Lifestyles over 50 Magazine Holiday 2021 by Lifestyles over 50

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Holiday 2021 | FREE

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Veterans Continue To Give

Health and Wellness Tips for the Holidays

A History of Holiday Hymns Comedy Shows — Part IV

Grandparents Are Homeschool Heroes

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From the Editor

Holiday Humor

Happy Holidays, Dear Readers! So many holidays fill the calendar this time of year that everyone should find something to celebrate. There are ample opportunities to enjoy family, friends, faith, festivities, feasts, foliage, and flakes (SNOWflakes, that is!). Holidays are times when we throw open our homes, which usually means throwing open our refrigerators. Get -togethers mean eat-togethers. Usually, we eat more than we are used to, and sometimes, we eat dishes we are not used to. That can cause some stress, so we have expert articles on heartburn and keeping your spiritual heart healthy during stressful times. Speaking of refrigerators, it’s not always what’s inside that counts. Read how you can turn yours into a personal art gallery and memory space! We are always proud to honor the warriors who protect our country and our interests. Our debt to them, and their service to us, does not end with their discharge from the military. Therefore, we have two special features about veterans. We have our popular Veterans Resources pages, and some brief articles highlighting two ways in which veterans give their time to serve young and old alike. Happy (Fill-in-the-Blank) Day! See you next year!

Her: How was your turkey? Him: Terrible! Her: Why? Him: The stuffing we put into him seemed to be the only food he ever had! -----The old gentleman was cautioning the little girl. “Never hesitate to give presents on Christmas. Don�t you know that for every Christmas present you give away, two will come back?” “I�ll say,” said the girl. “Last Christmas, my father gave my sister away in marriage, and this Christmas, she and her husband came back.” -----At exactly twelve midnight on New Year�s Eve, a celebrant stood on top of the Times building and dumped a big vat of Italian food on all the revelers. His friend looked up at him and screamed, “I told you confetti, you fool, not spaghetti!” -----For Thanksgiving, they’ve come up with a cross between a turkey and a porcupine. It’s delicious and you can pick your teeth at the same time! -----My mother once gave me two sweaters for Hanukkah. The next time we visited, I made sure to wear one. As we entered her home, instead of the expected smile, she said, “Aaron, what’s the matter?

Alan Al leg ra

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Celebrating Bad Jokes

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Veterans Continue To Give to the Community

While on active duty, our military men and women dedicate their lives to protecting and preserving our country, often in faraway lands, or at least isolated on military bases. For many, service to their country doesn't stop once they are discharged — they continue to serve locally, giving them a chance to meet the citizens they serve, and giving those citizens a glimpse into life in the military. Following are just two examples.

The Reading Brigade Military veterans volunteer to read books to young schoolchildren. The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council officially sponsors the program called, "The Reading Brigade."  We have been doing this for several years. We have participated in elementary schools in the greater Bethlehem school district.

a police officer or a fireman. The students also enjoy having their picture taken with real military veterans. They are very thankful for our presence, and so are the faculty members. I believe our presence in their school gives these kids a sense of security — they feel safer. We also talk to them and let them know how important education is, and that in time they may very well be the ones ruling this country. We also go to high schools and talk with kids ready for graduation. Some of them want to go into the military and we explain as much as possible the difference between civilian and military life. Some have questions about wartime and we talk to them at an appropriate level.

Richard Sam — Vietnam Veteran

Patriot Guard Riders

Veteran Rich Sam is pictured with a group of students.

When we get an assignment, the men report to the designated school. There are usually two to four men from Chapter 415 and perhaps another individual or two from LVMAC. After meeting with the principal, we are given the books to look over. We are dispatched to the classrooms to read each page to the students. Students will leave their desks and sit on rugs around you. Typically, we do 4 to 6 classes — Grades 1 – 3 and 3 – 4 — before the morning is done. After we read to the students, we usually field any questions the students may have about the book or military life in general. Each school will receive approximately 6 books for their media center for students to check out after we leave. The program is very easy and gratifying on a personal level. Both students and teachers are very appreciative of the time we are giving the children. All books are at an elementary level and not more than a dozen pages.  Many students are eager to talk about their relatives that have served in the military.

George Puzio — Vietnam Veteran

When a veteran dies, his or her family can request an honor guard called the "Patriot Guard Riders." It is composed of veterans who will stand in a flag line outside the funeral home; each veteran will hold the American flag at the shoulder. It is our way of honoring those who have served. At the appropriate time, we will line up, go inside, and pass by the remains of the veteran while doing a hand salute.

Patriot Guard Riders line up to honor a fallen comrade

If the family chooses, we will lead the procession to the cemetery site for the services. Many of us will ride motorcycles as we lead the procession. After the services, we speak to the family briefly and then disperse.

The PGR program is now run throughout the United States We go to elementary schools and read books to the students. and is run primarily by Vietnam veterans. Many of them have questions about the military and what For more information, or to enlist the services of these veterit is like being away from home. They also like to tell stoans, send an email to Tom Roney at thomasdroney@aol.com. ries about their family members being in the military or as 3 LIFESTYLES OVER 50 Lehigh Valley Holiday 2021

Things to Do with Grandkids Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! This chant may be more appropriate for kids who don't yet understand snow shovels, snow tires, and snow blowers — only snow days, snowball fights, and snowmen. Whether or not you are a fan of winter, it's holiday time, and there are plenty of things to do when you�re bundled up and the grandkids are around. Here are some local choices to help warm up the holiday season. of live Christmas music and jolly, old St. Nick’s hearty laughter. Visit Käthe Wohlfahrt, offering handmade ornaments, nutcrackers, and collectibles from Germany.

Winter Light Spectacular The Lehigh Valley’s favorite holiday tradition is set to return to the Lehigh Valley Zoo for another year of cheer! Featured in USA Today and containing over 1.2 million twinkling lights and breathtaking holiday displays, Winter Light Spectacular, presented by Service Electric and sponsored by T-Mobile, returns for the 2021 holiday season beginning November 12 with tons of safe holiday fun for the whole family! lvzoo.org/event/ winter-light-spectacular/ Christkindlmarkt, presented by Univest Financial®, is a one-of-akind family event that celebrates the spirit of the season in Bethlehem. Twice recognized as one of the best holiday markets in the U.S. by Travel + Leisure, this heart-warming holiday event features handmade works by some of the nation’s finest artisans. Enjoy the ring-ting-tingling sounds

Christkindlmarkt begins on Friday, November 19, and runs weekends until December 19. christmascity.org/christkindlmarkt/ schedule-ticket-info/ The Liberty Bell Museum will start

its holiday season with the return of two twentieth-century Lehigh Valley traditions begun by Hess’s department store. Pip the Mouse returns in the classic puppet show, “Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas,” alongside the Little Shoppers Village. Since 1962, Pip’s adventures in “Pip: The Mouse Before Christmas,” have delighted audiences of the young at heart and joyful in spirit regardless of age. Pip returns to the Liberty Bell Museum on Friday, November 26, 2021, for another Christmas season. Shows will run daily, Mondays through Saturdays, and Sunday, December 12 at

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12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 PM. The last show of the season will be held on New Year’s Eve Day.

