York County Edition
January 2012
Vol. 13 No. 1
Creativity ‘Works’ for Local Actor By Laura Farnish “I never buy that ‘at this time of your life’ stuff. It’s as though people think that if you reach a certain age you should just retire and play checkers at the fire hall, as though that’s the norm.” For Chet Williamson, the fire hall is merely a staged scene, and checkers are nothing more than a prop. As a board chair for Creative Works of Lancaster, Williamson remains active in the local community through recognizing the kind of performance and art Lancaster needs and wants. The non-profit organization’s mission is “to fuel and sustain the city’s cultural renaissance.” Their free and low-priced shows aim to fill the artistic gaps in Lancaster’s cultural offerings. Although started several years ago, the organization has been active for the past year and a half. Their work includes sock puppet parodies, staged readings in art galleries, and full productions of non-traditional plays. Williamson’s current involvement, however, is only an addition to his repertoire of success over the years. As a young actor, Williamson was involved in regional theater and industrial shows, which led him into writing. His first short story, sold to The New Yorker and other markets, was published in the 1980s, followed by his first published novel in 1986. Williamson continued to pursue his career as a writer, publishing suspense and dark fantasy fiction, children’s books, and written work for a local college. please see CREATIVITY page 19 The view from the audience seats is a change of perspective for Chet Williamson, who has been comfortable on stage for decades.
Inside:
Grandparenting: Agonies and Ecstasies page 6
How Much You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2012 page 18
Landisville, PA Permit No. 3
PAID PRSRT STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE
Cincinnati Chili By Pat Sinclair Warm chili is the perfect winter supper. Cincinnati’s five-way chili is famous, and many “fast-food” restaurants feature it. Skyline Chili is the best known and is no longer limited to Cincinnati. Chocolate and spices make the flavor different from standard chili. Serve three-way, four-way, or five-way chili for a hearty meal. Five-way chili starts with meat sauce and is built with spaghetti, kidney beans, chopped onion, and lots of shredded cheddar cheese. Serve it with oyster crackers.
Serves 4 to 6 2 pounds lean ground beef 1 cup chopped onion 1 teaspoon minced garlic 2 cans (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce 1 cup beef broth 1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 teaspoon coarse salt ½ teaspoon ground cumin Brown ground beef, onions, and garlic in 5-quart Dutch oven. Stir occasionally to help browning. Pour off any fat. Add stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Combine chili powder, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, and cumin into a small bowl. Stir into beef mixture. Heat chili to a boil over mediumhigh heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Chili can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until serving. Reheat chili if needed. To serve Cincinnati style, serve with spaghetti, beans, onion, and lots of cheddar cheese.
Cook’s Note: In Cincinnati, the famous chili restaurants serve so much cheese on top that everything else is hidden. For four servings of five-way chili, you will need the following: 12 ounces spaghetti, cooked, drained, and kept warm 1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 to 1 cup chopped onion 2 to 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese When I make two servings, I freeze the remaining chili for another meal. Reduce the toppings if you are only preparing for two.
Copyright by Pat Sinclair. Pat Sinclair announced the publication of her second cookbook, Scandinavian Classic Baking (Pelican Publishing), in February 2011. This book has a color photo of every recipe. Her first cookbook, Baking Basics and Beyond (Surrey Books), won the 2007 Cordon d’Or from the Culinary Arts Academy. Contact her at http://PatCooksandBakes.blogspot.com
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Book Review
Betcha Didn’t Know That! By Leon Castner & Brian Kathenes
etcha Didn’t Know That! explores the interesting world of antiques and collectibles, sports memorabilia, stamps, and dolls, among others. The book investigates interesting artifacts, such as the rarest baseball card in the world and the most popular soft drink collectible. It differentiates itself, however, in that it reveals the real stories about why we collect things, uncovering the human and humorous side of the story.
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About the Authors
The unusual items included in the book will surprise and astound you. They will also give you insight into their creation and use and provide historical context, human predicament, and comical delight. Betcha Didn’t Know That! is available at www.betchabook.com and Amazon.com.
Leon Castner is a lifelong appraiser of personal property, a writer, and a speaker. He is also a registered contractor and has provided major appraisals for the U.S Marshals Office, the attorney general, and the
FDIC, among others. Brian Kathenes, co-author and appraiser, has appraised items ranging from the Nixon Watergate papers, the Batmobile, and memorabilia from the movie Titanic. He was also the on-air television appraiser and technology consultant for the Discovery Channel’s collectibles show, POP NATION: America’s Coolest Stuff. Together, Castner and Kathenes host a weekly radio program, Value This!
Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Animal Hospitals Community Animal Hospital Donald A. Sloat, D.V.M. (717) 845-5669 Appraisals Steinmetz Coins & Currency (717) 757-6980 (866) 967-2646 Automobile Sales/Service Gordon’s Body Shop, Inc. (717) 993-2263 Stetler Dodge (717) 764-8888 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Dri-Masters Carpet Dry Cleaning (717) 757-7065/(717) 524-4424 Dry Cleaners Hanna Cleaners (717) 741-3817 Energy Assistance Low-Income Energy Assistance (717) 787-8750 Entertainment Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre (717) 898-1900
Eye Care Services Leader Heights Eye Center (717) 747-5430
Healthcare Information PA HealthCare Cost Containment (717) 232-6787
USA Optical (717) 764-8788
Home Care Services Visiting Angels (717) 751-2488
Fitness
Housing/Apartments
YMCA of Hanover (717) 632-8211 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 Alzheimer’s Information Clearinghouse (800) 367-5115 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400
Elm Spring Residence (717) 840-7676 Westminster Place at Stewartstown (717) 825-3310 Housing Assistance Housing Authority of York (717) 845-2601 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937
The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 or (717) 757-0604 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Orthotics & Prosthetics Ability Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc (717) 851-0156 The Center for Advanced Orthotics & Prosthetics (717) 764-8737 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com West York Pharmacy (717) 792-9312 Restaurants Old Country Buffet (717) 846-6330
York Area Housing Group (717) 846-5139
Elmwood Endoscopy Center PC (717) 718-7220
Nursing Homes/Rehab Misericordia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (717) 755-1964
Insurance – Long-Term Care Apprise Insurance Counseling (717) 771-9610 or (800) 632-9073 Monuments Baughman Memorial Works, Inc. (717) 292-2621
Retirement Communities Country Meadows of Leader Heights (717) 741-5118 Country Meadows of York (717) 764-1190 Services York County Area Agency on Aging (800) 632-9073
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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January 2012
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Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Tips and Trends in Precious Metals
Corporate Office: 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240
Dr. Lori
Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com
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EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Christianne Rupp EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS Megan Joyce
ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR Renee Geller PRODUCTION ARTIST Janys Cuffe
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Leah Craig Angie McComsey Ranee Shaub Miller SALES COORDINATOR Eileen Culp
ith the sky-high prices for gold and precious metals making headlines, I thought some information and useful tips would prove helpful. Precious metals, gemstones, and fine-design pieces have dazzled us through the ages. Called precious metals, gold, platinum, and silver are some of the world’s rarest materials. These three metals are found in many parts of the world, but they are not easily extracted from their natural state. Precious metals maintain their luster and shine and resist corrosion with little care. Objects dating back to the world’s ancient civilizations, like the Native Americans, Egyptians, and Greeks, show us that these metals endure.
