Dauphin County Edition
March 2012
Vol. 14 No. 3
The Happy Graduate 2011 PA State Senior Idol Now a Common Sound in Communities, Stadiums By Megan Joyce Peggy Kurtz Keller has been a busy bee these last nine months. It’s an apt metaphor for the 2011 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL, who always seems to be cheerfully zipping about, buzzing with energy and fueled by her effervescent and refreshingly positive personality. Her unassuming, people-person charm has made her a fast favorite among local retirement groups and senior-citizen organizations in recent months, who have frequently sought out Keller to entertain them with her clear soprano and obvious enthusiasm for performance. And the key turn of phrase there is sought out—it’s a change from the preIdol days when Keller says it was she who had to place the phone calls, trying to interest various groups in having her come out to sing. She is beyond grateful for the transformation. “It’s like I got my diploma,” said Keller. “Now, somebody calls me because I’m the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL and they know I have some kind of credibility.” Her singing-engagement calendar has been happily full since last June, when Keller earned top honors in the annual talent competition, produced by On-Line Publishers, Inc. It had been Keller’s fourth time as a SENIOR IDOL semifinalist, and she impressed both judges and audience with her renditions of “Summertime” and “Cabaret.” please see GRADUATE page 13 Peggy Kurtz Keller performing at last November’s 50plus EXPO in Lancaster.
Inside:
Exercise is the Antidote page 10
Organ Donation: You’re Never Too Old page 16
Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Museum Mania
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March 2012
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Dr. Lori useums say a lot about their locale, the unique qualities of a collection, or the founders’ mission. In my travels, I visit many museums. They run the gamut from the fun to the funky. Here is sampling of museums, both on and off the beaten path, that recently captured my attention.
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Paris International Exhibition of 1925. At Rene Lalique’s death in 1945, his son Marc took over the Wingen factory and changed it from producing glass to making crystal. Marc designed the crystal chandelier that now hangs in the Musee Lalique’s main foyer and he also designed the medals for the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville. At the Musee Lalique, the tradition of making great objects lives on.
Musee Lalique (www.musee-lalique.com) There is a new museum devoted to Norton Simon Museum jeweler and glassmaker Rene Lalique in (www.nortonsimon.org) the village of Wingen sur Moder, where Like many intimate yet fine American his glass factory was built in 1919. The museums, the story of the Norton Simon museum is a is a story of an sight to industrialist behold, with a love for located north art. of In business, Strasbourg, Norton Simon near the (1907-1993) German enjoyed border. unprecedented Musee success by Lalique establishing opened in corporations June 2011 such as Max after Factor, receiving McCall’s numerous publishing, gifts. For Avis rental car, instance, the and Hunts Rodin’s Burghers of Calais Lalique Foods, among from the collection of the Norton Simon. Company others. donated He shared crystal pieces from its archives and his private art collection, one of the best Lalique’s chairman of the board donated in the United States, with residents of perfume bottles from his own private Southern California as well as the world collection. of art enthusiasts. Located on 8 acres in Rene Lalique was born in 1860 and Pasadena, Calif., in a California Modernopened his own shop in 1885. Jewelry style building renovated by architect was his first love and first commercial Frank Gehry, the Norton Simon is a success. Exquisite jewelry pieces place of wonder with 10 major galleries including enamel, gold and diamond broken down by art historical period. pendants, and aquamarine and citrine When I visited the museum, there brooches became Lalique’s trademark. were enough museum security guards on In the Art Nouveau style of the late duty to fill a major museum, like The 19th century, Lalique pieces were Met or the Louvre. For such a small characterized by a concentration of museum, I was taken by the sheer sinuous lines and organic forms based on amount of masterpieces. The Norton nature. Simon is known for its impressive After success in the jewelry realm, masterpieces of Impressionism, Lalique moved to the making of art glass. particularly paintings, works on paper, His objects—perfume bottles, vases, and sculpture after sculpture by Edgar chandeliers—were all the rage at the Degas. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Yet, the Italian Renaissance was well represented by works by Botticelli, the Baroque was highlighted with paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens, and the 18th century shined with pieces by Elizabeth Vigee le Brun (the personal artist to Marie Antoinette) and Chardin (he is my vote for one of the top five best artists ever!). For 19th-century art, Degas’ work was, by far, represented with the greatest number of pieces, yet there were outstanding works of art by Courbet, Rodin (including his famous, life-size figural sculpture group called The Burghers of Calais), Gauguin, Renoir, and
Cezanne on display too. If you find yourself in Southern California, take a short drive to Pasadena—pass the Rose Bowl—and visit this great museum in a small package. Memphis Music Museums (www.sunstudio.com and www.staxmuseum.com) In Memphis, Tenn., there are many museums that chronicle the city’s numerous contributions to American culture. The Sun Studio museum tour gives visitors the opportunity to experience the
birthplace of rock ’n’ roll. Just a short walk from Beale Street, visitors can stand in the spot where Elvis sang; learn about the careers of B.B. King, Ike Turner, and Johnny Cash; and listen to vintage recordings. The Stax Museum of American Soul Music has a great collection and an equally great promotional tagline … “Nothing against the Louvre, but you can’t dance to DaVinci.” If that doesn’t make you consider a visit, I don’t know what will! The Stax Museum displays 2,000 artifacts and exhibits that feature the Stax sound and focus on the illustrious careers
of music legends like Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, Rufus and Carla Thomas, and others. When it comes to museums, there are a lot of choices. Visit a local or faraway museum soon and open your world to something new. Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, awardwinning TV personality, and TV talk show host, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr. Lori is the star appraiser on the hit TV show Auction Kings on Discovery channel airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. Visit www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.
