York County Edition
August 2014
Vol. 15 No. 8
For the Love of Felines Councilwoman Heads Successful Feral-Cat Program By Rebecca Hanlon Maria Romano Marcinko is severely allergic to cats. The itchy skin and shortened breaths would send most people running from these critters. But Marcinko can’t stay away. The 58-year-old energetic woman founded a community stray cat program in 2010 shortly after being appointed to a seat on the borough council. The first item on the agenda that was handed to her in September 2009 was for a municipal contract with the local Humane Society. Thousands of taxpayer dollars were being spent each year for the care of stray animals. More than 85 percent of those were feral cats. “I’ve always been an animal lover,” Marcinko said. “They hoped that because I had experience in dog rescue services that maybe I could help with the overwhelming cat population.” The challenge was “staying outside of the box,” Marcinko said. She tried to understand the concerns of residents who became attached to the cats, while at the same time relating to the frustrations of neighbors who wanted strays to stay off their lawns. Feisty feral cats can damage plants, outdoor furniture, and flowerbeds, she said. But there was a solution. please see FELINES page 16 Maria Romano Marcinko stands with a couple of feral cats that will be spayed/neutered and then released where they were found.
Inside:
York Seniors Go for the Gold page 10
Ergonomic Tools that Can Ease Gardening Pains page 12
Such is Life
Finding a Family Again Saralee Perel
T
he letter began: “Dear Saralee, I’ll get right to it. We are cousins.” When I first read Robin’s words, I didn’t believe her. How could I have a first cousin I knew nothing about? She found me by Googling my name. “I would love to speak with you and share family memories,” she wrote. So I called her at her home in Pennsylvania. Sure enough, her mother was my Aunt Rebecca. I never even knew my aunt had a child. When Robin and I spoke, it was like talking to a sister. We used the same expressions, laughed and cried alike, related like we’d never been apart, and even described ourselves in the same goofy way: as lunatics. Her children’s careers are in writing and psychology, just like my professions. We both sign our emails: “Love, me.” And we each include our dogs in the
family photos we send. didn’t solve problems; it just Together, we figured out alienated people. why we never knew each And I didn’t understand other existed. that when Mom slammed I haven’t thought about her door each time I’d leave, my mother’s melancholia it was because she wanted in a while. Oh, how I me nearby, in her home and blame myself for waiting in her heart. until it was too late to My poor mother make things better. crippled her own life when Mom’s history was one all she truly wanted was the of neglect and abuse. She Saralee and her mother closeness she never had. wanted so desperately to be How immature and selfish in 1977. loved, but her fury at her of me, as an adult, not to parents was unrelenting. So see the love she so deeply she took it out on the most important longed for. When I told Robin that people in her world—the ones she held Mom ended her own life, she was not closest to her heart. surprised. Most of her family wouldn’t speak to And so, Aunt Rebecca and her her. She didn’t understand that by husband, my uncle Jack, were included constantly hanging up on relatives after in the sad picture of estranged relatives. shouting at them, they’d stop calling. Therefore, I had no idea Robin existed— She didn’t understand that being mean until now.
Sadly, everyone, other than my brother, stopped talking with me when they gave up on my mom. Although I’ve tried to reconnect, no one has responded. But now, I’ve been accepted into a new family, with all the richness that goes along with feeling welcomed by loved ones with a shared past. In her first email, Robin wrote, “I was awake all last night thinking of us. I find it unbelievable but wonderful and astounding! If you tried to write it, they would call it fiction.” I said, “I’m so happy you found me.” “So am I.” My mother would have treasured being a part of this extraordinary reunion. After all, the love I found is all she ever wanted. The truth is—my mother loved me as intensely as I loved her. If only I had said, “I love you, Mom. I didn’t mean to hurt you so much,
Steinmetz is Buying & Selling All Gold & Silver — Call for Quotes!
• U.S. COLLECTIONS • 1/2 Cents through U.S. Gold • All U.S. Coins and Currency • All Silver Dollars
FREE APPRAISALS
WE WILL TRAVEL Michael Steinmetz michael@steinmetzcoins.com
YORK 2861 E. Prospect Rd. (Rts. 24 & 124)
757-6980 or 866-967-2646 www.steinmetzcoins.com 2
August 2014
50plus SeniorNews t
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
especially when I left for college. You never meant to hurt me. You just wanted me to always be with you because you loved me in the purest sense. I should have known this.”
I wish I had told her that even though we didn’t shop, talk on the phone, or share secrets and laughter the way many mothers and daughters do, we still loved each other profoundly—as strongly as
rivers can flow and birds can soar. Maybe, oh maybe, somewhere in her tender, aching heart, she knew. 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.
Social Security News
Is a New Social Security Card in Your Cards? By John Johnston o help combat the rising threat of fraud and identity theft, Social Security will no longer issue Social Security number printouts beginning in August 2014. If you need written confirmation of your Social Security number—perhaps your new employer needs verification— and you can’t find your Social Security
T
card, you can apply for a replacement. But do you really need a replacement? In most cases, you don’t need your card as long as you know your number. For all intents and purposes, your number is your card. Usually providing your number and identifying information is enough. In the event you really do want or need a replacement card, either for yourself or for a child, you can find all of
Resource Directory
the details you need at www.socialsecurity. gov/ssnumber. The “Social Security Number and Card” page provides information on how to obtain a replacement card and what specific documents you need to provide. Whether you need a Social Security card for yourself or a child, it’s easy—and free—to apply for one. But consider whether a new Social Security card is really in the cards for
you. It may be that your “card” is already with you—in your head. While you’re at the website, open your free “my Social Security” account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. It can help you plan for retirement, check your earnings history, request your Social Security statement, and more. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.
This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being.
