York County Edition
August 2013
Vol. 14 No. 8
PA State Senior Idol Returns for 2013 Talent Competition Moves to Early Fall for 8th Year By Megan Joyce
Tammy Estep, left, of York, and Curtis Mease, right, of Lancaster, will be auditioning for the eighth annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition this fall.
The eighth installment of the annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition— which showcases the talent of the commonwealth’s over-50 performers—has arrived, but with a few changes. Most notably, the SENIOR IDOL “season” has been moved from spring to early fall. Also, vocal, instrumental, dance, or comedic acts will be able to audition during morning, afternoon, or evening time slots. But the heart of the event is still the same, as are the motivations fueling its contestants: a passion for entertaining, for sharing talent, and for bringing happiness to others in doing so. Lancaster resident Curtis Mease was first introduced to music in elementary school. After piano lessons didn’t pan out, he moved on to the slide trombone and baritone horn, playing in the school band. During this time he discovered his vocal instrument as well, singing in church choir, high school glee club, and several district and regional chorus festivals. And, during his four years in the Navy in the early 1960s, Mease sang in the naval base Blue Jackets choir until he was assigned to a ship. But then, for the next few decades—during which he attended Penn State please see IDOL page 12
Inside:
What to Consider Before Joining a Clinical Trial page 6
Gratitude and Generosity Enhance 2013 Games page 15
Such is Life
Does Worrying Ever Help? Saralee Perel y husband, Bob, gets the brunt of my worry storms. Yet he still loves me. “You hungry?” I said. “Not really.” “What’s wrong?” I grabbed the thermometer from my keychain. “Nothing. Will you please stop being you for let’s say, four minutes a day?” “Well, sue me for caring.” “I’m sorry. Let’s eat. Fried food sound good?” “Not if it’s fried in canola oil.” He sighed. “What’s wrong with canola oil?” “A canola is a Canadian ola—that’s Spanish for tomato, which is in the deadly nightshade family. And deadly nightshade is poisonous. No canolas!” “Canola oil is made from seeds of the field mustard plant.” “Oh.”
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We drove I was freaking to a vegetable out about my stand. “Bob, bill. I’m worried She everyou have a so-gently said, stomachache.” “You can “I don’t. I choose to do, however, worry yourself have one huge sick about pain in the— problems or neck.” not. That Many same problem years ago, Leo is still going to Buscaglia be there either wrote, way.” Saralee and Bob, June 2013 “Worry never Earlier this robs year, we tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps received an audit notice from the IRS today of its joy.” incorrectly stating we owed $8,000. Bob Yesterday I called the billing persevered through phone calls with 45department at a huge hospital and spoke minute wait times, emails, faxes, and a with a gal named Dianne. She could tell zillion trips to the bank, as well as
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certified letters. And he won. He never worried about the audit, the $8,000 we don’t have, the paperwork, or the ludicrous process of reaching a human being, so to speak, at the IRS. “How do you not worry, Bob?” “In the long run, most problems won’t matter. Plus, I always say, ‘Wait to worry.’ If I didn’t win with the IRS, I would have worried then.” What he does worry about is me. My walking problem makes me fragile. Frankly, like most of us, Bob is having an overall harder time as we get older. “I worry about the future,” he said tearfully. “It’s almost too sad to think about.” I told him, “It’s only too sad because it’s so beautiful.” I touched his arm. “Don’t miss me while I’m here.” He was still tearful. “Sweets,” I said, “thinking about
Smile of the Month This month’s smile belongs to Charlie Miller, 4.5 months, submitted by Charlotte Studzinski of Stewartstown.
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losing our dog didn’t make it any better when she died. It was just as painful. Look at this day. Here we are, so lucky to live near the seashore in our tiny, cozy home. Don’t miss today by worrying
about something inevitable that you can’t control.” I took his hand and led him to the bedroom, where we spent an entire hour doing what people in love do when they
are spending a glorious day together near a seaside town: Googling “fried seafood.” Then we went to a local shanty and gorged ourselves on fried shrimp. Made with canola oil.
Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist. Her new book is Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. To find out more, visit www.saraleeperel.com or email sperel@saraleeperel.com.
