York County Edition
December 2014
Vol. 15 No. 12
A Treasure Chest of Stories Historic Home Now Houses Collection of Local Antiques By Rebecca Hanlon Andy Leh’s fascination with antiques started as a teenager growing up in Camp Hill. In the summer of 1972, construction crews were digging along 17th Street when they discovered what was left of a glass-recycling facility. The working men would leave at 4 p.m., and the local kids would jump in the pit, digging until dark to collect the unwanted bottles for themselves. “It was a summer fad for most kids, but it stuck with me,” said Leh, now 56. It was the start of a 42-year-long obsession with antiques. Even as a young boy, Leh remembers spending hours in his grandparents’ basement rooting through boxes and examining random items—from glasses to stoneware and furniture. When he started digging up bottles in the streets of Camp Hill, he unknowingly dug up history. If he found bottles he didn’t want, or duplicates, he would sell them to friends. At 16, Leh’s father let him drive the family station wagon to the Silver Spring Flea Market to sell the bottles, using the profits to buy better ones. By early high school, his collection was worth several thousand dollars. “My dad thought I was crazy,” Leh said. “He was angry with me for wasting my money on frivolous stuff. Now, he stands back and smiles, please see TREASURE page 14 Andy Leh in front of one of his historic home’s seven fireplaces (six in working order). The 1798 home is the perfect setting for Leh’s extensive antiques collection.
Inside:
Niagara Falls’ New Year’s Bash page 8
She Took a Call from Churchill page 10
The Beauty in Nature
Locally Wintering Grebes Clyde McMillan-Gamber he duck-like grebes are built like boats for floating on water. Individuals of each kind have a fleshy lobe on each toe that helps them swim on the surface and under water. Grebes’ legs are far back on their bodies for optimum power when swimming. But those birds are almost helpless on land. They need to run across long stretches of water while rapidly flapping their wings to take off from it. Three species of grebes—pied-billed, horned, and red-necked—uncommonly pass through southeastern Pennsylvania in fall and again in spring. None of those species nests here, but a few individuals of each kind winter here, wherever there is open water to catch fish. Pied-billed grebes arrive in this area in October, and a few stay the winter. About the size of blue jays, they are
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brown with short, stocky necks and beaks. They winter mostly on fresh waterways and impoundments in the southeastern United States north to southern Pennsylvania. Horned grebes are a bit larger than pied-bills. They are dark on top and have long necks, white chins and throats, and
Horned grebe with baby
Red-necked grebe with young
thin bills. This species winters mostly on saltwater estuaries along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts, but also on freshwater rivers and lakes. Red-necked grebes are even larger than horned grebes. They are dark with long necks and beaks and white chins. They winter mostly on saltwater along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts but also on freshwater
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Happy Holidays As On-Line Publishers, Inc. sees the conclusion of yet another year, we are grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportive advertisers who have all enabled us to continue to grow in our mission to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community. We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50plus Senior News a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment for our readers in Central Pennsylvania. At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.
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Bathing and Dressing Assistance Medication Reminders • Errands Shopping • Light Housekeeping Meal Preparation Friendly Companionship Flexible Hourly Care Respite Care for Families Specializing in dementia care for adults and their families
waterways and impoundments. All species of grebes float on the surface of a lake, river, or estuary when at rest and between fishing forays. Usually, they are way out on the water. They dive under water, where they use their lobed feet to swim after small fish to eat. When successful, they come to the surface to swallow their victims whole and headfirst, and then dive for more prey. All grebe species lay their half-dozen eggs on floating marsh vegetation among plants emerging from shallow water by the shores of impoundments. Pied-bills raise young in much of the United States. Horned and red-necked grebes rear youngsters in northwestern North America, including into Alaska. Watch for grebes this winter and into next spring in the local area. These fishcatching birds add more intrigue to their watery habitats.
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Elder Abuse Task Force Forms in York County University and the Pennsylvania criminally victimized. Department of Aging. Examples of mental and physical The Area abuse of the Agency on Aging elderly include routinely intimidation, The Area Agency on investigates reports ridicule, Aging routinely of abuse, neglect, isolation, and financial neglect, investigates reports of exploitation (theft) terrorization, abuse, neglect, and of older adults. and sexual financial exploitation Upon abuse. completion of these Additionally, (theft) of older adults. investigations, the financial older adult is often exploitation is found to not only becoming more be in need of the assistance provided by prevalent as scam artists and even the agency, but he/she has also been caregivers engage in identify theft by
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York County Area Agency on Aging Director Dianna Benaknin and District Attorney Tom Kearney formally announced the formation of the Elder Abuse Task Force at a York County Board of Commissioners meeting in November. The purpose of the Elder Abuse Task Force is to better identify the needs of York County’s older adults, provide outreach to older adults and their families to better protect them, and provide education and training to community leaders. The new venture is being done in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Institute on Protective Services at Temple
stealing personal information, such as Social Security, credit card, and bank account information. There are more than 92,490 Pennsylvanians over the age of 60 in York County. In 2012-2013 there were 639 reports of need for protective services, an increase of 28 percent from the 499 reports in 2008-2009. The Task Force seeks to coordinate and synchronize efforts from many different disciplines including law enforcement, the York County District Attorney’s Office, the legal industry, banking, and other organizations and businesses that routinely interact with older adults.
