50plus LIFE Cumberland County January 2019

Cumberland County Edition | January 2019 • Vol. 20 No. 1

Complimentary

page 4

traveltizers: The Superlatives of Banff page 12

how to cope with seasonal affective disorder page 14

When it Comes to Retirement, Get S.M.A.R.T.

By Scott and Jill Carter Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do, so throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, and catch the trade winds in your sails. – Mark Twain Fifty-seven percent of Americans say they have less than a thousand dollars saved. More than a third have saved nothing. Half of American families live paycheck to paycheck, and, not surprisingly, more than half of us are “anxious or fearful” about our financial well-being.

If any of that describes you, don’t panic. It’s not too late, but it’s imperative that you develop a simple and S.M.A.R.T. plan — a roadmap — for how you are going to achieve financial freedom.

Here’s what S.M.A.R.T. (Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, Timely) means: Be Specific Hopefully you’ve determined your specific financial goals.

You’ve calculated specific numbers to help you with your planning. You’ve

looked at specific strategies to reach your desired goals. And, you’ve learned specific principles to solid investing.

(If you haven’t done these things, you should.)

Now write out your next steps, making them as succinct and specific as possible. An action item such as “I will balance risk and return for maximum results” is too vague and broad.

A more tailored approach would be to say, “Given my age, I will invest in higher yields for growth, because there is time to recover from adverse results, should they occur.”

Even better, your step could be, “At my age, and with limited available cash for investment, I will get into an aggressive growth exchange traded fund (ETF) with regular contributions of $200 per month, beginning next month.”

(ETFs are popular financial instruments that bundle a number of assets together to give investors a great way to diversify their portfolios. ETFs can comprise stocks, bonds, commodities, real estate investment trusts, or many other assets. Like stocks, ETFs trade daily on stock exchanges, making them a liquid investment.)

The point is to make every item in your plan a specific statement that clearly spells out what you will do, the reason for doing it, and when you will do it.

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January 2019

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We believe the care people receive makes a difference in their lives. It is our privilege to care for you and your loved ones.

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Make it Measurable In every step of your plan, set up how you’ll measure results. You can’t make future income, investing, or saving decisions without knowing what’s working and what’s not.

In the above ETF example, you should check on the return of the ETF in three months, six months, or a year. Knowing the performance of your current investment will help you decide how to allocate additional contributions.

Making it measurable also applies to setting mileposts along the road to reaching your ultimate retirement goal. For example, setting a milepost to grow your initial 401(k) balance from its current $38,000 to $62,000 within four years is a measurable goal.

Just make sure to look at every line item in your retirement plan and assess whether or not it is moving you toward your goal of achieving financial freedom.

Make it Actionable Plans are simply statements of where you want to go and the steps you need to take to get there. Make those steps actionable.

A step such as, “Learn more about growth versus income stocks,” is more of a reminder. It lacks specific steps. Consider that reminder as a header and then develop action items under it like: • Read a growth stock newsletter • Look up the top income stocks and read their annual reports • Compare the risk profiles of the top three growth and income stocks please see S.M.A.R.T. page 9

At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away. adult day care Life Time Adult Day Care 3 Crossgate Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 975-9762 Emergency Numbers American Red Cross (717) 845-2751 Central Pennsylvania 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 & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving Cumberland County (800) 720-8221 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 Arthritis Foundation (717) 763-0900

Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania (717) 238-2531 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 Home care Services Homeland at Home Serving all of Cumberland County (717) 221-7892 Hospice Services Homeland at Home Serving all of Cumberland County (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

CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400

Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067

The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007

Capital Blue (888) 989-9015 (TTY: 711)

PACE (800) 225-7223

Medicare (800) 633-4227

Social Security Administration (Medicare) (800) 302-1274 www.50plusLifePA.com

Nursing/Rehab Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7900

Disease and Health Risk (888) 232-3228

Nutrition Meals on Wheels Carlisle (717) 245-0707 Mechanicsburg (717) 697-5011 Newville (717) 776-5251 Shippensburg (717) 532-4904 West Shore (717) 737-3942

Drug Information (800) 729-6686

Domestic Violence (800) 799-7233

Flu or Influenza (888) 232-3228 Health and Human Services Discrimination (800) 368-1019 Internal Revenue Service (800) 829-1040 Liberty Program (866) 542-3788

Orthopedics OSS Health 856 Century Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 747-8315 Personal Care Homes Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7900 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com

National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046 Passport Information (877) 487-2778 (V); (888) 874-7793 (TTY) Social Security Fraud (800) 269-0217 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Services American Legion (717) 730-9100

Services Cumberland County Aging & Community Services (717) 240-6110

Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681

Toll-Free Numbers Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555 Cancer Information Service (800) 422-6237

Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833

Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771 Veterans Affairs (717) 240-6178 or (717) 697-0371

Consumer Information (888) 878-3256

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

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January 2019

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Corporate Office

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360 Chester County: 610.675.6240 Cumberland County/Dauphin County: 717.770.0140 Berks County/Lancaster County/ Lebanon County/York County: 717.285.1350 E-mail address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com

Cover Story

How Seniors Can Truly Benefit from Low-Impact Workouts

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson

By Christopher W. Grayson

EDITORIAL

Vice President and Managing Editor Christianne Rupp Editor, 50plus Publications Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENT Project Coordinator Renee McWilliams Production Artist Lauren Phillips

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Senior Marketing Consultants Joshua Binkley Jennifer Schmalhofer Angie Willis Marketing Consultant Joseph Herr Rebecca Leader Events Manager Kimberly Shaffer Marketing Coordinator Kelsey Fishburn Account Service Coordinator Emily Polito

ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall

Member of

Activity is vital at any life stage. It helps children develop correctly, keeps adults healthy, and reduces the impact of old age in seniors.

Elders that stay active can enjoy various benefits to their wellbeing, even from lowimpact workouts.

Still, it isn’t always easy to keep motivated to work out, especially during these cold winter days. To avoid loss of motivation, seniors should always keep in mind how beneficial exercise can be for them.

Let’s have a look at how seniors can genuinely benefit from low-impact workouts, as well as what the best low-impact workouts are.

Awards

50plus LIFE is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature.

Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.

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Better Mental Health Whichever form of exercise you choose, it’s sure to produce endorphins.

Activities in nature will further increase the impact of the “feel good” hormone, ensuring you’ll feel satisfied and happy afterward. Nature walks or hikes, cycling, and yoga can serve you well

in reducing bad moods and improving your overall mental health.

Exercise has an exceptionally positive impact on insomnia and other sleeping problems, which are common in seniors.

Better Physical Health Regular activity prevents or lowers the risk of many illnesses and keeps your body strong and healthy.

Working out improves the immune system, which is especially crucial for elders, as they are more vulnerable to diseases.

But low-impact workouts don’t only keep diseases at bay.

They also reduce the risk of falling by improving strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination.

Even the most basic, low-impact exercise, such as walking, can help, as long as it’s done regularly.

More Social Engagement One of the best things about exercise is that it doesn’t have to be a solitary activity.

Likeminded seniors can get together for walks or hiking.

Having company usually improves www.50plusLifePA.com

they are relatively easy compared to full-blown workout routines.

Walking is the easiest one to get into and provides a full-body workout.

The same goes for swimming, which is considered one of the safest solutions for exercising when joint health is in question.

