"b" magazine winter 2014

MANLY CRAFTING SPECIAL FEATURE: Orthopedics & Pain Reaching baby boomers 1946 – 1964

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Whether your goal is to run a half marathon or simply walk down the aisle, being healthy is how you get there. Every WellSpan doctor, health coach and provider on your team works with you to make that happen. Our primary care physicians and specialists measure and track how well they help you stay well, while working together to !" ( $ $ '" ) " ( " % , '# ) ) $ !# * ' $ & " !# '# $ & "+ $ , + ) $ " $ 51 % # $ " ' '$ $" #* ( + '" #! $ #+ ) - " $ "#+ '$! % $ % # ! *# # " conveniently located where you live. $ "$ * '" " % # ! ) $ ! $ *, For the journey that is life.

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PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson EDITORIAL V .P. & Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor Megan Joyce CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lee Dussinger Leslie Feldman Civia Katz Stephen Kopfinger Katey Markey McLaughlin Kim Meredith Rebecca Mills Lori M. Myers Gina Napoli Christopher Speed Papatya Tankut Barbara & Jim Twardowski Rosalba T. Ugliuzza Michael C. Upton Sylvester Williams, IV ART DEPARTMENT Production Coordinator Janys Cuffe Production Artist Renee McWilliams SALES Account Executives Christina Cardamone Angie Jacoby Amy Kieffer Ranee Shaub Miller ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall Events Manager Kimberly Shaffer Project Coordinator Loren Gochnauer Sales & Event Coordinator Eileen Culp Interns Mariah K. Hammacher

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from the editor ...

In the last issue of b magazine, we saw a gentler side of Alice Cooper. In this edition, read about Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells. They had the biggest hit of the summer of ‘66 and went on to have 23 gold singles and nine gold and platinum albums. However, unbeknownst to him, the owner of the record company he signed with was intimately involved with the mob. Read more about Tommy James and his tell-all book.

Each year in this issue, we discuss some of the aches and pains that we experience in the feature called “Orthopedics and Pain.” We often hear the terminology for various conditions and illnesses. Read about some common ailments and see what you can do if you or someone you know is suffering from their symptoms.

We baby boomers want to be fashionably dressed. You’re in luck! A local fashion boutique tells us what the coming trends are and what you should be looking for on your next shopping trip. It’s not just about style; it’s about what makes you feel good.

We’re back indoors now and if you’re like me, you’re looking around and seeing a room or two that needs some attention–flooring that has seen better days; walls that could use a fresh coat of paint; and accessories that no longer accent the room. Find out what you can do to revive a room without doing a total makeover.

It’s the season of gift-giving and taking housewarming gifts to friends and family. Does this cause you stress because you’re not sure of what each person might like? Maybe this is the year to start a new tradition: giving homemade gifts. Read about a fellow baby boomer whose friends and family look forward to the heartfelt gifts he presents them every year.

There is a lot more to read and enjoy. Grab a beverage (maybe an eggnog) and relax!

Vice president and managing editor

bmagazinepa

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www.bmagazinepa.com winter 2014 volume 7, issue 4

features 48

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ROOM REVIVERS

Would you like to refresh the appearance of a room without changing everything? Look to your floors and walls. There are beautiful and tasteful flooring choices to meet any budget. And if you think your walls are oh, so blah, check out the exciting treatments that can be applied that will have your guests saying, “Wow, I love it!”

MANLY CRAFTING – GIFT GIVING DURING THE HOLIDAYS

Have you ever received a handmade present? Doesn’t it make you feel special because someone put their time and effort into making a gift from their heart? A local boomer shares his story of how something that was once done out of necessity is now a cherished tradition for his friends and family. He even shares a recipe you can try at home!

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SPECIAL FEATURE 17 ORTHOPEDICS AND PAIN

Boomers are living energetic lives, working and participating in sports and other activities later in life. But certain conditions become more prevalent due to age alone or in combination with that lifestyle. Learn about some common boomer conditions and what you can do about them.

anniversary 14

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THE MEDAL OF HONOR

A symbol of true courage.

cover story 6 TOMMY JAMES

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You know Tommy James from the great music he gave us. But did you know that Morris Levey, president and founder of Roulette Records, the company Tommy James and the Shondells were signed with, had strong Mafia ties?

Tommy James has written a very exciting and revealing book called, Me, the Mob, and the Music.

caregiving 52 56 58

MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS

Combating the rise of “polypharmacy.”

IS A LOVED ONE AT RISK OF FALLING?

A simple checklist to assess their risk.

PROGRESSIVE BRAIN DISEASES

Signs that a loved one may have dementia.

drinks 35

WHISKY

Going beyond single malt.

financial 46

RETIRING SOON?

Don’t forget the tax implications.

general 72

GOOD VIBRATIONS

Meet a fellow boomer.

health 18 22 26 30 32

ACUPUNCTURE AND THERAPY

68

Treatment options for pain management.

“BABY BOOMERS’ BACK”

Don’t let it stop your active lifestyle.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AND OSTEOARTHRITIS

What’s the difference?

YOU’VE GOT THE SNIFFLES

Now what?

VITAMIN K

An important nutrient for bone and heart health.

life 61

AFTER LOSING A LOVED ONE

Keeping holiday expectations real.

lifestyle 42

FASHION

Your clothing should accentuate your assets.

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nostalgia 68

TOY TRAINS

They can be like time machines for some.

travel 38

SAN ANTONIO

A destination that sparkles during the holidays.

veteran 10

THE EYE IN THE SKY

A veteran’s vital backup to our troops.

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cover story

it’s all crimson and clover for tommy james Written by LORI M. MYERS

“MONY MONY,” “I THINK WE’RE Alone Now,” and “Crimson and Clover.”

The list goes on.

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Tommy James and the Shondell’s appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1969.

After more than five decades in this business called “rock ’n’ roll,” you’d think that Tommy James would have had enough. You’d think he’d have called it quits when technology began to overtake what once was considered pure, when the business became a lot tougher than what it was when he started out with his first hit, “Hanky Panky.”

But listening to Tommy James talk about his life in the music world is listening to someone who has maintained that same love and exuberance for the business that put him and The Shondells on the map.

“It’s tougher now,” James admits.

“I would hate to be trying to make it in today’s music business. The challenge is to get new music in front of fans. You don’t have to make CDs anymore.

There used to be over 300 labels; now there’s only three. The Internet has really changed things.”

But instead of James turning his back on this technology stuff, he’s embraced it. He has his own channel on YouTube called “Inside Tracks with Tommy James,” a sort of mini television show that chronicles how some of the group’s hits came to be.

He’s using that technology to stay in front of and part of the industry he loves.

James’s start in music is the stuff of dreams. Born Thomas Jackson in Dayton, Ohio, he began as a 4-year-old child model in Niles, Mich. Eight years

cover story ) ) ) tommy james

Dennis Levy presenting Tommy James with a gold record for “Crimson and Clover,” 1969.

Left to right: Manager Lenny Stogel, Tommy James, and Morris Levy.

later, he formed his first rock band, The Tornadoes, which experienced some regional fame.

The group changed its name to The Shondells and recorded a “little” tune called “Hanky Panky” in 1964. The record became, at best, a local hit and soon was forgotten.

But then something happened. A Pittsburgh nightclub DJ found the record in a bin and began playing it at weekend dances. The crowd loved it, and soon radio deejays were playing it over the airwaves. “Hanky Panky” sold 80,000 copies in 10 days, and by May 1966, it was the No. 1 record in Pittsburgh.

As the popularity of the record took hold, James had to re-form The Shondells with new members, and several weeks later they signed a record deal with Roulette Records in New York. “Hanky Panky” became the summer of ’66’s smash hit, and so

began one of the longest strings of nonstop hits in recording-industry history.

“Hanky Panky” was soon followed by two more million sellers, “Say I Am (What I Am)” and “It’s Only Love.”

With the group and its sound on the minds and hearts of music lovers, it’s no surprise that the Hanky Panky album went gold just four weeks after its release.

Over the next two years, more backto-back singles shot up the charts: “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Mirage,” “I Like The Way,” “Gettin’ Together,” “Out Of the Blue,” “Get Out Now,” and that party and wedding reception favorite, “Mony Mony.”

The story of how “Mony Mony” got its title is legendary. As James chronicles in his autobiographical book Me, the Mob, and the Music, he began writing the song lyrics but didn’t have a title. He knew they needed a two-

Tommy James and Herbert Humphrey during Humphrey’s campaign for presidency.

Humphrey asked James to be his presidential youth advisor.

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cover story

Above: Cover of Tommy James and the Shondells’ 40 year singles collection (1966 - 2006).

syllable girl’s name but couldn’t come up with one.

It was after midnight in Manhattan, and as James and his writing companion, Ritchie Cordell, looked out at the city’s night sky, their eyes caught sight of a building across the street and a couple of blocks away. It was the Mutual of New York Insurance Company building with a flashing neon sign on top: MONY MONY MONY. There it was. The name they needed. Perfect.

Early 1969 saw hits like “Crystal Blue Persuasion,” “Crimson and Clover,” and “Sweet Cherry Wine.”

James’s songs were not only covered by other singers and bands, but some also graced many movies, television shows, and advertisements. If you’ve seen Forrest Gump, Money Ball, or

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Pirate Radio, then you’ve heard some of James’s hits.

Another well-known story is how Tommy James and The Shondells did not perform at the famed Woodstock rock concert.

“In the summer of 1969, I was in Hawaii,” James recalls. “We were performing at two gigs and staying at a beautiful mansion at the foot of Diamond Head.”

James got a phone call from his secretary who, through James’s attorney, asked if he wanted to play at this concert called Woodstock.

James asked for more specifics and was told: “It’s on a pig farm in upstate New York.”

“I said to her, ‘Are you nuts?’”

James says. “They wanted us to leave paradise, fly across the country,

cover story ) ) ) tommy james

Me, the Mob, and the Music, the story of the rise and fame of Tommy James and the Shondells and their true involvement with the mob. Unabridged.

and play music on a pig farm.”

The group stayed in “paradise” and, of course, the rest is concert history.

The ups and downs of James’s life and the goings-on in the recording industry at the height of his success are told in Me, the Mob, and the Music. The book not only became a bestseller and was chosen by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 25 greatest rock ’n’ roll memoirs of all time, but it is also in the process of being made into a major motion picture. At the helm is producer Barbara De Fina, whose production credits include Goodfellas, Casino, and Hugo.

“The center of attention of the film will be (Roulette Records owner) Morris Levy,” James explains. “We

just got a screenplay writer, and Universal is going to distribute the film. I’m going to play a big part in getting this film made. I’m flattered and honored.”

Tommy James and The Shondells continue to tour and share their love of rock ’n’ roll with fans all across the country and Canada. Up to now, the group has yet to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but James hinted that might change once the film is released. When I urged him to give me a definite statement, he finally relented: Yes, Tommy James and The Shondells will be inductees two years from now.

You heard it here first.

“I’m thankful for the longevity,” James says. “I’m amazed we lasted so long.” ) ) )

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veteran

Randy Mason outside VFW Post 3502 in Hershey, where he is post commander.

the eye in the sky over vietnam Written by STEPHEN KOPFINGER

IN 1969, RANDOLPH “RANDY” Mason found himself not so much in Vietnam as over it.

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When people think of the Vietnam War, they think of ground forces fighting the North Vietnamese and the dreaded Viet Cong. But our troops had a lot of vital backup in the air, and Mason, from Hummelstown, was part of that.

An airman first class with the United States Air Force, Mason served almost exactly one year overseas, from January to December 1969.

“They got me home for Christmas,” says Mason, post commander at VFW Post 3502 in Hershey.

“I was waiting for my [college] grades when I got my draft notice,” recalls Mason, who had married his wife, Suzanne, in February of 1968. He enlisted in the Air Force, hoping, perhaps, to be stationed in Germany.

Mason’s basic training, like many an Air Force man, was at Lackland Air

Force Base in San Antonio.

“The drill sergeants were not like Mama!” Mason laughs.

As it turned out, Vietnam, rather than Germany, was Mason’s destiny.

He knew one thing: to become a ground radio operator “meant jungle.”

So, Mason remembers, “I went airborne.”

But there were things to deal with on friendly soil first. Mason flew out of San Francisco after a not-so-small hitch along the way. His luggage was stolen, which meant he had no uniform.

“I borrowed one from a buddy to get out of the United States. It was a little tight.”

Jungle-survival school and prisonerof-war training followed at Clark Air Base in the Philippines, a major hub of activity during the war years. Although Mason would spend most of his time in

veteran ) ) ) randy mason

Left: Training school for ground radio.

Right: Randy and wife, Suzanne.

Below: Airman First Class Randy Mason receiving medal, 1969.

the sky once he got to Vietnam, there was always the chance his aircraft could be shot down.

Jungle-survival school, he says, taught a stranded serviceman “where to go to hide and what kind of food was available.” Prisoner-of-war training had a darker, but necessary, side, teaching endurance in case of capture.

“If you didn’t make it [through training], you flunked out of flight school,” Mason sums up.

Mason served with the Air Force’s 39th Aerospace Rescue and Recover Squadron, and his flying command post over Vietnam was a Lockheed HC-130, a large turboprop craft used in searchand-rescue missions and the tricky business of mid-air refueling.

It was a multitasking job that kept Mason and his fellow crewmen busy.

“I had to keep track of everything that was going on, communicationswise,” says Mason, noting that in 1969, there was none of today’s computer technology to assist in those duties. There was a lot to deal with— and there were priorities.

“If a plane went down, we had to scramble to get that pilot or pilots,” Mason notes. “Whenever anyone got shot down, we went into high gear.”

The crew’s second goal was refueling other flying craft—thousands of feet

“

If you didn’t make it through training, you flunked out of flight school.