Resource Directory 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 Coins & Currency Munchel Brothers Jewelry and Coin Exchange 351 Loucks Road, Suite G-7, York (717) 793-2110 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
Financial Services Asset & Retirement Protectors (717) 792-9274; (800) 503-1028 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 Alzheimer’s Information Clearinghouse (800) 367-5115 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 or (717) 757-0604 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213 Healthcare Information PA HealthCare Cost Containment (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services 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
Personal Care Homes Providence Place Senior Living 3377 Fox Run Road, Dover (717) 767-4500
Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services (717) 630-0067 – Hanover (717) 751-2488 – York
Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com
Housing/Apartments 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
Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937
Volunteer Opportunities
Insurance – Long-Term Care Apprise Insurance Counseling (717) 771-9610 or (800) 632-9073 Asset Protectors 1595 N. Queen St., York (717) 699-2336
RSVP of Capital Region, Inc. (717) 847-1539 RSVP Lancaster County (717) 847-1539 RSVP Lebanon County (717) 454-8956
Nursing & Rehab Facilities Pleasant Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation Center 118 Pleasant Acres Road, York (717) 840-7100
RSVP York County (443) 619-3842 Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
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Savvy Senior 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
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Angie McComsey Jacoby Amy Kieffer Ranee Shaub Miller ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Christina Cardamone Kristy Neideigh BUSINESS INTERNS Mariah K. Hammacher Christopher Lee-Jimenez SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR Eileen Culp EVENTS MANAGER Kimberly Shaffer
CIRCULATION
Vaccination Options for Seniors this Flu Season Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that there are several types of flu vaccines being offered to seniors this flu season. What can you tell me about them? – Cautious Senior Dear Cautious, Depending on your health, age, and personal preference, there’s a buffet of flu shots available to seniors this flu season, along with two vaccinations for pneumonia that you should consider getting too. Flu Shot Options Just as they do every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a seasonal flu shot to almost everyone, but it’s especially important for seniors who are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. The flu puts more than 200,000 people in the hospital each year and kills around 24,000—90 percent of whom are seniors. Here’s the rundown of the different options: • Standard (trivalent) flu shot: This tried-and-true shot that’s been around for more than 30 years protects against three strains of influenza. This year’s version protects against the two common A strains (H1N1 and H3N2) and one influenza B virus.
PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer
ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall Member of
• Quadrivalent flu shot: This vaccine, which was introduced last year, protects against four types of
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50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.
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influenza—the same three strains as the standard flu shot, plus an additional B-strain virus. • High-dose flu shot: Designed specifically for seniors age 65 and older, this vaccine, called the Fluzone High-Dose, has four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, which creates a stronger immune response for better protection. But, be aware that the high-dose option may also be more likely to cause side effects, including headache, muscle aches, and fever. • Intradermal flu shot: If you don’t like needles, the intradermal shot is a nice option because it uses a tiny 1/16-inch-long micro-needle to inject the vaccine just under the skin, rather than deeper in the muscle like standard flu shots. This trivalent vaccine is recommended only to those ages 18 to 64. To locate a vaccination site that offers these flu shots, visit www.vaccines.gov and type in your ZIP code. You’ll also be happy to know that if you’re a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu shot, as long as your doctor, health clinic, or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays. Private health insurers are also required to cover standard flu shots; however, you’ll need to check with your provider to see if they cover the
other vaccination options. Pneumonia Vaccines The other important vaccination the CDC recommends to seniors, especially this time of year, are the pneumococcal vaccines for pneumonia. An estimated 900,000 people in the U.S. get pneumococcal pneumonia each year, and it kills around 5,000. This year, the CDC is recommending that all seniors 65 or older get two separate vaccines, which is a change of decades-old advice. The vaccines are Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Previously, only Pneumovax 23 was recommended for seniors. Both vaccines, which are administered just once, work in different ways to provide maximum protection. If you haven’t yet received any pneumococcal vaccine, you should get the Prevnar 13 first, followed by Pneumovax 23 six to 12 months later. But, if you’ve already been vaccinated with Pneumovax 23, you should get Prevnar 13 at least one year later. Medicare currently covers only one pneumococcal vaccine per older adult. If you’re paying out of pocket, you can expect to pay around $50 to $85 for Pneumovax 23 and around $120 to $150 for Prevnar 13. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
Keep Stress in Check during the Holidays The holidays should be a joyous time for family and friends, but they can be stressful if you feel stretched too thin. Don’t let the pressure bring you down. Here are some helpful hints for keeping your stress levels under control during what should be a fun and relaxing time:
Pay attention to your mood. Recognize the signs of stress, such as irritability and anxiety. Avoid these by getting a handle on things instead of just letting them happen.