Active Adult Communities Roth’s Farm Village Roth’s Church Road, Spring Grove (717) 633-7300 Animal Hospitals Community Animal Hospital Donald A. Sloat, D.V.M. 400 S. Pine St.,York (717) 845-5669 Automobile Sales/Service Gordon’s Body Shop, Inc. 10 Mill St., Stewartstown (717) 993-2263
Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services (717) 630-0067 – Hanover (717) 751-2488 – York
Alzheimer’s Information Clearinghouse (800) 367-5115
Housing/Apartments Elm Spring Residence 118 Pleasant Acres Road,York (717) 840-7676
A Life Transition Service (717) 799-0648
Springetts Manor Apartments 50 Eisenhower Drive,York (717) 757-1565
Services York County Area Agency on Aging (800) 632-9073
Housing Assistance Housing Authority of York (717) 845-2601
Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 or (717) 757-0604 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Coins & Currency Munchel Brothers Jewelry and Coin Exchange 351 Loucks Road, Suite G-7,York (717) 793-2110
Healthcare Information PA HealthCare Cost Containment (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services
Steinmetz Coins & Currency 2861 E. Prospect Road,York (717) 757-6980 Energy Assistance Low-Income Energy Assistance (717) 787-8750 Entertainment Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster (717) 898-1900 www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Home Care Services Elder Healthcare Solutions Serving South Central PA (717) 825-8828 Senior Helpers Serving Adams and York counties (717) 920-0707
Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937
Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Senior Move Management
Volunteer Opportunities
Insurance – Long-Term Care Apprise Insurance Counseling (717) 771-9610 or (800) 632-9073 Asset Protectors 1595 North Queen Street,York (717) 699-2336 Personal Care Homes Providence Place Senior Living 3377 Fox Run Road, Dover (717) 767-4500
RSVP of Capital Region, Inc. (717) 847-1539 RSVP Lancaster County (717) 847-1539 RSVP Lebanon County (717) 454-8956 RSVP York County (443) 619-3842
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
3
Hyperthermia: Too Hot for Your Health 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
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson
EDITORIAL VICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING EDITOR Christianne Rupp EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS Megan Joyce
ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR Renee McWilliams PRODUCTION ARTIST Janys Cuffe
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Angie McComsey Jacoby Amy Kieffer Ranee Shaub Miller ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE Christina Cardamone BUSINESS INTERNS Molly Carl Rebecca Mills SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR Eileen Culp EVENTS MANAGER Kimberly Shaffer
CIRCULATION PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer
ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall Member of
During the summer, it is important for everyone, especially older adults and people with chronic medical conditions, to be aware of the dangers of hyperthermia. The National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the NIH, has some tips to help mitigate some of the dangers. Hyperthermia is an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the heat-regulating mechanisms in the body to deal with the heat coming from the environment. Heat stroke, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat fatigue are common forms of hyperthermia. People can be at increased risk for these conditions, depending on the combination of outside temperature, their general health, and individual lifestyle. Older people, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, should stay indoors, preferably with air conditioning or at least a fan and air circulation, on hot and humid days, especially when an air pollution alert is in effect. Living in housing without air conditioning, not drinking enough fluids, not understanding how to respond to the weather conditions, lack of mobility and access to transportation, overdressing, and visiting overcrowded places are all lifestyle factors that can increase the risk for hyperthermia. People without air conditioners should go to places that do have air conditioning, such as senior centers, shopping malls, movie theaters, and libraries. Cooling centers, which may be set up by local public health
Awards
agencies, religious groups, and social service organizations in many communities, are another option. The risk for hyperthermia may increase from: • Age-related changes to the skin, such as poor blood circulation and inefficient sweat glands • Alcohol use • Being substantially overweight or underweight • Dehydration • Heart, lung, and kidney diseases, as well as any illness that causes general weakness or fever • High blood pressure or other health conditions that require changes in diet. For example, people on salt-restricted diets may be at increased risk. However, salt pills should not be used without first consulting a physician. • Reduced perspiration, caused by medications such as diuretics, sedatives, tranquilizers, and certain heart and blood pressure drugs • Use of multiple medications. It is important, however, to continue to take prescribed medication and discuss possible problems with a physician. Heat stroke is a life-threatening form of hyperthermia. It occurs when the body is overwhelmed by heat and is unable to control its temperature. Heat stroke occurs when someone’s body temperature
increases significantly (above 104 degrees Fahrenheit) and shows symptoms of the following: strong, rapid pulse; lack of sweating; dry, flushed skin; mental status changes (like combativeness or confusion); staggering; faintness; or coma. Seek immediate emergency medical attention for a person with any of these symptoms, especially an older adult. If you suspect someone is suffering from a heat-related illness: • Get the person out of the heat and into a shady, air-conditioned, or other cool place. Urge the person to lie down. • If you suspect heat stroke, call 911. Apply a cold, wet cloth to the wrists, neck, armpits, and/or groin. These are places where blood passes close to the surface of the skin, and the cold cloths can help cool the blood. • Help the individual to bathe or sponge off with cool water. • If the person can swallow safely, offer fluids such as water or fruit and vegetable juices, but avoid alcohol and caffeine. The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) within the Administration for Children and Families in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services helps eligible households pay for home cooling and heating costs. People interested in applying for assistance should contact their local or state LIHEAP agency or go to http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/ liheap.
ER vs. Clinic: Which to Choose? 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.
4
August 2014
Hospital emergency rooms are stretched thin by almost 130 million visits a year. Many of these visits are triggered by complaints that could be handled more efficiently at same-day clinics or pharmacy care centers. How do you know which to choose? Go to the emergency room (or call an ambulance) if you or a friend experience any of these serious symptoms:
50plus SeniorNews t
• Persistent chest pain • Persistent shortness of breath
• Fever (except in the case of a newborn infant)
• Severe pain, especially in the abdomen or the lower back
• Minor trauma such as cuts and sprains
• Loss of balance or fainting
• Urinary tract infections
• Difficulty speaking or thinking clearly
• Severe sore throat
• Sudden, severe headache
• Minor eye irritation
On the other hand, most sameday clinics are able to treat these routine health problems:
A clinic will also be able to advise you to go to the emergency room if your condition is more serious than you realize.
• Nausea and vomiting
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Your Changing Eyes
717-825-8828 www.EHS-PA.com
By Rebecca Mills The primary cause of blindness in the United States, cataracts occur as the lens of the eye naturally breaks down with age. By the time you reach age 65, there is a 50 percent chance you already have a cataract. Most people are born with a crystalclear lens, and it stays relatively clear throughout most of your life. Over time, this crystalline lens becomes more opaque because the water and protein that make up the lens begin to clump together. When looking at the pupils of someone with cataracts, it looks like tiny clouds inside their eyes. Just as clouds block out our vision of the sky, these small clouds inhibit a person’s ability to see clearly. The symptoms of a cataract can be quite subtle at first, only causing minimal disruption to your vision. Small parts of your field of view may be fuzzy and out of focus. Cataract sufferers often believe their prescription is just changing, so they opt for stronger glasses or lenses. Unfortunately, getting a stronger prescription only puts a temporary bandage on the problem. Other symptoms may include: glare around lights, double vision, poor night vision, and poor color recognition. While researchers are unsure whether or not cataracts can be prevented, there are steps a person can take in order to lower the risk of developing them. These include: > Wearing protective sunglasses > Not smoking > Reducing alcohol use > Maintaining a healthy weight > Including fruits and vegetables in your daily diet
An optometrist can do some routine procedures to determine whether a patient has cataracts. These include a visual acuity test, looking into the eye with a light, and dilating the pupils to look closely at the lens. If cataracts are found on the lens, talk to your eye doctor about your options and see whether surgery would be the best choice for you. Cataract surgery is recommended if your life is beginning to suffer. Many people decide to opt out of the surgery initially and then undergo it later once their vision deteriorates substantially. The good news is that cataract surgery is a fairly simple procedure. The surgery involves making a small incision in the lens, removing the cataract, and replacing the lens with an artificial one. Normally the doctor will only do the surgery in one eye at a time, waiting a month or so between the first and second eye. As with any procedure, the surgery does come with a risk of infection and bleeding. As many as 85-92 percent of adults who opted to have cataract surgery were satisfied with the results of the procedure, and many of those who weren’t satisfied had other preexisting eye conditions. The surgery itself has a 95 percent success rate, and the people who have their cataracts removed are relieved to be able to keep their vision for years to come. If you think you may be developing cataracts, please contact your eye care professional. For more information on cataracts, visit the National Eye Institute website at www.nei.nih.gov.
From general care and entitlement information to ongoing, intense involvement and support, we provide the insight and guidance you need to navigate the challenges of aging. Geriatric Care Management Power of Attorney & Professional Guardianship Senior Moves & Relocation Support Concierge Services: Transportation, Shopping, Errands, Travel Assistance
SERVING SOUTH CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA! Contact us for a FREE consultation: 717-825-8828
Community Animal Hospital Our caring, well-trained staff will treat you and your pet like family
Donald A. Sloat, D.V.M. Vicki Boyd-Kyle, V.M.D.
Office Hours: 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday 8 - 11:30 a.m. Saturday Doctor’s Hours by Appointment Serving the York community for over 40 years. (717) 845-5669 • 400 South Pine Street • York
Please join us for these free events!