Little Shoppers Village is a place meant for children and grandchildren to experience the joy of shopping for their family members. Prices on items range from $1 – $4, and with the help of the museum’s “elves,” children can buy personalized gifts for their family members. The Little Shoppers Village will be open from Friday, November 26 – Sunday November 28, and Saturday, December 4, from 12 – 4 PM. Family fun is the name of the game at PEEPSFEST®, the annual two-day New Year’s Eve festival celebrating the fun and excitement of the PEEPS® Brand at the iconic SteelStacks in Bethlehem, PA. Each year, fans arrive from all over the country to enjoy family-friendly activities and marvel at the PEEPS® Chick Drop — a 4-feet, 9-inches tall, 400-pound lit PEEPS® Chick that descends on Dec. 31 to commemorate the beginning of an exciting new year. You can find more information, and watch PEEPSFEST: Zany New Year's Traditions From Across the Globe! at steelstacks.org/festivals/peepsfest/.

Grandparents Are Homeschool Heroes

by Jessica Parnell, CEO, Bridgeway Academy As a grandparent, you love nothing more than being with your grandchildren. Any excuse to spend time with the grandkids is a good one, especially if that involves taking a lead role in your grandchild’s education. And throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (and even prior), grandparents have stepped up to help mold their grandchildren’s future. Though schools are now open for in-person instruction, many parents remain apprehensive about sending their kids for reasons that include outrage over vaccine and mask mandates, outrage over the lack of vaccine and mask mandates, COVID learning loss (public school students lost between 4 and 11 months of learning), the stressful back-and-forth of hybrid learning, and the subpar quality of remote education that students experienced over the past 18 months. Combine all of this with the fact that so many families consist of two working parents, and you see more parents looking to their own parents to help teach the kids — and grandparents, not surprisingly, are coming through in a big way! If you’re not teaching your grandchildren at the moment, you might be soon! But don’t worry — you don’t need to have a teaching certificate. You just need to love your grandchild and simply be the source of wisdom and inspiration that you already are. My own mom added a level of wisdom, creativity, and insight into the kids that my husband and I didn't have. She saw things in them we

didn't see. And my mom challenged me to embrace my strong-willed child and not squash those qualities in her. In fact, she did things with her grandchild to nurture those qualities. If you do find yourself promoted to head professor at your grandchild’s homeschool, take a deep breath and remember: You can do this! More and more grandparents are taking an active, leading role in their grandchild’s education, whether that involves actual instruction, being there for support, or simply keeping an eye on the student to ensure he or she is doing their schoolwork. If you find yourself in that position, embrace it! It’s a wonderful situation for both you and your grandchild that offers more time spent together and the opportunity for them to connect with you as a knowledgeable source of help and wisdom. For an expanded version of this article, including 5 expert homeschool tips to encourage you and get you started with more helpful information to use during this exciting new homeschooling journey in your life, read Bridgeway Academy’s blog article at homeschoolacademy.com/blog/grandparents-are-homeschool-heroes/.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Holiday 2021

Tips for Harmonious Holiday Gatherings by Mary Dehaven, St. Luke's University Health Network In his 1943 painting, Freedom from Want, Norman Rockwell captured what many people can only hope for their holiday gatherings. The painting shows whom we presume are Grandma and Grandpa, presenting a beautifully-roasted turkey. Gathered happily around the table are three generations of family members smiling at one another. Today, the thought of such a harmonious scene is just a pipe dream for many families, says Maureen McFarland, CRNP of St. Luke’s Psychiatric Associates. Even so, there are things you can do to make your holidays a little brighter. “These days, there seems to be a lot of division in families,” she says. “This can lead many people to be apprehensive, if not downright anxious, about seeing relatives with differing — and sometimes extreme — views. To make matters worse, some extended families haven’t been together for nearly two years because of the pandemic. During this time, rather than bringing us together, the pandemic has driven families, and even our nation, apart, McFarland says. Division has been encouraged by some politicians and certain broadcast and social media platforms that have exploited differences for their own personal gain. Unscrupulous individuals have even knowingly spread untrue information that is harmful to believers and those around them. McFarland, who works in the outpatient setting, says her patients often tell her about rifts in their families. They argue about such things as the need to vaccinate or mask, whether the number of COVID deaths is real, and even whether the entire pandemic is a hoax. Political differences — exasperated by the 2016 and 2020 elections — have heightened animosity. “I’ve had patients say they had to stop gathering because

of the infighting,” says McFarland. “Many families have parted ways and don’t speak with one another anymore.” She encourages patients to put differences aside, patch rifts, and remember what they share, such as common values and memories. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your own beliefs, she says. For example, if you have young grandchildren and are concerned about them being exposed to people who are unvaccinated, you can restrict your invitations to only people who have been vaccinated. Or, if you fear that could cause hard feelings, you can limit your holiday festivities to only your immediate family. If you decide to proceed with gatherings of people with disparate views, set ground rules. “Before they come or when they arrive, say, ‘I love you all and appreciate your beliefs, but while you’re in my house, we’re not going to discuss certain subjects,’” she advises. “If a family member brings up something controversial, respectfully change the subject. Talk about what’s good in your area or what your grandkids are doing.” Another good way to steer the conversation is to reminisce about your childhood family get-togethers, or share memories about your grandmother or other beloved relatives. Most younger family members appreciate hearing about their ancestors and what life was like in the “olden days.” Play a board game, take a walk together, or anything that will bring you together. “This has been a horrible past two years,” McFarland says. “Lives were lost. People were sick. We should feel grateful and blessed that we are alive. We should focus on making it better, not worse. Now is the time to come together and support one another.”

To make an appointment with a St. Luke’s Behavioral Health counselor, call 484-822-5700.

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LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Holiday 2021

Tips To Avoid Trips to the ER During the Holidays by Mary DeHaven, St. Luke's University Health Network Few things can ruin your holiday festivities faster than an unexpected trip to the emergency room. While accidents will happen, St. Luke’s emergency medicine physician Adam Colombo, DO, says you can reduce your risk by knowing some of the more common holiday mishaps and how to avoid them. Not surprisingly, many people seen in the emergency room on Thanksgiving — our most gluttonous holiday — have a predicament related to food, said Dr. Colombo, Network Vice Chairman of Emergency Medicine. Too much food can cause stomach and chest discomfort or pain, or even contribute toward a heart attack. (See “Heartburn or Heart Attack?” on Page 10.) However, the most common Thanksgiving emergency is food that gets stuck in the esophagus, the tube that connects the throat with the stomach, he said. Called a “food bolus impaction,” the food gets stuck, either because the piece of food was too big or because the patient has a narrowing of the esophagus.

