York County 50plus Senior News November 2013 by On-Line Publishers, Inc.

York County Edition

November 2013

Vol. 14 No. 11

Take Two PA State Senior Idol Winner Delights in ‘Second Chance’ By Megan Joyce For a guy looking to take his second chance and run with it, 2013 has seen singer Chris Roda in a full sprint. After a four-year battle with a nerve disorder that silenced Roda’s powerful, operatic vocals, his reemergence into the world of music has been heralded with not one but two talent-competition wins in six months’ time. Roda’s win at the recent 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL finals competition was actually his second top-place title of the year: in April, he also won the area’s Welsh Mountain Spring Sing competition. Not a bad restart for a performer whose voice returned to him a mere 14 months ago. Roda was one of 15 semifinalists who performed during the finals night of OLP Events’ annual over-50 talent competition, a sold-out affair held at the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster and emceed by Diane Dayton of Dayton Communications. It was Roda’s second time appearing as a SENIOR IDOL finalist, having been the second runner-up in 2007. Roda was one of five children growing up in a musical household. His late father’s love for the music of American tenor Mario Lanza instilled an early appreciation for opera in Roda, who began pursuing his own vocal gifts around age 20 after his father passed away. “I’m a diehard opera singer,” he said. “That’s what I love—that’s been the main influence in my style of singing.” please see TAKE TWO page 18 Chris Roda singing “E Lucevan Le Stelle” from Tosca, a performance that secured his place as the 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL.

Inside:

How to Get Paid for Being a Family Caregiver page 8

PA STATE SENIOR IDOL:

Tough Choices for Judges page 10

Choose the Right Turkey for Your Feast With Thanksgiving approaching, you may be wondering what kind of turkey to buy for your big feast. The choices can be a little confusing. Check this quick guide to learn what the different labels mean: Butterball. Despite the name, these turkeys don’t actually have any butter. The turkeys come fresh or frozen. The fresh ones have no added ingredients. The frozen birds are injected in the breast with a solution of vegetable oil, water, salt, emulsifiers, and a preservative. The solution is made to enhance the flavor and provide moisture that is lost during the freezing process. Kosher. Kosher turkeys are soaked in cold saltwater even before the feathers are plucked. The process draws out the

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FREE APPRAISALS

blood and impurities, following Jewish dietary laws. Because they go through both rabbinical and USDA inspections, the birds are very clean. The saltwater soak also makes for a more flavorful bird. Kosher poultry are fed an allnatural diet with no hormones or antibiotics. Free-range. These birds are fed an allnatural diet and aren’t confined. Often, the birds eat natural feed that is not organic but is tested for chemical residue. Generally, they have more breast meat, about 50 percent less fat, and a quarter fewer calories than regular turkeys. However, some consumers have found that free-range turkeys are a little tougher. That’s because they are less fatty, so be careful not to overcook them.

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November 2013

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The Way I See It

An Autumn Day Mike Clark feel rejuvenated by the sunshine; it’s been absent for so long. A string of chilly, gray days had driven me into a mild funk. I’m fine, now. An occasional autumn gust strips the remaining leaves from the maples and oaks around the neighborhood as nature prepares the giant trees for a long winter nap. The colorful carpet beneath is blown downwind, relieving me of the dreadful chore of raking or firing up that infernal, high-decibel gas blower. I ponder that humble blessing as I set fire to a layer of kindling in the wood stove. I’ll add a few chunks of hardwood and the fire will grow to a small blaze.

My plan is to sit in peace before the radiant warmth as I read an old book—A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson. Those who know me will quickly detect the irony of my choice. Eventually (maybe tomorrow), I will have to walk around the property to

perform a late fall cleanup. There are fallen branches and small limbs to fetch; terracotta pots must be gathered and stored; and those leggy, desiccated annual plants must be plucked from their summer beds. It’s a job that probably should have been done

weeks ago, but a weather-induced indifference set me back. A tree-service expert extracted forsythia trunks from the corner of the yard last week. My wife and I cut the beautiful but invasive shrub as far down as we could, shortly after it finished displaying the bright, yellow flowers that make early spring seem warmer. The bare spot must now be raked level while the earth is damp and loose. I’ll wait until spring to plant grass, of course. By then, that plot will have to be weeded. As the wind now clears the please see AUTUMN page 4

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 Sun Motor Cars 6677 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg (877) 316-3030 Coins & Currency Steinmetz Coins & Currency 2861 E. Prospect Road,York (717) 757-6980 Energy Assistance Low-Income Energy Assistance (717) 787-8750 www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Alzheimer’s Information Clearinghouse (800) 367-5115 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 or (717) 757-0604

Hearing Services Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Home Care Services Senior Helpers Serving Adams and York counties (717) 920-0707 Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services (717) 630-0067 – Hanover (717) 751-2488 – York Housing/Apartments Elm Spring Residence 118 Pleasant Acres Road,York (717) 840-7676

Social Security Information (800) 772-1213

Housing Assistance Housing Authority of York (717) 845-2601

Healthcare Information PA HealthCare Cost Containment (717) 232-6787

Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937

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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November 2013

Volunteer Spotlight

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 PRODUCTION ASSISTANT Jessica Johns WEB DEVELOPER Kahla Livelsberger

YCAAA Volunteers of the Month elderly people as much as the Bob Gohn, Sandra Ricci, people she visits with do, she and Belle Eyster have been named Volunteers of the said. Following in her Month by the York County grandmother’s footsteps, Belle Area Agency on Aging for Eyster said she’s a big believer their ongoing service and in giving of her time and has dedication to the agency made volunteering a big part and York County’s older Sandra Ricci Belle Eyster Bob Gohn of her life. As a Judicial adults. Center tour guide, she has met Gohn enjoys volunteering fascinating people and always for the APPRISE program, more volunteers. where he assists Medicare learns something new. As a retiree from the federal Eyster encourages others to beneficiaries with their Medicare government and wife of a Navy sailor, “volunteer your time, no matter how insurance options, he said. He feels Ricci said she enjoys meeting new there are a lot of people in York that people and going to new places. As a much or how little; it’s appreciated,” she said. “You will get out of it what can benefit from APPRISE friendly visitor, she looks forward to counseling and there is a need for you put into it, guaranteed.” the visits she makes to homebound

Grocery, Laundry Help Available for County’s Older Adults

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Karla Back Angie McComsey Jacoby Valerie Kissinger Susan Krieger Ranee Shaub Miller Sue Rugh SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR Eileen Culp

CIRCULATION PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall Member of

The York County Area Agency on Aging will again offer assistance to local seniors with grocery shopping and/or laundry. The reintroduction of the services is due to an $812,571 increase in lottery funding from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. The additional funding was awarded the end of September and can only be used for community-based inhome services. To be eligible for the assistance, individuals must be age 60 and older, must be physically unable to safely perform these activities, and

cannot have other, informal supports willing and able to perform them.