12th Annual
• Exhibitors • • Health Screenings • • Seminars • • Entertainment • • Door Prizes •
Sept. 17, 2014
Limited Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Memorial Hall East 334 Carlisle Avenue York
YORK COUNTY
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center
18th Annual
15th Annual
LANCASTER COUNTY
CUMBERLAND COUNTY
More Seniors Documenting End-of-Life Wishes The percentage of senior citizens with living wills was 72 percent in 2010, a record number and a substantial increase from 47 percent in 2000. The figures come from a study published in the Journal of the American www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Geriatrics Society, examining data from the Health and Retirement Study conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research on behalf of the U.S. National Institute on Aging.
Oct. 22, 2014 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center
FREE PARKING!
Nov. 5, 2014 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Spooky Nook Sports 2913 Spooky Nook Road Manheim
100 K Street Carlisle
(Just off Rt. 283 at the Salunga exit) (717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 (610) 675-6240
www.50plusExpoPA.com 50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
5
CCRC Continuing Care Retirement Communities
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.
Bethany Village 325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org
Church of God Home 801 North Hanover Street Carlisle, PA 17013 Sherry Heim Director of Development/PR (717) 866-3204 sherry.heim@ndccs.com www.churchofgodhome.org
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
Cross Keys Village The Brethren Home Community
Garden Spot Village
2990 Carlisle Pike New Oxford, PA 17350 Amy Kirkpatrick Senior Retirement Counselor (717) 624-5350 a.kirkpatrick@crosskeysvillage.org www.crosskeysvillage.org
433 South Kinzer Avenue New Holland, PA 17557 Megan Farber Sales and Marketing (717) 355-6290 mfarber@gardenspotvillage.org www.gardenspotvillage.org
The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.
Salute to a Veteran
In WWII in the Pacific, There Was a Lot of Water to Fly Over Between Islands Robert D. Wilcox harles Wilson grew up in a small town near Bel Air, Md. Though he didn’t know it then, he was to spend a lot of time over the broad Pacific on the opposite side of the world from his home. In January of 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and entered the aviation cadet program. After basic, he went to classified, where he passed all the requirements to become either a pilot, a navigator, or a bombardier. He chose to become a pilot and started pilot training at Albany, Ga. He soon discovered that there were
C
6
August 2014
lots of ways to “wash out” of pilot training, and he then went to navigator training at Selma, Ala. There, in December 1943, he won his navigator wings and a commission as second lieutenant. The Air Corps was looking for navigators who had also qualified to be bombardiers, so he volunteered to attend bombardier school at
50plus SeniorNews t
2LT Charles A. Wilson in 1943 as he earned his navigator wings and commission.
Roswell, N.M. He there earned his bombardier wings before being assigned to a B-25 crew at Greenville, S.C. The standard B-25 crew was made up of eight men: pilot, copilot, navigator, bombardier, radio man, two waist gunners, and a tail gunner. In his case, however, it was only seven men, since he served as both navigator
and bombardier. Their route to combat took them to California, Hawaii, and New Guinea. How did they find their way across those great expanses of the Pacific? “That’s where I came in,” he grins. “By looking down through the Norden bombsight, I could see the waves, and that helped me estimate the direction and force of the wind.” And where did he learn to do that? “In Selma,” he says, “right out of the textbook.” But without any real waves to see? “Yeah,” he says airily, “but it worked www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Homestead Village
Homeland Center
CCRC
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
The Middletown Home
Normandie Ridge Senior Living Community
St. Anne’s Retirement Community
1700 Normandie Drive York, PA 17408 Joyce Singer Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 718-0937 www.normandieridge.org
3952 Columbia Avenue West Hempfield Township, PA 17512 Christina Gallagher Director of Marketing (717) 285-5443 cgallagher@stannesrc.org www.stannesretirementcommunity.com
Serving from the 999 West Harrisburg Pike Heart in the Spirit of Friendship, Love, Middletown, PA 17057 and Truth Andrea Henney Director of Residential Services (717) 944-3351 www.MiddletownHome.org
Willow Valley Communities 600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17602 Kristin Hambleton Director of Sales (717) 464-6800 (800) 770-5445 www.willowvalleycommunities.org
Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities 2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your account representative or call (717) 285-1350.
The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.
out just fine when you had real waves to look at. And,” he adds, “I was able to ‘shoot the sun’ to judge our speed over the water.” With a smile, he says, “It had to work, because I didn’t even know how to swim.” After bombing the Japanese on New Guinea and nearby islands, he and his crew were relocated to Morotai Island, where it rained for a solid month. Everything—their clothing, their bedding, everything they had—was continually soaked. Although they flew missions through the weather, everybody got “jungle rot.” Their hands swelled up with the tropical infection so that they couldn’t even write. Fortunately, the medics had an ointment to treat it, but it was an experience that Wilson would prefer to forget. The crew moved again, this time to Palawan Island in the Philippines, where www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
they bombed Luzon and nearby islands. Wilson says all the island settlements were on the edge of islands, close to the water. So they would circle over the land, then, at treetop height, drop bombs on the facilities on their way toward the water so that, if they were hit, they’d be able to ditch in the water rather than crash on the land in Japanese hands. Not all missions involved bombs, though. The Japanese planted crops on some of the islands they captured. The food they produced was needed, because re-supply from Japan was so precarious. Wilson remembers flying missions to spray those crops with oil and destroy them. On another kind of mission entirely, their B-25s were fitted with auxiliary fuel tanks, and they flew a 16-hour mission, leading P-38s to a rendezvous with B-24s off the coast of China,
aircraft that went on to bomb Japanese bases in China. On one other key mission, they were to fly to Leyte Island to cover General MacArthur’s return to the Philippines. They ran into a huge monsoon they tried to climb over, but every time they neared the top of the clouds, they found that the clouds were climbing faster than they were. So they had to abort their shot at history being made. Did he ever get shot up in combat? “No,” he says. “The closest we came was when we were supporting the invasion of Borneo. I saw the B-25 to the left of us go down in flames. Then the same thing happened to the plane to the right of us. But we came through it without a scratch. “Then, after I had flown 53 missions, my tour was over, and I returned to the U.S. on a converted ocean liner. Just before we reached California, we got
news that the A-bomb had been dropped on Hiroshima. And the news that the Japanese had surrendered reached us on the day that I mustered out of the Air Corps at Fort Meade.” Wilson then entered the University of Maryland on the G.I. Bill and in 1950 graduated with a B.A. in mathematics. He taught high school mathematics for a couple of years, and then worked for three years at Aberdeen Proving Grounds using wind tunnels to study the effect of wind on missiles. For many years thereafter, he wrote computer programs for a major finance company. He often thinks of—but rarely discusses—all those hours he flew in the Pacific with nothing below him but water. Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
7
Deal Me In By Mark Pilarski
The Casino Returning Lost Loot is a No-Brainer Dear Mark: Your recent column about someone who found credits in a slot machine brought to mind an incident that happened to me a few weeks ago at the MGM Grand in Detroit. I accidentally left my $97 voucher on the bar. When I came back from the restroom, it was gone. I reported my loss to security. Within an hour, they caught someone on “the eye in the sky” cashing the ticket in. This is one time that I lost my money at a casino and they gave me my money back. – James B. Contrary to some mailbag response that didn’t quite believe what a casino does with the left-behind credits or vouchers, I must reiterate, it really isn’t smart customer service for a casino to pocket lost loot. Returning player winnings to its rightful owner is one of many ways a casino builds on customer loyalty. Heck,
handing a player $97 that justly belongs to him can keep him yanking handles in their casino for life. From the casino’s perspective, customer loyalty comes through having a strong relationship with its players. When a player sees them as a friend and ally, they are reluctant to jump ship to another casino, even if it means they can get a sweeter deal elsewhere. Given the competitive nature of the gambling business, casinos protect their customers as a mother bear does her cubs. Customers will decide whether to trust a casino based upon their day-to-day behavior. Handing you back your $97 builds on that trust. Make that type of behavior consistent over time—and here is where many casinos fall short—and the management knows you can be counted on as “their” patron. If their behavior becomes unpredictable, you, the consumer, will find another joint to which you take your money.
