Prime October 2012

true patriots: Springside at Seneca Hill celebrates its veterans

“Don and Lois began their military service for similar reasons, but at different locations.”

To read more see page 4.

prime advice: Protect yourself from unwanted guests this winter

“Most people believe that the one good thing about the cold weather around here is that the bugs go away.”

flu facts: Who

should be vaccinated.

To read more see page 6.

-Jennifer Savastino, Gannon Pest Control To read more see page 4.

THIS MONTH: Professional Services & CNY Business October 2012

A supplement to Eagle Newspapers

Trailblazers Stars of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League gather in Syracuse

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Prime cover

Ladies, take the field!

Stars of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League gather in the ‘Cuse

By Farah F. Jadran “There’s no crying in baseball!”

Yes, we all know Tom Hanks’ famous line from “A League Of Their Own,” but do you truly know what it means to a select group of American women? Between 1943 and 1954, dreams came true for more than 600 young women.

With men 18 and older away fighting in World War II, the pinstripes and cleats were left in the locker rooms, but this didn’t mean America would be without its favorite pastime. The Windy City’s chewing-gum magnate, Philip K. Wrigley, inherited the Chicago Cubs’ Major League Baseball franchise from his father, and his committee recommended a girls’ softball league be established. In fear of losing revenue at ballparks, plans were put into place to start the All-American Girls Softball League, which began in the spring of 1943. The initial tryouts were held at Wrigley Field.

The league changed names a few times due to pitching regulations and the desire to give a more descriptive name to the program. By 1950, the official league name was changed and most popularly identified as the AllAmerican Girls Baseball League.

Thanks to village of Manlius resi-

dent Shelley McCann, the AAGPBL took the field again, and at Alliance Bank Stadium! Shelley, a longtime softball player and fan of the history that comes with the league, has helped organize an AAGPBL reunion once before, and while it entails much planning and preparation, she was ready to do it again. Why did she recommend young girls attend? “So they can see that their dreams can come true,” she said. “Whatever it is you want to do, just keep working toward it. Just do it.”

More than 50 of the remaining members of the AAGPBL were in Syracuse on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Alliance Bank Stadium signing autographs, and yes, some of them played ball! Shelley organized a “friendly game” of softball between her team, The Sentinels, and another Syracuse team she personally scouted, Wings Over Syracuse.

Fans got autographs from players like Maybelle Blair, a pitcher for the Peoria Redwings in 1948, and Shirley “Hustle” Burkovich, an infielder/outfielder who played for the Muskegon Lassies (1949), Rockford Peaches (1951), Springfield Sallies (1950).

Burkovich also became a movie star when playing Alice “Skeeter” Jaspers at a later age in “A League Of Their

Own.” Then the women took to the field for the “V for Victory” formation, the classic song, “Batter Up,”was sung, and then the first pitch was thrown out by Syracuse area Little League star Nadia Diaz.

Farah F. Jadran is the managing editor of Syracuse Woman Magazine.

She can be reached at farah@ syracusewomanmag.com.

Submitted photos

ABOVE: Members of the 1947 Peoria Redwingslook on from the bench. RIGHT: Shelley McCann, left, is pictured with Maybelle Blair, who pitched for the Peoria Redwings in 1948. McCann organized a reunion of the AllAmerican Girls Baseball League which was held Sept. 22 at Alliance Bank Stadium.

Prime opinion

Calling all shoppers: They want you Now that fall is turning into winter, you have become that most desired person: The holiday shopper. All retailers — local, national and online — want your hard-earned dollars.

And I’m not just talking about shopping for all those folks on your Christmas list.

Momsense Grocery stores, liquor stores and the like are gearing up for the annual fight for your patronage. The time has come for the comparison shopper to make out like a bandit.

But shop wisely. Do your research. Clip coupons. Know what brands are the best. Familiarize yourself with the store’s return policy. Many stores honor competitor’s sale prices. I could go on and on with the advice...

The bottom line is, stores want your business. They want you to shop in their aisles, not the aisles of their competitors. And in this day and age, when it seems our wallets are lighter and the cost of living appears to not be in step with the economy, bargain hunting makes sense.