Pa. Ranked 17th in National Senior Health Report America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report shows Minnesota at the top of the list of healthiest states for older adults. Vermont is ranked second and New Hampshire is third, followed by Massachusetts and Iowa. Mississippi is ranked 50th as the least healthy state for older adults. Oklahoma, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Arkansas complete the bottom five states. Pennsylvania ranked 17th overall. In 2013, 28 percent of Pennsylvanians over 65 are obese; 9.1 percent are smokers; 80.5 of diabetics are receiving appropriate disease management; and
32.4 percent are physically inactive. By contrast, 23.7 percent of Minnesotans over age 65 are considered obese, versus 27.9 percent of Mississippians. Of Minnesota’s seniors, 8.6 percent smoke; the rate is 10
percent for Mississippi. Minnesota came in at 83 percent for diabetes management, versus 74.1 percent in Mississippi. Finally, 28.9 percent of Minnesota seniors are physically inactive, versus
38.1 percent of seniors in Mississippi. The 34 measures that comprise America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report are of two types: determinants and outcomes. Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population, whereas outcomes represent what has already occurred either through death or disease. View the entire report online at www.americashealthrankings.org. Source: America’s Health Rankings® Senior Report. 2013 United Health Foundation. All Rights Reserved. ©
Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Adult Day Centers SeniorLIFE 1500 Memory Lane Ext.,York (814) 535-6000
Entertainment Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster (717) 898-1900
Animal Hospitals Community Animal Hospital Donald A. Sloat, D.V.M. 400 S. Pine St.,York (717) 845-5669
Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020
Automobile Sales/Service Gordon’s Body Shop, Inc. 10 Mill St., Stewartstown (717) 993-2263 Coins & Currency Steinmetz Coins & Currency 2861 E. Prospect Road,York (717) 757-6980 Energy Assistance Low-Income Energy Assistance (717) 787-8750
Alzheimer’s Information Clearinghouse (800) 367-5115 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400
Hearing Services Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Home Care Services Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services (717) 630-0067 – Hanover (717) 751-2488 – York Home Improvement Kitchen Tune-Up 122 Strayer Drive, Carlisle (717) 422-5741
The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 or (717) 757-0604
Housing Assistance Housing Authority of York (717) 845-2601
Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937
Healthcare Information PA HealthCare Cost Containment (717) 232-6787
Insurance – Long-Term Care Apprise Insurance Counseling (717) 771-9610 or (800) 632-9073
Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Salon Services Trimmer’s Hair & Nail Care 112 Brittany Court, Red Lion (717) 246-4844 Services SeniorLIFE 1500 Memory Lane Ext.,York (717) 757-5433 York County Area Agency on Aging (800) 632-9073 Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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My 22 Cents’ Worth Corporate Office: 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240 Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com
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Taboos in the Land of the Free Walt Sonneville aboos confront us in every sector of life. They permeate society—in households, offices, religion, supermarkets, within ethnicities, and elsewhere. Each sector has its own prescribed norms. We are told Americans live in “the land of the free,” but even in our homes it can take the truly brave to defy taboos. As some taboos collapse, others emerge to fill the ranks. A household can be thought of as a “sovereign jurisdiction,” often governed by a monarch who establishes taboos. Some of these prohibitions are anticipated by visitors. Others are ambiguous or incomprehensible. Men must leave the toilet seat down in a mixed-sex household. That maxim is accepted by most. Bathroom sinks must not be left to give the appearance of a “wet bar.” Fair enough. But a ban against wearing shoes in the house can arouse resistance by guests wearing socks that do not match or have holes. Enforcement of taboos within many households is both certain and swift. Taboos in supermarkets are understood but rarely enforced. Prohibitions limiting the number of items in the express checkout line or writing checks in the cash-only line are silently waived. Taboo enforcement can be
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expected in offices. It is inadvisable for an entry-level employee to address the chief executive or a senior executive by that person’s first name. If a common-use refrigerator stores food brought by employees for their personal consumption, others sampling the fare can lead to an embarrassing scene. Society’s taboos underwritten by law provoke periodic legal challenges. Gay marriage, marriage between first cousins, medical marijuana, military women barred from certain combat situations, and assisted suicide are prohibitions that divide public opinion. Taboos decreed by custom, but unsupported by law, fade as attitudes toward them moderate. Men emoting tears in public, considered unmanly in decades past, has had a change in perception. Breastfeeding infants in public is fading as a “morality” issue. Topics considered inappropriate for television commercials, such as bladder incontinence and erectile dysfunction, are now accepted, however begrudgingly, by viewers. There are countless examples of traditional taboos that persist. Women smoking cigars, jokes about mothers-in-law, burping in public, cellular calls during meetings, and the “one-finger salute” come to mind. Society traditionally regarded tattoos as distasteful, suited only for
drunks and sailors. Life Magazine in 1936 estimated that 6 percent of Americans had a tattoo. Tattooing lost much of its appeal during the decades immediately following World War II. Perhaps the practice of the Nazis tattooing concentration-camp prisoners inhibited its acceptability. Tattoos in the past decade have seen growing acceptance. Harris Polls in 2008 estimated that 14 percent of Americans had one or more tattoos, prevalent mostly among those in the 25-39 age group. Over the past decades, new taboos have emerged as others fade. Wary mothers often exhibit apprehension when their toddlers receive unwelcomed admiration from strangers. When rejection is indicated, the admirer feels a melancholic separation from the youngest generation. We live in “the land of the free,” but take care where you tread. You may, perhaps unwittingly, have violated a taboo. Walt Sonneville, a retired marketresearch analyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen and A Musing Moment: Meditative Essays on Life and Learning, books of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. Contact him at waltsonneville@earthlink.net.
2013’s More Unusual Billionaires Awards
Winner
50plus Senior News 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.
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Earth is home to 1,426 billionaires, according to Forbes magazine. Some of them are familiar and fairly normal folks (Carlos Slim, Warren Buffet), but others are a little more colorful. Forbes recently shared some of the more outlandish stories of 2013’s richest people: God is a billionaire. Not that God—God Nisanov, who was born in Azerbijan, currently resides in Moscow and built his $3 billion fortune in real estate.
