Lebanon County 50plus Senior News February 2014

Dan Tepsic seated in the meeting place of the Great Books Discussion Group.

Salute to a Veteran:

Gene George

page 4

How to Guard Against

Wintertime Heart Attacks

page 6

Inside:

By Chelsea Peifer

The moment you finish a great book is the moment you want to tellsomeone about what you read.

Certain books stir questions and create a desire for discussion. But afterhigh school and college, many people lose the groups and resources theypreviously had at their disposal to share about what they are reading.

Book clubs can be a good fit for some readers, but a club tailored to deepdiscussion is something of a treasure these days.

For the last five years, Dan Tepsic has had the privilege of coordinatingthe Great Books Discussion Group at his local library.

“It’s an opportunity to read all of the great thinkers in the past,” explainedTepsic. “You get to read a vast selection, including economics, classicliterature, poetry, politics, and religion.

“You realize after reading all of these things that while the context haschanged, human nature has not,” he said.

The themes in historical literature are the same themes found in storiestold and written in the present time. Group discussions commonly return totimeless themes of reality versus imagination, lust for greed, and so forth.

Discussion Group Coordinator SeesWorld through Great Writers, Travel

Expanding Minds,Broadening

Horizons

please see HORIZONS page 13

Lebanon County Edition February 2014 Vol. 9 No. 2

On New Year’s Eve 1913, a 12-year-old boy celebrated thenight by firing his mother’s .38

caliber pistol. He was arrested and sentto the Negro Waifs Home for 18months.

What could have been a devastatingexperiencing for a young boy proved tobe an auspicious, life-changing time. Thejuvenile home had a band master whotook an interest in the boy, giving him abugle and teaching him to play.

Louis Armstrong fell in love with theinstrument, learned to read music, and,before a year ended, was playing thecornet while leading the home’s brassband.

Though the introduction to musicwas important, perhaps as vital was thesense of discipline he picked up andcarried with him for the rest of his life.

When Armstrong was released fromthe Negro Waifs Home in 1915, he

wasn’t old enough to work with a band,so he earned money from a variety ofsources: delivering coal and beer, sellingbananas,peddlingnewspapers,deliveringmilk, andforaging ingarbage cansfor food tobring homeor sell torestaurants.

Saving asmany penniesas he could,Armstrongbegan to taketrumpetlessons from Joe “King” Oliver, theoutstanding exponent of jazz in the NewOrleans area.

By age 16, Armstrong and his hornwere inseparable, and he was playingnightly. Within five years, he glided

through thetiers of musicalestablishments,movingthroughnightclubs andriverboats tobecome one ofthe top brassmusicians inthe area.

Then, in1922, histeacher andmentor, Oliver,invitedArmstrong to

join his Creole Jazz Band in Chicago.Though he spent less than two years withOliver, the time was a huge boost toArmstrong’s morale and provided himwith greater experiences in publicperformance. During this time heswitched from the cornet to the trumpet.

Additionally, while playing withOliver, Armstrong met and married hissecond wife, Lil Hardin, who convincedhim to form his own band and to startmaking phonograph records.

In 1925, Armstrong learned thatChicago’s Okeh Records wanted toassemble a small combo of New Orleanstransplants to record jazz, and Armstronginvited a few friends to join him incutting some records.

That group—called the Hot Five andlater the Hot Seven—revolutionized jazz.Armstrong and his group developed themelodic, rhythmic style that all the bigbands of the 1930s and 1940s wouldadopt.

He brought swing dancing to theworld, and the world loved him inreturn. Armstrong became the first blackcrossover musician, whose musicappealed widely to black and whiteaudiences.

He also brought scat singing intoexistence. Armstrong created scat duringa recording session for the Okeh. Afterdropping his sheet music by accident, hehad to improvise vocally until therecording director returned the sheets tohim. As a result, Armstrong’s rasping,

gravelly voice would eventually becomeas famous as the luxurious sound of histrumpet.

In 1932 Armstrong made his firstEuropean tour; it was wildly successful,with Europeans gladly embracing hisebullient personality, talent, and naturalpublic charm.

It was during that European tour thathe acquired the nickname “Satchmo”because a London music writer named P.Mathison Brooks inadvertently garbledhis original nickname of “Satchelmouth,”which was given to him because of thesize of his lips and teeth and the hugebellows his cheeks made when he played.

As Armstrong became better andbetter known, an illustration of his lipsand teeth on a billboard were enough toannounce one of his comingperformances.

As his musical fame and reputationexpanded, so did his opportunities.Armstrong began appearing in moviesand Broadway shows and made guestappearances on various television showsduring the 1960s.

In 1964 his recording of “Hello,Dolly” became a huge hit, selling2,000,000 copies and displacing TheBeatles from the top of the hit list ofbestselling records.

Though Armstrong was not on thefrontlines of the civil rights movement,in his own way he tried to make acontribution.

“There has always been amisunderstanding of Armstrong and hisunbelievable courage,” says filmmakerKen Burns. “Here he was, refusing to goon a goodwill tour at the height of theCold War, and people like Sammy DavisJr. and Adam Clayton Powell denouncedhim.

“You have this guy considered athrowback showing courage few African-American entertainers were willing to doat the time.”

Louis Armstrong died of heart failureJuly 6, 1971, at his home in Corona, N.Y.The house is now maintained by QueensCollege as the Louis Armstrong Archives.

Very few people have ever risen as farin life as did Louis Armstrong. Beginningat the very bottom of American society,he emerged to become one of the mostfamous entertainers in the world.

The Man Who Taught

the World to Sing and Swing

Fragments of History

Victor Parachin

African-American History Month

February is

2 February 2014 50plus SeniorNews www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews February 2014 3

Poison Control Center(800) 222-1222

Food & Clothing Bank(717) 274-2490

Food Stamps(800) 692-7462

Hope/Christian Ministries(717) 272-4400

Lebanon County Area Agency on AgingMeals on Wheels(717) 273-9262

Salvation Army(717) 273-2655

Alzheimer’s Association(717) 651-5020

American Cancer Society(717) 231-4582

American Diabetes Association(717) 657-4310

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association(717) 207-4265

American Lung Association(717) 541-5864

Arthritis Foundation(717) 274-0754

Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services(717) 787-7500

CONTACT Helpline(717) 652-4400

Kidney Foundation(717) 652-8123

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(717) 652-6520

Lupus Foundation(888) 215-8787

Hearing & Ear Care Center, LLC200 Schneider Drive, Suite 1, Lebanon(717) 274-3851

Melnick, Moffitt, and Mesaros927 Russell Drive, Lebanon(717) 274-9775

Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hardof Hearing(800) 233-3008 V/TTY

Good Samaritan Hospital252 S. Fourth St., Lebanon(717) 270-7500

Medical Society of Lebanon County(717) 270-7500

Energy Assistance(800) 692-7462

Environmental Protection AgencyEmergency Hotline(800) 541-2050

IRS Income Tax Assistance(800) 829-1040

Medicaid(800) 692-7462

Medicare(800) 382-1274

PA Crime Stoppers(800) 472-8477

PennDOT(800) 932-4600

Recycling(800) 346-4242

Social Security Information(800) 772-1213

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs(800) 827-1000

Hope (Helping Our People inEmergencies)(717) 272-4400

Housing Assistance & Resources Program(HARP)(717) 273-9328

Lebanon County Housing &Redevelopment Authorities(717) 274-1401

Medicare Hotline(800) 638-6833

Pennsylvania Bar Association(717) 238-6715

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging(717) 273-9262

CVS/pharmacywww.cvs.com

StoneRidge Retirement Living(717) 866-3204

Annville Senior Community Center(717) 867-1796

Maple Street Senior Community Center(717) 273-1048

Myerstown Senior Community Center(717) 866-6786

Northern Lebanon County SeniorCommunity Center(717) 865-0944

Palmyra Senior Community Center(717) 838-8237

Senior Center of Lebanon Valley(717) 274-3451

Southern Lebanon County SeniorCommunity Center(717) 274-7541

Governor’s Veterans Outreach(717) 234-1681

Lebanon VA Medical Center1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon(717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771

Veterans Services

Senior Centers

Retirement Communities

Pharmacies

Office of Aging

Legal Services

Insurance

Housing Assistance

Hotlines

Hospitals

Hearing Services

Health & Medical Services

Food Resources

Emergency Numbers

Resource DirectoryThis Resource Directory recognizes advertisers

who have made an extended commitmentto your health and well-being.

Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.

Name: _______________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________

City:__________________________State: _____ Zip: _________________

Please specify edition:Chester Cumberland Dauphin Lancaster Lebanon York

You can have 50 plus Senior Newsdelivered right to your home!

Simply mail this form and $15 for an annual subscription to: 50 plus Senior News • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512Or, subscribe online at www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com!


50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc.and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirementcommunities, 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 ofadvertisements for products or services does not constitute anendorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will notbe responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within fivedays of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reviseor reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may bereproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.

We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information notin compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State lawsor other local laws.

Corporate Office:3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360Chester County:610.675.6240

Cumberland County/Dauphin County:717.770.0140

Berks County/Lancaster County/Lebanon County/York County:

717.285.1350E-mail address:

[email protected] address:

www.onlinepub.com

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERDonna K. Anderson

EDITORIALVICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING EDITOR

Christianne RuppEDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS

Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENTPROJECT COORDINATOR

Renee McWilliamsPRODUCTION ARTIST

Janys Cuffe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Jill HublerAngie McComsey Jacoby

Susan KriegerRanee Shaub Miller

Sue RughSALES & EVENT COORDINATOR

Eileen CulpEVENTS MANAGER

Kimberly Shaffer

CIRCULATIONPROJECT COORDINATOR

Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATIONBUSINESS MANAGER

Elizabeth Duvall

Winner

Member of

Awards

When Gene George was inhigh school inWatertown, Mass., in the

early 1940s, nobody had ever heardof a nuclear bomb. The fact that wewere secretly working to develop onewas perhaps the best-kept secret ofWorld War II.

But for George, those werecarefree days, with thegreatest challenge being toplay the saxophone in hishigh school’s marching bandand playing in a small combothat performed weekends at aChinese restaurant.

When he graduated fromWatertown High School in1942, however, the draft wasin full swing. And inSeptember 1942, he wasdrafted.

A friend had told him ofthe wonders of service in the CoastGuard, so he thought he’d give thata try. But problems with his teethcaused the Coast Guard to turn himdown.

The best they could offer himwas to suggest he try the Navy.When he did, he found that theNavy was glad to have him.

Soon he was on his way toSampson Naval Training Base inNew York state, a huge, 2,500-acrebase where more than 400,000 menwere to train during the war. Georgewas part of a company that wasassigned to KP (kitchen police).

Remarkably, the Navy chief whowas assigning men to specific jobswas Bob Daughters, who had playedsecond base for the Boston Red Sox.More importantly, he had been oneof the men to whom George hadsold newspapers as a high schooler.

So they were old friends, and thatled to George’s being assigned to acushy job in the “broom closet,” asthe guy who passed out the broomsand mops rather then the guy whohad to wield them.

After basic, he trained at theNaval Medical Corps School inPortsmouth, Va., where he studiedanatomy and first aid, learning togive shots and bandage wounds.

And that led to an assignment at thenaval hospital in Portsmouth, wherehe served in the orthopedic ward.

“I made a lot of lifelong friendsthere,” he says. “The head corpsmanthere was my best man when Imarried.”

His next assignment was to theUSS Sanctuary, a brand-newhospital ship that was headed for thePacific. He says he was in theBrooklyn Navy Yard, helping to loadsupplies for the ship, when alieutenant asked him if he couldform a band to perform on the ship.

How did he even know thatGeorge was a musician?

“I don’t know,” George says. “I

suppose he spotted my saxophonethat I carried with me. In any case, Irounded up a talented 17-membergroup, some of whom had playedwith the big bands. The drummer,for example, had played with GlennMiller and was a good friend of

Glenn’s.”The Sanctuary passed

through the Panama Canaland arrived in Hawaii fourdays before the surrenderof the Japanese on Sept. 2,1945.

“We then sailed toNagasaki, Japan,” he says.“Our band played everynight on the promenadedeck before the movieswere shown. In Nagasaki, Iremember that we playedat an afternoon tea at theConsulate.

“I looked out the windows of theConsulate and saw everythingsimply flattened, from theMitsubishi Aircraft Factory to therest of Nagasaki. Everything was justa wasteland. The blast went northand south and, for some reason, notso much east and west where thecamps holding American POWswere.

“We picked up sick, injured, andambulatory cases to bring themhome. I remember that the captainwho was our chief medical officertold our skipper that we had roomfor 1,100. The skipper, who wasonly a commander, said flatly, ‘We’retaking them until they quit coming.’And we left for San Francisco with1,176 aboard from six differentPOW camps.

“On the way, we were hit with atyphoon, and I have to say that Iwould never want to do that again.We had two destroyer escorts, andthey tucked in close behind us so wecould break the mountainous wavesand prevent their taking water downtheir stacks and sending them to thebottom.

“We were doing 21 knots, andthe waves were coming at 22, so wewere barely holding our own. Ibelieve I might have been the only

He Saw Up Close the Havoc from the

A-bombs on Nagasaki and Bikini Atoll

Robert D. Wilcox

Salute to a Veteran

The band put together by Charles E. (Gene) George(second from right, first row).

Gene George in 2003 while servingin a local honor guard.


Spacious Apartments1BR 840 Sq. Ft., 2BR 1050 Sq. Ft, 3 BR 1200 Sq. Ft.

Please call 717-273-8559 for more information.Summit Square Apartments • 1201 W. Crestview Dr., Lebanon

Rent includes gas for heating andcooking, sewer, and trash. Centralheat and air. Laundry in each building.Maintenance free. Close to a shoppingcenter, resident manager on premise,24-hour maintenance. Near Hersheyand VA Hospital. Large dog park.

DAUPHIN COUNTY

May 27, 20149 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hershey Lodge

325 University Drive

Hershey

15th Annual

CHESTER COUNTY

June 10, 20149 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Church Farm School

1001 East Lincoln Highway

Exton

11th Annual

15th Annual 26th Annual• Exhibitors •

• Health Screenings •

• Seminars •

• Entertainment •

• Door Prizes •

www.50plusExpoPA.com

(717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140(610) 675-6240

Limited SponsorshipOpportunities Available

&

May 5, 20149 a.m. – 3 p.m.

May 5–9, 2014

Two of your favorite events, together!

FREE!

FREE! FREE!

Please join usfor these events!

NEWLOCATION!

