Robocalls aRe moRe than just annoying — heRe’s how to combat them page 4
women and add: the hidden disability page 6
oRthopedics & pain special section page 12
Clyde McMillan-Gamber
The Beauty in Nature
Wolf Spiders and Fishing Spiders
One spring evening, I saw a wolf spider crossing our street in front of our suburban house. Fearing a casualty on the street, I chased that spider off it.
Another time, late in the afternoon in October, I saw another wolf spider crossing a farmland road, and this one carried several baby spiders on her upper abdomen. I chased her off the road, too.
I have seen several wolf spiders and a few six-spotted fishing spiders in southeastern Pennsylvania through the years. And each handsome spider has been interesting to see in its natural habitat.
Wolf spiders mostly inhabit deadleaf-covered woodland floors and older suburban areas. Fishing spiders inhabit emergent vegetation on the shallow edges of ponds and slow waterways.
These spiders have much in common, though they are not closely related. They both live across much of the United States. Both species are mostly dark brown with a couple of beige stripes on top, which camouflage them beautifully in their respective habitats.
Neither kind spins webs to snare small invertebrates but instead stalk prey and grab it as a wolf would. Both are mostly nocturnal.
The bodies of both kinds are up to 1.5 inches long. Their legs make them look even larger. Each spider of both types has eight legs, as all spiders do, and eight black eyes that afford them good vision.
Females of both species spawn eggs into a white sac of silk they drag around with them. Both kinds have venom they use to paralyze invertebrates
they capture to suck out their juices. But these spiders are harmless to people.
Wolf spiders hide by day under fallen leaves, logs, rocks, matted grass, and other objects on the ground. But at night, they track down by sight crickets, beetles, and other invertebrates. They have long, strong legs to quickly pursue their victims.
However, other nocturnal creatures — including screech owls, striped skunks, short-tailed shrews, and small snakes — catch and consume wolf spiders. But camouflage, good vision, and strong legs help save some wolf spiders from predators.
Like wolf spiders, fishing spiders catch invertebrates by sight. But the attractive fishing spiders also perch on emergent vegetation along shallow shorelines and place two or three legs on the water’s surface to feel for activity that could mean land-based invertebrates struggling on the surface.
Fishing spiders also snare tadpoles and tiny fish they see or feel at the water’s surface, hence their common name.
Some fishing spiders fall prey to frogs; water snakes; certain kinds of birds, including sandpipers; and fish large enough to swallow those spiders. Fishing spiders need good vision to eat but not be eaten.
Wolf spiders and fishing spiders, in their natural habitats, are interesting and exciting creatures to experience. But people do not have to fear them. They have venom to help capture their prey but are harmless to people.
Wolf spider
Fishing spider
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robocalls are More than Just Annoying — Here’s How to Combat them
By Kimberly Blaker
If you regularly screen your phone calls, keep your ringer turned off to avoid frequent calls, decline unknown numbers, or wait to hear a voicemail before deciding whether to return a call — you’re not alone.
Legal robocalls include:
• Political parties looking for support
• Charities asking for donations
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According to various surveys in recent years, approximately half of all phone calls go unanswered. The primary reason people don’t answer calls is to avoid the constant barrage of robocalls. This leads to a lot of frustration when people miss important calls, such as a potential job interview or return call from the doctor. To understand the scale of the growing problem: Americans received 55 billion robocalls in 2023, according to YouMail Robocall Index data. This is almost two times the number in 2016 (29.1 billion).
What are Robocalls?
Robocalls are a type of phone call used by some companies, organizations, or individuals that play a recorded message when answered.
top 10 Area Codes Known for Spam Calls
214 – Dallas, Texas
210 – San Antonio, Texas
817 – Fort Worth, Texas
512 – Austin, Texas
832 – Houston, Texas
305 – Miami, Fla.
713 – Houston, Texas
404 – Atlanta, Ga.
405 – Oklahoma City, Okla.
407 – Orlando, Fla.
Some merely play a message, while others provide options to transfer people to a live person. Many of these calls are made by scammers, while others are harmless yet annoying.
As technology advances, the number of robocalls increases. Fortunately, so does the development of technology and tricks to avert them.
Types of Robocalls
When you hear the word “robocalls,” you may immediately think of scammers who want to trick you into giving out personal information or money. While many are, not all robocalls are illegal scams.
• Informational calls, such as appointment reminders, automated school messages, flight updates from your airline, and information from your health provider, to name a few
• Calls from debt collectors
• Companies to whom you’ve given written permission to contact you with a robocall Illegal robocalls are those that haven’t previously obtained your permission and are trying to sell you something or scammers trying to get your personal information or money. Some common illegal robocalls include:
• Imposter scams that pretend to be a government agency, such as the IRS, or even a loved one
• Credit card or debt scams charging a fee in exchange for aid for credit card or other types of debt
• Loan scams asking you to pay an up-front fee in exchange for a loan
• Prize scams claiming you’ve won a lottery or prize that requires you to pay a fee or share personal information to get the prize
• Free-trial scams that lock you into a subscription plan with additional costs after the trial ends
• Travel scams that are often deals that are too good to be true, ending up with unexpected
extra costs or other strings attached, or that don’t even exist
• Charity scams in which they pose as a charity to get donations
• One-ring scams from foreign phone numbers that call and hang up on you to get you to call back and rack up fees
How Robocalls Work
Robocallers can get large volumes of phone numbers by buying lists of leads from third-party providers. Your number ends up on those lists when you:
• Call 800, 888, or 900 numbers
• Apply for credit
• Contribute to charity
• Register to vote
• Give your phone number to a business during a purchase or for a contest
• Call a company
Some robocalls also use machines that simply dial random numbers. Robocall operations may use small, low-cost phone carriers or computer programs to send out a high volume of prerecorded calls for little cost. The theory is that out of a large number of calls, only a few people will return the call or respond by pressing a number to speak to the robocaller.