holiday treats can affect your mood. Sugar overload will make you sluggish, for example, and the stimulating effect of caffeine may make you overanxious.
Set reasonable limits. Allow yourself to say “no.” Be realistic about what you can and cannot do during this busy month.
Exercise. Take a walk or visit the gym regularly. Not only will it combat the extra calories you’re consuming, but you’ll also relieve tension and get some relaxation.
Watch your diet. Overindulging in
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Cousins for Christmas Theodore Rickard he best of Christmases and the high point of the feast day marking the beginning of the Christian era was the year I got the electric train. An electric train has a lot of pieces. And you can take the pieces apart and put them back together in your own fashion, any old way you want to. The next best part of Christmas was cousin-visiting. Here the cousins— almost all male and within a couple years of my own age— became real people, not just the last or next wearer of hand-medown “Sunday best.” They were here in person, kids I could play with, bringing with them the cold-fresh of December into our secondfloor apartment. Gift inspection was the first order of business for visiting cousins. Even before hellos, it was, “Whad-ja-get?”—all one word. Without waiting for a response, this was followed by, “Whad-else-jaget?” The year of the electric train was a triumph of familial snobbery. Questioning never got past the first “whad-ja-get.” Instantly, four cousins were on hands and knees, taking
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everything apart to rearrange it: revising it to anything but the drearily symmetrical layout plotted by Lionel. There was never enough track, of course. There never would be—not for the fledgling empire builders who were already looking down the hall to the dining room, wondering how many pieces and how many Christmases it would take to get there. There was one other Christmas gift that, even among my cousins, would squash the “whad-ja-gets.” If you got an Erector Set, you simply pointed at the box. You tried not to look too superior, acting as though lavish gifts were an everyday thing with you. You might be interrupted by your aunt insisting you try on “at least the jacket” from the Sunday outfit her son had finally outgrown. But the moment was still yours. The Erector Set consisted entirely of parts. Nothing was put together in the first place: hundreds of metal pieces, steel wheels, nuts and bolts—endless possibilities for both construction and eventual dismemberment—and the ruination of hundreds of vacuum cleaners. please see COUSINS page 15
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Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Cool Ideas for the Not-so-Valuables Lori Verderame have been known to say that just because something is old doesn’t mean it is automatically valuable. I have junk in my house, my grandmother had junk in her house … sometimes it’s just older junk. With those sage words of wisdom offered to the masses, here are some creative ideas about what to do with those keepsakes that you just can’t part with but you don’t want to store away in a plastic tub for the rest of your life. Objects that have some value to you on some level but that really won’t make a big difference when it comes to cashing in are the objects that are the topic of this particular column. Repurposing is very popular now. There are more people seeking out antiques and thrift-store items in order to reuse or recycle them than people who just want to collect for collecting’s sake. Be sure you only repurpose those objects that really are not valuable. Of course, you don’t want to repurpose that Chippendale side table or a Picasso drawing, so get it checked out before you move ahead. Once you know that you have a low-value object, consider some creative ideas.