”

above ground. That included the huge HH-3E, the big, long-range helicopters known as Jolly Green Giants.

Plane-to-plane aerial refueling is complicated enough. Plane-tohelicopter refueling was another thing.

“We had to drop down to 9,000–10,000 feet,” remembers Mason. “We had to slow up, and big probes would come out.” The two crafts would connect after lots of maneuvering.

There were other things to contend with too.

“Once we almost had a mid-air collision,” Mason says.

But one thing the crew of the HC130 didn’t have to worry about was small-arms ground fire.

“Charlie”—a term for the enemy— “would shoot at us with his rifle, but at 10,000 feet you were pretty safe.”

More worrisome was a mission over the neighboring country of Laos, a place heavily bombed by American forces.

“You didn’t want to get captured by the Pathet Lao,” says Mason of that country’s communist nationalist movement.

Yet there were some lighter moments. When the Apollo 11 moon landing was launched in July, “we could track that,” Mason says. Plus, “I got

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veteran

Above: At the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington.

Left: Inside VFW post 3502 in Hershey.

to travel a lot. We ferried troops to Hong Kong for rest and relaxation.”

He remembers being impressed when he swooped over the city, but there was a strange caveat once they landed.

“We could not have our uniforms on, and we had to be out [of there] before dark,” Mason remembers.

Probably Mason’s best moment upon leaving Vietnam that December was a statistic that made him grateful on the way home.

“We didn’t lose a plane when I was there,” he says of the type of aircraft on which he served.

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Mason came home at McClellan Air Base in Sacramento, Calif.

“I tried to re-enlist, but I wasn’t an officer,” Mason recalls.

Instead, he pursued a liberal arts degree at American River Junior College in Sacramento. Mason and his wife later returned to the Pittsburgh area, near where he was born.

Mason pursued his education in what is now known as the College of General Studies and the School of Education at University of Pittsburgh. After obtaining his master’s degree at the University of Pittsburgh, teaching took

root, strictly by chance.

A friend of Mason’s was teaching at Rutgers, and the friend’s wife called to say there was a teaching opening at a school district in Clinton Township, also in New Jersey.

“So I put on a suit,” says Mason.

“Twenty-eight-and-a-half years later, I retired from there.”

In the course of his educational career, Mason taught language arts, social studies, and eighth-grade-level American history. He used his collection of slides taken in Vietnam as a tool in teaching his students.

veteran

have a great post here,” he says of VFW Post 3502, noting its 156 active members and around 300 social members. “I’m very proud of it.”

Mason is also active with the American Legion in Hummelstown and with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks in the Poconos, where the Masons have a second home.

Mason has made several trips to The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, including when The Wall was dedicated in 1982.

“We try to go down to The Wall every other year,” says Mason of his fellow VFW members.

Today, Mason empathizes with our fighting forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, even as the American presence in both of those countries is winding down.

“The people they are fighting are almost like the Viet Cong,” Mason says. “You never knew where the Viet Cong were.”

Yet Mason would like to see Vietnam again, saying that if he and Suzanne can swing a trip to Australia and New Zealand someday, they might stop there. He looks back on his last visit.

“Nineteen-sixty-nine,” Mason says, “was an intense year!” ) ) )

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And yet, Mason didn’t think of Vietnam for a long time after he came home.

“Nobody talked about it,” he says.

“I didn’t talk about it until 10 or 15 years ago.”

Nor did Mason think of becoming involved with a fraternal organization for many years. That changed when the Masons moved to Hummelstown (their daughter, Carrie Ann Hawk, is a fourthgrade teacher in Lancaster County’s Donegal School District; his son, Randy, works in an architectural design firm near Philadelphia).

“I found this place in 2008. We

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photos courtesy of U.S. Army Military History Institute

the medal of honor: a symbol of true courage

Above: President Lyndon B. Johnson presented the first Medal of Honor of the Vietnam War to Captain Roger H. C. Donlon (standing above right, at attention, and pictured at right wearing medal) at the White House on Dec. 5, 1964, for his actions while at Camp Nam Dong in Vietnam.

Written by REBECCA MILLS

THE WORD HERO CAN HAVE MANY DIFFERENT MEANINGS AND IS OFTEN used to describe anyone who has the courage to do what is right and not what is easy, even in the face of death.

For our brave service men and women throughout our nation’s history, simply being involved in the Armed Forces should be considered a heroic act. Those who served in Europe and Asia in the 20th century and in our own backyards in the Civil War overcame tremendous adversities.

The Medal of Honor, the highest

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honor awarded to any soldier, is earned by those who displayed selfless acts of bravery while enduring the chaos of battle. For their altruistic efforts, the word hero doesn’t seem to be strong enough.

The concept for the Medal of Honor was proposed by Sen. James W. Grimes on Dec. 9, 1861, to “promote the

efficiency of the Navy” during the Civil War, and the bill was promptly signed

by President Abraham Lincoln 11 days later.

The first 200 medals were produced and ready to be distributed to the soldiers who exhibited exceptional bravery during the battles of the Civil War. Shortly after this, Lincoln decided

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The Medal of Honor, the highest honor awarded to any soldier, is earned by those who displayed selfless acts of bravery while enduring the chaos of battle.

the night on July 6, 1964.

Just before dawn, more than 900 Vietcong militants launched a full-scale attack on the Nam Dong camp, and the surprise attack quickly took the lives of many of Donlon’s men.

Over the course of the five-hour standoff, Donlon was an inspiration to his men, supplying them with weapons and ammo, treating the wounded, and defending the camp.

Although Donlon was wounded multiple times by mortar explosions, his leadership never wavered.

Many Medals of Honor are awarded posthumously, but Donlon did survive the attack and was recognized for his heroic leadership when he received the Medal of Honor from President Johnson on Dec. 5, 1964.

Donlon was the first to receive the Medal of Honor since the Korean War. Following him were 247 more recipients during the Vietnam War. These included 160 more to the Army, 57 to the Marines, 16 to the Navy, and 14 to the Air Force.

Of the 248 total Medals of Honor that were awarded to men from the Vietnam War, 156 were given posthumously to those who paid the ultimate price by giving up their lives in battle. There are currently only 55 living recipients of the Medal of Honor from the Vietnam War. The sacrifices made by the soldiers who earn the Medal of Honor are what make them stand out and what make the rest of us stand back in awe of their bravery. ) ) )

) ) ) medal of honor

to allow all enlisted Armed Service members, regardless of their rank, the opportunity to receive the Medal of Honor for “distinguishing themselves by their gallantry in action.”

There are three variations of the Medal of Honor – The Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard share the same medal, and the Army and Air Force each has its own medal.

When, in the name of congress, the president of the United States places the Medal of Honor around the neck of a soldier, it serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made for the safety of the soldier’s compatriots. Recipients put their own lives and personal safety aside to help protect their fellow comrades.

In order to appreciate how exclusive the Medal of Honor is, it is important to note that there have only been 3,489 total recipients since the award was created.

Fifty years ago this December, Roger Donlon was the first Vietnam War service member to receive the Medal of Honor for his acts of bravery during the Vietnam War. Capt. Roger Donlon was in the Army 7th Special Forces Group in 1964, when he was sent on his first tour to Vietnam.

His camp was located at Nam Dong, near the borders of Laos and North Vietnam.

The remote location and the thick jungle that surrounded the camp made it a good target for Vietcong to launch an assault. After two months at the camp, his unit was attacked while he was standing guard outside in the middle of

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From top: The Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard share the same medal, and the Air Force and Army each has its own medal.

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ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN Dr. Ton-That, a physiatrist with Lancaster Neuroscience & Spine Associates, inserts acupuncture needles in a patient with lower back pain. After inserting the needles, electrical stimulators are connected to the needles and infrared heat is directed at the needles for approximately 20 minutes to effectively relieve back pain.

acupuncture and physical therapy for pain management Written by KATIE MARKEY MCLAUGHLIN

FOR MANY AMERICANS, PHYSICAL PAIN IS AN EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE. One national survey found that more than 25 percent of U.S. adults have recently dealt with some sort of pain lasting longer than a day. Another report states that chronic pain—often defined as pain lasting longer than six months—currently affects about 100 million American adults.

Many of those suffering are baby boomers who are continuing to work hard and play hard even as they age.

Effective pain management is essential to staying active and continuing to engage in everyday activities.

The good news is that there are several treatment options beyond

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relying solely on over-the-counter or prescription pain medicines. Two of those options are acupuncture and physical therapy.

Acupuncture for Pain Management As part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is one of the world’s oldest healing practices. The ancient theory behind the practice is that inserting thin needles through the skin at specific points on the body helps to regulate the body’s energy flow.

“Traditional Chinese medicine bases everything on energies,” explained Dr. Tony Ton-That, a physiatrist with

Lancaster Neuroscience & Spine Associates.

The practice is becoming increasingly common in America: A national survey found that 3.1 million Americans had used acupuncture in the last year, mostly to relieve back, joint, and neck pain.

From the perspective of a physician, the insertion of the acupuncture needles stimulates the brain to produce endorphins, which are the body’s own pain-killing hormones. The release of endorphins can relax the body while increasing circulation and decreasing inflammation.

with standard Western techniques. TonThat views acupuncture as just one tool to offer patients for pain control—one part of the whole regimen, which often includes medicine and lifestyle changes such as increased exercise, weight reduction, diet modifications, and smoking cessation.

One of the key results patients can expect with acupuncture is a better night’s sleep, which is vital for pain management.

“Pain is a vicious cycle,” said TonThat. “If you’re in pain, you can’t sleep, and if you don’t sleep well, you don’t have the energy to deal with the pain. You have to break that cycle.”

He recommends patients not wait to try acupuncture until after they’ve tried a host of other treatments and techniques.

“People often see acupuncture as a

last resort,” he said. “If they try it sooner, they can get rid of the pain quicker.”

Physical Therapy for Pain Management When people are suffering from pain conditions, often the last thing they want to do is move. But in many cases, the less people move, the more pain they feel. That’s why physical therapy can play a vital role in pain management and treatment.

As its name suggests, physical therapy is the treatment of a disease or injury through physical methods—like exercise and massage—as opposed (or in addition) to medications and surgery. Physical therapists focus on helping patients decrease the pain they feel when completing their daily physical activities, like walking or climbing stairs.

ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

“It stimulates the body to produce more anti-inflammatory cells,” said Ton-That. “Instead of taking more pain medication, you can use your body’s own chemicals to control inflammation.”

The most common pain conditions for which patients seek acupuncture treatment are acute and chronic back, neck, and shoulder pain; joint pain as a result of arthritis; and migraines.

For some, acupuncture is an appealing option for pain management because it is noninvasive and less risky than many medicines and medical procedures.

“The side effect is almost zero,” said Ton-That. The patient could experience a flare-up from the needle, but even that is rare, he explained.

It’s important to remember that acupuncture can be used in conjunction

Shown below are a few of the physical therapy techniques used at Drayer Physical Therapy Institute. From left: Kaitlin Milligan, DPT, challenges Jeanie Collins' balance negotiating over hurdles; assesses Collins’ directional preference for spinal stenosis; and Milligan guards Collins as she walks with a narrow base of support to challenge her dynamic standing balance.

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ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

Physical therapy is effective for pain management because it builds endurance, strengthens muscles, and increases flexibility in the patient’s joints. In addition, and as is also the case with acupuncture, physical therapy can encourage the body to produce more of its own natural pain-relieving chemicals, which leads to significant pain relief. “Pain in the neck and low back are the most common conditions we see in the baby boomer generation,� explained Jessica Heath of the Drayer Physical Therapy Institute, which is based in Hummelstown. She also added that many patients come in for help dealing with arthritic joint pain and pain in the shoulders and knees.

There are a wide variety of treatment techniques physical therapists will use, depending on the patient’s specific condition and symptoms.

Aquatic therapy, which refers to treatments and exercises performed in water, is often prescribed for patients when their pain levels are significantly restricting their ability to move. “The depth of the water changes buoyancy in patients,� explained

“

Acupuncture, physical therapy, or a combination of the two could bring you the pain relief you’ve been searching for.

�

Heath. “If you’re in a lot of pain, being in water can unload the weight on your body, which allows you to move more freely.�

Gait retraining is another type of physical therapy that is often used for pain management, particularly in patients who are struggling to stand or walk due to issues such as stroke, a joint injury, or knee-replacement surgery. With this technique, the physical therapist will assist with a variety of standing and walking exercises to help strengthen the muscles and joints and improve balance. “The way you walk can change while you’re in pain,� Heath said. “As

your pain resolves, we’re looking at what happens to your gait to help prevent re-injury.�

Some physical therapists adhere to the McKenzie Method, an approach that determines the relationship between the pain a patient feels and the positions or postures that patient assumes while sitting, standing, or moving. The goal is to develop an exercise protocol patients can complete on their own so they can treat and manage their pain themselves.

Heath emphasized that your physical therapist will determine the best treatment techniques for you by first establishing the source of your pain. “At the first appointment, we spend a good 45 minutes talking to the patient about the pain and doing an evaluation of strength, flexibility, and range of motion. This helps us identify the source of the pain.�

For baby boomers who want to avoid or reduce their reliance on pain medication, there are many treatment options available. Acupuncture, physical therapy, or a combination of the two could bring you the pain relief you’ve been searching for. ) ) )

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ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

Written by CIVIA KATZ

THE DOCTOR GIVES YOU THE NEWS: YOU NEED BACK SURGERY. But that might not be bad news after all. Whereas a condition such as spinal stenosis, known as “baby boomers’ back,” used to cut short an active lifestyle, today, it is very treatable.

“Boomers are more active than [generations] were in the past.