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“When you eat slowly or eat soft foods, it’s usually not a problem until you try to swallow a big chunk of turkey or ham — something that doesn’t mold quite as well to the esophagus,” Dr. Colombo said. “It literally gets stuck halfway to the stomach.” The blockage can be bad enough that the patient can’t even swallow their own saliva and has to spit it out. This problem is more common with older adults, particularly the elderly. “You want to pick up Mom or Grandma from the nursing home and bring her to a nice family event and you don’t realize that she should be on a soft or pureed diet,” he said. “You give her a chunk of turkey to eat, and she can’t swallow it. It’s an unintended consequence of bringing her out of her typical environment.”

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Doing anything unusual, especially when combined with overeating and alcohol use, can be a prescription for disaster. “Thanksgiving tends to be a day that the family has a home football game, or a neighborhood football game,” he said. “It’s always risky when someone who hasn’t played football for the past year gets and out and runs around the backyard. Injuries happen just from over-exertion or when touch football becomes tackle football.” When gift-giving is involved, be careful to assemble toys before giving them to children, he said. Unassembled toys can contain small parts. Also, if you have older children and give them a toy to assemble, such as a LEGO® set, be careful that they keep it out of the hands of younger siblings or visiting relatives. Many young children explore their world by sticking things in their mouth or nose and could swallow it or get it stuck. Traveling has its hazards. People who travel here from out of the area sometimes leave their medications at home and end up in the emergency department with an “exacerbation” of the condition the medication treats. Or sometimes they come to the ER for a prescription refill. Rural hospitals, such as St. Luke’s Miners Campus, St. Luke’s Lehighton Campus, and St. Luke’s Monroe Campus, see an increased number of vehicular accident victims during the holidays. More often than not, they are people traveling from one area of our region to another. “People with short commutes tend to think they can make the drive,” Dr. Colombo said. “Maybe they’ve had a little to drink, a lot to eat, and are a little tired. They have only a 20-minute com-

mute and are confident that they can drive ‘with their eyes closed’ but they can’t.” Other common injuries around the holidays involve decorating. People trimming their trees or hanging lights fall off ladders or roofs. Dr. Colombo advises you to make sure the ladder is on firm ground and to always have a buddy to hold the ladder. Also, be careful of slippery surfaces caused by frost, snow, and ice, particularly if you’re on the roof. Carbon monoxide (CO) is another hazard this time of year. Caused by improperly-ventilated appliances, such as furnaces and fireplaces, carbon monoxide can cause headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, weakness, and confusion. If the exposure is long enough, it can be lethal. Dr. Colombo urges everyone to have a carbon monoxide alarm in their house, particularly when people are sleeping in the basement. “Carbon monoxide is a silent killer,” he said. “It’s odorless, tasteless, and it’s not visible; so, if you don’t have a CO detector, how you would know if you had elevated carbon monoxide in your house? The seriousness of a CO exposure is absolutely time-related. If you start to feel symptoms and you leave the house and get fresh air, you’ll immediately start to feel better. If your carbon monoxide levels are high enough, you might need oxygen or to be treated in a hyperbaric chamber, which is specialized care only available at certain institutions.” Hyperbaric therapy involves lying in a chamber in which the air pressure is about two to three times higher than normal and breathing pure oxygen. In conclusion, Dr. Colombo advises, “Be smart. Be safe. And have an enjoyable holiday season.”

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Holiday 2021

Heartburn or Heart Attack? Learn the Difference by Mary DeHaven, St. Luke's University Health Network One of the best things about the holidays is gathering with your family for a huge feast. Grandma’s turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes bathed in gravy, your favorite aunt’s pumpkin pie — not to mention weeks of holiday cookies. And while that all feels great going into your mouth, it may send you on a trip to the emergency room (ER). Not surprisingly, the number of patients who come into the emergency department with indigestion symptoms increases during the holiday season, says Adam Colombo, DO, Network Vice Chairman of Emergency Medicine, St. Luke’s University Health Network. This is particularly true following Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners. The discomfort and pain caused by overeating can sometimes lead patients to think they are having a heart attack. Often, however, what they’re really experiencing is a severe case of heartburn, Dr. Colombo says. However, that is not always the case, so if in doubt, he strongly suggests that you call your doctor or go to the emergency department. “Based on symptoms alone, it’s not always easy to distinguish whether someone is having a heart attack or heartburn,” Dr. Colombo says. “I wouldn’t recommend for anyone to decide that alone.” In making a diagnosis, physicians consider the type of symptoms, how long the patient has had them, the constancy of the pain, and if it gets worse with exertion or stress. “Conversely, there’s a lot of ways that a heart attack will masquerade as something else, and you think it’s just heartburn when it’s not,” he says. Certain conditions, such as diabetes, can affect one’s ability to sense the heart attack. Also, women may have atypical symptoms, such as shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and back or jaw pain. “Believe it or not, eating a big meal can be stressful in its own way and can actually cause people to have heart attacks,” Dr. Colombo says. “Add the travel, seeing family — which for some people can be very stressful — with some alcohol. When you combine all of it together, people can have legitimate cardiac issues as well.”

To add to the confusion, patients can have heartburn, heart attack, and angina, at the same time, says Ronak Modi, MD of St. Luke’s Gastroenterology Specialists. “We actually see an increase in these symptoms closer to the holiday and a lot of it has to do with not only overeating, but also what you’re eating,” he says. “People tend to eat saltier foods and less healthy options that increase blood pressure, making chronic conditions worse. This can lead to a heart attack or worsen other chronic medical conditions.” Angina is a type of intense chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It can be caused by muscle pain, or by a breathing issue related to the heart or the gastrointestinal track. Dr. Modi agrees that if you suspect you are having a heart attack, call 911. Also, he suggests that you take a baby aspirin. A person experiencing a heart attack as a cause for chest pain will often have more generalized symptoms, such as dizziness, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and lightheadedness. Also, the chest pain often becomes worse with exertion, he says. Sometimes, patients experience a squeezing sensation that goes to the left arm. “Heartburn is actually a misnomer in that it has nothing to do with heart, but rather with the gastrointestinal tract,” Dr. Modi says, “Patients who have heartburn usually present with pain that’s burning in nature and have a sour taste in the mouth.” Women often show different heartburn symptoms, such as a chronic feeling of something stuck in their throat. Heartburn occurs when stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This is called “reflux.” Another term for heartburn is GERD, which stands for “gastroesophageal reflux disease,” and is the chronic, more severe, form of acid reflux. Heartburn usually occurs right after eating, and the pain responds well to antacids and a separate class of medications called H2 blockers and PPI therapy. “If I had to recommend one thing that would help the most to reduce GERD, it would be weight loss,” Dr. Modi says. “Bringing your body mass index closer to the normal range would be helpful. Even a loss of 10 to 15 pounds will greatly help you reduce reflux symptoms.”