When a call recipient does respond, they’re patched through to a real person, who either addresses the legal purpose of the call or completes the illegal sales pitch or scam. Scammers seeking money may ask you to send gift cards or wire money directly, so it’s harder for you to recover it.
Fighting Back with Legislation
Since robocalls affect so many people so frequently, many groups are working to combat the calls through legislation.
A few government agencies, including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Federal Communication Commission (FCC), not only work against robocalls, but they also have information and resources available to the public.
In November 2019, the House and Senate announced their agreement on the Pallone-Thune TRACED Act, merging two bills to stop robocalls.
This act gives the FCC more involvement in combating robocalls. It also created a group with representatives from various agencies to work together on evaluating resources and policies to help tackle the problem.
The TRACED Act sets guidelines for the FCC to go after and fine scammers more easily. It also allows the FCC to require phone carriers to use technology to verify and authenticate calls at no cost to their customers, evaluate how to prevent scammers from accessing numbers, and assess current approaches to stopping robocalls.
The FCC is also required to give regular updates to Congress.
More lawsuits are also being pursued against companies or businesses using robocalls. In January 2020, a case was brought against three people and a call center that had helped the Grand Bahama Cruise Line, LLC, place millions of illegal robocalls.
They settled the FTC complaint and are barred from making robocalls in the future. The FTC will take others involved to court who did not agree to settle.
How to Guard against Robocalls
There are so many robocalls going out always, it’s impossible to prevent all of them forever. But there are steps you can take to reduce the robocalls and to protect yourself and loved ones from falling victim to a phone scam.
Sign up your mobile phone numbers on the National Do Not Call Registry. This is a free service to stop unwanted sales calls from telemarketers and legitimate companies.
Unfortunately, scammers don’t abide by this list, so it doesn’t prevent all
the calls or the most precarious ones. Sign up or report unwanted calls at donotcall.gov or by calling (888) 382-1222.
The most basic way to avoid robocalls is to screen all your calls and answer only known numbers. This can be a pain, though, and may result in many voicemails, although most won’t leave a message.
To reduce aggravation, enter any important numbers into your phone contacts to minimize the chance of screening an important call. Also, be aware that with new “spoofing” technology, scammers can choose which name or number they want to show up on your screen.
Use technological advances in call-blocking when possible:
• Wireless and landline service providers have tools and services to prevent robocalls and spam calls. Visit your account online or contact your provider to see how they can help you prevent these calls.
• Phone manufacturers also sometimes include call-blocking or robocall warning technology on their devices. Check your phone’s handbook or contact the manufacturer to find out what services are available.
• You can also block specific numbers on your phone after they’ve called you. However, some robocallers place calls from many numbers in an effort to avoid being blocked.
• Many mobile phone apps are available to help with call-blocking, screening calls, blocking likely scam calls, and even filing a complaint through the appropriate channels. Search the app store on your phone to find one that suits your needs. Some are free, while others are paid, so read reviews before downloading.
If you answer a call you believe is an illegal robocall, don’t engage or press any buttons to be taken off a list or to talk to someone. Hang up and report the phone number to the Do Not Call Registry.
Robocalls can be particularly problematic for older adults, who may be more trusting on phone calls or not as familiar with the technology behind them.
AARP offers tips on how to recognize a robocall with key phrases to listen for in some of the common scams targeting seniors, such as “health insurance,” “jury duty,” “Social Security,” and “pain center.”
These calls are generally looking for money or valuable information, like your Social Security number or access to your Medicare account.
To learn more, visit aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2019/recognize-arobocall.html
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
Women and ADD: the Hidden Disability
By Kimberly Blaker
According to Sari Solden, in her book Women with Attention Deficit Disorder, “Almost all women find that life today is complex, upsetting, or frustrating, but they are still able to meet most of [life’s] demands reasonably well …
“For women with untreated attention deficit disorder (ADD), however, the demands of daily life can be crippling. It cripples their self-esteem, their families, their lives, their work, and their relationships.”
ADD, also known as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), affects between 3% and 5% of the population. However, adult ADD, especially as it appears in women, often goes unrecognized.
Characteristics of ADD in Women
The symptoms of ADD are many. Some are more commonly seen in women and are opposite the more recognized symptoms, making detection unlikely and diagnosis difficult.
While there are a multitude of characteristics, most women with the disorder don’t have every symptom. Instead, each woman has a mixture of symptoms severe enough to impair some areas of life.
Disorganization is common and often a serious problem for women struggling with ADD. They may be unable to organize their homes, offices, or lives.
To outsiders, the disorganization isn’t always visible. That’s because women who lead professional lives may have assistants, secretaries, and cleaning services to assist them. Some ADD women have a partner who compensates for their organizational dysfunction as well.
Other women with ADD find clutter and disorganization an incredible distraction. These distractions, coupled with the responsibilities of everyday life, lead to mental disorganization. The disorganized brain struggles to store, weed out, and organize in a logical fashion. For these women, being tidy and organized equals survival.