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stick an adhesivePiecing Up the Plates backed magnet to Plates can be among the back of your some of the most plate piece. inexpensive collectibles Some that nearly everyone has damaged or hanging around the chipped plates house, attic, or yard have been sale. Vintage, decorative recycled into a floral plates can be used decorative concrete at parties frame around the and even given away to kids’ sandbox or guests as favors. They Photo courtesy staff of www.DrLoriV.com kiddie pool area. really spruce up a buffet Vintage china or mismatched plates with minor damage are often They will look line, block party, or repurposed. great stuccoed or family get-together. glued Look around your onto wooden birdhouses, grandma’s, aunt’s, and neighbor’s cupboards and see if you can spot any garden jardinieres or birdbaths, plates. I have some chipped yet colorful and trivets. examples from the 1970s hanging around Some folks have used broken plates my cabinets that would be as walkways leading to a garden shed or prime examples for this project. pool house. These are some great ways Some creative craft aficionados to use those damaged and not-sohave taken such plates, broken them valuable floral plates and keep the into pieces, and used them in craft memories, too. projects. Just break the inexpensive plates into 2- to 4-inch pieces and then Picking Up Jewelry use them as you would tiles. Damaged jewelry or fancy buttons— Some of the most popular particularly cheap pieces of costume repurposing objects for old plates jewelry that can no longer be repaired or are refrigerator magnets. Just simply worn—can be reused and made into
really cool art objects. Damaged pieces of costume jewelry can be the source for jewelry pictures by sewing or gluing the broken pieces onto a piece of velvet, felt, or fabric. Then, the textile is framed as you would a collage. Old, broken jewelry or pieces thereof can be made into a brooch, tussy mussy, or brooch bouquet comprised of both fresh flowers and colorful, fakegemstone pins in the shape of flowers. Country music star Miranda Lambert carried a brooch bouquet at her country-themed wedding. It is a cool union of vintage and Victorian, fresh and faux. Some pieces of costume jewelry are valuable, so be sure to check out the value with an appraisal before you start taking apart the jewelry pieces that are still intact. However, the damaged pieces are fair game for you crafters out there. Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori hosts antiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr. Lori is the star appraiser on Discovery channel’s TV show Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, Lori Verderame at Google+, or call (888) 431-1010.
Calendar of Events
York County
York County Department of Parks and Recreation
Programs and Support Groups
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.
Dec. 5, 10:30 a.m. Partners in Thyme Herb Club of Southern York County Meeting Glenview Alliance Church 10037 Susquehanna Trail South, Glen Rock (717) 428-2210
Dec. 5, 6 to 8 p.m. – Hanging of the Greens, Hanover Junction Train Station Dec. 7, 1 to 3:30 p.m. – Natural Ornament Workshop, Nixon Park Dec. 14, 2:30 to 4 p.m. – Animals in Winter Program, Nixon Park
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
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help you get the word out! (717) 285-1350
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Volunteer Spotlight RSVP Commends York County Resident Barbara has been an RSVP of the Capital RSVP volunteer for a year. Region has named She is a true RSVP Barbara Brown as volunteer and is an volunteer of the month example of someone who in York County. helps young students Barbara is a very prepare for the future. enthusiastic volunteer who is an inspiration to Barbara Brown everyone she comes in For more information on volunteer opportunities with contact with. Barbara RSVP, the nation’s largest volunteer volunteers every week as a tutor for program for adults aged 55-plus, email lower-grade students at Stewartstown york_rsvp@rsvpcapreg.org, visit Elementary School. www.rsvcapreg.org, or call RSVP’s York She is giving back to students and County office at (443) 619-3842 or the her community after retiring from statewide Senior Corps of Pennsylvania teaching with more than 30 years of hotline toll-free at (888) 870-2616. experience. 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.
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Are You Reading? Join the 2015 One Book, One Community campaign by reading Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline 85 libraries in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties and their community partners present the regional reading campaign.
Read the book during December and January and attend free library programs and discussions in February!
Visit www.oboc.org or your library to learn more
Thank You,Columnists! 50plus Senior News continues to bring important information as well as entertaining articles to the 50+ community. We at On-Line Publishers would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the editorial contributors of 50plus Senior News: Mike Clark (The Way I See It) Angelo Coniglio (The Search for Our Ancestry) Al Goodman (Beyond the Battlefield ) Andrea Gross (Traveltizers) John Johnston (Social Security News) Dr. Lori (Art and Antiques) Gloria May (NurseNews) Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature) Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior)
It is through the varied interests and considerable talents of our contributors and freelance writers that such a range of informative and entertaining content is available to read each month. The pages of 50plus Senior News are enriched by your contributions.
Victor Parachin (Fragments of History) Saralee Perel (Such is Life) Dr. Leonard Perry (The Green Mountain Gardener) Ted Rickard (The Squint-Eyed Senior) Sy Rosen (Older But Not Wiser) Walt Sonneville (My 22 Cents’ Worth) Nick Thomas (Tinseltown Talks) Robert Wilcox (Salute to a Veteran) Judith Zausner (Creativity Matters)
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Traveltizers
Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel
Niagara Falls’ New Year’s Bash By Andrea Gross ’m half-submerged in a luxurious whirlpool tub, sipping from a glass of sweet ice wine and looking out the window at the cascading waters of Horseshoe Falls, the largest of the three falls that make up Niagara Falls. Over there, in the distance, is the United States. Here, at the Radisson Hotel, is Canada. Divided in part by the Niagara River, the two countries share the falls, with Horseshoe on the Canadian side and American and Bridal Veil falls technically in the United States, although better viewed from Canada. They’re not the tallest falls in the world, but they’re among the most powerful, and tonight, illuminated in festive colors, they’re surely the most beautiful. Waterfalls, wine, and a whirlpool tub—could there be a more glorious way to spend New Year’s Eve? I think not, but a party is waiting outside—not just any
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16th Annual
Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls. From left, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls.