James, getting your $97 back was a no-brainer for the casino. Dear Mark: Are you aware of a good video poker program that will run on a Macintosh laptop? I had Bob Dancer’s program on my old PC, which I liked a lot, but it is not available in a Mac version. I would like to find a similar product, but I am not having any luck. – Charlie P. Unfortunately, Charlie, though I have been in the Mac world since its infancy, I too have yet to find software comparable to Dancer’s Video Poker for Winners! It is specifically for that reason that I keep an old PC laptop lying around, as you should too. Besides using VP for Winners! as a video poker game that replicates the IGT machines you see in a casino, you can also use it as a tutorial, create strategies, focus on problem areas, check unusual hands, figure slot club paybacks, and a
whole lot more. One of my favorite features of this software program is the ability to print out game-specific strategy charts that you can take to the casino with you. The money you save by never having to pay for another strategy chart alone will more than pay for the cost of the $50 program. In addition, I like that VPW allows you to change pay tables and then analyze that game’s overall expected return. Finally, I like the ability to determine what your bankroll needs are to avoid going broke. There is no better way to master video poker than with this software program. I recommend, Charlie, that you stick with it. Mark Pilarski is a recognized authority on casino gambling, having survived 18 years in the casino trenches. Pilarski is the creator of the bestselling, award-winning audio book series on casino gambling, Hooked on Winning. www.markpilarski.com
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.
South Central Senior Community Center – (717) 2356060, http://southcentralyorkcountysrctr.webs.com Aug. 5, 10 a.m. – Blood Pressure and Weight Checkup Aug. 15 – Special Visit from “Elvis” Aug. 27, 8:15 to 9 a.m. – All-You-Can-Eat Public Breakfast
Aug. 7, 6:30 p.m. – Archaeology Program, Horn Farm Center for Agriculture, Hellam Township Aug. 9, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Aug. 10, noon to 4 p.m. – Butterfly Weekend, Nixon County Park Aug. 24, 2:30 to 4 p.m. – Flintknapping Program, Nixon County Park
York County Library Programs
Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.
Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, (717) 927-9014 Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Purls of Brogue Knitting Club Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, (717) 225-3220 Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Knitting and Spinning Group
Programs and Support Groups Aug. 5, 7 p.m. Surviving Spouse Socials of York County Faith United Church of Christ 509 Pacific Ave., York (717) 266-2784
8
August 2014
Aug. 21, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group Senior Commons at Powder Mill 1775 Powder Mill Road, York (717) 741-0961
50plus SeniorNews t
Free or minimal charge Aug. 23 and 24, 1 to 5 p.m. Shrewsbury Flower Show: Birds ’n’ Blooms Shrewsbury Fire Hall 25 W. Forrest Ave., Shrewsbury (717) 235-1130
What’s Happening? Give Us the Scoop! Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about free events occurring in York County! Email preferred to: mjoyce@onlinepub.com Let
help you get the word out! (717) 285-1350
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
My 22 Cents’ Worth
Backyard Farming Walt Sonneville he safety of our purchased food, and the certainty of its supply, is likely to cause more of us to convert some or all of our backyard lawns into produce gardens. In the 1930s, approximately 40 percent of the U.S. population lived on a farm. Today it is less than 2 percent. Thankfully, many city dwellers have not abandoned growing fruits and vegetables. Backyard farming was common during the two World Wars and the Great Depression. In 1917, the nation had a “war garden” campaign that resulted in the creation of more than 5 million gardens. In World War II, “victory gardens” were grown by 20 million Americans. “These [victory] gardens produced up to 41 percent of all the vegetable produce that was consumed by the nation,” wrote Laura Lawson in her book City Bountiful: A Century of Community Gardening in America. Historically, the White House has been the site of both produce gardening and resident livestock husbandry. First Lady Michelle Obama planted a 1,100-squarefoot “kitchen garden” in 2009, following the earlier examples of Abigail Adams, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Hillary Clinton. Presidents Harrison, Hayes, and Wilson kept at least one goat on the White House lawn. Recent trends suggest growing numbers of city dwellers are becoming backyard farmers. Droughts; floods; heat waves; the high costs and contaminations of petroleum-based fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides; as well as concerns about pathogens residing in commercially raised food and the dearth of seed diversity prompt us to evaluate our food sourcing. The National Gardening Association reports the number of home gardeners growing vegetables increased 10 percent in 2008 and 19 percent in 2009. In 2012, at that time our nation’s hottest year, almost half the counties were certified as experiencing drought disasters. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, in the summer of 2013, reported southwestern states from Texas to California and eastward to Nebraska experienced drought that ranged individually from severe to extreme to exceptional. We are geographically over-dependent
T
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
on much of our food provisioning. Salinas Valley, a 90-mile stretch of land in California, for example, raises more than 90 percent of the lettuce we consume. About 42 percent of our fresh tomatoes (not canned) are produced in Florida, with California producing 30 percent. Almost all the fresh tomatoes we purchase from our grocers between October and June come from Florida. As much as 80 percent of our oranges are grown in Florida. In cities where the law allows, some home residents raise chickens, miniature goats, ducks, and rabbits. That provides eggs, meat, and specialty milk that satisfies the quality and freshness standards of these urban farmers. More cities are considering and permitting poultry on municipal home lots. Seattle, Wash.; Portland, Ore.; Portland, Maine; and Richmond, Va., are municipalities that allow a specified number of hens. Richmond, for example,
Locally RN Owned & Nationally Known VisitingAngels.com
Bathing and Dressing Assistance Medication Reminders • Errands Shopping • Light Housekeeping Meal Preparation Friendly Companionship Flexible Hourly Care Respite Care for Families
allows up to four hens if one procures a $60 permit. While hens do not crow, they do produce significant manure and are subject to diseases that are not well understood. When they stop producing eggs they may be released by their owners, becoming feral fowl. Some cities have an existing population of feral chickens, including Key West and St. Augustine in Florida and Houston, Texas. For those unwilling to commit the requisite time, and wishing to avoid the anxiety related to home-raised produce and farm animals, preferred alternatives include patronizing farmers markets and community-service agriculture. USA Today reported there are “nearly 8,000 farmers markets in the USA.” To that one might add an unknown, but sizable, number of roadside vendors offering what purport to be locally raised products.
Community-service agriculture, commonly called CSAs, are small farms in which consumers prepay a fixed sum to obtain shared amounts of vegetables, fruits, and eggs. According to Space Daily, “more than 12,000 CSAs operate across the U.S.” (To find a CSA near you, go to http://www.localharvest.org.) If increasing numbers of city dwellers raise produce and harbor farm animals, homeland-security issues may require protection from predatory foxes and coyotes; herbivorous rabbits, deer, and raccoons; scavenging crows; and confiscatory neighbors. Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research 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.