Boomers want to stay active. This is one way to stay active,” said Dr. Steven J. Triantafyllou with OSS Health in York. “[Back surgery] is pretty simple. It’s one of the most successful operations that we do.”

This is good news for the nearly 78 million boomers born between 1946 and 1964 who are redefining aging.

Boomers, the first generation to begin exercising en masse, started a fitness revolution. They participated in sports and exercise from an early age and are

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continuing that active lifestyle in record numbers.

Baby boomers are walking, swimming, and playing basketball, hockey, and many other sports, and they expect to continue those interests.

Their participation in physical and outdoor activities has dramatically increased in the last 20 years.

However, all those years of strain on our bodies do have an effect.

“As we age, our spines change.

These normal wear-and-tear effects of aging can lead to narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing is referred

to as spinal stenosis,” said Dr. Michael Fernandez with Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania in Camp Hill. “Other changes that occur in the spine can also lead to progressive arthritis of the lumbar spine. This can lead to a condition called spondylolisthesis.”

Spondylolisthesis is a defect, injury, or fracture in the vertebra, causing the vertebra to slip and displacing it forward or backward over the bone below, triggering pressure on the nerve root. This slipping generally occurs at the base of the spine.

“These conditions can lead to

ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

something referred to as sciatica, which is the symptomatic radiation of burning pain, numbness, and tingling in the lower back, buttocks, and lower extremities,” said Fernandez.

There are several options for treatment of spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and sciatica that range from medication to surgery, with surgery being the choice of last resort.

Fernandez indicated that nonsurgical options include “physical therapy, lumbar traction, antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs), steroid injections, acupuncture, and chiropractic care.”

When you do all those non-surgical treatments and nothing has stopped the pain and the person is still limited, then it’s time to consider surgery, said Triantafyllou.

Surgical options include lumbar laminectomy for spinal stenosis

Dr. Triantafyllou points to the location of a patient’s vertebral fracture highlighted on the x-ray presented. These fractures are fairly common in baby boomers and seniors.

and microdiscetomy or laminectomy for a herniated disc to remove fragments.

If surgery is required for spondylolisthesis, the lumbar laminectomy procedure involves fusion.

Two bones are fused together so there is no more slippage. This particular surgery is more involved and the recovery time a little longer.

Lumbar laminectomy, also known as

Dr. Michael L. Fernandez, spine care specialist at Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania.

lumbar decompression surgery, is “like a Roto-Rooter job, making the opening bigger,” said Triantafyllou. Surgery will reduce pain and increase the ability to walk and stand.

“If you are resting, those nerves don’t need much to function. But as soon as you need to stand or walk, that’s when you need full nerve function,” said Triantafyllou. “The ability to stand for any length of time gets shorter. Walking diminishes over time.”

Spinal stenosis is progressive, and the surgery can give the person 15 to 20 years of a better living. Without treatment, people can miss out on many things in life, eventually becoming couch potatoes, said Triantafyllou.

A normal lifestyle can resume after surgery. Triantafyllou said the hospital stay is typically 24 hours, and full recovery for most people can be expected by six weeks.

“Patients tell me, ‘You’ve given me my life back,’” said Triantafyllou.

Fernandez said spinal stenosis is a prevalent condition and is first detected

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“

[Back surgery] is pretty simple.

It’s one of the most successful operations that we do.

”

in 50 percent of people by age 50, with most symptoms appearing after age 60.

Triantafyllou said osteoporosis cannot be ignored as a contributing factor to the weakening and fracturing of bones. He performs a very successful procedure called kyphoplasty to treat these fractures. The process involves putting two balloons in the vertebra to regain height. The base is filled with a cement-like substance similar to toothpaste.

“It’s like creating a pothole in the bone and filling it in with cement,” said Triantafyllou. “Pain relief is dramatic, and you only have two BandAids after the procedure.”

“Unfortunately, there is nothing available today that can slow or prevent the development of the aging spine. Certain occupations and various hobbies may have a higher likelihood of developing back and leg complaints,” said Fernandez.

Professions that are labor intensive or intense sports can make for problems later in life, but there are steps you can take for an overall

healthier lifestyle and to slow the decline of an aging back: Quit smoking – Smoking constricts the blood vessels, so tissues don’t get as much blood as they need.

Watch your weight – Obesity causes joints to wear out sooner.

Change your lifestyle – Eat a healthy diet and practice exercise and good posture.

Stay active – Bone loss begins after the mid-20s, and the less active you are, the more bone loss occurs.

“It’s a whole different world than 10 years ago. [Boomers] want to stay active,” said Triantafyllou. “It’s a different lifestyle from my parents or grandparents.”

“In general, maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes routine exercise, a well-balanced diet, and the avoidance of smoking can help diminish these risks,” said Fernandez. “It is best to see your physician or primary-care provider once you develop persistent and progressive back or leg pain, numbness, and tingling.” ) ) )

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ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis— what’s the difference?

Written by KATIE MARKEY MCLAUGHLIN

IF YOU’RE A BABY BOOMER EXPERIENCING PAIN IN YOUR joints, you might be wondering about arthritis, which is the umbrella term used to describe painful inflammation and stiffness in the area where two bones meet.

There are many different types of arthritis; however, each has its own set of symptoms and treatment options, so having an accurate diagnosis is important.

Below are the key similarities and differences between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, plus doctor-recommended steps to take if you’re currently experiencing pain in your joints.

Causes and Risk Factors The main difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is the source of the joint pain.

“Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition, meaning the body

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attacks itself,” explained Dr. Sandhya K. Adusumilli, a physician with Lancaster General Health Physicians Arthritis & Rheumatology. “Basically, the body’s immune system becomes overactive and attacks the joints, causing the pain.”

The condition has a strong genetic component, meaning it often runs in families, and it is significantly more common in women than men. Doctors believe there are also some environmental triggers to rheumatoid arthritis; for example, it is more likely to occur in smokers than non-smokers.

Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, does not involve the immune system at all.

“It’s more of a degenerative joint disease from wear and tear,” said

Adusumilli. “Sometimes it’s even called ‘wear-and tear-arthritis.’”

The disease is characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage that cushions a joint; this causes the bones to rub against one another, which accounts for the pain and inflammation. As with rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis is more common in women, and both heredity and environmental factors (such as obesity and injury) can cause its onset.

Being a baby boomer does not necessarily make you more or less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, as it can begin at any time in life. This is in stark contrast to osteoarthritis, which is closely tied to aging because the constant use of the joints over the years can cause damage to the cartilage.

ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

Dr. Adusumilli of Lancaster General Health Physicians Arthritis & Rheumatology examines the hand of a patient.

Symptoms A key difference between rheumatoid and osteoarthritis is the speed at which symptoms begin. With the former, the onset is relatively rapid—over the course of just a few weeks or months. With the latter, the painful inflammation builds slowly and gradually over the course of several years.

Additionally, Adusumilli explained that rheumatoid arthritis is a symmetric disease.

“Both sides of the body are equally affected,” she said. “It isn’t more pronounced on one side than the other, as with osteoarthritis.”

The experience of morning joint stiffness—a common symptom for most types of arthritis—also differs depending on the specific type of

condition you’re experiencing.

“People with both types of arthritis can have morning stiffness,” Adusumilli said. “With osteoarthritis, it usually lasts half an hour or less; with rheumatoid arthritis, it can last for a couple of hours.”

Finally, many people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis complain of symptoms affecting the entire body, fatigue being the most common. In osteoarthritis, the symptoms are usually limited to the affected joints.

Treatment Options Neither rheumatoid arthritis nor osteoarthritis is curable, but the symptoms of both can usually be managed through a combination of medication and behavioral changes.

With rheumatoid arthritis, there are

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ORTHOPEDICS & PAIN

anti-rheumatic medications that can help slow or even stop the progression of the disease by keeping the body’s immune system from continuing to attack itself.

“But you need to find a balance,” Adusumilli warned, “so that you’re not suppressing the immune system too much.”

Prescription-strength antiinflammatory drugs can also be used to reduce pain, and a doctor may recommend steroid injections when severe symptoms flare. In extreme cases, some patients opt for jointreplacement surgery.

With osteoarthritis, your doctor might also prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs, but “it’s more symptomatic care, with patients taking the meds only as needed,” said Adusumilli.

Steroid injections are an option as well for severe joint pain, along with a regimen of applying cold and heat to the affected joints.

With both types of arthritis, your doctor might recommend physical and/or occupational therapy to

“

The main difference between rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis is the source of the joint pain.

”

strengthen the joints. Eating a nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and engaging in regular exercise are also important for managing symptoms.

Steps for Boomers to Take If you’re experiencing joint pain, Adusumilli suggests seeing your family

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doctor first, who will conduct a medical history and physical exam and will possibly order tests to determine if you have arthritis and, if so, which type it is.

For boomers in particular, she cautions against assuming you have osteoarthritis because of your age— despite the fact that it is 10 times more common than rheumatoid arthritis—and then trying to manage it yourself with over-the-counter painkillers.

“Because of the long-term effects of rheumatoid arthritis, you should never assume you have osteoarthritis,” she said. “If you have rheumatoid arthritis and are only taking painkillers, you could end up with crippling deformities.”

The painful stiffness and inflammation associated with both types of arthritis can severely hinder your quality of life, but with the right treatment plan, you can likely manage your symptoms and continue to engage in your hobbies and everyday activities. ) ) )

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Margaret wasn’t going to let joint pain get in the way of sharing a hobby with her granddaughter—so she turned to Lancaster General Health Physicians Arthritis & Rheumatology. With locations in Lancaster, Elizabethtown and Ephrata, they couldn’t be more convenient. And with specialists boardcertified in internal medicine and rheumatology, she knew they could help with her discomfort, and assess her risk for osteoporosis, too. With a good treatment program, Margaret now has less joint pain and better movement, and can handle the smallest details in comfort.

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health

you’ve got the sniffles— now what?

Written by LESLIE FELDMAN

WITH COLD SEASON FAST APPROACHING, you may be crossing your fingers that you aren’t plagued with the age-old, seemingly inevitable sore throat and stuffy nose.

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are certainly a number of remedies that can alleviate symptoms; by the same token, there are many that don’t truly provide relief.

What Works While it might seem like common sense, good hygiene, rest, and proper nutrition are simple ways to both prevent and fight colds. By taking care of yourself, you give your immune system the strength to ward off germs.

Liquid, liquid, and more liquid! Water, juice, broth, and warm water with honey all aid in loosening congestion and hydrating. Not all liquids are created equally, though; stay away from caffeine and alcohol, which dehydrate the body.

Your grandmother wasn’t kidding when she told you her chicken soup would help that nasty cold. Chicken soup acts as an antiinflammatory by decreasing movement of the immune system cells that cause inflammation.

It also encourages the expulsion of mucus, allowing the cold virus less time in the nose lining.

Gargling with saltwater is an effective way to soothe a sore throat. Mix one-quarter to one-half teaspoons of salt with 1 cup of warm water to try this homemade remedy. Cough drops are another easy fix for this symptom as they numb the back of the throat.

Saline drops and sprays help decrease congestion and can be purchased over the

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health

What to Be Cautious Of Cough suppressants are another pharmaceutical option for targeting a bothersome cough. Many contain dextromethorphan (DXM), which, when taken in excess, can bring about feelings of euphoria and mind-body dissociation.

Due to these side effects, DXM became a popular recreational drug.

With the ease of obtaining cough suppressants (they are available OTC and inexpensive), many teens turn to this cold reliever to get high. Needless to say, taking too much can bring about many dangerous side effects, including fatal overdoses.

A nasal decongestant is another

OTC tool that targets stuffiness by shrinking the nasal membranes, but it can lead to a worsening of symptoms if used for more than a few days.

In addition, nasal decongestants can raise blood pressure, increase anxiety, and cause insomnia. They may be unsafe for people with high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid problems, and prostate problems.

“

While there is no cure for the common cold, there are certainly a number of remedies that can alleviate symptoms.

”

Contrary to popular belief, decongestants do not shorten a cold’s duration; they merely provide symptom relief.

Acetaminophen can be effective but must also be taken carefully. An overdose of acetaminophen can cause liver damage or failure. It is important that users strictly follow dosing instructions.

Many medications prescribed to treat the flu have acetaminophen in them; therefore, someone taking flu medicine should be sure he is not ingesting too much by taking acetaminophen as well. Read labels closely and consult your physician.

What Might Work It is debatable if vitamin C and echinacea alleviate cold symptoms.

Studies show that taking vitamin C before the onset of a cold may reduce the duration.

Some studies have the same findings for those who take echinacea immediately upon onset, while others show it has no bearing. It is important not to ingest too much echinacea; small doses should not be taken for more than eight weeks.

Similarly, it is not clear if zinc treatments are helpful in reducing cold symptoms. Studies supporting zinc suggest it is only effective when taken within 24 hours of symptoms starting.

Some zinc products have been found to contribute to a loss of smell.

) ) ) you’ve got the sniffles

counter (OTC). Neti pots are a popular remedy; users flush nasal passages with saltwater in order to thin the mucus, making it easier to expel.

Antihistamines are yet another OTC resource for lessening minor cold symptoms, such as runny noses and watery eyes. It is questionable if their benefits outweigh their side effects (dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, and dry mouth).

There is a reason that colds are more prevalent in the winter—they thrive on dryness. By creating a humid atmosphere, you can help kill a cold.

Improper care of a humidifier creates mold and bacteria, so be sure to change the water daily and follow the unit’s cleaning instructions.

Steam treatments help similarly to humidifiers; sit in the bathroom with the door closed and a hot shower running.

What Doesn’t Work Stay away from antibiotics.

Antibiotics attack bacteria, not the cold virus. Overuse of antibiotics increases antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making antibiotics less effective when they are truly needed.