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Money buys you love? Jeff Greene, who also made his billions in real estate deals, spent $1 million on his wedding at an estate he bought for $35 million and then spent $15 million renovating. His best man? Boxer Mike Tyson.
Win some, lose some. Brazilian entrepreneur Eike Batista remains on the Forbes list of billionaires in 2013 despite having lost some $8.8 billion since last year. That comes out to more than $53 million a day, or $2 million an hour.
Money supports some unusual hobbies. Tuncay Ozilhan collects pens—and currently owns more than 3,000 of them. He can afford them because his worth is $1.6 billion, thanks to being the producer of the most popular beer in Turkey, a brew known as Efes.
Money doesn’t solve all problems. Pharmacy billionaire Stewart Rahr was reportedly banned for life from New York’s celebrity sushi restaurant Nobu for a meltdown that occurred when he couldn’t get his favorite table. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
How Fixing Cataracts Can Improve Your Health Remember the old song lyric: “The foot bone’s connected to the leg bone?” Well, here’s an interesting connection— better vision could lead to a 16 percent lower risk of hip fractures. Sure, fixing cataracts can restore clear, colorful vision, but according to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, having cataract surgery lowers the risk of breaking a hip as well in adults 65 and older. “Seeing helps you navigate a new environment and helps with balance,” lead investigator Dr. Anne L. Coleman of Brown University told the New York Times. “You really need your eyes and vision to help you stay stable.” Older patients and those who were very ill benefited the most from having cataracts removed, with a 23 to 28 percent reduced risk of hip fractures. Cataracts are more treatable than ever. That’s good news, considering half of all Americans will be diagnosed with cataracts by age 80. Cataract surgery has come a very long way over the last 50 years. What was once a complicated surgery with a twoweek hospital stay is now a simple
outpatient procedure that takes a few Medications, eye drops, exercises, and minutes. eating healthy can’t reverse cataracts. The About 3 million people have cataracts only effective way to correct a cataract is removed in to remove the the U.S. clouded each year, lens with making it minor one of the surgery. It most becomes a common matter of procedures. “when” The rather than eye’s “if ” you cloudy lens should have is removed the and procedure replaced done. with an This artificial study intraocular suggests lens. that acting Traditional earlier may lenses can Photo Credit: (c) jamstockfoto – Fotolia help correct prevent distance vision, but newer, advancedother health problems that accompany poor vision, such as falls. Cataract technology lenses can also help correct surgery can also mean more independpreexisting eye conditions like ence, as better vision allows you to astigmatism and age-related presbyopia. confidently do more everyday things on These newer intraocular lenses can potentially eliminate the need for glasses. your own.
August is Cataract Awareness Month
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only half of the estimated 61 million adults at high risk for serious vision loss visited an eye care professional in the last year. To make sure you are protecting your eye health, follow these simple steps. Everyone 50 or older should get yearly comprehensive eye exams. This allows for detection of eye diseases in early stages, before you experience vision problems, some of which may be permanent. Adults over 50 should be mindful of symptoms of common age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, the leading cause of reversible blindness in the U.S. Blurry vision and needing more light to read even while wearing glasses can be early signs. In later stages, you may experience poor night vision, colors looking dull, difficulty with glares or halos, and double vision. Seniors should talk to their doctors and visit the National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute website (www.nei.nih.gov) to learn about cataracts and treatment options. Source: Courtesy of Alcon Labs
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Savvy Senior
What to Consider Before Joining a Clinical Trial Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about clinical trials and how to go about finding one? My wife has a chronic condition, and we’re interested in trying anything that may be able to help her. – Looking For Help Dear Looking, Each year, hundreds of thousands of Americans participate in clinical trials in hopes of gaining access to the latest, and possibly greatest, but not yet on the market treatments for all types of illnesses. But, you need to be aware that clinical trials can vary greatly in what they’re designed to do, so be careful to choose one that can actually benefit your wife. Here’s what you should know about clinical trials, along with some tips for locating one.
Clinical Trials A clinical trial is the scientific term for a test or research study of a drug, device, or medical procedure using people. These trials— sponsored by drug companies, doctors, hospitals, and the federal government—are conducted to learn whether a new treatment is safe and if it works. But, keep in mind that these new treatments are also unproven, so there may be risks too. Also be aware that all clinical trials have certain eligibility criteria (age, gender, health status, etc.) that your wife must meet in order to be accepted. And before taking part in a trial, she’ll be
asked to sign an informed consent agreement. She can also leave a study at any time.
drug or procedural trials are not designed to find a cure or improve a patient’s health, but only to provide scientific data.