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ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall
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If you like gold jewelry, these marks should be committed to memory! Look for them at your next yard sale; you’ll be surprised how many yard-sale sellers put out real gold for sale on their front lawn! Platinum Platinum is a popular choice for bridal jewelry as its strength surpasses that of gold and silver. A dense metal, platinum weighs more than gold and has a high level of purity, making it naturally hypoallergenic.
On Your Mark
Sterling Silver
Pure gold is 24-karat gold, and it is very soft. This is often too soft for everyday jewelry, so gold is alloyed to increase its strength. In the United States, 14-karat gold is common and a piece must be at least 10-karat gold to be sold as gold jewelry. Here are some common marks:
Silver is affordable, soft, and malleable. It has been used to make objects of adornment dating back to the Byzantine world. One of the most common and recognizable metal marks is the mark for silver. In the United States, only jewelry that is at least 92.5 percent pure silver, or 925/1,000 pure, may be marked “silver,” “sterling,” “sterling silver,” “925,” “92.5,” or “ster.” Silver is often alloyed with copper
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SeniorNews is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.
January 2012
• 24-karat or pure gold would be marked “24 K” (or “999” in Europe), indicating that it is 99.9 percent gold.
The ancient Egyptians reserved the use of gold (yellow gold) for the pharaohs and related gold to the powers of the sun. White gold is created by alloying gold with nickel or palladium, Sterling silver bracelet of sea life figures zinc, and copper. Alloys are mixtures of different metals that offer greater strength, Platinum jewelry must show one hardness, or malleability to another of the following marks: “Platinum,” metal. For instance, alloying gold “Pt,” or “Plat,” which means that with copper creates pink gold or rose piece of jewelry contains at least 95 gold. percent pure platinum. Platinum Workability, the ability for master may be worn every day without fear craftsmen to shape these metals, is of damage and is perfect for wedding important to longevity. rings.
PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer
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• 18-karat would be marked “18 K” (or “750” in Europe), indicating that it is 75 percent gold.
• 14-karat would be marked “14 K” (or “585” in Europe), indicating that it is 58.5 percent gold.
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to increase its strength. Silver will not rust, but it will tarnish. Tarnish may be restored with polishing. Another mark is the vermeil mark, which is evident when a piece of sterling silver has been electroplated with karat gold. If the thickness of the karat gold plating is at least 100 millionths of an inch thick, that is referred to as vermeil (pronounced “vermay”) and sometimes as “overlay.” This is an affordable alternative to karat-gold jewelry. While I know I have the ladies’ attention, I wouldn’t want to leave out the gentlemen who enjoy a bit of bling. Today’s styles are introducing men to the industrial look in fine jewelry, achieved by metals such as titanium, tungsten carbide, and stainless steel. Steel-gray color, light weight, and strength are some of the qualities of these non-precious metals. Tungsten is the world’s hardest metal substance with a nine on the Mohs hardness scale (diamonds rank 10 on the scale). These metals are less likely to scratch, but resizing a ring made of any of these metals proves difficult. Here’s what I like to call famous last words: take care when cleaning your precious metals, dry your jewelry before storing it, and place pieces in separate compartments to avoid scratching. Keep gold and silver out of pools, showers, and hot tubs as chlorine may weaken their structure and cause breakage. Know your jeweler and your stuff when you are selecting valuable precious metals. Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide and antiques-themed vacation cruises. As seen on NBC’s The Tonight Show and Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, watch Dr. Lori weekdays on Lifetime Television. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/ DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.
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Salute to a Veteran
After the Fall of Rome in WWII, He Drove Mussolini’s Auto Robert D. Wilcox he car was an Alfa-Romeo 6C at age 24, he had become the youngest 2300 Pescara Spyder, but to wholesale manager in the company. M/Sgt. Gerald Schmidt, it was And now, after his outfit had fought just another car. And, as it was his their way into Florence, he ran ordnance responsibility in combat ordnance, he as part of a huge depot the Army had drove it back to his echelon behind the established there. Then he got the news front lines. that the Army had decided that they Only much later did he learn that he needed him a lot more in the Pacific than had driven such a historic car. During the they did in Europe. So he spent 42 days great depression in Italy, Mussolini had aboard a troop transport on his way to bailed out the car manufacturer from the Philippines. going into liquidation, What was it like to so he was presented spend that much time with this custom-made aboard ship? car as a gift. Just 60 of “It was hell on the 6C 2300 Pescara wheels,” he says. “That Spyders were ship pitched so much produced, and that everyone except Mussolini’s auto is the crew were sick as believed to be the sole dogs most of the time. one surviving. When I got off, I Although Mussolini vowed that I would had his Spyder never get on a ship specialized by adding again. And, except for horsepower, he never the one that took me added bulletproof glass home, I never did. or armor plating. He “The fighting in the was often seen riding Philippines was around in the car, tough,” he remembers. M/Sgt. Gerald K. Schmidt in 1945. saluting crowds as he “The Japanese were stood in the passenger fanatically aggressive seat, with flowers and bouquets strewn on fighters, and we were under fire the hood. constantly, until eventually Manila fell.” In August, after the U.S. had dropped Famed test driver Ercole Boratto the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and became Mussolini’s driver and drove the car in the 1936 Mille Miglia, a dangerous, Nagasaki, the Japanese surrendered, and Schmidt was shipped back to Los Angeles. 1,000-mile, open-road endurance race in He then went by train to Fort Dix, where Italy, coming in an impressive 13th place. So what else is impressive about the car he was discharged in January 1946. He went back to work at International Jerry Schmidt once drove so casually? It Harvester, and the company sent him, at sold for $1.1 million when auctioned, age 26, to Providence, R.I., to build a that’s what! new plant to repair and sell their trucks. But, in 1945 Schmidt knew none of After managing that plant for a year, he, that … and couldn’t have cared less, surprisingly, got the company’s backing to because he had his hands full while he set up his own Cadillac-Oldsmobile was part of our Army’s push northward dealership in Providence. through Italy, past the battlefields of In 1960, he sold his dealership and Salerno, Anzio, and Monte Cassino to came to live in Central Pennsylvania to be take the city of Rome and then on to close to his son and his family. In Florence. Throughout, his job was to supply new retirement, things are quiet, but Jerry Schmidt has much to remember about trucks to replace those that were the years when he fought for his country destroyed in combat. He had been assigned to ordnance when he was drafted on two different sides of the globe. in 1944 because he had gotten familiar Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in with heavy equipment while working for International Harvester in Boston, where, Europe in WWII.