Women with ADD can be at either end of the spectrum, either hyperactive or hypoactive (underactive).
Hyperactive women may go at full speed until they crash from the overload. Family life can also suffer with a hyperactive mother — she may be unable to sit and play games or read to her children unless she finds the activities stimulating.
Many women with ADD are at the other extreme: They’re hypoactive, unable to muster the energy to do much of anything. These women are often unable to keep up with life’s many demands. Maintaining a home, participating in family activities, staying in touch with friends, even holding down a job can be a major challenge.
Women with ADD struggle with regulating their attention. It doesn’t mean they can never maintain attention; rather, the ability to focus for most with ADD is based on interest and whether the activity is stimulating. Many women daydreamed through school when they were younger. Yet the subjects or activities they found fun, interesting, or exciting didn’t pose such a problem. Adult life for these women is often the same.
Hyperfocusing also poses problems and can coexist with symptoms of
inattention. A woman may over-focus on that which interests her and be unable to shift her attention.
Women with ADD may be impatient. Standing in lines, sitting in waiting rooms, and being placed on hold for lengthy waits drive some women to the brink.
Also, for some, having ADD is like being on an emotional rollercoaster. A woman can become overly excited by anything positive and then swing to the opposite extreme over slight problems, disappointments, or perceived criticism or rejection.
Misdiagnosis
Studies show the incidence of ADD in men and women is nearly identical, says Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., co-author of Understanding Women with ADHD. There are several common reasons women with ADD often don’t receive the diagnosis. Doctors often diagnose the depression that accompanies ADD but miss the ADD itself. Women, more often than men, have coexisting anxiety and depression, which must be treated as well.
Also, women who are more hyperactive, hypertalkative, and impulsive are sometimes misdiagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Many doctors still look for signs of ADD more typical of boys (such as disruptive, overactive, or aggressive behavior) and fail to understand that ADD symptoms in females often don’t appear until puberty or later because of hormonal fluctuations. The symptoms of ADD often worsen when girls enter puberty, during PMS, and as estrogen levels drop in perimenopause and menopause.
In addition, girls tend to try harder in school, so their ADD patterns are often masked or are overlooked by teachers.
Treatment Options
Several treatments are available for ADD. The most effective is prescription medication. There’s a multitude of stimulant and nonstimulant medications available for treatment.
Behavioral therapy is also beneficial, both for coming to terms with the lifelong disorder and to relieve negative coping behaviors. Coaching is also useful for learning new skills and strategies for structuring life.
Because ADD is neurobiological, therapy and coaching work best in conjunction with medication.
Where to Go for Help
Finding a qualified provider isn’t always easy because adult ADD, especially as it affects women, isn’t always recognized. Before seeking a diagnosis, read some recommended books for a better understanding of the disorder and the diagnosis and treatment process.
Also, compile a list of questions to ask your provider to ensure he has a clear understanding of the disorder and appropriate treatments. If you don’t feel comfortable with a physician’s responses, seek help elsewhere.
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
Puzzle Page
Across
1. Tubers
5. Bird (Lat.)
9. Dutch cheese
13. Charles Lamb
14. Nocturnal insect
15. Snake toxin
17. Resoluteness
19. Run off
20. Martin or McQueen
21. Linear unit
23. Belief
24. Irritate
27. Most hateful
29. Wedding words
1. Conifers
2. Got down
3. Distance markers
4. Balm
5. I love (Lat.)
6. Oath
7. Component
31. Sweat
33. Plateau
35. Perk
36. German prison
40. Play parts
41. Pinch
43. Singer Turner
44. Flowerless plants
47. Shelter
49. Newts
50. Intensify
53. Second sight
54. Music systems
57. Levies
59. Succeeding
60. Sum (abbr.)
62. Accumulate
65. Loosen laces
67. Amateur picture show
70. Chem. element
71. Indicate discomfort
72. Camp shelter
73. Atlas Shrugged author Ayn
74. Elec. units
75. Energy units
22. Garlands
25. Ex-serviceman
26. Ireland
28. See 30 Down
29. Holy man
30. With 28 Down, painting style
32. Brim over
8. Decapod crustacean
9. Garden resident
10. Describe in vivid detail
11. Electron tube
12. Moons about 16. Beef, pork, veal, e.g. 18. Bird word Down
34. Declaration
37. Candy or buoy
38. Pismires
39. Short inhalation
42. Combustible material
45. Compass point
46. Highlander
48. Gr. letter
51. Respiratory disorder
52. Test
54. Rebuff
55. Singing voice
56. Superfluous
58. Give expression to
61. Hang over
63. Warble
64. Tennis units
66. Goal
68. Chart
69. Printer’s measures
Home Care ServiCeS & HoSpiCe providerS
Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition. This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.
Year est.: 2012
Counties Served: Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery, Schuylkill, York
Rns: Yes
LPns: Yes
CnAs: Yes
Home Aides: Yes
Year est.: 2006
Age in PLACe Home CARe 1 (888) 990-4555 www.aiphc.com
medicare Certified?: No
other Certifications and Services: Now accepting new clients. We are a licensed, nonmedical home care service, providing quality support to seniors and those with physical disabilities. Our services include: respite care, recovery care, Alzheimer’s and dementia care, personal care, home support care, errands, and transport. Now accepting Act 150 waiver, OBRA waiver, CHC waiver, private pay. Now hiring CNAs, caregivers, and home health aides. Offering $1,000 sign-on bonus.