Stretching and yoga are great for building flexibility and balance or maintaining them in old age.

Alternatively, you might want to take up cycling, dancing, or tai chi.

Ultimately, staying active is one of the best ways to ensure a good quality of life even if you’re well into your senior years.

accountability as well, so you’ll be more motivated to keep up with your workout habits.

Another right way to stay active while enjoying company is signing up for dancing or a fitness class. By maintaining social ties, you’ll keep loneliness at bay as well.

Improved Brain Function According to multiple studies, physical activity also has a positive influence on cognitive function. Exercise improves and fine tunes our motor skills, which, in turn, keep our mind sharp.

Active seniors have less risk of dementia, regardless of whether they’ve always been active or not. What matters is that you stay physically active.

Best Low-Impact Exercises Sometimes seniors can find the idea of exercise intimidating due to fear of falling or injury. It is precisely why low-impact workouts are recommended, as

Christopher W. Grayson, M.D., Florida Orthopaedic Institute, is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons. Grayson is the author of multiple articles in peer-reviewed journals.

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Now booking our Christmas, variety, and specialty shows for 2019.

We have many variety shows featuring the music from the 1930s to the 60s.

Songs by legendary artists like Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Doris Day, Kay Starr, Dean Martin, Patsy Cline, and the Mills Brothers.

Specialty shows include …

Songs from the WWII Years • The Post WWII Years: 1945 – 1955 AMERICA: From Sea to Shining Sea Salute to the Rat Pack (or if you prefer, just Sinatra) Elvis & Patsy • Classic Country Please contact Memory Music to book your next event!

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January 2019

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Simple Aquatic Exercises for Boomers and Beyond We all know water as a key ingredient in maintaining absolute prosperity with our health, but did you also know water can serve as a great alternative for cardio workouts, rehabilitation, and other forms of training?

Aquatic-based exercise is ideal for aging and elderly individuals with arthritis and other agerelated maladies as well as those recovering from injury and surgery.

Here are a few of the benefits and best practices of integrating aquatic exercise and therapy into a regular fitness routine:

By Danielle Debulgado

To most of us, the thought of staying fit while balancing the day’s activities and demands is a hefty undertaking, especially when you have ever-increasing daily aches and pains.

What if you could ease aches and pains while getting a workout in a fast and effective way that’s easy to integrate into daily routines? Would you believe that it starts with something as simple as water?

50plus LIFE just earned 2 Media Awards!

1st Place Profile “Doing the Heart’s Work’”

by Megan Joyce

2nd Place

Annual Resource Guide or Directory

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January 2019

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Benefits • Aquatic exercises can decrease aches and pain in the back, hips, and lower extremities quickly, even after only a few sessions.

The buoyancy properties of water decrease weight bearing and pressure, which unloads joints and allows them to maintain exercises even if muscle mass is reduced and bone density isn’t as strong.

• Older athletes can increase exercise activity without increasing pain due to the decrease in pressure and weight bearing.

Chest-high water results in approximately 30-35 percent weight bearing, which mimics the effect of weight training on muscle strength and weight loss without the pressure.

Additional properties of water, such as hydrostatic pressure, can increase circulation and result in decreased edema.

Always consult with your physician and listen to your body. You will know if something doesn’t feel right.

Best Practices • Don’t be afraid to use assistance. Exercising in the water may require the use of the pool wall and some pool noodles, so it’s important your balance is maintained at a comfortable depth.

If you ever feel like you’re struggling or need assistance while stretching or exercising, ask for help. The most important rule in the pool is that safety comes first.

• Safety is always important, so know your limits. There are some restrictions when performing aquatic therapy, including but not limited to: fear of water, incontinence, and open wounds/infections.

There are also some precautions to be aware of when performing aquatic exercise. Pool temperatures over 90 degrees can increase overheating and dehydration and should therefore be avoided.

Danielle Debulgado is an ATI aquatic therapy expert from Aurora, Ill. www.50plusLifePA.com

Dear Pharmacist

Suzy Cohen

5 Supplements that Make You Look Younger than You Are

Maybe you thought beauty is only skin deep, but it’s not. A radiant, youthfullooking face is actually an inside job.

It helps to drink fresh water, exercise regularly, and eat healthy foods to get the nutrients that provide the building blocks of healthy skin.

Your gut and liver enzymes (glutathione and catalase) must remove toxins and free radicals every second of the day; otherwise, the junk inside your cells damages your skin.

I’ve tried various supplements over the years (on and off) to keep my skin looking as good as it can. Some level of aging is inevitable, but it’s amazing what your face can look like if you use high-quality skin care products and neutralize free radicals before they age you.

Here are some of my favorite skin-loving herbs and nutrients: Milk thistle. It’s a food, but it’s also a liver-supporting supplement.

Milk thistle contains a compound called silymarin, which can ease liver inflammation and promote cell repair.

Your liver processes everything that goes in your mouth, including alcohol, prescription medications, pesticides, preservatives, additives, and artificial colors. Your liver detoxifies everything your body doesn’t need.

This reminds me of that episode of I Love Lucy where she’s struggling to keep up with the conveyor belt of chocolates coming down the line! When your liver falls behind on its job, poisons come out through your skin, causing rashes and itchiness. You’ll age faster.

Avoid milk thistle if you’re allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.

Collagen. Collagen is a natural component of skin that declines as you age, resulting in thinner, less elastic, saggier skin.

Two 2014 studies found that oral supplementation with this may improve skin elasticity and diminish wrinkles.

Silica. This makes hot springs pretty and blue in color. Silica is a trace mineral that helps soothe psoriasis, eczema, and rashes when applied topically.

Taken internally, silica helps you make collagen naturally, strengthening your nails.

Vitamin E. You may think of rubbing vitamin E oil directly on your skin to prevent scars, but taken orally, vitamin E is a powerful cellular antioxidant, which means it gobbles up free radicals that could otherwise potentially www.50plusLifePA.com

damage your skin cells and lead to premature aging.

Zinc. It’s not just for your prostate, or for colds! This mineral reduces skin inflammation and irritation, whether that’s associated with acne, pimples, or rashes.

It also plays a role in managing the production and turnover of skin cells.

When I worked in nursing homes with residents who had painful diabetes-related please see SUPPLEMENTS page 8

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January 2019

7

Such is Life: I Hate Fresh Starts

By Saralee Perel

I said to my husband, Bob, “I start so many new things without sticking with them.”

We were looking around the gym at the YMCA. “This is horrifying,” I said, as we passed the torture machines. “We’re supposed to pay to put ourselves through this agony? That’s like paying a dentist to stick a needle in our gums.”

“We do.”

“See? That’s insane,” I said. “And look at that thing!”

“What?”

I pointed to the mirror. “They’ll force us to look in that.”

He ignored me.

Denise, a gal in charge, lovingly welcomed us as if we were family.

She thought I was kidding when I said, “Where’s the hot dog stand?”

“Bob, I’m not joining,” I said later. “I’m tired of taking first steps.”

“What’s wrong with doing that?”

Now that was one heck of a good question. I’ve been thinking that taking another first step is equivalent to picking up a thousand-pound boulder for the 227th time — hard, heavy, and depressing.

Actually it’s the opposite. What’s depressing is not starting something new.

And really, what does it matter how many first steps I’ve already taken?