The cost-per-pound of the Thanksgiving turkey or “roast beast” to be carved on Christmas Day will most likely draw many shoppers to one grocery store or another; similarly, the tablet du jour that meets the desired specs at the lowest cost will cause many a bargain shopper’s heart to flutter as they plan their strategy while waiting in line on a snowy morning prior to the opening of their chosen big box store.

The other day, I found myself reflecting upon the fact that my children have now reached the age where they are choosier with their holiday lists. They no longer “want it all;” either because they realize that is not feasible or they don’t want to appear greedy, and risk not getting the items they want the most.

But the things they do want are more expensive, so although the list is shorter, the items on the list collectively add up to more than the longer list of less-expensive items.

I therefore will have to use my shopping muscle and know-how in order to try to purchase the wished-for gifts that have found a home on their lists. This does not mean that my 10-year-old daughter will be getting an iPhone 5 (sorry, Cassidy). I do still have my limits, although it seems they have been breached time and again.

When Black Friday has come and gone this year, I will have a car filled with less bags, at a higher cost, but hopefully bargains will continue to populate the area beneath the tree this year.

But the most important aspects of the season, family, faith, fellowship and love, remain constant and, thankfully, free.

Jennifer

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Prime opinion

Local store provides senior-friendly shopping, services Once a person retires, life can change dramatically. For one thing, there is usually less money coming in and senior citizens often have to make do with less, and look for ways to Matters down-size and live more economically. Since retired or semi-retired folks, for the most part, have more free time on their hands, we (and I count myself as a member of this group) look for ways to be more frugal, yet still shop wisely without impacting our quality of life in a negative way.

This senior tip focuses on a local grocery chain that recognizes senior citizens as a sizeable and important share of their clientele and has rewarded them in some very creative and positive ways.

On any given Tuesday morning at the Tops Market, located in Airport Plaza, Brewerton Road, North Syracuse, you will find a friendly upbeat

Lynn Cuda Grey

group of people, predominantly seniors, gathered in the dining area in the back of the store, between the deli and the bakery. They are laughing and chatting over coffee, set out for free on Tuesdays, along with samples from the bakery, like scones, cinnamon buns or slices of jelly roll or pound cake. Folks are visiting over coffee in the large, light, and airy eat-in section that can easily accommodate 30 to 40 people.

It is kept spotlessly clean and always decorated by season. The Tuesday I’m there, writing this, the room is adorned with colorful hanging Fall leaves and tablecloths and flowers that match. As I look around I notice two or three employees (on break, I presume), drinking either coffee or soda, and catching up on the news, just relaxing a bit before going back to work. Then there are two women (seniors) immersed in private conversation at a table for two.

Both are drinking coffee and sampling the baked goods that have been left out on the counter. They look like they are good friends and sharing important news. Then there is one elderly gentleman at a

table alone, slowly sipping his decaf and doing what I call “people-watching.” I guess that perhaps he is seated here while his wife is shopping somewhere in the store, or maybe he came in alone to do his own shopping.

At a much larger table, next to him, there is a lively group of seven seniors, men and women, who, from what I overhear, meet here every Tuesday and share their news. One of the men talks over the others and is telling them all about a great show he has just attended at one of the nearby casinos. Then another man in the group tells three jokes that make everybody laugh.

This gets me thinking that Tops is providing us with quite a service here, while helping their own profit margin, no doubt.

They are extending a welcome mat for seniors, and to anyone else for that matter, by saying, “If you choose to shop here on Tuesdays, you will find a clean, inviting atmosphere and be treated to free See services, page 7

Short-term rehabilitation gets you home again says Kelly O’Neill-Rossi, Director of Development & Marketing.

The professional rehabilitation therapies staff works with individuals who are recovering from elective surgeries like hip or knee replacements, injuries such as multiple fractures resulting from accidents, complications from stroke or other diagnosis.

Physical and occupational therapies develop skills that enable residents to lead independent lives.

“After my accident, I never thought I would walk again. Within three weeks of rehabilitation, I returned home. Words cannot describe how wonderful it felt to actually walk into my home. I can’t say enough about my experience. The nurses went above and beyond their normal duties to address my individual needs.

I highly recommend Syracuse Home @ McHarrie Place for short-term rehabilitation,” says Rurka.

Occupational therapies address

muscle strength, range of motion, plus cognitive and visual skills that enhance every day activities. When appropriate, speech therapies address treatment and management of communication impairments as well as swallowing disorders.