Horseshoe Falls is wider than seven football fields, and as the water drops the distance of a 13-story building, it creates an explosion of mist.
party, but one of the grandest in Canada and the only one that’s televised from coast to coast. In short, “It’s Canada’s answer to Times Square,” says Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati.
16th Annual
DAUPHIN COUNTY
LANCASTER COUNTY
April 2, 2015
May 14, 2015
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey
12th Annual
CHESTER COUNTY
Date and location to be determined Please watch website for updates!
My husband and I don our parkas— December weather in Niagara typically ranges from the low 20s to the mid30s—and set out for Queen Victoria Park. It’s not far from the hotel, and as we
walk along the path bordering the falls, we’re surrounded by trees sparkling with more than a million lights and more than 100 illuminated displays representing everything from Noah’s ark and an Inuit kayak to humongous Canadian and United States flags. By the time we arrive at the park, music is blaring from the stage, and the place is packed with revelers. Off to the side, the Skylon Tower rises 775 feet above the falls. The circular top, which resembles a space station, is aglow with lights, and the exterior glass-enclosed elevator, called the “Yellow Bug,” streaks up and down, ferrying visitors to and from the revolving dining room and observation deck at the top. The countdown begins shortly before midnight. Eight, seven, six … one! The Yellow Bug zooms to the top, fireworks explode from the tower, and the crowd roars. Then, led by the performers on stage, everyone begins singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Millersville University Marauder Court 21 South George Street Millersville
Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars • Demonstrations • Entertainment • Door Prizes Limited Sponsorship Opportunities Available
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It’s almost 1 a.m. when we head back to the Radisson, and we have to run to catch the Falls Incline Railway before it closes. This saves us the uphill hike from the street-level park to the Fallsview Tourist Area, where the hotels, casino, eateries, and shops are located. We arrive in our room chilled but thrilled, ready to start the new year. The next day we explore more of Niagara’s winter offerings. After walking farther along the 3-mile illumination route, we warm up amongst the poinsettias and Christmas cacti at the Floral Showhouse and then make our way to Journey Behind the Falls, an attraction that helps us truly appreciate the size and splendor of Niagara. Dressed in waterproof ponchos (distributed free at the entrance), we slosh through tunnels to emerge 13 stories below ground level at the point where Horseshoe Falls crashes into the Lower Niagara River. We’re showered with mist as the equivalent of more than 1 million bathtubs full of water rush over the falls every hour, traveling at a speed of 25 mph. (During the winter, the lower observation deck is closed, but there’s drama and moisture aplenty on the upper deck.)
Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission
Photo courtesy of Winter Festival of Lights
The Falls are illuminated at night, adding to the festive air of the holiday season.
Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights features a Christmas Tree Walk that extends more than 3 miles.
Photo courtesy of Winter Festival of Lights
Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission
Fireworks mark the coming of the New Year during Niagara’s New Year’s Eve bash.
Although it’s possible to see all three falls from the ground-level walkway, we take a helicopter ride in order to better understand the area’s geography. From up
A three-story-tall illuminated flag of Canada welcomes folks from the United States, who make up half of the 11 million travelers who visit Niagara each year.
high we can see how the Niagara River, which begins in Lake Erie and flows north into Lake Ontario, divides as it circles around Goat Island.
The southern side plummets over a cliff to form Horseshoe Falls, while the northern side leads to American Falls and Bridal Veil Falls. These two smaller falls are, in turn, separated from each other by the much smaller landmass of Luna Island. Finally, since the Niagara Peninsula is one of the top ice-wine-producing regions in the world, we visit Inniskillin Estate Winery, an award-winning producer of the luxury wine. We see the vineyards, where harvesting of the frozen grapes has just begun; watch a video of the production process; and sample three different types of ice wine: Riesling, Cabernet Franc, and Sparkling. We can’t agree on which one we like best, so we splurge on mini-bottles of each. If we can’t make it back to Niagara next year, at least we’ll be able to celebrate at home—but it won’t be the same without the whirlpool tub and the magnificent view of the falls. If you go: Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights runs through Jan. 12, 2015. www.niagaraparks.com www.radisson.com/niagarafalls.ca Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).