Eligibility is determined by an Agency on Aging care manager following an in-home needs-

assessment process. The services can be authorized for up to two hours every other week. A referral for home-support services can be made to the agency’s Information and Referral Office from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. on weekdays by calling (717) 771-9610 or (800) 632-9073. The recent increase in lottery funds will also eliminate a list of 70 people waiting for in-home services, which was started in July 2012 due to budget cuts. York County is home to more than 86,000 older adults age 60 and older.

Awards

AUTUMN

from page 3

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.

November 2013

leaves, so too will it bring new weeds. A plant stand that sits in front of the garage displays a few wilted mums and a large pumpkin that my wife wants to adorn with some kind of a turkey ornament. I wanted to remove the ponderous gourd, but my wife thinks it is in good-enough condition to serve as the anchor for our Thanksgiving motif. I’m fine with it. It’s hard to believe that a

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Christmas display will soon fill that space. There’s no way to incorporate a shriveled pumpkin into that, is there? Yes, I’ve got work to do. The air is brisk and the sunshine stimulates my dormant enthusiasm. The problem is that I am currently more passionate about my fire and my book. The clocks have been turned back; the days will assuredly get shorter and colder. We’ll all find ways to steel ourselves against the

inevitable driving snow and cutting wind. As for me, I have many books and a lot of firewood. I’ll be fine. As published in The Globe Leader newspaper, New Wilmington, Pa. Mike Clark writes a regular column for The Globe Leader newspaper in New Wilmington, Pa. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational behavior/applied psychology from Albright College. Mike lives outside Columbia, Pa., and can be contacted at mikemac429@aol.com.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Traveltizers

Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

From Apricots to Computer Chips: California’s Silicon Valley By Andrea Gross life-size model of a cosmonaut floats near the ceiling. A few feet away, a green Statue of Liberty holds aloft a plasticized chocolate sundae. And sitting next to me are two men who might, just might, be making a deal that will change my life. This is Buck’s of Woodside, a restaurant in the hills surrounding California’s Silicon Valley. It’s a place known for comfort food, quirky décor, and big deals, like the ones that resulted in funding for Hotmail, Netscape, and PayPal. “The Valley,” as it’s generally called, is centered in the fertile farmland between Palo Alto and San Jose. “This area was paradise back in the ’60s,” says Phil Consentino, who owns J&P Farms, the last commercial orchard in San Jose. Since then, the valley’s population has increased six-fold, and flourishing fruit trees have been cut down to make

Phil Consentino owns J&P Farms, the last commercial orchard in San Jose.

The garage where Bill Hewlett and David Packard started their small electronics company has been dubbed the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley.”

Stanford University has served as an incubator for Silicon Valley entrepreneurs since the 1930s.

Colorful sculptures give the Google campus a welcoming feel, despite the fact that the buildings are off-limits to visitors.

room for middle-class homes and apartments. This transformation from a region of bountiful orchards to one filled with some of the world’s most renowned hightech companies began just a few miles from Buck’s in a small garage at 367 Addison Ave. in Palo Alto. Here, in 1939, Stanford graduates Bill Hewlett and David Packard pooled their life savings (a total of $538, which included cash and a used drill press) in order to start a small electronics company. Today, Hewlett-Packard ranks 43rd on Fortune’s 2013 list of the world’s largest companies, and the small garage is on the National Register of Historic Places. The sign out front dubs the garage the “Birthplace of Silicon Valley.” My husband dubs the $538 a good investment. Another Silicon Valley landmark, the house where Steve Jobs lived from the mid-1990s until his death in 2011, is a please see SILICON VALLEY page 6

About Our Company Since 1995, On-Line Publishers, Inc. has celebrated serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the community of Central Pennsylvania. Our corporate office is located outside Columbia, Pa.

Publications 50plus Senior News is a monthly newspaper touching on issues and events relevant to the 50+ community. The Resource Directory for the Caregiver, Aging, and Disabled is published annually in distinct county editions with information from local businesses and organizations that meet the needs of these groups. 50plus LIVING, an annual publication, is a guide to residences and healthcare options for mature adults in the Susquehanna and Delaware valleys. ((b)) magazine is Central Pennsylvania’s premier publication for baby boomers, reflecting on the past, examining where baby boomers are today, and identifying the issues they may face in the future. BUSINESSWoman is a monthly magazine with a focus on business. It features profiles of local executive women who are an inspiration to other professionals. Lifestyle and wellness articles are also included to round out the publication and address the many facets of a woman’s life. (

)

SUCCESS STORIES highlights the achievements of local professional women so that others may be inspired. It is a special insert in the March issue of BUSINESSWoman magazine. All publications are available in print and digital formats.

Events OLP EVENTS, our events division, produces six 50plus EXPOs annually in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster (two), and York counties. Entrance to the event, health screenings, and seminars held throughout the day are free to visitors. The women’s expo is a one-day event featuring exhibitors and interactive fun that encompasses many aspects of a woman’s life. It is held in Lancaster and Hershey in the spring and in Lebanon and Carlisle in the fall. OLP EVENTS conducts the annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition. Fifteen semifinalists vie for the title of PA STATE SENIOR IDOL during the finals competition, held in October at a popular venue. POWERLUNCH is held in York in the spring and in the Capital Region during the fall. Executive women can network and enjoy lunch, seminars, and information from a select number of exhibitors.

is seeking an ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE On-Line Publishers, Inc. has an opening for a highly motivated person with a professional attitude to sell print and online advertising as well as niche events. The successful candidate should: • Enjoy building and maintaining your own long-term business relationships. • Be highly motivated, detail oriented, and able to multitask. • Have good communication skills. • Show a willingness to learn and grow in a fast-paced environment. We offer a competitive compensation plan with a benefits package that includes health insurance and a 401(k) plan. If you have sales experience and are interested in joining our growing sales team, please send your resume and compensation history/requirements to danderson@onlinepub.com. On-Line Publishers, Inc. • 3912 Abel Drive • Columbia, PA 17512 • 717.285.1350 www.onlinepub.com

For more information, call (717) 285-1350 or visit www.onlinepub.com.