Located on a beautiful 140-acre campus in historic Baldwinsville, Syracuse Home @ McHarrie Place is part of the McHarrie Life Senior Community continuum of care which includes; independent retirement living, assisted living, memory care, respite care, skilled nursing care and short-term rehabilitation. As a not-for-profit organization, Syracuse Home boasts a 161-year mission of providing quality healthcare to all of those in need throughout the Central New York region.

To learn more about our shortterm rehabilitation program, please Michelle Rurka, of Baldwinsville, learns how to use everyday appliances in a real kitchen call our admissions coordinator at setting as part of her rehabilitation treatment plan.

638-2521.

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In a blink of an eye, Michelle Rurka’s life changed forever. On her way to visit her family in New Jersey, she hit a patch of black ice on the highway and lost control of her car.

It flipped several times before resting on its roof. The impact of the crash broke her back.

Once stabilized in the hospital weeks later, she chose Syracuse Home @ McHarrie Place for short-term rehabilitation to help her recover from her injuries. “I am so grateful for the care I received at Syracuse Home.

The therapists are well-trained, supportive and committed to helping us return home to our families,” says Rurka.

Syracuse Home @ McHarrie Place is one of Central New York’s most recommended short-term rehabilitation programs. “Our program focuses on recovery by helping individuals build the strength, independence and confidence they need to return home,”

7740 Meigs Road, Baldwinsville, New York 13027, www.mcharrielife.org

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Prime 2012

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Prime living

Springside at Seneca Hill to honor its many veterans Submitted By Teresa Ferlito Springside at Seneca Hill will be recognizing its many veterans in the upcoming month of November and pay special tribute to Lois and Don White, who spent their military careers in the U.S. Air Force.

Don and Lois began their military service for similar reasons, but at different locations. Don grew up in the small town of Bristol, TN, and yearned for some adventure. It was the early 1950s and the Korean Conflict had just begun. His initial assignment was Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, where he was assigned as an operating room technician. He soon moved on to Fort Sam Houston, also in Texas, where he learned how to care for the many soldiers returning from Korea with various stages of frostbite.

Meanwhile, Lois, who grew up in Hannibal, N.Y., joined the Air Force, along with her twin sister, Lucy.

The sisters took part in flight nurse training and were

assigned to Bolling Air Force Base, located near the nation’s capital. “I always wanted to get into the military, I liked it and I stayed,” Lois said of her 20 years of service.

It was at Bolling that Don and Lois met and were married. With the exception of several short stints, they spent their entire military careers together. In the early 1960s, they were stationed for four years at a base in Spain, an assignment they especially enjoyed. One of the perks was traveling to the nearby European countries of Germany, England, Italy, France and Portugal.

“There is a lot of history there to see,” Don said.

As their careers advanced there were other assignments where they served together including Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, Castle Air Force Base in California and Goose Bay in Labrador, Canada.

“They were very good about keeping spouses together,” Lois said.

Veterans Don and Lois White traveled extensively during their military careers.

Don retired after 24 years as a Senior Master Sgt. and Lois retired after 20 years as a Lt. Colonel.

Lois, a registered nurse, retired with her 20 years of service as a lieutenant colonel who supervised the operating room at the base hospital at Goose Bay. Don would retire a year later from the former Kincheloe Base in Michigan, with 24 years of service as a senior master sergeant. He was a medical administrator who oversaw the enlisted personnel.

They both felt that a career in the military suited them well. “Each morning I got up and looked forward to going to work,” Don said. “At first you go in for the adventure, and next thing you know you have 10 years in and want to continue to reach the 20-year milestone.”

The Whites are now enjoying their retirement years at Springside at Seneca Hill. Lois has her twin sister, Lucy Fuss, living close by in Hannibal. Like many of their fellow Americans, veterans and non-veterans alike, the couple will remember the many veterans of the United States armed forces during the upcoming Veterans Day holiday.

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Prime 2012

Protect yourself from unwanted guests this winter

By Jennifer Savastino Most people believe that the one good thing about the cold weather around here is that the bugs go away.

This is a fact for the outside, but where do the bugs go for the winter?