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Salute to a Veteran
Churchill Told Her How Sorry He Was to Learn of FDR’s Death Robert D. Wilcox eraldine (Jeri) Kopf was a native of Central Pennsylvania who kept herself in shape through her love of playing sports. So, when the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was formed in World War II, she felt ready to enlist in September 1943 and serve her country. The fact that she had a strong background in stenography didn’t hurt. Having women in the Army was very controversial at the time. But she was determined to go. And she was soon on her way to basic training at Daytona Beach, Fla. Did she have a tough time in basic? “No, not at all,” she laughs. “They gave us the same training they gave the guys, and because of all the sports I had played, I was ready for it. I enjoyed every minute of it.” She was then sent to MacDill Field in Tampa and was assigned to Headquarters Company, where she handled public relations for the base. “At MacDill, pilots were being trained to fly the B-26 medium bomber,” she says. “It was such an unstable plane that an unbelievable number of planes were being lost. In one 30-day training period, 15 planes crashed, leading to the catchphrase: ‘A plane a day in Tampa Bay.’” Fortunately, they soon solved that by adding 6 feet of wingspan and upgrading the engines. “The other big excitement,” she says, “was meeting Don Scott, who was to
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become my future “Where messages husband. He was a were to be encoded, I member of the base arranged that through band who played all the the Signal Corps. And I instruments, as needed. kept copies of He also had a everything that was said wonderful voice and by anyone and decided was gifted with perfect for action. Later I saw pitch. that copies were then “We got engaged sent to each general in before I shipped out to the meeting.” the Pentagon, and he How did she get went to the Pacific, selected for such an where he and the band important post? played at bases “I haven’t the slightest throughout the Pacific. idea,” she says. “But you “At the Pentagon, I know the Army. They was astonished to be don’t explain what they put in charge of the do. They tell you what Overseas Conference you’re going to do, and st Pvt. 1 Class Geraldine Kopf at Room, where I worked you just do it.” MacDill Field, Tampa, in 1943. daily with the Army What about that call Chief of Staff, General from Winston of the Army George C. Churchill, when he Marshall and later with General of the shared his condolences over President Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, when he Roosevelt’s passing? Did she expect to be became Army chief of staff. talking with a famous man like that? “Officially, the Overseas Conference With a little smile, she says, “Not Room didn’t exist, because everything really, but most of the people I talked that went in there was absolutely top with regularly were among our most secret. important generals and admirals. And “The room had a thick carpet of deep when the prime minister called, I red with a massive mahogany table and enjoyed only a few words with him maps of military facilities around the before passing him on to General world lining the walls. My job was to see Marshall.” that the room was kept in perfect shape By January 1946, she was a sergeant, and to manage all contacts with senior and her hitch was over. All WACs were officers around the world. asked to reenlist, but she and her fiancé
were discharged on the same day, Jan. 18, 1946, and shortly thereafter were married. She became Mrs. Geraldine (Jeri) Scott and embarked on a wonderful 58 years of married life. The Scotts settled down to live in Central Pennsylvania. And she immersed herself in a wide range of community activities. One close to her heart was serving as executive director of the local chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society. There, she came up with the idea of a Readathon, during which children would “solve the mystery of MS” by reading books for credit. WGAL-TV filmed the skit through which the program was presented to the local children. That film was sent to the national MS headquarters, who found the film so inspiring that they adopted the Readathon as a national program, sending copies of the film to MS chapters across the U.S. In addition to all her other activities in the community, in 1991 Scott started an art gallery that she still runs today. However, when asked what she thinks today about having actually talked with Winston Churchill so many years ago, she says with a grin, “At that time, I didn’t think of it as something so different from what I did every day. But now I more strongly think of it as a remembrance to be truly cherished.” Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
Thank You, Volunteers! On-Line Publishers, Inc. and 50plus Senior News would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of the individual and senior group volunteers who donated their time and efforts at our 2014 50plus EXPOs and the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fair. Because of your assistance, we were able to bring the contents and the mission of 50plus Senior News to life for the residents of Central Pennsylvania!
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CROSSWORD
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 14
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50. Intelligence group inits. 52. Information 54. Windows, for one 62. Old casino game 63. Attempts 64. Hack 65. Move, as a stream 66. Mother-of-pearl 67. Ireland 68. Sharp curve 69. Aerie 70. Value
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Kitchen appliance Lawn tools Memo abbr. Resource Disconnected Wan God of love Persia Gracious E. Ireland village Egress Explosive device
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Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes Bethany Village — MapleWood
Lakeview at Tel Hai Retirement Community
325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org
1200 Tel Hai Circle • Honey Brook, PA 19344 610-273-4602 • www.telhai.org
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: Yes Private: 100 Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom suites; secured memory support neighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Come discover a wonderful, faith-based community that has been voted No. 1 retirement community by readers of the Daily Local newspaper!