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Heartburn continued on next page

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Also, don’t overeat. When you eat too much, you are more likely to reflux. You only have so much room in your stomac, so overeating can force acid to back up into your esophagus, he says. Avoid spicy and acidic foods, such as tomatoes and tomato-based sauces, mints, chocolate, anything with caffeine and alcohol — especially red wine. Finally, after eating, don’t lie down for at least two hours. Instead, take a walk, which will speed up your metabolism to help with digestion. Exercise reduces the risk of reflux. Dr. Colombo agrees. “Going for a walk afterward is very cathartic. It’s the way animals manage their food intake, and it’s very good for the human digestive system as well.” While bouts of heartburn will go away on their own, people who have heartburn that lasts a long time, or have frequent bouts of heartburn, should contact their primary care physician, Dr. Modi says. Treatment for GERD depends on the severity of the symptoms and often involves dietary and lifestyle changes. When the patient has infrequent or very mild symptoms, Dr. Modi suggests keeping track of what food triggered the heartburn and avoid that food in the future. To relieve the discomfort, he recommends over-the-counter medications. For more frequent or severe GERD, physicians typically prescribe stronger antacids or acid suppressive medications. However, patients who have trouble swallowing, or have experienced weight loss or chest discomfort, require further evaluation. To reduce your risk during the holidays, Dr. Modi suggests having a plan. For example, if you know you’re going to have a big dinner, have a small breakfast and lunch. Also, opt for healthier dishes, eat them first, and make sure your servings are no bigger than what you can fit in the palm of your hand. “What commonly happens during the holidays is we tend to overeat, and it takes us weeks to get back to our original weight,” he says. “So, we just have to be very conscientious and stick to our game plan.” Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercise. If you go to a party, scope out your options first, and if there’s something you really love, have a small portion. And as for that special dessert that your mother made just for you: “It’s alright to take a small portion once a year, but no seconds. After all, you wouldn’t want to offend her.”

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LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Holiday 2021

Masters of Mirth, Gurus of Guffaws It has been said that art imitates life. Sooner or later, entertainment catches up with reality and reflects it like a funhouse mirror, often distorted — sometimes hideous, sometimes comical. The turbulent '60s and '70s changed both society and comedy.

In the 1950s, television tended toward both gooey family life and pie-in-the-face comedy and schtick. As the '60s rolled in with war, protests, hallucinogenics, and Hair, sitcoms like Gilligan's Island, Green Acres, and The Brady Bunch, soon seemed irrelevant and too pat. They not only did not reflect the times — they fell behind the times. As America's youth began to feel a surge of independence, marching in protest and making their own music, writers and filmmakers were breaking out of traditional molds and creating more gritty and "realistic" books and films. It was time for The Beverly Hillbillies to move out of their mansion and Ken Berry to move out of Mayberry RFD. Hee Haw had become ho hum. Producers and studios, such as CBS president Bob Wood, looked for fare that would attract a more urban, youthful — and wealthier — audience that would satisfy the advertisers who paid the bills. New shows were birthed — shows that would reflect life's issues, but with a keen comic touch. Arguably the biggest plow to push aside tradition and make a way for the new breed of performers, writers, and directors, was Norman Lear. Normal Lear was active during the 1950s, writing for The Colgate Comedy Hour and making movies with producer Bud Yorkin (The Night They Raided Minsky's and Divorce American Style). When Lear saw the British comedy series Till Death Us Do Part, a light bulb went on that lit the TV landscape of the colonies as All in the Family. Like its British ancestor, All in the Family (January 12, 1971) featured a rude, lower-class, angry bigot (Caroll O'Connor as Archie Bunker) and his long-suffering wife (Jean Stapleton as Edith), as well as live-in

daughter Gloria (Sally Struthers) and her husband Mike (Rob Reiner). According to Lear, the show was successful because it showed “real people dealing with real issues.” According to Reiner, it portrayed the worst traits of prejudice and frailty in a humorous way that highlighted just how absurd they are. With 50 million viewers each week, real people were part of the family. Lest the realm of bigotry be limited to Whites, Lear and Yorkin introduced the world to The Jeffersons in 1975. Lear's idea of a “Black Archie Bunker” began with George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) appearing and tussling with Archie on Family. His popularity led to his own show with Louise “Weezy” Jefferson (Isabel Sanford), and impertinent maid Florence (Marla Gibbs). They were surrounded by enough foreigners and interracial couples to constantly irritate and incite George. The show's popularity showed that, cross-culturally, Americans were ready to receive Blacks as sitcom stars that were more real than Amos ’n’ Andy and Diahann Carroll's pallid Julia. Norman Lear also birthed Good Times and Sanford and Son, two additional series that set a trend for portraying the underclasses as more than just losers and comic foils. Then came Maude, the first spin-off from All in the Family. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Maude (Bea Arthur) was a female Archie Bunker, but in an entirely different realm. She and fourth-husband Walter (Bill Macy) were middle-aged and upper-middle class, and faced issues of the day from a liberal, liberated perspective. Maude was Edith's cousin from a wealthy suburb in New York. She was outspoken, strong-willed, and equal to men, reflecting the women's movements of the ’60s and ’70s. Her perspective covered nouveau-sitcom topics including alcoholism, meno-

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pause, birth control, women's lib, vasectomy, face-lifts, abortion, and depression. Yet in a humorous way. The humor grew from the rich soil of two I Love Lucy veteran writers: Bob Weiskopf and Bob Schiller, as well as a cast of comedy veterans. As with most of the contemporary sitcoms, writers were encouraged to bring their own life situations to the table, which is why they were so successful. It was not easy for the public to relate to Lucy stomping grapes with a feisty Italian woman, ending in a swim in grape juice, or Jerry Van Dyke talking to his mother through the grill of a 1928 Porter (not to mention talking horses and other sitcom fantasies). These were among what one might consider pseudo-reality shows — shows that depict real-life situations handled by contrived characters trying to make a point with enough humor to relieve the tension of the story. One hot-button issue of that era was the Vietnam War, a conflict that many of that generation considered to be a contrived war. Many older citizens of the time drew parallels to the recent Korean War, another controversial conflict that seemed to make little sense. Out of that era came Larry Gelbart�s M*A*S*H, adapted from Robert Altman’s Oscar-winning film of the same name. Airing in the fall of 1972, M*A*S*H combined the backdrop of the Korean War with the antiwar sentiment of the Vietnam War era. The show explored the lives of the characters based at the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in South Korea. Alan Alda played chief surgeon Captain Dr. Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce, irrepressibly humorous, inveterately rebellious, and indisputably talented as a surgeon. He and his comrades, including Dr. “Trapper” John McIntyre (Wayne Rogers) and Dr. B.J. Hunnicut (Mike Farrell) were forced into wartime service in