Many insects, like ants, beetles, flies and even bees will look to your home to spend their winter. Some insects may not reproduce in your Jennifer Savastino is parthome, but they may find a owner of Gannon Pest Control nice warm wall void or atin Syracuse, NY. Jennifer is a tic to “over winter.” Many lifelong resident of Central New times you do not even York. She has owned Gannon know these pesky little Pest Control with her partners for home invaders are there 15 years. Gannon Pest Control is until the sun comes out located on West Genesee Street and we get a few days of in Syracuse. warm weather.

You can protect yourself from having uninvited guests for the winter. The best protection is to get an exterior barrier treatment in the late summer/early fall.

These insects look to warm structures for protection when the nights start getting cold. With an exterior treatment, you can create a barrier around doors, windows and other inlets that will prevent the insects from choosing your home for their winter getaway!

Keeping these insects out before they get in will also prevent you from having to have an interior treatment for these insects.

Even though all of the products used by professional pest control companies are regulated for interior use in New York State, it is always recommended to prevent See pests, page 6

Eaglenewspapers

June 2012

Follow these cyber security tips The Internet offers a wealth of knowledge, entertainment and social interaction. However, it also creates risk to your personal wealth, privacy and identity.

You may have recently heard news reports how hackers have disrupted activity on websites, or broken into companies and drained the bank accounts. Perhaps you or someone you know has had personal,

confidential information compromised or fallen victim to identity theft. October has been designated as National Cyber Security Awareness Month.

If you use your computer for banking, shopping or other ways you enter confidential personal information, you put yourself at an increasingly dangerous risk of having that information compromised.

Stay Stronger Longer

Exercise and Cancer

by Patrick VanBeveren, PT, DPT, MA, OCS, GCS, CSCS Physical Therapy Supervisor for The Centers at St. Camillus All in all, a growing body of research, including studies by the National Cancer Institute, confirms that exercise offers tremendous benefits to preventing cancer and to survivors of cancer.

Physical activity reduces the risk of cancer, cancer recurrence and increases survivorship.

Exercise can help reduce fatigue, improve muscle strength, improve energy levels, improve balance, increase flexibility and endurance, enhance confidence and selfesteem, and improve mood and overall well-being.

In addition to keeping hearts healthy and bones strong, there's another reason why women may want to exercise regularly -- a recently published study found a link between physical activity and reduced breast cancer risk. The study of more than 3,000 women from Long Island, N.Y., found that women who engaged in 10 to 19 hours of (at least) mild exercise per week, from their reproductive years on, had about a 30 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. The effects of physical activity were strongest among postmenopausal women, based on the data analysis.

And, a separate study published in May by researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center found that postmenopausal women who lose a moderate amount of weight through exercise and a healthier diet can lower their breast cancer risk because losing fat tissue can reduce the amount of two hormones associated with breast cancer. Furthermore, if you are a cancer survivor, physical activity and exercise have been shown to prevent recurrence and increase survival rates.

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Syracuse, NY 13219

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www.st-camillus.org

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email, don’t click on links in the email unless you are sure of the sender’s credibility, this also includes any attachments with the email. ✓ Use a free software scanning tool such as “Secunia PSI” to keep all your software up to date. ✓ Make sure your Java is always current and delete older versions. ✓ Use a free tool called Web Of Trust on all your browsers, which will alert you when using search engines, to prevent you from visiting potentially malicious web sites. ✓ Periodically clean your computer’s temporary files and history. Use a free tool called “CCleaner” to easily accomplish this task. ✓ Install a free tool such as “Malwarebytes” to periodically scan your computer for potential problem files such as trojans, adware and malware. ✓ When using public WIFI spots; don’t transact confidential information. ✓ Finally, think before you click on links and be very careful about what programs you download.

These are just some of examples of things you can do to protect yourself. We appreciate the complexity of what it takes to commit to being safe on the internet.

We are offering free webinars that are archived for your viewing convenience.

These webinars will show you how to install these applications mentioned above. To view these, type the following into your browser: anymeeting.com/ senecafederal/EC50D889854B or senecafederal.com.

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As your local community bank, Seneca Federal would like to provide you with information about simple, free ways in which you can protect your assets and privacy, as you use your computer to access the internet. There are many avenues to accomplish safety on the web. One of the best and most effective ways to fully protect yourself, is to use a separate computer dedicated to only your banking and critical functions on the internet. This means absolutely no other web browsing or other functions on this dedicated computer. If you don’t have this luxury, you could utilize something like a Linux Distribution CD or USB drive to boot from and totally isolate your computer while transacting your critical business. Both of these options offer low to no cost, and are very effective security solutions.