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My 22 Cents’ Worth
Grandparenting: Agonies & Ecstasies Walt Sonneville he role of grandparents has undergone complications over the past several decades. Among them are families geographically separated, families that have expanded through the inclusion of stepgrandparents, and evolving practices on the care and feeding of babies and toddlers. Let’s begin with the latter complication. Those of us born prior to 1946 may have been raised under the influence of a Dr. John B. Watson, whose popular book, Psychological Care of Infant and Child, advised parents to be firm with children, expect them to act like young adults, and do not spoil them with affection, hugs, and kisses. In 1946 came Dr. Benjamin Spock’s celebrated book, Baby and Child Care, taking the opposite view—just in time for the onslaught of the baby boomer generation. The Spock book, which went
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through several revisions by the time it had sold more than 50 million copies in 2004 (translated into 39 languages), was criticized by some as promoting permissiveness in child development. This brings us to the matter of the stereotypical grandparents, who reputedly overindulge their grandchildren, conflicting with the parents who may prefer more constraint. Other divergent views between contemporary parents and grandparents regarding child rearing might center on
the question of which parent is primarily responsible for childcare. Grandparents may advocate the mother as the primary caregiver, while mothers today generally believe both parents have a fully shared responsibility. Grandparents offering childrearing advice may find themselves at odds with other views held by the parents, perhaps involving childcare centers, babysitters, the authority of a stepparent, and nutritional choices. Providing a good example to the grandchildren can be a challenge. When
exceeding the speed limit in a 55 mph zone, a common occurrence today, how do you explain this rule-breaking to a questioning child? Do you tease at the emotional expense of the children or anyone else in their company? Do you thank a person who holds open a door for you and yours? Kids learn by example. They can make better persons of grandparents by creating in them an obligation to teach by example. Ideally, such trials are offset by pleasures. Exercising with grandchildren is much more common than in years past. Today’s grandparents are more agile, enrolling in fitness centers and enjoying jogging, hiking, swimming, or biking. We can relive some of our own childhood by sharing the discoveries and joy of the children. One of the main responsibilities of being a grandparent is to create happy memories.
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Grandchildren accelerate our perceptions of them. They change rapidly as they grow into their formative years, drawing us into maintaining a relationship matching their progressive development. Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research analyst, is the author of MY 22 CENTS’
WORTH: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen, a book of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. He recently completed the manuscript for another book of essays, A MUSING MOMENT, scheduled for release in January 2012. Contact him at waltsonneville@earthlink.net
New VA Campaign Provides Online Support for Vets Make the Connection, a new website, www.maketheconnection.net, campaign launched by the Department featuring numerous veterans who have of Veterans Affairs, is creating ways for shared their experiences, challenges, and veterans and their family members to triumphs. It offers a place where connect with the experiences of other veterans and their families can view the veterans. candid, personal testimonials of other The program’s veterans who have ultimate goal is to dealt with and are This type of connect veterans with working through a information and variety of common communication will resources to help life experiences, daybe useful in breaking to-day symptoms, them confront the down the stigma challenges of and mental health transitioning from conditions. associated with service, facing health The website also mental health issues issues, or navigating connects veterans the complexities of and their family and treatment. daily life as a civilian. members with “I have seen over services and and over again how important it can be resources that may help them live more for a veteran to hear a message from fulfilling lives. another veteran. This type of At maketheconnection.net, veterans communication will be especially useful and their family members can explore in helping to break down the stigma information on mental health issues associated with mental health issues and and treatment—and easily access treatment,” said Secretary of Veterans support—in comfort and privacy, Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. anywhere, anytime. Visitors to the site “VA is leveraging this powerful can customize and filter their online connection using an approachable experience, directly connecting with online resource that links veterans to content that is the most relevant to personal stories from their peers, to VA their own lives and situations. resources and support, and to reliable For more information, visit information about mental health and maketheconnection.net or VA’s mental resilience.” health services website at The campaign’s central focus is a www.mentalhealth.va.gov.
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“I don’t know what’s wrong with my television set. I was getting C-Span and the Home Shopping Network on the same station. I actually bought a congressman.” – Bruce Baum “The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they’re OK, then it’s you.” – Rita Mae Brown www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
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2010 Census Shows Older Population Growing Quickly The U.S. population 65 and older is now the largest in terms of size and percent of the population, compared with any previous census, according to a new 2010 census brief released recently from the U.S. Census Bureau on the nation’s older population. The group grew at a faster rate than the total population between 2000 and 2010. According to the 2010 census, there were 40.3 million people 65 and older on April 1, 2010, increasing by 5.3 million since the 2000 census, when this population numbered 35 million. The percentage of the population 65 and older also increased during the previous decade. In 2010, the older population represented 13 percent of the total population, an increase from 12.4 percent in 2000. 65 and Older Population Grew Faster than Total Population Between 2000 and 2010, the population 65 and older grew 15.1 percent, while the total U.S. population grew 9.7 percent. The opposite happened between
1990 and 2000, when the growth of the older population was slower than the growth of the total population, with growth rates of 12 percent and 13.2 percent, respectively. Population Size and Growth Varied Among the Older Age Groups Examining the growth of 10-year age groups within the older population shows that 85- to 94-year-olds experienced the fastest growth between 2000 and 2010. This group grew by 29.9 percent, increasing from 3.9 million to 5.1 million. Among five-year age groups in the older population, 65- to 69-year-olds grew the fastest. This age group grew by 30.4 percent, rising from 9.5 million to 12.4 million. The 65- to 69year-old group is expected to grow more rapidly over the next decade as the first baby boomers start turning 65 in 2011. The only older-population age group to decline between 2000 and 2010 was the 75- to 79-year-old age group. This group decreased by 1.3 percent from 7.4 million to 7.3
million. The changes in this group mainly reflect the relatively low number of births during the early 1930s as fewer numbers of people entered these ages between 2000 and 2010. Population of Older Men Increased at a More Rapid Rate than Older Women While women continue to outnumber men in the older ages, men have continued to close the gap over the decade by increasing at a faster rate than women. The largest growth rate for a 10-year age group within the older population was for men 85 to 94 years old (46.5 percent). Women in this age group also increased but to a smaller degree (22.9 percent). In the 2010 census, there were approximately twice as many women as men at age 89. This doubling point occurred about four years older than it did in 2000 and six years older than it did in 1990, illustrating the narrowing gap in mortality between men and women at the older ages.
