Cumberland County Edition
January 2015
Vol. 16 No. 1
Penning a ‘New Normal’ Volunteer EMT, Former Deputy Coroner Heals by Writing Memoir By Chelsea Peifer Whenever Janice Ballenger’s name was listed on the schedule as deputy coroner, the 911 dispatchers joked that they knew they were in for a demanding day. “My initial years as deputy coroner were filled with a lot of horrific calls,” said Ballenger. “Scenes that I can never erase from my mind.” Ballenger, 62, had been working at a bank for 23 years when she read a headline stating a need for volunteers for emergency situations—no experience necessary. She began volunteering as a vehicle rescue technician before becoming an emergency medical technician and then serving as her county’s first female deputy coroner from 2004 to 2008. “It was quite the struggle to balance working full time, volunteering as an EMT, and doing deputy coroner calls 24 hours a week,” Ballenger said. “The amount of time that is required to be a volunteer is unbelievable.” Ballenger volunteered for nearly 20 years. While beginning in her 40s was a “late start,” she said that just proves that it is never too late to follow your dreams. Volunteers are the world’s greatest unsung heroes, and many people have no idea how much money is saved thanks to volunteer efforts, said Ballenger. “If I could say something to those aspiring to enter any of these fields, it please see NEW NORMAL page 14 Janice Ballenger, volunteer EMT and former deputy coroner. The local ambulance association was on the scene with Ballenger during the aftermath of the shooting at the West Nickel Mines School in October 2006.
Inside:
How to Fight Age Discrimination page 5
Traveltizers: A Quest for the Ests page 8
Dear Readers, Notice anything different on this issue’s front cover? It’s been 20 years since the first issue of 50plus Senior News hit newsstands, and some traces of a rich, green hue signal the arrival of our “emerald anniversary”! A lot has changed for us in two decades. 50plus Senior News has expanded to encompass six counties in Central Pennsylvania. Its contents now “come to life” at six annual 50plus EXPOs. This publication that began as a humble yet passionate local effort to bring news and entertainment to Central Pennsylvania’s seniors has gone on to garner dozens of national awards. The designs of our logo, pages, and cover have evolved over the years, but our commitment to serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50-plus community has stayed the same. Keep an eye out in the coming months for some special retrospective features as we peek back at our beginnings in 1995—while still focusing on 2015 and the exciting future ahead.
Jan. 24
– The criminal trial of O.J. Simpson began in California. On Oct. 3, the Los Angeles jury found him not guilty of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and her friend, Ronald Goldman. A civil court would award a wrongful-death judgment against Simpson in 1997.
April 19
– A car bomb detonated outside the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla., killing 168 people. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were later convicted of the antigovernment plot to avenge the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas, exactly two years prior.
Oct. 16 – The Million Man March, a political demonstration to promote African-American unity and family values, drew hundreds of thousands of African-American men to Washington, D.C. Louis Farrakhan organized the event; speakers included Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks.
Happy New Year,
Donna Anderson, President On-Line Publishers, Inc.
Estate Planning Legal Documents You Need in Preparing for Life and Death Let the experienced estate planning attorneys of Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner, assist you in developing a plan to protect you and your family throughout and after your life. s Wills s Powers of Attorney s Living Wills s Trusts
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Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Adult Day Services LIFE Lutheran Services, Inc. 1920 Good Hope Road, Hampden Twp. (717) 728-5433 CCRC Church of God Home 801 N. Hanover St., Carlisle (717) 866-3204 Emergency Numbers American Red Cross (717) 845-2751 Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110 Cumberland County Assistance (800) 269-0173 Energy Assistance Cumberland County Board of Assistance (800) 269-0173 Eye Care Services Kilmore Eye Associates 890 Century Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 697-1414 Funeral Directors Cocklin Funeral Home, Inc. 30 N. Chestnut St., Dillsburg (717) 432-5312 Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle (717) 243-4511 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 Arthritis Foundation (717) 763-0900 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 PACE (800) 225-7223 Social Security Administration (Medicare) (800) 302-1274
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Healthcare Information Pa. HealthCare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services Duncan Nulph Hearing Associates 5020 Ritter Road, Suite 10G, Mechanicsburg (717) 766-1500 Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY Hospice Services Homeland Hospice 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg (717) 221-7890 Housing Assistance Cumberland County Housing Authority 114 N. Hanover St., Carlisle (717) 249-1315 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937 Salvation Army (717) 249-1411 Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067 Legal Services Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner, LLC Attorneys at Law 635 N. 12th St., Lemoyne (717) 724-9821 Nursing/Rehab Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Personal Care Homes Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Services Cumberland County Aging & Community Services (717) 240-6110