Here are some additional suggestions for those of you who want to protect an existing computer and be as safe as possible while utilizing the internet. ✓ Make sure your firewall is activated at all times. ✓ Keep an effective antivirus solution activated and up to date. An effective free solution is “Microsoft’s Security Essentials”. ✓ Turn On Windows Updates and set it to automatically update your PC weekly. ✓ Implement strong passwords and don’t use the same one on different websites. Use a FREE password generator such as “Passwordcard”, to create effective strong passwords. ✓ Be very careful when opening

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OCTOBER

Prime 2012

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Prime health

Get a flu vaccine every year Submitted by Emily A. Young Onondaga County Health Department public health educator Getting a flu vaccine every year is the best way to prevent yourself and others from getting the flu. In a typical year, over 200,000 people nationally visit the hospital because of flu complications.

Although sometimes the flu may be mistaken for a severe cold, it can have much more serious effects for the young, the elderly, and others with health conditions.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone 6 months old and older get a flu shot each year. The Onondaga County Health Department, in partnership with University of Rochester, is offering three

(3) flu and pneumonia vaccine clinics this fall. In addition to the flu shot, FluMist®, a vaccine that is sprayed into the nose, will be available for healthy people ages 2 – 49 years old. Starting September 24, 2012 appointments can be made by using either the on-line flu scheduling system found at onflu.net or by calling 435-5752, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The CDC continues to reinforce that an annual flu vaccine is particularly important for persons at high risk for or for those who have contact with people at high risk. Those include the following: ● Pregnant women ● Children younger than five, but especially children younger than two years old

● People 50 years of age and older ● People of any age with certain

chronic medical conditions ● People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities ● People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: ● Health care workers ● Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu ● Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than six months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated) Getting a flu vaccine helps to protect your health as well as that of your family, friends, and others. Get your flu vaccine to protect yourself and others.

Karl Lutz Monuments offers quality craftsmanship

By Brian Smith “They don’t make things like they used to” is an all-too-common phrase uttered today, whether discussing products manufactured on American soil or abroad.

If your thoughts fall in line with the above sentiment, consider Karl Lutz Monument Company, Inc. a business that has bucked that trend, instead exhibiting exceptional quality and craftsmanship, as it has since 1932 in the Eastwood section of Syracuse.

“My grandfather, the first Karl Lutz, came here from Germany in 1927 and opened the business in 1932, where we still are today. The store today was actually my grandfather’s home,” said Karl Lutz III, who co-owns the business with his father. The youngest Lutz takes care of the day-to-day operations. “The European craftsmanship has been passed down through each generation, and we do all of the carving of monuments and markers in our shop out back.”

Lutz said his company’s work is in cem-

eteries throughout Central New York. He encourages families to come to his shop during the selection process, which allows them to have peace of mind while creating a lasting memory for a loved one.

“There won’t be any surprises.

You pick the color of stone you want and let us know what you want on it,” Lutz said. “We do it ourselves, which helps defray costs of shipping. Once we’ve ordered the stone, there’s also usually a much quicker turnaround than if something has to be sent out.”

Lutz’s stone monuments are granite, which he receives from all over the world. In From left are Karl Lutz, Jr., Karl Lutz, Sr., and Phil Lutz. the past, choices were gray works with bronze. Lutz Memorials or pink, but green, red and blue granite serves people of all faiths, has over 200 has been discovered relatively recently, stones on display and their work is unallowing for a larger selection. In addi- conditionally guaranteed. tion to granite, Lutz said his company Lutz said his company also does its own

settings in the cemetery, and is available to wash and repair older stones.

“Our focus is meeting all of the needs of a customer during a very tough time,” said Lutz. “We want it to be as smooth as possible on our end.”

Keeping in line with the ethos of quality craftsmanship that the company has put into its work for 80 years, Lutz usually eschews using a computer program to carve monuments with a laser. Sure, there are times when he will use the technology, but he prefers his hands, a mallet and a chisel.

“The details on an angel’s face, or a petal of a rose, are going to come through much better by hand carving,” he said. “It is how we like to do things.”

Karl Lutz Monument Company, Inc. is located at 2718 James St. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. The shop is closed Sundays. For more information, call (315) 463-0621, or visit lutzmonuments.com.