BUY • SELL • TRADE We buy all gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, coins, estates, and more!
Specializing in dementia care for adults and their families
(717) 793-2110
351 Loucks Rd., Suite G-7 York, PA 17404 Located on Rt. 30 by LA Fitness • Hours: M–S, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
www.munchelbrothers.com 50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
9
York Seniors Go for the Gold By Molly Carl If you happened to be near the Central York High School soccer stadium on June 23, you may have thought the 2016 Summer Olympics came early. With an opening ceremony that had everything from a color guard and parade of athletes to a banner decoration contest and lighting of the torch, the York Senior Games’ main difference was the age of the contestants. The 13th annual York County Senior Games took place from June 22–28 with the opening ceremony taking place June 23. The once daylong activity has expanded to a weeklong affair since its inception in 2002. Any York County resident who is 50 or older was welcome to participate. Events were divided into five-year age brackets ranging from 50 to 90 and above. With over 20 activities and 48 events including poker, billiards, bocce, Wii sports, trap shooting, horseshoes, and basketball, there was something for everyone.
“Bocce, shuffleboard, basketball, and bowling were all popular,” said Jenny Nace, spokeswoman for the Area Agency on Aging. “Our throws were also popular, with the Frisbee, football, and softball events attracting many participants.” The majority of the events took place at Central York High School, with a few exceptions; the bowling, shooting, golfing, billiards, and horseshoes events were held at other locations throughout the community. “This year we brought back a fan favorite,” Nace added. “We were able to coordinate better and, as a result, we once again were able to offer doubles bowling.” The Senior Games began as an effort from the York County Area Agency on Aging and the Senior Games Planning
For more than 18 years, 50plus LIVING has been the guide to living and care options. Will they find your services there? Your guide to choosing the right living and care options for you or a loved one: • Active adult and residential living • Independent and retirement living communities • Assisted living residences and personal care homes • Nursing and healthcare services • Home care, companions, and hospice care providers • Ancillary services
Online & In Print. onlinepub.com
Call about Early Bird Savings! Must reserve ad space by Aug. 29, 2014 to receive early-bird savings.
To include your community or service in the 2015 edition, call your representative or (717) 285-1350 or email info@onlinepub.com
10
August 2014
50plus SeniorNews t
Committee to promote wellness throughout the senior community of York County. “The whole mission is to provide fitness and healthy living for seniors,” said Nace. With events for both the competitive and non-competitive participants, the Senior Games promote an enjoyable environment for anyone 50+ to get out, get some fresh air, and interact with other members of the community. The Senior Games may also be the start of some interesting new family traditions. “This year, for the first time, we had families with several generations competing,” said Nace. “One man who had competed for years brought his son and daughter-in-law who had just turned 50 with him.” The Senior Games ended with a final closing celebration on June 28, commemorating the week of activities. The participants and their families gathered at Central York High School for one final celebration that included recognition of medal winners from each age group alongside door prizes, special awards, and plenty of photo opportunities. Many athletes chose to participate in more than one event during the Senior Games and as a result, the seniors competed in more than 3,000 events, cumulatively. With all of the age divisions for each event, over 1,000 medals were presented throughout the week to the gold, silver, and bronze winners. “The Senior Games this year definitely met our expectations,” said Nace. “We had more than 200 volunteers and over 550 participants, whose ages ranged from 50 to 98. There were over 100 people in their 80s, not to mention 16 who were 90 and above. It was wonderful to see such diversity among the participants.” For more information on the York County Senior Games or the Area Agency on Aging, please visit https://yorkcountypa.gov or call (717) 771-9610. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Volunteer Spotlight YCAAA Recognizes Volunteers of the Month
Dorothy Rocker
Gene Shue
Dorothy Rocker, Gene Shue, Roger Stabley, and Mike Tate have been named Volunteers of the Month by the York County Area Agency on Aging (YCAAA) for their ongoing service and dedication to the agency and York County’s older adults. Dorothy Rocker’s long history as a registered nurse with a geriatrics certification is a valuable asset in her volunteer role as an agency ombudsman. She provides a listening ear and support to older adults. Delivering the New Horizons quarterly newspaper to many community locations, Gene Shue helps connect people with YCAAA and its many services. With three sons and a daughter, Shue has done his share of volunteering over the years for his children’s sports leagues and band trips.
Roger Stabley
Mike Tate
Roger Stabley has always been a “workaholic” and didn’t retire from the printing business until he was 77 years old. Even though he still maintains a part-time job, Stabley finds time to volunteer as a financial counselor and judicial center tour guide for YCAAA. He looks forward to helping older adults fill out the various forms to obtain benefits. Volunteering as a friendly visitor, Mike Tate provides one-on-one visits to homebound senior citizens living in the community who need a listening ear to share stories about their life, personal history, and current events. Tate is a compassionate, good listener and encourages others to get to know their clients. He has enjoyed the benefits of volunteering by gaining new friends while expanding his skills.
Do you know a 50+ volunteer who gives selflessly to others? Tell us what makes him or her so special and we will consider them for 50plus Senior News’ Volunteer Spotlight! Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and photos are encouraged. Email preferred to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail nominations to 50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
11
Savvy Senior
Ergonomic Tools that Can Ease Gardening Pains Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good ergonomic gardening gear for seniors? I am a 72-year-old who loves to work in the garden, but I have been plagued by various gardening injuries this year. – Looking for Solutions Dear Looking, There’s no doubt that gardening can be tough on an aging body. Garden work often requires a lot of repetitive stooping, squatting, kneeling, gripping, and lifting, which can lead to back and knee pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and various other injuries. To help make your gardening chores a little easier is a slew of new and improved gardening gear that’s lightweight, comfortable to use, and ergonomically designed to help protect your body from the physical strains of gardening.
H
Here are several that can help. Gloves: There are a number of specially designed gloves that can improve your grip and protect your hands while you work. Two of the best are the “Atlas Nitrile Touch Garden Gloves” (available at Amazon.com for less than $6), which are
coated with a flexible, synthetic rubber. And the “ReliefGrip Gardening” gloves (www. bionicgloves. com, $35) have extra padding in the palm and finger joints, which can improve grip and cause fewer calluses and blisters.
Veterans’ expo and Job Fair H November 14, 2014 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eden Resort 222 Eden Road, Lancaster
2 events — 1 location Market your product, service, or job opportunities to military personnel of all ages and their families. Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available
Reserve your space today! Please contact your account representative, call (717) 285-1350, or email info@onlinepub.com
www.veteransexpo.com 12
August 2014
50plus SeniorNews t
Digging tools: There are ergonomic tools that can help protect your wrists by reducing the bending and twisting wrist movement that often comes with digging and weeding. Some good options include Radius Garden tools (www.radiusgarden.com), which make a variety of curved-handle hand tools (scooper, weeder, transplanter, cultivator, and trowel) and shovels that run between $10 and $50. And check out Corona tools (www.coronatoolsusa.com), which makes the ComfortGEL and eGrip hand garden tools. Another excellent product is the “Cobrahead Weeder and Cultivator” (www.cobrahead.com), an all-purpose digging and weeding tool, available in a short-handle version for close-up work for $25 and a long handle for standing work for $60.
A raised garden table is an option for more ergonomic gardening (Your Garden Solution).