Meals on Wheels Carlisle (717) 245-0707 Mechanicsburg (717) 697-5011 Newville (717) 776-5251 Shippensburg (717) 532-4904
Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833
Toll-Free Numbers Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555
Smoking Information (800) 232-1331
National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046 Organ Donor Hotline (800) 243-6667 Passport Information (888) 362-8668
Cancer Information Service (800) 422-6237
Social Security Fraud (800) 269-0217 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213
Consumer Information (888) 878-3256 Disease and Health Risk (888) 232-3228
Veterans Services American Legion (717) 730-9100
Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233
Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681
Drug Information (800) 729-6686
Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771
Flu or Influenza (888) 232-3228 Health and Human Services Discrimination (800) 368-1019 Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040
Veterans Affairs (717) 240-6178 or (717) 697-0371
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
Liberty Program (866) 542-3788
Time is a Priceless Gift Do you know a 50+ volunteer who gives selflessly to others? Tell us what makes him or her so special and we will consider them for 50plus Senior News’
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January 2015
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Salute to a Veteran
In an Air Force Plane, He Brought the Gas to You … 30,000 Gallons at a Time
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January 2015
Robert D. Wilcox ete Billis was born in Greece. His home was the island of Chios, one of those picturesque Greek islands that today draw millions of tourists to share their beauty. In 1970, however, his dad found the U.S. a lot more attractive, and he, with his wife and three children, left for Central Pennsylvania. Why here? “Because that’s where my dad’s sister and friends of our family were living,” Billis says. The area quickly became home to Billis, and he was soon speaking English without an accent. After Sgt. Billis on leave in 1992. graduation from McCaskey High School in 1982, he entered Millersville University, graduating in 1986. He then “wanted to do something for his country and to see the world,” as he puts it. So he enlisted in the Air Force. He had basic training in Texas at Lackland Air Force Base. While there, an Air Force master sergeant he knew suggested that he take inflight refueling as a career field. Normally, you had to complete a more basic assignment for three or Sgt. Peter Billis in the pilot’s more years after basic training before compartment of a KC-135 Stratotanker. requesting assignment to in-flight refueling, but a special Air Force program briefly opened the program transfer the fuel in flight that our up, and Billis took it. bombers and fighters needed in After air crew training at order to extend their range for long Sheppard AFB in Texas, and then flights or, for the fighters, to extend land- and water-survival training at Fairchild AFB in Washington, he was the loiter time on station. The fuel was transferred through a assigned to advanced training as an boom at the tail section of the KCin-flight fueling specialist at Castle 135, with the receiving plane only AFB in California. Upon graduation, he was qualified feet from the tail of the tanker. The pilot of the KC-135 and the to fly in KC-135 Stratotankers as receiving airplane had to carefully they refueled aircraft in flight. He maintain exactly the same speed and was home-based at Grissom AFB in position throughout the refueling. Indiana while flying missions in The boom operator of the KC135 many parts of the world. lay on his belly while he peered out a The KC-135 was the Air Force’s small window and carefully first jet-powered refueling tanker. It was needed in order to keep up with maneuvered the boom through a small port near the nose of the the speed of the Air Force’s new jet airplane following behind and below fighters and bombers. him. At that time, the success of the Holding more than 30,000 gallons of aviation fuel, it was able to mission was literally in his hands.
P
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Did it take a lot of skill to do his job? “Not according to the Air Force after all the training they gave us,” Billis says with a grin. “But lives depended on our ability to do it right. Both bombers and interceptors routinely flew missions that required in-flight refueling. And that happened around the world.” Did Billis ever have a time when things didn’t go well? “Well,” he reflects, “there was one time when our F-16s were scrambled to meet Russian bombers off Iceland that were trying to penetrate restricted airspace. It was nighttime, and we were at 30,000 feet when I needed to refuel an F-16 whose light on the receiving port had failed, and I had to find the port in the dark. “It was touch and go, but fortunately, I was able to handle that, and the F-16 pilot was saved from a stark experience, since the F-16s, because of the foulest weather at Iceland, had to fly on to England to land after the mission.” Often they were called upon to refuel the AWACS aircraft we used in order to conduct missions in Iran and Afghanistan. And they were sometimes tasked to fuel aircraft being flown in efforts to control drug trafficking. In October 1993, Billis, by then a sergeant, was discharged and came home to Central Pennsylvania. He became a distributor of Pepperidge Farm products, and then in 2002 established his own eBay business, selling collectibles, mostly stamps and coins. Asked what he thinks about his years in the Air Force, he says, “They were wonderful years. I met some of the finest people in this world. In fact, one of my greatest regrets is that I didn’t stay in until retirement. “It’s not that I’m not happy now … but for me, the Air Force was a wonderful and very special place to be.” Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.