Counties Served: Adams, Columbia, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lycoming, Montour, Northumberland, Perry, Snyder, Union, York
Rns: Yes
LPns: Yes
Year est.: 2007
Counties Served: Lancaster
Rns: Yes
LPns: No
CnAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
Year est.: 2002
Counties Served:
Senior Helpers of Exton – (484) 247-4714
CnAs: Yes
www.dedicatednurses.com
Home Aides: Yes
medicare Certified?: Yes
other Certifications and Services: DNA is dedicated to all of your home care needs. Our services include but are not limited to: bathing, dressing, feeding, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands, and appointments.
L AndiS At Home (717) 509-5800 www.landisathome.org
medicare Certified?: No
other Certifications and Services: Graceful transitions – move management, downsizing; senior servant – bookkeeping; and transportation.
Year est.: 1994
Counties Served: Lancaster, York
Rns: No
LPns: No
CnAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
BY YouR Side Home CARe (717) 394-5111 www.byyoursidecare.com
medicare Certified?: No
other Certifications and Services: Personal care, ambulation, and transfers. Companionship, light housekeeping, meal prep, medication reminders, and respite care.
Homeland Hospice: (717) 221-7890
Year est.: 2009
Homeland Palliative Care: (717) 857-7403
Year est.: 2022
Homeland HomeCare: (717) 221-7892
Year est.: 2016
Homeland HomeHealth: (717) 412-0166
Year est.: 2017
Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland*, Dauphin*, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon*, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry*, Schuylkill, Snyder, York*
*Homeland HomeHealth currently serves five of 14 counties.
Rns: Yes
LPns: Yes
CnAs/Home Aides: Yes
direct Care Workers: Yes
SenioR HeLPeRS www.seniorhelpers.com
Rns: Yes
LPns: No
CnAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes
Senior Helpers of Harrisburg – (717) 920-0707
Senior Helpers of Hershey – (717) 644-9246
Senior Helpers of Lancaster – (717) 738-0588
Senior Helpers of York – (717) 893-2315
medicare Certified?: No
other Certifications and Services: Alzheimer’s and dementia care, Parkinson’s care, companion care, personal care, respite care, VA benefit assistance, chronic disease care.
Year est.: 2003
Counties Served: Cumberland, Dauphin
Rns: No
LPns: No
CnAs: No
Home Aides: Yes
Pt/ot/Speech therapists: Yes
Social Workers: Yes
Spiritual Counselors: Yes
Complementary therapies: Yes
medicare Certified: Yes
other Certifications and Services: Homeland at Home is a community outreach of Homeland Center, a nonprofit CCRC that has served our region with excellent and benevolent care since 1867.
Our expert team is dedicated to providing a continuum of At Home services — from nonmedical personal assistance to skilled nursing and compassionate care. We are privileged to care for you and your loved ones … any place you call “home.”
We offer 13 months of bereavement support as well as community and staff educational programs. Please call for details.
medicare Certified?: No
other Certifications and Services: Visiting Angels is a leading provider of elder care since 1998. We help older adults live independently and comfortably in their own homes. Services are customized and tailored for best outcomes.
With the presidential campaign of 2024 ending soon, collectible objects associated with the race for the White House are at their height of popularity. Toys associated with play and politics are bought and sold to keep the candidates in front of voters’ minds.
Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori Political Beanies Bring High Values
The widespread media coverage of political campaigns represents a fabulous opportunity to sell the stuff that goes along with running for office. From bobbleheads and action figures to coloring books and Ty Inc. Beanie Babies, political objects are all the rage now.
What’s hot? Political campaigns have rejected the idea of giving away functional items to inspire voters, like buttons and signs. Sure, these are available, but after the campaign ends, these are not the objects that resellers or collectors are looking for.
The items that hold their value in the political-collectibles market are items like the George W. Bush jack-in-the-box, John Kennedy/Lyndon Johnson cigarette lighter, Mitt Romney bobblehead toys, Bill Clinton soft plush pillow dolls, Donald J. Trump coloring books, or Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton action figures.
For example, a pair of Ty Inc. Beanie Babies stuffed plush toys is collectible and has a political connection, too. A red, white, and blue stuffed donkey named Lefty represented the Democratic Party, and a similar patriotically colored elephant named Righty attracted Republicans to the collectible toys.
These Beanie Babies were first manufactured in 1996 for the presidential campaign between President William (Bill) Jefferson Clinton and Republican hopeful Bob Dole of Kansas. The Ty Inc. company continued to produce Lefty and Righty for the presidential campaigns in 2000, 2004, and 2008.
These red, white, and blue stuffed animals from nearly 20 years ago are among the pricey offerings on online platforms like eBay and Etsy, auction websites from estates all over the U.S., and social media pages like Facebook, Instagram, etc.
In addition to Lefty and Righty, Ty Inc. also manufactured a set of three mini Beanie Babies called the political trio of Teenie Beanies, including Lefty (donkey), Righty (elephant), and Libearty (white bear). Find them in their original packages with their tags intact, and you’ve got some valuable election toys.
As for other Beanies, today, there are millions of other Beanie Babies available on the market, all with cute names. Those not on the market are — and I know this from numerous video-call appraisals I conduct to evaluate Beanie Babies — safely stored in plastic tubs in attics, basements, and storage lockers worldwide. Want to sell or trade your political collectibles? List them online no later than Oct. 15 to ride the intense press wave of any political season.