Spooky Nook Sports2913 Spooky Nook Road, Manheim

(Just off Rt. 283 at the Salunga exit)

Lancaster

CelebratesSeniors

Are You Reading?Join the 2014 One Book, One Community campaign by reading

The Worst Hard Time by Timothy Egan

85 libraries in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster,Lebanon, Perry, and York counties and theircommunity partners present the regionalreading campaign:

Visit www.oboc.orgor your library to learn more

© Sophie Egan

GGeett aa ccooppyy aattyyoouurr llooccaall lliibbrraarryyoorr aarreeaa bbooookksseelllleerr

one on our ship who wasn’t sick duringthat blow.”

George later was assigned to the trooptransport ship, the USS Wharton, whenit sailed in the spring of 1946 to takeobservers to the Bikini Atoll for the firstnuclear bomb tests since Nagasaki.

The Navy needed to investigate theeffect of nuclear weapons on naval ships.One bomb named Abel was detonated at500 feet above the atoll, and anothernamed Baker was detonated 90 feetunder water. Each was the equivalent of23 kilotons of TNT, and the radiationcontaminated all the target ships.

Wasn’t George concerned about theeffects of the radiation?

“Not then,” he says. “It was a question

of ‘ignorance is bliss.’ None of us knewanything about what radiation could do.”

And did he have any effect from it? “Well,” he answers with a shrug, “I’m

anemic, and that might have hadsomething to do with that.”

George retired from the Navy in July1963 as a chief hospital corpsman. Incivilian life, he worked as safety officer atthe Naval Supply Depot inMechanicsburg and is proud of havinglong served in his local honor guard,which honors our fallen heroes.

He now lives in an area retirementcommunity—and still fits in his WorldWar II uniform.

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber inEurope in World War II.

Some Facts about Groundhogs

In honor of Groundhog Day on Feb.2, here are a few fun facts aboutgroundhogs gleaned from the official siteof the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club(www.groundhog.org), which celebratesthe world’s most famous groundhog,Punxsutawney Phil:

• The averagegroundhog is 20inches long andnormally weighs from12 to 15 pounds.(Punxsutawney Philweighs about 20pounds and is 22inches long.)

• Groundhogs arecovered with coarsegrayish hairs (fur)tipped with brown orsometimes dull red. They have short ears,a short tail, short legs, and aresurprisingly quick. Their jaws areexceptionally strong.

• A groundhog’s diet consists of lots ofgreens, fruits, and vegetables and verylittle water. Most of their liquids comefrom dew on leaves.

• A groundhog can whistle when it isalarmed. Groundhogs also whistle in thespring when they begin courting.

• Insects do not bother groundhogs, andgerms pretty much leave them alone.They are resistant to the plagues thatperiodically wipe out large numbers ofwild animals. One reason for this is theircleanliness.

• Groundhogs areone of the fewanimals that reallyhibernate.Hibernation is notjust a deep sleep. Itis actually a deepcoma, where thebody temperaturedrops to a fewdegrees abovefreezing, the heartbarely beats, theblood scarcely flows,

and breathing nearly stops.

• Young groundhogs are usually born inmid-April or May, and by July they areable to go out on their own. The size ofthe litter is four to nine. A babygroundhog is called a kit or a cub.

• A groundhog’s lifespan is normally sixto eight years. Phil receives a drink of amagical punch every summer during theannual Groundhog Picnic, which is saidto give him seven more years of life.

Never Miss Another Issue!Subscribe online at

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com


Dear Savvy Senior,When I had a mild heart attack about

six months ago, my doctor told me I neededto be extra careful during the winter whenrecurring heart attacks are more common. Isthis true? How can the seasons affect yourheart? – Leery Senior

Dear Leery,Everyone knows winter is cold and flu

season, but most people don’t know thatit’s also the prime season for heart attackstoo, especially if you already have heartdisease or have suffered a previous heart

attack. Here’s

what youshould know,along withsome tips tohelp youprotectyourself.

Heart AttackSeason

In theU.S., the risk

of having aheart attackduring thewinter monthsis twice as highas it is duringthe summer-time. Why?

There are anumber offactors, andthey’re not alllinked to coldweather. Even

people who live in warm climates have anincreased risk. Here are the areas youneed to pay extra attention to this winter.

• Cold temperatures: When a persongets cold, the body responds byconstricting the blood vessels to help thebody maintain heat. This causes bloodpressure to go up and makes the heartwork harder.

Cold temperatures can also increaselevels of certain proteins that can thickenthe blood and increase the risk for bloodclots.

How to Guard Against Wintertime Heart Attacks

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

February isAmerican Heart

Month

The listings with a shaded background have additional informationabout their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

CCRCs offer a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ unique and often changing needs.

Healthy adults entering a CRCC are able to live independently in a home, apartment, or condominium of their own withinthe community. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can move into personal care, assisted living,rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities. Some CCRCs have designated dementia areas within the community. These unitsaddress the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia.

With a wealth of available resources, these communities give older adults the option to live in one location for the durationof their lives, with much of their future care already figured out — which equals both comfort and peace of mind.

The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.

CCRCContinuing Care


Bethany Village325 Wesley DriveMechanicsburg, PA 17055Stephanie LightfootDirector of Sales & Marketing(717) 766-0279www.bethanyvillage.org

Chapel Pointeat Carlisle770 South Hanover StreetCarlisle, PA 17013Linda AmsleyDirector of Marketing/Admissions(717) 713-2201www.chapelpointe.com

Cornwall Manor1 Boyd StreetCornwall, PA 17016Jennifer MargutDirector of Marketing(717) 274-8092www.cornwallmanor.org

Cross Keys VillageThe Brethren Home Community2990 Carlisle PikeNew Oxford, PA 17350Amy KirkpatrickSenior Retirement Counselor(717) 624-5350a.kirkpatrick@crosskeysvillage.orgwww.crosskeysvillage.org

Homeland Center1901 North Fifth StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102-1598Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A.President/CEO(717) 221-7902www.homelandcenter.org

Calvary FellowshipHomes502 Elizabeth DriveLancaster, PA 17601Marlene MorrisMarketing Director(717) 393-0711www.calvaryhomes.org


So stay warm this winter, and whenyou do have to go outside, make sureyou bundle up in layers with gloves anda hat, and place a scarf over your mouthand nose to warm up the air before youbreathe it in.

• Snow shoveling: Studies have shownthat heart-attack rates jump dramaticallyin the first few days after a majorsnowstorm, usually a result of snowshoveling.

Shoveling snow is a very strenuousactivity that raises blood pressure andstresses the heart. Combine those factorswith the cold temperatures, and the riskfor heart attack surges.

If your sidewalk or driveway needsshoveling this winter, hire a kid from theneighborhood to do it for you or use asnow blower.

Or, if you must shovel, push ratherthan lift the snow as much as possible,

stay warm, and take frequent breaks.

• New Year’sresolutions: EveryJan. 1, millions ofpeople join gyms orstart exerciseprograms as part oftheir New Year’sresolution to get inshape, and manyoverexertthemselves toosoon.

If you’re startinga new exerciseprogram thiswinter, take the time to talk to yourdoctor about what types and how muchexercise may be appropriate for you.

• Winter weight gain: People tend to eatand drink more and gain more weight

during the holiday season and wintermonths, all of which are hard on the

heart and risky forsomeone withheart disease.

So keep awatchful eye onyour diet thiswinter and avoidbinging on fattyfoods and alcohol.

• Shorter days:Less daylight in thewinter months cancause many peopleto develop seasonal

affective disorder or SAD, a wintertimedepression that can stress the heart.