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Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Emergency Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110 Dauphin County Office of Aging (717) 255-2790 Floor Coverings Gipe Floor & Wall Covering (717) 545-6103 Funeral Services Neill Funeral Home (717) 564-2633 Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home (717) 545-4001 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383 Arthritis Foundation – Central PA Chapter (717) 763-0900 CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (717) 757-0604 (800) 697-7007 PACE (800) 225-7223
Social Security Information (800) 772-1213
Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937
Tri-County Association for the Blind (717) 238-2531
Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067
Healthcare Information PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787 Home Care Services Central Penn Nursing, Inc. (717) 361-9777 (717) 569-0451 Home Instead Senior Care (717) 540-5201 Safe Haven Quality Care (717) 238-1111
Legal Services Keystone Elder Law PC (717) 691-9300 Medical Equipment & Supplies GSH Home Med Care (717) 272-2057 Orthotics & Prosthetics The Center for Advanced Orthotics & Prosthetics (800) 676-7846 CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com
Visiting Angels (717) 652-8899 Home Improvement Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen (717) 367-9753
Rehabilitation Spring Creek Rehabilitation & Health Care Center (717) 565-7000
Senior Home Repair (717) 545-8747
Retirement Communities Country Meadows of Hershey (717) 533-1880
Housing/Apartments B’Nai B’rith Apartments (717) 232-7516 Housing Assistance Dauphin County Housing Authority (717) 939-9301
Toll-Free Numbers American Lung Association (800) LUNG-USA Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555 Meals on Wheels (800) 621-6325 National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Affairs (717) 626-1171 (800) 827-1000 Transportation CAT Share-A-Ride (717) 232-6100 Travel Wheelchair Getaways (717) 921-2000
Services Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 255-2790 The Salvation Army Edgemont Temple Corps (717) 238-8678
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March 2012
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The Search for Our Ancestry Corporate Office: 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360
The 1920 U.S. Census
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
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson
EDITORIAL MANAGING EDITOR Christianne Rupp EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS Megan Joyce EDITORIAL INTERN Alysa Poindexter
ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR Renee Geller PRODUCTION ARTIST Janys Cuffe
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Leah Craig Amy Falcone Janet Gable Hugh Ledford Angie McComsey Ranee Shaub Miller SALES COORDINATOR Eileen Culp
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50plus SeniorNews 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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March 2012
Angelo Coniglio ensuses can be used to find more than simply the address of an ancestor in a certain year. Here’s some general information about the decennial U.S. census, with specific details about the 1920 census. The first federal census was in 1790, under Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. There have been 22 since then, taken at 10-year intervals. The last was in 2010. Censuses from 1790 through 1930 are available online and in hard copy at many sources. Excluded is the 1890 census, most of which was destroyed by fire. For privacy reasons, availability was limited after 1930; however, the 1940 census is expected to be released this April. The questions asked varied between censuses, from simple identification and place of residence in the first to much more detailed information in later versions. An image from the 1920 U.S. census can be seen on Wikipedia. That census collected the following information:
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• Address • Name • Relationship to head of family • Sex • Race • Age at last birthday • Marital status • If foreign born, year of immigration to the U.S., if naturalized, and year of such • School attendance • Literacy • Birthplace of person and parents • If foreign-born, the mother tongue • Ability to speak English • Occupation, industry, and class of worker • Was home owned or rented: if owned, was it mortgaged Before considering individual listings, note the township, county, and state where the census was
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taken. You can contact churches, courthouses, or public offices in those localities for other records: naturalization, birth, death or marriage records, etc. Address: Be sure to distinguish between house number (address) and the sequence number indicating the order in which the census was taken. Street names and house numbers allow location of the actual property where your ancestor lived and can lead to churches, cemeteries, local funeral homes, schools, etc., to search for other records. Name: Remember that to search online or digitized census records by name, you may have to use innovative or imaginative spellings of the name. Usually the head of household’s given name and surname are listed, with only given names for the rest of the family. Relationship to head of family: Study the family members’ names and relationships to the head. A woman with a different surname than the head may be listed as “mother-in-law,” thus giving you the “maiden” surname of the wife of the head of household. When a surname listed for a “daughter” is different from that of the head, it’s the married surname of the daughter. Sex: Errors here are not uncommon. Young children with “foreignsounding” names may have been attributed the wrong gender. So your grandfather Andrea may have been incorrectly listed as a girl or your aunt Carmen as a boy! Use information from the census as a guide, not as gospel. Ages given are the person’s age at last birthday. Children’s ages are often given as years and fractions: 4 7 /12 means the child was 4 years and 7 months old at the time. The date when the census was taken is at the top of the page, and by subtraction,
the approximate year of birth can be calculated. Don’t be surprised if ages on the census are one or two years different than what was recorded elsewhere. Other records may be wrong, or the ages may have been incorrectly entered on the census. Marital status, including that of children, helps confirm previously found information. Year of immigration and country of birth helps in locating passenger manifests, which may list town of birth. A person’s occupation is noted on the 1920 census, as well as on many passenger manifests. Matching a person’s name, year of birth, occupation, and year of immigration from the census with the information on a manifest can corroborate that the records are for the same person. Make note of the other names on the census: neighbors of your ancestor. They may be his relatives or friends, and research on their backgrounds may unveil otherwise unknown information about your ancestor or ways to find it. The censuses prior to 1920 and those subsequent provided essentially the same information, with some variation. The 1900 census, rather than giving a person’s age, lists the month and year of birth, while the 1910 and 1930 censuses list “Number of Years Married” or “Age at First Marriage,” from which you may determine whether the couple was married in the U.S. or before they came here, aiding in the search for a marriage record. The censuses, especially those of the late 1800s and early 1900s, carry much meaningful data about our ancestors and are a valuable source of information for the genealogical researcher. Angelo Coniglio encourages readers to contact him by writing to 438 Maynard Drive, Amherst, NY 14226; by email at Genealogytips@aol.com; or by visiting www.conigliofamily.com/ConiglioGene alogyTips.htm.
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Social Security News
Q&A’s for March By Doris Brookens Question: I received a notice from Social Security recently. It said my name and Social Security number do not match Social Security’s records. What should I do? Answer: It’s critical that your name and Social Security number, as shown on your Social Security card, match your employer’s payroll records and your W-2 form. If they don’t, you can take these two measures: • Give your employer the correct information exactly as shown on your Social Security card or your corrected card. • Contact your local Social Security office (www.socialsecurity.gov/locator) or call (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 3250778) if your Social Security card does not show your correct name or Social Security number. Question: Are Social Security numbers reassigned after a person dies? Answer: No. We do not reassign Social Security numbers. In all, we have assigned more than 460 million Social Security numbers, and each year we assign about 5.5 million new numbers. The current system has enough new numbers for several more generations. Question: How does Social Security decide if I am disabled? Answer: If you are an adult, you must be unable to work for a year or more because of a medical condition or combination of medical impairments. Overall, we use a five-step evaluation process to decide whether you are disabled. The process considers any current work activity you are doing. It also considers your medical condition and how it affects your ability to work. To be found disabled: • You must be unable to do work you did before you became disabled and we must decide you cannot adjust to other work because of your medical condition. • Your disability must last, or be expected to last, for at least one year or to result in death.
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Social Security pays only for total disability. We do not pay benefits for partial or short-term disability. For more information, read our publication Disability Benefits at www.social security.gov/pubs/10029.html. Question: If I go back to work, will I automatically lose my Social Security disability benefits? Answer: Social Security has several work incentive programs to help people who want to work. You may be able to receive benefits and continue your healthcare coverage during a trial work period. For information about Social Security’s work incentives and how they can help you return to work, you should:
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• Visit our special work site at www.socialsecurity.gov/work • See the Red Book on work incentives at www.socialsecurity.gov/redbook • Call our toll-free number at (800) 772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) • Contact your local Social Security office (www.socialsecurity.gov/locator) Question: Is it true that if you have low income you can get help paying your Medicare premiums? Answer: Yes. If your income and resources are limited, your state may be able to help with your Medicare Part B premium, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts. State rules vary on the income and resources that apply. Contact your state or local medical assistance, social services, or welfare office, or call the Medicare hotline, (800) MEDICARE, and ask about the Medicare Savings Programs. If you have limited income and resources, you also may be able to get help paying for prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D. Call Social Security at (800) 772-1213 (TTY users should call (800) 325-0778) or visit any Social Security office. Also, see our publication, Medicare (Publication 10043) at www.social security.gov/pubs/10043.html. For even more information, visit our website at www.socialsecurity.gov. Doris Brookens is the Social Security office manager in Harrisburg.