Knee and back aids: Kneepads and garden seats can also protect your knees and save your back when working close to the ground. Some popular products sold today through the Gardener’s Supply Company (www.gardeners.com) are the “GardenEase Kneeler” ($70), which is a kneeling pad with support handles; the “Garden Kneeler” ($35) that’s a kneepad/garden bench combo; and the “Deluxe Tractor Scoot with Bucket Basket,” which is a
height-adjustable, swivel garden seat on wheels ($90). Pruning tools: Fiskars (www.fiskars. com) makes some of the finest ergonomic pruning tools that have also earned the Arthritis Foundation’s Ease of Use Commendation because of their patented PowerGear mechanisms that increase leverage to make cutting three times easier than traditional pruners. The Fiskars PowerGear hand pruners, loppers, and hedge shears all run between $25 and $48. Bahco and Corona also make a nice line of ergonomic pruning tools and handsaws that you can see at www.bahcostore.com or www.coronatools usa.com. Watering: To help make your watering chores a little easier, there are lightweight garden hoses, soaker or drip hoses that can be snaked throughout the garden, and hose chests that can automatically rewind themselves. Some good companies that make these products include Water Right Inc. (www.waterrightinc.com), which makes a variety of super lightweight garden and coil hoses; the DIG Corp. (www.digcorp.com), which makes convenient drip-irrigation kits and micro sprinkler kits; and Suncast (www.suncast.com), the leading maker of self-winding hose reels and hose carts. Container gardening: Raised garden beds, trellises, and container gardening are also easier ways to grow plants and flowers because it brings the garden to you, eliminating most stooping, squatting, and kneeling. The Gardener’s Supply Company (www.gardeners.com) offers a wide range of raised beds and garden containers at prices ranging anywhere between $10 up to $350. Locally, Your Garden Solution (www.yourgardensolution.org, (717) 9191010) offers raised beds and garden tables in a similar price range. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
The Search for Our Ancestry
DNA Revisited Angelo Coniglio egular readers will recall that several months ago I sent a sample of my DNA to AncestryDNA, an offshoot of the subscription genealogy site Ancestry.com. My hope was that I could use my experience to inform readers about the use of DNA analysis in genealogical research. Alas, after sending three separate saliva samples, all were rejected for “insufficient genetic material.” That had me wondering if I was really a robot with no DNA, but I asked for and received a refund of the charges (about $100). Last November, I decided to try again, with another vendor, 23andMe, also at a cost of about $100. This was not without its obstacles, since when I received my test kit, it came with a warning that due to New York state law, my sample could not be accepted if it was taken and/or mailed back from New York state. This is because 23andMe not only analyzes genealogical connections, but also addresses medical and health
R
conditions of its participants, and New York requires such laboratories to involve a physician in the sample-taking. Luckily, I had a planned trip to Philadelphia at the time, so I prepared the sample while there and mailed it in from Pennsylvania, which had no such restrictions. But that wasn’t the end of the problems, because shortly after I got acknowledgement of receipt of my sample by 23andMe, stories began circulating that the firm was at odds with the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) over the same concerns expressed by New York state. That concern still exists, but 23andMe has received temporary FDA approval of its operations as long as new customers have access only to their ancestry information, without health results. Customers who purchase 23andMe now must do so with the understanding that health results are not available to them. Since I was never interested in the medical or health results, I am satisfied with that ruling.
About three months after sending in my sample, I received an email from 23andMe stating that my genealogical results were available online. Before I get into the details of the 23andMe testing and what it can show in a genealogical sense, consider the various reasons for having a DNA test: • To determine a close familial relationship between two specific individuals (for example, a paternity test). This requires that DNA from both individuals be tested. • To determine whether a person is susceptible to a certain disease, a potential carrier of a disease, etc. This can be determined by comparing one’s DNA with databases of DNA that show similar tendencies. Neither of the above reasons are typically genealogical in nature, and neither are appropriate for this column.The genealogical reasons for DNA testing include:
• The desire to know one’s broad ethnic or national origins. Tests can determine the regions where our ancestors lived from 5,000 to 25,000 years ago, again by comparison to databases collected from thousands of donors and to the genetic characteristics of various races, etc. • Determination of pedigrees, or family trees of direct ancestors, from one’s self to several generations back. DNA testing in and of itself cannot do this. However, used in conjunction with family trees developed by conventional paper research methods, DNA analysis can fill in information, help confirm assumed relationships, or help find living relatives. More to come. Coniglio is the author of a novella inspired by his Sicilian research entitled The Lady of the Wheel, available in paperback at amzn.to/racalmuto or in an e-book at bit.ly/LadyOfTheWheelKindle. For more information, check out his webpage at bit.ly/AFCGen or email him at genealogytips@aol.com.
Training Offered for Volunteer Child Advocates York County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) announces an upcoming training for prospective volunteers starting Sept. 11. York County CASA recruits and trains volunteers to watch over and advocate for abused and neglected children. The volunteer advocates make sure children don’t get lost in the overburdened legal
and social service system or languish in inappropriate group or foster homes. Volunteers stay with each case until it is closed and the child is placed in a safe, permanent home. For this reason, volunteers must be willing to commit to 18 to 24 months from the time they are assigned a case in order to see it through its entirety.
For many abused and neglected children, their CASA volunteer will be the one constant adult presence in their lives. The CASA volunteer training is an eight-week session that prepares candidates for child advocacy in dependency court proceedings. York County CASA is offering its next training Sept. 11 through Nov. 5 and will be held
every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 6 to 9 p.m. at the York County Judicial Center. If you are 21 years or older and would like to become a CASA volunteer, please contact the York County CASA office at (717) 771-9754 or via email at ADMyers@YorkCountyPA.gov to obtain more information and an application.
Enjoy Low-Maintenance Living! • Active Adult (50+) Condos • NEW Construction Underway! • 2 NEW Model Homes! • NEW Units Starting at $143,900
Brett Warren Realtor ®
Office—717-633-7300 Direct—717-433-2951
ROTH’S CHURCH ROAD—SPRING GROVE, PA www.rothsfarmvillage.com MODEL HOMES OPEN DAILY 12–4
© 2014 BHH Affiliates, LLC. An independently owned and operated franchisee of BHH Affiliates, LLC. Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and the Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices symbol are registered service marks of HomeServices of America, Inc.® Equal Housing Opportunity.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
13
Meals on Wheels Volunteers Needed for Spring Grove, Hanover Help 50plus Senior News spread your local news!
Windy Hill on the Campus in Spring Grove is seeking volunteers for its Meals on Wheels program to assist with meal delivery in Spring Grove and Hanover. This program provides meals to vulnerable, homebound seniors in the community.
Everyone likes to read good news, so tell us what’s happening in your part of the world so we can share it with others! Here are some ideas of what we hope you will contribute:
• a birthday or anniversary milestone • a volunteer who should be recognized • a photo of a smile that begs to be shared • a groundbreaking event • community activities • support programs • local news
Volunteers are needed on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from approximately 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. for one to two times per month. For more information, please contact Laura Fisher at (717) 2250733.
If you have local news you’d like considered for
Around Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com
Nostalgia Road
When I Was Your Age Dick Dedrick
We would love to consider your submission for an upcoming issue of 50plus Senior News*. Please note: submissions must be received by the 10th of the month prior to insertion. * Submissions will be included as space permits.