F un T V S i t co

m Facts • Critics initia lly called All in the Family “a wonder,” “a w plotless elcome breath of stale air,” a flop.” nd “a • The 2½-ho ur M*A*S*H fi nale, “Goodbye and Amen,” w , Farewell, as watched by 77% of the pe watching TV th ople at night (02/28 • Corporal K /1983). linger, who wa nted to “Secti himself out of on 8” Korea, marrie d a Korean wo and was the o man, nly 4077th me mber to stay in country. the • All in the F amily jumped from #12 in th #1 and stayed e ratings to there for five ye ars running, m than any othe ore r show in TV history. • Maude an swers the pho ne: “No, this is Findlay; this is not Mr. Mrs. Findlay! Mr. Findlay ha much higher vo sa ice.” • Maude en ds an argume nt: “God'll get Walter.” you for that, • The Jeffers ons was the fi rst sitco an interracial couple: Tom (F m to feature ranklin Cover) Helen (Roxie and Roker) Willis, neighbors. a mobile hospital that looked more like a tent sale at Ollie's Bargain Center than Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. They tried to live the “good life” when they could: drinking homemade hootch, chasing nurses, and practicing their putting. They also disregarded army regulations and protocols, resulting in the kind of conflict that makes good humor. Add to this the cross-dressing Corporal Max Klinger (Jamie Farr), Senior Nurse Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan (Loretta Swit), the incompetent Dr. Frank Burns (Larry Linville), and an assortment of friends and foes — both military and civilian, and you have Grouch Marx meets Patton. The humor was as black and biting as the censors would allow. Reality can be harsh at times, and the best means of escape — even for about 22 minutes — is the sitcom, where skilled verbal surgeons can dissect life's situations and make the parts into characters you can identify — and cry — and laugh — with.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

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Holiday 2021

If you are a regular reader of Lifestyles over 50 and enjoy the usual puzzles, don't be puzzled by what you see here. We are offering a variety of new puzzles from different sources in order to stay fresh. Please let us know if you like them, if you don't, if they are too easy or too hard. Just like all good puzzlers, we need answers! Email alan@lifestylesover50.com with your suggestions, comments, and encouragment!

Solution on Page 26

Confused about Senior Care? You are not alone. If you have a loved one who needs help but you are unsure of your options, how to pay for care or where to start...

Start with us, we can point you in the right direction. Call the Lifestyles over 50 Care Team at 855-233-7034 Senior living, home care, dementia care, aging in place, Medicare, financial issues and much more! Call us to guide you.

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Memories: What's on Your Refrigerator? by J. Painter

As a senior, memories have become more precious to me than ever! I place visual reminders on every wall space I can find in my home and, yes, on my refrigerator. As I walk into my kitchen, the refrigerator “gallery” pulls me in, forcing me to stop, to look, to smile, to giggle, and even to relax from the anxieties of the world. On the refrigerator gallery, you will find cartoon snippets, to-do lists, pictures of family and friends, a rosary, drawings, and magnets from special places we have been. What I realized I do not have on my refrigerator are magnets that speak to awareness of signs of a heart attack or stroke. My husband had a heart attack years ago and ignored the signs. I wonder if we had had magnets posted on our refrigerator reminding us daily of the signs, would he have gone to the emergency room sooner? As we all know, “hindsight is 20/20.” If you would like additional information, please visit stroke.org. Magnets are often provided at no charge by health systems and through your doctor’s office.

Even though I have a smartphone, will those around me fumble to figure out how to find things in my phone or wallet at the time of an emergency? If you have a Physician Order for Life Sustaining Treatment, commonly known as a POLST, then it should be visible to any emergency medical support person who may need to provide medical care. A copy should also be kept with you at all times. Please sure to post it on your refrigerator. More information is available at papolst.org. This fall, I am VERY thankful for all that I have. I am going to update my refrigerator gallery so I can still stop, look, and giggle, as well as keep informed about medical and other needs. Please take minute if you would and tell us at Lifestyles Over 50 what your refrigerator looks like and the memories it holds.

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

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Holiday 2021

Growing Through the Holidays by Rachel Schmoyer

“Thanks, girls, for helping me unpack the fall decorations.” “Sure, Mom,” one of my daughters said. “It’s fun to put out the decorations. Especially the candy dish.” Oh, that’s right, I thought. Now I’ll have to start buying candy again! We unwrapped and displayed each glass pumpkin, harvest sign, and picture of the kids playing in the leaves when they were little. The room was taking on a festive feel.

hand on the page. It was hard to imagine she was once so little.

“Look at the tracing of my hand! It was so tiny!” She placed her big hand on top of the tiny baby

Days through Revelation, a Devotional Workbook for Women, and blogger at ReadtheHardParts.com.

Once I got my turn to flip through the Thanksgiving book, I stretched my hand out on the The box looked empty, but one of the girls page. It was still the same size, but I had grown reached in and rummaged around to see if there in other ways. I remembered the anxiety behind the challenges of life mentioned on the was anything left. pages: the moves, the difficulties of parenting “Look! There is one more thing.” She held up a brown Grow in the grace and knowledge of littles, the bigger difficulties journal with a gilded leaf pat- the Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3:18). of parenting teens, and the hard times in church life. Altern. “It’s the Thanksgiving book!” She flipped through the pages filled with though I was still facing challenges, I no longer kids’ handwriting, little pictures, and tracings of wondered if God would pull through for me. Inkids’ hands. Every year, on Thanksgiving, each stead, my heart was steadfast, trusting the Lord member of the family traces their hand and writes to provide for me today like He always had in the past. I may not know how, but I knew that or draws what they were thankful for that year. He would, in His faithfulness and love. In rem“Aw, I remember this year. I said I was thankful iniscing through the holidays, I recognized the for my teddy bear,” one of the girls said. blessings of the Apostle Peter’s encouragement “And look! I was thankful for my blanket. I still to “grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord have that blanket — well, what’s left of it!” We Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18). all laughed together. Rachel Schmoyer is the author of Take It to Heart: 30

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FREEDOM. TO BE YOU.

If you think oxygen therapy means slowing down, it’s time for a welcome breath of fresh air. Introducing the Inogen One family of portable oxygen systems. With no need for bulky tanks, each concentrator is designed to keep you active via Inogen’s Intelligent Delivery Technology.® Hours of quiet and consistent oxygen flow on a long-lasting battery charge enabling freedom of movement, whether at home or on the road. Every Inogen One meets FAA requirements for travel ensuring the freedom to be you. • No heavy oxygen tanks • Ultra quiet operation

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MKT-P0253

Holiday 2021

Name:

Class:

Date:

word search

Holiday Word Finder 2021 Word Finder Solution onHoliday Page 26 Look for the words listed below the puzzle and circle or outline the words as you find them. Words can travel up, down, across, backwards, and diagonally. All the words are from this issue, so see if you can find them where they live!