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November 2013

SILICON VALLEY

from page 5

few blocks away at 2101 Waverly St. The two-story brick home, which sits on about a half acre, is fairly large but at the same time unpretentious and casual. In fact, a determinedly casual attitude permeates the entire Valley. People walk with purpose, but the suits of Mad Men have morphed into the jeans of geniuses. During our week in Silicon Valley, we see only four men in sport coats, none in ties. (The dress code for women is more liberal. The only rule: Save the stilettos for after-hours.) Of course, comfortable shoes are more than a fashion statement. They’re a necessity. In Silicon Valley, workplaces are not clustered in high-rises but sprinkled across “campuses”—a word that connotes not only low-slung buildings interspersed with large, open spaces, but also youth and conviviality. Some companies have such sprawling campuses that they provide their employees with bicycles. Except for the Apple store, which is filled with logoed t-shirts and mugs, the buildings are closed to visitors, so we move on to Castro Street in the town of Mountain View. Unlike Buck’s, which is the restaurant where people make deals, Castro Street is filled with eateries where folks hatch ideas. Here, over salads and stir-fry, lattes and scones, ideas are floated, debated,

Valley museums that will, we hope, give us a layman’s overview of high-tech wizardry. They succeed beyond our wildest expectations. At the Computer History Museum we see everything from ancient abacuses to the first Apple computer (made in 1976) to an interactive display that explains how street-mapping works. At the Intel Museum we learn about semiconductor technology, and at the Tech Museum, which is not as much about how things work as it is about how much fun you can have when they do work, we train like Olympic contenders by virtually bobsledding down a virtual hill. We spend the final day of our visit strolling among ancient redwoods at Henry Cowell State Park. It’s a delightful as well as humbling experience, reminding us that nature predates even the oldest manmade wonders. On the plane ride home, we reflect on what makes Silicon Valley so different from other places. Our conclusion: Silicon Valley is a state of mind as well as a geographical entity, a place where optimism and creativity are as much a part of the environment as buildings and museums.

The Google Maps Exhibit lets visitors to the The Google campus is so large that the company provides bikes for its employees. Computer History Museum find their own house on a giant screen.

The Computer History Museum has more than 1,100 artifacts.

A walk through nearby Henry Cowell State Park lets techies escape the manmade environment of Silicon Valley.

and often massaged into “the next great thing.” In the Red Rock Coffee Company we find a packed crowd taking advantage of the café’s free Wi-Fi. Most people are in baggy shorts and sandals and look to be about 19 years old. The fellow at the

next table is typing feverishly on his tablet. I wonder if I should ask him for his autograph, just in case he turns out to be the next Jerry Yang (the founder of Yahoo!). Finally we set out for the geeky part of our expedition: a visit to three Silicon

Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

Each month, 50plus Senior News profiles one of your friends or neighbors on its cover, and many of our best cover-profile suggestions have come from you, our readers! Do you or does someone you know have an interesting hobby or collection? A special passion or inspirational experience? A history of dedicated volunteer work? If so, tell us, and we’ll consider your suggestion for a future cover story! Just fill out the questionnaire below and return it to 50plus Senior News, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512, or email your responses to Megan Joyce, editor, at mjoyce@onlinepub.com. Your name:___________________________ Your address:_________________________________________________________________________ Your phone number/email address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of person nominated (if not you): _______________________________________________________________________________________ Please receive their permission to nominate them. Nominee’s age range: 50–59

60–69

70–79

80–89

90+

Why would you/your nominee make a great cover profile? _______________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

November 2013

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Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

Bethany Village – The Oaks

Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 (717) 766-0279 • www.bethanyvillage.org

1000 Claremont Road • Carlisle, PA 17013 (717) 243-2031 • www.ccpa.net/cnrc

Number of Beds: 69 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Number of Beds: 290 Rehabilitation Unit: No Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes

Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: CARF/CCAC; Eagle, LeadingAge PA Comments: Maplewood Assisted Living also available.

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Private Rooms Available: No Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: Claremont provides quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation services for short- and long-term stays.

Homeland Center

Mennonite Home Communities

1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 (717) 221-7902 • www.homelandcenter.org

1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 (717) 393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org

Number of Beds: 92 Rehabilitation Unit: No Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Number of Beds: 188 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Comments: A beautiful, full-service continuing care retirement community with a 145-year history of exemplary care.

Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: Equal Housing, LeadingAge PA Comments: Person-centered care with reputation for compassion and excellence. Established in 1903. Respite care available w/minimum stay.

Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center

Spring Creek Rehabilitation & Health Care Center

118 Pleasant Acres Road • York, PA 17402 (717) 840-7100 • www.yorkcountypa.gov

1205 South 28th Street • Harrisburg, PA 17111 (717) 565-7000 • www.springcreekcares.com

Number of Beds: 375 Rehabilitation Unit: No Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Physical, Occupational Respiratory Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: No 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes

Number of Beds: 404 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes

Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: A charming campus offering short-term rehab, long-term skilled nursing care, ventilator and tracheostomy support, and Alzheimer’s memory care.

StoneRidge Retirement Living 440 East Lincoln Avenue • Myerstown, PA 17067 (717) 866-3200 • www.stoneridgeretirement.com Number of Beds: 194 Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Long-Term Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes

Private Rooms Available: Yes Semi-Private Rooms Available: Yes Pet Visitation Allowed: Yes Beauty/Barber Shop: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: Continuing care retirement community with two Myerstown sites convenient to Lebanon, Berks, and Lancaster counties.

If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your account representative or call (717) 285-1350.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

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November 2013

Savvy Senior

How to Get Paid for Being a Family Caregiver Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I have been taking care of my elderly mother for nearly three years, and it’s taking a huge toll on my finances. Are there any resources you know about that can help family caregivers get paid? – Financially Exhausted Dear Exhausted, To get paid as a family caregiver, there are various government programs, tax breaks, and family payment options that may be able to help you, depending on your mom’s financial situation. Here’s where to look for help. State Aid If your mom is low-income and eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to get paid a small amount by the state. In 15 states, Medicaid offers a Cash & Counseling program (www.cashandcounseling.org) that

provides an allowance that can be used for various services, including paying family members for care. Many other states have similar programs for low-income seniors, even if the person receiving care doesn’t quite qualify for Medicaid. To find out about these options, contact your local Medicaid office. Veterans Aid In some communities across the U.S., veterans who are at risk of nursing-home

placement can enroll in the VeteranDirected Home and Community-Based Services program, which allows veterans to manage their own care, including hiring and paying their own caregivers. Also available to wartime veterans and their spouses is a benefit called Aid and Attendance that helps pay for inhome care, as well as assisted living and nursing-home care. This benefit can also be used to pay family caregivers. To be eligible, your mom must need assistance with daily living activities like

bathing, dressing, or going to the bathroom. And, her income must be under $13,362 as a surviving spouse—minus medical and long-term care expenses. If your mom is a single veteran, her income must be below $20,795 to be eligible. Her assets must also be less than $80,000, excluding her home and car. To learn more, see www.va.gov/geriatrics, or contact your regional VA office or your local veterans service organization. For contact information, call (800) 827-1000. Tax Breaks Uncle Sam may also be able to help if you pay at least half of your mom’s yearly expenses and her annual income was below $3,900 in 2013 (not counting Social Security). If so, you can claim her as a dependant on your taxes and reduce your

Community Animal Hospital BATHING & DRESSING • DIET/NUTRITION MONITORING HOME HELPER SERVICES ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA CARE NO MINIMUM HOURS OF SERVICE Call for your FREE In-Home Assessment

717-920-0707 Now partnering with the AFA and ASA for our specialized Alzheimer’s and dementia care program!