Pests problems before we have to come in and treat the inside of your home. Interior treatments are safe if you follow the label directions and the directions of your pest control professional, but we do not want to treat the inside of

From page 4 your home if it can be avoided.

As always, please make sure you receive answers to the following questions when calling a Professional Pest Control company. Whether the treatment is interior or exterior, you want to

be comfortable with the service that you are paying for.

Is the work guaranteed? Are return visits included in the initial price?

Is the company registered with; and their technicians

certified by; the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation?

Does the company have a good track record?

What is the price? You should not be required to pay

for return visits during the Guarantee Period.

If you or a family member has any health issues, especially respiratory problems, make sure you inform the Pest Control Company.

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Karl Lutz Monument Co., Inc. 2718 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13206 Phone 315-463-0621 • Fax 315-463-7703

We offer:

• Monuments and markers of all types • Best available granites from around the world • Quality bronze memorials • Quality mausoleums and war memorials • Cemetery lettering of all types • Carving and lettering done on our premises • All work unconditionally guaranteed • Over 80 years experience • Serving families of all faiths • Over 200 stones on display Our family will be pleased to assist you with all of your questions concerning the purchase of a family memorial and help you understand your options when choosing a stone.

“As in 1932, each stone is personalized and hand crafted with the utmost attention to detail and is unconditionally guaranteed to last through the ages.”

Business Hours: Mon - Fri: 8:00am - 5:00pm Saturday: 9:00am - 3:00pm • Sunday: Closed

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HOAs’ physicians receive National Cancer Institute awards The mission of Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY is to provide the highest level of quality care in a healing environment for the mind, body and spirit or patients dealing with cancer and blood disorders.

Know Your Numbers!

Services

Saves Lives • Free Pick-Up • Tax Deduction for those who itemize taxes

Donate any Motorized Vehicle and Help Keep Central New York Healthy

United States. The program allows HOA patients to access investigational cancer drugs and treatments for patients in our community. As the saying goes, “Today’s clinical trials are tomorrow’s treatments.” The program not only allows patients to accrue to treatment trials but there is a substantial prevention and symptom management component to the research. HOA has been the first to initiate many trials and have had patients come from places as far as Israel to participate in HOA’s CCOP clinical trials that were not yet available in other areas.

For more information, visit hoacny.com.

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cipal Investigator for the HOA’s CCOP, is actively involved in several of the cooperative group committees and is currently serving as a member of the National Cancer Institute’s Symptom Management and Quality of Life Clinical Trials Steering Committee. Dr. Kirshner is also the co-chair of the Community Oncology Committee for the Alliance, a national cancer research consortium.

HOA’s research program provides opportunities for clinical cancer research because the CCOP is a large network that enables patients and physicians to participate in clinical trials across the

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From page 3

coffee and baked goods. We appreciate your patronage and want you to have a good day!” And this is exactly what we are all doing, enjoying the start of our day.

Suddenly the man telling the jokes gets a cell phone call and he jumps up to leave. “Gotta go. It’s the boss; she needs me!” and he leaves to find his wife, down a nearby aisle. Everybody laughs, and I notice the gent at the table alone is laughing too.

I appreciate the fact that Tops is providing this space and doesn’t seem to mind that sometimes seniors tend to “linger.” But the story doesn’t end here.

After speaking briefly with a manager who didn’t wish to be quoted, I learn that the brand new Tops gas station, under construction right in front of the store, will open in early October, and shoppers will get a break on their fill-ups with Tops gas points, if they shop using their store bonus card. Frequent shoppers earn discounts; 100 points earns a 10 cent per gallon reduction. Details are available in the store or online at TopsMarkets.com.

Tops Market “Young at Heart Day” is another innovative idea that can really help cut the grocery budget. The first Tuesday of every month, if you shop at Tops with your bonus plus card or bonus card, seniors (over the age of 60) receive a 6 percent discount off their total grocery purchase and your out-of-pocket prescription purchase. This is a good day, then, to stock up on staples to get you through the month, and don’t forget to use your coupons.

Tops routinely doubles your coupons, too, up to one dollar. You have to check the store flyer or website for details on this, though.

Like most other grocery chains, there are always other special activities and events going on in the store, from flu shots in the pharmacy department to giveaway games like Monopoly. The store is open 24 hours a day. Locally, stores are located at Moyers Corners and next to Valu Home Center on Route 11.