Studies have also looked at heart-attack patients and found they usuallyhave lower levels of vitamin D (whichcomes from sunlight) than people with

healthy hearts. To boost your vitamin Dthis winter, consider taking a supplementthat contains between 1,000 and 2,000international units (IU) per day.

And to find treatments for SAD, visitthe Center for EnvironmentalTherapeutics website at www.cet.org.

• Flu season: Studies show that peoplewho get flu shots have a lower heart-attack risk. It’s known that theinflammatory reaction set off by a fluinfection can increase blood clotting,which can lead to heart attacks invulnerable people.

So, if you haven’t already done so, geta flu shot for protection. Seewww.flushot.healthmap.org to find anearby vaccination site.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to theNBC Today show and author of The SavvySenior Book. www.savvysenior.org

“ In the U.S., the risk

of having a heart

attack during the

winter months is

twice as high as it is

during the

summertime.

“

The CCRC Communities listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.

CCRCContinuing Care


StoneRidge Retirement Living440 East Lincoln AvenueMyerstown, PA 17067Stacia KeithDirector of Sales(717) 866-3553www.stoneridgeretirement.com

Willow Valley Communities600 Willow Valley SquareLancaster, PA 17602Kristin HambletonDirector of Sales(717) 464-6800(800) 770-5445www.willowvalleycommunities.org

Woodcrest VillaMennonite Home Communities2001 Harrisburg PikeLancaster, PA 17601Connie BuckwalterDirector of Marketing(717) 390-4126www.woodcrestvilla.org

Normandie RidgeSenior Living Community1700 Normandie DriveYork, PA 17408Joyce SingerDirector of Sales & Marketing(717) 718-0937www.normandieridge.org

Pleasant ViewRetirement Community544 North Penryn RoadManheim, PA 17545Amanda EckingerCommunications Coordinator (717) 664-6207www.pleasantviewrc.org

Homestead Village Enhanced Senior Living1800 Marietta AvenueP.O. Box 3227Lancaster, PA 17604-3227Susan L. DoyleDirector of Marketing(717) 397-4831 ext. 158www.homesteadvillage.org

The Middletown Home999 West Harrisburg PikeMiddletown, PA 17057Andrea HenneyDirector of Residential Services(717) 944-3351 www.MiddletownHome.org

Serving from theHeart in the Spirit of

Friendship, Love,and Truth

If you would like to be featured

on this important page,

please contact your

account representative or call

(717) 285-1350.


Mesopotamian potters discoveredthe method for makingmulticolored, opaque glass

beads around 2,750 BC. Circa 1,100 AD, a window of colored

glass was documented in Germany.Colored-glass windows were used inchurches, monasteries, and other placesof worship.

Artisans, like worshipping pilgrims ofthe day who made pilgrimages to holysites, traveled from church to church towork on stained-glass window projectsduring the medieval period.

Most stained-glass windows weremade of colored glass with images ofsaints painted onto the glass itself. Thecolorful images for each glass panel werekiln fired. This firing made the coloredimages a permanent part of the glass.

The Arts & Crafts movement of themid-1800s blossomed in England andAmerica. A strong interest in handmade

objects and qualityworkmanship wasembraced by WilliamMorris (1834-1896)and his company,Morris & Company.

A popular artisan ofthe movement was SirEdward Burne-Jones,who produced stained-glass windows for theVictorian collectors ofthe day.

Burne-Jones’counterpart in Americawas an accomplisheddesigner named JohnLaFarge (1835-1910),who worked alongwith W.J. McPherson.

LaFarge made opalescent glass piecesand created stained-glass windows inopalescent glass in the late 1870s. This

process made itunnecessary to paintthe glass and fire it ina kiln. LaFarge’sstained-glass windowswere highly detailedand highly decorative.

Other stained-glassmasters included theartisans LouisComfort Tiffany, whowas commissioned toproduce stained-glasswindows for publicinstitutions andprivate clients, andFrank Lloyd Wright,who integratedstained-glass windows

into his architectural works. Tiffany first began experimenting with

glass art in 1873 and established theTiffany Glass Company in 1885.

Tiffany windows were made usingmany different types of glassmakingtechniques: opalescent, etched, andenameled glass. They featured landscapesand figures and were produced forsignificant buildings, such as churchesand private homes.

Today, stained-glass windows continueto attract collectors and enthusiasts as theart form has evolved. Contemporaryartists, such as Clifford Ross, work incolorful, stained-glass window art formswith the aid of advanced digital imagerytechnology.

Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author,and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lorihosts antiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr.Lori is the star appraiser on Discoverychannel’s Auction Kings. To learn about yourantiques: www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, @DrLori on Twitter, and(888) 431-1010.

Stained-Glass Windows

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Lori Verderame

Spooky Nook Sports2913 Spooky Nook Road, Manheim

(Just off Rt. 283, Salunga exit)

Lancaster Senior Gamesexclusively for

Lancaster County residents 55+www.LancSeniorGames.org

Lancaster County 50plus EXPOBoomers, seniors, caregiversand their families welcome.www.50plusExpoPA.com

MondayMay 5, 2014

Monday thru FridayMay 5–9, 2014New Dates and Location!

On-Line Publishers, Inc. and the Lancaster County Office of Aging have teamed up to bring you

15th annual 26th annual

Contact us today about sponsor and exhibitor information! 717.285.1350 • email [email protected]

BronzeAlbright LIFE • AseraCare Hospice • Central Penn Nursing Care, Inc.Conestoga View Nursing and Rehabilitation • CPRS Physical Therapy

Easton Coach Company • Elite Coach • Lancaster County LINKPA HOME CARE of Lancaster • Pennsylvania Captioned Telephone Relay Service

Senior Living at Lancaster • St. Anne's Retirement CommunityVisiting Angels of Lancaster County

SilverBrethren Village • Charles F Snyder Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc.

GENTIVA Home Health • The Groffs Family Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc.Heart of Lancaster Regional Medical Centers • Landis Communities

Long Community at Highland • Masonic VillageMennonite Home Communities/Woodcrest Villa

Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster (RGAL)

GoldBlue Ridge Communications

WHP580

Platinum TravelSponsored by:


Our cat, Dennis, opens drawers.We put a hook-and-eye lockon the bathroom cabinet,

which he quickly unhooked. He pulledon the knob, opened the door, andripped the toilet paper to shreds.

Dennis swings from lampshades. Hechucks objects off tables—at 3 a.m.

Last night, he knocked over myguitar. I heard screeching noises andfound him bouncing around on thestrings—trampoline style. My guitar isnow in the attic.

Yet every night,Dennis sleeps onhis back betweenmy husband’sknees, purringwhile Bob rubs thehappy cat’s belly.

“Sweet Dennis,”Bob says, “you havean amazing joy forliving. I couldn’tlove you more, mylittle friend.”

Murphy is our orange cat. He’s notsmart. This cat would just keepwalking off a ledge without lookingdown. When we have plastic bags inthe house, I grab them or he’ll scarfdown the plastic. He’s endearinglysimple. He’ll walk straight into a closeddoor, turn around, and do it again.

Yet when Murphy wants attention,he sits in front of the computer screen.Bob never pushes him away. Instead hegives Murphy the attention he wants.

“Goofy Murphy,” he says, “I willkeep you from harm’s way. I love youjust the way you are.”

While I was reading on the couch,Jordy, our kitten, trotted in with Bob’sunderpants in his mouth. He flungthem in the air and then settled downto teethe on the waistband. Instead ofbuying cat toys, we should just strewBob’s drawers everywhere.