Things to Know Before deciding to participate in a trial, you and your wife need to first discuss it with her doctor. Then, schedule an appointment with the study’s medical team and ask lots of questions. Here are some to get you started. • What’s the purpose of the study and can it improve your wife’s condition? You may be surprised to know that many
• What are the risks? Some treatments can have side effects that are unpleasant, serious, and even life threatening. • What kinds of tests and treatments does the study involve, and how often and where they are performed? • Is the experimental treatment in the study being compared with a standard treatment or a placebo? Keep in mind that if your wife gets the placebo, she’ll be getting no treatment at all. • Who’s paying for the study? Will you have any costs, and if so, will your insurance plan or Medicare cover the rest? Sponsors of trials generally pay most
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In print. Online at onlinepub.com. To include your community or service in the 2014 edition or for a free copy of the 2013 edition, call your representative or (717) 285-1350 or email info@onlinepub.com Your key to choosing the right living and care options for you or a loved one.
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Do you have a friendly face? The 50plus EXPO committee is looking for volunteers to help at our 11th annual York County 50plus EXPO on September 18, 2013, at the York Expo Center — Memorial Hall East, 334 Carlisle Avenue, York, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you could help greet visitors, stuff EXPO bags, or work at the registration desk, we would be glad to have you for all or just part of the day. Please call On-LLine Publishers at (717) 285-1350.. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
of the costs, but not always. • What if something goes wrong during or after the trial and your wife needs extra medical care? Who pays? • If the treatment works, can your wife keep using it after the study? Find a Trial Every year, there are more than 100,000 clinical trials conducted in the U.S. You can find them at conditionfocused organizations like the American Cancer Society or the Alzheimer’s Association, or by asking her doctor, who may be monitoring trials in his or her specialty. Or, use the National Institutes of Health’s clinical trials website (www.clinicaltrials.gov). This site contains a comprehensive database of
federally and privately supported clinical studies in the U.S. and abroad on a wide range of diseases and conditions, including information about each trial’s purpose, who may participate, locations, and phone numbers for more details. If, however, you don’t have Internet access or could use some help finding the right trial, use the Center for Information and Study on Clinical Research Participation (www.ciscrp.org). This is a nonprofit organization that will take your wife’s information over the phone and do a thorough clinicaltrials search for you and mail or email you the results in a few days. Call (877) 633-4376 for assistance.
11th Annual
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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Traveltizers
Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel
City Slickers in the Wyoming Wilds By Andrea Gross
he sign says we’re entering paradise. I’m skeptical. The six of us—my husband, me, our son, our daughter-in-law, and their two children—are about to spend a week at a top-rated guest ranch. Back in December when we’d made the reservations, we’d all agreed that this would be a perfect experience for our intergenerational group, but now I’m having second thoughts. We’re city-folks through and through—better at driving four-lane highways than riding four-legged creatures, more familiar with walking through manicured parks than hiking on canyon trails. And we’re used to plucking fish from market showcases, not from mountain streams. But here we are, on a mountain road in north-central Wyoming. We round a curve, and I catch my first glimpse of Paradise Guest Ranch. It’s in a valley
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The ranch is surrounded by a million acres of unspoiled land.
Most folks go on at least one trail ride a day; many go on two.
Newcomers to the ranch can take their time getting acquainted with the horses.
A 9-year-old girl who takes ballet dancing in the city becomes a fan of square dancing during her week at the ranch.
surrounded by more than a million acres of Bighorn National Forest, and with the hills awash with wildflowers, it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Then I see the corral, and I feel a rumble in the pit of my stomach. The kids—aged 9 and 6—have never been on a horse; the rest of us have a combined total of, perhaps, 10 hours of horsebackriding experience. Will we be the only novices in a group of experts? The answer becomes clear the next morning when we go to the stables for our first horseback ride. Everyone else is wearing a cowboy hat or riding helmet. We, on the other hand, are decked out in baseball caps and bonnets. Oh, dear! We exhaust the first wrangler when he tries to take us out on the trail. Grandson can’t make his horse move. Daughter-in-law’s horse goes backward when she pulls too hard on the reigns. I can’t make mine stop eating. But that afternoon, a second wrangler takes us into the arena for a course in horseback riding basics.
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The ranch is at an altitude of 8,000 feet, making a walk in the woods a huff-puff experience for some.
While experienced fishermen go on all-day outings to more remote locations, others choose to practice on the ranch proper.
Guests of all ages tend to gather around the swimming pool in late afternoon.