There are also stores in Baldwinsville, Camillus, Cazenovia, DeWitt, Fayetteville, Manlius, Skaneateles and throughout the city of Syracuse. Times may be tough, but there are a few ways to save money.

Lynn Cuda writes about issues affecting seniors living in Central New York. A former editor of a small weekly newspaper, she lives in Liverpool with her husband, Tony.

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Rome St E Chestnut Rome

18499

Hematology-Oncology Associates of CNY (HOA) maintains the highest accruals for adult clinical cancer research in Central New York. Our cancer community has been greatly enriched by HOA’s 25 year partnership with the National Cancer Institute (NCI). HOA has been partners with the NCI through a mechanism known as a Community Clinical Oncology Program or CCOP. There are only two of these programs in New York State.

HOA is the only CCOP in Central New York, as the other program is located on Long Island.

The National Cancer Institute awarded Hematology Oncology Associates of Central New York with four awards for physician accrual to clinical trials sponsored by the NCI’s Community Clinical Oncology Program. Silver awards were presented to Dr. Jeffrey Kirshner, Dr. Anthony Scalzo, Dr. Tracy Alpert, Dr. Stefania Morbidini-Gaffney and the research staff. HOA currently participates in over 100 clinical trials. Dr. Jeffrey Kirshner, the Prin-

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Madison County Office for the Aging Inc.

News

From the desk of the executive director

Help us in our mission

Did you know that last year the Office for the Aging provided over 183,000 home delivered and congregate meals to rural, isolated senior citizens and frail elderly throughout Madison County? Did you know the Office for the Aging helps hundreds of senior citizens with transportation to their doctor appointments? In fact, more than 1,500 trips covering 55,000 miles last year alone.

The nutrition program for the elderly (SNACK) and the volunteer transportation Program are just a few of the services offered by the Office for the Aging.

Programs that are designed to help senior citizens and isolated, frail elderly remain a productive part of their community for as long as possible.

Now, if this were a perfect world, money would not be an issue. Not to us, and not to the frail elderly that we help on a daily basis. If this were a perfect world, we would not continually stress to you the

importance of your support.

However, this is not a perfect world, and we need your help.

The gift you give today is taxdeductible and will be used, as always to further our mission Theresa Davis, OFA to assist and provide services executive director that promote the independence and dignity of older individuals and their families.

Please send your tax-deductible contribution of any amount to Office for the Aging, Inc., 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd., Canastota, NY 13032.

PS: Working together, we can make a difference in the lives of those retired by choice or chance as well as the frail, isolated elderly so they may remain independent in their own homes and communities for as long as possible.

Advocate on staff at OFA

Did you know the Madison County Office for the Aging, Inc. has a Advocate on staff who can meet with seniors from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and assist with: ✓ Medicaid applications and information ✓ Food Stamp applications ✓ EPIC applications ✓ SSI applications ✓ Medicare application and information ✓ IT-2l4 applications and information ✓HEAP applications …and much more?

Just call the OFA at 697-5700 and make an appointment with the advocate.

Medicare redesigns claims and benefits statement

Empowers seniors with clear information on health care services used Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Acting Administrator Marilyn Tavenner recently announced the redesign of the statement that informs Medicare beneficiaries about their claims for Medicare services and benefits.

The redesign Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) includes several features not currently available to Medicare beneficiaries with the current MSN: ✓ A clear notice on how to check the

form for important facts and potential fraud; ✓ Clearer language, including consumer-friendly descriptions for medical procedures; ✓ Definitions of all terms used in the form; ✓ Larger fonts throughout to make it easier to read; To see a side-by-side comparison of the former and redesigned MSNs, go to cms.gov/apps/files/msn changes.pdf.

If severe weather conditions occur, the Madison County Office for Aging could be forced to cancel both SNACK Congregate Meal site dining and home delivered meals. Listen to the radio and television stations below for information regarding cancellations; or call the Office for the Aging at 697-5700.

WMCR Radio 1600 FM/106/3 WSTM (NBC) Channel 3 WTVH (CBS) Channel 5

Caregiver support group offered

We understand that with today’s fast paced lifestyles it’s hard to get away at a set day and time but, a caregiver support group is a place to share your feelings and learn how to cope.