To attract buyers to your listings, make sure you tell the backstory of your
political playthings, post tightly cropped photographs with no hands or visual distractions in the background, and include an interesting anecdote about the presidential candidate or about the current campaign. Answer comments and questions in a timely manner.
If you need more selling tips, check out my videos about how to sell for top dollar. Political Beanie Babies are all the rage now as we select our next White House resident.
Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and media personality Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide on her Antiques Appraisal Comedy Tour. She appears on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars Do America and on Netflix’s King of Collectibles. Visit drloriv.com and youtube.com/drloriv or call (888) 431-1010.
Lori Verderame
Photo credit: Staff of drloriv.com
Beanie Babies Lefty and righty, created to commemorate the 2004 presidential election between President George H.W. Bush and Sen. John Kerry.
righty and Lefty Beanie Buddies, which were larger-scaled versions of Beanie Babies, 2000.
Arthur Vidro
The Cautious Consumer Guy ‘Free’ Magazines? Hardly
Too many magazine subscription offers contain the misleading word “free.”
I remember receiving a “3-for-1 Special Renewal Offer” from Time magazine. The offer said the annual cover price was $178, but by acting now I could “save” $138 and pay $40 for another year — and on top of that, I could select two people to receive a year’s worth, too.
These were billed as “free gift subscriptions.”
The word “free” doesn’t belong in that offer. The honest description would be: “For $40 you can renew your subscription and send two gift subscriptions.”
The publisher tried to make the offer sound attractive by comparing its usual subscription price to its annual cover price. But nobody subscribes for the cover price; the cover price is irrelevant.
And, of course, none of the issues is free. The “free gift subscriptions” means Time is happy to sell anyone three one-year subscriptions — or, as my research shows, one three-year subscription — for $40.
I continue to subscribe and usually enjoy the contents, but its subscriptions are not “free.”
My friend Maddy once showed me two renewal forms for Artists Magazine. She had received both on the same day.
One offer was to renew for one more year for $39.95 and to send a free, one-year gift subscription to any person she names. The other offer was merely to renew for one year for herself for $29.95.
Clearly, the one-year “free gift subscription” wasn’t free. It cost $10.
Good Housekeeping once offered a $5 Starbucks gift card to folks who renew online. But it wasn’t free. You had to buy a one-year renewal for $16.97. Yet their normal renewal fee was $10 a year. You were paying extra to get that “free” gift card.
Even worse are offers for “free previews.” We’re so busy focusing on “free” that we ignore the word “preview.” This setup simply means you get an advance copy of a book, without any extra charge for receiving it early.
Maybe that product is free, temporarily. But the fine print shows you have committed to receive and purchase additional previews, sometimes forever. In the long run, you pay far more than you wanted, and often for material you won’t read.
Granted, there supposedly is a mechanism allowing one to cancel the agreement at any time. But when publishers stopped including a phone number to reach them, it became much harder to cancel such deals. Most of us are better off not making the commitment in the first place.
While I was writing this piece, the telephone rang. I lifted the receiver and heard, not a greeting, but, “Would you like a free subscription to Reader’s Digest ?”
I was taken aback. “Mom, is that you?”
“Yes. So how about the free subscription?”
I chose my words carefully. “There is no such thing as a free subscription.”
“Yes, there is!” she insisted. “If I pay for a full year for me, then I get a free year for you. So how about it?”
“No, thank you. If I wish to subscribe to Reader’s Digest, I will do so. But let’s not play games with supposedly ‘free’ deals. You go ahead and subscribe for yourself if that’s a subscription you want. Just keep me out of it.”
“But I don’t want it. I’d only be getting it for me so I could get the free one for you.”
I made it clear to Mom not to sign me up for any subscriptions with anyone.
Still, she was convinced it was “free” and would have gladly paid for an unwanted subscription for herself solely to get a “free” subscription for me.
If all readers were like my mother, no publisher would ever go out of business.
With the occasional exception of a free sample, sent solely to allow you to see if you like the product, no books or magazines you receive through the mail are free.
The word “free” is bandied about to manipulate consumers into making a purchase. Marketers, please stop using this ploy.
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.
coming in january 2025: the ultimate resource for boomer and senior living and care options in south-central Pennsylvania.
29th annual edition
onlinepub.com/50plusliving.html
last chance! you don’t want to miss this opportunity to showcase your community or services.
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Dear Savvy Senior,
Orth O pedics & pain
Savvy Senior
Ways to Make Gardening Easier as You Age
What gardening tips can you offer to older adults? I love to putter around and work in the garden, but my back and knees have caused me to curtail my gardening activities, which I miss greatly.
– Older Gardener
Dear Older,
There’s no doubt that gardening can be hard on an aging body. Joints stiffen up, kneeling for prolonged periods hurts, and bending and reaching can strain muscles. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up your hobby. You just need to garden differently, add some special tools, and know your limits.
Limber Up
With gardening, good form is very important, as well as
THE TRUSTED CHOICE
not overdoing any one activity. A common problem is that gardeners often kneel or squat, putting extra pressure on their knees. Then, to spare their knees, they might stand and bend over for long stretches to weed, dig, and plant, straining their back and spine.
To help protect your body, you need to warm up before beginning. Start by stretching, focusing on the legs and lower back. And keep changing positions and activities every 15 minutes.
It’s also important that you recognize your physical limitations and don’t try to do too much all at once. And, when lifting heavier objects, remember to use your legs to preserve your back.