Granddaughter’s journal, day one: My horse’s name is Pollywog. I thought the horse would know what to do, but today I found out that I’m the one who’s supposed to know what to do. The next morning we ride a trail— across a stream, up a rocky mountain path, through a meadow, back to the stables. Grandson declares that “now we’re really cowboys.” By Wednesday we’re beginning to feel like pros. Granddaughter’s journal, day four: I think I’ve learned Pollywog’s personality, which is that sometimes he wants to do things his way. But now I can sometimes make him do things my way. The week progresses, offering us a mix of family time and individual time. We ride together and eat together, but in between we can each explore our own interests. Daughter-in-law and I take a long (for us) hike—proudly puffing our way along trails that rise to an elevation of nearly 8,000 feet. Son tries his hand at flyfishing, and Husband finishes two books and starts a third. The kids spend offhorse time doing crafts or swimming in the pool. After dinner the counselors entertain the kids while the adults have a chance to get to know each other. Out of 12 groups, five are adults-only; the rest have children ranging from toddlers to teens. Only three, like us, are first-timers. Every day we learn something new. One day we have a lesson on wildflowers. Another day we hear stories of Butch www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, who had an “Outlaw Cave” nearby. And another time we watch a moose moseying around the grounds near the fishing pond. Saturday is Rodeo Day, a chance for the kids to show off their equestrian skills. “Mount your horse.” Grandson is too short to do it alone— a ranger has to lift him on—but he grabs the reigns like a pro. “Circle the barrels.” No problem. “Weave between the poles.” Granddaughter does it at a trot. Six days has transformed them both from Western Wimps to Cowboy Champs. But it’s at the square dance where Granddaughter really shines. Blond hair flying, she allemandes left and circles right. Wrangler Dave grabs Grandson’s hand. “Come on, Buddy. Let’s dance!” he calls, as he propels a grinning Grandson ’round the room. Then, the next morning, we have our first crisis. None of us wants to leave. “Wait! We have to go down to the barn to say goodbye to Pollywog.” “Wait! We have to take one more picture of the fishing pond.” Wait, wait, wait! It takes us two hours to say our goodbyes and get into the car. Grandson’s comment, day seven: I like to watch sports, and Wyoming doesn’t have any professional sports teams. But that’s OK. It’s still paradise.
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Salute to a Veteran
In the Iraq War, He Flew the First 250 Marines Home Robert D. Wilcox
K
enneth Smith’s family had a military tradition. His father had been a machinist’s mate on an LST in World War II and had survived drifting in the Pacific for three months after a Japanese attack had disabled his LST’s power and communications. His much-decorated Irish grandfather had earned the French Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre for extraordinary valor and extreme heroism in battle during the bloody Battle of the Somme during World War I, where the British force had suffered 60,000 casualties on the very first day of the battle. So it seemed quite natural for Smith to join the military as well. He had entered Millersville University in the fall of 1969 and then transferred to the University of Houston, where he
graduated with a BS in touch the stick, and civil engineering and it would snap roll. It construction was any fighter technology in 1975. pilot’s dream of an He had enlisted in airplane.” the Navy officers After flying a program in 1974 while number of different still in school and kinds of jets and attended the Naval making 785 carrier Aviation Officer landings, he left the Candidate School Navy as a lieutenant (AOCS). Upon in 1985. He was graduation, he was then hired by commissioned as an American Airlines Capt. Kenneth A. Smith in the B-767 ensign. and flew the Boeing he flew to airlift troops from Iraq. He earned his 727. coveted “Navy Wings That led to his of Gold” at Pensacola in 1977 and was becoming a captain and spending nine soon flying the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk, a years flying Boeing 767s to major cities 675 mph jet fighter. He still thinks around the world. admiringly of that particular aircraft. He had stayed in the Naval Reserve Grinning, he says, “You could barely and, in August of 1990, he was recalled
during the Gulf War. He flew American troops to many hotspots around the globe. He remembers once flying to Izmir, Turkey, where he picked up Seal Team 6, which became world-famous years later when they killed Osama bin Laden. His airplane was a McDonnellDouglas C-9B with a female flight attendant. Smith says that they had some difficulty with the Turks before they were cleared to leave. And, when they straightened that out, he says he told the flight attendant that he had good news and bad news. The good news was that the Turks had cleared them to leave, but the bad news was that he had had to agree to sell her to them. Smiling at the memory, he says, “She didn’t seem to feel that that was so funny.” The Seal Team 6 that they picked up
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Masthof Bookstore – 219 Mill Road, Morgantown, PA 19543 ($13.95 plus 84¢ tax and $4 shipping) 610-286-0258 www.Masthof.com
— or — Available on Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle Use a gallon of gas and take a beautiful 9-mile trip through Amish and Mennonite farm country on Route 23 between Blue Ball and Morgantown. This stretch of road, which follows an old Native American trade route, was declared “The Conestoga Ridge Road Heritage Byway” in the fall of 2012. Stop off in Morgantown at the Masthof Bookstore (first road after Old Village Inn) and pick up a copy of Choices and Decisions and a local history book. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
was returning Iraq, from a intimidated by clandestine the real mission, and possibility of he returned being shot down them to a by insurgents training base armed with in Scotland. shoulder-firing He retired missiles. But from the Smith agreed to The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk that Navy Reserve go, flying a Lt. Smith flew in the U.S. Navy. in 1994 as a Boeing 767 on lieutenant the contract commander and returned to American flight that flew the first 250 Marines Airlines. back to the U.S. In 2005, he retired from American Had it been a nonstop flight? and moved with his wife to Ireland, “Not really,” he says. “The 767 could where they bought a home in the same have made the 14-hour flight nonstop, village where his grandfather had grown but it was a civilian airplane without inup. flight fueling capability, so it was prudent It was there that he learned of North for us to make one refueling stop at a American Airlines, a company that flew friendly country en route.” military charter flights on Boeing 757 Another factor that made flight in Iraq and 767 aircraft. It was a perfect fit for difficult was the constant heat. The him, and in 2007 he joined the company. hotter air is, the less lift it offers to Shortly after taking office for his first aircraft. Jets like the ones he flew were term, President Obama had promised to red-lined at 120 degrees, and bring all American combat forces home temperatures of 105 were routine in Iraq. from the War in Iraq by Dec. 31, 2010. He and his co-pilot were responsible He set a goal to return the first 30,000 for planning the routes through which troops in the month of August. And later flight could enter and exit Iraq with North American was picked to start the reasonable safety. That made further process. flights routine. Some pilots were wary of flying to And that, in turn, made possible the
airlifting of all 30,000 troops, as promised. By 2010, Smith had flown hundreds of flights for North American, not only to Iraq, but often also delivering troops to many other locations around the globe. After retiring in the fall of 2010, he and his wife returned to Central Pennsylvania to live. He had known the area, of course, from his college days at Millersville, and he says he just could not picture a more perfect place to spend his retirement years. Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
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One Book, One Community 2013 Book Announcement Please join 93 libraries and their community partners in celebrating the 2013 One Book, One Community book announcement and reception.