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Savvy Senior
How to Fight Age Discrimination Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, What constitutes age discrimination in the workplace, and where can I turn for help if I think I’ve got a case? – Demoted at 64 Dear Demoted, Age discrimination has become a much more frequent complaint in recent years as more and more people are working into their retirement years. But, you need to be aware that proving it is extremely difficult to do, especially since the 2009 Supreme Court decision that raised the bar for the type of legal proof that workers need to win agediscrimination lawsuits. With that said, here are the steps you’ll need to take to fight age discrimination if you think you’ve been treated unlawfully. ADEA Protection The Age Discrimination in
Employment Act (ADEA) is your first defense against age discrimination. This is a federal law that says an employer cannot fire, refuse to hire, or treat you differently from other employees because of your age. Some examples of age discrimination include: • You were fired because your boss wanted to keep younger workers who are paid less.
• You were turned down for a promotion, which went to someone younger hired from outside the company, because the boss says the company “needs new blood.” • When company layoffs are announced, most of the persons laid off were older, while younger workers with less seniority and less on-the-job experience were kept on.
• You didn’t get hired because the employer wanted a younger-looking person to do the job. The ADEA protects all workers and job applicants age 40 and over who work for employers that have 20 or more employees—including federal, state, and local governments as well as employment agencies and labor unions. If your workplace has fewer than 20 employees, you may still be protected under your state’s anti-age-discrimination law. Contact your state labor department or your state’s fair employment practices agency for more information. Another protection for older workers is the federal Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. Under this law, an employer cannot reduce health or life insurance benefits for older employees,
• Before you were fired, your supervisor made age-related remarks about you.
please see DISCRIMINATION page 6
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DISCRIMINATION
from page 5
nor can it stop their pensions from accruing if they work past their normal retirement age. It also discourages businesses from targeting older workers when cutting staff and prohibits employers from forcing employees to take early retirement. What to Do If you think you are a victim of employment age discrimination, your first step is to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) usually within
180 days from the date of the alleged violation. You can do this by mail or in person at your nearest EEOC office (see www.eeoc.gov/contact) or by calling (800) 669-4000. They will help you through the filing process and let you know if you should also file a charge with your state anti-discrimination agency. Once the charge is filed, the EEOC will investigate your complaint and find either reasonable cause to believe that age discrimination has occurred or no
cause and no basis for a claim. After the investigation, the EEOC will then send you their findings along with a “notice of right to sue,” which gives you permission to file a lawsuit in a court of law. If you decide to sue, you’ll need to hire a lawyer who specializes in employee discharge suits. Lawyers.com and FindLaw (www.findlaw.com) are two websites that can help you locate discrimination attorneys in your area. Another option you should consider is mediation, which is a fair and efficient
way to help you resolve your employment disputes and reach an agreement. The EEOC offers mediation at no cost if your current or former employer agrees to participate. At mediation, you show up with your evidence, your employer presents theirs, and the mediator makes a determination within a day or less. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org
Calendar of Events
Cumberland County
Support Groups
Free and open to the public.
Jan. 6, 6 p.m. CanSurmount Cancer Support Group HealthSouth Acute Rehab Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 691-6786
Jan. 13, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Carlisle Area Men’s Cancer Support Group The Live Well Center 3 Alexandria Court, Carlisle (717) 877-7561 sirbrady12@gmail.com
Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m. Too Sweet: Diabetes Support Group Chapel Hill United Church of Christ 701 Poplar Church Road Camp Hill (717) 557-9041
Jan. 14, 1 p.m. Parkinson’s Support Group HealthSouth Rehab Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 877-0624
Community Programs
Jan. 14, 6:30 p.m. Amputee Support Team Meeting HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (610) 867-9295 rbuck18015@verizon.net www.astamputees.com
Big Spring Senior Center – (717) 776-4478 91 Doubling Gap Road, Suite 1, Newville Mondays through Feb. 9, 9:30 a.m. – Growing Wiser: The Older Person’s Guide to Mental Wellness Jan. 9, 10 a.m. – Winter Storms and Power Outages Preparedness Jan. 23, 10 a.m. – Presentation: Services Provided by Cumberland County Aging & Community Services
Jan. 20, 1 p.m. Caregiver Support Group Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren 501 Gale St., Mechanicsburg (717) 766-8880
Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.
Free and open to the public.
Mondays and Wednesdays, noon to 12:45 p.m. Silver Sneakers Class: Muscular Strength and Range of Movement Living Well Fitness Center 207 House Ave., Suite 107 Camp Hill (717) 439-4070
Senior Center Activities
Jan. 14, 11:30 a.m. NARFE West Shore Chapter 1465 VFW Post 6704 4907 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg (717) 737-1486 www.narfe1465.org Visitors welcome; meeting is free but fee for food.