> In the 2010 census, there were 53,364 centenarians (people 100 and older), an increase of 5.8 percent since 2000. > The number of people 65 and older more than doubled in 21 counties in the United States. > Approximately 1.3 million people 65 and older—or 3.1 percent of this population— lived in skilled-nursing facilities in 2010. > In 2010, the states with the highest percentage of people over age 65 were: Florida – 17.3 percent West Virginia – 16 percent Maine – 15.9 percent Pennsylvania – 15.4 percent Iowa – 14.9 percent
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This Month in History: January Events • Jan. 5, 1972 – President Richard Nixon signed a bill approving $5.5 billion over six years to build and test the NASA space shuttle. • Jan. 10, 1863 – The world’s first underground railway service, the Metropolitan line between Paddington and Farringdon, opened in London. • Jan. 22, 1901 – Queen Victoria of England died after reigning for 64 years, the longest reign in British history, during which England had become the most powerful empire in the world.
Birthdays • Jan. 1 – American patriot Paul Revere (1735-1818) was born in Boston, Mass. He is best known for his ride on the night of April 18, 1775, warning Americans of British plans to raid Lexington and Concord. • Jan. 8 – Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was born in Mississippi. • Jan. 31 – Jackie Robinson (1919-1972) was born in Georgia. He was the first African-American to play professional baseball. He played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, was chosen as the National League’s most valuable player in 1949, and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
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January 2012
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This Year, Resolve to Do Something Different It’s January again. Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Maybe this is the year to forget the boring, routine promises you won’t keep. Try resolving to be more creative in 2012 with these resolutions: Keep a journal. Spend a few minutes every day or so writing down your thoughts, feelings, dreams, and ambitions—not your daily schedule or your upcoming appointments. Let your mind wander; free-associate a little. You may be surprised at the ideas you generate. Read more. Vary your reading habits and explore different topics. If you usually read novels, try a biography. If you read only history, try a book on modern-day science. You’ll exercise your mind and maybe find new connections between ideas. Learn something new. Take a class in
Leader Heights Eye Center 309 Leader Heights Road, York, PA 17402
something unrelated to your job or your hobbies—art, auto mechanics, philosophy, etc. Mastering new skills can refresh your outlook on life. Meet new people. Make a positive effort to make new friends this year (or professional contacts). Look for gatherings of people whose interests match yours, and network. The more people you know, the better equipped you are to learn and grow. Create something for the heck of it. Paint a picture, write a poem, or start a garden—not because you’ll get paid for it, but because you want to. You’ll find satisfaction in achieving personal goals and motivation to keep trying new things. Volunteer. Find a cause you support, and offer your time and service. You’ll meet new people and enjoy the feeling of helping out with an important cause.
Program Unites ‘Sages’ with ‘Seekers’
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January 2012
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Front row, from left, Mary Jane Panek, Brittny Howard, and Ardella Williams. Middle row, from left, Gloria Geesey, Ashton Laughman, Kyle Poe, Devan Mong-Byers, Doug Baker, Shirley Rhoads, and Alyssa Gallagher. Back row, from left, Emily Forbes, Loretta Hamme, Carl Alwine, Sierra Curry, Ed Mezynski, Tyler Beckman, and Bryant Warren. Missing from photo: George Smith.
The Windy Hill Senior Center and the Spring Grove Area School District recently completed an intergenerational program called Sages & Seekers, which paired nine senior center members (sages) and nine students (seekers). The seniors and students met for eight weeks. The pairs discussed pop culture and stereotypes and shared interesting facts about their family and school life. At the end of the eight weeks, the students wrote a biographical story about their “sage” and presented it at a program to which family of the sages and seekers were invited. If you have local news This program was modeled from the Sages & Seekers you’d like considered for program developed by Elly Katz from Boston, Mass. Around Town, (For more information, see www.sagesandseekers.org.) please email The senior center and the school district plan to do this mjoyce@onlinepub.com program each fall.
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By Myles Mellor and Sally York
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 14
Across
WORD SEARCH
1. Rapids transit 6. ___ print 10. Arizona’s governor, to friends 13. Toothpick fruit 14. Defiant one 15. Arapaho foe 16. 1966 Beatles hit 19. Alexei’s father, for one 20. Times to call, in classifieds 21. Sweet drink 22. Blue eyes or baldness, e.g.
24. Endings for ecto- and proto26. Zesty 29. Hollywood pole 30. Nymph 31. Almanac tidbit 32. Latin “I” 35. 1963 Beatles tune 39. Nonclerical 40. Squander 41. ___ the moment 42. Splendor 43. Ridges
45. 48. 49. 50. 51. 55. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64.
Wets Analyze, in a way Neurotransmission site Commend 100 paisa Songwriting partnership College frat. Newspaper chain Skip off Put away Watering holes Garment slits
Down 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 14. 17. 18.
Egyptian Christian Wistful word Mangrove palm Upset Ballad’s end? Side Exasperates ___ Age Bobble Asian plants Special Forces unit Uncool candies? Lifeboat support Vetch or lupin Prayer leader
23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 31. 32. 33. 34. 36. 37. 38. 42.
Optical phenomenon Somewhat, in music Mythological plants Murphy Brown bar owner Part of the Corn Belt Jetty Aircraft compartment Elite group Broadcast Palestinian city Half of binary code Offering Some jazz Move Ivy League team
43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 50. 52. 53. 54. 56. 57. 58.
Trick Organic compound Model material College leave Gift recipient They remained undefeated by the Romans “Time’s a-wastin’!” Bartlett’s abbr. Set aside Roll call calls It’s a wrap Prefix with profit King’s title: abbr.