Now Serving Adams County

November 2013

Donald A. Sloat, D.V.M.

Michael Schindler, 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

r Senior o Multi-Pet s Discount

Serving the York community for over 40 years. www.seniorhelpers.com/york

Our caring, well-trained staff will treat you and your pet like family

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(717) 845-5669 • 400 South Pine Street • York

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taxable income by $3,900. See IRS publication 501 (www.irs.gov/pub/irspdf/p501.pdf) or call the IRS helpline at (800) 829-1040 for information. If you can’t claim your mom as a dependant, you may still be able to get a tax break if you’re paying at least half her living expenses, including her medical and long-term care costs, and they exceed 10 percent (or 7.5 percent if you’re 65 or over) of your adjusted gross income. You can include your own medical expenses in calculating the total. See the IRS publication 502 (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf) for details. Family Payments If your mom doesn’t financially qualify for the government aid or the tax breaks, can she afford to pay you herself, or do you have any siblings that would be willing to chip in? After all, if your mom had to pay for home care

services, the costs would be anywhere between $12 and $25 per hour. If she agrees to pay you, it’s best that you or an attorney draft a short, written contract detailing your work and payment arrangements so everyone involved knows what to expect. A contract will also help avoid potential problems should your mom ever need to apply for Medicaid for nursing-home care. Another payment option to consider is for your mom to adjust her will, so you receive a larger portion of her estate for providing her care. But to avoid conflict, be sure all family members are aware and in agreement. Also, check to see if your mom has any long-term care insurance that covers in-home care. If she does, in some cases, those benefits may be used to pay you. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org

Versatile Proteins Could Be New Target for Alzheimer’s Drugs A class of proteins that controls visual-system development in the young brain also appears to affect vulnerability to Alzheimer’s disease in the aging brain. The proteins, which are found in humans and mice, join a limited roster of molecules that scientists are studying in hopes of finding an effective drug to slow the disease process. “People are just beginning to look at what these proteins do in the brain. While more research is needed, these proteins may be a brand-new target for Alzheimer’s drugs,” said Carla Shatz, Ph.D., the study’s lead investigator. Shatz and her colleagues report that LilrB2 (pronounced “leer-bee-2”) in humans and PirB (“peer-bee”) in mice can physically partner with betaamyloid, a protein fragment that accumulates in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease. This, in turn, triggers a harmful chain reaction in brain cells. In a mouse model of Alzheimer’s, depleting PirB in the brain prevented the chain reaction and reduced memory loss. “These findings provide valuable insight into Alzheimer’s, a complex

disorder involving the abnormal buildup of proteins, inflammation, and a host of other cellular changes,” said Neil Buckholtz, Ph.D., director of the neuroscience division at National Institute on Aging, which helped fund the research. “Our understanding of the various proteins involved, and how these proteins interact with each other, may one day result in effective interventions that delay, treat, or even prevent this dreaded disease.” Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults and affects as many as 5 million Americans. Large clumps—or plaques—of betaamyloid and other proteins accumulate in the brain during Alzheimer’s, but many researchers believe the disease process starts long before the plaques appear. Even in the absence of plaques, betaamyloid has been shown to cause damage to brain cells and the synapses, the delicate connections, between them.

November is National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month

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Source: National Institutes of Health

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November 2013

Maudie Becker

PA STATE

Steve Gallion

SENIOR IDOL Finals

Present Judges with Tough Choices Judge Calls 2013 Talent Lineup ‘Unbelievable’ By Megan Joyce

Paul Zavinsky

Ray Ricke Jr.

November 2013

The mid-October air outside was brisk and calm, but indoors, the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL finals competition seemed to generate its own atmosphere: warm and close, with an almost visible hum of energy produced by the nerves of the performers and the anticipation of the milling crowd. Produced by OLP EVENTS, PA STATE SENIOR IDOL is an annual talent competition that highlights the vocal, comedic, dance, or instrumental abilities of the state’s performers over age 50. The 15 semifinalists for the evening’s show were culled from nearly 100 contestants who auditioned at regional tryouts in late August and early September. There was not a vacant seat to be had inside the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre in Lancaster, which hosted the eighth-annual event. The sold-out crowd was lively and supportive, as were the four local celebrity judges: RJ Harris of WHP580, Adrian “Buddy” King of the former Magnificent Men, Valerie Pritchett of abc27, and Janelle Stelson of WGAL-8. The show opened up with a performance by last year’s winner, Vickie Kissinger of Gap, who told emcee Diane Dayton of Dayton Communications that her year as the reigning SENIOR IDOL had been “wonderful.” “It’s just opened up a lot of new doors; it’s given me opportunities I never would have had,” Kissinger said. Being first up is seldom a desirable position, but John “Legs” Lawrenzi of Sutersville was likely unfazed as he sang “An American Trilogy” by Elvis Presley. The state Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee estimated he’d performed in more than 3,700 concerts. “You have like two different voices,” King observed. “You have the lower one, your more expressive solo voice, and you have the upper, more

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dynamic [voice]. I prefer the more expressive, lower voice.” Second in line was Roy “Jake” Jacobs of Thomasville with “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers. Jacobs tearfully noted that he dedicates that song to his late wife. “That came through very clearly,” Stelson agreed. “It was very clear that you were singing to someone.” West Brandywine’s Tom Williams played his acoustic guitar while singing “Early Morning Rain” by Gordon Lightfoot, a mellow, intimate rendition that King called “very atmospheric.” “I felt like I could be sitting with you at a campfire,” Pritchett added. “Your voice is very smooth, and I really enjoyed it.” Tammy Estep of York was the first of the night’s female performers. She sang a passionate version of “Long, Long Time” by Linda Ronstadt. “I like the control you had; you could tell you were really working on control,” Pritchett noted. The audience buzz increased rather dramatically when dancer Ray Ricke Jr. of York appeared on stage in his Michael Jackson getup. His “Smooth Criminal” routine included the moonwalk as well as some pulsating pectoral muscles thrown in for good measure. “Let me just politely say on behalf of all my girlfriends here: That was very enjoyable,” Stelson joked. Ricke may have been a tough act to follow, but Dan Kelly of Philadelphia didn’t disappoint with his confident rendition of “Maybe This Time” from Cabaret. “I love the richness in your voice, and I also like how when you belt it out, you belt it out—you go right down to the belly and bring it up,” Pritchett said. Kelly’s confidence was followed up by Maudie Becker’s version of “At Last” by Etta James, which King called “a gutsy, soulful performance.” Stelson complimented the Seltzer resident’s choice of key.