Get Better Tools
The right gardening equipment can help too. Kneeling
Jim Miller
Orth O pedics & pain
Collagen Peptides: the 4 Main ingredients Needed for Joint Flexibility
I just turned 59 and am feeling creakier and requiring more time to loosen up before my dance class.
Joint health is a crucial aspect of overall well-being, especially as we age. Among the myriad supplements promising joint relief, collagen peptides stand out for their effectiveness and versatility.
Collagen is the single most abundant protein in our body, helping us maintain the integrity of our cartilage, which is the rubberlike tissue that protects our joints.
As we age, the amount of collagen our bodies produce decreases, leading to reduced joint flexibility and the onset of degenerative joint issues. The rate of decline varies from person to person and can be hastened by other factors.
A clinical study found that collagen peptides could help over six to nine months. It’s understandable that it takes a while to show improvement because the reality is that your collagen has been on the decline for years, right?
Let’s go over the four main ingredients to look for in a great joint supplement:
1. MSM. This ingredient called MSM, short for methylsulfonylmethane, is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and ability to provide a form of natural sulfur to the joints. This is a necessary component and is not to be mistaken for “sulfa,” a drug that many folks are allergic to.
2. Ginger. Ginger provides “gingerols,” which are well studied and revered for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You do not have to eat it on your plate of sushi if that’s not your thing (due to the flavor zing!).
But the addition of ginger (whether through capsule supplements, an herbal tea, or a shake of the powdered spice) can and does contribute to reducing
GArDENiNG from facing page
pads can protect knees, and garden seats or stools are both back and knee savers.
Lightweight garden carts can make hauling bags of mulch, dirt, plants, or other heavy objects much easier. And long-handled gardening and weeding tools can help ease the strain on the back by keeping you in a standing, upright position versus bent over.
Both Fiskars and Felco make a number of specialty tools you can buy online or at local retail stores that sell lawn and garden supplies. Also check out Gardener’s Supply Company (gardeners.com) and Radius (radiusgarden.com), two online stores that sell specialized gardening tools and equipment that are very helpful to older gardeners.
Make Watering Easier
The chore of carrying water or handling a heavy, awkward hose can also be difficult for older gardeners.
Some helpful options include lightweight fabric or expandable hoses instead
joint discomfort and stiffness, if only for a temporary timeframe.
3. Boswellia. Also known as Indian frankincense, this herbal extract comes from the Boswellia serrata tree. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicines to treat various chronic inflammatory conditions. In the context of joint health, it’s particularly valued for its ability to reduce pain and improve mobility in individuals suffering from joint disorders such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
4. Curcumin. I like the proprietary brand of C3® curcuminoids because this provides not one, but three different biologically active forms of curcumin (which, as you know, is derived from the spice turmeric).
This just amplifies the benefits of collagen peptides and offers more jointprotecting effects. Curcumin has hundreds of positive studies published online.
I’m offering this article as a promising list of natural alternatives for those seeking relief from joint discomfort, not to avoid seeing a doctor. Let’s face it: Sometimes you just can’t avoid a knee replacement!
My point is, for mild issues of wear-and-tear discomfort, or if you’re seeking improved flexibility, promoting your own collagen synthesis and exploring holistic options can only help you in your quest for less creakiness.
Just make sure your collagen is type II if you’re seeking joint health. That’s the one that works.
This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.
of heavy rubber hoses; soaker or drip hoses that can be snaked throughout the garden; thin coil hoses that can be used on the patio or small areas; a hose caddy and reel for easier hose transport around the yard; and a self-winding hose chest that puts the hose up automatically.
There are also a variety of ergonomic watering wands that are lightweight, easy to grip, and helpful in reaching those hard-to-get-to plants.
Bring the Garden to You
If your backyard garden has become too much to handle, you should consider elevated garden beds or container gardening — using big pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, barrels, or tub planters.
This is a much easier way to garden because it eliminates much of the bend and strain of gardening but still provides the pleasure of making things grow.
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.
Suzy Cohen
Orth O pedics & pain
Nurse Nancy
Keep Eyes and Ears on Your Bones and Joints
Did you know that more than half the American population over 18 is affected by musculoskeletal conditions, according to The Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions in the United States?
Produced by the United States Bone and Joint Initiative and other professional societies, this online resource states that bone and joint conditions — including arthritis, back pain, traumatic injuries, osteoporosis, spinal deformity, and childhood conditions — are our most common causes of severe long-term pain and physical disability.
October is Bone and Joint Health Awareness Month, a health campaign focused on increasing public awareness of the importance of preventing, managing, and treating bone and joint conditions.
When your bones and joints are not performing at their optimum ability, it can affect your lifestyle.
Arthritis and its Many Types
Arthritis encompasses over a hundred conditions that cause joint inflammation, pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis is known as wear-and-tear arthritis. This type is characterized by the gradual breakdown of the cartilage, which causes increased friction between the bones, triggering pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis commonly occurs in the weight-bearing joints, such as the knee and the hip, and it normally affects older people.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune type of arthritis, which means the body attacks the healthy tissues lining the joints and starts an immune response.
Some healthy habits you can adopt to reduce your risk of developing arthritis include maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, limiting consumption of processed and sugary foods, and eating anti-inflammatory foods, such as tomatoes, leafy greens, whole grains, and fatty fish.