Cumberland County Library Programs Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St., Carlisle, (717) 243-4642 Jan. 5, 7:30 to 8:45 p.m. – Monday Bosler Book Discussion Group Jan. 14, 1 to 2 p.m. – Wicked Wednesday Book Discussion Group Jan. 23, 1 to 2 p.m. – Just Mysteries! Book Club Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, (717) 761-3900 Jan. 9, 4 to 7:30 p.m. – Blood Drive Jan. 12, 6:30 p.m. – Twisted Stitchers
What’s Happening? Give Us the Scoop! Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about free events occurring in Cumberland County! Email preferred to: mjoyce@onlinepub.com
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January 2015
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Jan. 13, 7 p.m. – Fredricksen Reads: Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, (717) 774-7820 Jan. 13, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Author Review: Into the Wardrobe: C.S. Lewis by Dr. David C. Downing Jan. 17, 11 a.m. to noon – Couponing for Extreme Savings: Using Coupons for a Frugal New Year Jan. 28, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Great Books Discussion Group: Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Jewelry Storage Tips Lori Verderame
D
id you get a piece of jewelry this holiday season? Jewelry is a very popular type of collectible. In addition to sprucing up an outfit, jewelry pieces, precious metals, and gemstones hold their value well in the antiques and vintage marketplace. So, storing these valuables is important. Gold and silver pieces can get scratched when stored next to each other or next to other pieces in a jewelry box. These precious metals can damage fragile jewelry items, like pearls and shells, too. Store gold pieces by themselves or in a felt- or velvet-lined box when possible. Gold necklaces ideally should be stored hanging up by their clasp to prevent damage. Gold bracelets should be stored flat when possible. Bangles need their own storage boxes to prevent dents and damage too. Always store pearls separately in a padded case or jewelry compartment. This will prevent damage to the soft, cultured pearl’s luster surface.
And, pearls should be restrung as soon as you notice that the individual knots are getting stretched out or loose. You will lose the pearls if the string breaks—I guarantee it. For gemstones set in rings, use ring holders that separate set stones and their settings from one another. This will prevent scrapes and scratches and retain a stone’s clarity, too. Watches should not be stopped when stored. Let the watch run so you do not damage the battery or movement. Store watches flat, and use a soft cloth to cover the dial and protect the crystal face when storing them. When it comes to fine jewelry, protecting your investment goes hand in hand with proper storage. Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori hosts antiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr. Lori is the star appraiser on Discovery channel’s TV show Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, Lori Verderame at Google+, or call (888) 431-1010.
There’s room for you at our table.
Contact Jamie Nye for a tour and complimentary lunch. (717) 249-5322, ext. 3085.
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January 2015
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Traveltizers
Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel
A Quest for the Ests: Visiting the Extremes of the United States It worked. Today, the scenic drive—a two-lane ribbon that winds between towering evergreens, open meadows, and lovely alpine lakes—is one of Colorado’s top attractions. (www.mountevans.com)
By Andrea Gross ’m a sucker for superlatives. My personal bucket list demands that I visit as many “ests” as possible, places that hold the record for being the highest, hottest, or in some way the very best of their category. I thought compiling the list would be simple, especially after I limited it to the United States, but of course it wasn’t. I ran into myriad problems of measurement and definition. Eventually I came up with my own criteria, based as much on practicality and desirability as on quantifiable data. Here, my recommendations for the Best of the Ests:
I
Highest I have no intention of actually climbing the tallest peak, which rules out Alaska’s Mt. McKinley (20,237 feet), yet I want to do more than peer toward the heavens. Thus I head for Colorado’s Mount
Photo courtesy of National Park Service
A boardwalk at Badwater Basin leads from a parking lot to the salt flats that mark the lowest point in the United States.
Photo courtesy of National Park Service
The salt flats of Death Valley are not hospitable to plants or animals.
People who take a short hike from the highest paved parking lot in the U.S. to the summit of Mt. Evans can brag that they’ve climbed one of Colorado’s famous Fourteeners (mountains that rise more than 14,000 feet above sea level).
Evans. At 14,265 feet, Mount Evans is a pigmy among giants, but—and this is important—it’s home to the highest paved road. This means I can drive almost all the way to the country’s highest parking lot,
walk a mere quarter mile to the summit, and voila, I’ll be standing atop the highest reasonably accessible peak in the U.S. The highway was built between 1917 and 1927 as a means of drawing tourists.