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“You sang that kind of low, and I really liked it,” she said. “I thought it really showed you off to your best advantage.” Next up was Chris Roda of Lancaster, who used his operatic vocals on “And This is My Beloved” from Kismet. King praised Roda’s use of dynamics. “Your last note was my favorite note of all,” King said. “It seemed like you held it for about five minutes.” Adding some variety to the night’s otherwise musical lineup, Steve Gallion of Lancaster performed a stand-up comedy routine that elicited a solid 3.5 minutes of raucous laughter from the audience and judges alike. King praised the pacing and cadence of Gallion’s delivery. “I like the way you built the routine, too,” King said. “You finished on top. It was great.” Music returned in force with Cheri Coleman of Coatesville singing “Inseparable” by Natalie Cole. King liked her “sweet and tender way of singing.” “A couple of those notes you hit, I thought my glass was going to shatter,” joked Pritchett. “I thought your voice was phenomenal.” Another phenomenal voice followed in the form of Kevin Pierce, also of Coatesville, who performed “Ol’ Man River” from Show Boat. King and Stelson commented on his storytelling ability. “Your voice and your presentation were both very dynamic,” Pritchett observed. “I was captivated. I just kept watching you because you’re so expressive.” The acoustic guitar then returned on stage with Paul Zavinsky at its helm. Zavinsky, of Hummelstown, sang and strummed “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by John Denver. “Good voices are a gift; they’re not something that you just take for granted,” noted King. “You have a nice, buttery kind of feel to your singing.” Constance Kuba Fisher of Mechanicsburg brought a different energy onto the stage with her theatrical rendition of “Ring Them Bells” by Liza Minnelli. “You’re fun, you’re a storyteller, and your stage presence was really wonderful,” Harris said. Nick Ferraro of Harrisburg brought images of Elvis to mind both in his appearance and his sound

as he passionately sang Presley’s “If I Can Dream.” “That was a really soulful performance. You put your heart and soul into that,” said King. Last but not least, Tom LaNasa of York closed the evening’s semifinalist performances with a dramatic, spoken-word presentation of Johnny Cash’s patriotic poem “Ragged Old Flag.” “I wish you would go down and do that same performance before Congress,” Stelson said. “I just defy them before the end of the day not to have a deal on this [government shutdown] silliness.” The four judges’ scores for all 15 contestants were then collected and tallied to determine which three semifinalists would move on to the finalist round and present a second performance. “You have no idea how tough this is tonight,” Harris said. “This is the best lineup we’ve had— every SENIOR IDOL has been great, and we’ve been here since the beginning—but tonight is unbelievable.” After a brief intermission, Ray Ricke Jr., Cheri Coleman Campbell, and Chris Roda were named the night’s three finalists. For their second selections, Ricke danced to “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson; Campbell performed “Saving All My Love for You” by Whitney Houston; and Roda sang “E Lucevan Le Stelle” from Tosca. The judges as well as the audience then voted for their favorite, and Roda was named the 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL. Roda, a customer-service representative for RR Donnelly in Lancaster, had earlier shared with the judges and audience that his powerful voice had returned only a year ago after conquering a four-year illness that had ravaged his vocal chords. “It’s none of our business the health difficulties that you went through,” she said, “and it’s also nobody’s business who you believe in, in terms of God or Buddha … but I will say that I think God gave you a second lease so that we could have you.” For more information and highlights on the 2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL finals competition, visit www.SeniorIdolPA.com.

2013 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL Winner Chris Roda Cheri Coleman

Nick Ferraro

From left: Valerie Pritchett, RJ Harris, Janelle Stelson, and Adrian “Buddy” King

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November 2013

Salute to a Veteran

When They Fought in Vietnam, They Flew Their Artillery in with Them Robert D. Wilcox ary Levinson found out early that the world is full of coincidences. When he was drafted into the Army in 1966, he took his training at Fort Riley, Kan. There was a sergeant in charge of each barracks, and his sergeant made an effort to know each of his men. It turned out that both the sergeant and Levinson came from Pennsylvania— what’s more, the sergeant knew Levinson’s family. Did it help to have that kind of connection to the sergeant? “Well, it sure didn’t hurt,” he says. But he was soon on his way to Vietnam, in any case. From Oakland, Calif., he boarded the General Maurice Rose, a troopship that took him to Vung Tau, Vietnam. How was the crossing? “It was hell on wheels,” Levinson says. “It took three weeks, and almost

Chinook everybody was helicopters sick as a dog the whenever they whole way. By went to hotspots the time we got where they were there, no one needed. The was worried troops were in about facing the the helicopters, Vietcong. We with the guns just wanted to and ammunition get off that towed in another ship.” helicopter. The Once ashore, guns and they recovered Private First Class Gary M. Levinson ammunition fast, but they in a Vietnam bunker in 1967. were also moved found that by truck. Later being ashore on, some guns were placed on boats. had its own problems. As part of the 9th Division, Levinson’s first assignment was There were plenty of helicopter as an ammunition handler in a howitzer crashes that killed a lot of men, and they battery. were always especially vulnerable to His outfit was unusual in that they enemy gunfire from the ground. hauled their artillery with them on Levinson’s first job was to transport

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the 105mm ammunition by truck. He drove the truck to the ammunition depot and delivered it back to the base camp or to the field. The ammunition was in heavy, wooden crates that had to be unloaded and stacked up. Then, the colonel of his battalion transferred him to a special information unit. His responsibility was to travel with the battalion on major missions in the field, prepare reports on all activities, and transmit everything to the 1st Brigade, 9th Division headquarters. Later, Levinson was transferred again to a different artillery unit in the Mekong Delta, where he served on a gun crew preparing ammunition for firing. They were often under mortar attack, and he recalls one shell having landed just short of his bunker. He has memories of all the men who were killed and thinks about them all the time, but