U T A S T E W R A A O O N A R E

A L L U S U G A H P O S E N H Y

E E E T I S O L A T E D C O B O

C C J A R S T E N G A M N I E D

R O T A R E G I R F E R A T T E

E N N A G N I V I G S K N A H T

G F M T W S I N E U S S E L L C

G E I L R U K N H T T O T L E E

O T L A I O T N G N E A N A H N

L T I X A E V M U L L R I T E N

B I T L T T N E E M O O A S M O

T Q A R Z H N I R O P S M N C C

M A R L A G I B B S R I S I S A

T T Y I I I A O L S I Z H V H E

C I R A B R E P Y H K A S C B A

A D H A W K E Y E G A I L O F I

BETHLEHEM BLOGGER CHIPMUNKS CONFETTI CONNECTED CONTROVERSIAL ESOPHAGUS FOLIAGE HAWKEYE HYPERBARIC INSTALLATION ISOLATED LEARNING LOSS MAGNETS MAINTENANCE MARLA GIBBS MILITARY REFRIGERATORS RIGHTEOUSNESS THANKSGIVING VETERANS Word Search

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www.edu-games.org

Fallen Phrase

We've Fallen and We Can't Get Up! The letters of the phrase on the board fell on the ground, and you have to help them back on the board in the correct order. Happily, the letters fell directly under the columns where they were on the board. HINT: The phrase can be found somewhere in this issue!

The answer can be found at the bottom of Page 26, under the Holiday Word Finder answers.

L NH C G R OW I A T DE KN

N L T OWD S E S A HR I E J E EROC OR T HDGGUS F E

Diakon Senior Living Services The “Fall” Season Will Soon Be Here... Concerned about Mom falling and getting hurt? Cold weather is right around the corner, and older adults are at a much greater risk of falling. This may be the right time to think about personal care. Whether your loved one needs a temporary stay– or long-term assistance–our experts can help!

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A safe, secure environment focused on making sure your loved one thrives! LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Diakon does not discriminate in admissions, the provision of services, or referrals of clients on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age,Lehigh marital status,Valley veteran status, disability or any other2021 classes protected by law. Holiday 11-0_12-0 LHT-Lifestyles Over 50-NovDec-2021.indd 1

10/15/21 11:58 AM

A History of Holiday Hymns “There's a song in the air! There's a star in the sky!” At this time of year, there are plenty of holiday songs in the air — and on the air — and plenty of stars in the sky; many of them Moravian stars, in home windows and store windows, porches and pine trees. No other holiday season knows of more popular songs than Christmastime. There are a few Thanksgiving and harvest-time songs, and one New Year’s Eve song that few except Olde English aficionados understand, but Christmas songs tip the scales in popularity. They come in many styles, so let’s take a look at a few. You've heard it said that “Christmas is for kids.” While not exactly true, there are songs that appeal to children, lyrically and musically. “All I Want for Christmas” is an upbeat song that features a kid who talks funny because he or she is missing two front teeth. As a senior, I can feel the kid's pain as well. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” is a gentle way to bribe kids into being good by scaring them with a Godlike figure who is watching their every move. Any alert child will realize that the song does not mention what will happen when he does come to town, so what's the point? “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas” gives a slightly nicer picture of Claus, but a not-so-flattering image of the greedy kid. Note the last verse: “Johnny wants a pair of skates; Susy wants a dolly; Nellie wants a story book; She thinks dolls are folly; As for me, my little brain Isn’t very bright; Choose for me, old Santa Claus, What you think is right.” Pop music has seen its share of Christmas tunes, performed by such diverse artists as Canned Heat, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, and Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Canned Heat was a boogie / blues band that teamed up with the Chipmunks f o r "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late" in 1968, ten years after the Chipmunks released their version. The collaboration featured funny dialog between the groups as the Heat tried to teach the Chipmunks how to groove, boogie-style. The flip side of that single was Canned Heat's downer, “Christmas Blues,” featuring a heavy beat, searing blues guitar, and opening lyrics, “Well it's christmastime everybody, But it's raining in my heart." Not very jolly. Elvis was a bit more mellow, but his “Blue Christmas” expressed the same ho-ho-ho-less emotions: “You'll be doing alright, With your Christmas of white, But I'll have a blue, blue, blue, blue Christmas.” Barbra Streisand's A Christmas Album is ranked as one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time. It mostly contains traditional songs, such as, “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “White Christmas,” and “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire).” You may have noticed something (or someONE) missing from the songs mentioned above: the birthday boy! Amid all the festivities of the season, it is easy to overlook the “reason for the season”: Jesus Christ himself, who is the “Christ” in Christmas. Most of the earliest Christmas hymns focused on Jesus Christ, and the lyrics were mostly drawn from the biblical accounts of his birth. There are also many theologically-sound contemporary songs that herald the good news of Jesus's birth. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” contains many Old Testament names of Christ, beginning with “Emmanuel,” meaning “God with us.” “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” describes how God became a man, veiled in virgin-born flesh. Hymns continued on next page

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Hymns continued from previous page

“O Holy Night,” written while slavery was still legal, tells the story of our sinful condition, Christ's mission of compassion and salvation, love for all mankind, and the cessation of all oppression. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (so apropos to the Valley) speaks of the lowly, quiet birth of the Savior who enters into the heart of every person who meekly will receive him. A modern Christmas classic, first recorded in 1991, is “Mary, Did You Know?”, by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene. It addresses Mary, the mother of Jesus, asking if she comprehended the incomprehensible: the works, lordship, and deity of her baby boy. If you celebrate Christmas, be sure to celebrate Jesus Christ himself. Raise your voice as a gift of song by singing biblical, gospel-focused lyrics that “Hail the Heav'n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Son of Righteousness!”

Bing Crosby sings “White Christmas” with Marjorie Reynolds in the movie, Holiday Inn.

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provide accessibility with many lift options for residential and commercial applications. Locally owned and operated. Call 484-895-1188 for a free assessment. LIFESTYLES OVER 50

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Holiday 2021

How Do Other Countries Celebrate Holidays?

We're glad you asked! Perhaps you have visited or lived in other countries, or have an interest in your ancestral heritage and would like to know or relive their holiday customs. Let's look at a few traditions.