That night, while we were watchingTV in bed, Jordy was wiggling underthe covers. When his little headpopped out, his binky (Bob’sunderpants) was in his mouth.

“Can’t he keep them, Bob?”“No. They’re mine.”And so ensued the most ridiculous-

looking tug of war one could everenvision.

Yet Jordy looks up at Bob with theinnocence of a newborn.

“Jordy,” Bob says, “you are more funthan Disneyland. You teach me thattoys are not something we buy in astore. They’re whatever we imaginethem to be, my silly, lovable kitten.Your tenderness melts my heart.”

We once had a cat named Eddiewho set off two fires, causing the

police and firetrucks toarrive—sirensblaring. His firstcase of arsonwas to turn on agas burner. Thesecond involveda flaminglampshade.

One time, hepushed ourburglar alarm,sending police

to our house again. My claim, “Thecat did it,” was wearing pretty darnthin.

Yet Eddie will always be a part ofme. I still see a hole—a space thatmoves around the house where hisform used to be.

As heart-wrenching as endings are,they’re only so painful because the lovewas so grand. But love never goesaway.

And so, I asked Bob why we keepwinding up with wacky creatures.

“Because we’re lucky,” he said. “But they’re unpredictably insane.” “I married you, didn’t I?”Why do Bob and I adore these little

beings of mischief and chaos, whoworry us with their exploits, who breakthings, who need extra care? Why dowe love them so much?

Because everyone who has a four-footed family does.

Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationallysyndicated columnist. Her new book isCracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: StoriesFrom a Life Out of Balance. To find outmore, visit www.saraleeperel.com or [email protected].

Such is Life

Saralee Perel

Our Wacky Houseof Cats

Murphy needs attention.

440 E. Lincoln Ave. • Myerstown, PA

Resort-Style Livingfor the Young at Heart

Begin your future with StoneRidge today!Call 717-866-3200

or visit www.StoneRidgeRetirement.com

Have you photographeda smile that just begsto be shared?

Have you photographeda smile that just begsto be shared?

Send us your favorite smile—your children,grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling” pet!—and it could be 50plus Senior News’ next Smile of the Month!

You can submit your photos (with captions) either digitally [email protected] or by mail to:

50plus Senior NewsSmile of the Month3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

Digital photos must be at least 4x6'' with a resolution of 300 dpi. No professional photos, please.Please include a SASE if you would like to have yourphoto returned.


Why did FBI Director JohnEdgar Hoover not use his firstname? He went by the name

“J. Edgar Hoover.” Edgar? One explanation is that his

cousin, John E. Hoover, who also livedin Washington, DC, had a bad creditrecord, and J. Edgar did not wish to bemistaken for him. It was not a case of J.Edgar being confused with his father,whose full name was Dickerson NaylorHoover.

Comedienne Lily Tomlin referred toHoover as “Jedgar,” a name not likely tocreate confusion with someone else. Hercreativity accords with the choice madeby John Ellis Bush, son of PresidentGeorge Herbert Walker Bush. J.E. Bushmerged his initials and is known as “Jeb.”

This is a great country. One can editthe first and middle name withoutapplying for official approval by a court orraising the suspicions of the secret police.

Several of our political figures havejettisoned their first names, using onlytheir middle name to be recognized.Would you know, if their middle nameor nicknamewas notindicated, anyof thefollowing:PresidentStephenGroverCleveland,Vice PresidentJamesDanforth(“Dan”) Quayle, President Hiram Ulysses(“U.S.”) Grant, Governor James Richard(“Rick”) Perry, Governor Willard MittRomney, and President ThomasWoodrow Wilson?

There are non-political figures, too,that are more easily identified when their

middle names are stated. Among themare publisher William Randolph Hearst,economist John Kenneth Galbraith, civil-rights icon Martin Luther King, historian

John HopeFranklin,musicianJames PaulMcCartney,and CNNfounderRobert TedTurner.

The firstname of Jameshas been

spurned by Perry, Quayle, andMcCartney. Is there an implication herethat the name is a career liability?

Occasionally, celebrities discard boththeir first and middle names, using onlyinitials. Circus impresario Phineas Taylor(“P.T.”) Barnum and poet e.e. cummings

(Edward Estlin Cummings) come tomind.

Cummings, being impoverished,possibly had a typewriter that could notproduce capital letters. Less likely, he hadan overwhelming sense of humility thathe believed was best expressed by usingonly the lower case.

A single name suffices for some whosefame is legend, but not for ordinarypeople. We have the examples of Prince,Liberace, and Madonna. Elvis did notneed his last name to be recognized.

Single names evoke a royal lineage. Noone should address Queen Elizabeth II byher full name, which is ElizabethAlexandra Mary Windsor. If one were todo so, a chilling grimace can be expectedfrom Her Majesty’s entourage.

Europeans did not begin to adopt lastnames until the 11th to 13th centuries. TheIrish were among the first, but they werecenturies behind the Chinese. It was open

Editing Our Given Names

My 22 Cents’ Worth

Walt Sonneville

Your key to choosing the right livingand care options for you or a loved one.

• Active adult and residential living• Independent and retirement living communities• Assisted living residences and personal care homes• Nursing and healthcare services• Home care, companions, and hospice care providers• Ancillary services

In print. Online at onlinepub.com.

18th EditionNow Available!

Call today for your free copy!(717) 285-1350


Lebanon County

Calendar of EventsSenior Center Activities

Give Us the Scoop!Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about

free events occurring in Lebanon County!

Email preferred to: [email protected]

(717) 285-1350Let help you get the word out!

What’s Happening?

Annville Senior Community Center – (717) 867-1796200 S. White Oak St., AnnvilleFeb. 10 to 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Bake Sale Fundraiser for Mother-

Daughter LuncheonFeb. 12, 10:30 a.m. – “All Kinds of Love” Valentine and Center

Anniversary PartyFeb. 26, TBA – Health and Wellness Presentation at MSSC

Maple Street Community Center – (717) 273-1048710 Maple St., LebanonTuesdays and Thursdays, 1:15 a.m. – $1 Zumba ClassesFeb. 20, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. – Bus Trip: Hunterdon Hills PlayhouseFeb. 21, 9 a.m. – Presidential Pancake Breakfast

Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-678651 W. Stoever Ave., MyerstownFeb. 12, 11:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. – Bus Trip: Inn 422Feb. 19, 10:15 a.m. – Card-Making ClassFeb. 26, 4 to 11 p.m. – Bus Trip: Hometown Family Restaurant and

Hershey Theatre

Palmyra Senior Community Center – (717) 838-8237101 S. Railroad St., PalmyraFeb. 3, 10:45 a.m. – “Your Favorite Super Bowl Commercial” SocialFeb. 13, 10:15 a.m. – Pinochle GameFeb. 14, 11:30 a.m. – Valentine’s Day Luncheon at Red Lobster

Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.