The Bottom Line We have all had the common cold, and we all know that it lingers and is just plain annoying. While there are many ways to lessen symptoms, only time can make them disappear. It certainly doesn’t hurt to try the harmless home remedies.

Remember, though, if your symptoms persist for more than two to four weeks, if you are bleeding, or if you experience weight loss, chills, or fatigue, contact your physician. ) ) )

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health

Written by CHRISTOPHER SPEED, MND, APD

AGING IS INEVITABLE, BUT IT CERTAINLY ISN’T EASY. THE HOPE IS THAT we have taken care of our bodies in our youth, which carries us comfortably into adulthood and through to our senior years.

But the truth is that most of us— even for those who religiously eat healthy, balanced diets—are not obtaining the nutrients needed for the body to operate optimally. One area in which we are woefully deficient is vitamin K, particularly vitamin K2, and for anyone concerned about their bone or heart health, it’s a deficiency that needs to be addressed.

The Vitamin K Family When one thinks of vitamin K (if they do at all), blood clotting likely comes to mind. While this is important, research has confirmed far greater capabilities in the goal of true human health.

First, vitamin K is not a single compound; it consists of a group of fatsoluble vitamins. The vitamin K family is divided into vitamin K1, one molecule (phylloquinone), and vitamin K2, a group of molecules (menaquinones).

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While vitamin K1 is needed for proper blood coagulation, vitamin K2 is essential to build and maintain strong bones, as well as to avoid calcium deposits in the arteries, promoting cardiovascular health.

Vitamin K2 exists in several forms.

The most common ones are the synthetic menaquinone-4 (MK-4) and the natural or synthetic menaquinone-7 (MK-7).

Where bone health is concerned, vitamin K2 activates osteocalcin, a protein required to bind calcium to the mineral matrix, thus strengthening the skeleton.

In circulation, vitamin K2 allows the matrix gla protein (MGP) to accomplish its desired goal: taking calcium away from the arteries (where it could have calamitous effects) and putting it in the bone (where the effects are far more beneficial).

So the better one’s K status, the better one’s heart and bone health.

Cause of Deficiency In general, the typical Western diet contains insufficient amounts of vitamin K2 to adequately activate MGP, which means about 30 percent of vitamin K2-activated proteins remain inactive. This amount only increases with age.

Today’s vitamin deficiencies—in general as well as regarding vitamin K2—can be greatly attributed to the standard American diet (aptly dubbed “SAD”): one centered around processed foods and unhealthy oils, rather than healthy vegetables and fibers. Processing may extend the shelf life of a “food product,” but it strips out the vitamins and nutrients naturally found in food.

While vitamin K1 is found in green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and kale, and is easy to incorporate into one’s diet, the more beneficial vitamin K2 is difficult to come by through diet alone.

health ) ) ) vitamin k

“

While vitamin K1 is found in green, leafy vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, and kale, and is easy to incorporate into one’s diet, the more beneficial vitamin K2 is difficult to come by through diet alone.

Natural vitamin K2 is found in bacterially fermented foods like mature cheeses and curd. The MK-4 form of vitamin K2 is often found in relatively small quantities in meat and eggs. The best source of natural vitamin K2 is the traditional Japanese dish “natto,” which is made of fermented soybeans.

Natto provides an unusually rich source of natural vitamin K2 as longchain menaquinone-7 (MK-7), but its intense smell and “controversial” taste makes this superfood less attractive to the Western population.

Clinically Proven Supplementation Due to the deficiency of K vitamins in most people for optimal bone and cardiovascular health as a result of the Western diet, supplementation is recommended.

Supplementing vitamin K2 is

”

preferable to supplementing vitamin K1 as K2 intake has been linked to both bone and cardiovascular health. The most desirable form of K2 is natural vitamin K2 as MK-7, as this is the most bioavailable, bioactive, and longest-lasting form of vitamin K available.

One MK-7 product called MenaQ7® from NattoPharma has been tested by VitaK Research at the Maastricht University in the Netherlands, the world’s largest research institute dedicated to vitamin K, for safety and efficacy in humans.

Despite the strong epidemiological evidence showing that dietary intake of vitamin K2 may improve overall health status, it was not until a three-year “breakthrough” study of MenaQ7®— completed in 2012—that there had been a clinical trial to show that only a

long-term (more than one year) supplement of vitamin K, especially MK-7, improves bone-mineral density, bone-mineral concentration, and bone strength.

The study was a double-blind, randomized, clinical trial evaluating the results of a three-year regular intake of natural MK-7 in a 180 mcg daily dose by a group of 244 healthy post-menopausal Dutch women, 55 to 65 years old, randomly assigned to receive either MenaQ7® or identicallooking placebo capsules daily.

This study is considered by the medical community to be a breakthrough because it shows clinically, for the first time, statistically significant protection with vitamin K against osteoporosis and cardiovascular deterioration with aging.

Specifically, with regards to bone

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preservation, the study showed significant protection of the vertebrae and the hip (femoral neck) against osteoporosis and fractures due to bone degeneration. This was achieved with only 180 mcg/daily of MenaQ7, which is considered a “nutritional dose,” meaning it is a dose that can be obtained from a healthy, balanced diet.

Importantly, the three-year study showed, for the first time, substantial benefits of nutritional vitamin K2, as compared to the placebo group, in preventing age-related stiffening of arteries.

Medication Consideration Avoiding unwanted calcification and simultaneously keeping bones healthy is important for millions of people all over the world.

It is thus vital to know that natural vitamin K2 is safe. Present studies show that 45 micrograms of MenaQ7® does not interfere with blood-thinning medicines, and, as such, MenaQ7® does not provoke any additional risk of clot formation inside blood vessels.

However, a person using the bloodthinning medicines coumarin or warfarin should consult his or her physician for options, and under medical care, consider supplementing with MenaQ7® or any other vitamin K2. ) ) )

Christopher Speed, MND, APD, has a Master of Human Nutrition and Dietetics degree from the University of Sydney, continues his academic work as an associate editor of the European Journal of Cancer Prevention, and is an adjunct lecturer at New York University Nutrition School.

drinks

whisky – going beyond single malt written by MICHAEL C. UPTON

SCOTCH, IN ITS MOST BASE DEFINITION, IS WHISKY MADE IN SCOTLAND; however, there is much more to the spirit than where it is produced. In fact, Scotch whisky (no e) standards are some of the most regulated of all alcohols.

It’s not hard for an unfamiliar consumer to get lost in the sea of available Scotch whisky. The choices and descriptions can be overwhelming.

In 2009, the U.K. Parliament passed the Scotch Whisky Regulations, governing everything from production to packaging. Basically, Scotch whisky can be split into two categories: single malt and single grain.

From those two categories, whiskies can be mixed by master blenders to create blended varieties. Popular blended scotches include Dewar’s and Johnnie Walker.

Single-malt Scotch whisky is produced using only water, yeast, and malted barley—coming from the same distilling pot. Single grain may use malted barley but also incorporates other grains to add character. (Most single-grain product is used in creating blended whisky.)

On the open market, single malt is the purist and most sought-after Scotch whisky. Finely aged and blended brands control the volume of whisky sales

worldwide, but the single-malt category owns the value. Collectors and investors are buying and holding on to premium single malts. From 2009 to 2012, the amount of single-malt whisky found at auction houses increased by more than 190 percent.

The absolute definition of a singlemalt whisky is a product made in Scotland with barley, yeast, and water.

The liquor must be matured in a wooden cask for a minimum of three years. Distillers may blend product from many casks to create their single malt, but all of the product must come from the same distillery.

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS), founded in 1983, has taken the spirit one step further and actually

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Members at a tasting where exclusive bottlings are sampled.

created a different genre of Scotch whisky.

“What we do at the society is we get a single cask of a single-malt whisky.

We take one particular cask of whisky from a selected distiller—and we select only the finest casks—and then we bottle it up at full cask strength without the intervening processes of dilution or chill filtration,” says SMWS USA President Alan Shayne.

Those bottles are made available only to society members.

This extreme and concise approach to enjoying whisky is unlike any other, and it was a long road for Shayne.

About 47 years ago, when he was a young man, his grandfather visited from England and introduced him to singlemalt scotch (specifically, Glenlivet 12year-old).

Shayne’s regular drink at the time was a Seven and Seven, which did not meet his grandfather’s approval; he felt

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life is too short not to drink the finest.

“This is well before single-malt Scotch was popular in the United States; in fact, I didn’t even know what single malt was at that time,” admits Shayne.

For more than 20 years thereafter, Glenlivet was his drink of choice. Like many Americans, he did not fully understand the category of single-malt Scotch whisky.

“Then I was introduced to singlecask, single-malt whisky by the society.

That completely blew my mind, and that’s when my real, real interest in single-malt whisky developed. That was about 20 years ago,” says Shayne.

Conveniently, he was already established in the liquor-import business when he met a founding member of the international organization that is the Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS).

After sampling some of the singlecask, single-malt offerings, Shayne

drinks ) ) ) scotch whisky

headed to Scotland for a better education on Scotch whisky. Upon returning stateside, he sold his portion of his liquor-import business, relocated to Florida, and founded the U.S. branch of the SMWS. “Popularity in single-malt Scotch has been growing like wildfire for the past 20 years,” says Shayne. “It’s extraordinary. Single malts, as opposed to a blended whisky, are far more appealing to the novice who wants to become a connoisseur and to those who are already connoisseurs.”

During the normal production process, whisky producers—from which SMWS gets their whisky—diluted the matured whisky with pure local spring water. Then it goes through a chillfiltration process, thus clarifying the spirit and dropping the alcohol content.

The society selects a cask, from which they create approximately 250 bottles at the unfiltered cask strength—usually averaging 120 proof.

Shayne says society members are instructed to add water to each serving to avoid burn and unleash the specific aromas and flavors of the spirit.

“You have a truly intense whisky,” says Shayne. “What happens with society whisky is when you add water, it creates a chemical reaction. The oils in the whisky will separate from the water and it tends to make the whisky a little bit cloudy. Our whisky tends to be more intense in flavor because we haven’t taken the oils out through chill filtration.”

Society whisky cannot be found on the shelves of any liquor store or

specialty shop. The truly one-of-a-kind pleasures can only be had by the 26,000 members worldwide. And the SWMS is not a whisky-of-the-month club; members buy only what they want—when they want.

Strict bottling guidelines do not name individual distilleries but categorize them by number and differentiate them by region and cask type. New cask bottlings are released every month through Outturn, a bottling list, with the society’s product listing mailed to each member. Outturn includes detailed tasting notes provided by the society’s tasting panel.

Shayne urges members to invest time into reading the expansive tasting notes if they cannot make it to one of the society-sponsored tasting events.

Regularly, the SMWS holds members tastings throughout the United States. These events usually attract between 75 and 100 members and follow a traditional tasting format, offering five stimulating societyexclusive bottlings.

The society also holds grand events open to the general public, which draw upward of 600 visitors and representatives from many major whisky producers. The SMWS holds special relationships with whiskyfriendly restaurants in major U.S. cities, like the Jack Rose Dining Saloon in Washington, D.C. Around the world, the international arm of the society promotes whisky destinations in South Africa, India, Italy, France, Switzerland, and many other countries.

“We make our whisky exclusive to our members, but we are not an exclusionary group.”

Alan Shayne, president of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society USA

For Alan Shayne, there is no single favorite Scotch whisky; it all depends on the day and how he feels.

“That is how I choose my whisky,” says Shayne, who holds a selection of open whisky bottles topping 40 and a personal collection of more than 1,500 rare bottles. “I figure I’m going to retire one day, and my goal is to see if I can drink them all up before I die.

Whatever is left, my wife and kids can auction off for charity.”

His advice to newcomers to the world of whisky—other than joining the society—is to look at the label and recognize what the label is saying.

“The first thing to learn about Scotch whisky is the regional differences. Lowland whisky will be lighter. Highland whisky will have a little more intense flavor. The whiskies from the island regions will be intense but have less of a smoke-and-peat flavor.”

For information on the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, visit smwsa.com. Let the whisky adventure begin, and slàinte mhath! ) ) )

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Photo by Jim Twardowski

travel san antonio sparkles Written by BARBARA & JIM TWARDOWSKI

SAN ANTONIO’S FAMOUS RIVER Walk always shines a little brighter during the holidays. Perhaps it is the thousands of twinkling lights wrapped around 200 magnificent trees and pedestrian bridges or the soft glow of 6,000 luminarias (small paper lanterns) symbolically lighting the way for the Holy Family.

The Palm House in the Lucile Halsell Conservatory at the Botanical Garden.

One of the most festive getaways in the country, San Antonio is rich in history and culture. And it is just plain fun. This popular destination puts on all her finery from the day after Thanksgiving—when the Ford Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony officially kicks off the season—through New Year’s Day. Walk the River The heart of the city is the River Walk or Paseo del Rio, a public park located 20 feet below street level and lined with restaurants, hotels, shops, and more. Built in 1941, the River

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Walk’s original 21-block construction project transformed downtown.

Expansions to the River Walk feature dazzling visual and aural pieces of art along the Museum Reach section just north of downtown and accessible by river taxis.

The Mission Reach is an ecosystem restoration and recreation project completed in October of last year. Hike, bicycle, or paddle on this 8-mile stretch of the river.

To get acquainted with the River Walk, take a tour of the Downtown Reach onboard the Rio San Antonio Cruises barge. The 35-minute narrated

travel ) ) ) san antonio

Photos provided by San Antonio Convention & Visitors Bureau

Above: Canal Day at the famous River Walk park.

Above, right: Dancers at Market Square.

Right: The Alamo.

“

One of the most festive getaways in the country, San Antonio is rich in history and culture.