“Sweets,” I said, filling out the application, “it’s the YMCA. I’m neither young, male, nor Christian.”

He grabbed the pen. “Then find the OWJA.” “Huh?” “The Old Women’s Jewish Association.”

Check out our online Resource Directory!

wounds, or decubitus ulcers, we always put them on zinc and vitamin C. Be careful with zinc — don’t take too much. In fact, avoid it if you take ginkgo biloba, ibuprofen, or warfarin because it slightly increases risk of bleeding.

Discover support and services available to meet challenges you may encounter as a senior, as someone who is caring for an older loved one, or as a person with a disability.

www.ResourceDirectoryPA.com January 2019

Award-winning columnist Saralee Perel can be reached at sperel@saraleeperel.com or via her website: www.saraleeperel.com.

SUPPLEMENTS from page 7

Convenient print edition plus extensive online, searchable directory.

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I took the pen and finished the form.

For me, the Y is not just a gym. It’s a salvation.

What makes it extraordinary? The people who work there. Each one makes me feel that every notch I progress on a machine is an Olympic achievement, even when it’s as tiny an increment as a wave moving only an inch closer to shore.

While I was exercising, a fitness trainer named Louise, who’s too modest to think of herself as the remarkable inspiration she is, asked, “Has this helped?”

She was referring to my spinal cord injury, but I pointed to my head and said, “It’s helped up here.”

I often say, “I can’t bring myself to do this.” But Louise has taught me that it’s what I do in spite of that thought that matters. The harder it is to motivate myself to get dressed and go, the greater the accomplishment of getting there.

The people at the Y are not determined to make me exercise; they’re determined to help me be happy and loving, to myself and others.

I have faith in the team. I have faith in looking at only one moment without overwhelming myself with the whole picture. I have faith in first steps, even if I’ve tried the same ones before. But most of all, I’ve found new faith in myself.

As the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”

50plus LIFE ›

If you’d like to read the longer version of this article, it’s available at my website, www.suzycohen.com. Please make sure to ask your doctor if these supplements are right for you.

This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit SuzyCohen.com

www.50plusLifePA.com

S.M.A.R.T.

from page 3

Keep it Relevant Your retirement roadmap is probably the single biggest plan you’ll ever make. It will span decades.

Admittedly, it’s a major project, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Along the way, you’ll have distractions that may tug you away from your course, but you can’t allow that to happen.

Keep all the actions you are taking relevant to the goal of becoming financially free. Whenever you find your commitment to your roadmap diverting, drag it back on course.

Once you set out on the journey to retirement freedom, wandering off the roadmap could prevent you from reaching your goal. Stay in your lane!

especially those spanning years, will need regular periodic checkups.

Economies ebb and flow, stock markets fluctuate, bond interest rates vary, inflation rates shift, and global influences change. Your business will likely have periods of growth and contraction. It’s just part of the deal.

As such, adjust your portfolio accordingly as you tread along your path.

This habit will protect your assets in a downturn and augment them in an upswing. Such adjustments are not optional, and adaptation is critical.

Rebalancing at the right time is key, as there is no second chance once you hit retirement.

Don’t fear it. Don’t dread it.

Embrace it. Pay close attention to it.

Put the same focus on all of this as you do on building your successful enterprise. You and your family will be glad you did.

Most importantly? Start now.

Keep it Timely Even the best long-range plan must adapt to variables. Financial plans,

Scott and Jill Carter are entrepreneurs and the authors of the book You Got This!

To learn more, go to yougotthisnow.com

You’re getting the idea. Those three steps require identifiable actions to complete them. They’re not vague “need-to-dos.” Making tasks actionable is the best way to ensure you will take action.

Every Hero Has a Name.

Is your military hero also your spouse, child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor?

Help us put a face and a name to the courageous men and women who are currently serving or who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Salute to Service

is an online photo gallery honoring the military heroes in our lives.

Upload your hero’s picture, name, and information at VeteransExpo.com/salute-to-service.

March 26, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Wyndham Hotel York 2000 Loucks Road, York

This event is FREE to attend.

Veterans (of all ages) and the military community and their families are invited to join us!

The Expo brings federal, state, and local agencies together with area businesses to provide information and resources to veterans and their families.

The Job Fair brings veterans and spouses who need jobs together with employers who can benefit from this rich source of talent to aid their organizations.

At the Expo

Veterans Benefits & Services Medical/Nonmedical Resources Products and Services Available Support/Assistance Programs Education/Training Services

At the Job Fair

Employers Job Counseling Workshops Employment Seminars Resume Writing Assistance Hosted by:

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

www.veteransexpo.com (717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com

www.50plusLifePA.com

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January 2019

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5 Tips for Safe Winter Driving The 2018-19 winter has gotten off to a quick start for much of the United States.

Stretches of cold temperatures and abundant frozen precipitation have already resulted in slippery driving conditions.

While the weather has been challenging, the public must still continue to go to work, school, and other destinations. Many drivers are intimidated by taking to the roads when a mixed bag of weather has created challenging conditions.

By taking a few simple precautions and being aware of the current conditions, you greatly increase your safety, that of your passengers, and the safety of those around you.

Plan for winter driving – You can be the safest winter driver on the road, but you’re only as good as the tools you use.

Be sure your tires aren’t worn out — or better yet, buy winter tires. Tires with a good tread, intended for winter use, are critical and serve as your point of contact with the road.

Be sure other parts of your car are in good working order: check the health of your wiper blades, make sure the windshield washer fluid is filled, and keep gloves, a hat, a coat, a small shovel, jumper cables, and a tow strap in your vehicle.

When possible, it is also a good habit to keep at least a half tank of gas in your tank during the winter months.

Happy New Year!

Test the conditions … and your car – Before you are faced with a real-world driving challenge, find a safe, open space and firmly apply your brakes or make a hard turn.

Doing this early in the winter will allow you to know how your car reacts in these conditions, its limits, and how to safely compensate for it.

Doing so throughout the winter and during different storms will give you a better idea of the current conditions and how much steering and braking input you can effectively utilize. This will also allow you to know how much to compensate for the conditions.

Look where you want to go – This simple rule sounds obvious, but keeping it in mind will help you end up where you want to be.

When confronted with an unexpected slide, drivers often will fixate on an object on the side of the road; inevitably, the car will head toward that object.

Remain calm and stay focused on where you want the car to go. Continue to concentrate on driving, and often you will have a positive result.

Prioritize your maneuvers – With limited grip available, if you are using a good amount of one input (steering, braking, accelerating), you must wait to strongly apply another.

For example, when braking hard, if you turn the steering wheel sharply, odds are you will continue straight. Wait until you are releasing the brake and then steadily apply the steering.

Be aware safety systems can be counterproductive – Systems such as ABS (antilock braking system) are in place to keep your wheels from locking up under heavy braking.

When surfaces are slick enough from snow and ice, this may cause you to require several times’ the distance to come to a stop.

Traction control is meant to eliminate the tires spinning faster than the distance of road traveled. Sometimes in winter, however, wheel spin is beneficial in cutting through the top layer of snow/ice and finding grip below it. Be prepared to have trouble accelerating in certain slippery scenarios.

Know these systems and what their positive and negative impacts are.

Team O’Neil Rally School in Dalton, N.H., offers a variety of driving courses for individuals, private companies, and government agencies. For more information, visit www.teamoneil.com.