Lebanon County Department of Parks and Recreation

Programs and Support Groups Free and open to the public

Feb. 20, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Feb. 26, 10:15 to 11:15 a.m.Free Digital PlanetariumProgram for Senior Citizens:Black Holes Full Dome ShowCedar Crest High School 115 E. Evergreen Road,LebanonReservations at (717) 272-2033, ext. 5412

Feb. 25, 4 p.m.Free CLSD Gold Card DressRehearsal: How to Succeed inBusiness (Without ReallyTrying)Cedar Crest High SchoolAuditorium115 E. Evergreen Road,Lebanon(717) 272-2033

Feb. 25, 6 to 7 p.m.Personal Care Family SupportGroupLinden Village100 Tuck Court, Lebanon(717) 274-7400

All events held at the Park at Governor Dick unless noted.Feb. 2, 1 to 4 p.m. – Music on the Porch: Bluegrass and Country Music JamFeb. 15, 10 a.m. to noon – Great Backyard Bird Count

If you have an event you would like to

include, please email information to

[email protected] for

consideration.

season then on the crafting of familynames. The opportunity will not returnon this scale again.

Editing the last names of immigrantspassing through Ellis Island wasunintentionally done by officialsincorrectly transposing names onto entryrecords. As a result, two adult siblingsnamed Smith may have records showingone as Smith and the other as Smyth.Such errors generally became permanentchanges.

Families in our Southern states havethe charming custom of calling their

children by somewhat lyrically pairednames. Fans of the television series TheWaltons may recall John Boy and JimBob. Betty Mae, Eddy Joe, Mary Alice,and Lila Sue are further examples.

Names given to infants decades agoare rarely selected today. Understandably,Adolf (or Adolph), which is Teutonic forwolf, is a name most Americans abhor.Wolf Blitzer can be thankful he is not ofTeutonic ancestry. He may not wanteither to be identified by his middlename, Isaac, had he been given theTeutonic “Adolf.”

There are perfectly good names forboys not commonly used today. Theyinclude Horace, Floyd, Seymour,Leonard, and Winthrop. Not likely toregain popularity soon are these venerablenames for girls: Dagmar, Fannie, Fifi, andGretchen. When these names reemerge aspopular choices, subsequent editing ofthem can be anticipated.

Senior citizens with archaic givennames reveal their age group whencommunicating with strangers. To avoidpotential age discrimination, they mayuse an age-neutral nickname, such as

Skip, Buck, or Cookie.Teens who dislike their given names

soon edit them. Timing is critical. Ifseniors wait until they enter their goldenyears, others may regard name editing asa sure sign of dementia.

Walt Sonneville, a retired market-researchanalyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth:The Higher-Valued Opinion of a SeniorCitizen and A Musing Moment: MeditativeEssays on Life and Learning, books ofpersonal-opinion essays, free of partisan andsectarian viewpoints. Contact him [email protected].

Saint Valentine, whose day wecelebrate on Feb. 14, was a martyr.

Although his story is well known,some say the real reason we associate himwith the spirit of love comes fromabove—specifically, birds.

Medieval Christians observed thatmany birds mated at the time of the

Saint Valentine’sfeast. From that rosea belief that all birdschose their mates onFeb. 14.

From that belief,many peopleassumed a

connection to humanbeings, believing thateveryone shouldchoose a mate onthat day—or at leastcelebrate the ritualsassociated withmating.

The belief about birds mating on Feb.14 has some basis in reality because manyspecies of birds do begin to mate by thisdate.

The birds’ behavior has little to do withromance, though, and everything to dowith biology. But that may be at the heartof our behavior on Valentine’s Day, too.

Valentine’s Day: It’s for the Birds


Complete Our Reader Survey to be Entered in Our DrawingPlease participate in our confidential reader survey. The information you provide is important to us.

The results are for 50plus Senior News’ use only. Thank you for participating and good luck in the drawing!Mail your completed survey to: 50plusSenior News Survey • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 by March 15, 2014.

Name_________________________________________________Phone ______________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________City _____________________State ____Zip _______________

Please give us your opinion so that we can give you a better publication. Thank you! The contest winner will be announced in our May issue.

1. What are your favorite columns in 50plus Senior News?

________________________________________________________________

2. What do you dislike about 50plus Senior News?

________________________________________________________________

3. What topics would you like us to cover?

________________________________________________________________

4. How often do you pick up your copy of 50plus Senior News?

Monthly Semi-regularly Occasionally Rarely

5. Where do you get your copy of 50plus Senior News?

________________________________________________________________

6. Over the last few years, has 50plus Senior News:

Improved Stayed the same Gotten worse I am a new reader

7. Which of the following actions have you taken in the last 12 months

as a result of reading 50plus Senior News?

Requested information offered in an articleRequested information from an advertisementVisited a specific store Bought/ordered advertised product or serviceVisited a specific travel destination Attended a local event or meetingSaved an article for future reference Other

8. Do you patronize 50plus Senior News advertisers?

Often Sometimes Never9. How important to you is our calendar of events?

Very important Somewhat important Not important10. How often do you do the puzzles on the Puzzle Page?

Every Issue Sometimes Never11. Do you use coupons or discounts when offered?

Often Sometimes Never12. Number of people (include yourself) who read your copy of 50plusSenior News? ____

13. What percentage of 50plus Senior News do you read? __________________

14. Is 50plus Senior News an important source of information for you? Yes No

15. Have you visited 50plus Senior News’ website? Yes No

16. How likely are you to read our website’s additional editorial content?

Very likely Somewhat likely Not likely17. Have you visited 50plus Senior News on Facebook? Yes No

18. Please check which activities you enjoy:

Dining OutLive TheaterConcertsTravelGolfing

BowlingFishingRVingCasino GamingExercise

ReadingMoviesGardeningShoppingDancing

CampingChurchOther

19. I am (check all that apply):Male Female Married Divorced Widowed Single

20. My age is: Under 49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+My spouse’s age is: Under 49 50-59 60-69 70-79 80+

21. My/our education level is: High School Grad Some CollegeCollege Grad Graduate/Professional Degree

22. My present work status is:

Full-Time Part-Time Retired VolunteeringMy spouse’s current work status is:

Full-Time Part-Time Retired Volunteering23. Our/my household net worth is (includes home, pensions, investments, etc.):

Under $50,000 $50,000-$99,999 $100,000-$249,999 $250,000-$349,999$350,000-$499,999 $500,000-$999,999 $1 million or more

24. My sources of income are (check all that apply): Salary PensionSocial Security Stocks/Bonds Savings Annuity Income Property

25. Our/my housing status (check all that apply): Own Rent Condo Single-Family House Apartment Retirement Community Nursing Home

26. In the next two years, might you consider moving to any of the following?

Smaller House Apartment Condo Retirement Community27. How many times do you dine out each month?

14 or more 10-13 times 6-9 times Fewer than 5 times28. How many times a month do you attend cultural events, plays,

concerts, movies, etc.? 1-4 5-8 9-11 12 or more times29. How many times a year do you travel?

1-4 times 5-8 times 9-11 times 12 or more times30. Have you visited a casino in the past year? Yes No

If yes, how many times? 1-2 3-4 5-9 10 or more31. What professional services have you employed in the past year?

Elder Law Attorney Insurance Broker Stock Broker Travel AgentCPA Financial Planner Real Estate Agent Other ______________

32. Check which purchases you plan to make in the next 12 months:

New Car Make? ___________________ Used Car Motor Home or RV Computer Furniture Television Major Appliance Eyeglasses Heater/Air Conditioner Real Estate Financial Advice Hearing AidHome Improvements Airline Tickets/Travel Tax AdviceHealth/Long-Term Care Insurance Other__________________________

33. Do you have a computer? Yes No34. Do you use email? Yes No35. Do you use the Internet? Yes No For what? ____________________

36. Do you have a regular exercise program? Yes No If yes, how manytimes per week do you exercise? 1-3 4-6 7 or more

37. How would you rate your overall health? Excellent Good Fair Poor38. How much do you spend on prescription drugs annually?