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Beyond the Battlefield
His Sub’s Battle Flag Recorded Ships Sunk Alvin S. Goodman wight W. “Bud” Huntington III, 88, of Susquehanna Township, Dauphin County, quartermaster of the submarine USS Pargo during World War II, designed the ship’s battle flag. In the white center area of the flag on blue background is an artist’s drawing of a sub with a shark mouth chewing up a Japanese flag. In the upper field appear two classes of Japanese ships sunk by Pargo: merchant ships (cargo, troop carriers, and tankers) and war vessels. The flag at the bottom of this set represented mines floating loose on the ocean, destroyed using small-caliber guns. In the lower field are the same type of ships, damaged but not confirmed sinkings. The additional flag at the bottom of this set shows a small island bombarded by the ship after determining the residents were Japanese marines. The horseshoes were unique to Pargo,
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added just after commissioning when the skipper had yard workers weld one on each side of the bridge structure for luck. The dice represented the eight successful patrols made by the sub during the war. The original battle flag of the Pargo hangs in the Submarine Museum in Groton, Conn. Designed by Huntington, it was constructed by crew member Howard Iffland, TM1c, using a small
Battle flag of the USS Pargo.
Map of Pargo wartime travels.
portable sewing machine. During training, Huntington said, each man had to be able to take over another’s assignment should the need arise. He had to be able to fire a torpedo, start or stop an engine, know the location of utility lines, etc. Only then could he wear the coveted Submarine Dolphins and draw 50 percent extra submarine pay plus 20 percent sea pay. “Submarine duty was considered
hazardous, not only because of mechanical breakdowns. Once we left port, we had nowhere to turn for help. For the most part, subs remained independent from U.S. surface ships and had to return to base for refueling, munitions, food, and other supplies and possible repairs.” Like most subs that engaged the enemy, Pargo had to cope with her share of depth charges and aerial bombs. “Valves would jam, glass would shatter. Loss of electricity was common and was switched to emergency lighting until repairs could be made. Caulking on the sub’s interior would rain down on us. On occasion, the superstructure (outside the pressure hull) would be dented (and) decking broken loose in the affected area. “Our own planes and those of the RAAF would attempt to put us under if we did not give the proper recognition signal for the hour and location. This
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happened all began, with later in the only a half war when dozen men we began to being able to see friendly attend.” aircraft The operating Huntingtons from have a captured daughter, bases,” Laura Davis; Huntington two sons, said. The crew of the Pargo (photo taken at Pearl Harbor Dwight W. IV After his after the seventh patrol). Huntington is fifth from and Mark discharge Stephen; nine right, squatting with the officers. from the grandchildren; Navy on Dec. 16, 1945, Huntington and five great-grandchildren. learned the mason’s trade. After He is a member of the U.S. marrying (Mary) Carol Glignor on June Submarine Veterans Inc., Tri-State Base 9, 1951, in Riverhead, N.Y., he took a and Keystone Base, American Legion more permanent job working for a Post No. 730, and St. Margaret Mary surveyor in Chemung County, N.Y., RC Church. then moved to Pottstown to sell life and Huntington has another unique health insurance. claim to fame. On his paternal Huntington returned to Long Island grandfather’s side, his family goes back to work in the building trades. In to the time when this nation was 1958, he went to work for Met Life. In formed. He is a direct descendant of 1968 he joined Monarch Life and not one but two signers of the became the general agent in Declaration of Independence—Samuel Harrisburg. Most of his life was in Huntington (1732-96), attorney, sales, spending 10 years with ABP out judge, and later governor of of Atlanta, Ga., selling paper products. Connecticut, and William Williams When he was let go by ABP at age (1731-1811), also of Connecticut, 60, Huntington became an employee merchant, politician, and minister and of the State Public Utility another state delegate to the Commission, his last job being hearing Continental Congress. scheduler in motor carrier cases, If you are a mature veteran and have retiring in 1994. interesting or unusual experiences in your “Our ship has held reunions across military or civilian life, phone Al the country since the 1960s. Last year, Goodman at (717) 541-9889 or email him it was held at Groton, Conn., where it at klezmer630@comcast.net.
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VITA Program Tax Help Available Free assistance with completing income tax forms will be available again this year to older, disabled, or low-income persons in Dauphin County through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program. VITA provides trained volunteers to assist with completing local, state, and federal tax returns at sites throughout the county. Appointments are necessary at most sites and assistance can be provided to homebound individuals. To speed the filing process, individuals should be prepared by bringing all pertinent tax documents such as W-2 forms, interest statements from banks, copies of your 2011 income tax returns, and the tax packets received in the mail. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Please call for an appointment unless listed otherwise. Belco Community Credit Union 449 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg (717) 232-3526 Until April 10 Community Action Commission 1301 Derry St., Harrisburg Mondays and Wednesdays, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (717) 232-9757 Until April 11 Widener University School of Law 3605 Vartan Way, Harrisburg (717) 541-1993 Until April 14
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NEILL FUNERAL HOME, INC. Kevin Shillabeer, Supervisor 3401 Market Street Camp Hill, PA 17011 717-737-8726
March 2012
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NurseNews
Speaking Up About UI Gloria May, M.S., R.N., CHES
March 15, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Church Farm School 1001 East Lincoln Highway, Exton
May 8, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Overlook Activities Center Overlook Park • 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster
o be sure, urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) is not an easy subject to broach, even with your doctor or nurse with whom you are encouraged to be completely honest! But “UI” affects the lives of some 30 million people in the U.S. (85 percent of whom are women) in a number of negative ways:
• Have you ever leaked when coughing, sneezing, laughing, or lifting something heavy?
• It causes those affected to withdraw from social interactions, curtail traveling, and forego overnights with friends and family.
Ultimately, you will probably be referred to a specialist (a urologist) for further tests and treatment. Keep in mind that urinary incontinence is not a disease; it’s a symptom, and it could be:
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• It costs consumers billions of dollars each year, mostly for pads and adult diapers.
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March 2012
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• It is the underlying factor in a great percentage of falls and subsequent hip fractures incurred by folks as they rush to the bathroom. • It is often the “last straw” in the decision to move a relative into a care facility. However, despite all these consequences, studies show that only 20 to 30 percent of patients who are having this problem mention it to their healthcare provider. That means some 21 to 24 million people are suffering in silence. (Is the thinking here that UI is a “normal” part of aging? It’s not!) But as of late, primary-care doctors and nurses are being encouraged to initiate the conversation, to not wait for the patient to bring it up, and despite whatever else the patient is being seen for, to not forget to ask about UI. You can expect to be asked if you have had any “leaking episodes” in the previous few months. If the answer is yes, then: • Were they minor leaks (dribbles) or did you wet your pants? • How many times a day do you feel the urge to go to the bathroom? • How many times a night do you get up to go?
• Have you ever been unable to get to the bathroom in time? • Do you often have the feeling you have to go but when you try, nothing happens?