Credit: Readers.com

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Booming Voice

Shun-shine State Bill Levine

During the three months that my wife and I wintered in Florida in 2018, we befriended a few small lizards who jumped right into our pool, but no fellow snowbirds.

Our lack of new Florida friendships was the most disappointing aspect of our three-month escape from winter.

We realized that as renters, occupying the smallest house on our palm-tree-lined block of seven-figure-priced homes, we clearly were not magnets for forging Floridian friendships.

Sure, we could have invited neighbors over to our backyard pool, but that would be gauche because everyone on the street had a pool, plus a dock, and plus and most likely a boat. We just had a Toyota Highlander as our lone water vehicle, albeit good only to a level of 6 inches.

Of course we knew that it would be harder to meet fellow winterers on a residential street than in a high-rise condo facility.

But the conventional wisdom is that you meet fellow temporary Floridians practically by osmosis. I imagined standing in line at an

urgent care for sunburn remediation while engaging in snowbird banter on how to stabilize a beach umbrella.

Realizing that our street was a dead-end socially, we did make a decent effort to show up at events and places that would put us in contact with snowbirds.

One of my goals in going to Florida was to take up tennis again after abandoning the game when racquets were wood and I had aerobic capacity. There was a municipal tennis club in our adopted hometown that augured well for accumulating friends.

To make sure I didn’t come across as a complete courtside neophyte, I took four lessons at the club. After the fourth lesson, my instructor said I was ready to play.

He introduced me to an early-morning round-robin doubles group whose leader, Jack, welcomed me and said that I could play right away. The players seemed to range in age from old to really old, so I wouldn’t be run ragged by a 45-year-old kid.

I started worrying when my record of games won/lost got to 4-20; I wondered if I was inducing a “winter of please see SHUN-SHINE page 19

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January 2019

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By Andrea Gross

The Superlatives of Banff

I’m standing sightseeing atop an platform where expanse of ice we spend that’s as thick the better as the Eiffel part of an Tower is tall. hour, sharing The cold binoculars penetrates the and whooping soles of my with delight as shoes, but I we spot one, hardly notice then two, and as the guide Photo courtesy of Travel Alberta finally four tells me that The glaciers in the Canadian Rockies com- bears ambling this glacier, bine to make one of the largest icefields through the outside the Arctic Circle. the mighty trees.

Athabasca, Then we’re and the ones told to go back that surround to the gondola, it combine walking to make one quietly in of the largest groups of icefields six so as not outside of the to disturb Arctic Circle. or incite the It’s also one animals. of the major In addition attractions of to the ice and the Canadian Banff Village is the “urban centre” of the bears, it’s the Canadian Rockies.

Rockies. turquoise-blue In our week lakes that most in Banff National Park, located in inspire visitors. As glaciers slowly grind Alberta province, we discover many the underlying rock, small particles superlatives: the largest ice fields, the called “rock flour” become suspended most grizzlies, the bluest lakes, the in the rivers and lakes. The interplay first national park in Canada and a between light, rock flour, and water UNESCO World Heritage Site. produces the distinctive color.

We take a 14-minute gondola ride We take a 90-minute cruise on to Lake Louise Wildlife Interpretive Lake Minnewanka, the largest body Centre, which is perched on a of water in the area, during which mountaintop at an altitude of 6,850 we see, yes, another grizzly as well as feet. cougar, elk, and eagle.

“It’s a banner year for grizzlies,” the But for me the best part of the ranger tells us when we disembark the cruise is the narration. Guide Gary gondola.

Doyle delights us with stories about This, we soon discover, is both good the history of Banff — how First and bad. We’re likely to see a grizzly, Nation people settled the land, how but the small museum a quarter mile the railroad magnates developed downhill is temporarily off limits. it, and how today’s residents are In fact, a group of visitors is conserving it. currently being held hostage in the To learn more about the history of museum as a papa grizzly prowls the area, we go to Banff Village, the around its exterior. small town that anchors the national We’re allowed to walk to a park and provides tourists with ample www.50plusLifePA.com

restaurants, souvenir shops, and near the gem-toned lake are an places to stock up on hiking iconic image of the Canadian gear and insect repellant.

Rockies.

The village has a number of Although the two historic museums, but we most enjoy hotels are impressive, our learning about the past at the hearts are captured by Moraine impressive Banff Springs Hotel.

Lake Lodge, 9 miles outside Storyboards posted at the village and on the shore convenient spots explain that of a lake that is, if possible, the hotel was built as part of a even more beautiful than Lake grand marketing plan. William Louise.

Cornelius Van Horne, general My only problem: I can’t Photo courtesy of Travel Alberta People often spot grizzlies during their manager of Canadian Pacific Grizzlies abound in the Canadian Rockies. decide if I’d prefer to stay gondola ride to the Lake Louise Wildlife Railway, wanted to increase in my room, admiring the Interpretive Centre. company profits by enticing city scenery while enjoying the folks from eastern Canada to wood-burning fireplace and visit the beautiful but rugged west. deep soaker tub, or if I’d rather be outside, Realizing that his prospective passengers where I can stroll around the lake, hike in the would demand luxury accommodations once woods, and relish the brisk mountain air. they arrived at their destination, he began While the Canadian Rockies rise gradually construction on the Banff Springs Hotel in from the plains on the west, they end abruptly 1887. on the east, flattening into a Kansas-like plain.

Three years later, Van Horne built a one-story We don’t want to leave, and our mood darkens log cabin a few miles away near Lake Louise. as we head toward Calgary, 85 miles away.

The small chalet served as another stop for But at the airport we find that eight airlines railroad passengers but also as an adventurous have direct flights from Calgary to the United getaway for people staying at the much grander States. No problem. We can come back soon, Banff Springs. and we vow that we will!

The cabin morphed into a small chalet and Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story eventually grew to become a grand chateau.

Moraine Lake gets its turquoise color from the “rock flour” by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

Today, photos of Chateau Lake Louise poised produced by grinding glaciers.

www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE ›

January 2019

13

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

How to Cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about seasonal affective disorder? I have always hated wintertime, but since I retired and am home a lot more, the dark and cold winter months make me depressed and lethargic.

– Fighting the Blues Dear Fighting, If you get depressed in the winter but feel better in spring and summer, you may indeed have seasonal affective disorder (or SAD), a wintertime depression that affects roughly 6 percent of Americans.

In most cases, SAD is related to the loss of sunlight in the winter months. Reduced sunlight can upset natural sleepwake cycles and other circadian rhythms that can affect the body.

It can also cause a drop in the brain chemical serotonin, which affects mood, and can increase the levels of the hormone melatonin, which can make you feel more tired and lethargic.

If you think you may have SAD, a trip to your doctor’s office is the best way to diagnose it, or you can take a SAD “self-diagnostic” test at the Center for Environmental Therapeutics website (cet.org/self-assessments).

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In the meantime, here are several treatment options and remedies that can help.

Light therapy: The most effective treatment for SAD is sitting in front of a specialized light-therapy box for 15-20 minutes a day.

Light therapy mimics outdoor light to cause a change in brain chemicals linked to mood. It’s most effective when timed to fit a person’s individual circadian rhythm, which varies widely from person to person, depending on whether they’re a night owl or a morning lark.