$100 or less $101-$300 $301-$500 $501-$999 more than $1,00039. Have you taken out a policy for long-term care insurance? Yes No40. Have you or has someone you know taken out a reverse mortgage? Yes No

The following questions are asked for statistical purposes ONLY.

Replies will be held in strict confidence. Please check all appropriate boxes.

We’d Like to Know More About You

Your name will be entered in a drawing.

Thank You For Your Participation In Our Survey.

PrizesAre:

Winners will be notified

• A $25 gift card to Isaac’s Famous Grilled Sandwiches• (5) one-year subscriptions to 50plus Senior News

The group meets twice a month attheir local library, and there are usuallyanywhere from six to 14 people inattendance.

Each reading selection is between 20and 40 pages, so the amount of readingrequired to be a part of the group is notoverly intensive, said Tepsic.

The Great Books Foundation inChicago sponsors the discussion groups.The foundation began as a nonprofitorganization in 1947 to promote criticalthinking and to encourage thedevelopment of well-rounded individuals.

Today the foundation continues tosponsor programs throughout the entirecountry, including some at high schoolsand colleges.

Tepsic’s group is mostly retiredindividuals, but people of all ages arewelcome to join the biweekly discussions.Variety makes the discussions moreinteresting, so people with all differentbackgrounds and personalities areencouraged to attend.

“You can contribute as much as youwant, or nothing,” said Tepsic.

The group includes professionalsranging from a dietician to an accountantto lawyers, professors, and governmentmanagers.

“Everybody brings their own expertiseto the discussion,” Tepsic said. “It’sinteresting how different people interpretthings.”

One person is assigned to lead theconversation at each meeting. Theyprovide some background on thatparticular selection or author and steer

the discussion when need be.The foundation sends out a catalog

with different genres for local groups tochoose from. Tepsic’s group’s recentreadings have included works from JohnLocke, Friedrich Nietzsche, Mark Twain,and F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Tepsic himself is just the sort of “well-rounded individual” the foundation islooking to cultivate. Now 71, he retiredat age 62 after working as the humanresources coordinator for theDepartment of Corrections.

He and his wife have two childrenand two grandchildren. They havealways enjoyed traveling, but retirementhas afforded them the time to take moretrips than ever before. When it comes toworld traveling, it can be hard to narrowit down to just one favorite, as eachdestination presents new experiences tosavor.

But if he had to choose, Tepsic saidthat New Zealand would be one of theirfavorite places to visit.

They have traveled to about 20nations so far, including Great Britain,Scotland, Ireland, France, Switzerland,Italy, Germany, Croatia, Honduras,Nicaragua, and Mexico. Still high ontheir wish list of places to visit areTurkey and Greece.

“I enjoy travel within the UnitedStates as well,” he said. “Out West issome of the most beautiful country in theworld, such as Yosemite National Parkand the Grand Canyon.”

A lot of their travels are coordinatedthrough the Harrisburg Area Friendship

Force, an organization founded by formerUnited States President Jimmy Carter topromote personal relationships betweendifferent cultures and nations. It is adivision of the People to PeopleAmbassador Programs.

The program sets you up with a familyto stay with when you are in anothercountry, instead of sleeping in a hotel orhostel. The people who host you are ableto show you much more of the area thanyou would get to see without thefriendship of locals, said Tepsic.

He and his wife have made friendsaround the world through theHarrisburg Area Friendship Force. Theyhave seen their friends from NewZealand several times since they stayedwith them there, when they bothhappen to be visiting other countriesand when the couple comes to stay withthe Tepsics on their trips to the UnitedStates.

The Tepsics love hosting others attheir home and taking them to localsites like the state capitol building andGettysburg.

“You really get to learn about peopleand their cultures and food,” he said.

Food is a portion of the Tepsics’retirement as well—not because they are

suddenly indulging, but because theyspend time each week delivering it toothers through Meals on Wheels. Patriciais a coordinator and Dan is a driver.

A natural outflow of their service hasyet again been friendships. For some ofthe people Tepsic delivers to, that smallinteraction might, unfortunately, be themost social part of their week.

“We wanted to give something back,and it’s just our way of contributing tothe community,” Tepsic said.

Playing tennis is another great joy inTepsic’s life, and he has continuedcompeting on several local teams evenafter having open heart surgery in 2004and hip replacements in 2006 and 2008.

He picked up the sport after serving inthe Army for two years after college andhas been competing in doubles ever since.Last year the team he is part of throughthe Harrisburg Academy went to theEastern Regional Finals in Princeton.

Having major surgeries has not slowedhim down at all in tennis or in life.

“I’ve been given a new lease,” Tepsicsaid.

To find a Great Books DiscussionGroup in your area, visit www.greatbooks.org or call toll-free (800) 222-5870.

HORIZONS from page 1


On-Line Publishers, Inc. has an opening for a highly motivated person with aprofessional 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 includeshealth 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 [email protected].

is seeking an ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE

On-Line Publishers, Inc. • 3912 Abel Drive • Columbia, PA 17512 • 717.285.1350www.onlinepub.com

Have Money to Burn?

Quality may be priceless, but it’ssometimes quite expensive. Take a lookat some of the mostcostly luxury itemsavailable these days:

Cars. The world’smost expensiveautomobile is theLamborghiniAventador LP 700-4, made with goldand jewels. Pricetag: 4.6 million British pounds (about$7.4 million). No word on the gasmileage.

Cocktails. The Winston, named forWinston Churchill, is made with GrandMarnier Quintessence, Angostura bitters,and a shot of 1858 Croizet cognac($157,000 a bottle). The Australian

bartender who mixed it up charged$12,916.

Home offices. Your typicaltelecommuter probablycouldn’t afford this: TheLehman Mansion, a five-story commercialtownhouse in New YorkCity, sold for $40 millionlast fall, a price of $2,410per square foot.

Sporting events. Tickets to Game Six ofthe World Series, in which the BostonRed Sox faced the St. Louis Cardinals inBoston with the prospect of winning theWorld Series at home, cost anywherefrom $900 for standing-room-only to$10,000 for actual seats close to theplate, making them the most expensivebaseball tickets in sports history.


Older But Not Wiser

My mother is 91, blind, and hasdiabetes, arthritis, Parkinson’s,mild dementia, and heart

problems, but besides that, she’s inperfect health.

I visit her three times a week at herassisted living facility. Sometimes I onlystay for a few minutes, but I still count itas a visit because I want to think ofmyself as a good son.

And when I bring her the Dependsand the caregivers say, “Oh, you got thegood kind,” I feel like I am almost asaint. I know, I’m anidiot trying to build uppoints for myself, butthat’s who I am.

I’m worried that thedementia is gettingworse. My mom tries tohide it, but shesometimes gets confusedabout what’s going onaround her.

To help keep hermind sharp, I always tryto have a conversationwith her to jog hermemory. I don’t minddoing it. Like I said, I’malmost a saint.

We usually talk aboutBrooklyn. That’s where my mom wasborn and I grew up.

“Do you remember what we did therefor fun?” I ask.

My mother nods but doesn’t answer.“We went to the movies,” I tell her.

“In those days, there was double featureand a cartoon, and I remember I got infor a quarter.”

“Movies are $2 now,” she says. Ofcourse I don’t correct her. Like I said, I’malmost a saint.