• Temporary, caused by drinking alcohol and/or caffeine, both of which are bladder stimulants and diuretics; by taking in an excessive amount of liquids; by ingesting bladder irritants, such as spicy foods or artificial sweeteners; or by taking certain medications • The result of a treatable medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection or chronic constipation • Reflective of an underlying physical problem or change that came about from pregnancy and childbirth, from being overweight or obese, from smoking and its associated chronic coughing, from kidney disease or diabetes, or from the aging of the bladder muscles themselves There is a broad spectrum of treatment available for UI, once the proper diagnostic tests are completed. Options range from behavioral and lifestyle changes to physical therapy techniques, from medications to insertable mechanical devices, from injections to surgery. The important message about UI is to get started getting help. So, take a deep breath and say something. Believe me, your doctor or nurse has heard worse. Gloria May is a registered nurse with a master’s degree in health education and a Certified Health Education Specialist designation.
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Are you struggling to keep up with your home?
Woman Wins Free One-Month Stay Country Meadows Regional Marketing Director Kathy Cox, left, congratulates Getaway Giveaway winner Magdalene Foster.
Magdalene Foster won a prize most of us would envy: a one-month break from household upkeep, cooking, cleaning, maintenance, lawn care, and even paying utility bills. Foster is the lucky winner of Country Meadows of Hershey’s “Getaway Giveaway” contest. As the winner, Foster will enjoy a one-month, all-expenses-paid stay in a fully furnished apartment at Country Meadows. Her prize includes meals, entertainment and activities, transportation, and numerous other amenities. Prospective residents who toured the Country Meadows of Hershey campus during the last quarter of 2011 were entered into the contest. When Foster toured Country Meadows, she liked it so much that she moved in immediately, before the contest winner was announced. As a current resident, Foster will receive a free month at the retirement community.
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Exercise Is the Antidote for Aging, Disease, and Decline By Dawn Williams The changes come gradually, sneaking up on us while we’re busy doing other things. Perhaps walking up a flight of stairs is more tiring than it used to be. Groceries feel like they’ve gotten heavier over the years. Muscle strain and injury occur more often, and a few hours of yard work or home repair require days of recovery. Our waistlines grow thicker, flesh becomes doughy, posture slackens, and energy flags. We chalk up these symptoms to the process of aging, assuming they are inevitable and attempting to endure them with as much grace and good humor as possible. It doesn’t have to be that way. Statistics gathered during the last 50 years consistently show that people who exercise regularly suffer a far lower incidence of heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, and even cancer. Exercise is that powerful and that important. Beyond the Obvious We know exercise is good for us, but
why, exactly, is it so? Harvard University summarized the most relevant research findings on the specific effects of exercise. Among them:
Photo by Arne9001, Dreamstime.com
• Exercise improves the cardiovascular system by decreasing resting heart rate, heart stiffness, and vascular stiffness; by lowering blood pressure; and by increasing the heart’s maximum pumping capacity. It also decreases thickness of the blood, all of which make the heart stronger and more efficient, while making its job easier to accomplish. The effects of being sedentary are exactly the opposite.
• Metabolism slows with age, but exercise increases it while reducing body fat, regulating blood sugar and insulin levels, and lowering dangerous LDL cholesterol as it increases beneficial HDL cholesterol.
• The skeletal and muscular systems benefit from exercise, too. Muscle mass and strength increase over time, which in turn build stamina and reduce the risk of injury. Bones benefit from increased calcium content and strength, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and decreasing the likelihood of fractures. • Even our neurological functions are improved through exercise. Physical
activity slows the loss of nerve conduction and reflex speed associated with aging, improves quality of sleep, reduces risk of depression, and reduces memory lapses and other cognitive decline. • Heart health drastically improves with exercise, even for those who have already developed cardiovascular disease. People who are regularly active are 45 percent less likely to experience cardiac-related incidents in their lifetime, and some research suggests that exercise may even improve cardiac event-free survival in coronary patients better than angioplasty. Reaping the Benefits Research at Harvard School of Public Health studied 13,000 subjects and found that those who exercise for five hours a week were 76 percent more likely to age free of chronic illnesses, including heart disease and cancer, than those who worked out only 20 minutes a week. Physical activity in this study was also correlated with less mental and physical impairment. Even if you have been inactive for a long period of time or have never
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exercised seriously, you can still reap the benefits of getting fit. The New England Journal of Medicine reported that decreased mortality is documented even among those who were sedentary until mid-life or later. It’s never too late. The National Institutes of Health recommends that all seniors strive for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week. Medical conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease may all be improved through exercise, so the presence of these diseases should not be considered a reason not to exercise. However, be sure to see your doctor first to learn if there are specific precautions
you should take. Exercise is quite likely the surest buffer against disease and the only known antidote to age-related decline. An investment of a little time and sweat equity will buy you a healthier, higherquality, longer life. For information on how to get started, see the NIH National Institute on Aging website at www.nia.nih.gov. Dawn Williams is associate publisher of Senior News 50 and Better and a health writer who is pursuing certification as a fitness trainer with a specialty in senior exercise. More of her health articles can be found at www.csn50andbetter.com.
Conquering Your Fear of Technology No matter if you are young or old, the quickly changing technology landscape can sometimes seem bewildering. And for older Americans, in particular, mastering the use of computers and the Internet may not come intuitively—but the technology has boundless potential to enrich lives for grandparents and grandchildren alike. And learning how may be easier than you think. “If my mother can learn the computer, anyone can,” contends Abby Stokes, author of Is This Thing On?, a handbook for computers and digital devices. Stokes has taught computing to thousands of people, mainly seniors, and believes overcoming a fear of technology is the first step. Stokes offers some tips and information to motivate anyone to get started: Catch Up Email is basically like the postal service, only faster. Take advantage of free services through your Internet service provider or a company like Yahoo or Google. Once you get going, you can write your friends and family instantly. Better yet, talk in real time, face-toface with loved ones around the globe. For example, a service named Skype lets you do this free of charge. Share Photos Use your computer to store your photos and share them online. If you have a digital camera, upload the contents of the memory card onto your computer. If you have a film camera, your printed photos can be scanned into your computer and saved. Easy-to-use software allows you to crop photos, remove red eyes from family www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
portraits, and make other improvements to your pictures. Get Information Surfing the Internet isn’t very different than channel hopping on your television set. There’s a lot of information out there, and not all of it is useful. In fact, no special credentials are needed to run a website. A search engine like Google can help you find exactly what you’re looking for, whether it’s health research or celebrity gossip. You can access any information you want without visiting a library or newsstand. Many periodicals publish all their content on the Web free of charge. See something you like? You can easily revisit sites you like by “bookmarking” them. Entertain Yourself If you love your television set, you’ll wind up loving your computer even more. Many television programs run complete episodes online. And if you’re a film buff, you’re in luck. Online video rental sites are relatively inexpensive and allow you to watch movies online or order DVDs to watch later. Poker champs and Scrabble lovers will be happy to discover that you can play almost any game you can think of online. You can either play against the computer or against other people sitting at their computers somewhere in the world. “You don’t need to know how it works to work it,” says Stokes. So learn to stop worrying and love technology. (StatePoint)
Harrisburg
Lancaster
361-9777
569-0451
Events Account Executive Position Available On-Line Publishers is hiring an Exhibitor/Sponsorship Account Executive to join our growing events team.