There are about 17 countries that celebrate a form of Thanksgiving for various reasons. Canada celebrated in 1578, 40 years before America. The second Monday in October features a feast like ours, in gratitude for explorer Martin Frobisher's successful voyage to North America and his celebration in Newfoundland. China celebrates their annual “Chung Chiu” Moon Festival, or the fall harvest, on the 15th day of the eighth lunar cycle of the year (Find THAT on your calendar!). Chinese families come together for a three-day feast that features a sweet delicacy called the “mooncake.” A similar harvest festival is celebrated on the same day in Vietnam, known as Têt-Trung-Thu, or Trung Thu,

on which they also give thanks and honor their families. The small island nation of Granada celebrates Thanksgiving annually on Oct. 25. The tradition began in 1983 to commemorate the American and Caribbean intervention in Grenada. Thanksgiving in Liberia is celebrated the first Thursday of November, and is almost identical to the U.S. version. Freed slaves brought the customs over, adding their own local foods and spices to the meal. Ironically, the British have embraced the holiday that has its origins in the Pilgrim's escape from English tyranny. Some experienced the holiday while visiting the U.S., while some others are expats who want to keep the tradition alive.

Sudokus

Each row, column, and square, must be filled out with the numbers 1 through 9. Numbers cannot be repeated within any row, column, or square. Use a pen — only if you dare! Sudoku solutions can be found on Page 26. Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50) Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50) Puzzle 2 — Medium Puzzle 1 — Medium 4

3 9

4 9

2 6

9 2

7 4

4 7

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Mon Nov 8 21:12:18 2021 GMT. Enjoy!

2 3

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7 9

5 5

Generated by http://www.opensky.ca/sudoku on Mon Nov 8 21:12:18 2021 GMT. Enjoy!

3 6

Christmas is perhaps the most universal holiday, but its traditions are anything but universal. In Sweden, the Gävle Goat, or Yule Goat, takes center stage. The straw goat is more than 42 feet high, 23 feet wide, and weighs 3.6 tons. It�s taken down and rebuilt every year, from the first Sunday of Advent until after the new year. Japan’s Christmas celebration also features an old man with gray hair and a beard: Colonel Sanders! Families line up at KFC or order months in advance to get their “finger-lickin’ good” holiday meal. Iceland celebrates 13 days of Christmas. Children are visited by the 13 Yule Lads (NOT a rock band!). Kids place their shoes by the window. In the morning, the good kids receive candy, while bad kids receive shoes full of rotten potatoes. Bleh. Sleigh bells are rarely heard in New Zealand, because Christmas falls in their summertime. Kiwis gather for barbies (barbecues) featuring seafood, meat, and veggies. Their holiday tree is the Pohutukawa that provides shade as they sing carols in English and Maori.

How do you celebrate whatever holidays are special to you? Holiday traditions are a great way to celebrate your heritage, pass on meaningful family memories and beliefs, and exercise your faith. Perhaps you will import some traditions, recipes, and meanings from other countries. And if you must, we suppose you can include Krampus to tone down the rowdy kids during the festivities!

FR EE GI FT

alone

I’m never

FE A LI ES!

NG1 MINUT I V SAVERY 1

Christmas may not be so jolly in Alpine countries like Austria — it’s more of a judgment day! A devil-like creature named Krampus appears for their St. Nicholas celebration on December 6. Children must submit a list of their good and bad deeds. Good children get sweets, apples, and nuts, while bad kids worry about what Krampus will bring on Christmas morning!

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LIFESTYLES OVER 50

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Holiday 2021

Veteran Resources Veterans have served their country and have earned additional programs and services to help them age well. On these pages we have compiled a list of services and product discounts available to veterans and their families. Some of the benefits are specifically aimed at veterans themselves. Others, just as important, are geared toward the families of veterans. If you know of programs that we have not listed, please let us know. Please send the information to editor@lifestylesover50.com. Disability Compensation Disability compensation is a tax-free monetary benefit paid to Veterans with disabilities that are the result of a disease or injury incurred or aggravated during active military service. tinyurl.com/y442rk9n Allowance for Aid and Attendance or Housebound Veterans Veterans determined by VA to be in need of the regular aid and attendance (A&A) of another person, or permanently housebound, may be entitled to additional disability compensation or pension payments. tinyurl.com/y442rk9n Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment VR&E provides services to eligible service members and Veterans with service-connected disabilities and an employment handicap to help them to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment. tinyurl.com/yxoct3h4 Home Loan Guaranty VA home loan guaranties are issued to help eligible service members and certain surviving spouses obtain homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes, and to refinance loans.

Photo by Cpl. Robert Knapp

Small Businesses VA has a special office to help small and disadvantaged businesses get information on VA acquisition opportunities. Survivors Pension Survivors Pension is a tax-free benefit payable to low-income surviving spouses or children who have not married or remarried since the death of the Veteran. Appeals of VA Claims Decisions Veterans and other claimants for VA benefits have the right to appeal decisions made by the VA. Dependents & Survivors Benefits Certain dependents and survivors can receive reimbursement for most medical expenses: inpatient, outpatient, mental health, prescription medication, skilled nursing care, and durable medical equipment. Military Medals and Records Medals awarded while in active service are issued by the individual military services if requested by Veterans or their next of kin.

Education and Training Eligible participants are entitled to receive a percentage of the cost of in-state tuition and fees at public institutions, or the tuition and fees capped at a national maximum rate for private or foreign schools. tinyurl.com/y56rzjht

Name

Discount

Allegiant Airlines AT&T Wireless Bass Pro Shops

Several 25% 5%

Choice Hotels Golden Corral

Various Vets Day Free

Lowe’s

10%

Michaels

15%

National Parks

Free Entrance

Nike

10%

Red Robin Sesame Place Sherwin Williams Paint

Burger & Fries 1 Free / Year 15%

T-Mobile Under Armour United Airlines Verizon Wireless

Visit Site 20 - 40% 5% Visit Site

DISCLAIMER Merchants have no obligation to extend discounts to any patron. Lifestyles over 50 disclaims any and all liability in the event a merchant goes out of business or refuses to honor savings for any reason, such as printing errors or damages resulting from a discount listing user's attempt to cause a merchant to honor discounts.

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Veteran Resources

Veteran Outreach

Common Ground Farm and Retreat The perfect place to disconnect with the urgent, so you can reconnect with the important. Stay with us for a day, a weekend, or even a week, and get grounded! commongroundretreat.com Eastern Amputee Golf Association The Eastern Amputee Golf Association (EAGA) was formed by those who were interested in developing a regional amputee golf association. eagagolf.org Pennsylvania Outdoor Veterans The mission of Pennsylvania Outdoor Veterans is to reduce veteran suicide through the healing nature and camaraderie developed during outdoor activities such as camping, hunting, and fishing. paoutdoorveterans.org Team RWB (Lehigh Valley Chapter) To enrich the lives of America’s veterans by connecting them to their community through physical and social activity. teamrwb.org/chapter/team-rwb-lehigh-valley-pa

U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Mackenzie Richardson

Handicapped Scuba Association Course Directors and Instructors all around the world conduct a wide range of classes on an ongoing basis throughout the year. hsanjscuba.com

Additional Resources LVMAC Lehigh Valley’s comprehensive source of information relevant to veterans. lv-mac.org Allentown VA Outpatient Clinic 3110 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown (610) 776-4304 tinyurl.com/yy84f5u6 Lehigh County Veterans Affairs 17 S. 7th St., Allentown (610) 782-3295 tinyurl.com/y3xcddgc Northampton County Veterans 2801 Emrick Blvd., Bethlehem (610) 829-4875 tinyurl.com/y69pwt2u Department of Veterans Affairs va.gov Veterans Crisis Line 800-273-8255, press 1

What Is VA Pension?