Lowest Choosing the lowest spot is easy. Since I quickly rule out deep-sea diving and descending into a mine, I’m left with Death Valley, Calif., which is the lowest point of dry land that was formed by nature as opposed to by man-and-shovel. The valley’s precise lowest point (282 feet below sea level) is near Badwater Basin, which sits amidst nearly 200 square miles of salt flats. A boardwalk lets visitors walk part way into the basin, but most folks step down onto the actual flats. The landscape is bizarre but beautiful, a pattern of interlocking shapes created by the valley’s unique combination of extreme heat, minimal rainfall, and low elevation. (www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm)
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Driest Here I run into trouble. Calexico, a small town on the California-Mexico border, has the lowest annual rainfall, but Death Valley has the most consecutive days with no rainfall. In the end I opt for neither. In my mind, “dry” suggests a place where I can mount a camel and ride endless miles across towering sand dunes. Calexico is dune-less, and while Death Valley has dunes, they aren’t record-setters. For that I have to go to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, which, although devoid of camels, has 750-foot-tall sand piles, the highest in North America. Later I learn that the dunes aren’t really dry. In fact, it’s the moist layer of sand right under the surface that holds the upper dry sand in place. But that’s OK. At this point in my Quest-Est, I’m more concerned with imagery than scientific accuracy. (www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm) Wettest As for the wettest place, I must choose between the soggiest land or the drippiest sky. Since I don’t have a pair of wet boots but own several umbrellas, I decide on Hawaii’s Mount Waleleale. Then I learn that the mountain’s average rainfall exceeds 38 feet a year—a
makes Forks a double superlative— winner of both the wettest and the weirdest categories. (www.forkswa.com)
Great Sand Dunes National Park has the tallest dunes in North America.
Photo courtesy of Forks Chamber of Commerce
Forks, Wash., is the gateway to the rainforests of Olympic National Park.
Photo courtesy of Mount Washington Observatory
Scientists at the Mount Washington Observatory work in a place that’s reputed to have the worst weather in the world.
fact that greatly dampens my enthusiasm (pardon the pun)—so I restrict my search to the contiguous United States and end up on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. While the Aberdeen Reservoir is the rainiest place, with 130.6 inches a year, Forks is the rainiest town, with 120
inches a year. More important, it’s given this accolade not only by the National Climatic Data Center, but also by Stephenie Meyer, who used it as a setting for her Twilight book series. Why, I may even spot a vampire along the shore or amidst the trees, and this
Coldest Once I exclude non-contiguous Alaska, Rogers Pass, Mont., holds the record for a one-day temperature low (minus 70 F), but the peak of New Hampshire’s Mount Washington wins the title for all-time year-around cold (annual average temperature of 27 F). In addition, with wind gusts that sometimes reach more than 230 mph, it’s also considered the windiest place in the United States. Therefore, with masochistic determination I head to the summit. The road is steep, narrow, and bordered with deadly drop-offs. But am I glad I went? Absolutely. The view on top is spectacular and, what’s more, at the Weather Discovery Center in nearby North Conway I learn that Mount Washington holds bragging rights to the best Est of all: Home of the World’s Worst Weather. It’s a perfect way to end my search. The title of “worst” makes Mount Washington the “best.” (www.mountwashington.org) Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).
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50plus SeniorNews ›
January 2015
9
Older But Not Wiser
Expired Sy Rosen he following emails have been slightly altered to make me look better and nicer and smarter and for my adversary to look dopier. Why else would I alter them?
T
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing about the expiration date on your vitamin bottles. It takes me forever to find it. And when I do finally find it, it is usually smudged or partially covered and impossible to read. I do not want to take expired vitamins. Please look into this. Sincerely, Sy Rosen Dear Mr. Rosen, Thank you for contacting us. We are very happy that you have chosen to use our multivitamins. Time after time after time, they have been proven to be the best on the market.
Now, to answer your very important question: We do not recommend that vitamins be used after their expired date. I hope that helps. Cordially, Bxx Mxxxx, Vice President of Customer Affairs Dear Mr. Mxxxx, Thank you for the endorsement of your product (although I think you may have used too many “times”). However, you did not address my concern. I can’t see the expired date on your vitamin bottles. Sincerely, Sy Rosen
“time” too many times (oops, there’s another “times”—please don’t penalize me. Ha. Ha.). Now let me address your problem of not being able to see adequately. Vision loss is a very serious problem facing many Americans. Vitamins C, A, and lutein are very helpful for vision, and we offer these supplements. Of course, in no way should this be construed as medical advice, and we are not legally responsible for this advice. Good luck. I’m pulling for you. Cordially, Bxx Mxxxx, Vice President of Customer Affairs
Dear Mr. Rosen, Yes, you are correct; I probably used
Dear Mr. Mxxxx, Thank you for your very thoughtful
email, and I’m glad you’re “pulling for me.” But let me reiterate (that means “repeat”): It’s not that I can’t see the expiration date; it’s impossible for me to read it. Sincerely, Sy Rosen Dear Mr. Rosen, Thank you for informing me as to the definition of reiterate. However, I already knew it. Let me reiterate: I already knew it. (Ha. Ha.) Now that we’ve finally straightened out what your problem really is, let me address it. I’m sorry for your difficulties in reading. Illiteracy is a very serious problem in our country. (I guess someone is reading these emails to you.) We don’t have vitamins specifically for that problem, but there are certain vitamins that can be taken to increase your intellect, and you can find them on our
COCKLIN FUNERAL HOME, INC. Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
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January 2015
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website. Again, I am pulling for you. Cordially, Bxx Mxxxx, Vice President of Customer Affairs Mr. Mxxxx, What is the matter with you? Are you deliberately not understanding me? Sy Rosen Dear Mr. Rosen, I’ve really tried, but I guess I just can’t satisfy everyone. Cordially, Bxx Mxxxx, Vice President of Customer Affairs
Dear Mr. Mxxxx, Don’t feel bad. I’m sure there’s some sort of vitamin you can take to relieve your inadequacy; just make sure they haven’t expired. I’m pulling for you. Sincerely, Sy Rosen Dear Mr. Rosen, I wasn’t saying that I was inadequate. Cordially, Bxx Mxxxx, Vice President of Customer Affairs Dear Mr. Mxxxx I know. I was saying that. Your friend (Ha. Ha.), Sy
Is Cash Losing its Cachet? We may not be moving toward a cashless society, but for some people, paying with plastic is the preferred way to go. A survey from CreditCard.com found that 51 percent of adults under 30 will use a credit or debit card for purchases less than $5, while 77 percent of people 50 or older prefer to pay cash when buying something for $5 or less.
