
The basic umbrella structure is over 4,000 years old. Evidence of umbrellas has been found in the ancient art and artifacts of Egypt, Assyria, Greece, and China.
Researchers suggest that the design came from binding palm fronds, large leaves, feathers, or stretched papyrus to bough-like ribs. The Chinese were the first to create waterproof umbrellas by applying wax and lacquer to their paper canopies.
In ancient Egypt, parasols were used to protect the nobility and royalty from sunlight. They were carried by servants or slaves walking beside them. At the time, light skin was a sign of nobility and social status. It suggested one did not have to work in the hot sun like a commoner. A parasol was considered essential.
The wealthy females of Greece and Rome embraced the Egyptian parasol to protect them from the sun. Men regarded parasols as a feminine product that was below their dignity. They managed the harsh sun and rain with hats and coats.
The fall of the Roman Empire (around 500 AD) resulted in harsh changes in the lifestyle of the European wealthy. Fluctuations in the climate and environment, lack of food, incessant wars, a crumbling economy, and disease altered the social structure. Parasols and umbrellas disappeared in Europe for the next 1,000 years.
Small and expensive female parasols reappeared during the Renaissance of the late 1500s. These were made of wood or whalebone and covered with alpaca or oiled canvas. They had hand-carved handles of hardwood such as ebony.
By the 1600s, umbrellas became popular in the rainy climates of northern Europe. As in the past, they were considered only suitable for women.
An English writer, Jonas Hanway (1712-1786), is credited with men embracing the utility of the umbrella, which Hanway had conspicuously carried
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Doris Montag
Photo credit: “Hatshepsut temple4 b.jpg,” by JMCC1, licensed under CC-BY-SA-2.5. Wall relief showing an umbrella on Hatshepsut’s temple in the Theban Necropolis, Egypt, circa 1480 BCE.
throughout England for over 30 years. It was a sturdy and maleoriented umbrella.
In 1710, Parisian merchant Jean Marius invented the folding umbrella mechanism. The method of opening and closing was much like today’s umbrella.
In 1852, Samuel Fox, an English industrialist, designed the steel-ribbed umbrella. Fox claimed he made the ribbing with the farthingale stays from women’s corsets.
Steel lightened the weight of the umbrella, making it easier to carry and increasingly popular. Wealthy gentlemen began commissioning umbrellas with custom handles that could store anything from flasks to daggers. An umbrella became an accessory.
An oversized golf umbrella, typically 58-70 inches in diameter, was introduced in the late 1800s. It protected up to two golfers from the rain and sun during their rounds.
In 1928, Hans Haupt invented the pocket umbrella. The telescope-like pole shortened on itself, making the umbrella easier to carry and store. The smaller frame does limit coverage in the rain.
By the 1960s, nylon fabrics became the choice of material for umbrella canopies. Nylon was rain-resistant and fast-drying and came in multiple colors and patterns.
Contemporary changes in umbrella design include the use of aluminum and fiberglass in umbrella frames, as well as Teflon coating. Thirty-three million umbrellas are sold in the U.S. annually, the majority manufactured in China.
When you are in the rain, you need an umbrella! Don’t we all have one or two somewhere?
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 12th annual Lebanon County Women’s Expo is your opportunity to meet and build relationships with your next clients.
Share how you could help them, showcase your business, or sell your product right then and there. And it’s all done in a relaxed, stress-free environment.
You are invited to be one of the sponsors or exhibitors of this immensely popular event, where you can o er information about:
Two Lovers Beneath an Umbrella in the Snow by Suzuki Harunobu, circa 1767.
A parasol depicted in Morning Walk by John Singer Sargent, oil on canvas, 1888.
Photo credit: “Umbrella street o ld San Juan SJU 06 2019 5948.jpg,” by Mariordo, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0. Umbrella street decoration on Calle de la Fortaleza in old San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Many antique lovers ask me about glass of all types: Murano, Depression, EAPG, American Brilliant, Pyrex, and the list goes on. One of the most popular and exciting glass types for collectors is uranium glass. I like to call it “the green glass that glows.”