What Is Enhanced or Special Monthly Pension?

Team River Runner (Lehigh Valley Chapter) TRR provides health and healing for military injured, active duty, veterans, and disabled members of our community through therapeutic kayaking. tinyurl.com/yxcwden7

Pension is a needs-based bene it paid to wartime Veterans who meet certain age or non-service connected disability requirements. Who Is Eligible?

You may be eligible if • you were discharged from service under other than dishonorable conditions, AND • you served 90 days or more of active duty with at least 1 day during a period of war time, AND • your countable income is below the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR), AND • you meet the net worth limitations, AND • you are Age 65 or older, OR • you have a permanent and total non-service connected disability, OR • you are a patient in a nursing home, OR you are receiving social security disability benefits. For more info: tinyurl.com/yxvmmf38

Aid and Attendance (A&A) A&A is an increased monthly pension amount paid to a Veteran or surviving spouse. You may be eligible if • you require the aid of another person in order to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, feeding, dressing, toileting, adjusting prosthetic devices, or protecting yourself from the hazards of your daily environment, OR • you are bedridden, in that your disability or disabilities requires that you remain in bed apart from any prescribed course of convalescence or treatment, OR • you are a patient in a nursing home due to mental or physical incapacity, OR • you have corrected visual acuity of 5/200 or less in both eyes or concentric contraction of the visual field to 5 degrees or less. For more info: tinyurl.com/yybydyax

LIFESTYLES OVER 50

Lehigh Valley

Holiday 2021

Sudoku answers from Page 22 Puzzle 1 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50)

Puzzle 2 (Medium, difficulty rating 0.50)

word 2 5search 8

Answer sheet

Holiday 2021 Word Finder

WordWheel: ENDANGER

Look for the words listed below the puzzle and circle or outline the words as you find them. Words can travel up, down, across, backwards, and diagonally. All the words are from this issue, so see if you can find them where they live!

Holiday Word Finder Solution from Page 18 D R R Y H Y R A T I L I M J L

Arden Courts, a 100% dedicated memory care community, recognizes the importance of customizing a well-rounded care plan for residents with Alzheimer’s or related dementias to help them thrive physically and emotionally. For more information or to schedule a personal tour, call the location nearest you. Allentown 5151 Hamilton Boulevard Allentown, PA 18106 610.366.9010

Old Orchard 4098 Freemansburg Avenue Easton, PA 18045 484.373.5170

E E C I R A B R E P Y H O A R

T H A N K S G I V I N G I E S

C R A S T E N G A M N S G U S

E B E T H L E H E M R G G S K

N P E A N S A T L E O A O B N

N F O L I A G E V L H L M B U

O V T L H B A O B P G I S I M

C O E A C R R U O N S T N G P

A H S T N T U S I I J T A A I

R M A I N T E N A N C E R L H

E E R O T A R E G I R F E R C

T D C N O A N S M G L N T A R

H A W K E Y E S I C Q O E M N

I S O L A T E D S E Z C V I P

Grow in the grace and knowledge of the BETHLEHEM BLOGGER Lord Jesus Christ

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Need Help with Senior Care? 855-233-7034

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CHIPMUNKS CONFETTI CONNECTED CONTROVERSIA

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Let’s Connect With Each Other…

One Phone Call at a Time! Staying home and limiting our activities has made us safer during the pandemic. Now that colder weather is here and darkness sets in so early it sometimes seems like we’re in hibernation. Not spending time with other people may make us feel quite isolated and “disconnected”. Maybe you’re someone who really misses that connection to other people. So many people look for ways to help others, especially at this time of year. Maybe you’re someone looking for a way to help someone, but want to do it safely, from your own home. Senior CHAT is for you if you’re someone who wants to make or someone who would like to receive a weekly call. We can come together, make connections and help one another. A friendly phone call can make difference for someone who is lonely. What is Saeworld nior of CH AT? .

Senior CHAT is a safe and secure no-cost program that matches Volunteer Callers with older adults who live in Lehigh, Northampton, or Carbon Counties. Matches connect for friendly phone conversations once each week.

How Do I Get Involved? Become a Volunteer Caller! Signing up to be a Senior CHAT caller is a fun and rewarding way to give back and support the older adults in our community. Callers must be at least 18 years of age, agree to a background check and commit to calling their match once a week for at least 6 months. You can do this right from your home!

Sign up to receive a weekly call! Connect with a friendly volunteer through weekly phone calls. Share your stories. Reminisce. Talk about shared interests and experiences. Laugh. Make a new friend. Stay ‘connected’. Enjoy conversations with someone who cares!

If you want to receive a weekly call or become a Volunteer Caller: Visit: RSVPofLNC.org/SeniorCHAT Call: 610-880-3095 Email: SeniorCHATglv@hotmail.com

PROVIDING HOME ACCESSIBILITY

FREE In-Home Estimate

Serving Eastern PA - Locally owned and operated

Many lift options for residential & commercial applications

ELEVATION MODULAR RAMPS GAIN A NEW LEVEL OF ACCESSIBILITY TO YOUR HOME

STRAIGHT Lifts

CURVED Lifts

COMMERCIAL Lifts

RAMPS & Platforms

Elevation Ramps are an attractive accessibility solution that makes raised landings around you your independence and activity with the comfort of knowing your home is safe again.

These durable ramps make entry and exit simple and secure. Non-corrosive aluminum constru will last for years to come. Designed to accommodate wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and even Elevation Ramps are an ideal solution.

ELEVATION MODULAR RAMP PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

• Home assessment & installation as soon as 48 hours WEIGHT CAPACITY

Power Stair Lifts

PLATFORM SIZE

850 lb

4' x 4' 4' x 5' 5' x 5' 5' x 6'

• Rental & used lifts available SAFETY FEATURE

WARRANTY

Non-slip surfaces

WIDTH

36" inside ra

COMPLIANCE

- ADA comp - Rated resi

OPTIONS

- Platform g - Aluminum

3-year limited

• Local Maintenance & Customer Service Harmar.com

80 0.833.0 478

PowerStairLifts.com l 484-895-1188

22JAN2021 | MK