Debit cards are more popular than credit cards among the younger generation by a 3-to-1 margin and hold a 2-to-1 lead among users of all ages. Americans held balances on credit cards in the amount of half a trillion dollars by the end of the first half of 2014, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York.
Who Has the Best Bites in Central PA? Help 50plus Senior News celebrate the local eateries that deserve national fame!
Where do you frequent for: Breakfast _________________________________________ Lunch ____________________________________________ Dinner____________________________________________ Ethnic Cuisine _____________________________________ Celebrating _______________________________________ Bakery ___________________________________________ Coffeehouse ______________________________________ Fast Food _________________________________________ Seafood __________________________________________ Steak_____________________________________________ Outdoor Dining____________________________________
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April 2, 2015
May 14, 2015
9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey
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50plus SeniorNews ›
January 2015
11
The Way I See It
Morning Woes Mike Clark
I
wake up between 2:30 and 4 o’clock almost every morning. A force inside my head flips a switch, lights go on, and rollers and gears begin to turn. It’s like the startup shift in a manufacturing plant. As the minutes slowly pass, the lights get brighter, the sounds inside become cacophonous, and all attempts to sleep are futile. Then the neuronal network within my normally sedate noggin fires away at full speed to conjure all kinds of worriment that I think should be immediately considered. Problems go back and forth as though going through a cerebral rolling mill, and each problem is forged into smaller, more detailed elements that demand more intense scrutiny with each pass. Concrete solutions to some problems are so elusive that I must store them in my subconscious until the next morning—or even the morning after
that. And they will again appear between 2:30 and 4 a.m. to bedevil me. It is necessary, then, to try to solve these problems as soon as possible before they pile up on all the other woes waiting to steal my sleep. I am too often confounded, and the frustration exacerbates my troubles. My wife tends to stir knowingly when I’m in the “worry” mode. She usually says nothing until about 6 a.m. when I stumble downstairs, bleary-eyed and unsteady. I know that my tossing and turning keeps her from sleeping soundly, which makes me worry even more. She has to go to work in the morning. I, on the
other hand, can take a nap during the day to recover from my sleeplessness, which can create some resentment. I find it odd that my wife doesn’t worry much about anything. And that often drives me crazy—I worry about why she doesn’t worry. Oh, she ponders over the same things that worry me; she just does not let those thoughts devolve into a condition of hyperventilation like I do. What are some of the things I worry about? I’ll tell you. But, keep in mind that the following is far from a comprehensive list. There isn’t enough space in this column to elaborate on all of my vexations.
For example, my roof is almost 20 years old. Each time there is a downpour that lasts more than several minutes, I roam around the house looking for leaks. So far, so good. But should I replace this roof soon? Will it hold up for a couple more years? I forget what the life was on the shingles I bought. Was it 20 years? Or maybe it was 25. If I could just find the original contract, maybe I could stop worrying. However, maybe I would worry more if I found the answer. I’m beginning to wonder how long a car with 161,000 miles on it will continue to start up and take me where I need to go. I have put more than a carload of money into repairs for the thing, believing that it is more desirable than four years (or more) of car payments. Whenever I hear an unusual noise
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under the hood, I worry. Should I just go ahead and strap myself with car payments? Our water heater started to leak several months ago. I installed it myself and it lasted much longer than it was supposed to. But this time around, I decided to have somebody else do the installation. I also installed a new garbage-disposal unit and a new dishwasher many years ago. I had the disposal replaced last year by a plumber.