You can calculate the proper time for doing light therapy by taking the circadian rhythm test at cet.org/self-assessment.

The best light-therapy lamps provide 10,000 lux of illumination, many times stronger than typical indoor light, and have a diffuser screen that filters out ultraviolet rays and projects downward toward the eyes.

Some top-rated products as rated by Wirecutter (thewirecutter.com) include the Carex Day-Light Classic Plus Lamp ($115), Verilux HappyLight Deluxe 10,000-Lux Sunshine Simulator ($160), and the Northern Light Technology Boxelite Desk Lamp ($190), all of which are available at Amazon.com.

Cognitive behavioral therapy: Even though SAD is considered a biological problem, identifying and changing thought and behavior patterns can help alleviate symptoms too.

To help you with this, choose a therapist who specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy and who has experience in treating SAD. To locate someone in your area, check with the Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (findcbt.org) or the Academy of Cognitive Therapy (academyofct. org).

Antidepressants: Some people with SAD benefit from antidepressant treatment, especially if symptoms are severe.

Some proven medications to ask your doctor about include the extendedrelease version of the antidepressant bupropion (Wellbutrin XL, Aplenzin) and antidepressants in the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) class, such as sertraline (also known as Zoloft) and fluoxetine (also known under the brand name Prozac).

But keep in mind that it may take several weeks to notice full benefits from an antidepressant. In addition, you may have to try different medications before you find one that works well for you and has the fewest side effects.

Lifestyle remedies: Some other things you can do to help alleviate your SAD symptoms include making your environment sunnier and brighter.

So, open up your blinds, sit closer to bright windows, and get outside as much as can. Even on cold or cloudy days, outdoor light can help, especially if you spend some time outside within two hours of getting up in the morning.

Moderate exercise, such as walking, swimming, yoga, and even tai chi, can also help alleviate SAD symptoms, as can social activities.

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit www.savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book.

www.50plusLifePA.com

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50plus LIFE ›

January 2019

15

Tech Talk

Mark Rinaudo

Be Wary of Websites Warning of Computer Viruses

Question: What do I do when I’m browsing the web and my computer suddenly flashes a warning telling me my computer has infections and I should call a number on the screen to have them removed?

As an IT consultant, I’ve seen all kinds of ways for scammers to make money off of the uninformed by intimidating them with fear.

If you’re asked to call a number that shows up while you are searching inside a web browser, no matter who they say they are, do not call them. It is most likely a scam.

This particular scam starts innocently enough.

You want to go to a particular website for your favorite online store, but you don’t know the exact web address for this website. You type in the name of the company in the web address bar, and it pulls up a list of matching websites.

Like most search engines, the paid search results are displayed at the very top. This is where scammers enter the picture. Scammers are betting on you clicking on one of the top handful of results that states it’s the website that you want to go to.

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January 2019

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Unfortunately, when you click that search result, you’re not usually going to your desired website.

You are actually clicking on an ad purchased by the scammer.

As you click on this link, you’re redirected through a chain of websites that ultimately lands on a fake website. It will cause your browser to pop up a window that takes up your whole computer screen and disables any means of closing it.

For added intimidation, your speakers may start talking to inform you that your machine is infected and your machine is going to infect other machines.

You’re presented with a message that your machine is infected and needs to be cleaned and that you should call the 1-800 number provided on that screen.

You’re in the beginning stage of a scam. If you do call the scammer and allow them to connect to your computer, then the security of your machine has been compromised.

In most cases the scammers will install free, downloadable software from the web on your machine to “clean” your machine. They ask for your credit card information, of course, before doing this. The charge to provide this service can range from $200 on up.

If you think calling your credit card company after the fact will help, you’ll be surprised to learn there’s nothing they can do about it because you gave the scammer permission to connect to your machine and install the free software.

You’re basically paying them a minimum of $200 an hour to install free software that you could download and install yourself.

The danger in all this is when you allow this scammer to connect to your machine, you are allowing a complete stranger, under false pretenses, to have complete access to your computer and all the files on it.

Now, you may not think this is very dangerous, but think about it this way.

This dubious individual has had access to install whatever they want on your machine.

Sure, you may have turned off your computer, or disconnected the network cable from the back of your computer and hung up on them, but did you do this before they had time to install their software onto your machine?

They could still have access to your machine. They may have installed a key logger program that’s keeping track of everything that you’re typing into your computer and sending it back to them. Bank account logins. Credit card numbers. Account logins to your online financial websites. The possibilities are endless.

If you ever find yourself in this predicament, the easiest thing to do is hit the power button on your computer. If your computer will not turn off, then hold the power button in for longer than four seconds, which will turn it off. It’s the simplest way to get out of the scammer’s snare.

If you fall prey to the deception and let a spammer onto your computer, it will need to be professionally wiped clean so that no malicious software remains operating on it.

Mark Rinaudo has been working in IT in Shreveport, La., for more than 20 years. He is the owner and operator of Preferred Data Solutions. Email mark@ preferreddatasolutions.com to submit a question for this column.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Fifties Flashback

Fame and Fortune from Midwestern Mud Randal C. Hill

In 1982 Eddie Murphy returned the nearly best friend. At the time, all the TV characters were forgotten Gumby character to popularity. formed by rolling pins and cookie cutters.

In Murphy’s recurring Saturday Night Live parody In 1959 the hit show went into syndication, and skit, once the in-studio TV cameras were switched further episodes were produced in the 1960s. More off, Gumby (Murphy in a green foam suit) returned new characters appeared, including a blue mermaid to his “true” self — an arrogant, demanding, cigarnamed Goo and a yellow dinosaur called Prickle. By chomping celebrity. then, all the characters came from hot clay poured Whenever executives balked at Gumby’s into molds. numerous demands, the clay guy would remind Over the years various items of Gumby them of his star status by roaring, “I’m GUMBY, merchandise have been marketed, including dammit!” bendable figures, plush dolls, keychains, mugs, a “Gumby can laugh at himself,” creator Art Clokey record (Gumby: The Green Album), and a video game said in approving Murphy’s sendup.

(Gumby vs. the Astrobots).

Clokey originated the name after spending In 1993, in an issue celebrating 40 years of childhood summers on his grandparents’ television, TV Guide named Gumby the 1950s’ best Midwestern farm, where he played with a clay-andcartoon series. mud mixture that the family called “gumbo.”

Why? Gumby and Pokey toy set.

It was Ruth Clokey, Art’s wife, who suggested that That’s easy.

Gumby’s shape be based on that of the Gingerbread Because he’s GUMBY! Man. Gumby’s slanted head came from an old photo Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, of Clokey’s father in which his short hairstyle featured a prominent cowlick in Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com. front. Clokey felt that the color green was the best choice for Gumby, as it was racially neutral.

The original Gumby was a groundbreaking stop-motion flexible figure Stories of ordinary men and women created by Clokey in 1953 after he finished film school at the University of called to perform extraordinary military service.

Southern California.

Stop-motion animation features objects that are physically manipulated in From 1999–2016, writer and World War II small increments between photographed frames in order to simulate movement. veteran Col. Robert D. Wilcox preserved the Gumby’s feet were made wide so he could stand up easily during filming. firsthand wartime experiences of more than Clokey’s debut feature, Gumbasia, was a surreal montage of Gumby images 200 veterans through Salute to a Veteran, his as moving lumps of modeling clay set to jazz music. Created in Clokey’s monthly column featured in 50plus LIFE. father’s garage, the 3.5-minute work — basically history’s first music video — was a parody of Walt Disney’s 1940 animated musical Fantasia.