For more information or to submit your happenings, email Megan Joyce at mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail to: 50plus Senior News Megan Joyce 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512
14
August 2014
50plus SeniorNews t
ll I have to do to get my grandkids’ eyes rolling is talk about the good old days. No, I don’t tell ’em how far I walked to school (school was only a block away). But I might say I remember when, if you wanted to change channels on the TV, you had to get up, walk over, and turn a knob. Then I’ll tell them how you had to adjust the rabbit ears to get a better picture. They’re not curious enough to ask me what rabbit ears were, or how great The Colgate Comedy Hour was. They don’t care. They don’t care if I never had a telephone that took pictures. Or how we’d send film into Kodak and get prints back in a week. They’re too busy texting. And they never heard of Kodak. I
A
remember when text was not a verb and texting was not a word. Yes, I have a cell phone. I’m not a Luddite. “Does it have a crank on it?” you’re probably asking. No, it doesn’t. It’s a TracFone. No, it’s not smart, but it only costs me $7 a month. When you’re on a fixed income (a euphemism for being broke), things like that matter. I have given up on getting my grandkids to join me in a game of checkers, dominos, or pickup sticks. But I’ve learned to get their attention by asking them to show me their latest video game—a game that interests me about as much as my games interest them. We do have that in common. Visit www.nostalgiaroad.com
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
CROSSWORD
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16
WORD SEARCH
Across
SUDOKU
1. 5. 9. 13. 14. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 22. 24. 25. 26. 29.
Gum Cupid Clothed Existence Grottos Italian capital Breakfasts Dropsy Summit Foe Washed-up lumber? Bonsai Warhorse Bothers Separates
39. 40. 41. 43. 44. 45. 46. 48.
Norse deity Pres. Lincoln Stetson Personal pronoun Service personnel (abbr.) Before (prefix) Fall behind Nitty-gritty Likewise ____ mater Ger. city Boils slowly Break out
50. Turkish monetary unit 52. Large, fragrant, white or yellow flowers 56. Worship 58. Egg-shaped 59. Common fraction 61. Looked 62. Vehicle 63. Medleys 64. Skim through 65. Roman date 66. Jazz singing 67. Indian buzzard
21. 23. 27. 28. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 36. 38. 39. 42.
Affirmative Indian lodge Cruise Weight units (abbr.) Status symbol Streetcar Heroic tale Shaver Garden tools Starting at Expressive style Small dog, for short Conifer droppings
43. 44. 46. 47. 49. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 57. 60.
33. 35. 36. 37. 38.
Down
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 15.
Downwind Goliath Social club type Blot again Hotshot DUI org. Supervise Pays Shellfish Balmy Weaponry Exploit Dependable
Famous ship Most desiccated Patters Highest note Bib. word Regions Mongolian desert Eager Another 34 Down Gr. portico Ferber, for one Presidential monogram
SPRINGETTS APARTMENTS AND POWDER MILL APARTMENTS “Downsize Maintenance ...Not Space� Springetts Apartments 50 Eisenhower Drive, York, PA 17402 (717) 757-1565 Powder Mill Apartments 42 Oak Ridge Drive, York, PA 17402 (717) 741-3829
Overall Winners of
www.themanorgroup.com Present this ad and receive a waived application fee and a $99.00 security deposit! www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
15
FELINES
from page 1
In just months, Marcinko would become closer to the felines that caused her to sniffle. To solve the problem of wasted tax dollars and control the growing cat colonies, Marcinko adopted a popular track, spay/neuter, and return program. Marcinko and a crew of volunteers took a personal approach. They develop relationships with those who feed and come to love the stray cats. Their first case was a woman pleading for help with the 50 cats who had congregated in her yard. It started when her little boy didn’t like the crust on his peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Tossing the scraps out in the yard for the birds ended up attracting a stray cat. The family continued to feed it but soon found they had attracted an entire colony of hungry felines. What seemed like a cute way to help one feral cat turned into an overwhelming population of hungry felines. While they want the problem fixed, the last thing on their minds was hurting the animals. “Most of these people are older and they don’t have anything else,” she said. “I used to take my business card and throw it in a mailbox and run, hoping that they would call me. It’s a program that requires a lot of patience and
understanding.” In about four Marcinko years, the town learned to pour saved enough out compassion money to hire two for the people who police officers. longed to help the Marcinko, who animals but didn’t retired from want to lose them. county parole and Entire colonies probation, is able are taken to the to get 200 designated clinic community service at the caretaker’s hours a month permission. from people going “You can’t just through the take one or two at system for nona time,” Marcinko violent crimes. said. “It doesn’t Some of them work to let have been doctors, everyone else stay lawyers, and even behind to have fun veterinarians who and make more return to help cats.” even after In a single midsummer day, more than 70 feral cats await care from volunteer They are then completing their veterinarians inside the program’s facility. spayed or neutered required by a volunteer community service veterinarian, kept for several days to hours. recover, and released where they were And even though the program found. primarily caters to controlling the Grant money and donations pay for population, Marcinko can’t resist helping the medical care, while volunteers shell a hurt cat. out hundreds of hours a month to keep Sometimes the cats come to the clinic the program running. PetSmart Charities with broken tails or missing eyes from has been a big supporter, allowing them fights within the colonies. Pregnant cats to renovate an old bank for the surgeries. might also be sent to the Humane
Society, so the kittens have a chance at avoiding the feral life. More than 3,300 cats have been spayed or neutered since 2010, causing the local population to drop by about 75 percent in that time. “I feel really alive when I do this,” she said. “None of us is getting younger, but I hope I can continue to do this, continue to help the community, even as I age.” While the program avoids adopting the cats (most wouldn’t be happy in a home anyway, Marcinko said), the love for these animals is evident. “The reason why this program keeps going is because people love it,” Marcinko said. “Even when I’m in there with my mask on, trying not to handle them, there is love.” Not the type to sit at home in her retirement, Marcinko hopes she can continue to keep busy with the cat program and maybe watch it be adopted by other municipalities. “My mother is 94 years old and lives by herself, and we travel together,” Marcinko said. “I’m just hoping I have her blood and can keep doing this as long as she keeps running circles around me.” For more information about Marcinko’s stray cat program, please call (717) 877-4146.
Information and support at your fingertips —
CAREGIVER SOLUTIONS Call for your free copy — 717.285.1350 or
16
Puzzles shown on page 15
Puzzle Solutions
view it online at www.onlinepub.com (under supplements)
August 2014
50plus SeniorNews t
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
17
Buffalo, N.Y. — A Vibrant City with Lots to Do and Discover By Brian Hayden Buffalo, N.Y., is a vibrant city filled with lots to do and discover for people of all ages. At the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, you can see one of the world’s most impressive collections of modern and contemporary art, including works by Van Gogh, Picasso, and Warhol. Across the street, you’ll find the striking Burchfield Penney Art Center, which is committed to the art of Buffalo and Western New York. As you walk around the city, you’ll come across some of the finest architecture of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, featuring buildings by Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Sullivan, H.H. Richardson, Richard Upjohn, and Eliel and Eero Saarinen. Buffalo’s emerging Canalside district showcases the city’s waterfront and proud history of shipping along Lake Erie and the Erie Canal. The centerpiece of this district is the commercial slip, the western terminus of the Erie Canal dating from 1825 that has been re-excavated and restored. A system of bike trails, parks, and boardwalks comprise Buffalo’s Outer Harbor and offer stunning views of the lake and city skyline. On the subject of history, you can stand where Teddy Roosevelt took the oath of office at the recently renovated Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site or learn about Buffalo’s Native American, ethnic, and industrial heritage at the Buffalo History Museum. Mark Twain spent time in Buffalo in the late 19th century as a newspaper editor; leaves from the original manuscript of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are on display in the Mark Twain Room at downtown’s central library.