So, when will the dishwasher go on the fritz? I cross my fingers and continue to worry on that one. When it finally goes out, I’ll have to pay someone else to install the new one. Can you say “expensive”? Two of my grandchildren moved to another state back in June. It was sudden, unexpected, and disheartening. I am still disheartened by it. I miss them terribly. I am always wondering if they are adjusting to their new digs. Are they
happy? Are they making friends? Are they doing well in their new school? They call, and I am reassured that all is well. My wife takes them at their word. Still, I worry. And so it goes until the bright lights and noise inside my head subside, and I slowly go back to sleep for what remains of the time left before the alarm goes off. My wife reminds me that in all of our years together, things have always worked out. Then I worry about a possible exception.
For the new year ahead, I’m going to have to find ways to banish my morning woes. After all, my wife really needs her sleep. Happy New Year. Mike Clark writes a regular column for The Globe Leader newspaper in New Wilmington, Pa. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in organizational behavior/applied psychology from Albright College. Mike lives outside Columbia, Pa., and can be contacted at mikemac429@aol.com.
Social Security News
Social Security Announces 2015 COLA By John Johnston Happy New Year from Social Security! Put down the champagne and ring in the New Year with a COLA! And we don’t mean the soda. In 2015, nearly 64 million Americans who receive Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) will receive a 1.7 percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase to their monthly benefit payments.
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The average monthly Social Security benefit for a retired worker in 2015 is $1,328 (up from $1,306 in 2014). The average monthly Social Security benefit for a disabled worker in 2015 is $1,165 (up from $1,146 in 2014). For people who receive SSI, the maximum federal payment amount increased to $733 (up from $721 in 2014). Other Social Security changes in 2015 are also worth noting. For example, the
maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security payroll tax will increase to $118,500 (up from $117,000 in 2014). A worker will earn one credit toward Social Security coverage after paying taxes on $1,220 in earnings in 2015 (up from $1,200 in 2014). As a reminder, eligibility for retirement benefits still requires 40 credits (usually about 10 years of work). Information about Medicare changes
for 2015 is available at www.medicare.gov. The Social Security Act outlines how the COLA is calculated. To read more about the COLA, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/cola. To learn more about other changes in 2015, read our fact sheet at www.socialsecurity.gov/news/press/factsheets/ colafacts2015.html. John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.
50plus SeniorNews ›
January 2015
13
NEW NORMAL
from page 1
would be that these ‘jobs’ are not as glamorous as portrayed on television,” Ballenger said. “They require a huge amount of commitment and an everlarger amount of caring and compassion. “They are not for the faint of heart, but you will make a difference—and that’s what it’s all about.” Her goal was to express empathy and caring on every call she responded to. “Even if it was a man with knee pain he’d had for three weeks and [he then] decides to dial 911 at 3 a.m.,” said Ballenger. “In their opinion, when they dial 911, it is one of the worst days of their lives, and I respect that.” Performing CPR on calls for people she knew was very difficult. “I literally had to be pulled off of the one man by the doctor at the hospital as he announced time of death,” Ballenger said. “A little bit of you dies with the person.” Successful and unsuccessful suicides, as well as calls involving children, are always the most difficult, she said. But on Oct. 2, 2006, she responded to a call that nothing could have prepared her for. Ballenger was one of the first
Let Spring highly trained staff
responders to the shooting at the West “I was on scene from approximately Nickel Mines School, where a man 11 a.m. until midnight,” she said. “I still entered the schoolhouse and lined up 10 have no idea how I made it home.” young Amish girls before shooting them That night, Ballenger had to complete execution style. Five of the girls died; the her reports from the haunting tragedy gunman later that she had took his own barely begun to life. process. “I was one “As I of the few to downloaded the enter the pictures, it all school with seemed surreal,” the dead said Ballenger. bodies still Before she inside,” could begin Ballenger said. processing any She asked further, her Ballenger gives talks in the community about her the local phone began to experiences and about her memoir, Addicted to Life ring nonstop. ambulance & Death: Memoirs of an EMT & Deputy Coroner. crew to clean “CNN called one of the to say they were girl’s faces because she did not want the on their way to my home. I said, child’s mother to see her face entirely ‘Absolutely not.’” covered in blood. Ballenger took two weeks off from “They said they had been told not to everything. She visited the ambulance touch her. I said, ‘I will take full crew to thank them for everything that responsibility and will risk my job on it,’” they did for the victims and families. Ballenger recalled. “They agreed and were “It was very emotional. I couldn’t flawless in their work. I am forever thank them enough for cleaning her indebted. face,” Ballenger said. “And I didn’t get in trouble.” She met with counselors and visited with the Amish families who lost their children on that day. “I still keep in contact with them. I always leave their homes feeling a little better,” Ballenger said. Her mind kept revisiting the inside of Creek’s dedicated, the Amish school, and in an effort to find a “new normal,” Ballenger decided to help you Bridge the Way ... move and sell nearly everything that she owned. “In hindsight, I wish I hadn’t done Services Offered: that,” Ballenger said. “But I was desperate –Short-Term Rehab to try to find a normal place in my –Therapy: Physical, Speech, & mind.” Occupational She tried crafts and other endeavors to