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January 2012
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Preventive Measures
Tea-ing is Believing Wendell Fowler ver observe a restaurant patron bearing their esoteric teabags and requesting a pot of hot water? “… And it better be hot, Bub!” Tea is my cup of joe, diet cola, and red wine—my “longevi-tea.” I am thankful for my tenderly brewed tea leaf friends, for if I am too cold, tea warms me; if I’m too heated, it cools me down; if I’m depressed, it cheers me; and when excited, it mellows my harsh. Charles Dickens wrote, “My dear, if you could give me a cup of tea to clear my muddle of a head, I should better understand your affairs.” Tea touches our souls—a stand-up celebration of simplicity. As a youthful food server, tea drinkers were a pain in the teabag, since maintaining a civilized cup-o-tea required more responsiveness than decanting a cup of java. Teabags need refreshing and the pot of water must be kept hot and frequently refilled. “Waiter, where’s the lemon? Would you please warm the teacup first with hot water?” Servers instantly roll their eyes at the “needy, nerdy tea snob.” Tea gets a bad rap, despite its uber healthy mojo. Japanese studies urge eight to 10 cups of green tea per day to positively affect cholesterol levels and generally reduce risk for cardiovascular disease, whether you smoke, drink, or are weighty. The connection: Green teas and some black teas contain the same nutrients and antioxidants in red wine and cocoa that undo the effects of a fatty diet and smoking. Purdue’s School of Consumer and Family Sciences says drinking more than four cups of green tea a day provides enough active compounds to speed-bump cancer cell growth—prevention in a teacup. Our family dentist noticed that our cavities’ frequency declined, so when I read that black or green tea (hot or cold)
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January 2012
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aid digestion, are antibacterial, and contain anti-aging properties, we had our explanation. Once a day, I slush the green tea around my mouth as I would a mouthwash, becoming a bacterial massmurderer. The Dental Clinics of North America explains that the ideal antiplaque agents in tea can eliminate diseasecausing bacteria, reducing plaque and gingivitis. Natural Health Magazine reports that green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains catechins, which destroy bacterial bugs that cause bad breath. Those bugs turn sugar into a sticky colony of living bacteria, sugars, proteins, and cavitycausing acid when they come in contact with sugary or starchy foods. Malty, smoky, fullbodied, aromatic green tea comes from the leaves of the tea tree. For centuries, woodsy green tea has been produced from leaves that laborers handled gently and heated soon after harvesting. By contrast, black tea leaves are vigorously rolled to make them release a particular enzyme and are then left to sit for a few hours, during which time the enzymes interact with oxygen, causing the leaves to develop a heartier flavor and a darker hue. Join me this year and become a tea snob. Invite your “nerdy” friends over to share a freshly brewed pot of tea graced with raw, local honey. As you’ve deduced, a wee bit of tea is good for thee, accompanied by a little sympathy. Preparing tea is the ceremony of pouring all one’s attention into the predefined, patient method. The process isn’t about drinking tea as much as it is about the aesthetics of preparing a bowl of tea from the love from one’s heart. Wendell Fowler is a retired chef turned motivational speaker and the author of Eat Right, Now! and Earth Suit Maintenance Manual. Contact him at chefwendellfowler@gmail.com.
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Silver Threads
Tickled Ticker Symbols W.E. Reinka ack in the days of stock ticker machines, standardized company abbreviations or ticker symbols reduced the costs of quotations ticked across telegraph lines. Although ticker tape was an early casualty to the electronic revolution, ticker symbols remain. Most are staid abbreviations: WMT for Walmart, LLY for Eli Lily, and MAT for Mattel. But a few companies show a funloving spirit. Take Steinway Piano, whose LVB ticker symbol honors Ludwig van Beethoven. When you’re ready to invest in the Avis Budget group, look to what it rents—CARS. Likewise, Barnes and Noble reminds us that they sell BKS. The scientists at the genetic engineering firm Genentech showed that they can crack a joke as well as the human genome when they settled on DNA for
their ticker symbol. Restaurant chains seem hungry for laughs: PZZA (Papa John’s), BUNZ (Schlotzsky’s deli) and YUM for Yum Brands, which owns KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Long John Silver’s. Or maybe you’re just hungry. In that case, EAT with Brinker International, which includes Chili’s and Maggiano’s among its restaurant brands. How about a beer with your meal? Ask for one by name. There’s BUD (Anheuser Busch) or SAM (Boston Brewing, maker of Samuel Adams). If
B
you like draft beer, get it on TAP (Molson Coors Brewing). Vroom vroom. Kick start your portfolio with HOG (Harley-Davidson). Sotheby’s Auction House’s symbol (BID) explains how they make money. With a heart in its logo, Southwest Airlines (LUV) must love its ticker symbol, too. Shuffle Master (SHFL) makes—what else? Automatic card shufflers. FACE stands for Physician Formula Beauty Products, CHIC for Charlotte Russe women’s wear shops, and EYE for Advanced Medical Optics. Majesco Entertainment (COOL), a
video-game maker, has been anything but cool for investors lately. TILT might be a more accurate symbol based on its stock prices. Pet Sounds is not just an old Beach Boys album. They emanate from Wall Street through veterinary chain VCA (WOOF) and exchange traded fund Market Vector Agribusiness (MOO). While the ticker symbol theoretically has no effect on a company’s performance, some people believe that a clever symbol helps to draw attention to a stock, like an enticing book cover attracts a browser. Not every analyst agrees. Hugh Johnson, of Johnson Illington Advisors, is quoted as saying, “It’s interesting. But not much more than that.” Sometimes investors just want to have FUN. In that case, they should check out Cedar Fair, LP, which runs amusement parks across the country.
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January 2012
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The Search for Our Ancestry
Reader Questions Angelo Coniglio ’ll pause in my presentation of online methods for researching genealogy to reply to questions from readers. I’ll pick up that topic again in coming issues, with Scotland and Ireland.
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Information on parents, spouses, etc., is shown in limited text form, but copies of original documents may be ordered through the site. Caution—given names are in French: Salvatore is Sauveur, Antonio is Antoine, Pietro is Pierre, and so on. Q: My grandfather was in the U.S. Navy during World War II. I would like to find information about his Navy experience and the ships on which he served. – M.C., Norman, Okla. A: Ancestry.com has many historical military records, including U.S. World War II Navy muster rolls, 1938–1949. These can be searched at Ancestry.com for free at many public libraries or at a Mormon Family History Center. The database can be searched by the sailor’s name, date of service, and location. The search results show images of original “ship musters.” Many such records have information on enlistment, assignment, rank or rating, etc. Once you find the names of the ships on which your grandfather served, search free sites like Wikipedia to get more information about the ships, including photos. To see an example of my brother Guy’s pre-WWII musters, see http://www.conigliofamily.com/GuyPage 2.htm. Angelo Coniglio encourages readers to contact him by writing to 438 Maynard Drive, Amherst, NY 14226; by email at Genealogytips@aol.com; or by visiting www.conigliofamily.com/ConiglioGenealogy Tips.htm.