Bones and Discs
Another condition, osteoporosis, occurs when the bones become weak and brittle, making them susceptible to breakage. It occurs when the rate of new bone being made doesn’t keep up with the rate of old bone being lost.
Osteoporosis often goes undetected until a fall or sudden impact leads to a bone fracture.
Preventative measures include eating foods rich in calcium and vitamin D, staying active, not smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption.
Degenerative disc disease is an age-related condition in which the discs, which are the spongy structures between the vertebrae that act as shock absorbers and help your back stay flexible, deteriorate and lose their cushioning effect.
Degenerative disc disease is not preventable, but there are strategies to slow down its onset. These include staying adequately hydrated to keep your discs working correctly, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Knowing how to prevent, manage, and take care of your bones and joints is an important part of your overall health and quality of life. Get active as often as you can. Physical activity helps to strengthen the muscles around your joints and helps them work better overall.
And maintain a healthy body weight, as excess weight can put stress on the joints in your legs and feet.
Bone and Joint Awareness Month is about being mindful so that we can continue to live life to the fullest.
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
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Estate planning, elder law, asset protection planning, Medicaid planning, crisis Medicaid planning, special needs planning, and lifecare planning.
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Pay Attention! 16 mm Guidelines to 1950s Dating
By Randal C. Hill
Following World War II, the U.S. government donated thousands of sound 16 mm movie projectors to our schools.
Several smalltime filmmakers took advantage of this and rushed to quickly and cheaply produce around 3,000 “social guidance” classroom movies.
These now-forgotten pearls of wisdom offered impressionable kids noteworthy life lessons in a mere 10-20 minutes each.
Topics ranged from substance abuse to table manners, from highway safety to correct posture. Adolescents subjected to these snippets of flickering fodder quickly learned that unhappiness — or possibly death — could await those who made bad decisions.
“Social guidance” to the rescue, though, and not a moment too soon! These little morality playlets encouraged teens to keep to the straight and narrow, and the ones who best obeyed society’s dictates always ended up the happiest.
As society progressed, these preachy melodramas went the way of the rotary telephone; most of these reel-to-reel anecdotes were discarded once video came in — and students became more sophisticated.
Looking back, the most laughable long-forgotten items may be the datingetiquette films of the early-to-mid-1950s. The following four randomly selected synopses demonstrate the cornball innocence of that time period. Enjoy.
“What to Do on a Date” (1951), 10 minutes
Inexperienced Nick wants to take Kay on a date, but he’s convinced she’ll say no. He finally asks her to a movie but, alas, Kay has already seen the Western that he mentions.
Nick’s second choice for a get-together is a nice, safe group activity — helping to set up a scavenger sale at the community center. Kay accepts enthusiastically.
Narrator: “A group. Doing things together. Pretty good idea for a first date!”
Following a busy afternoon, the two find themselves enjoying Cokes and sandwiches. Nick shares that he likes bicycle trips. Kay agrees, adding that playing miniature golf also ranks high on her Fun List. Now they’re on a roll.
Nick: “Yeah, and weenie roasts and square dances!”
Kay excitedly adds baseball games and taffy pulls, exclaiming, “I think they’re swell !”
A now-relaxed and confident Nick wraps up the conversation with, “Say, you like to do lots of things, don’t you!”
“Date Etiquette” (1952), 10 minutes
Danny and Alice go out on a first date. Danny meets Alice’s parents, and Alice is wearing a new dress.
Narrator: “A fellow wants a girl to look nice when he takes her out.”
A coming-home time is agreed upon, and off they go. That evening, though, they run out of things to discuss. Not to worry, though, as Danny is tossed a lifeline:
Narrator: “Asking a girl to talk about herself is a pretty sure way to keep a
Photo credit: Holger.Ellgaard, Wikimedia.org Bell & Howell 16 mm film projector.
Blast to the Past!
‘i Honestly Love You’
One well-placed — and unusual — word in a song title can make a big difference.
Born in England in 1948, Olivia Newton-John had lived in Australia since age 6. As a child, she began singing on local TV shows.
Years later, after winning a talent competition, NewtonJohn returned to England, where she performed in clubs while waiting for a break.
She signed with America’s Uni Records label (later MCA) and scored a minor 1971 hit with a cover of Bob Dylan’s “If Not for You.”
But it would take until 1973 before she released her first Top 10 winner, “Let Me Be There,” followed the next year by another success, “If You Love Me (Let Me Know).”
Like any recording artist, though, she yearned to reach the peak of the pop charts one day.
“I Honestly Love You” didn’t start out to be Olivia Newton-John’s first chart-topping single. Peter Allen, an Australian singer-songwriter, had co-written it with New York songsmith Jeff Barry. (In collaboration with thenwife Ellie Greenwich, Barry had given the music world such ’60s classics as “Chapel of Love,” “Hanky Panky,” and “Leader of the Pack.”)
“i
By Olivia Newton-John October 1974
But the hits had dried up by the next decade, and in 1974 Barry hoped to return to the Billboard Hot 100 via “I Honestly Love You.”
Peter Allen felt so good about the song that he decided to record it himself. He cut a demo (demonstration record) to shop around to various labels, but Newton-John, upon hearing it, wanted the work for herself.
Barry quickly convinced Allen that the rising (and glamourous) recording star would no doubt be able to take the tune further than Allen ever could. Newton-John recalled the first time she came upon Allen’s demo.
DAtiNG from facing page
conversation going.”