Uranium Glass: Antique Glass that Glows Green
Uranium glass is a type of glass that has uranium, typically in oxide diuranate form, added to the glass mixture before it is heated. This produces a special color.
This glass is translucent, sometimes viewed as a custard or opaque appearance. Some of this glass is called Vaseline, jadeite, or canary glass.
Uranium dioxide has been used to make glass for centuries; pieces have been
discovered dating back to 79 AD. Art glass makers and manufacturers of glass used small amounts of uranium to create glass of a yellowish-green color.
Uranium glass was produced during the 19th and early 20th centuries; it grew in popularity in the 1830s and experienced a collectors’ boom in the late 19th century.
This type of glass was produced until 1958, when the U.S. government stopped production. Uranium, at the time, was a regulated substance.
From circa 1943 until 1958, because of the events of World War II and the Cold War, U.S. officials did not allow the production of uranium glass
Lori Verderame
Photo credit: Raimond Spekking /
BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Art Deco uranium glass bowl glows under UV light.
Photo credit: “U glass with black light.jpg,” by Zvesoulis, licensed under
because the government had banned uranium salts from commercial use.
Only after uranium oxide was deregulated did the U.S. government allow uranium glass to be manufactured.
There is an old saying in the antiques world: “It must glow green to be Vaseline.” Uranium glass fluoresces or glows in the dark because of the presence of uranium in the glass mixture. There are various uranium glass types that will fluoresce under black or UV light.
Collectors collect uranium glass actively from some of the best-known manufacturers, such as L.G. Wright, Buckeye Glass Company, Mosser Glass, Gibson, Adams & Company, Boston & Sandwich Glass, Fenton, O’Hara Glass Company, and several others.
Pairpoint Manufacturing Company made Canaria Vaseline glass for a few years only in the 1920s, and Baccarat is known for making cristal dichroide in the 1840s.
When it comes to identifying uranium glass, look for glass with a translucent and oily surface look.
Safety questions arise when it comes to understanding uranium glass and collecting it. Uranium glass has a small number of radioactive elements.
In a 2001 report, uranium glass was deemed safe by the U.S. Nuclear Regulation Commission. These pieces of glassware have a very small amount of radioactivity, but the glowing color of uranium glass is not caused by radiation.
Uranium glass is safe to store, display, and collect.
A Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide and appears on Netflix’s King of Collectibles and History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars Do America. Visit drloriv.com, watch videos on youtube.com/drloriv, or call (888) 431-1010.
Photo credit: “Heisey Uranium Milk Glass Souvenir Cup from Hansboro, North Dakota.jpg,” by Limulus, licensed under CC-BY-SA-4.0. Uranium milk glass souvenir cup from Hansboro, N.D., manufactured by the Heisey Glass Company, early 20th century.
Photo credit: Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Uranium glass flacons under normal light.
Plan for Agency on Alzheimer’s Support Moves Forward
By Christina Lengyel
Reform on Alzheimer’s disease and similar conditions took another step toward the Pennsylvania governor’s desk in mid-June.
Leaders in the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee hope to build momentum behind the issue after a plan laid out in 2014 to address the many obstacles facing those seeking care has largely fallen flat.
“We have a growing public health crisis that drains the physical, emotional, and financial health of all those impacted, including state government resources,” said bill sponsor Rep. Maureen Madden, D-Monroe.
“Different government agencies administer programs and initiatives that are critical to people living with dementia, but these are predominately siloed with multiple state agencies working separately from one another.”
The bill, a companion to Senate Bill 840, establishing an Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (ADRD) Office, promises to remedy some of these issues by creating infrastructural support through full-time state agency positions.
Caregivers for those suffering from ADRD say the costly and complex network of medical providers and social support is difficult, if not impossible, to navigate alone.
In an informational hearing earlier this month, legislators heard testimony from those who work or have been thrust into the system while caring for
loved ones.
Several lawmakers, including Madden, have spoken about their own experiences with the impact of cognitive impairment.