This position is responsible for selling exhibitor/sponsorship packages to existing and new clients to support On-Line Publishers’ growing portfolio of events. The ideal candidate is sharp, creative, tuned in to the digital world, and enjoys the thrill of the hunt. Among other talents, you should have excellent relationship-building skills, experience in generating new business, and the ability to think strategically. Experience in media/event sales is helpful. Excellent organizational, verbal, and written communication skills are essential. The ideal candidate is entrepreneurial and has the will and ability to substantially grow our existing business. If interested, please send your resume and compensation history/requirements to danderson@onlinepub.com.
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On-Line Publishers, Inc. 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 717.285.1350 • www.onlinepub.com
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Book Review
Sweet Freedoms: 50 Life Lessons from Life in the ’50s By Ken Gaudi
here was a time before penicillin and polio shots, Xerox and Xbox, contact lenses and credit cards. A time when there was no such thing as FM radios, cell phones, MP3s, or CDs. Those days, kids walked to school—rain or shine— because there was no bus.” Hilarious, heartwarming, and insightful, Ken Gaudi’s memoir Sweet Freedoms details 28 unbelievable true stories “based on a little boy’s adventures during his age of innocence” while growing up in the ’50s. Gaudi recalls the days of stickball, gas for 28 cents a gallon,
“T
penny candies, and when children were called home for dinner after a day of outdoor play by a distinct “whistle.” Gaudi guides readers to satirical but also moving lessons in life that range from knowing that flatulence is uncontrollable to how strength and compassion can be birthed from heartbreak. In these stories for all ages, readers will take a
journey into a past that reveals how much our society has strayed from enjoying the sweet, simple sovereignties of life and that wisdom comes from experiencing it. Gaudi dedicated this memoir to his grandchildren, who encouraged him to write about his past. It is available at Amazon.com and www.kengaudi.com.
About the Author Ken Gaudi worked for 28 years as the state government affairs manager for Dominion Resources, Inc., one of the largest energy companies in the United States. He played a leading role in the passage of key energy and consumer legislature in the Pennsylvania State Legislature. Gaudi also served eight years on the board of trustees for Clarion University. Currently, he resides with his wife, Peggy, in Mechanicsburg, where he spends his time reading, writing, and playing golf and handball with friends.
Calling All Authors If you have written and published a book and would like 50plus Senior News to feature a Book Review, please submit a synopsis of the book (350 words or fewer) and a short autobiography (80 words or fewer). A copy of the book is required for review. Discretion is advised. Please send to: On-Line Publishers, Inc., Megan Joyce, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. For more information, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com.
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GRADUATE
from page 1
With her win came the grand prize of a limousine trip for two to New York City for dinner and a Broadway show, which Keller took advantage of in November with her husband and two additional friends. They saw Follies, the musical about a group of past performers who reunite in their soon-tobe-demolished theater and reminisce about days past while facing the realities of their present lives. “That show was really sentimental to me,” explained Keller, who was once very active in community theater at Ephrata Playhouse. “When they closed the old barn and did all the renovations, the last show they did there was Follies, and I was in it.” Though understandably dazzled by the big stage, it was a slightly smaller stage closer to home that served as the location for her most memorable experience since becoming PA STATE SENIOR IDOL. Keller was honored to perform the national anthem at the 9/11 memorial event held at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster. Her performance started off an entire day of activities, including a firemen’s walk that featured firefighters from all over the state who ceremoniously walked the number of steps that would have been walked in the 9/11 rescue attempts. “It was so incredibly moving; it was just unbelievable,” remembered Keller. “These guys were in full gear, just like they were doing a rescue … It took them like two hours of solid walking to get to that amount of steps.” Keller also performed the national anthem for the region’s other minorleague baseball teams, the York Revolution and the Harrisburg Senators—her Senators performance was even punctuated by an aircraft flyby. Both opportunities were a direct result of exposure from her SENIOR IDOL win. “One bit of exposure leads to another. It’s been really cool,” Keller said. She has also been a mainstay at OnLine Publishers’ 50plus EXPOs, easily winning over the crowds with her repertoire of jazz and pop standards that feature melodies that transcend time and bring back memories for anyone over 50. But Keller’s appeal extends beyond her taste in music. “I think people look at me as a 50plusser, and I have a lot of energy; I’m gregarious. They know I love what I’m doing and I’m not afraid to share of myself,” she said. “As much as I give and they give back to me, then I can give www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
more—it’s that cycle of return, that growing energy.” That “sharing of herself ” is another change Keller has observed since winning SENIOR IDOL last year: Audiences are eager to know more about her. “I used to spend more time introducing songs that I was singing, but now it’s: ‘Tell us about you,’ ‘Why are you here?’, ‘How did you win?’” Keller noted. “They wanted to know more about who am I as a person versus who am I as a performer, so I told some stories about myself when introducing songs. I became more comfortable sharing of myself in my performance.” Keller also uses these platforms to encourage others to audition for the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition, citing both her own enjoyable four-year experience and the unique opportunity for people over 50 to step up and claim their talent. She shares with them her conviction that contestants should choose a song, dance, or comedic routine that means something to them and not to worry about appealing to others’ tastes. “I really think that if you’re going to do this [competition] and take the time, be true to yourself, do what you want to do, and don’t worry about the judges,” she said. “If you are true to yourself, you’re gonna wow ’em.” Although her year as the reigning PA STATE SENIOR IDOL is winding down, Keller looks toward her musical future with eagerness and down-to-earth ambitions, hoping to land a regular, recurring singing opportunity for a senior group or restaurant. And, as always, her “bucket” is overflowing with genuine thankfulness. “I can’t even express gratitude enough to On-Line Publishers for giving me this opportunity,” she said. “If this [SENIOR IDOL] program didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to be a participant for four years and now to have a venue to share what I love to do. I hope I continue to be utilized as much as they see fit, because I would love to be.” Bees do need to keep busy, after all. For more information on the 2012 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition, including audition dates and locations and a downloadable registration form, please visit www.SeniorIdolPA.com or call (717) 285-1350. If your business would like to support the 50-plus community, please call to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
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Selfless ... Generous ... Tireless ... Does this describe a 50+ volunteer in your community? Then nominate them for On-Line Publishers’
2012 Dauphin County Outstanding Senior Award! The Outstanding Senior Award recognizes a 50+ county resident or group for exceptional community service. On a separate sheet, please type or print in ink: • Their contributions to the local area—be specific • How they have impacted the community • A name, address, and phone number for the nominee(s)— no photos, please No posthumous selections will be made. This form must be used for all entries but may be photocopied.