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November 2013

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bridges and standing out in 1,107 kilometers his memory is the way one of his of roads. buddies beat the For that odds. effort, Levinson Levinson says is proud that his that the man was 9th U.S. Infantry Division was very religious and Guns and ammo were carried by awarded the always carried a Chinook helicopters. Civil Actions small Bible in his Honor Medal. breast pocket. “Of course,” he says, “little of that One day, he caught a bullet in the chest that surely would have killed him, except kind of help was reported by the press back home. We were largely reported as a that it hit that Bible, and the bullet large power imposing its self-interest on a stopped just short of the man’s flesh. small Asian nation during a long and One thing Levinson feels strongly bloody war. Which resulted in our troops about is that people have been pounded so much with stories of the combat itself being reviled by so many when they returned home after their selfless service.” … and so little about what we did in a For Levinson, the end of that war came humanitarian way for the South on Dec. 11, 1967, when he flew from Vietnamese people. Bien Hoa to Maguire Air Force Base, N.J. “That, actually, was a major part of He then went to Fort Bragg, N.C., to our being there,” he says. train troops headed to Vietnam. Then his Part of his responsibility in the information unit was to travel with Civil hitch was up, and he was discharged. He then reenlisted in the Army Reserve and Action troops to see firsthand how the was discharged as a sergeant. Vietnamese people lived and the He worked on Wall Street for a while tremendous outpouring of help the American military provided to the people before coming to Central Pennsylvania to work with the Disabled Veterans of South Vietnam. Outreach Program. He then became Noting that the U.S. spent $222 chief of the recruitment division for the million a year in aid to the South Pennsylvania State Civil Service Vietnamese people, Levinson says that th Commission in Harrisburg. his 9 Division alone provided massive help. He retired in 2004 and now spends They provided medical care to much of his time trying to reverse the 708,000 South Vietnamese, image of the Vietnam veteran and help reconstructed more than 350 schools, the many disenfranchised vets of that era. opened English courses in high schools He often thinks of his time in for almost 30,000 students, provided combat, and he’s proud of that. But he 48,256 man hours to helping the local says he considers himself fortunate to people in repairing destroyed houses, have been part of the other side of our furnished 89 orphanages with efforts in Vietnam as well. construction materials, distributed 1,000 Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in tons of food and 8 tons of clothes to Europe in World War II. refugees, and assisted in repairing 447

Snuggle Up to a Fragrant Fire Fall is the perfect time to fire up the fireplace with a cozy blaze. If you want to add a little fragrance to your hearth, try these types of wood to sweeten your fire: Apple. It not only sweetens the smell, it also produces colorful flames. Cherry. Although not as sweet as apple wood, www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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cherry wood still adds a little sugar in the mix. Hickory. Known to many great barbecue grill-meisters, hickory brings in a nice nutty aroma and is a great heat producer. Black birch. Don’t like your fires so sweet? Black birch adds just enough spice with its cinnamon scent.

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November 2013

Tinseltown Talks

Dick Gautier, a Man of Many Talents? Nick Thomas f all those zany sitcoms produced in the ’60s, Get Smart remains a favorite of classic-TV fans. This show had it all: crazy characters (Max, “99,” Larabee, Hymie the humanoid robot), delightfully wicked villains (Siegfried, the Claw, Leadside), goofy spy gadgets (shoe phone, cone of silence), cool cars (Sunbeam Tiger), unforgettable catchphrases (“missed it by that much!”), a parade of stellar guests (Milton Berle, Don Rickles, Vincent Price), unbelievable save-the-world plots, and that omnipresent ’60s canned-laugh track. Don Adams, who played Max, passed away in 2005. A few years earlier, during a 75th birthday roast in his honor, Adams made a very simple request: “I don’t want a big funeral. I don’t want a lot of flowers or eulogies,” he told the gathering. “I’d just like a few of my close friends to get together … and try

Don Adams, Dick Gautier, and Barbara Feldon in a Get Smart publicity still.

A 1989 Get Smart Again publicity still featuring Robert Karvelas, Dave Ketchum, Don Adams, and Dick Gautier.

and bring me back to life.” Dick Gautier, who played Hymie the robot, wasn’t close friends with Adams off the set, but says he enjoyed working with him. We talked recently from his home in Los Angeles. “He lived a very different kind of lifestyle to me,” said Gautier. “He and his buddies were always at the racetrack, but I was never a gambler.” Incredibly, Gautier’s Hymie character (“his father’s name was Hymie”) only appeared in six episodes during the first four seasons of Get Smart. Yet he remains one of the show’s most popular and memorable characters. Gautier based Hymie partly on a childhood memory. “As a kid in Canada, I saw this mannequin-like guy in a store window who moved in a very stiff manner. The deal was, if you made him smile, you could win a gift from the store. I almost

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got him to laugh! So I started imitating him and discovered I had a flair for entertaining. “I told that story during my Get Smart audition, did those movements, and got the role of Hymie.” Not surprisingly, laughter was not uncommon on the Get Smart set. Gautier remembers shooting one scene where Max takes a rather drunk Hymie into a closet and scolds him because drinking and spying don’t mix. “I had to reach over and kiss Don on the cheek,” recalled Gautier. “But the two of us started giggling like highschool girls during every take, and the crew grew impatient. I finally got through it by not looking at Don. “When the scene was over, he looked

at me and said, ‘Are you Gautier is also an artist going to say it or am I?’ So specializing in caricatures I told him to go ahead. He and has written numerous looked at the crew and said books on drawing. ‘OK, guys, we’re coming He’s captured the Burt out of the closet!’” Reynolds forehead, the In addition to acting in W.C. Fields nose, the John hundreds of TV shows and Travolta chin, and dozens movies, Gautier has been a of other celebrities perfectly stand-up comedian, writer, (see www.dickgautier.com). producer, director, voice He also makes an actor, and singer. During interesting comparison Gautier’s sketch of lean times, he even between today’s stars to W.C. Fields. demonstrated pogo sticks those of yesteryear with at Macy’s. Details can be their more rugged features read on his website bio, which Gautier (think Bogie, Gable, Connery). describes as “that once grotesquely “Many of today’s actors look like inflated thing which deflates slightly with fashion models. Take someone like Brad each passing day.” Pitt, who has those stunning, boyish

good looks. Some are so handsome, they just don’t have any distinguishing features to hang your comic hat on, as an artist.” In addition to drawing and painting, Gautier has just finished writing a twocharacter play that he hopes to direct. And at 81, his career achievements just keep mounting. “I’ve been around so long,” he says, “sometimes I feel like I was in the original Flintstones—the real ones the cartoon was based on!” Thomas’ features and columns have appeared in more than 300 magazines and newspapers, and he is the author of Raised by the Stars, published by McFarland. He can be reached at his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.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.