“It’s an issue that’s important to me,” said Rep. Steve Mentzer, R-Lancaster, recalling his mother-inlaw’s battle with Alzheimer’s.
The state’s population is aging, and with it, a wave of new ADRD diagnoses is expected. It’s a daunting prospect for an already overtaxed healthcare system in which appropriate staffing is hard to come by and costs are ballooning.
In 2020, the Medicare cost for the conditions was $3.7 billion within the state, with over 282,000 living with ADRD. That number is expected to have increased 10% by 2025.
Experts hope that increasing public awareness about the illness will not only help to mitigate its effects, but also potentially increase prevention efforts.
“Everyone can agree that the impact of this disease extends well beyond those aged 60 and older, which is why a coordinated, interdepartmental approach that incorporates a broad spectrum of public-private partnerships is necessary to address the multifaceted challenges of this disease effectively and efficiently,” said Madden.
The bill now awaits full consideration in the House.
Article originally published by The Center Square.
The Night Disco Didn’t Die
Sometimes a promotional stunt can work too well.
On a July evening in 1979, a melee ensued at Chicago’s Comiskey Park that resulted in six people being injured and 39 being arrested for disorderly conduct.
Why? During a stunt called Disco Demolition Night, thousands of attendees stormed the diamond following the first game of a double-header between the Chicago White Sox and the Detroit Tigers.
With many rioters amped-up on beer and drugs, rowdies tore up turf, set infield fires, climbed foul poles, upended the batting cage and (literally) stole the bases. Police in riot gear intervened, and the White Sox had to forfeit the second game.
The year before, irreverent Chicago radio DJ Steve Dahl had helmed the highly rated Steve Dahl’s Rude Awakening show on Top 40 powerhouse WDAI-FM.
But near the end of 1978, WDAI switched formats from rock ’n’ roll to disco music — and fired Dahl on Christmas Eve. He was devastated and immediately focused his anger on a music form that he had always despised. Disco, pioneered by gays, Blacks, and Latinos, had risen from the 1970s underground into the mainstream following the success of such recording artists as Donna Summer, the Bee Gees, and KC and the Sunshine Band, as well as the commercial clout of the film and soundtrack of Saturday Night Fever
In March 1979, still distraught about disco’s influence, Dahl landed a morning gig at Chicago album-rock outlet WLUP-FM. He and the overnight DJ there (a fellow disco-music hater) were soon loudly demolishing records during their on-air shifts.
With some other radio pals — and the son of the White Sox’s owner —
Dahl created a promotion idea that he thought could grant him heroic status: He would destroy disco music forever, while at the same time raising the often-pitiful attendance figures at Comiskey Park. (The 52,000-capacity stadium usually drew crowds of about 16,000 on any given White Sox game day.)
Set for July 12, the DJ’s scheme was labeled Disco Demolition Night.
The admission charge that night was a disco record and 98 cents (WLUP-FM’s frequency was 98.0). Dahl’s scheme had called for the collecting of the records, piling them into a dumpster in center field, and blowing everything to smithereens.
Dahl hoped the stunt might draw a few thousand extra folks to the park. Wrong. On the night of July 12, Comiskey Park sold out, with 40,000 restless souls milling about outside.
With the first game over (the White Sox lost 4-1), Dahl, in military regalia, circled the playing field in a Jeep before whipping the crowd into a frenzy with chants of “DISCO SUCKS!” The “fun” began when a powerful explosive charge set off in the dumpster rocketed thousands of discs into the sky.
Dahl’s escapade didn’t end disco’s reign, any more than Buddy Holly’s death marked “the day the music died.” By the early 1980s, disco’s popularity had faded — but because of changing musical trends and not one rock jock’s stunt gone awry one Chicago summer evening in 1979.
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
o riginal publication and photo credit: 1979, Chicago Tribune.
A photograph taken during Disco Demolition Night in 1979.
By Kimberly Blaker
How to Recognize Fake News and Halt the Spread of Misinformation
Thanks to the internet’s prevalence and easy access through smartphones and other devices, the latest news, information, and anything you could ever want to know are all just a few clicks away.