Colonial Lodge Community
Longwood Manor Personal Care & Memory Care
2015 North Reading Road • Denver, PA 17519 717-336-5501 • www.coloniallodgepa.com
2760 Maytown Road • Maytown, PA 17550 717-426-0033 • www.longwoodassisted.com
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 70 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 144 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes* Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: No Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: No
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *SSI depends on availability. A veteran-approved “home for heroes” facility, all in a beautiful, rural setting.
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Beautiful, homelike environment nestled in the heartland of Lancaster County. Specializing in memory support. *One-time community fee only.
Homeland Center
Mennonite Home Communities
1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org
1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 717-393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 50 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 150 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Exemplary care in a caring, beautiful environment has been provided for more than 140 years. Our continuum includes a hospice program.
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Supportive, encouraging environment. Various room types and suites available. Secure memory care offered.
Homewood at Plum Creek
The Middletown Home
425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewood.com
999 West Harrisburg Pike • Middletown, PA 17057 717-944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 98 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 64 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Excellent care in a lovely environment. Call to schedule a visit.
Serving from the Heart in the Spirit of Friendship, Love, and Truth
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Beautifully appointed apartments overlooking the garden terrace with the safety and security of 24-hour nursing care.
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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Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes Pleasant View Retirement Community
St. Anne’s Retirement Community
544 North Penryn Road • Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445 • www.pleasantviewrc.org
3952 Columbia Avenue West Hempfield Township, PA 17512 717-285-6112 • www.stannesrc.org
Total AL and/or PC Beds: 96 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *Three-year private pay spending. Maintain independence in an enriching and supportive environment; now offering respite stays.
Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Minimal Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: No Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Pending Approval Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Select rooms currently available! Call for details.
Quarryville Presbyterian Retirement Community 625 Robert Fulton Highway • Quarryville, PA 17566 717-786-7321• 888-786-7331 • www.quarryville.com Total AL and/or PC Beds: 45 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes
Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: No Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Quarryville assists in maintaining independence and preserving dignity in a safe and secure environment.
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.
Health Matters
Make the Holidays a Little Brighter: Visit a Care Facility Lisa M. Petsche f you are planning to visit a relative or friend in a nursing home over the holidays, follow these suggestions to help ensure positive interactions.
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General Tips • Call ahead to the unit where the person resides to find out the best time of day to visit. Plan to visit when you are not rushed for time. • Bring something with you: flowers and a vase, a photo album, a magazine or newspaper, a guestbook for visitors to sign, a favorite music CD, or a special food treat. (Check first with staff whether the person has any diet restrictions.) • Position yourself at eye level, face to face. Ensure you are close enough and speaking loudly enough that the person www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
can adequately see and hear you. • Actively listen to what the person has to tell you. Express interest in their daily activities, and allow them to vent their feelings about their situation. • Encourage reminiscing (“Remember when …?”) This stimulates the mind and evokes pleasant feelings. • Tell some jokes or a funny true story, or bring in a humorous video to watch together. • If conversation is difficult or impossible, share news about family, friends, and current events; read aloud; or listen to music together. Sit in the lobby and people-watch. And learn to become comfortable with silence.
• Check the recreational activities schedule for special events, and accompany the person you visit to one of them. • Telephone between visits if you can’t get in as often as you’d like.
• Play a card game or board game. • Play a musical instrument. • Fill out forms, such as weekly menus, together. • Write or tape a family history.
Ideas for Activities • Watch home movies or rent a favorite movie—perhaps a holiday classic.
• Make a family collage out of photos.
• Decorate the room: bring in pictures, a calendar, a sun-catcher for the window, a plant, special knickknacks, or a seasonal decoration.
• Give a hand or foot massage.
• Share a project, such as sorting through family photos. Look through picture books or albums that reflect past interests. • Write a letter to someone special.
• Give a manicure, apply makeup, or set hair. • Bring your pet in to visit (find out the facility’s policy first). • Bring children or grandchildren with you. Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker and freelance writer specializing in eldercare issues.