For more information, please call (717) 285-1350. Mail to: Outstanding Senior On-Line Publishers, Inc., 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Your Name ____________________________________________ If you would like your name to be kept confidential, check here
Address _______________________________________________ City _________________________ State ____ Zip_____________ Daytime Phone __________________________________________
Entry Deadline: May 1, 2012
Award will be presented at the Dauphin County 50plus EXPO,, May 30, 2012 at the Hershey Lodge, Hershey, Pa. • www.50plusExpoPA.com
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My 22 Cents’ Worth
Our Words Retire Too Walt Sonneville ike people, words retire. A growing number of nouns, verbs, and adjectives, used by today’s seniors, are considered archaic or quaint by younger generations. If you struggled studying the language of Shakespeare, you have a lot of company. Shakespeare’s vocabulary was enormous for his era, partly because he made up words. A dictionary of words he used would have some 21,000 main entries, almost three times the count of famous modern authors. Our country’s first dictionary of American English was produced by Noah Webster in 1806. His most popular edition was released 22 years later when he was 70 years old. It had approximately 70,000 main entries. The current edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, published by the Oxford University Press, consists of 20 volumes and almost 22,000 pages. It
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contains 300,000 main entries, reaching back to the mid-eighth century. (The count depends on how “word” is defined. In this essay, “word” means the basic word, called the “main entry,” e.g., run, but not running. The average adult American today has a vocabulary of about 15,000 English words.) Your vocabulary, like your first name, can suggest the generation to which you belong. Referring to grammar school, for example, instead of elementary school, could be an age-revealing disclosure. Dated words have not escaped usage at our nation’s “newspaper of record,” The New York Times. In its July 29, 2011, edition it titled an article “Governor Said to Have Irked Transit Leader Who is Leaving.” Irked? Not vexed, troubled, or annoyed? The word irked soon began to appear in article headings of the Washington Post after it appeared in The New York Times article.
Some words indicate both your age and the part of the country in which you were raised. Words such as yonder, fixin’, and fetch imply a Southern upbringing. “I’ll carry (drive) you home” and “You favor (look like) your mother” are phrases heard in that region. In New England, one might say that a highpriced item is “dear.” World War II veterans would recognize the acronym SNAFU (situation normal, all fouled up) and the terms gizmo (an unnamed device) and Gob (sailor). Yiddish words, such as schlep (to carry), schmo (a fool), or chutzpah (audacity), have found some usage among those who wish to appear “cool.” In disagreeing with another, do you say, “You will rue the day”? Did your adversary carp? Were you and your friend gabbing, bantering, or engaging in scuttlebutt? Did you find the complaints piddling? Were you unable to sleep until
the wee hours of the morning? Have you ever had to scram because a ruckus was created by riffraff? When your plans have gone amiss, did that raise your ire? Did you bawl-out the person responsible? Were you irked? If you had no difficulty understanding the oldfangled words while reading this essay, you are a senior with scads of smarts. If, however, this essay appears to you as rigmarole, you are forgiven for snickering at the oaf who wrote it. Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research analyst, is the author of MY 22 CENTS’ WORTH: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen, a book of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. He recently completed the manuscript for another book of essays, A MUSING MOMENT, scheduled for release in January 2012. Contact him at waltsonneville@earthlink.net
Harrisburg’s Oldies Channel! • Breakfast with Ben Barber and News with Dennis Edwards • John Tesh with Music and Intelligence for Your Workday • Bruce Collier & The Drive Home • Mike Huckabee Three Times Daily
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By Myles Mellor and Sally York
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16
Across
WORD SEARCH
1. 5. 9. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 20. 22. 23.
Twosome P.D.Q. Finance magazine Kashmir clan Chronicle Madison Square Garden, e.g. Fill to excess Property conveyor Is a loving person Days ___ Orinoco, e.g.
24. Ridiculously incongruous 28. French game 33. Capital city 34. Central points 35. In the preceding month: abbr. 36. Ready for battle 40. Whisper sweet nothings 41. Wild about 42. “___ So Vain” 43. Indirect implication
46. 47. 48. 49. 58. 59. 60.
19. 21. 24. 25. 26. 27.
39. 44. 45. 46. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55.
61. 62. 63. 64. 65.
___ algebra Degree in math? Mont Blanc, e.g. Cooperate closely Issuances Department Industrial city in France Quote Silver Needle, et al. Condition Sorority letters “___ Toledo!”
Down
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Narrow margin West Samoan monetary unit Freudian topics Aboriginal tribe Don’t cut See-through wrap Banned apple spray Confined Secret society: var. “She flies with her own wings” is its motto Student of Seneca Hydroxyl compound .9144 meter
28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 34. 37. 38.
Incursion Engaged Old adders Trace mineral Cowell World govt. in TV’s Futurama African primate Lingering trace Braid The “U” of UHF Early anesthetic Like some memories Soldier’s helmet, slang Drawing
Age Disentangle C2H6 Climbing herbs Noted caravel Joins Bypass Important Indian “Good shot!” “Go ahead!” Homebuilder’s strip It was introduced in 1912 56. Butcher’s offering 57. Like pie
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Savvy Senior
Organ Donation: You’re Never Too Old Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Is there an age limit on being an organ donor? At age 73, I’m interested in being a donor when I die, but I am wondering if they would still want my organs. What can you tell me, and what do I need to do to sign up? – Willing But Old Dear Willing, There’s no defined cutoff age for being an organ donor. In fact, there are many people well up into their 80s that donate. The decision to use your organs is based on health, not age, so don’t disqualify yourself prematurely. Let the doctors decide at your time of death whether your organs and tissues are suitable for transplantation. Donating Facts In the United States alone, more than 112,000 people are on the waiting list for organ transplants. But because the demand is so much greater than the supply, those on the list routinely wait three to seven years for an organ, and
more than 6,500 of them die each year. Organs that can be donated include the kidneys (which are in the greatest demand with more than 90,000 on the waiting list), liver, lungs, heart, pancreas, and intestines. Tissue is also needed to replace bone, tendons, and ligaments. Corneas are needed to restore sight. Skin grafts help burn patients heal and often mean the difference between life and death. And heart valves repair cardiac defects and damage. How to Donate If you would like to become a donor, there are several steps you should take to ensure your wishes are carried out, including: Registering: Add your name to your state or regional organ and tissue donor registry. You can do this online at either Donate Life America (www.donatelife.net) or the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ organ-donation website
(www.organdonor.gov). Both sites provide links to all state registries. If you don’t have Internet access, you can call your local organ procurement organization and ask them to mail you a donor card, which you can fill out and return. To get the phone number of your local organization, call Donate Life America at (800) 355-7427. Identify yourself: Designate your decision to become an organ donor on your driver’s license, which you can do when you go in to renew it. If, however, you don’t drive anymore or if your renewal isn’t due for a while, consider getting a state ID card—this also lets you indicate you want to be a donor. You can get an ID card for a few dollars at your nearby driver’s license office. Tell your family: Even if you are a registered donor, in many states family members have the ultimate say whether your organs may be donated after you die. So clarify your wishes to your family.