Unfortunately, the growth of information on the internet has given rise to fake news and misleading or factually incorrect information. The problem of fake news continues to worsen, causing further division in our communities and across the country.
Everyone who spends time on the internet will be exposed to fake news at some point, and many will be taken in by false claims. But some demographics are more susceptible.
Those who create and spread fake news know which demographics tend to struggle more with technology and information, targeting specific populations that may not have developed the skills and nuance to know how to sort facts from fiction online.
In fact, Andrew Guess et al. published their study of the 2016 presidential campaign, “Less than you think: Prevalence and predictors of fake news dissemination on Facebook.”
They found that Facebook users over the age of 65 were almost seven times more likely to share fake news articles than the youngest age range.
Seniors may be particularly at risk for fake news because they’re “digital immigrants” who learned to use computers and similar devices at an older age.
“Digital natives,” on the other hand, are those who grew up in a world with the internet, computers, and smartphones and have had more experience and understanding of its subtleties.
It’s almost like the difference between being fluent in a language you were raised with versus learning a new language when you’re older.
Despite this, statistics show that all age groups and demographics are susceptible to falling for or sharing fake news.
Fortunately, there are ways to combat and hinder the widespread dispersal of fake news. It just requires learning to differentiate between sources to gather accurate and verified information.
Types and Sources of Fake News
Fake news comes in many forms and can be tricky to recognize. Generally, it can be found in any form of online media, particularly news articles. But a plethora of videos, posts, and pictures on the internet present inaccurate information as truthful.
Fake news stories are usually either completely false or have some truth, but they aren’t entirely accurate in the presentation. The first type is easier to recognize, while the second can be more difficult and cause more confusion.
Sometimes fake news is unintentionally spread when something is misunderstood or taken out of context. Still, it can be done deliberately to twist what someone said or did to persuade readers to believe something untrue.
Satire sites sometimes become sources of fake news when people reading or sharing these articles are unfamiliar with the website’s purpose. Many of these sites don’t prominently note they’re publishing parodies rather than reporting factual information, so it can be hard to distinguish parody sites from a legitimate source.
Some common satire sites include:
• The Onion
• The Babylon Bee
• Borowitz Report
• The Daily Currant
• Empire News
• CAP News
• Big American News
• National Report
How to Spot Fake News
When trying to determine if an article or information is fact or fiction, there are some questions you can ask to help yourself spot fake news.
• Does the website have a suffix indicating legitimacy, such as .gov, .edu, or .org?
• Does it come from a known media outlet, such as a reputable news station or other organization?
• Who’s the author, and what are their credentials?
• Are other major news stations or sources reporting similar information?
• Does the article itself include linked sources or citations to back up its claims?
• Is the website selling a product?
• Is there an obvious bias against a person or group?
• Is the headline attention-grabbing and unbelievable?
The written word isn’t the only method by which people can share or spread fake news. Images and “deep fake” videos are easy to create with current technology.
Just because you see a video, hear audio, or see a picture doesn’t mean it’s accurate. There may be missing context, like a photo being cropped, or it could be from a different time or place. It could be edited with parts cut out, slowed down, or sped up. It’s even possible to add or remove both audio and visual content.
If you’re feeling unsure about recognizing fake news, online classes are available to help. Through a class, you can learn how to spot fake news, see examples, and ask questions.
Classes are offered through some colleges and universities. There are also online classes available through organizations such as Senior Planet (seniorplanet.org), AAR P (aarp.org), and MediaWise for Seniors (poynter.org/ mediawise/programs/seniors).
Remember that just because you don’t agree with something doesn’t mean it’s fake news. Fake news refers to something that is demonstrably false or cannot be verified.
By Lynda Hudzick
Mary (Diehl) Sturman loves to make people laugh, and she’s been very successful at doing it for most of her 97 years.
“I lived with my grandparents when I was a child and went to a oneroom schoolhouse,” Sturman recalls.
“We had programs there every year, and I always tried to make people laugh.