”

ride glides past historic and interesting city sights. For a romantic dining experience, ask about dinner on a barge, provided by a local restaurant.

Remember the Alamo No visit to San Antonio is complete without paying your respects at the Alamo. While the story of the Alamo looms large in American history, firsttime visitors are usually surprised at its small size.

Located on 4.2 acres of the busy downtown area, what remains of the mission’s original compound are the church and the lower floor of the long barracks. Brush up on your history by viewing the film Alamo: The Price of Freedom at the AMC Rivercenter 11 (a short walk from the shrine).

For a leisurely lunch, pick an umbrella-covered table at Boudro’s Texas Bistro. Order the Texas Tapas, a skewer of pork tenderloin al pastor, grilled Hill Country jalapeño sausage, and smoked duck served with spicy veggies, corn pudding, and barbecue sauce.

The most popular cocktail is the bright-pink Prickly Pear Margarita.

Brackenridge Park Beckons In the afternoon, head over to Brackenridge Park. This recreational area is home to the century-old San Antonio Zoo, a golf course, a miniature train, the Japanese Tea Garden, and the Witte Museum.

One of the first “cageless” zoos in the country, see some 750 species of animals at the San Antonio Zoo. The Brackenridge Park Golf Course is in the heart of the Alamo Golf Trail.

For less than $4, you can ride a miniature replica of a train built in 1863. Hop off for a cup of hot tea at the stunning Japanese Tea Garden, or spend an hour exploring the Witte Museum’s changing art exhibits. Don’t

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Photo by Jim Twardowski

travel

Mariachi musicians performing during lunch at Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery.

miss the historic log cabin in the backyard.

San Antonio Botanical Garden Nature lovers can easily spend an afternoon at the 38-acre San Antonio Botanical Garden. Have lunch in Anne Marie’s Carriage House Bistro. The tiny, historic restaurant with an outdoor pavilion is located in the Sullivan Carriage House, originally built in 1896.

Comprised of five “rooms” designed around an open-air courtyard, the Lucile Halsell Conservatory is one of the most architecturally intriguing features of the Botanical Garden. Each room is sunken in the ground and covered with a glass roof measuring at least 18 feet high.

The largest is the Palm House, soaring 65 feet. The dazzling structure is cut 20 feet into the earth, while the

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exterior-grade surface remains unchanged.

Formal and display gardens are filled with a range of seasonally changing colors. The unique Texas Native Trail Exhibit is a walk through three distinct ecological regions of the state and includes several early Texas houses, from an East Texas log cabin to a South Texas adobe.

Shopping Options Ready to do some shopping? The largest Mexican market in the United States is Market Square, a three-block outdoor plaza with produce stands, restaurants, shops, and frequent performances by local artists.

El Mercado is an indoor market where you’ll find dozens of booths with vendors selling jewelry, clothing, toys, hats, pottery, and more.

After nabbing the perfect souvenir, reward yourself with dinner at Mi Tierra Cafe & Bakery. Open 24 hours a day, the restaurant is an instant fiesta with strolling mariachi musicians. The walls are covered in murals, and the ceiling is strung with thousands of Christmas lights year round. Since

For more information, visit these helpful websites: www.visitsanantonio.com www.thesanantonioriverwalk.com

7-night Rhine Getaway & Christmas Markets December 7-15, 2015 1941, this Tex-Mer restaurant has delighted visitors and locals.

Art and Culinary Diversions Art aficionados can see the first museum of modern art in Texas. The McKay Art Museum, housed inside a 1920s Spanish Revival residence, displays works by Paul Gauguin, Vincent van Gogh, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, and PierreAuguste Renoir.

Just a 30-minute stroll from downtown, the San Antonio Museum of Art, located in the former Lone Star Brewery, is known for its collection of Latin American art.

The Southwest School of Art holds periodic contemporary shows and has a gift shop filled with handcrafted art.

Located on the grounds of the Catholic girls’ school founded in 1851, you can lunch at the homey Copper Kitchen.

Foodies not only dine at a variety of great eateries, but they also learn the tricks of the trade at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), which conducts cooking demonstrations and classes. The CIA’s campus is in the historic 20-acre Pearl Brewery.

If you are visiting San Antonio on a Saturday, bring your appetite and spend the morning noshing at the Pearl Farmers Market. The produce offered at the market is planted, raised, and harvested by the vendors, all of whom are located within a 150-mile radius of San Antonio, Texas.

Preserving a rich international culture within a lively urban setting, San Antonio offers dozens of festive events during the holidays and throughout the year. ) ) )

Visit all the highlights of the legendary Rhine in just 8 days. In Germany, see the many charming castles commanding the riverbanks as you sail by, and tour both Marksburg Castle and the ruins of Heidelberg Castle. Admire Cologne, the jewel of the Rhine, with its awe-inspiring Dom, and experience the lush landscape of the Black Forest region.

Also, the Magic of European Christmas: Your cruise will include the Christmas Markets.

DAY 1 DEPART USA DAY 2 AMSTERDAM DAY 3 KINDERDIJK DAY 4 COLOGNE DAY 5 KOBLENZ & RÜDESHEIM DAY 6 HEIDELBERG & SPEYER DAY 7 STRASBOURG DAY 8 BREISACH DAY 9 BASEL PRICES STARTING AT

$1730.50*

*plus airfare and airport/port transfers

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lifestyle ) ) ) fashion

fashion is an open book for all women Written by ROSALBA UGLIUZZA

Opposite page, top row: Ann Devlin, in the seasonal preview room, is wearing a jacket and pants by Joseph Ribkoff, complemented by a sweater by Alberto Makali. Accented with a Brighton belt and Carissa necklace.

Peggy Szeles, in the formal room, is wearing a two-piece pant suit by Ursula of Switzerland, and accessories by Sorrelli (featured in cabinet behind).

Bottom row: Lucky D. Sgrignoli stands in front of the Sorrelli wall wearing a tank top by Tees by Tina, a Joseph Ribkoff tunic, and Tribal vegan stripe black leggings.

Christine Brye is wearing a color block tunic and vegan leather leggings by Dolcezza. She is standing in the Brighton room, so it is apropos that her accessories are by Brighton.

AGE IS JUST A NUMBER WHEN IT comes to a woman’s wardrobe. Her clothing should always accentuate her assets. Women of all ages should own their figure like it’s worth a million bucks.

Fashion trends change every year, due in part to the top runway models flaunting the latest styles in the hautecouture capitals of the world.

While the clothing materials are generally made by designers who have younger women as their muses, the female baby boomer generation is just as fashion conscious as the younger lasses.

According to Divine Caroline (www.divinecaroline.com), with 2015 lurking around the corner, women in their 50s and 60s should opt for more classic and timeless styles with an updated twist.

When purchasing new clothing, don’t just think about what’s trending. Ask yourself, “Will I wear this for more than one season?” Look for timeless styles that you can add to your wardrobe to create new looks with existing items.

Experiment with color and fabrics.

You may even want to take a few key pieces of clothing with you, and try them together with new items you are thinking of buying.

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lifestyle

Shown above and opposite page, some of the many styles available at Creative Elegance.

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The great thing about servicing the boomer is that they are women who know themselves by now, have put their children through school, and know what they like and looks good on them.

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Fashion experts predict the winter of 2015 will bring in lots of brightly colored outdoor-apparel pieces and form-fitting dresses that have a 1940s flair.

“Bright colors are still hot, and so is the concentration on white,” said Kathy McCauslin-Cadieux, owner of Creative Elegance Boutique in Camp Hill. “Easy swing dresses that help eliminate too much hip for women are in. Blazers are back as well. Bling never goes away.”

Just as bright colors will populate the stores next year, so will the color gray, particularly when wearing leggings. Gray in anything will be an awesome addition to your wardrobe; tapered-leg bottoms transition easily from day to night with the change of a shoe.

To look more youthful and chic, comfort is also key when selecting a wardrobe. A baby boomer woman should know her right size: choosing clothing that is too small can give the impression she’s wearing something that hasn’t fit for years. On the other hand, wearing loose-fitting or baggy attire looks frumpy and unflattering.

“Baby boomers have their own fashion style by now and can definitely buy what they like. They are the age group that has more expendable income and will spend it on clothing they like,” said McCauslin-Cadieux. “[However,] sometimes we boomers hold onto a size we want to be instead of changing with our bodies. The right size will always make you look smaller.”

Approximately 65 percent of female

customers at Creative Elegance Boutique are baby boomers.

“The great thing about servicing the boomer is that they are women who know themselves by now, have put their children through school, and know what they like and looks good on them,” McCauslin-Cadieux said.

Layering your outfit for comfort and style can maximize your overall appearance. For instance, adding a blouse to any sweater or jacket is a quick way to dress it up a notch. A denim jacket will complement well with a dress for a more casual look.

Add a touch of glamour in your look every day. For example, you can look stylish this coming winter wearing a knee-length pencil skirt, silky blouse, a blazer, cozy socks, and calf-height leather boots. Yes, boomers can look chic, too!

What works well on taller and

shorter women? This is a dilemma many of us deal with every time we go shopping.

“I’ve always heard that only a tall woman can wear a jumpsuit. Not true.

If you’re shorter but with a long waist, a jumpsuit will make you look taller and slimmer,” said McCauslin-Cadieux.

Taller women often look better in a bottom that sits just below the waist and a sweater or jacket that isn’t so boxy.

Conversely, what works well on the shorter-statured woman?

“A cropped jacket works well on a shorter lady,” said McCauslin-Cadieux.

It gives the body a longer look.

Whatever the look or style, fashion’s purpose is to make you feel good about yourself and give you a positive attitude for the day.

“In general, fashion is an open book for all women,” said McCauslinCadieux. ) ) )

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financial AS WE GET OLDER, ONE OF A BABY boomer’s biggest life transitions is adjusting to how their money is treated from a tax perspective. We work hard to build a nest egg for later in life but sometimes forget that the money being saved will be treated differently when it comes time to use it.

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retiring soon? – don’t forget the tax implications Written by DR. SYLVESTER E. WILLIAMS, IV

The Internal Revenue Service allows individuals to defer paying tax on money as it accumulates in value over time. But make no mistake: When you want to use that money, there is a cost.

Those tax implications applied to the money you’ve struggled to save for retirement should be considered in your overall retirement-planning process.

The retirement strategy developed should include both aspects for proper retirement planning. The retiree has to determine the source from which retirement funds originate and then figure out what the tax burden will be from withdrawing the funds after reaching the age of 59.5.

Most retirees will find that they fall into a lower tax bracket because they are making less money. They are being taxed at a lower rate because they will

revert from being a regular-salary worker to a fixed-income individual.

Additionally, an individual might have investment income that will be used in retirement. Individuals have investments in all sorts of programs, including but not limited to: a pension from your employer; investment returns piled up in various accounts such as a 401(k) and 403(b); a profit-sharing plan; or an individual retirement account (IRA).

But no matter where your retirement funds originate, once you start to collect or withdraw them, they become income.

In either case, although there will be a significant change in the retiree’s income-tax bracket, you will still have to pay tax but on the distribution received from the retirement source.

financial

It is essential to have a comprehensive framework to outline the source of income and how it will be treated for tax purposes when converted to income during retirement.

Income that was invested as pre-tax income does not stay that way when it is withdrawn. In fact, taxpayers over the age of 59.5 have full access to their retirement funds in most instances.

Simply stated, the retiree can withdraw funds without being subject

“

No matter where your retirement funds originate, once you start to collect or withdraw them, they become income.

”

to any penalties for early distribution; however, those pre-tax funds are taxed when withdrawn.

In some cases, if income reaches a certain level, a portion of your Social Security income can be taxed. Social Security benefits received after retirement also may be taxable, depending on your total income and marital status.

As workers enter their 50s, they should start thinking about:

) ) ) tax implications

Another factor directly tied to your income is the deductions that you can declare for tax purposes. Your change in income status will mean that you may not be able to claim many of the deductions you have in the past. This may substantially offset your income, meaning you could pay more in taxes.

Some retirees who plan on using capital gains from investments in stocks and other investment instruments could substantially benefit from the lower tax rate during retirement.

The term net longterm capital gain means long-term capital gains reduced by long-term capital losses, including any unused long-term capital loss carried over from previous years.

Generally, for most taxpayers, net capital gain is taxed at rates no higher than 15 percent. However, as of 2013, a new 20 percent rate on net capital gain applies to the extent that a taxpayer’s taxable income exceeds the thresholds set for the new 39.6 percent ordinary tax rate ($400,000 for single, $450,000 for married filing jointly or qualifying widow(er), $425,000 for head of household, and $225,000 for married filing separately).

Also, retirees that plan on using dividend income during retirement can expect a lower tax rate on that income.

• What funds will be used to pay taxes after retirement • Developing a list of all sources for retirement income • How it will be treated after a distribution is taken Every retiree’s goal is to stretch the income as far as possible in retirement.

Projecting the amount needed to sustain a certain standard of living is key to ensuring that enough funds are saved for retirement.

If, after completing your income projection, you realize that not enough money is saved for retirement, start putting more away immediately, and take advantage of catch-up contributions allowed by the IRS. Some of the catch-up contribution plan can range from $1,000 to $5,000, depending upon the plan being used.

Managing your retirement funds is more involved than most people realize. It is highly advisable to consult a financial planner or tax professional to help you plan this aspect of your financial future.

This area requires input from a tax professional, given the changes in tax laws and requirements specific to individuals in retirement. Once you have a plan in place, you can enjoy the fruits of your labor during your retirement years. ) ) )

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feature

Hardwood is available in an extensive selection of colors, grains, and plank lengths.

room revivers Written by KATIE MARKEY MCLAUGHLIN

WHEN YOU LOOK AROUND YOUR home, do you see a tired and outdated space that reflects the fads of 20, 30, or even 40 years ago? Are you hoping to breathe new life into your décor while simultaneously increasing the long-term value of your house?