Puzzles shown on page 11
Puzzle Solutions
Q: I’m sure my grandmother was Sicilian. She spoke that language, celebrated St. Joseph’s Day and all the other holidays in Sicilian style, cooked Sicilian food, and so on, but she said she was born in Tunisia. How can that be, and how can I do research on her ancestry? – R.F.L., Kenmore, N.Y. A: Around 1860, in the time of the unification of Sicily with the Italian peninsular states, there was extreme poverty in the Mezzogiorno (southern Italy and Sicily). After the formation of the unified Kingdom of Italy, much of the already meager wealth of the south was appropriated by northern officials and opportunists, and the peasants and laborers of the Mezzogiorno bore the brunt of the economic hardship. This social upheaval led to the “great migration” out of the south, primarily to the United States, but also to Western Europe and even Africa, only 100 miles away across the Straits of Sicily. At the start of this period, Tunisia was under control of the Ottoman Turks, but in 1881, it became a French protectorate, until its independence in 1956. In the late 1800s and the early 1900s, Tunis and other coastal cities of Tunisia received the immigration of tens of thousands of Italian peasants, mainly from Sicily and Sardinia. As a
Familiarize consequence, yourself with by the first the names of years of the Tunisian 20th century, cities, as there were more than these 100,000 manifests Italian may indicate residents in Tunis, Biserta, or Tunisia, concentrated the other large cities in the large cities of noted above, or smaller Tunis, Biserta, La ones such as Goulette, Zaghouan, Bouficha, and Sfax, and even in Kelibia, or Ferryville. If smaller cities. your A section from one of Guy Coniglio’s naval musters. These grandmother immigrants came here through a U.S. port, her manifest may established their own churches and neighborhoods, and while picking up the give the name of the town she came from and even name the closest relative she left Arabic and French tongues, many behind. retained their Sicilian and Italian Certain Tunisian baptism, marriage, language and social customs. Many made frequent trips back to their towns of and death records have been indexed origin, often convincing others to online at Geneanum.com emigrate to Tunisia. Some who were (http://www.geneanum.com). You’ll have dissatisfied with conditions in Tunisia to read French or get a French speaker to eventually emigrated to the United States. help you, but that page gives links to So it’s not unreasonable to think of helpful genealogical sites for Malta, your grandmother as Tunisian and Sicily, and Tunisia (Tunisie in French). Sicilian. Passenger manifests at Ellis Island Clicking on the Tunisie link leads to a and other U.S. ports, available on Ellis page with the link Bases de données Island’s free site (www.ellisisland.org) and (databases), and clicking there leads to the subscription site Ancestry.com, often choices for baptisms, marriages, and show travelers’ last place of residence. burials.
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York County
Calendar of Events York County Department of Parks and Recreation
Senior Center Activities
Pre-registration is required for these programs. To register or find out more about these activities or any additional scheduled activities, call (717) 428-1961.
Delta Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 456-5753
Jan. 14, 10 a.m. to noon – Eastern Penn Mushroomers Club Meeting, Nixon Park
Eastern Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 252-1641
Jan. 22, 2:30 to 4 p.m. – “The Wonders of the Universe” PowerPoint Show, Nixon Park
Golden Visions Senior Community Center (717) 633-5072
Jan. 28, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. – Public Star Watch, Rudy Park Observatory
Heritage Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 292-7471
York County Library Programs Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, 32 Main St., Glen Rock, (717) 235-1127
Northeastern Senior Community Center (717) 266-1400
Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, (717) 927-9014 Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Purls of Brogue Knitting Club
Red Land Senior Citizen Center – (717) 938-4649
Dillsburg Area Public Library, 17 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, (717) 432-5613 Dover Area Community Library, 3700-3 Davidsburg Road, Dover, (717) 292-6814 Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, (717) 225-3220 Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, (717) 632-5183 Kaltreider-Benfer Library, 147 S. Charles St., Red Lion, (717) 244-2032 Kreutz Creek Valley Library Center, 66 Walnut Springs Road, Hellam, (717) 252-4080
South Central Senior Community Center (717) 235-6060 Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – Blanket Knotting Project Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Line Dancing Class Fridays, 9 a.m. – This & That Stitchers Class Stewartstown Senior Center – (717) 993-3488 Jan. 12, 9 a.m. – Shopping at Shrewsbury Markets Jan. 13, 10:30 a.m. – Winter Picnic Jan. 19, 7 a.m. – Public Breakfast Susquehanna Senior Center – (717) 244-0340
Martin Library, 159 E. Market St., York, (717) 846-5300 Mason-Dixon Public Library, 250 Bailey Drive, Stewartstown, (717) 993-2404
White Rose Senior Center – (717) 843-9704, www.whiteroseseniorcenter.org
Paul Smith Library of Southern York County, 80 Constitution Ave., Shrewsbury, (717) 235-4313
Windy Hill Senior Center – (717) 225-0733
Red Land Community Library, 48 Robin Hood Drive, Etters, (717) 938-5599
Yorktown Senior Center – (717) 854-0693
Village Library, 35-C N. Main St., Jacobus, (717) 428-1034
Just a snippet of what you may be missing … please call or visit their website for more information.
Programs and Support Groups Jan. 3, 7 p.m. Surviving Spouse Socials of York County Faith United Church of Christ 509 Pacific Ave., York (717) 266-2784 Jan. 10 and 24, 7 to 8:30 p.m. Women with Depression/Mood Disorders Support Group Emanuel Methodist Church 40 Main St., Loganville (717) 501-4294 mindhearthealing@comcast.net
Free and open to the public Jan. 12, noon YCAAA Family Caregiver Support Group Codorus Valley Corporate Center Community Room 105 Leader Heights Road, York (717) 771-9058
Give Us the Scoop!
Jan. 17, 3 p.m. Caregiver Support Group Golden Visions Senior Community Center 250 Fame Ave., #125, Hanover (717) 633-5072
Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about free events occurring in York County!
If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.
Email preferred to: mjoyce@onlinepub.com
Let (717) 285-1350 Help you get the word out!
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January 2012
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Fragments of History
Automotive Firsts Victor M. Parachin he millions who attend annual automotive shows would be quite surprised to learn that the first National Automobile Show in November 1900 featured 40 automakers exhibiting more than 300 cars. Attendance averaged 6,000 per day, and visitors viewed braking and starting contests. A ramp was built to demonstrate the hill-climbing ability of the cars, and barrels were placed on the floor to show the ease of steering an automobile. Admission to the “horseless horse show” was 50 cents. Here are other fascinating automotive firsts.