It Really is the Best Medicine
Most of our neighbors spoke Pennsylvania Dutch, and my grandfather taught me to sing in Pennsylvania Dutch, so I would do silly songs and everyone just loved it.”
But not everyone was such a big fan. Her first husband, who was the father of her children and whom she sadly lost at a young age, didn’t really like it when Sturman told jokes or did her comedic routines — for a very sweet reason.
“He said he didn’t like people laughing at me,” she said. “But I told him if they didn’t, I wouldn’t be very good at it, would I?”
Her second husband, who passed in 2015 after 40 years of marriage, was of a different mindset.
“He liked it; he thought I was very funny,” she said. “He had a great sense of humor.”
In addition to her extensive repertoire of jokes, Sturman has often delighted audiences as her self-created character, Mrs. Nutzelbaum, an “old Pennsylvania Dutch lady who told funny stories and sang songs,” she said. “Don’t ask me where I came up with that name, though. I probably heard it
somewhere along the way.”
She was often asked to perform at various fundraisers and other community events and continues to charm her friends and neighbors by sharing jokes in her apartment building in York, where she still lives independently.
“People will come up to me and say, ‘Mary, do you have any new jokes?’ and I always try to share one that they haven’t already heard,” she said. “I joke about everything, remembering stories from my childhood that were funny, and I like to share that with people.”
One incident in particular that Sturman remembers clearly was when she went with her grandfather, to the dismay of her grandmother, to help take down some trees along his property line — using dynamite.
“I was there, and he put in the dynamite, and he starts yelling, ‘Schprengedupa !’ And of course I didn’t understand Pennsylvania Dutch very well, so I yelled to my grandmother, ‘What does that mean?’ And she yelled back, ‘It means run — quick!’”
Still active at 97, Sturman enjoys playing Scrabble, walking a mile every day, and using her electronic tablet, on which she is pretty skilled, she said.
But she especially enjoys spending time laughing with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who she feels lucky to see often.
“It’s important to see the funny side of things and to keep laughter in your life,” she said. “It really is the best medicine.”
How to Combat or Prevent the Spread of Misinformation
Fake news is created to be shared. Articles, pictures, and videos designed to mislead can quickly spread once people start sharing with their friends, who also share until it becomes widely viewed.
Creators often rely on provoking an emotional response, especially fear or outrage, making you feel like it’s your duty to share this vital information with others. Even commenting on or reacting to a post can increase its visibility, causing it to spread.
• Don’t share any resources without pausing to fact-check them at sites such as PolitiFact (politifact.com), Snopes (snopes.com), and FactCheck.org.
• Report posts or articles that are intentionally misleading or inaccurate.
• Read more than just the catchy, attention-grabbing headlines.
• Educate others: Don’t be afraid to call it out when someone shares fake news (but be kind because the person sharing it doesn’t likely realize it’s fake).
Once you understand how to recognize fake news, you can be a proud part of the movement to stop the spread of misinformation.
Kimberly Blaker is a freelance lifestyle writer. She’s also founder and director of KB Creative Digital Services, an internet marketing agency, at kbcreativedigital.com.
Mary Sturman Sturman sharing her comedy at a birthday party.
How Much Do You Know about July Fourth?
By Randal C. Hill
In 1776, the Founding Fathers of the Second Continental Congress declared that we were no longer subject (and subordinate) to the monarch of Britain, King George III, and that we were now 13 united, free, and independent colonies.
Our upstart Congress adopted their Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
Thomas Jefferson had been selected to write the document’s first draft, and while he did consult with a few others, he largely composed the Declaration of Independence himself over 17 days in a rented room at 700 Market St. in Philadelphia. (Today, that structure is known as the Declaration House.)
The historic document was signed by 56 men — primarily lawyers, merchants, and plantation owners — and included Jefferson, John Hancock, John and Samuel Adams, and Benjamin Franklin. How well do you know this all-important piece of history? Let’s find out. The answer key can be found at the end.