Many baby boomers want to revive their homes’ main living areas in ways that don’t require complete remodels but still have a positive impact on the resale price of the property—and that also reflect their own modernized tastes.

Two basic ways to accomplish all of those goals are to upgrade your flooring and freshen up your paint job.

Updating Your Floors If your family room is covered in worn-out carpet or your dining room features vinyl flooring from the ’80s, it’s time to make some updates underfoot.

Fortunately, today there are enough options to please any decorating style— and any budget, too.

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“Customers have lots of choices in all different price ranges,” said Elmer Stoltzfus, co-owner of Heritage Floors, Inc. in Ronks.

Laminate Flooring. Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners who want a fresh look at an affordable price.

Today’s styles emulate the elegance of higher-end materials like hardwood, tile, or stone, but at a fraction of the cost.

Additionally, many people find laminate flooring appealing because of its durability—perfect for high-traffic areas where pets or grandchildren might leave their mark. It’s also easy to maintain, so you can spend less time cleaning your floors and more time enjoying them.

feature ) ) ) room revivers

Refurbished hardwood

Luxury vinyl flooring is easy to clean, durable, and scratchresistant.

Luxury Vinyl. In recent years, the popularity of laminate flooring has been rivaled by that of luxury vinyl, which features the same aesthetic appeal at an equally moderate cost.

“Luxury vinyl is starting to take over the laminate market,” said Stoltzfus.

It comes in a wider array of designs than traditional vinyl floors and has additional depth to better imitate more expensive materials.

Luxury vinyl is also appealing because it is not susceptible to moisture, making it a more versatile option for potentially wet spaces like bathrooms and basements. “[Moisture resistance is] a huge advantage of that product,” Stoltzfus said.

Like laminate, luxury vinyl flooring is easy to clean, durable, and scratch resistant. It is available in both planks

and tiles, so homeowners can choose if they want their flooring to emulate the look of hardwood or ceramic.

Hardwood Flooring. For baby boomers who want to give their floors a facelift using more expensive materials, hardwood flooring is a classic choice.

It is one of the most sought-after flooring products, and it’s available in an extensive selection of colors, grains, and plank lengths.

“Hardwood is very versatile when it comes to decorating,” said Stoltzfus.

“It has a warmth to it that a lot of customers are looking for.”

Stoltzfus also emphasized that while hardwood floors are more expensive than laminate or luxury vinyl, they also offer greater longevity. Even though hardwood is more susceptible to scratching—and therefore might need to be refinished—it will nevertheless

last throughout the lifespan of your home.

Ceramic Tile. Ceramic tile is another option that falls at the higher end of flooring price ranges. If installed properly, it will also last a lifetime, with little to no chance of stains or moisture problems.

Many homeowners find that ceramic is easily cleaned with just warm water, eliminating the need to use special chemical cleaners, as is the case with other types of flooring.

“Ceramic is definitely a high-end option,” Stoltzfus said. “You can do some beautiful things with tile in your home.”

He warned, however, that baby boomers who struggle with pain in their back or legs might want to avoid ceramic in areas where they spend a lot of time standing, like the kitchen.

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Two-color glazed kitchen ceiling.

Metallic and pearl plaster with metallic stencil.

“Because of the coldness and the hardness, it’s equal to walking on a concrete floor,” he said.

Refreshing Your Paint Job Giving your living space a fresh coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to update the look and feel without doing a complete remodel.

While you don’t need to repaint your walls every time the color trends change, which is usually every few years, you also don’t want to be staring at a dining room with floral wallpaper from the ’80s, a living room with drab colors from the ’70s, or a house with head-to-toe beige—and neither do future potential buyers.

Current Color Trends. Tom Henman of Tom Henman Decorative Painting,

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LLC, a full-service decorative and faux painting company in Lancaster, worries that too many homeowners are afraid to add color to their walls.

“People play it too safe sometimes,” he said. “The beiges and earth tones that dominated the ’90s and 2000s have been very safe.”

According to Henman, adding color is the perfect way to craft the exact mood you want in a room, whether that’s light and bright or a bit darker and cozier. Right now, gray is one of the trendiest colors.

“Gray is the new black,” Henman commented. “Or, really, it’s the new beige.”

Because gray comes in both warm and cool shades, it can easily complement your existing décor.

Which Wall to Paint. Depending on the layout of your space, you might choose to paint all the walls in a room or just a single accent wall.

Accent walls are a great way to make a bold color statement without overwhelming an area. Henman recommends pairing an accent wall with the room’s most eye-catching piece of furniture—such as behind an antique hutch in your dining room or a large headboard in your master bedroom.

Don’t forget that painting the ceiling is an option too.

“The ceiling is considered an accent wall,” Henman explained. “I call it the fifth wall.” Adding color overhead is a great way to make everything else in the room pop; try choosing a color from the room’s area rug or most prominent

feature

Combining Color with Texture.

Adding texture or a special finish to your walls is another great way to infuse your home décor with more personality.

Glazing—which involves layering one or more thin, translucent films of color over a base coat—is popular with homeowners who want a one-of-a-kind look at a low cost.

“It’s the most inexpensive finish I can do to make a significant change,” said Henman.

He uses professional-grade products, noting that many of the glazes sold

directly to homeowners dry too quickly and therefore don’t give the best results.

When done properly, glazing adds a luminosity and depth to walls that simply cannot be achieved with paint alone.

For those who love an old European look, water-based plasters can be used either alone or in combination with a glaze to give walls an antique feel.

There are even metallic plasters that add an extra dose of sheen and sparkle.

Gilding is another technique Henman uses to give walls added character.

Gold, silver, or copper leaf walls or ceilings create a luxurious look, with copper leaf creating more of a high-end,

) ) ) room revivers

piece of artwork to pull the space together.

rustic feel. A faux patina can even be added to give the illusion of antiquity.

Whatever color and texture you choose, Henman notes the importance of creating a sample board so that you can see exactly what it will look like before it covers your living space.

Revive Your Room If you’re ready to give your room a little modern TLC, start browsing some photos for inspiration or visit a showroom to see your options up close.

You’ll find that whatever your style and budget, there are ways to refresh your living space while adding value and long-term appeal as well. ) ) )

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caregiving

photos courtesy of U.S. Army Military History Institute

multiple medications: combating the rise of ‘polypharmacy’ Written by PAPATYA TANKUT

CHANCES ARE, YOU’RE TAKING MULTIPLE MEDICATIONS, A PRACTICE that is often referred to as “polypharmacy.”

Those who are 65 years or older take two to three times more prescriptions on average; furthermore, a 2013 study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that adults taking five or more drugs were more likely to be 65 and over.1 Because of the multiple medications they are taking, seniors are at risk of experiencing serious adverse effects as

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a result of drug interactions. It’s necessary to be aware of the health risks this issue can pose to your loved one.

There are a number of measures that can be taken to avoid the health risks associated with this growing issue. Here are some tips so you can adhere to your care recipient’s medication regimen while preventing polypharmacy hazards.

Develop a Relationship with the Pharmacist Developing a relationship with your pharmacist can help you better manage your loved one’s medications and prevent potential and harmful drug interactions.

That relationship is more effective if all medications are at one “pharmacy home.” This will allow your pharmacist to be aware of all the

caregiving

Avoid Common Adherence Mistakes Medication non-adherence is a growing concern across the U.S. as more Americans neglect to fill prescriptions and take medications as directed. These mistakes will decrease the effectiveness of the medication and may affect a person’s health.

Be sure your loved one refills prescriptions if necessary and takes their medication as directed for the most effective results.

Remember to consult your local pharmacist if you have any medicationspecific questions. Some pharmacies offer free services, such as prescription text alerts and ReadyFill, to help patients take their medications on time.

Be Aware of Drug Interaction You probably have heard not to drink grapefruit juice with some prescriptions, but there are some other common foods that, surprisingly, can interact with different prescriptions and over-thecounter medications that you should be aware of as well.

For example, milk-based dairy products prevent the absorption of many antibiotics, decreasing the ability to fight an infection.

Many smoked meats like sausage, smoked salmon, and hot dogs can cause life-threatening spikes in blood pressure if mixed with a class of antidepressants called monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Even limes can break down the cough suppressant dextromethorphan and cause adverse side effects like hallucinations and drowsiness.

It is important to check labels and consult your pharmacist for any questions related to food interactions.

Not only can the drugs you take interact with certain foods, but they can also interact with other medications, vitamins, and supplements. That’s why

it’s important to check for interactions, especially when starting a new medication.

Interactions can change the way a drug is absorbed, metabolized, or eliminated from your body. They can also make drugs stronger or less effective and possibly increase the drug’s side effects.

Digital technology enables us to check drug interactions right from our phone or computer. Take, for instance, The CVS/pharmacy Mobile smartphone app, which features a drug-interaction checker that can identify how a medication will interact with other medications, food, vitamins, and even sunlight.

) ) ) multiple medications

medications your loved one is taking in order to prevent potential drugs interactions as they make appropriate recommendations and adjustments.

Your pharmacist can even help you save money by identifying generic versions of medications that are safe and effective, but cost less.

Use Digital Technology When Traveling It is often challenging to maintain your prescription regimen when traveling. Some helpful tools to consider are apps that let you look up the nearest pharmacy, view your prescription history, and refill and transfer your prescription right from the palm of your hand.

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During travel, pills can also sometimes get loose from their containers. A handy tool to have would be The CVS/pharmacy Mobile smartphone app, which can determine which drug it is based on shape, color, and imprint.

Consult Before Supplementing Are you vitamin D deficient? Do you need more zinc in your diet?

Pharmacists can offer advice on these issues as well as tips for maintaining your overall health and well-being.

Inform your pharmacist of these issues and discuss ways you are both

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comfortable with supplementing your medication regimen. Be sure to consult your pharmacist before adding any vitamins or supplements to effectively avoid interactions.

Communicate Concerns If you are unsure about a certain medication or are experiencing a side effect, it’s important to voice these concerns to your pharmacist or a trained health expert. The fix may be as simple as shifting your medication dosage or even taking your medication with food instead of on an empty stomach.

Every person is unique and may react differently to new medications or lifestyle changes. Have a conversation with an expert to be sure you have the healthiest routine possible. ) ) ) CDC/NCHS, Health, United States, 2013, Table 93. Data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, National Health Expenditure Accounts (NHEA). www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/hus/hus13.pdf.

Special Feature on Prescription Drugs.

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Papatya Tankut, RPh, is vice president of pharmacy affairs for CVS Health. www.cvs.com

caregiving

is a loved one at risk of falling?

Written by MICHELLE TURNER

AS WE START TO AGE, BALANCE and coordination can affect our overall health. Few people realize, until after the fact, that a fall can set a person back for months and can even lead to death.

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries to older people in the United States. More than one-third of adults ages 65 years and older (about 12 million people) fall each year.

Here is a simple checklist to see if you, or someone you love, is at risk for falling, as well as tips on possible ways to prevent a fall from happening.

Do You Walk with a Full Gait?

This means that your foot should travel behind your pelvis before you lift it to move forward. When you are able to do this, your balance is good. You should be able to stand and dress yourself and go up and down the stairs without much thought.

Do You Have a Short Gait?

This means that your feet don’t go past you or your pelvis. This can mean that you might need to hold onto something to fully dress yourself, and you need to think about going up and down stairs with added support.

Do You Shuffle?

This means that you no longer pick up your feet to walk. Your balance system is minimal. You may require high blood pressure medication. You can no long fully dress yourself

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Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries to older people in the United States.

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standing. You can only go up and down stairs one at a time.

Do You Have a Death Grip?

Are you holding onto the steering wheel as if you are going to take it with you? If you have a cane or a walker, do you use a full grip with both hands? It’s difficult to get in and out of chairs, a booth, or your car.

caregiving

Do You Touch the Walls or Furniture?

Do you need to touch something to make sure that you stand up?

Are You a Wounded Bird?

Do you walk around with one or both arms bent, as if you were carrying around a purse?

If you answered yes to the first question, then you should have answered no to the rest. Your conscious brain is neither worrying about nor has concern for your balance. If you answered no to the first one and yes to one or more, consider the following:

Eliminate Close Calls–Do you frequently find yourself thinking about how to get out of the shower? This would be a great time to install a hand grip to help you.

Look at Your Feet–I’m sure that I’m not the first person to recommend a good tie shoe. If your shoes are worn out, too high, or too loose, it can lead you to the ground.

Work with a Movement Specialist– People think that going to the gym or working out is the best way to keep your balance. It is if your balance is already healthy, and you are maintaining that level. If you have suffered a fall or are starting to worry that you might fall,

it’s a good time to work with someone who will personally evaluate where your system might be unorganized and in need of assistance.

) ) ) risk of falling

Are Your Fingers Constantly Splayed as if You Were Drying Your Nails?

If so, this means that you have already fallen or have come very close on several occasions. Your system is startled and is already bracing for impact.

If your hands are in this position while you are sleeping, this shows that you have fallen, possibly more than once, and you can’t relax, even when you are lying down.

There will always be the possibility of a tumble. If you follow these easy steps, though, it will help keep you walking with ease and stability. ) ) )

Michelle Turner, founder of Movement Lesson, is a movement integration specialist and educator who provides a progressive therapeutic approach to teach the mind and body to more efficiently work in harmony, with the goals of achieving increased mobility, pain relief, and optimal health. www.movementlesson.com

Living Your

Check Your Medications–All medications have side effects. Many medications can cause drowsiness, headaches, poor coordination, and other symptoms that relate to balance.

Clear the Runway–This is a good time to look at your home, analyzing your walkways from when you step out of the car to your route to bed at night.