It’s also a good idea to tell your doctors and add it to your advance directives. These are legal documents that include a living will and medical power of attorney that spell out your wishes regarding your end-of-life medical treatment when you can no longer make decisions for yourself. If you don’t have an advance directive, go to caringinfo.org or call (800) 6588898, where you can get free statespecific forms with instructions to help you make one. For more information on organ and tissue donation and transplantation, visit the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Donate the Gift of Life website (www.organdonor.gov). Also see the United Network for Organ Sharing (www.unos.org) and Transplant Living (www.transplantliving.org), which offers information on being a living donor. Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org.
Free Tax Assistance Offered
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visit www.aarp.org/money/taxaide for more information. Epiphany Lutheran Church 1100 Colonial Road, Harrisburg Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (717) 657-8959
Mohler Senior Center 25 Hope Drive, Hershey Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (717) 533-2002 Susquehanna Township Municipal Building 1900 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg
Thursdays, 1 to 5 p.m. (717) 909-9228 Swatara Township Building 599 Eisenhower Blvd., Harrisburg Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to noon (717) 599-5077
Puzzles shown on page 15
Puzzle Solutions
Through April 15 of each year, the AARP Tax-Aide program offers free oneon-one counseling as well as assistance on the telephone and Internet to help individuals prepare basic tax forms, including the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, and other standard documents. The following are locations in your area. Please call for an appointment or
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Silver Threads
Hey ... nice legs!
The Sunny Side of Dorothy Fields W.E. Reinka arch is Women’s History Month. We’re sure to see reminders of the contributions of such outstanding women as Marie Curie, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Amelia Earhart. You may not know her name, but chances are Dorothy Fields had a bigger impact on your life than more famous members of her sex. For Dorothy Fields was a songwriter, perhaps the greatest female lyricist ever. She put us in the mood for love. Yes, “I’m in the Mood for Love” was just one of her many hits. But it wasn’t her first big hit—that distinction goes to “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love” way back in 1928. As with so many of her other enduring (and endearing) lyrics, snatches of the song evoke as many memories as the opening lines: “Diamond bracelets Woolworth doesn’t sell, baby.” Or how about her clever internal rhyme, “This rover crossed over,” from “On the Sunny Side of the Street”? For what it’s worth, “The Way You Look Tonight” gets my vote for the finest popular song ever written. “With each word your tenderness grows/tearing my fear apart. And that laugh that wrinkles your nose/touches my foolish heart.” She wrote that with Jerome Kern, the composer who changed American musical theater forever with Show Boat. “I had to leave the room because I started to cry,” Fields would often recall about the first time Kern played the bridge of “The Way You Look Tonight” for her. “It was so beautiful.”
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That song garnered Kern and the 30year-old Fields Best Song Oscars. Photos from the awards dinner show her sitting next to George Gershwin, who used to give her golf lessons. She never collaborated with Gershwin or her onetime teenage crush, Richard Rodgers, with whom she used to walk hand-inhand across Central Park. Though they didn’t write songs together, she did work with Rodgers. According to Fields’ biographer, Deborah Grace Winer, Fields said “the only time in my life an idea came absolutely from God” was when she flashed on her dear friend Ethel Merman playing Annie Oakley. Fields pulled Oscar Hammerstein aside after a songwriters’ luncheon and asked, “What do you think of Ethel Merman as Annie Oakley?” Say no more. Hammerstein loved the idea and asked Fields to go back to the office with him so that they could run it by Richard Rodgers. With Oklahoma! behind them, Rodgers and Hammerstein had started producing as well as writing shows. According to Winer, Rodgers heard Fields’ one-line pitch and immediately responded, “You write it, we’ll do it.” Annie, Get Your Gun was launched. Fields and her brother, Herb, were to write the book, Fields the lyrics, and Jerome Kern the music. Unfortunately, Kern no sooner returned from Hollywood to tackle the project than he was struck by a fatal stroke. please see FIELDS page 19
The Middletown Home A Continuing Care Retirement Community Courtyard Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center Crescent View Personal Care West View Terrace Apartments • • • • • •
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This Month in History: March Events • March 4, 1830 – Former President John Quincy Adams returned to Congress as a representative from Massachusetts. He was the first ex-president ever to return to the House and served eight consecutive terms. • March 19, 2003 – The United States launched an attack against Iraq to topple dictator Saddam Hussein from power. The attack commenced with aerial strikes against military sites, followed the next day by an invasion of southern Iraq by U.S. and British ground troops. The troops made rapid progress northward and conquered the country’s capital, Baghdad, just 21 days later, ending the rule of Hussein. • March 23, 1775 – Patrick Henry ignited the American Revolution with a speech before the Virginia convention in Richmond, stating, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
Birthdays • March 1 – American band leader Glenn Miller (1904-1944) was born in Carilinda, Iowa. His music gained enormous popularity during the 1940s through recordings such as “Moonlight Serenade” and “String of Pearls.” On Dec. 15, 1944, his plane disappeared over the English Channel while en route to Paris where he was scheduled to perform. • March 6 – Renaissance genius Michelangelo (1475-1564) was born in Caprese, Italy. He was a painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and visionary best known for his fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and his sculptures David and The Pieta. • March 31 – Boxing champion Jack Johnson (1878-1946) was born in Galveston, Texas. He was the first African-American to win the heavyweight boxing title.
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Dauphin County
Calendar of Events Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation
Senior Center Activities
March 4, noon to 4 p.m. – Maple Sugar Festival, Fort Hunter Park
Bistline Senior Center – (717) 564-5633
March 10, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Volunteer Work Day, Wildwood Park March 17, 8 to 10 a.m. – “Wandering Wildwood with Phil Lloyd,” Wildwood Park
Edgemont Senior Center – (717) 236-2221 Friendship Senior Center – (717) 657-1547
AARP Driver Safety Programs For a Safe Driving Class near you, call toll-free (888) 227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/findacourse.
Heinz-Menaker Senior Center – (717) 238-7860
March 17 and 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Mohler Senior Center, 25 Hope Drive, Hershey, (717) 533-2002
Highspire Area Senior Center – (717) 939-4580
March 23, 8 a.m. to noon – Lower Paxton Senior Center, 5000 Commons Drive, Harrisburg, (717) 657-1547
Hoy/Latsha Senior Center – (717) 939-9833
March 29, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Mohler Senior Center, 25 Hope Drive, Hershey, (717) 533-2002 Hummelstown Senior Center – (717) 566-6855
Dauphin County Library Programs East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, (717) 652-9380 Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville, (717) 362-9825 March 27, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Friends of the Elizabethville Library Meeting March 29, 1 to 2 p.m. and 6 to 7 p.m. – Friends of the Elizabethville Library Book Collection Harrisburg Downtown Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976
Jewish Community Center – (717) 236-9555 March 8 – “The Improbable History of the Sarajevo Hagaddah” by Susan Leviton March 13 – “Ghetto Terezin and the Experience of Music” by Amy Wlodarski March 27 – “London: Britannia Rules!” Lecture
Johnson Memorial Library, 799 E. Center St., Millersburg, (717) 692-2658
Lick Towers Senior Center – (717) 233-0388
Kline Branch, 530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-3934
Lykens Senior Center – (717) 453-7985
Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg, (717) 232-7286
Millersburg Senior Center – (717) 692-2657
Northern Dauphin Library, 683 Main St., Lykens, (717) 453-9315 William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second St., Hummelstown, (717) 566-0949 March 6, 6:30 p.m. – Novel Thoughts Book Club March 13, 6:30 p.m. – Friends to the Alexander Family Library Meeting March 20, 1 p.m. – Novel Thoughts, Too!