“We also saw Broadway plays,” I tellher.

“Yes, we went to plays.” I could tell she was just repeating

what I said, so I asked, “Do youremember what kind of plays?”

She was thinking but didn’t come upwith an answer.

“Musicals,” I said.“Musicals,” she repeated.“Yes,” I said, “we went to musicals like

Oklahoma! and South Pacific.” I thenstarted to sing “OOOklahoma…”

“You’ve got a terrible voice,” she saidand laughed. My mother had a bitingsense of humor, and I’m glad that shestill has it. And she’s right; I do have aterrible voice.

“Do you remember the name of thetuxedo store that you and Dad owned?” Iasked.

She shook her head no, so I said, “AceFormal Wear.”

“Ace Formal Wear,” she repeated “Why’d you name it Ace?” I asked.“So, uh, it would be first in the, uh,

phonebook.”“Right! And

everybody who camewas happy because theywere renting a tux for awedding,” I added.

“Yes, it was only laterthat they got miserable,”she said while laughing.As I said, my mom hasa wicked sense ofhumor.

As she talked shebecame more and moreengaged andremembered a bunch ofstuff. I was feelingpretty good aboutmyself. I was almost a

saint. Unfortunately, as I was leaving, she

told me that Sy came yesterday.Uh oh. “I’m Sy,” I replied. I hated that

she got mixed up and didn’t realize thatall this time she was talking to me, herson.

“You’re Sy?” she asked.“Yes, Mom, I’m your son Sy.”And I could see by my mom’s face

that she knew she blundered. That hersometimes jumbled mind had betrayedher. I should have stayed longer, but it’shard seeing my mom like this, so I said Ihad work to do, kissed her on theforehead, and left.

On the way out, I was stopped by anelderly man.

“Are you Flora’s son?” he asked.I nodded, trying to get out of there as

quickly as possible, but he kept talking. “She’s a very nice lady. I spoke to her

yesterday. By the way, my name is Sy too.”I may be almost a saint, but I’m a

complete idiot.

Sy Rosen

Almost a Saint

omen’s xpoE

FREE advance registration online! ($5 at the door)

aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com

717.285.1350

HHEEAALLTTHH && WWEELLLLNNEESSSS SSPPOONNSSOORR:: PinnacleHealth MMEEDDIIAA SSPPOONNSSOORR:: CBS 21

Relax and unwind!Women of all ages have

enjoyed this fun-filled event!

March 22, 20149 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Hershey Lodge

325 University Drive, Hershey

Health & Wellness Finance Home

Nutrition Beauty ... plus

Shopping Fashion Show

Demonstrations

and more!

Hula Hoop

Contest!

TToopp PPrriizzee

$$110000!!

Talk to usabout sponsorand exhibitoropportunities.


VolunteerSpotlight!VolunteerSpotlight!

Time is aPriceless Gift

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer andphotos are encouraged. Email preferred [email protected] or mail nominations to50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight,3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

Do you know a 50+ volunteer who gives selflessly toothers? Tell us what makes him or her so special

and we will consider them for 50plus Senior News’

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer andphotos are encouraged. Email preferred [email protected] or mail nominations to50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight,3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

Buerger’s Disease and Tobacco Addiction

NurseNews

Gloria May, M.S., R.N., CHES

Afriend phoned me recently andtold me her son-in-law hasBuerger’s disease.

I could see the unusual spelling in myhead, so I knew I’d had some contact withit some time or other, but I really knewnothing about it.

“I’m sorry; I am not familiar withBuerger’s. What is it?” I asked.

“What do you mean you’re ‘notfamiliar with Buerger’s’? You went tonursing school, didn’t you?” she fired off.

Whoa!I happened to be at the computer, so

right away I typed “Buerger’s disease” intomy search engine. If you do the same, letme caution you: Photos of gangrenousfingers and toes are tough to look at.

Buerger’s disease is a rare condition ofthe arteries and veins wherein theybecome inflamed, swollen, and cloggedup with clots.

This causes an interruption in

circulation, damages or destroys thetissues, and can lead to infection andgangrene, which then necessitatesamputation. Finger and toes go first, andthen it can work its way up the limbs.

There is some suggestion that there’s agenetic predisposition to Buerger’s diseaseand some speculation that it’s anautoimmune disease, but the biggest riskfactor is heavy tobacco use.

In fact, although there are certainmedications that help improve blood flowand some that stimulate growth of newvessels, the most important measure thatwill slow the progression of Buerger’sdisease is to stop any form of tobacco useand, further, to diligently avoid evensecondhand smoke.

“He’s already lost two fingers, and I amso upset. He’s the breadwinner …”

“I am so sorry. How did the quittingsmoking go?”

“Oh, he hasn’t quit smoking.”

“You mean he’s having trouble quittingor he hasn’t tried?”

“He’s not interested in quittingsmoking, Gloria. He won’t even talkabout it.”

“OK. And his doctor has discussed thisdecision with him? Maybe suggestedcounseling of some sort?”

“He won’t talk to the doctor about it,and he won’t talk about not talkingeither.”

Now I understand why my friend wastesty with me at the beginning of thephone call. She’s worried about someoneshe loves; she’s concerned about herdaughter; and she’s scared that hergrandson will lose his dad, bit by bit,piece by piece.

And she is baffled by her son-in-law’sdefiant, self-destructive behavior.

“Gloria, why in the world would younot just quit smoking if you are going tolose your fingers and toes and then who

knows what else?”It’s not that simple, “just” quitting any

addiction. It’s a complicated situationwith denial, depression, defiance, andcontrol issues probably all in the pictureas well.

My opinion is that you cannot forceanyone else to change or to want tochange. You can change theirenvironment, and you can change yourresponse to the situation, but you cannotmake any adult do anything unless they,at least at some level, want to change.

It seems that if the son-in-law won’taccept counseling, maybe the familyshould go to learn how best to deal with(or disconnect from) this very sad state ofaffairs.

Gloria May is a registered nurse with amaster’s degree in adult health education anda Certified Health Education Specialistdesignation.

Pick up your monthly refill … of news!

50plus Senior News is availableeach month near the entranceof your local CVS/pharmacy.Pick up a free copy with your

shopping basket!

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com


717.270.7500 | comfortingcare.org

A heart attack at 47.And open heart surgerythat saved her life.

Ronda hadn’t been feeling her best all day, but she knew somethingwas seriously wrong when her throat started burning and her earsfelt like they were going to explode. At just 47 years old, Rondawas having a heart attack.

When Ronda arrived at The Good Samaritan Hospital, she wasquickly evaluated and her heart attack confirmed. During a cardiac catheterization to open her blocked arteries, it was foundthat significant blockages in multiple coronary arteries would require open heart surgery.

Ronda underwent quadruple coronary artery bypass graft surgeryperformed off-pump in a technically challenging surgery whereher heart continued to beat during the grafting. This method canhelp avoid some complications of cardiac surgery and typically allows patients to have a faster recovery.

After her life-saving open heart surgery and cardiac rehabilitationat Good Samaritan, Ronda is able to enjoy hunting, fishing andhiking again.

“I cannot thank everyone from The Good Samaritan Hospitalenough for taking great care of me at a very scary time in my life,”said Ronda. “They saved my life and I am forever grateful.”

To learn more about the Good Samaritan Cardiac & VascularCenter, visit comfortingcare.org.

Lebanon County 50plus Senior News February 2014

Documents

Transcript of Lebanon County 50plus Senior News February 2014