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First steering wheel. The earliest automobiles were steered by tillers, much like a boat. In 1900 the first steering wheel was used on a Packard Model C built by the Ohio Automobile Company. Visitors at the National Automobile
Show looked skeptically at it, referring to the steering wheel as “that foreign thing.” In defense of the new innovation, Packard officials declared: “In machines that are designed to travel in excess of 20 miles an hour,” a steering wheel was an absolute necessity.
was riding her bicycle. She was taken to the Manhattan Hospital with a fractured leg. Wells spent the night in jail. Three years later, on Sept. 13, 1899, the first auto fatality took place. Henry H. Bliss, a real estate broker, 68 years old, was knocked 1904 Oldsmobile Model 6C Curved Dash Runabout First car down and accident. On run over as May 30, 1896, Henry Wells of he was departing a streetcar at Central Springfield, Mass., was driving his Park West and 74th Street, New York Duryea Motor Wagon in New York City. City. He was rushed to Roosevelt Hospital, where he died. The car driver, He collided with Evylyn Thomas, who
Arthur Smith, was arrested and held on $1,000 bail. First automobile laws. It quickly became apparent that states would have to establish rules and regulations on drivers and their vehicles. On July 6, 1899, the city of Chicago authorized a Board of Examiners of Operators of Automobiles, whose task was to determine the qualifications of individuals seeking licenses. The first board included the city electrician, the city engineer, and the commissioner of health. In 1901, Connecticut became the first state to enact uniform, statewide motor vehicle laws. That year, New York issued the first state license plates for automobiles and collected a total of $954 in fees. The first vehicle stop sign was put in Detroit in 1914. Jacob German has the distinction of
Each month, 50plus Senior News profiles one of your friends or neighbors on its cover, and many of our best cover-profile suggestions have come from you, our readers! Do you or does someone you know have an interesting hobby or collection? A special passion or inspirational experience? A history of dedicated volunteer work? If so, tell us, and we’ll consider your suggestion for a future cover story! Just fill out the questionnaire below and return it to 50plus Senior News, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512, or email your responses to Megan Joyce, editor, at mjoyce@onlinepub.com. Your name:___________________________ Your address:_________________________________________________________________________ Your phone number/email address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of person nominated (if not you): _______________________________________________________________________________________ Please receive their permission to nominate them. Nominee’s age range: 50–59
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being the first driver arrested for speeding. That took place on May 20, 1899, when German, the operator of a taxicab for the Electric Vehicle Company, was arrested for driving at a “breakneck speed” of 12 miles per hour on Lexington Avenue, New York City. He was booked and jailed in the East 22nd Street police station.
First White House car. William Howard Taft ordered the first official White House car. It was a White Steamer. Taft, who was a large man, was so impressed with the roominess of the steam-powered auto that he continued to use steam vehicles throughout his term and bought others for personal use after leaving office. Other prominent individuals who preferred White Steamers included John D. Rockefeller and Buffalo Bill Cody.
First speedometer and speed limit. The curved dash of the 1901 Oldsmobile was the first vehicle equipped with a speedometer. England was the world’s first country First starter. The early autos could to establish the speed limit. That took only be started by using a hand crank. place in 1902 and was set at 20 miles This was often difficult, dangerous, and per hour. almost impossible for women to do. In the United States, the first national In 1911, Charles Kettering of speed limit law was enacted in 1942 and Dayton Engineering Laboratories set at 35 miles per hour. The following Company (Delco) developed and year, a ban on driving for pleasure was installed the first self-starter in a put into place Cadillac. because This, too, gasoline was helped needed for advance the effort of increased World War use of the II. automobile The 55by making mile-per-hour it easier for national most speed limit people, was legislated especially in the U.S. in women, to 1974. That drive. was the first President Taft’s Model M White, 1909 time since First car World War II radio. In that the government instituted such a 1929, Motorola sold the first car radios regulation. for aftermarket installation. The radios were developed by Paul Galvin and Bill First car factory. In 1899, Ransom Lear, who later became founder of the Eli Olds of Detroit, Mich., began Lear Jet. The 1987 Lincoln Town Car manufacturing Oldsmobiles at his was the first American car to offer a factory. In 1901, he produced 433 cars; factory-installed CD player as an 2,500 in 1902; and 5,508 in 1904. option. Although Olds pioneered car manufacturing, it was Henry Ford who First automatic transmission. In would be the first to mass-produce 1940, General Motors offered an automobiles. He introduced the lowautomatic transmission on their priced Model T in 1908, the first vehicle Oldsmobile model. Called the “Hydrathat was affordable to the general public. Matic,” the transmission used four Ford further developed auto speeds and added $57 to the price of manufacturing in August 1913 by using the cars. By the late ’40s, the Hyrdaa moving assembly line. At his Highland Matic was being used by Cadillac and Park, Mich., plant, a two-rope pulley Pontiac as well as independent was hooked to a Model T chassis, automakers such as Nash and Hudson. pulling it past the workers who added the necessary parts. First air-conditioned car. What is By the end of that year, his assembly now standard on virtually all new line was motorized. The use of an vehicles created a stir when the Packard assembly line increased Model T Motor Car Company in Detroit production from 7.5 to 146 cars per publicly exhibited an air-conditioned hour, making cars even more affordable. auto Nov. 4-12, 1939, at the 40th Automobile Show in Chicago. Air inside Henry Ford’s assembly line effectively removed automobile ownership from the the car was cooled to the temperature desired and then filtered and circulated. exclusive hands of the wealthy. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
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Savvy Senior
How Much You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2012 Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I know we will be getting a slight increase in our Social Security checks this year, but what about our Medicare costs? What will the Medicare premiums and deductibles cost seniors in 2012? – Looking Ahead Dear Looking, The new Medicare premium, deductible, and co-pay changes for 2012 were all announced several weeks ago and the news was actually pretty good. Here’s a breakdown of what retirees can expect to pay for Medicare starting in January. 2012 Premiums For most Medicare beneficiaries who enrolled in 2009 or earlier, your monthly premiums for Part B (which covers doctor visits and outpatient care) will increase only $3.50 to $99.90 in 2012. That’s much less than was predicted by
the government earlier in 2011. The increase is the first in four years for most people with Medicare, mainly because of the federal law that freezes Part B premiums when there’s no Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), which was the case in 2010 and 2011. But, Social Security recently announced a 3.6 percent COLA for 2012. That 3.6 percent increase will boost monthly Social Security checks by an average of about $43 for retirees next year. So, even after your Part B premiums get deducted from your Social Security checks, you’ll still have about $40 more every month. The news for younger retirees is even better. Medicare Part B beneficiaries that enrolled in 2010 who’ve been paying $110.50 per month, and those that enrolled in 2011 who have been paying $115.40 per month, will see their Part B
Have you photographed a smile that just begs to be shared?