Is there a brick missing from the front steps? Do you have rugs that curl in the corner? Do you need to navigate around furniture? Even if you are too young to fall, you might be putting a visitor at risk.

Residents enjoy: Security and peace of mind • 24-hour emergency support Indoor and outdoor maintenance • Indoor heated pool • Fitness center Restaurant and Café • Pharmacy services • Beauty salon/barber shop

Called to Serve Seniors

For more information on joining our community or scheduling a tour, contact Joyce Singer at (717) 718-0937.

1700 Normandie Drive, York (717) 764-6262 | NormandieRidge.org winter 2014 |

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progressive brain diseases Written by GINA NAPOLI

MY MOTHER HAS NEVER HAD a sense of direction, sometimes places soap in the refrigerator, and forgets where she parked her car.

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She laughs at herself now but thinks she may have a more serious condition in the future. Because she is currently able to maintain her lifestyle, lives independently, and can accurately recall most memories, for now she’s just “forgetful.”

But these are all common signs for conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s disease.

Normally when you think of dementia, Alzheimer’s, or Parkinson’s, you probably think of an older person with deteriorating brain functions, an inability to hold conversations or remember things, or perhaps trembling body parts. While the majority of people with any one or a combination of these afflictions are elderly, younger people do experience early onset.

The terms dementia and Alzheimer’s are sometimes used interchangeably.

Part of their differentiation is dependent on the sections of the brain in which plaque and protein deposits form. Each affects the brain differently.

Dementia, which affects 35.6 million people worldwide, is a group of symptoms impacting mental functions.

Common symptoms are forgetfulness,

caregiving

T. Crone’s father’s dementia began with unfocused stares.

“We plastered notes everywhere.

The notes reminded him that my mom would be right back, or told him where his food was. This worked during daylight hours. Nighttime was the worst. He needed to be constantly calmed down.”

His dementia was triggered as a result of radiation therapy to the upper part of the neck. His nerve cells may have become demyelinated, contributing to the disease.

Dementia can be triggered by many conditions, vascular disease, brain trauma, depression, HIV, a stroke, or (commonly) Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that damages memory, behavior, and cognitive abilities. An estimated 44 million people worldwide are afflicted.

Short-term memory is affected, often heightening long-term childhood memories but blocking recall of a spouse or child.

Alzheimer’s victims are notably forgetful to the point they cannot safely live alone. Symptoms develop slowly

and get worse over time. Speech and language become compromised, as well as their ability to interact.

Bonnie Pepo of Wellsville is a memory-support coordinator at Providence Place in Dover, and she also took care of her Alzheimer’s-afflicted mother. She uses pictures, puzzles, and music with patients.

“I recommend you learn all you can about the disease [and] how it affects the brain. Love that person at whatever stage they’re in. Be kind and gentle, and remember they didn’t do anything to deserve this.”

Pepo knows that getting frustrated at times is normal. It happened when she cared for her mother, too.

“The most difficult parts were seeing Mom not remember places and loved ones and to have her shut down to conversation. It was hard to explain to the grandkids why Nan didn’t know them anymore,” said Pepo.

“Drugs like Aricept and Namenda are meant to stop the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s, but it’s hard to know if they’re effective because everyone stages at their own pace,” said

) ) ) progressive brain diseases

losing bearings in familiar settings, losing track of time, and poor hygiene.

The loss of mental functions grows in severity, overtaking decision making and increasing confusion. The disease becomes increasingly degenerative, ebbing at everyday abilities, long-term memory, cognitive skills, and language abilities until the point a victim requires constant care.

“The first sign of my wife’s earlyonset dementia was when she drove 20 miles too far north coming home on Route 81. A retired police officer found her at a rest stop. He had to help her call me. Then she started getting lost a few miles from our house,” said Tom of Hampden Township. “She’s declined to the point of being bed-bound with the cognitive ability of a child.”

Barb Primrose of Harrisburg, whose father fell victim to dementia after having a stroke, watched her father become weak and lose his way of life.

“At first, I made arrangements with home healthcare providers so he could remain at home. When this became unsafe, he reluctantly moved to a nursing home.”

50plus LIVING —

A trusted resource relied on for 18 years.

A guide to residences and care options in the Susquehanna and Delaware valleys.

View it online at www.onlinepub.com, or call 717.285.1350 for a free copy. winter 2014 |

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Erin Jayman, director of social services/admissions at Sarah A. Todd Memorial Home in Carlisle.

Parkinson’s disease affects 6.3 million people worldwide. It impacts the brain’s dopamine-producing brain cells, inhibiting the brain’s ability to transmit signals between nerve cells. Parkinson’s symptoms include cognitive impairment, stiffness, rigidity, foot-shuffling, slow movements, depression, and tremors.

Michelle Hornberger of Palmyra had a grandmother who suffered with Parkinson’s disease for 17 years. As Gram experienced constant shaking, she became limited in performing everyday

tasks and hobbies like sewing, fishing, and baking. Leaving the house became a team effort, with family members trying to prevent Gram from falling when her muscles didn’t cooperate.

Every case of Parkinson’s is different, with varying mixes of symptoms, uncertain rates of progression and intensity, and unpredictable responses to drugs or surgery. Deep-brain stimulation (DBS) is a USDA-approved therapy in which electrodes are implanted into the brain and connected to a pulse generator.

DBS has been successful in decreasing Parkinson’s symptoms in some patients.

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As Parkinson’s progresses, patients may have increased trouble walking, talking, and balancing and performing other simple tasks. The body may also lose its ability to perform involuntary functions, possibly interrupting digestion and elimination.

“In the later stages, Parkinson’s patients have trouble swallowing, which is how we see a lot of them pass away,” said Jayman.

Together with her family, Hornberger supported Gram and her caregiver grandfather.

“We baby-proofed the house to keep her safe. Because Parkinson’s can affect vocal chords, a speech pathologist gave Gram vocal exercises.”

Kim Buckley of Harrisburg noticed similar limitations and cognitive degeneration with her grandfather, who suffered from Parkinson’s for seven years. He could only whisper when he talked. His inability to swallow led to respiratory aspirations and the insertion of a feeding tube.

“His feet shuffled, he didn’t take long walks anymore, and his handwriting became unusually small,” said Buckley. “Eventually his head hung and shook.”

While Parkinson’s has no genetic component, dementia and Alzheimer’s do. If anything you’ve just read reminds you of someone in your life, have that practical, uncomfortable conversation about warning signs, current and future needs, and long-term care insurance.

Most of all, talk about the things you won’t be able to discuss later. ) ) ) Editor’s note: Respecting the wishes of those who offered comments from their life experiences, names appear as requested.

life

NOT EVERYONE MAY BE IN THE MOOD TO EMBRACE THE UPCOMING holiday season. Those who have suffered the loss of a loved one may not feel like celebrating. Seeing an empty seat at a family gathering can be overwhelming.

Written by KIM MEREDITH

to get through the initial holidays.

Luckily, my family was conscious of our need for a change, and my youngest sister invited us to her charming country home in upstate New York. Packing up the stockings, gifts, and holiday treats, we understood that we required a change of scenery. We were not running away. We just needed to regroup and take time to adjust to our new normal.

For the following two years, we returned to the same location for the holidays. Thanks to the love and encouragement of family members, our strength was revived.

The fourth year we decided to tackle the festivities at home by ourselves.

Knowing that I could not recreate the past, I tossed in a few new traditions.

We added a second, smaller Christmas tree in the sunroom. Each year the kids took turns decorating it in their own style and purchased their own ornaments. Their creativity provided lots of laughs.

Meanwhile, we continued to put up the large, fresh-cut tree in the family room and adorned it with all of our tacky, homemade decorations.

The first ornament to go on that tree was now “Dad’s ball,” a faded, steel-blue orb with flocked lettering that said “David 1948.”

I still carry on this tradition, even though the children have moved away and started their own families. It is my tangible connection to a wonderful past.

But the calendar does not deviate to accommodate our personal grief journey. So what can we do to make it through a potentially stressful time?

My first Christmas without my husband, David, was difficult and certainly not what I expected at that stage of life. Widowed at age 40, after 15 years of marriage, my 10-year-old son, Rick, and 12-year-old daughter, Samantha, and I were aware that we had to do something different in order Left to right: Author Kim Meredith, with son Rick, husband Tom, daughter Samantha, her son Max, and husband Craig.

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Left: Kim Meredith, with husband, Tom.

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Right: Kim’s son Rick, with wife, Toni.

Navigating my “new normal” was challenging. The uncharted pathway contained hidden obstacles and tested my inner strength. I like to call these interruptions “speed bumps.” One moment you might be going forward in a positive direction, and then a wave of grief washes over you like a giant tsunami.

Grief is an undesirable visitor. It can come unannounced, it often stays too long, and it can even happen years later. You might not even see it coming as it smacks you down and knocks the breath out of you.

Many years after the death of my husband, I was slammed by one of those “speed bumps.” Gathering near our beautiful tree, decorated with the “Dad’s ball,” delivering Christmas gifts to one another, I was in the company of my new husband, Tom; my son; and my daughter and her husband.

Tom and I started to open identical small boxes adorned with beautiful red ribbons from my daughter. Nested in tissue paper was a small red frame with a blurry, black-and-white image.

Mine said “Grandma & me” and my

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husband’s said “Grandpa & me.” Slow to comprehend the significance of the ultrasound pictures, my daughter helpfully blurted out, “We are having a baby; you are going to be grandparents!”

Whoosh! Here came that wave!

Happiness. Sadness. Joy. Grief. It churned around me like an angry sea and I didn’t know how to react.

Of course, I was thrilled at the prospect of a new baby, but, oh, how I wished that her father could have been there to feel the excitement! The happy tears mixed with the sad ones and spilled out of my eyes.

Life moves forward, though. We need to figure out how to make a special place in our hearts for the precious memories of a passed loved one, while opening up another chamber to welcome in new ones. Trust me, your heart has the capability to accommodate all of them.

This holiday season will be my first one without my mother. As a boomer, I am inching to the front of the pack as our generation is positioned to say goodbye to our parents.

If we are lucky, we inherit the role of grandparents. But the holidays, wrapped up in nostalgia, yank us back to our childhood.

The smell of a turkey roasting in the oven will forever trigger an image of my mom and dad hoisting a giant bird out of the sink into the roasting pan, while groaning, “This bird is not going to fit!” It always did.

I can easily replay the mental video of Mom pouring flaming brandy all over the Christmas fruitcake and onto Dad’s red plaid pants on Christmas Eve as we watched in horror.

Traditions are meant to be cherished. Don’t stop telling the wonderful stories. It is OK if there is a tear or two that accompanies them.

That is liquid love.

But remember that you are also making new memories, and they are important for the next generation because they will be their recollections of you.

I will miss Mom this season.

For those who have recently lost a loved one, try blending something old with something new as you discover

life

Below are some other resources that I would also like to offer as “gifts.”

Soaring Spirits International – An organization whose goal is to connect widowed people with each other. For the past three years I have been asked to present workshops at their annual international events, Camp Widow West and Camp Widow East, and the experiences always leave me full of hope. www.sslf.org

your new balance.

Be patient with yourself. You are not in control of the universe, and it is going to go on spinning whether you want it to or not. You need to find a way to buckle up and endure the ride.

When I first wrote my book, Listen for the Whispers: Coping with Grief and Learning to Live Again, it started out as a gift for myself. It was a secret way for me to sort out my feelings as I put the pieces of my life back together.

However, it has become my “gift” of a lifeline to others who might be struggling on their own grief journey.

I wish you the very best for the holiday season. Keep your expectations realistic. And if you need to retreat for a moment, go to a quiet room, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and feel the love from your dearly departed. They will always be in our hearts. ) ) )

) ) ) holiday expectations

Kim’s daughter Samantha, with husband, Craig, and their children.

The Open to Hope Foundation – I was attracted to it for its inspirational griefsupport articles and Internet radio interviews. I wanted to be a part of this caring community and knew I could help others by putting what I had learned through my experiences into words.

You can find my articles as well as many others on their website.

The foundation also has a radio show, for which I have twice had the pleasure of being interviewed, and recently started broadcasting television shows. www.opentohope.com

Kim Meredith is a speaker and author of short stories and the award-winning book, Listen for the Whispers: Coping with Grief & Learning to Live Again. www.listenforthewhispers.com

Howard B. Melnick, MD • John J. Moffitt, MD Glen J. Mesaros, MD • Donald Short, M.A., FAAA • Sharon K. Hughes, M.S., CCC-A winter 2014 |

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feature Boozeberry cookies — Kopp’s signature creation.

Everyone who eats them says they are either like a cocktail or a little liquor dessert.

manly crafting – gift giving during the holidays Written by GINA NAPOLI

THERE’S NOTHING QUITE LIKE RECEIVING A HOMEMADE CRAFT as a holiday gift.

Homemade presents bring forth the notion that the journey, or the process of crafting, is the gift. Someone’s time and personality are wrapped up along with the item.

Local Harrisburg native and baby boomer George Kopp “mans up” with every craft he makes. Christmas is his busiest time for creating homemade presents. Everyone in his inner circle

receives some combination of candy, candle, container, or canned good.

“It all started back in 1997. I was going through a tough time financially.

So I decided to make all my Christmas presents. Everyone got a tin of homemade fancy cookies and candy from me,” said Kopp. “I made candles from a kit and some eclectic glass containers someone gave me.” As the (cont’d on page 66)

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Bacon-Infused Vodka

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Something easy and inexpensive you can make for your friends and family at Christmas is bacon-infused vodka, which is great for Bloody Mary recipes!