Wednesday, August 21 at 4 p.m. Red Land Community Public Library 48 Robin Hood Drive Etters, Pa. 17319
RSVP by August 14, 2013 to Mary Beth Long at onebook@yorklibraries.org or call (717) 938-5599
Windy Hill Senior Center to Unveil New Facility Windy Hill Senior Center and its board of directors recently hosted a press conference to unveil their plans to expand to a new location this summer. As of August 2013, the center will be known as Windy Hill on the Campus and will relocate to the former Spring Grove Area Middle School at 1472 Roth’s Church Road. An artist’s rendering, a group tour, and Tammy Miller, details about the partnership with Spring Grove executive director, Area School District were discussed, as well as addresses the audience at a the grand-opening details. recent press conference to “It has been a work in progress for over a discuss the senior center’s year, and we are excited to share our vision with upcoming relocation. the media and community,” said Tammy Miller, executive director of the center. “With the expanded space, we will be able to offer more diversified programs to the older adults in York County. The possibility of joint programming with the school district is very exciting.” If you have local news you’d like considered for Around Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com
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Community Animal Hospital Our caring, well-trained staff will treat you and your pet like family
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Serving the York community for over 40 years. (717) 845-5669 • 400 South Pine Street • York
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IDOL
from page 1
and embarked on a longtime job driving an 18-wheeler—Mease’s voice went quiet. “For the next 45 years, I was merely a listener, a spectator, until a couple years ago when a karaoke experience revealed I had not lost my singing voice,” Mease said. On that occasion, Mease’s rendition of Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World” was so well received that he became motivated to resume singing, adding to his repertoire songs made popular by Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, and Neil Diamond. Now retired, Mease still drives a truck part time and is active on the karaoke circuit. He continues to be amazed and heartened by the multigenerational encouragement from his audience members. “The songs I’ve chosen at karaoke have been enthusiastically received by those close to my own age and, surprisingly, by younger people as well,” Mease said. “I thought my choices from among the ‘crooning ballad’ type of music from yesteryear were a refreshing departure from the more often heard ‘pop rock’ of today.” Mease hopes the exposure he gains through the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition can boost his performance “hobby” into a second part-time career, with gigs at parties, reunions, or retirement centers. He would also like to continue to cultivate his “Sinatra touch.” “I seem to have been able to pick up his timing and phrasing,” Mease said, “and I can relate ever so realistically to the life themes he sang about.” A recurring “life theme” among people with a gift for singing is that they often don’t remember exactly when they started doing it—or a time when they didn’t. Such is the case for Tammy Estep of York, who estimates she may have begun exercising her pipes around age 5. Her vocal gifts were likely passed down to her from her mother, who was slated to appear on The Ted Mack Original Amateur Hour in the ’50s— until her father forbid her from going. “I think if she would have auditioned, she would have been a music star, and I probably wouldn’t be here!” Estep said. Estep sang all throughout her school years; her guitar was “always strapped” to her, and she performed at every school event. Four months before she
was set to begin attending East Stroudsburg University, Estep was asked to sing lead for a local band. “Much to my parents’ dismay, I accepted that offer and ditched college,” Estep said. “While there have been many occasions that I have regretted that decision, my music career as a guitar soloist and as a member of several bands with some very talented people spanned over 18 years of my life.” In addition to those years with various bands, Estep spent eight years as a solo performer. Her style leans toward a Bonnie Raitt or Linda Ronstadt sound, she said. Estep also traveled to Nashville in the 1980s as a contestant on You Can Be a Star, where, in one round, she actually beat now-famous country musician Aaron Tippin. Tippin went on to win the competition in 1985. Currently a branch manager for a local financial institution, Estep has stepped away from singing for the last several years but is eager to rekindle both the happiness it brings her and the joy she sees others receive from her music. “There are a lot of people over 50 that I’ve met in my lifetime who are from this area and who are extraordinarily talented,” she said. “And they’re still [performing]; I think that’s commendable.” She added that she is embarking on her upcoming SENIOR IDOL experience not just for herself, but also for those fellow musicians she’s worked with along the way. “I have so many people I know that I’ve played with over the years. I’m kind of doing this for them—because we worked very hard when we played,” she said. “It was many weekends, many late nights driving home, and I’m doing it for all those people that sacrificed so we could have a good time.” Morning and early-afternoon auditions for the 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition will be held Tuesday, Aug. 27, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg – East, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg. Afternoon and evening auditions will be held Thursday, Sept. 5, at the Heritage Hotel – Lancaster, 500 Centerville Road, Lancaster. For more information, call (717) 2851350 or check out www.SeniorIdolPA .com to see clips from previous years or to download an application. If your business would like to support the 50-plus community, please call to learn more about sponsorship opportunities. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
CCRC Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Bethany Village
CCRCs offer a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ unique and often changing needs. Healthy adults entering a CRCC are able to live independently in a home, apartment, or condominium of their own within the community. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can move into personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities. Some CCRCs have designated dementia areas within the community. These units address the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia. With a wealth of available resources, these communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out — which equals both comfort and peace of mind.