FOR YOUR INSURANCE NEEDS
GIVE ME A CALL! Medicare | Long-Term Care Final Expense Planning Retirement Planning 401(k) Rollover 1595 N. Queen Street • York, PA 17404
18
August 2014
Buffalo skyline
annual Broadway Series. The Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra is led by JoAnn Falletta, who has been hailed by the New York Times as one of the finest conductors of her generation. While Buffalo is justifiably proud of its chicken wings (and no trip to Buffalo is complete without a stop at the Anchor Bar, where wings first took flight 50 years ago this year), the city also has 400 independently owned restaurants, delicious local specialties, a pair of wine trails, and vibrant farmers markets. Don’t miss some Western New York culinary favorites, including beef-onweck sandwiches, sponge candy, and charcoal-broiled hotdogs. Buffalo is also home to several
COMPLETE COLLISION REPAIRS
Richard Costabile 717.699.2336
www.assetprotectorsPA.com
The city is also filled with AfricanAmerican heritage; for starters, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, and other giants of jazz performed at the Colored Musicians Club, which is now a museum and still hosts regular gigs by area musicians. If performing arts are your thing, Buffalo has some two dozen theaters, anchored by the magnificent Shea’s Performing Arts Center, which hosts an
breweries, including Flying Bison Brewing Co. and Hamburg Brewing Company. The first distillery in Buffalo since Prohibition, Lockhouse Distillery, opened in 2013. Shoppers will find everything from hip boutiques in Buffalo’s trendy Elmwood Village, Allentown, and Hertel neighborhoods to major department stores at a number of local shopping centers and malls.
Canalside district
Sports fan? Buffalo has a wealth of options, including the NFL’s Bills, NHL’s Sabres, AAA baseball’s Bisons, world-class fishing, great skiing, and fantastic watersports. Kayak through the city’s historic grain elevator district on the Buffalo River or rock climb up those elevators on Silo City Rocks, which is set to open this year. Spend a day in the natural splendor of the Tifft Nature Preserve, only minutes from downtown Buffalo, or admire floral beauty during a stroll in the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. A series of parks and parkways throughout Buffalo designed by renowned landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted provide a scenic respite in the heart of the city.
The 50plus EXPO committee is looking for volunteers to help at our 12th annual York County 50plus EXPO on September 17, 2014, at the York Expo Center — Memorial Hall East, 334 Carlisle Avenue,York, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
24-HOUR TOWING & RECOVERY PA EMISSION TEST PA STATE INSPECTION MECHANICAL REPAIRS
STEWARTSTOWN
50plus SeniorNews t
Brian Hayden is the communications manager at Visit Buffalo Niagara.
Do you have a friendly face?
BODY SHOP, INC.
(717) 993-2263
The region also offers a host of familyfriendly activities, from The Buffalo Zoo and Buffalo Museum of Science to the Explore and More Children’s Museum in East Aurora. Military buffs will be amazed at the submarine, destroyer, and cruiser permanently docked at the Buffalo harbor, part of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, the largest inland naval park in the country. And Buffalo seems to have a festival for everything, ranging from the National Buffalo Wing Festival to the Allentown Art Festival to the Taste of Buffalo, the largest two-day food festival in the country. GardenWalk Buffalo, the nation’s largest free garden tour, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the Erie County Fair is celebrating its 175th. Buffalo also offers a host of ethnic celebrations, from two St. Patrick’s Day parades to the Galbani Buffalo Italian Heritage Festival, reflecting the city’s diverse roots. There’s even Dyngus Day, the day after Easter Sunday, when polka bands, Polish food, and a parade ring in the end of the Lenten season. If incredible entertainment, dining, art, and culture aren’t enough for you, Buffalo has one of the wonders of the world— Niagara Falls—just 20 minutes away. At Niagara Falls State Park, you can get upclose with the roaring waters at the Cave of the Winds or venture to the base of the falls on a Maid of the Mist boat tour. For more information about events, attractions, and things to do in Buffalo Niagara, go to www.visitbuffaloniagara. com or contact Visit Buffalo Niagara at (800) BUFF-ALO.
YORK COUNTY
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-Line Publishers at (717) 285-1350.. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Older But Not Wiser
There’s a New Heartthrob in Town
Please join us for this FREE event!
Sy Rosen his story begins on a Sunday afternoon in my mom’s assisted living facility. An accordion player, Ramon, comes every week. He is 50, good looking, and Latin and is the heartthrob of the facility—and he definitely knows it. He struts, he prances, he winks, and the ladies all put on an extra dab of rouge when Ramon is there. Lately, however, Ramon seems bored and is just going through the motions, like he would rather be somewhere else. When he played his half-hearted version of “You Send Me,” he was really sending everyone to sleep. I was sitting next to my mom, and I could see that half of the seniors in the lobby were dozing, but Ramon didn’t seem to care. He knew he was the only game in town. And then the game changed! My daughter Ann arrived with her 8month-old baby, Summer. My granddaughter looked gorgeous. Even at 8 months she was making a real fashion statement with her bow matching her outfit. Ann put my granddaughter in my mom’s lap. And there they sat, both of them smiling away. And then a strange thing happened. All 60 gray heads in the lobby turned in unison and watched my granddaughter with her great-grandmother. Ramon was momentarily forgotten. The heartthrob had been replaced. So what could the accordion player do? Of course he stepped up his game to recapture the audience. Nobody was going to steal his thunder. He started to play faster and louder as he bounced around the room, desperately trying to get everyone’s attention. He played “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Great Balls of Fire.” Both songs were crowd pleasers and the seniors turned toward him, but then Summer would giggle and audience turned back to her. It was like the seniors were
T
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
watching a championship pingpong match, their heads turning right and left. Ramon played his accordion faster and faster. He would crescendo and decrescendo. Everyone stared at him. Summer would answer with a coo and a gurgle, and everyone would then stare at her. Ramon’s fingers were now flying across the accordion. And then he did something he hadn’t done in years: a quadruple bellow shake. In the space of one beat, he hit a note four times. It was breathtaking, and everyone watched him. Summer then made a sound, “boeleebboobbaa,” and everyone turned toward her. Finally, Ramon decided it was time to stop fooling around. He had to establish his superiority. He had to squash Summer and once again become the King of Assisted Living. And he tried to do it by playing “Bolero.” That’s right—he was going for the tango! And he didn’t just play “Bolero.” He also grabbed one of the ladies from her seat and somehow danced with her while keeping his accordion at full blast. Everyone was watching. And then Summer did something miraculous. She yelped, “Whoooo, whooooo” and wiggled her body as though she were dancing. Game. Set. Match. Summer had defeated Ramon. She had clearly become the Queen of Assisted Living. And Ramon had no choice but to acknowledge her superiority and decided, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” He danced over to Summer while playing “You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby.” All eyes were now on Summer and Ramon. But really, they were just looking at Summer. All hail the queen.
12th annual
September 17, 2014 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. York Expo Center Memorial Hall East • 334 Carlisle Ave., York
Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars Entertainment • Door Prizes
Fun! Informative! Sponsored by:
Health & Wellness Sponsor:
Visitor Bag Sponsor: OSS Health
Principal Sponsors:
Supporting Sponsors: Gateway Health • The Haven at Springwood Health America Advantra — An Aetna Company Lutheran Social Services — SCP Misericordia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Media Sponsors: abc27 WDAC WHP580
Brought to you by: (717) 285-1350
www.50plusExpoPA.com 50plus SeniorNews t
August 2014
19
20
August 2014
50plus SeniorNews t
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com