Now, for the first time, 50 of those stories— Early in 1955 Clokey showed Gumbasia to movie producer Sam Engel, who selected by Wilcox himself—are available to was impressed enough to encourage Clokey to develop a short Gumby pilot own in this soft-cover book. film for a possible children’s TV series.

Simply complete and mail this form with your payment When NBC executive Tom Sarnoff saw Clokey’s creation, he requested a to the address below to order Salute to Our Veterans. second feature. That next work — Gumby on the Moon — was aired later on the Howdy Doody TV show and became such a ratings hit that Sarnoff ordered On-Line Publishers • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 an entire series, which premiered in 1955 as The Gumby Show.

Name_ _______________________________________________________ Gumby, who always possessed an almost mystical ability to charm viewers, soon accumulated a diverse group of clay pals with whom he could share Address_ ______________________________________________________ adventures, starting with Pokey, an orange-and-black pony and Gumby’s City_______________________________ State_ ____ Zip_ ______________ Phone_ _____________________ Email______________________________

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January 2019

17

The Beauty in Nature

Inland Diving Ducks Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Every late autumn, winter, and early spring, I look forward to seeing a variety of migrating and/or wintering ducks, geese, and swans in southeastern Pennsylvania.

During those times, there is a variety of dabbling ducks that tip up in shallow water to feed on aquatic vegetation. And Bufflehead duck. there are several species of diving ducks that dive from the water’s surface to get food near the bottoms of waterways and impoundments.

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January 2019

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Ring-necked duck.

Three kinds of handsome diving ducks — buffleheads, ringnecked ducks, and hooded mergansers — commonly pass through and/or winter here. They have at least a few traits in common, including being petite and nesting around water in forests farther north.

They also prefer wintering on inland impoundments that are surrounded by

woods, because of where they hatched.

These little ducks are adapted to wintering on smaller bodies of fresh water, including human-made ponds, though they have relatives that winter on salt and brackish waters.

Males of these duck species have striking feathering. Their mates are mostly brown, which camouflages them while incubating eggs and raising ducklings.

Drake buffleheads have black backs and wings, white underparts, and iridescent-green heads with a white “bonnet” on each one.

Both genders of locally wintering buffleheads spend days on impoundments of all sizes, weather permitting, where they dive for aquatic insects, crustaceans, and mollusks on the bottoms of those waters.

Buffleheads hatch ducklings in abandoned northern flicker cavities in trees by lakes in the woods of Canada and Alaska. Flickers are medium-sized woodpeckers, so female buffleheads have to squeeze into those deserted nesting hollows.

Ring-necked duck males are dark on top with light-gray sides and a vertical white bar in front of each flank. Often associating with buffleheads on the same local impoundments in winter, ring-necks dive to ingest submerged water plants, thus reducing competition for food with buffleheads.

Ring-necked hens lay their eggs on mats of emergent vegetation along the shores of lakes in the forests of Canada and New England. Ring-neck ducklings feed on aquatic invertebrates to get protein for growth.

Hooded mergansers dive under water to consume invertebrates and small fish, and they have pointed, serrated beaks to do that job. Female mergansers lay their eggs in tree cavities and nest boxes erected for them and for wood ducks in woods in the eastern United States, from southeast Canada down to the Gulf Coast.

Hoodies don’t compete with woodies for food, but they do for nesting hollows.

Both genders of hooded mergansers have crests they can raise and lower on their heads. Those crests show the ducks’ emotions and help us identify them.

These kinds of lovely, wintering ducks have certain characteristics in common, though each is a member of a different genus of ducks. They are somewhat similar because of the small impoundments they live on in wooded areas.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Winter Heating Bill Assistance Available The Department of Human Services is accepting both crisis and regular applications for Pennsylvania’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through April 12.

LIHEAP provides assistance for home heating bills to keep Pennsylvanians with lower incomes warm and safe during the winter months. Assistance is available for renters and homeowners.

During the 2017-18 LIHEAP season, 344,008 households statewide received $115,936,887 million in LIHEAP cash benefits. These households received an average season benefit of $337.

LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to the utility company or fuel provider.

Eligibility for the 2018-19 LIHEAP season is set at 150 percent of the federal poverty income guidelines. The chart beside shows the maximum

income allowed for eligibility based on household size: Household size 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Maximum Income $18,210 $24,690 $31,170 $37,650 $44,130 $50,610 $57,090 $63,570 $70,050 $76,530

In addition to financial assistance, eligible customers may also be able to receive LIHEAP support for emergencies due to broken or faulty heating units, fuel lines, windows, or pipes.

Should any of those emergencies occur, customers can contact their caseworker to see if the unit can be repaired or replaced through LIHEAP’s Crisis Interface Program.

Online applications for LIHEAP can be completed at compass.state.pa.us or on the myCOMPASS PA mobile app if you received LIHEAP during the 2017-18 season.

Paper applications are available through local county assistance offices, or interested applicants can download and print an application from the department’s website.

For more information on LIHEAP, visit dhs. pa.gov.

SHUN-SHINE from page 11 discontent” from my playing partners. On my sixth or so visit, an 80-year-old member told me that I am not “ready for prime time” and suggested that I just go practice.

That was the end of my friends-through-tennis initiative. My new tennis partner was the practice backboard.

Like Florida gators, it was possible that we could make impact on the water, so we did take some inter-coastal waterway cruises. These excursions featured the waterfront properties of the rich and ostentatious.

Our best shot at making acquaintances came on the close quarters of a so-called “gondola” cruise. It was sort of a misnomer as there was no cheery, singing gondoliers, but instead just a weary tour guide with a singsong-y set of obscure facts (miles of canal dredging).

The seating was intimate, but unfortunately the other couple on the gondola steered the conversation so politically slanted that the gondola appeared to be severely listing on the starboard side.

We thought that visits to the dog park would be a great way to make acquaintances. Our expectations were that Cookie, our 11-year-old Boston terrier, would interact with other dogs, which would generate an invitation to hang out with their owners.

Cookie, though, didn’t play. She just walked around sniffing the periphery of the park, often zeroing in on water bowls like a canine divining rod.

We did conduct our longest seasonal conversation with a snowbird couple in the dog park. Much of our chatting was fueled on our common Boston background.

When they left, we did think that maybe we should have planned a get-together. We really didn’t anticipate this would be our 15 minutes of conviviality for the season. Well, at least we engaged better than Cookie did.

This winter we do expect to make friends because we will be in snowbird Valhalla, a.k.a., a high-rise ocean-side condo complex. The numbers favor us.

Our rental-house footprint held two people — us — but the 17-floor condo silo in that same footprint probably holds 100 snowbirds.

We will just have to prepare a good elevator speech, as follows: “Hi, we are from Belmont, Massachusetts, but don’t hate the Yankees. We are in apartment 4C but are happy there and have no envy if you are in the penthouse. We don’t play cards, but we will look unobtrusively over your shoulder while you play.”