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(717) 565-7000 14
January 2015
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occupy her mind, but writing a memoir about her experiences was what finally gave her a greater sense of peace. Ballenger had been keeping journals of her experiences since she started volunteering. “As I began seeing some gruesome sights, I needed a way to vent my emotions. My brother, John, gave me a lined journal and when I would return home from a call, I recorded my emotions in the journal—which turned into many, many journals,” Ballenger explained. She spent the next two years writing her first book, Addicted to Life & Death: Memoirs of an EMT & Deputy Coroner. She gives free talks in the community about her book and experiences and brings a guest speaker with her to discuss suicide and its effects on those left behind. She includes instructions on giving CPR in her talks. “Some people have said, ‘I guess you get used to seeing the things you see.’ No, you never get used to it. If you do, then it is time to get out of doing that work,” Ballenger said. “Others ask how I could do that work. I reply, ‘Everyone has their place on Earth. I am blessed that I was able to do that work for many, many years. Someone has to do it. But don’t ask me to be a dental hygienist—I could never do that work.” Ballenger is a still a certified EMT but does not run on calls. She works at a skilled nursing facility near Ephrata. Ballenger is available to speak about her experiences and can be reached at (717) 606-3494, janiceballenger@ yahoo.com, or at her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/AddictedToLifeDeathM emoirsOfAnEmtDeputyCoroner. Her book is available online or can be purchased directly through Ballenger; she will sign them as requested.
Disk Damage: Watch Your Back A herniated spinal disk can cause severe pain. Spinal disks act as cushions between your vertebrae, and if they become damaged or slip out of place, they can irritate surrounding nerves. The result: weakness, numbness, and/or pain in arms, legs, or back. Watch for these risk factors to assess your vulnerability: Age. Spinal disks degenerate over time, becoming less flexible and more likely to tear as you grow older.
Weight. Extra weight puts more of a strain on your lower back. Lifting. If your job (or your personal life) requires you to do a lot of heavy lifting, be sure to pick objects up properly and safely to avoid injury. Genetics. The Mayo Clinic website points out that some people inherit a tendency to develop disks that herniate easily.
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Tax-Aide Sites Open through April 15 Free tax counseling and preparation for taxpayers with middle and low incomes, with special attention to those 60 and older, is available from AARP Tax-Aide from Feb. 2 to April 15. Individuals do not need to be members of AARP or a retiree to use this service. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers, trained in cooperation with the Internal Revenue Service, Pennsylvania IRS, and local taxing authorities, will offer help with personal income tax returns at the following locations in the West Shore area. Appointments are required except where noted. Bethany Towers 335 Wesley Drive, Mechanicsburg Wednesdays, Feb. 4 to April 15 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (717) 766-7698 East Pennsboro Community Center 98 S. Enola Drive, Enola Tuesdays and Thursdays, Feb. 3 to April 14 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (717) 732-3915 Mechanicsburg Senior Citizens Center 97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg
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Mondays and Fridays, Feb. 2 to April 13 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (717) 697-5947
Now accepting applications from individuals 62 years and older
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New Cumberland Fire Department 319 Fourth St., New Cumberland Mondays and Thursdays, Feb. 2 to April 13 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments accepted. First come, first served. Trinity Lutheran Church 2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill Mondays, Feb. 2 to April 13 (except Feb. 16) 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. No appointments accepted. First come, first served. Call toll-free at (888) AARPNOW— (888) 227-7669—or visit www.aarp.org/ taxaide to locate an AARP Tax-Aide site near you.
Beautiful, one-bedroom apartments conveniently located in downtown Carlisle. • Maintenance-free living • Affordability • Safety and security • Elevator-assisted living • New kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring • Community room with kitchen • Fitness center • Social activities • Courteous and helpful staff • Small pets welcome too! Residents pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent and utilities. Income limits apply. Annual incomes under $25,050 for one person and $28,600 for two persons.
For an application or tour of the facility contact:
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Wintertime Wintertime is here again With shivering cold and chill. The ground shines white from snow On every field and hill. Brown stocks of corn protrude From the farmer’s snowy field; As the gale blows over them, A screeching sound they yield. The scene is melancholy; There is nothing now that’s green, The sky is mostly gray, Few people can be seen. The icy winds are bitter, They take your breath away. The bear sleeps in its cave, But the songbirds did not stay. Nature is just resting now From its efforts of last year. This cold will soon be over For spring is creeping near.
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Written and submitted by John McGrath
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January 2015
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