1. Who said, “Freedom is never granted. It is earned by each generation”?
a. Harry Truman
b. Franklin D. Roosevelt
c. Hillary Clinton
d. Ronald Reagan
2. During World War II, the Declaration of Independence was stored where?
a. Fort Knox
b. Annapolis
c. West Point
d. The White House
3. In 1776, the population of the United States was about:
a. 2.5 million
b. 5 million
c. 12 million
d. 15 million
4. Americans consume how many hot dogs each July 4?
a. 50 million
b. 100 million
c. 150 million
d. 200 million
5. Which American president was born on July 4?
a. Teddy Roosevelt
b. Calvin Coolidge
c. Harry Truman
d. George H.W. Bush
6. The oldest signer of the Declaration of Independence was:
a. John Hancock
b. Thomas Jefferson
c. John Adams
d. Benjamin Franklin
7. Independence Day became a legal federal holiday in:
a. 1938
b. 1941
c. 1945
d. 1951
8. Fireworks were first used to celebrate Independence Day in:
a. 1777
b. 1812
c. 1861
d. 1899
9. Which two U.S. presidents died on July 4, 1826?
a. George Washington and Samuel Adams
b. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
c. Samuel Adams and James Madison
d. Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin
10. Rather than the bald eagle, Benjamin Franklin wanted the national bird to be a:
a. chicken
b. seagull
c. falcon
d. turkey
11. In 1778, George Washington celebrated Independence Day by giving his soldiers:
a. rum
b. boots
c. coats
d. rifles
12. About how many fireworks displays take place in America each year?
a. 5,000
b. 11,000
c. 14,000
d. 18,000
Answer key:
1 – c 7 – b
2 – a 8 – a
3 – a 9 – b
4 – c 10 – d
5 – b 11 – a
6 – d 12 – c
The Reel Deal
Thelma
Her name is Thelma, and she’s the least likely action hero you’ll encounter at the multiplex this summer.
After six decades of acting, June Squibb has landed her first starring role as Thelma Post, a grandmother who brazenly refuses to accept the limits of old age when she learns she has been phone-scammed out of $10,000.
Thelma is the brainchild of comedy-improv writer/director Josh Margolin. He based his story on his own grandmother, who had herself been scammed out of $10,000.
Onscreen, Thelma lives alone in a Los Angeles condo. Her daughter Gail (Parker Posey) and son-in-law Alan (Clark Gregg) hover over her, always alert for possible signs of a mental decline. But her ungrounded grandson Danny (Fred Hechinger) is the only family member who spends much time with her.
When Thelma is scammed, family folks pass off her experience as a reminder of her age and naiveté. She refuses to roll over, however, and instead sees the event as a clarion call to action.
She tracks down the source of the theft, then calls on nursing-home widower pal Ben (Shaft star Richard Roundtree, in his final film). Ben owns an electric two-seat scooter and can accompany Thelma on her mission.
On the way to their destination, Thelma stops to get a pistol. Ben is incredulous and asks, “Do you even know how to use it?” To which she blithely responds, “How hard can it be? Idiots use them all the time!”
Thelma is more than just a study in revenge. Here we witness firsthand the strength of a determined senior out to achieve justice in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
This is Squibb’s first lead role in a film that’s obviously inspired by the Mission: Impossible franchise. (Tom Cruise even allowed some brief clips to be included in Thelma.)
Squibb grew up in a small Illinois town, the daughter of an insurance salesman and a piano teacher.
“I knew I wanted to be in show business ever since I came out of the womb,” she admits.
She began performing in musicals at 19, moved on to the Broadway stage, and only began making films at 60.
At age 94, what does she say to ageist critics?
“I ignore them … I don’t really care what they’re saying.”
Film fans will recall Squibb’s Academy Award nomination for her role as a salty matriarch in Nebraska , the Bruce Dern classic from 2013.
There’s already Tinseltown buzz about a possible Oscar nomination for Squibb in this winsome work from Magnolia Pictures. Thelma opens July 19.
Randal C. Hill enjoys getting sneak peeks of forthcoming movies from his home on the Oregon coast. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com
Randal Hill
Image copyright (©) Magnolia Pictures or related entities. Used for publicity and promotional purposes.