premiums go down to $99.90. And for high-income beneficiaries who’ve been paying higher Part B premiums because their annual incomes are more than $85,000 for individuals or $170,000 for joint filers, they too will see their monthly Part B premiums drop in 2012. Here’s a breakdown of what they will pay this year based on their income level. • Individuals with incomes of $85,000 to $107,000, or married couples filing joint tax returns with incomes of $170,000 to $214,000, will pay $139.90 per person per month for Part B. That’s a $21.60 reduction from 2011’s premium. • Individuals earning $107,000 to $160,000, or married couples with incomes of $214,000 to $320,000, will pay $199.80—a $30.90 reduction.
50plus Senior News Smile of the Month 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Digital photos must be at least 4x6'' with a resolution of 300 dpi. No professional photos, please. Please include a SASE if you would like to have your photo returned.
• Individuals over $214,000 or couples above $428,000 will pay $319.70 each per month for Part B. That’s $49.40 less than 2011. Other Medicare changes you need to know about that will affect all beneficiaries include the Part B deductible, which will be $140 in 2012, a decrease of $22. And the deductible for Part A, which covers inpatient hospital care, will rise by $24 to $1,156 this year. For more information on all the Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates for 2012, see medicare.gov/cost or call (800) 633-4227. Help with Premiums If you’re a high-income beneficiary and
• Individuals with incomes of $160,000
Hey ... nice legs!
Send us your favorite smile—your children, grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling” pet!—and it could be 50plus Senior News’ next Smile of the Month! You can submit your photos (with captions) either digitally to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or by mail to:
to $214,000, or couples with incomes of $320,000 to $428,000, will pay $259.70—a $40.20 reduction.
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1590 Rodney Road, York, PA 17408
717-764 8737 • 1-800-676-7846
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your income has fallen since 2010 (the tax year used to determine your 2012 premiums), you may be able to reduce or eliminate your Medicare Part B premium surcharge. To qualify, your income loss must be tied to a life-changing event, such as a marriage or divorce, a job loss or reduced work hours (including retirement), loss of income from income-producing property, or cuts in pension benefits. To learn more, see ssa.gov/pubs/10536.html. And for lower-income retirees who are
CREATIVITY
having a difficult time paying their Medicare costs, help is available through Medicare Savings Programs. These are Medicaid-administered programs that pay Part B premiums and, depending on your finances, may even pick up the tab on your copayments and deductibles. To find out if you qualify, contact your local Medicaid office—call (800) 633-4227 for contact information. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org.
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Hoping to combine his two passions, Williamson began playwriting, and thus renewed his acting career. For the past five years, he has done work at the Fulton Theatre and Theatre of the Seventh Sister, as well as his work with Creative Works. “I hooked up with Creative Works because they seemed to be interested in doing the same kind of material in which I was interested,” said Williamson. “People who are involved in theater in any city all seem to know each other, and there’s a lot of mutual interest and support within a group like that.” Williamson’s leadership responsibilities vary, however, from his wide-ranging character roles on stage. As board chair, Williamson jokes that his role includes signing thank-you letters to donors and speaking to the press on occasion. His diverse work has included: acting in several Creative Works productions, walking around with a sandwich board with painting on it as part of a roaming art gallery on First Friday, writing material for last year’s Christmas comedy show, creating sock puppets, making arrangements for productions, and running a freight elevator. He regards the board as a group of equals, sharing tasks accordingly. “Creative Works is a real collaborative effort, and everybody does their part,” commented Williamson. “One of our board members took charge of getting all the sock puppets constructed; another member wrote brilliant lyrics to a song when we needed one overnight; another takes care of the business end; another the legal question; and so on.” Williamson also holds the role of being the eldest member of the group; however, his youthful ideas and insight challenge this fact. Even though the next oldest member is 20 years younger, Williamson’s edgy ideas often keep members guessing. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
“Age really doesn’t matter when you’re all working toward the same goal,” said Williamson. “And you can never predict anything on the basis of age.” And although Williamson could be casted for retirement, the word is unseen in his vocabulary. “I got involved in Creative Works for the same reason I would have gotten involved with it if I’d been 40 years younger—it was the chance to do new, exciting, and meaningful work,” said Williamson. “I can never see myself retiring as a writer or as an actor, so I might as well find new ways to make what I do in those fields as much fun as possible for me.” In fact, Williamson believes there is much to learn from the younger population. “We always say that the younger population should learn from the experiences of their elders. Well, it works the other way as well,” said Williamson. “You’re never too old to learn something new. I’ve learned some new ways of thinking and problem solving by working with my younger colleagues, and I’m hopeful they’ve learned something from me.” Similarly, one can never predict the excitement and enjoyment of their interest in Creative Works, no matter what age. Creative Works recently sponsored a 24-Hour Plays event, in which six 10-minute plays were written, rehearsed, and performed within 24 hours. The sold-out venue was packed with play-goers of all ages. “A major part of our mission is to appeal to all ages, 50+ as well as people in their 20s,” said Williamson. “If we don’t, where are the theater-goers of tomorrow going to come from?” To get in touch with Chet Williamson, check out his website at chetwilliamson.com. For additional information on Creative Works, visit creativelancaster.org or call (717) 7238355.
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January 2012
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Can you belt it out like nobody’s business? Do you belong on Dancing with the Stars ? Are you wild and crazy like Steve Martin? Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the seventh annual PA STATE
SENIOR IDOL competition!
Auditions held at regional locations Tues., April 24 Body Zone
Wed., April 25
3103 Paper Mill Road Wyomissing, PA 19610
York Little Theatre
Wed., May 2 Broadway Classics Theatre at the Harrisburg Mall
NEW LOCATION!
27 South Belmont St. York, PA 17403
3501 Paxton Street Harrisburg, PA 17111
Thurs., May 3 The Heritage Hotel Lancaster 500 Centerville Road Lancaster, PA 17601
Win a limousine trip to New York City with dinner and a Broadway show!
Brought to you by:
Presented by:
For more information or an application:
717.285.1350 20
January 2012
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www.SeniorIdolPA.com www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com