We also will have much opportunity to meet people at the pool and use that great conversation starter, “It seems like it’s less windy today.” www.50plusLifePA.com

We should thus make snowbird friends; otherwise it’s on to the 50,000population Villages retirement complex. Hopefully, those numbers favor us.

Bill Levine is a retired IT professional and active freelance writer. Bill aspires to be a humorist because it is easier to be pithy than funny.

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January 2019

19

Cumberland County

Calendar of Events

Support Groups Free and open to the public

Senior Center Activities

Sundays, 7:15 p.m.

Outreach Al-Anon Family Group Meeting Chapel Hill United Church of Christ 701 Poplar Church Road, Camp Hill (717) 448-7881 Other meeting times/locations at www.pa-al-anon.org

Big Spring Senior Center – (717) 776-4478 91 Doubling Gap Road, Suite 1, Newville Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – Tai Chi for Arthritis Jan. 9, 9:30 a.m. – Winter Driving Awareness Jan. 30, 9:30 a.m. – WITF’s MindMatters: Quilts: Crafting an American Icon

Mondays, 7 p.m.

Hope on Simpson Al-Anon Family Group Meeting First United Methodist Church 135 W. Simpson St., Mechanicsburg (717) 448-7881 Other meeting times/locations at www.pa-al-anon.org Tuesdays, noon Anchor Al-Anon Family Group Meeting The Harbor 55 W. King St., Shippensburg (717) 448-7881 Other meeting times/locations at www.pa-al-anon.org Jan. 1, 6 p.m.

CanSurmount Cancer Support Group HealthSouth Acute Rehab Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 691-6786 Jan. 2, 1:30 p.m.

The Bridges Support Group for the Alzheimer’s Association The Bridges at Bent Creek 2100 Bent Creek Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 795-1100 Jan. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Caregivers Support Group Cumberland County Office of Aging 1100 Claremont Road, Carlisle (717) 240-6110

Jan. 7, 4-5 p.m.

Caregivers Support Group Messiah Lifeways Meetinghouse 1155 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle (717) 243-0447 Jan. 8, 6:30-8 p.m.

Carlisle Area Men’s Cancer Support Group The Live Well Center, 3 Alexandria Court, Carlisle (717) 877-7561 sirbrady12@gmail.com Jan. 9, 1:30 p.m.

Parkinson’s Support Group Bethany Village West – Springfield Room 325 Asbury Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 877-0624 Jan. 9, 6:30 p.m.

Amputee Support Team Meeting HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 834-5705 www.astamputees.com Jan. 14, 1:30-3 p.m.

Caregivers Support Group St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church 310 Hertzler Road, Upper Allen Township (717) 766-8806 Jan. 14, 6-7 p.m.

A Touch of Sugar: Diabetes Support Group Wegmans, 6416 Carlisle Pike, Mechanicsburg (717) 763-2466 events.geisinger.org Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m.

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Caregivers Support Group Cumberland Crossings, 1 Longsdorf Way, Carlisle (717) 243-0113

Jan. 3, 5:30-7 p.m.

Better Breathers Chronic Lung Disease Support Group Ortenzio Heart Clinic at Geisinger Holy Spirit 503 N. 21st St., Camp Hill (717) 763-2775

Jan. 17, 1 p.m.

Caregiver Support Group Mechanicsburg Church of the Brethren 501 Gale St., Mechanicsburg (717) 766-8880

Jan. 3, 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. 22, 6 p.m.

Multiple Sclerosis Support Group HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital 175 Lancaster Blvd., Mechanicsburg (717) 486-3596 apcoulson@comcast.net

Community Programs

Free and open to the public

Mondays and Wednesdays, noon SilverSneakers Exercise Class Susquehanna View Apartments Community Room 208 Senate Ave., Camp Hill (717) 439-4070 jesseswoyer.com@gmail.com

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January 2019

50plus LIFE ›

Jan. 9, 11:30 a.m.

NARFE West Shore Chapter 1465 VFW Post 7530 4545 Westport Drive, Mechanicsburg (717) 774-4031 www.narfe1465.org Visitors welcome; meeting is free but fee for food.

Branch Creek Place – (717) 300-3563 115 N. Fayette St., Shippensburg Carlisle Senior Action Center – (717) 249-5007 20 E. Pomfret St., Carlisle Mary Schaner Senior Citizens Center (717) 732-3915 98 S. Enola Drive, Enola Mechanicsburg Place – (717) 697-5947 97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg West Shore Senior Citizens Center (717) 774-0409 122 Geary St., New Cumberland Submit senior center events to mjoyce@onlinepub.com.

Library Programs Amelia Givin Library, 114 N. Baltimore Ave., Mt. Holly Springs, (717) 486-3688 Bosler Memorial Library, 158 W. High St., Carlisle, (717) 243-4642 Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30 p.m. – Upstairs Stitchers, Downstairs Jan. 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Exercise is Medicine Jan. 15, 6 p.m. – Introduction to Yoga for Beginners Cleve J. Fredricksen Library, 100 N. 19th St., Camp Hill, (717) 761-3900 Jan. 11, 4-7:30 p.m. – Blood Drive with Central Pennsylvania Food Bank Jan. 13, 1:30 p.m. – The Music of Los Monstros Jan. 22 and 29, 6:30 p.m. – How to Escape Money Traps (Two-Part Series) East Pennsboro Branch Library, 98 S. Enola Drive, Enola, (717) 732-4274 John Graham Public Library, 9 Parsonage St., Newville, (717) 776-5900 Joseph T. Simpson Public Library, 16 N. Walnut St., Mechanicsburg, (717) 766-0171 New Cumberland Public Library, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, (717) 774-7820 Tuesdays, Jan. 8–Feb. 1 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Tuesday Night Book Discussion Group Jan. 19, 11 a.m. to noon – Couponing for Extreme Savings Jan. 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – New Cumberland Library History Room Display Shippensburg Public Library, 73 W. King St., Shippensburg, (717) 532-4508

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Puzzle Page

CROSSWORD

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 22 SUDOKU

WORD SEARCH

Transportation

Across 1. They, in Trieste 5. Turkish title 9. At a distance 13. Voting group 14. Excitement 16. Cousin of a mandolin 17. Murray of What About Bob? 18. Kidney secretion 19. Jockey’s whip 20. Stabilized 22. Clutches 24. Persia, today 25. Race unit

26. Turkey’s highest peak 29. Third tonsil 33. Fall behind 34. Like Chicago 36. Kind of ink 38. Picnic pest 40. Citadel student 42. Sparkle 43. High points 45. Man with a mission 47. Compass point 48. Nova Scotia capital 50. Steel man Carnegie

52. Author LeShan 53. “Gimme ___!”

54. Toddler 57. Hairstyle 61. Son of Jacob and Leah 62. Driving hazard 64. French bread?

65. Lover of Aphrodite 66. Postal scale unit 67. Train station 68. Drill 69. Orders to plow horses 70. Stereo knob

21. No-win situation 23. Eastern royal 26. Aquatic plant 27. Dressing type 28. Old World lizard 29. African antelope 30. Like Easter eggs 31. Slacker 32. Cheers role 35. California wine valley 37. Over again 39. Broadcast 41. Rookies

44. Fries, maybe 46. Begrudge 49. Red River city 51. Execrate 53. Compel 54. Thick slice 55. Matinee follower 56. Say for sure 57. Glazier’s item 58. Garage occupant 59. Vitamin additive 60. Easy gait 63. Big galoot

Down 1. Trails off 2. Narrow opening 3. Seafood selection 4. French pastry 5. Mediterranean arm 6. Clover color 7. Full house, e.g.