The moonlit evening ends on Alice’s front porch as the pair romantically shake hands and depart.
“Beginning to Date” (1953), 12 minutes
The Teen Club’s Winter Frolic looms large at the Community House.
George, who has never been on a date, wants to ask Mildred to go with him. George’s swimming coach offers sage advice by comparing leaps off a diving board to “making the plunge” into dating.
When George tries a dive but ends up doing a bellyflop, his always-patient coach implores, “Try it again.”
Narrator: “Dating skill, like diving skill, is gained by just one thing — by practice and more practice.”
Mildred agrees to go with George to the Frolic, but now George is at a loss about making conversation. Magically, wise words of guidance appear above his head: comic books and Mildred’s new dog
And, with all the help he’s received, George’s kiss-less first date goes off …
“My heart stopped when I heard the lyrics: ‘I love you … I honestly love you.’ Those words touched me. I knew that everyone would be able to make those words fit their own story of love and perhaps even loss. Just putting the word ‘honestly’ into the mix made it even more poignant.”
In Newton-John’s hands, “I Honestly Love You” becomes an admission of a situation that can’t go anywhere. Both people involved here are in a committed relationship with someone else, and despite their chemistry, they aren’t going to do anything about the temptation they’re facing.
If we were both born in another place and time
This moment might be ending in a kiss
But there you are with yours
And here I am with mine
So I guess we’ll just be leaving it at this I love you I honestly love you
This is pop music at its very best, a gratifying concoction of strings and pianos. Newton-John’s producer, John Farrar, managed to keep the arrangement soft and delicate. Newton-John, always a convincing vocal actor, sells the song well, her voice quavering with emotion but projecting quiet strength.
“I Honestly Love You” earned Newton-John a Grammy Award and became the first of five chart-topping singles that she recorded during her stellar career.
Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.
well, swimmingly.
“Toward Emotional Maturity” (1954), 10 minutes
With first dates out of the way, dating teens can now grapple with sexual interest and desires.
Sally is riding in Hank’s convertible when he suggests they “go up to Mountain Park and enjoy the moonlight.”
Mature Sally well knows what’s on Hank’s evil little mind and says, “Let’s just go on home.”
Of course, Mature Hank, not the least bit frustrated, merrily agrees and responds with, “You’re the boss!”
Narrator: “No matter how deep the emotion is, you don’t have to let it take you over.”
The two teens end their date with a warm goodnight hug, and chastity is preserved. At least for one more night.
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 Hill
Olivia Newton-John in 1978.
Honestly Love You”
The History of Ordinary Things
Honoring the First Ferris Wheel (1893-1906)
Oh, the memories of riding a Ferris wheel at the state fair or navy pier! But what is the backstory?
Early writings from 1615 tell of a Great Wheel at the Ramadan festival in Constantinople. Early “wheels” had chairs that hung by rope from a large wheel that was turned by a team of men. Different versions of a Great Wheel were recorded across Europe and India over the next few centuries.
In 1887, the French erected the Eiffel Tower in Paris as a centerpiece for the 1889 World’s Fair. Four years later, Chicago was hosting the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, and David Burnham, the fair’s lead architect, wanted an iconic structure to rival the Eiffel Tower.
At this same time, a carpenter, William Somers, was building 50-foot wooden wheels for Asbury Park, Atlantic City, and Coney Island. Somers had received a U.S. patent for his Observational Roundabout, basically an early version of the Ferris wheel.
George Washington Gale Ferris Jr. was one of the early riders on the Observational Roundabout. Ferris was a civil engineer who built bridges and tunnels. He formed G.W.G. Ferris & Co. for the purpose of testing metals for railroads and bridge builders and inspecting finished works.
George Ferris was hired by the organizers of the Chicago Exposition to inspect the exhibits’ steel for safety. There he met Daniel Burnham, with his big dream of building something spectacular.
Ferris had drawn his concept of an amusement wheel in 1891. His design was a wheel of enormous scale, using a steel rather than wood framework. After spending $25,000 of his own money on safety studies (equivalent to over $700,000 today), Ferris finally convinced Burnham that the structure was possible.
More than 100,000 parts went into Ferris’ wheel, notably an 89,320-pound
axle that had to be hoisted onto two towers 140 feet in the air. The Ferris wheel was run by two 1,000horsepower reversible engines at a cost of $380,000 (about $1.2 million today). Luther Rice was the supervising engineer of the wheel. Imagine that job!
Becoming the tallest structure in the area, Ferris’s 264-foot vertical frame rotated around the center axle. The frame held 36 gondolas cars, each capable of holding up to 60 people for a total of 2,160 people per ride!
Fair patrons paid a 50-cent fee (about $10 today) for a 10- to 20minute ride. Passengers could view the entire exposition, the surrounding area of Lake Michigan, and the city itself. In all, more than 1.4 million people rode on the Chicago wheel.
After the exposition, Ferris became entangled in multiple wheel-related lawsuits about debts he owed suppliers and the payments the fair owed him. In 1896, bankrupt and suffering from typhoid fever, he died at age 37.
The Ferris wheel was dismantled and moved to North Clark Street, Chicago, for several years. The planners for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, Missouri, bought the wheel from a wrecking company. Two years later, it was detonated into scrap.
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.
Doris Montag
the original Ferris Wheel at the 1893 World Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
George Washington Gale Ferris Jr., inventor of the Ferris wheel.
remains of the Ferris wheel used at the 1904 World’s Fair after demolition, 1906.