Ingredients: 1 lb. thick-cut bacon, 750 mL vodka Equipment: 2 wide-mouth Mason jars (quart or larger), waxed paper, rubber band, large non-metal spoon, funnel, 2 coffee filters, bottles

Fry the bacon and set aside.

Strain the grease.

Let cool 15 minutes.

Stir every 15 minutes for 4 hours.

Cover Mason jar with waxed paper, holding in place with rubber band.

Set in freezer overnight.

Fill Mason jar with vodka.

Add bacon grease to Mason jar.

Sterilize bottles in the Line funnel with two layers dishwasher on high-heat of coffee filters. setting. Use spoon to scrape fat Slowly pour vodka through the off the top. Discard the fat. funnel and into sterilized bottles.

Kopp’s Kitchen Tip: “The second time I made this recipe, I broke the Mason jar with a metal spoon. Bacon-infused vodka hit the floor, right there along with my pride. Before I could stop swearing, my dog came in to the kitchen for a taste. That taste turned into a full drink for her. Her muzzle and paws were full of bacon grease. She left the kitchen smiling, slipping sideways across the linoleum. It took me days to scrub that grease off the floor. Moral of the story: Don’t use a metal spoon.” winter 2014 |

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Kopp’s Crafting Tip: “Presentation is part of the gift’s personality.

It’s your chance to infuse your personality into any gift. Use fabric squares, ribbons, homemade gift tags, fun labels with calligraphy, baskets—whatever is in your imagination.”

(cont’d from page 64) years passed, the candles and goodies became fancier and more complex.

Over the years, relatives and friends gifted him with cookbooks and candymaking equipment. He experimented with creating his own recipes and gave twists to some old favorites.

“I’m a lot more standardized with my processes and products now. And my basement and attic are both full of specialized equipment and materials, plus how-to books.”

An original cookie recipe not found in any book is called “Boozeberry.”

This is Kopp’s signature cookie. It’s

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also the craft he starts earliest in the year, starting with picking raspberries in June.

He adds all the berries to a large jar full of vodka. In December, he strains the berries. He bottles the liquid, combines it with simple syrup, and calls it “Raspberry Framboise,” a select present for a handful of friends and relatives.

Kopp said, “After I strain the raspberries, I have hundreds of pickled raspberries.” Never one to waste anything, he uses the boozy byproducts in his cookies. The remainder is used

throughout the year in drinks he concocts in his basement bar.

Any recipe that is canned takes the most work and the most equipment.

Kopp works on those in the fall to coincide with harvesting tomatoes, peppers, onions, and herbs from his garden. He invests days crushing and chopping to turn his vegetables into spaghetti sauce, salsa, and Bloody Mary mix.

A trip to the farmers market will give him the rest of the ingredients he needs to make his award-winning chow chow.

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Home Journal or Redbook.

Kopp wanted to make homemade limoncello after seeing a recipe in a copy of Imbibe. Kopp’s twist contained Splenda instead of sugar. He also made his own lower-sodium, lower-cholesterol jerky. His Bloody Mary mix is a lowsodium version, and his oh-so healthy Irish whiskey grain mustard contains no preservatives.

Not all craft recipe attempts have worked out over the years. Kopp’s grape jelly was more like lumpy wine, so he tried making “grape-icello.” And if his wife had her way, Kopp would never, ever make homemade

sauerkraut, at least not in the house.

“It tasted good, but it smelled horrible when it fermented in the attic,” said Kopp.

Kopp admits that not all of his recipes are easy. No longer are they as inexpensive as they were in 1997.

“It’s really the thought and the time that goes into each gift. Each craft has its own personality. I’ve given my friends and family something right from my kitchen, just like the old days before you could just purchase Christmas.

“And I tell my wife all the time, ‘Get out of my kitchen.’” ) ) )

) ) ) manly crafting

“All the recipes are mine, except for the chow chow, which is a twist on my grandmother’s,” said Kopp, who is originally from Coal Township, Pa. With genealogy as another hobby, telling the story of his ancestry is important to him.

Kopp’s clear toy candy is another craft that keeps history alive and tells an important story.

“I learned the technique from a local candy-maker giving a demo.

We’ve done demos ourselves in the local area—at my late father’s nursing home. We’re keeping a tradition alive.”

Part of that tradition includes using only the standard colors of red, green, and clear. Kopp pours hot, liquid sugar into cast-iron and aluminum molds to shape beautiful, hard candy toy pieces.

Generations ago, clear toy candy pieces were popular stocking stuffers. Kids played with them, washed them off, licked them—not necessarily in that order. This little piece of history is hard to find. Many specialty candy shops don’t even carry them anymore.

“I only make them at Christmastime. They get cloudy when it’s humid,” said Kopp. He donates several hundred pieces to a local bakery. All of the money raised from the sale of the candy benefits either the American Cancer Society or a fund commemorating a firefighter killed in the line of duty in his hometown.

“Ethnic food and drink is big around the holidays in my hometown, and we eat the traditional dishes along with new foods,” said Kopp. His sister experiments with recipes in Paula Deen’s magazine, just the way their mom clipped out recipes from Ladies’

at the AACA Museum Our main gallery which features a Cruise through Time with vehicles from the 1890s-1980s along with a variety of themed holiday trees. Kids of all ages will enjoy the Grinch scavenger hunt, Sammy the Snowplow and several model train displays including Thomas the Tank engine. Ernie’s Taxi from the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” will also be on display – a holiday favorite!

Sammy the Snowplow

TUCKER Gallery

New permanent exhibit – includes the World’s largest collection of Tucker automobiles and automobilia!

1 mile from HERSHEYPARK just off Route 39 West

AACAMuseum.org

717-566-7100

Hershey, PA winter 2014 |

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nostalgia Written by LEE DUSSINGER

OBJECTS LADEN WITH MEMORY or history have the remarkable power to transport us back in time, reminding us of important moments in our lives.

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As genuine historical artifacts, they call us back to an era when they were new, chronicling times past.

Russ MacNair, a retired environmental engineer, is one such time traveler. He is an accomplished collector of several genres of items, but by far his largest and most admired collection is the hundreds of immaculate Lionel toy trains that line the walls of his massive basement.

MacNair has spent most of his life, from childhood Christmas mornings to adulthood, posting want ads and visiting flea markets and train meets in the pursuit of both prewar and postwar Lionel toy trains.

The line of Lionel trains is split into

three distinct periods for collectors: prewar, postwar, and modern era.

From Lionel Trains’ inception in 1900 to the beginning of World War II is an era known as the prewar period.

All toys manufactured using restricted material such as metals, including toy trains, stopped for a time during World War II so the material could be used for the war effort.

Following World War II, from 1945-1969, is the postwar period and one of two in which MacNair has a nearly complete collection.

The modern era, which includes all trains manufactured after 1969, comes next. MacNair does not collect modernera trains.

nostalgia ) ) ) toy trains

Previous page: Russ MacNair at the controls of his PreWar Lionel toy train layout. On the shelves behind are toy trains from his PreWar Lionel collection.

Above: Russ MacNair points out his first Lionel train set, which he received from his parents in 1953.

MacNair has a nearly complete array of Lionel postwar trains, the exact trains that were being sold during his childhood in the 1950s, and a collection of rare prewar Lionel trains as well.

His postwar train collection took MacNair about 20 years to accumulate, from the time he became a serious collector just after college and into his 40s.

After assembling this impressive compilation of postwar Lionel toy trains and their accessories, MacNair was proud of his accomplishment but felt the need to keep going.

He had a choice: either delve further into the postwar period, collecting boxes and packaging, or focus on an entirely new era of pieces: prewar Lionel trains.

Emphatically, and with memories of his father and his childhood as his motivation, he chose the latter.

Childhood Christmastimes for MacNair were, in many ways, defined

by Lionel trains. In 1953, he was given his first Lionel set by his parents—a beautiful Hudson-style locomotive with freight cars that he estimates cost his

Below: An overview of a portion of Russ MacNair’s Post War Lionel toy train collection.

Right: A display of the many variations of Southern Pacific-style cabooses issued by Lionel during the Post War period.

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) ) ) toy trains

nostalgia

Various close-up shots of Russ MacNair’s Lionel Pre-War operating layout.

“

My layout is the type of a layout that a father and son might work on together in the mid- to late 1930s.

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father a week of pay—and which he still has today.

Following that initial gift came an appreciation for trains. MacNair enjoyed the postwar trains released each year as well as the 1920s prewar pieces that his father collected as a child and that MacNair integrated into his own collection. “[My father] wanted to pass along his interest in toy trains to me. My father saw how much I cared for my toy trains. He imparted to me that these were the trains that he had as a boy. He wanted me to incorporate them with my trains and appreciate them,” says MacNair.

“It felt like he was letting me know, ‘This is something that is important to me, and I want it to be important to

you.’ When I decided to become a serious collector, it was my original trains and his original trains that were the basis of everything.”

Since the trains and their track layouts occupied the communal living space in the MacNair household, his parents only permitted him to have them up from Thanksgiving to early January. The limitations made time with the trains more valuable.

“There was great anticipation each year to be able to lay my trains out.

Knowing that come January they would be put away added to it. Looking forward to it, adding more pieces, and building something bigger each year …

It became ingrained in me then.”

In contrast to that, and much to his enjoyment and that of his

nostalgia ) ) ) toy trains

grandchildren, MacNair’s basement now features a permanent prewar layout. He has an elaborate, multi-level city laid out, complete with three working trains that maneuver around the city, through tunnels, and over bridges.

“My layout is the type of a layout that a father and son might work on together in the mid- to late 1930s because everything on the layout was available then. I appreciate the manufacturing done in that period … and I appreciate the quality of the toys from that era. They were made as toys to be sold to parents and given to kids, but today are considered by collectors, from an artistic standpoint, pieces of art.”

And just like the trains, all of the pieces, from the houses and stations to the lamps and signals, are prewar Lionel accessories. Beyond the pieces, the small details are authentic too: the wiring and the track and the transformers. Complete authenticity and consistency are the mainstays of MacNair’s layout.

“I have a sign that you see when you go down the stairs into the basement. It says: ‘You are entering an era long since past but never forgotten.’ That represents what it is. It could be like walking into the ’30s, ’40s, or ’50s.”

Given that most of MacNair’s trains are from bygone years and have been acquired from all over the country, it is fun to imagine all the fathers and sons who could have enjoyed time together building extravagant layouts or simply watching their trains go around in a circle.

Lionel toy trains are the objects that have given unique definition to the rich life of Russ MacNair. He has dedicated decades of appreciation to them, and, in return, they have provided much joy and given him a glimpse into a time passed. ) ) )

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Lil Jackson ))) Age: 55 ))) Resides in: Steelton, Pa. ))) Profession: Realtor ))) Hobbies: PIAA basketball referee, baton twirling, and grandmom to 16 grandkids Lil, 1959.

WHAT IS THE BEST MEMORY YOU HAVE FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD? My grandmother, Carrie Chase, surprised us all by purchasing 13 new bicycles for her grandchildren, including one for herself, from Joe The Motorists’ Friend store in uptown Harrisburg. I thoroughly enjoyed that day and countless more wonderful, long family bike rides around the city!

WHEN YOU WERE A KID, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? The Flying Nun (Sallie Field), Cinderella (Leslie Ann Warren) and a banker. I established Lil’s National Bank when I was in grade school. I would save all of my allowance. My family still thinks of me as a cheapskate. I disagree … I just value every penny I receive!

WHAT WAS THE FUNNIEST THING YOU AND A CHILDHOOD FRIEND EVER DID? Shunie Madden and I decided to melt cheese on pretzels while in the woods behind my house. We started a tiny fire that grew bigger than we expected. We scurried down the heavily foliaged hill to the creek several times, scooping up water with our bare hands, then climbed back up the hill to toss it on the fire.

Somehow we put out the fire, but failed to melt the cheese!

WHAT IS YOUR FONDEST MEMORY FROM ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (GRADES K - 8) Walking to school with my siblings, stopping at Chris Folk’s gas station for a bag of penny candy;Tonya Penn and I earning 100% on our weekly spelling tests; and parading around Steele Elementary School in our Halloween costumes.

WHAT OR WHO WAS ON YOUR LUNCHBOX? Mary Poppins, The Monkeys, Campus Queen (from the Barbie collection) and a popular pink, orange, and green “flowerpower” print.

WHAT DID YOU DO ON A HOT SUMMER DAY? Swim! We would also ride the neighborhood pickup school bus to City Island, or walk down to the Salvation Army on Green Street

)))

Second grade.

PMCA Candy Queen, 1988.

where they would open a fire hydrant for the neighborhood kids. In 1966, we got one of the first memberships at the Camp Curtin YMCA. WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE HOLIDAY DISH? My mom and grandmom’s one-of-a kind “sweet potatoes.” The dish is beautiful to the eye, and those yummy candied glazed yams continue to captivate everyone who is blessed with a spoonful.

I’ve never seen or tasted anything even close to Shirley Wilkerson’s sweet potatoes!

HACC graduation, 1997.

Million dollar home WHAT WAS YOUR sale.

FAVORITE PRESENT (CHRISTMAS, HANUKAH, BIRTHDAY)?

I was a baton twirling fanatic. My dad gave me a brand new cassette player with a blank cassette, ready to dub the music for my upcoming routine. I practiced twirling from sun up to sun down. To this day, I continue to twirl batons (teaching!).

WHAT ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF? Naturally, my two daughters Rickie & Miya, as well as the treasures of my entire existence, my grandbabies. Just as important, I’m proud of being a supporter and attendee of each and every youth-related event over my lifetime, especially Chocolate’s Baton Club. I believe young people thrive and yearn for support and validation.

Read more of Lil Jackson’s story online at www.bmagazinepa.com/goodvibrations.

What memories would you share? To be considered for a future good vibrations column, please visit www.bmagazinepa.com.

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