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TREASURE
from page 1
because I eventually got him into it, too.” Leh began to study antiques, learning from older people he’d meet at the flea markets who would show him what to look for and what wasn’t worth it. From there, he gained an interest in blue-decorated stoneware, which he found more interesting than bottles, as each was handmade and uniquely decorated. “I learned at some point that diversity is good,” he said. “I got into all avenues of antiquing, buying painted furniture, iron, glass, pottery, oil paintings, baskets, and china.” While he works full-time as a salesman estimator, Leh has filled his weekends running to different auctions. He still loves variety, but he keeps a sharp eye out for his favorite blue crocks. He looks for ones with special decorations. Tulips and other floral designs are most common, with fruit falling as a close second and birds as a third. The rarest finds have moons, cats, or dogs. Leh has close to 100 crocks in his personal collection and said he can’t even begin to count the bottles. No matter how many he gets, he keeps his finds local, preferably from York, Lancaster,
Dauphin, and affair. His father Cumberland counties. bought a home in His fascination upstate New York that with history pushed was built in 1894, and him to sell his together, they Shiremanstown home decorated it with and move to Dover, period items that fit York County, in the theme of the September. He now home. Leh acquired this local farm table houses his treasures in Over the years, his (circa 1820) in summer 2014. a 1798 stone house father’s collection grew built by Thomas and he started selling Pettit, the son of a things with his son, York County founder. sharing a booth at a The architecture is local antique mart. unparalleled, Leh said. Soon, they had two There are seven booths and eventually fireplaces, thick three. The younger Back row, from left, Gaudy Dutch cup window boxes, and Leh no longer has a and plate, Rabbitware plate, Leeds original chair rails and booth, but his father plate. Center, from left, eagle butter still runs one out of hardwood floors print, pewter master salt, seated through the home. Easton, Pa. Redware dog, and cow butter print. Situated along the A lot of the Conewago Creek, the antiques Leh tries to house was added to the National Register sell are higher-end items that can sit too of Historic Places in 1983. long at a local market. He finds better “I just love history,” he said. “It makes luck sending those to auctions. perfect sense for me to have a place like Visiting one is an experience, he said. this to fill with the items I am so “It’s the people, it’s the food, it’s the fascinated with.” trip,” he said. “There’s not an auction I While antiques became a huge part of don’t go to where I don’t know people.” Leh’s life, he slowly made it a family Although antiquing can be expensive,
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it doesn’t have to be, Leh said. He’s bought many things for more than $10,000, including a Lancaster County farm table he bought this summer. But there are a variety of levels at which people can get involved, he added. Every year he goes to the Baltimore Bottle Show, where he sees many kids getting started at the same age he did. Some of them walk in with $5 and leave with 10 bottles, ready to start a collection they can build on. Many of them can even specialize in certain bottles, such as medicine bottles, or soda and beer bottles. “My problem was I specialized in everything,” he said, laughing. Leh also finds value, not necessarily in the expensive items, but in the ones that are the most unusual. “What they were, wherever they came from, what they were used for—those stories are what interest me,” Leh said. Early Pennsylvania settlers brought a little bit of nature into their own homes, he said, painting furniture, pottery, and other decorations. “Those are some of my favorite items,” he said. “At one point, they were all close to someone’s heart. And I like to think I can appreciate them now.”
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COUSINS
from page 5
(My Aunt Ella used to claim that the Erector Set people were subsidized by the Hoover people. But then, Aunt Ella also claimed that opening an umbrella indoors made the roof leak, and one rainy spring she turned out to be right about that.) One year, a cousin we visited got an Irish Mail. This was a sidewalk vehicle that you steered with your feet and propelled by working a handlebar back and forth. It was really a neat machine, and once you got the rhythm of it, you could work up some real speed—plenty enough to become a pedestrian hazard and get yelled at. But the Irish Mail was expensive and thus unheard of in his neighborhood, so it simply had to be “dorky,” which meant it was soon abandoned and left in a dark corner of the cousin’s basement. It was a gift from the other side of the family: an uncle by marriage who lived in a swell apartment building that didn’t allow kids. There was a super-deluxe model of the Erector Set that actually had a miniature steam engine with it. None of us cousins had one, but there was an only child named Arnold who lived in a
first-floor apartment down the block who did. The engine would have made a lot of friends for Arnold, who could have used some help in that department, since he not only had steel-rimmed glasses but wore braces, too. But his mother wouldn’t let anybody play with it because it was too dangerous. So we kept pushing Arnold into snow banks or bushes for all the next year until he and his steam engine finally moved to the suburbs. Eventually, the cousins went separate ways. Some uncles became prosperous and relocated to airier neighborhoods. Today, the children of the cousins and the cousins of the cousins don’t even know one another. Which is a pity, really. If all the cousins chipped in, we could get the extra track for the train and the Erector Set with the miniature steam engine. Then we’d get together again and make all those nifty things that are pictured on the lids of the boxes. A collection of Ted Rickard’s family-fun essays is titled Anything Worth Knowing I Learned from the Grandkids. It is now available in paperback on Amazon.com.
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