Delta Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 456-5753

Nov. 10, 1 to 4:30 p.m. – Native American Stories, Nixon County Park Nov. 17, 2 to 3 p.m. – Visit with Abraham Lincoln, Heritage Rail Trail County Park Nov. 26, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Holiday Decorating, Nixon County Park

Eastern Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 252-1641 Golden Visions Senior Community Center – (717) 633-5072

York County Library Programs

Heritage Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 292-7471

Arthur Hufnagel Public Library of Glen Rock, 32 Main St., Glen Rock, (717) 235-1127

Northeastern Senior Community Center – (717) 266-1400

Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, (717) 927-9014 Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Purls of Brogue Knitting Club Dillsburg Area Public Library, 17 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, (717) 432-5613 Dover Area Community Library, 3700-3 Davidsburg Road, Dover, (717) 292-6814 Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, (717) 225-3220 Mondays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Knitting and Spinning Group

Red Land Senior Citizen Center – (717) 938-4649 South Central Senior Community Center – (717) 235-6060 First and Third Mondays, 12:30 p.m. – Card-Making Class Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – Ceramics Class Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – Dancersize

Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, (717) 632-5183 Stewartstown Senior Center – (717) 993-3488

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 Martin Library, 159 E. Market St., York, (717) 846-5300

Programs and Support Groups Nov. 5, 7 p.m. Surviving Spouse Socials of York County Faith United Church of Christ 509 Pacific Ave., York (717) 266-2784

Free and open to the public Nov. 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

If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

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Susquehanna Senior Center – (717) 244-0340 White Rose Senior Center – (717) 843-9704, www.whiteroseseniorcenter.org Windy Hill On the Campus – (717) 225-0733 Nov. 12, 10 a.m. – Veterans Program with Congressman Scott Perry Yorktown Senior Center – (717) 854-0693 Please call or visit the centers’ websites for additional activities.

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November 2013

Social Security News

Social Security Serves Those Who Have Served By John Johnston n Nov. 11, we honor our nation’s veterans for their service to America. What better time than now to tell you—and for you to help spread the word—about the many benefits and wealth of information Social Security has available for veterans and military personnel? Social Security recognizes those who put their lives on the line for our freedoms. Members of the armed forces receive expedited processing of their Social Security disability applications. The expedited process is available for any military service member who became disabled during active duty on or after Oct. 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Some dependent children and spouses of military personnel may also be eligible to receive benefits. Visit our website designed specifically

for our wounded veterans: www.social security.gov/woundedwarriors. There, you will find answers to a number of commonly asked questions, as well as other useful information about disability benefits available under the Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. Please pay special attention to the fact sheet available on that website, Disability Benefits for Wounded Warriors. You’ll also find a webinar that explains the faster disability process available to wounded warriors. The program covers

Smile of the Month Our November smile of the month belongs to Charlie Gall, son of Rita Gall of Manchester.

general information about Social Security disability benefits as well as topics unique to wounded service members. The online video is less than three minutes and a great introduction to disability benefits for veterans and active-duty military. On the same webpage, you’ll also find links to useful Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense websites. The requirements for disability benefits available through Social Security are different from those from the Department of Veterans Affairs and require a separate application.

Military service members are covered for the same Social Security survivors, disability, and retirement benefits as everyone else. Although the expedited service is relatively new, military personnel have been covered under Social Security since 1957, and people who were in the service prior to that may be able to get special credit for some of their service. To learn more about Social Security for current and former military service members, read Military Service and Social Security. It’s available in our digital library at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs. But first, take a look at the wounded warrior page (www.socialsecurity.gov/ woundedwarriors). The webinar, factsheet, and pertinent links will brief you on everything you need to know to “maneuver” your way through the Social Security process. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. & 50plus Senior News just earned 3 national awards!

Second Place – Travel Column “All-Important China” and “There’s More to Maui than Sun and Surf ” by Andrea Gross

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November 2013

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CROSSWORD

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 18

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

Across 1. Lox buddy 6. Junky vehicle 10. Gay Talese’s ___ the Sons 14. Emulate Cicero 15. Women’s magazine 16. Coward’s name 17. Saint-Germain’s river 18. Captain of literature 19. Party pooper 20. Outaouais River site 22. Train component 23. Jane Austen novel 24. Spline 26. Scintillas

28. Nabokov novel 31. Nouvelle-Calédonie, e.g. 32. Globetrotters founder Saperstein 33. In the same place (abbr.) 34. Blackguard 35. Galled 39. Dedicates 41. On a horse 43. Ringo, for one 44. Shred 45. McGregor of Trainspotting 46. Day break? 48. Cuckoo bird 49. Slow-witted

50. ___ fatale 52. Adherents (suffixes) 54. Au naturel 55. Summer shade 57. Infant’s garment 62. Computer image 63. Sin City actress Jessica 65. Med. worker 66. Before case or drive 67. Hang over 68. Nag 69. Fr. seasons 70. Darns 71. Artist’s tripod

Down 1. Anjou alternative 2. Expanse 3. Benefit 4. Sicilian smoker 5. City on the River Aire 6. Biddy 7. Chosen 8. Diva Gluck 9. Illinois River city 10. Resolute 11. Bellini opera 12. Squads 13. One of Chekhov’s Three Sisters

21. Wonderland girl 25. Regrettably 27. Passing mention? 28. Opposite of hinder 29. Prima donna 30. Decorations 33. Psyches 36. Fuzzy fruit or flightless bird 37. Cheese type 38. Hibernation locale 40. Streetcar 41. Slangy negative 42. Spotted

44. Sky show 47. Flower parts 50. Aspect 51. Toothed 53. From that time 54. Chomp 56. Burn soother 58. Mystique 59. Those for 60. Feudal slave 61. Stagger 64. Some times (abbr.)

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November 2013

TAKE TWO

from page 1

A girlfriend at the time connected Roda with her uncle, who was involved with the Fulton Theatre. At his urging, Roda also began lessons with renowned vocal coach Romayne Bridgett. Before long, he began getting gigs at weddings and then sang with the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra chorus for two years in the early 1980s. By the ’90s, Roda bought some recording equipment of his own, but his fulltime job at a printing company meant that, although music was his passion, it could only remain a hobby. “The reality was, I was a family man and I had a job, and I could only spend so much time on the music,” he said. Roda was then introduced to the Pennsylvania Academy of Music in Lancaster and connected with a teacher there who was a retired Metropolitan Opera tenor. “I was his student for a couple of years,” said Roda. “He really refined my voice … he got me into the style of singing that people heard from me [at SENIOR IDOL].” He was also invited to sing at one of OperaLancaster Associates’ Lemonade Concerts, but he remained “just a local, low-key, hobby-type singer for the last 30 years” before placing in the 2007 SENIOR IDOL competition. After that, he said, he was rendered unable to sing due to the onset of his