Programs and Support Groups Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. Free Art Classes Thrive 100 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg (717) 238-1887 or cglover@jumpstreet.org
March 17, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sew Much for Charity Event Trinity United Methodist Church 210 Main St., Hummelstown (717) 561-9964
March 14, 1 p.m. Eat to Live: Nutrition Strategies for Active Seniors Traditions of Hershey 100 N. Larkspur Drive, Hershey (717) 838-2330
March 21, 6 p.m. Managing Rheumatoid Arthritis Seminar Traditions of Hershey 100 N. Larkspur Drive, Hershey (717) 838-2330
March 15, 1:30 p.m. Hershey Area AARP Monthly Meeting Spring Creek Church of the Brethren 335 E. Areba Ave., Hershey (717) 832-3282
March 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Parental Loss Support Group AseraCare Hospice 75 S. Houcks Road, Suite 101, Harrisburg (717) 541-4466
March 17, 10 a.m. Teamster 776 Retirees Club Anniversary Meeting Union Hall 2552 Jefferson St., Harrisburg (717) 233-8766 March 2012
Royalton Senior Center – (717) 944-4831 Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682, www.rutherfordhouse.org Steelton Senior Center – (717) 939-0693
Free and open to the public.
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Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002, www.hersheyseniorcenter.com
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FIELDS
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from page 17
After long deliberations with Fields had been standing virtually Rodgers and Hammerstein, Fields alone among men for almost 50 gracefully gave up her role as lyricist years.” when Irving Berlin agreed to take over If we’re known by the company we for Kern because Berlin always wrote keep, consider that when the his own Songwriters words. Hall of Fields and March is Women’s History Month Fame her brother inducted still wrote Dorothy the book. Fields in But 1971, she Annie, Get went in Your Gun with such didn’t stop giants of Fields’ Tin Pan show. She Alley as continued Duke to write for Ellington, Hollywood Johnny and Mercer, Ira Broadway Gershwin, shows such and Hoagy Dorothy Fields working with Arthur Schwartz on as A Tree Carmichael. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in 1951. Grows in Besides Brooklyn those and Sweet Charity. With Seesaw, she mentioned, here are a few more of achieved a rarity few aging Dorothy Fields’ memory-making songwriters match—having a first-run standards: “A Fine Romance,” “Lovely hit on Broadway when she passed to Look At,” “Pick Yourself Up,” “I away in 1974 at the age of 68. Won’t Dance,” “Don’t Blame Me,” Winer points out that as “the only “Exactly Like You,” “You Couldn’t Be major-league woman songwriter of Cuter,” “Remind Me,” “Hey Big the golden age of American popular Spender,” and “If My Friends Could song and musical theater, Dorothy See Me Now.”
St. Patrick’s Notable Kin As the nation celebrates this St. Patrick’s Day on March 17 with frothy pints of Guinness, many will raise glasses to recognize the hallowed patron saint of Ireland (who is actually British!). While those glasses are raised, consider cheering a few other Irishmen who made contributions to the world. Did you know an Irishman, John Philip Holland, invented the
Don’t Forget to Spring Forward! Sunday, March 11, 2012
submarine? Color photography was invented by Ireland’s John Joly. And guided missiles, the modern tractor, and even a cure for leprosy were all invented by Irishmen. So as you search for that elusive four-leaf clover, remember that Ireland has given us much more than just good beer! (SPM Wire)
PROFESSIONALLY SPEAKING... LIFE CARE PLANNING FOR TERMINAL ILLNESS AND DEMENTIA
David D. Nesbit, M.P.A., CCIM Attorney Keystone Elder Law P.C.
Any adult, and especially someone old enough to receive Social Security, is at risk without a durable power of attorney (POA). A will and advanced directive for healthcare are important too, but without the POA, your future well-being might require court action to get a guardianship. A trust can preserve assets during your life and give your beneficiaries protection after your death. Having legal documents is only part of how you can prepare, especially if you desire to make sure that your spouse receives proper care if you should be the first to pass away. A common situation is when a capable and alert spouse wants to have a plan in place to ensure that their spouse with dementia will always get proper care. If you have not thought of this, or if you think, “If I die first, our children can look after (your surviving spouse),” maybe you should reconsider. Some adult children have both the opportunity and the inclination to help their aging parents, and other children do not. The helpful children nearly always tell their parents: “I don’t care about your money. All I want is for you to get the best care.” Uninvolved children are often the ones who are most concerned about “their inheritance.” Is it fair to burden the helpful child and reward the other, especially when you have a choice? Life care planning is a proven way to respond to the challenges of
advancing age, dementia, and chronic illness. The goal of a life care plan is to get the best care possible for your loved one, in the least restrictive living environment, while preserving the family’s wealth to the greatest extent possible. By bundling asset protection, investigation of available public benefits, care assessment and coordination, and nursing-home advocacy into a single package, a life care plan provides peace of mind for you and your children. The cost of a life care plan is offset by proper use of trust planning, which enables a wartime veteran or surviving spouse to “take a victory lap” and accelerate their eligibility for a long-term care pension of between $13,000 and $25,000 per year. If skilled nursing care is needed, proper representation preserves assets and enables effective family participation in the facility’s care-plan meetings to reach a compassionate balance between rehabilitation and comfort for you or your spouse. Those who are neither veterans nor nursing home candidates can realize other financial savings. Life care planning offers a combination of coordinated legal and social work services to ensure that you conserve your family resources and get the best care. Call Keystone Elder Law P.C. to discuss how to get started with a life care plan, and you will get a $100 discount from the initial consultation fee if you bring this article!
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Can you belt it out like nobody’s business? Do you belong on Dancing with the Stars ? Are you wild and crazy like Steve Martin? Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the seventh annual PA STATE
SENIOR IDOL competition!
Auditions held at regional locations Tues., April 24 Body Zone
Wed., April 25
3103 Paper Mill Road Wyomissing, PA 19610
York Little Theatre 27 South Belmont St. York, PA 17403
Wed., May 2 Broadway Classics Theatre at the Harrisburg Mall
NEW LOCATION!
3501 Paxton Street Harrisburg, PA 17111
Thurs., May 3 The Heritage Hotel Lancaster 500 Centerville Road Lancaster, PA 17601
Win a limousine trip to New York City with dinner and a Broadway show! Reserve your seats now for this annual sell-out! Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA • (717) 898-1900 June 4, 2012 • 5:30 p.m. – Dinner; 7 p.m. – Show
Brought to you by:
Presented by:
911 Photo Graphics
Dinner & Performance: $43 Adults; $32 Children 18 & Under Performance Only: $28 (Limited Number Available)
Media Sponsors:
Emcee:
Diane Dayton of Dayton Communications
For more information or an application:
717.285.1350 20
March 2012
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