8. Pal for Pierre 9. Famous gangster 10. Wraps 11. Above 12. Gym set 15. Vantage point

Your ad could be here on this popular page!

Please call (717) 770-0140 for more information.

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50plus LIFE ›

January 2019

21

Melinda’s Garden

Light ’Em Up Now for Better Garden Results Melinda Myers

Photo credit: Gardeners Supply Company

LED grow-light stands come in a range of sizes. From left, clockwise, Compact 3-Tier SunLite Garden, Compact Tabletop SunLite Garden, and Micro Grow Light Garden.

dropped.

And if you consider that LED plant lights typically use half the energy of fluorescent tubes, provide consistent light quality, and last up to five times longer, the long-term savings outweighs the initial investment.

Plus, they’re mercury-free and won’t add contaminates to landfills.

When replacing fluorescent tubes with LED grow lights, look for

compatibility. Some of the newer LED grow lights are compatible with existing T-5 light setups. You just replace the bulb, not your whole lighting system.

You will get the most out of your investment and grow better transplants with proper use. Move seedlings under lights as soon as they start breaking through the soil surface.

Keep the lights about 6 inches above the top of seedlings. This means you’ll need to raise the lights or lower the plants as the seedlings grow.

Make your own light stand using adjustable supports to raise and lower lights as needed. Use a reflector above grow-light tubes to direct the light downward toward the plants. Bounce light back onto seedlings by using reflective surfaces under and around the plants.

Even easier — invest in a quality grow-light stand.

Set the lights on a timer. Seedlings need about 14-16 hours of light.

Plants do need a dark period, so running the lights longer wastes electricity and is not good for the plants.

If you are using grow lights to supplement natural daylight, you may only need to run the lights a few hours a day. Monitor plant growth and increase the duration if plants appear leggy or pale.

Increased light, along with proper watering, fertilizer, and growing temperatures, will ensure you have a bumper crop of transplants for your gardens and containers.

Melinda Myers is the author of more than 20 gardening books and host of The Great Courses’ How to Grow Anything DVD series. Her website, www. melindamyers.com, offers gardening tips and videos.

Puzzles shown on page 21

Puzzle Solutions

It’s time to break out the seeds and potting mix to start your garden plants indoors.

It’s a great way to keep your green thumb in shape over winter. Plus, you’ll save money, increase your variety of plants, and jumpstart the growing season when you start seeds under LED grow lights.

Indoor growing conditions often offer limited light, and that can mean tall, leggy transplants with weak stems.

You can greatly increase your success by investing in quality grow lights. Adding artificial light to your seed-starting regime results in stout transplants with strong stems and deep-green leaves.

Invest wisely when shopping for indoor plant lights. Fluorescent tubes used to be the standard because they provided a wide spectrum of light needed for plant growth and flowering and were relatively inexpensive and readily available.

Unfortunately, they used significant amounts of electricity and needed to be replaced every few years.

Then many gardeners shifted to full-spectrum fluorescent grow lights.

Many last longer than the older and larger fluorescent tubes, but new LED grow lights provide even better light intensity and use much less energy.

If you’ve looked at LED lights in the past, you may have suffered sticker shock. Fortunately, the prices have

22

January 2019

50plus LIFE ›

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The Bookworm Sez

November Road Terri Schlichenmeyer

Catch me if you can!

Houston and she likely And the chase began, knew how. He’d tried one of you the pursuer, to keep his head low but the other pursued, he figured that Marcello racing through park would know what he was or playground, across driving long before he hit the yard, down the the Texas-New Mexico sidewalk in a game border. that children have been To avoid the guy who playing forever. was undoubtedly tailing Catch me if you can, him, he needed to find and escape wins the some sort of disguise, game. In the new book some way to not stick out.

November Road by Lou He needed to become a Berney, escape means family man, quick. another day to live.

A future divorcee and November Road

By Lou Berney On the day after two kids was just the c. 2018, Wm. Morrow President Kennedy ticket.

303 pages was shot, everything When was the last became crystal-clear time you had a manicure? to Frank Guidry. For years, he’d been Never mind. You won’t have any Carlos Marcello’s right-hand man, his fingernails left to manicure when you fixer, his enforcer, the guy Marcello read this book. You’ll have them all relied on, but something was up. chewed off.

On the day after Kennedy was That’s because November Road is shot, Marcello’s assistant, Seraphine, a nail-biter from the first chapter. By told Guidry that he was being sent to then, author Lou Berney has prepared Houston to get rid of a car that could a deliciously scandalous possibility for connect Marcello to the assassination. his readers, centered in a historically Guidry knew the rest: get rid of the unforgettable backdrop, in a culturalcar, and then they’d get rid of him. turning-point year, run by characters And so he escaped. who kill as casually as they walk.

When she was dating Dooley, Those guys are terrifyingly ice-cold, Charlotte Roy knew he drank too in fact, and their presence will make much. you want to check the other rooms in Two daughters later, too many nights your home — and if that’s not enough waiting for Dooley to come home, and to keep you perched nervously on the Charlotte had enough. The president edge of your recliner, put a lovely, young was dead and so was her marriage. housewife-almost-feminist innocently Grabbing her daughters and the family in the midst of this tale, add national dog, she left Woodrow, Oklahoma, and turmoil and a slinky female mobster headed for California. with absolutely zero morals, and you’ve When a guy like Carlos Marcello got a book that you’ll stay up all night tells you to find someone, that’s what to read. you do, and finding Guidry should have You’ve got a book you’ll carry around been easy for Barone, Marcello’s newest with you. fixer.

In November Road, you’ve got the Sure, there were wrong trails and a perfect escape. little matter of a badly injured hand, but The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. he was smarter than Guidry. Finding Terri has been reading since she was 3 years Guidry was only a matter of time. old, and she never goes anywhere without a Frank Guidry couldn’t relax for book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with two dogs and 14,000 books. a second. Seraphine knew he’d fled www.50plusLifePA.com

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6FLHQWLVWV VD\ WKH KLJK FRQGXF- VKH XVHV &RSSHU=DS PRUQLQJ DQG tance of copper disrupts the elec- QLJKW ³,W VDYHG PH ODVW KROLGD\V ´ trical balance in a microbe cell VKH VDLG ³7KH NLGV KDG FROGV JRLQJ URXQG DQG URXQG EXW QRW PH ´ and destroys the cell in seconds.

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EDFN JXDUDQWHH ZKHQ XVHG DV GL8VHUV ZURWH WKLQJV OLNH Âł,W UHFWHG WR VWRS D FROG ,W LV VWRSSHG P\ FROG ULJKW DZD\ ´ DQG *HW Rŕľľ HDFK &RSSHU=DS ZLWK “Is it supposed to work that fast?â€? code PAFP3. and “No more colds for me!â€?

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50plus LIFE ›

January 2019

23

This is care for generations.

Our goal is keeping the people of our communities healthy so they can live the way they want. This is why we’re continuing to innovate, and to expand and invest in the areas we serve, the conditions we treat, and the people we care for.

This is Penn State Health.

HEA-14040-19-102322-1018