Calvary Fellowship Homes
Chapel Pointe at Carlisle
502 Elizabeth Drive Lancaster, PA 17601 Marlene Morris Marketing Director (717) 393-0711 www.calvaryhomes.org
770 South Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Linda Amsley Director of Marketing/Admissions (717) 713-2201 www.chapelpointe.com
Cornwall Manor
Homeland Center
Homestead Village
1 Boyd Street Cornwall, PA 17016 Anne Peiffer V.P. for PR & Development (717) 274-8092 www.cornwallmanor.org
1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org
Enhanced Senior Living 1800 Marietta Avenue P.O. Box 3227 Lancaster, PA 17604-3227 Susan L. Doyle Director of Marketing (717) 397-4831 ext. 158 www.homesteadvillage.org
Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community
Pleasant View Retirement Community
St. Anne’s Retirement Community
1700 Normandie Drive York, PA 17408 Joyce Singer Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 718-0937 www.normandieridge.org
544 North Penryn Road Manheim, PA 17545 Amanda Eckinger Communications Coordinator (717) 664-6207 www.pleasantviewrc.org
3952 Columbia Avenue West Hempfield Township, PA 17512 Christina E. Gallagher Director of Marketing (717) 285-6112 www.stannesretirementcommunity.com
StoneRidge Retirement Living
Willow Valley Communities
Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities
325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org
440 East Lincoln Avenue Myerstown, PA 17067 Stacia Keith Director of Sales (717) 866-3553 www.stoneridgeretirement.com
600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17602 Kristin Hambleton Manager of Sales (717) 464-6800 (800) 770-5445 www.willowvalleycommunities.org
2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org
The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.
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Calendar of Events
York County
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
Aug. 17, 9 to 11:30 a.m. – Canoe Tour and Cleanup, Lake Redman, William Kain County Park Aug. 18, 2:30 to 4 p.m. – Flintknapping Program, Nixon Park Aug. 25, 2:30 to 4 p.m. – Open Beehive Demonstration, Nixon Park
York County Library Programs
Eastern Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 252-1641 Golden Visions Senior Community Center (717) 633-5072 Heritage Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 292-7471
Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, 32 Main St., Glen Rock, (717) 235-1127 Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, (717) 927-9014 Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Purls of Brogue Knitting Club
Northeastern Senior Community Center (717) 266-1400
Dillsburg Area Public Library, 17 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, (717) 432-5613
Red Land Senior Citizen Center – (717) 938-4649
Dover Area Community Library, 3700-3 Davidsburg Road, Dover, (717) 292-6814
South Central Senior Community Center (717) 235-6060 Weekdays, 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. – Pool Games Wednesdays, 12:30 p.m. – Dancersize Class Aug. 8 and 15 – AARP Safe Driver Class
Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, (717) 225-3220 Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Knitting and Spinning Group 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
Stewartstown Senior Center – (717) 993-3488
Martin Library, 159 E. Market St., York, (717) 846-5300
Susquehanna Senior Center – (717) 244-0340
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 Red Land Community Library, 48 Robin Hood Drive, Etters, (717) 938-5599
Windy Hill Senior Center – (717) 225-0733 Aug. 5, 6 p.m. – “Generation Connect” Technology Class
Village Library, 35-C N. Main St., Jacobus, (717) 428-1034
Programs and Support Groups Aug. 15, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group Senior Commons at Powder Mill 1775 Powder Mill Road, York (717) 741-0961
Free and open to the public Aug. 24 and 25, 1 to 5 p.m. Shrewsbury Flower Show: A Walk Through Candyland Shrewsbury Fire Hall 25 W. Forrest Ave., Shrewsbury (717) 235-1130
Yorktown Senior Center – (717) 854-0693 Please call or visit the centers’ websites for additional activities.