illness, which baritone and affected his not a tenor, as vocal nerve. previous Years went coaches had. by in pained “I would go silence. through spells “Music where I dropped off couldn’t sing the radar for because I was me, which being pushed a was heartlittle too far, a breaking,” little too high Roda up the vocal recalled. register,” he Things said. “You’ve Roda, center, reacts as he is announced as the finally began got to be PA STATE S ENIOR I DOL . He is flanked by winner of 2013 to turn back careful with a the other two finalists, Ray Ricke Jr. of York, left, and voice like around for Cheri Campbell of Coatesville, right. Roda in fall that.” 2012 when Meanwhile, he suddenly observed increasing Roda eagerly registered for a 2013 PA improvements in his voice, which had STATE SENIOR IDOL audition this summer. become raspy during his illness. At the finals competition, his “A year ago September, my voice performance of “And This is My began to come back,” he said. “The last Beloved” from Kismet secured him a spot few months, it’s gotten better than it’s amongst the three finalists. His follow-up ever been. The worst is behind me, performance, “E Lucevan Le Stelle” from thank goodness.” Tosca, earned him the win. His win at the Spring Sing Roda said a chill went up his spine Competition was a needed confidence upon hearing his name called. boost, and Roda began weekly lessons “It was an amazing feeling. It felt like with vocal coach John Darrenkamp, also I kind of just lifted off the stage a few retired from the Metropolitan Opera in inches; it was incredible,” he said. “It was New York City. He is the first of Roda’s fulfilling, rewarding … it was relief, joy, instructors to treat him as a lyric and euphoria all wrapped up into this

little 10-second announcement.” Despite his success earlier this year, Roda said he was “in no way” feeling confident of a SENIOR IDOL win as the finals night progressed and he mingled with the other semifinalists. “I was having so much fun. I was very in awe of the talent of the other performers,” he said. “I loved doing it. I loved meeting all those people backstage. There were lots of little friendships formed, lots of joking and banter back there.” As the 2013 SENIOR IDOL winner, Roda’s prize is a limousine trip for two to New York City for dinner and a Broadway show. But that’s not the only journey to the Big Apple he’ll be making in the coming months. “I’m going to New York in November,” he said. “I’m registered for America’s Got Talent.” He also plans to continue working with Darrenkamp, who is grooming Roda to try out for opera roles in the Fulton’s 2014-15 season. Roda noted that many male opera singers, especially tenors as he had been, retire after age 50. But even several years past that mark, Roda is optimistic and unconcerned. “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance here. I’m not worried about being 57 because I’ve got a lot of good years of singing left.”

Church Connections Decline, but Belief Remains

one-third of adults under the age of 30 say the same. In the last five years, the proportion of people practicing no religion has risen from 15 to 20 percent, with 13 million (6 percent) describing

themselves as atheists or agnostics and 33 million identifying with no specific religion at all (14 percent). But spiritual belief may not be disappearing entirely. Sixty-eight percent of Americans who aren’t

attached to any church do say they believe in God, and 58 percent claim a deep connection with the earth and nature. Twenty-one percent say they pray every day.

Puzzles shown on page 17

Puzzle Solutions

Religious belief continues to decline in the United States, according to the Pew Research Center’s Religion & Public Life Project. One-fifth of Americans say they’re not affiliated with any religion, and

November 2013

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Crowds Converge for York County 50plus EXPO By Megan Joyce Cars were parked in the grass. Despite being held at the York Expo Center, with its vast parking lots, the sea of vehicles extending beyond the doors of the recent York County 50plus EXPO reached past the white-lined pavement. The 50plus EXPO, the 11th held in York, was a free, one-day event providing information and resources for the area’s 50+ community. It was hosted by OLP Events. More than 90 exhibitors displayed products and services in the areas of travel, housing, medical services, nutrition, home improvements, finances, and healthcare. The Health & Wellness Area, sponsored by WellSpan Health, included ongoing, free screenings for spine care, body mechanics, proper lifting, joint pain, diabetes, and others. Other exhibitors offered health

screenings as well. Pat Nicely of York sat down for a hearing screening that checked her ears for wax buildup that could be contributing to hearing difficulties. Nicely was pleased with her results. “He told me my ears were the cleanest he’d seen all day!” she laughed. Falls Free York, an area dedicated to fall prevention, returned to the York County 50plus EXPO. Organized by the York County Area Agency on Aging and local businesses and organizations, visitors learned about falling hazards in the home, lighting options, cane/walker safety checks, exercise demos, and more.

“I have fallen,” admitted Emily Fees of York, who spent some time in the Falls Free York area that morning. She aced the balance and gait screening, however, and said she had also taken a fall-prevention class on her own time in an effort to ward off future falls. Attendees were eligible for door prizes and also took advantage of additional health screenings for blood pressure, hearing, balance, stroke risk, and more. Visitors also had the option of attending three free seminars that covered caring for the shoulder joint, arthritis management, back pain treatments, dry eye and cataract treatments, and diabetes management.

Plus, student stylists from American Beauty Academy in Lancaster provided free haircuts, facials, and manicures. The opportunity for some free pampering was one Anna Wagner of York didn’t pass by—in fact, despite her “senior” status, she decided to sit for her very first manicure. She admired the glossy, orange hue she’d selected. “I liked it a lot,” she said of the manicure, adding that she had come to the EXPO “to see what they had for seniors.” The day’s entertainment included performances by the White Rose Chorus barbershop group, Regal Dance Clubs, and vocalists and PA STATE SENIOR IDOL winners Vickie Kissinger, Barry Surran, and Peggy Kurtz Keller. The 50plus EXPO will return to Central Pennsylvania in spring 2014. Check www.50plusExpoPA.com for updates and more information.

Proudly Sponsored By: Gold

Health & Wellness

Visitor Bag Sponsor OSS Health

Bronze: Gastroenterology Associates of York • Gateway Health • HealthAmerica Advantra • Longevity Alliance Lutheran Social Services – SCP • ManorCare Health Services • May Eye Care Center • Memorial Hospital Misericordia Nursing & Rehabilitation Center • Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehab Center

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Media WDAC • WHVR • WHYL

Thank you, sponsors!

The 50plus EXPO is FREE to the community due to the generosity of our sponsors. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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November 2013

Life-saving cardiac care.

And the gift of time. At 10 a.m., Dave began having chest pains. At noon he was rushed to Good Samaritan. By 1 p.m., the advanced technology of our cardiac catheterization lab had found ďŹ ve arterial blockages. And by 3:30 p.m., Dave was having the bypass surgery that would save his life. Now Dave has more time to pursue his love of restoring clocks. Thanks to the clockwork performance of the cardiac team at Good Samaritan. For more information or to ďŹ nd a physician, visit comfortingcare.org.

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