If it’s been a while since you talked to someone about how stressful caring for an elderly loved one has become, make time for yourself from 2 to 3:30 p.m. on the last Monday of each month.

Next meeting is Oct. 29. Meetings are held at the Office for the Aging, Canastota Business Park, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd, Canastota. Call 697-5700 for more information.

Last year, Senior HEAP helped more than 20,000 seniors. Again, there will be an early HEAP application mail out for Senior Citizens who received HEAP. If you do not receive an application for the 2012-2013 HEAP season in the mail by the end of October, please call 366-2361 for an application.

The HEAP letter will have a return address of the Madison County Department of Social Services. Please complete and mail the application back as soon as possible for quickest service. The early mail-out does not include senior citizens in receipt of Food Stamps or Temporary Assistance, as those individuals will generally receive the regular HEAP benefit automatically without the need for a mail-in application. Eligibility letters for are usually issued in November or December, and benefits are generally credited to heating bills in December or January.

Eligibility for this federal program is based on household income, not the amount of your utility bill. Income guidelines for this year are: for a one-person household income must be below $2,138 per month and for a two-person household income must be below $2,796 per month. The Department of Social Services is requiring a copy of an applicant’s social security card if they do not have one on file.

If you need assistance completing the HEAP application, call the OFA at 697-5700 and make an appointment to see an Outreach Worker.

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OCTOBER

tion clearer, more accessible and easier for beneficiaries and their caregivers to understand. CMS will take additional actions this year to make information about benefits, providers, and claims more accessible and easier to understand for seniors and people with disabilities who have Medicare. This MSN redesign reflects more than 18 months of research and feedback from beneficiaries to provide enhanced customer service and respond to suggestions and input.

National Grid consumer advocate visits OFA

Weather emergencies & SNACK Deliveries

Home Energy Assistance Program available

The redesigned MSN is available to beneficiaries on mymedicare.gov, Medicare’s secure online service for personalized information regarding Medicare benefits and services. In early 2013, paper copies of the redesigned MSN will start to replace the current version being mailed.

This MSN redesign is part of a new initiative, “Your Medicare Information: Clearer, Simpler, At Your Fingertips,” which aims to make Medicare informa-

A consumer advocate from National Grid will be at the Madison County Office for the Aging, 138 Dominic Bruno Blvd, Canastota on the first Tuesday of each month from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. through December.

She will be available to answer questions regarding energy use and management, bill payment options (payment plans), and to give eligibility information and application assistance for the EMPOWER program.

You are welcome to make an appointment but it is not necessary. For more information call OFA 697-5700.

Medicare Open Enrollment runs through Dec. 7

Your health needs change from year to year. And, your health plan may change the benefits and costs each year too. Check to see if the coverage you have is changing for 2013, make sure any prescriptions you take are on the formulary of your Part D plan.

Open Enrollment is the one time of the year when ALL people with Medicare can see what new benefits Medicare has to offer and make changes to their coverage.

Review the Medicare & You 2013 handbook, visit medicare.gov or call Medicare at (800)633-4227 to compare your current coverage with all of the options that are available in your area, and enroll in a new plan if you decide to make a change.

Madison County Office for the Aging’s Health Insurance Information Counseling Assistance Program can help, too; call 697-5700 for more information.

Office for the Aging Senior Nutrition (SNACK) Sites Brookfield – Open Tuesday and Thursday First and Seventh Day Baptist Church, Elm and Beaver Creek Road Canastota – Open Monday through Friday Stoneleigh Apts, 400 Lamb Ave. Cazenovia – Open Tuesday and Friday Cazenovia Village Apts, 24 Nelson St. Chittenango – Open Monday, Tuesday and Friday American Legion, 70 Legion Drive Earlville – Open Wednesday and Friday American Legion -113 N. Main St. Hamilton – Open Tuesday thru Friday

Prime 2012

Madison Lane Apartments, Building 5 Morrisville – Open Monday and Wednesday St. Joan of Arc Church, Brookside Drive.

Oneida – Open Monday through Friday Towers II Community Room, 226 Farrier Ave. Perryville – Open the third Wednesday of the month Monthly health education topics are provided by a Registered Dietitian. For more information and to sign up to enjoy a hot noontime meal at a SNACK site, call Madison County Office for the Aging at 697-5700 or visit ofamadco.org.

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