Don’t Be Shy About Gastrointestinal Symptoms For millions of adults in the United States, daily activities like going to work may also be accompanied by bothersome gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain and constipation. People may not talk to their doctor about these symptoms because they’re embarrassed and find the conversation a difficult one to have. They suffer in silence. Recurring abdominal pain and constipation, including hard stools and infrequent and incomplete bowel movements, may indicate a chronic gastrointestinal (GI) condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C) or, without the presence of abdominal pain, chronic
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idiopathic constipation (CIC). There is no cure for these conditions, but there are ways to help manage the symptoms, starting with a candid conversation with a doctor, sparing none of the nitty-gritty details. Dr. Steven Lamm, internist and author of No Guts, No Glory, says patients don’t always communicate all their symptoms to a doctor even when those symptoms may have a negative impact on their lives. “Patients must have candid discussions with their physician to find treatments that work best for them,” Lamm said. “No one should feel embarrassed to talk about symptoms such as abdominal pain and
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constipation.” Here are some tips from Lamm:
symptoms. Having smaller portions or smaller meals more often may also help.
More exercise, less stress: Increased exercise and stress reduction have been shown to help relieve symptoms. Relaxation techniques may help in stressful situations, and increasing exercise like walking and yoga may also help. Check with your doctor before starting an exercise program.
Over-the-counter (OTC) products: Laxatives and stool softeners are approved to treat occasional constipation. These products are not intended for long-term use without supervision of a physician and are not FDA approved for IBS-C treatment.
Change your diet: Fiber may help create softer stools that are easier to pass. Highfiber foods include fruits, vegetables, beans, and bran flakes. For IBS-C sufferers, fatty foods, alcohol, and caffeinated drinks may worsen
Learning about and improving your GI health should be a part of your daily life. Take charge by speaking to your doctor and telling it like it is, sparing none of the nitty-gritty details. (StatePoint)
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Gratitude and Generosity Enhance 2013 Senior Games By Megan Joyce A dozen years have now passed since the inception of the York County Senior Games, and hundreds of county residents couldn’t imagine the month of June passing without them. Organized by the York County Area Agency on Aging and the Senior Games Planning Committee, with a membership of community and business volunteers, the 12th annual Senior Games were held June 17 to 22. More than 500 senior athletes turned out for the weeklong Senior Games, which began with an opening ceremony that included Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Brian M. Duke. “The games were successful again this year,” said Jenny Nace, information specialist at the AAA and a member of the Senior Games planning committee. “Our oldest participant this year was a 96-year-old woman!” Each year, the Senior Games are a vibrant reminder of the mission of the Area Agency on Aging: to promote healthy lifestyles and fitness for York County men and women over age 50. Most events were held at Central York High School, with the exception of billiards, bowling, mini golf, nine-hole golf, horseshoes, trap shooting, and target shooting, which were held at other community locations. “Senior Games are very important for the community,” Nace said. “It brings York County residents together for a week of fitness and healthy living and is a reunion for many of the returning participants.” Of the more than 40 events held over the six-day span, only one—mini golf— had to be rescheduled due to rain. No events were canceled. Types of sporting events ranged over a broad sprectrum, from nine-hole golf, tennis, and swimming to washers, UNO,
The gold-medal-winning volleyball team.
billiards, and trap and target shooting. New for 2013 was a triathlon comprised of a softball throw, freestyle swimming, and a 100-meter run, as well as a Wii Archery event. The first day of the games also included a new health and wellness fair. But the most popular events were the tried-and-true favorites: bocce, shuffleboard, mini golf, horseshoes, and bowling. No matter the sport, though, the spirit of athletic competition remained friendly and supportive. “I had a participant that won medals say that instead of accepting his medals, he would rather give his to another participant that may not win any!” Nace said. The final day of the games included a
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The horseshoe event participants.
closing celebration held in the highschool cafeteria, which recognized the efforts of Senior Games staff, participants, and athletes. “Our feedback is always very positive, and participants are very appreciative!”
Nace said. “They always appreciate the 200+ volunteers that assist us during the week of the games.” For more information on the York County Senior Games, call (717) 7719001.
2013 York County Senior Games The York County Senior Games would like to thank the 2013 sponsors whose contributions have made the events possible.
Platinum ManorCare Health Services
Gold
Lutheran Social Services of South Central PA • SeniorLIFE York WILMAC Corporation • York ADRC LINK
Bronze
Glatfelter Insurance Group • Heritage Senior Center Memorial Hospital • The Nutrition Group • Visiting Angels WellSpan Health
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You bring the talent, We’ll provide the stage! Do you dance … sing … play an instrument … perform magic … do comedy? Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be called PA STATE SENIOR IDOL? Then we’re looking for you!
Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the eighth annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition at one of these locations:
Tuesday, August 27
Thursday, September 5
Holiday Inn Harrisburg East
Heritage Hotel – Lancaster
4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111
500 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601
(Morning/Early Afternoon Auditions)
(Afternoon/Evening Auditions)
Win a limousine trip to New York City with dinner and a Broadway show! Finals to be held on October 14, 2013 at: Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 • (717) 898-1900
For more information, updates, or an application:
911 Photo Graphics
717.285.1350 • www.SeniorIdolPA.com
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Emcee:
Diane Dayton of Dayton Communications
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