Issuu

Dauphin County Edition

June 2015

Vol. 17 No. 6

Shall We Dance? Octogenarian Passes ’50s-Era Dance to New Generation of Swing Enthusiasts

By Jason Tabor Ivan Kerns turned 83 last September, but he hasn’t let that keep him off the dance floor. “If you want to stay young, hang out with young people and others who think young,” he says. Kerns is the president of the Central Pennsylvania Swing Dance Club, a volunteer-run organization comprising swing dance enthusiasts. He’s not just the president, however. He’s also an instructor. Swing dancing is the energetic form of dance named after the “swing” style of jazz music made popular in America in the 1920s to 1950s. It is associated with dancers lifting, spinning, or flipping their partners into the air in time to the music. Kerns has been dancing for most of his life. A congenital heart condition sidelined him from sports during high school, and that’s when he got involved in dancing “to have something to do” that was physically active but wouldn’t pose a risk to his health. As a result of his heart condition, Kerns underwent a new, radical openheart surgical technique in 1950 to fix the problem. His doctors informed him he was one of the first 10 people to undergo this revolutionary procedure. “I do believe that I am a world’s record, which I cannot prove—but think I am the world’s longest surviving open-heart surgery patient,” says Kerns. “Sixty-five years later, still here and kicking.” After graduating from high school, he accepted an offer from Arthur please see DANCE page 14

Photo credit: Jason Tabor

Dance instructor Ivan Kerns doing the East Coast Swing with one of his students.

Inside:

Getting Around When You No Longer Drive page 4

What to Buy — Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet? page 15

Such is Life

May I Have Your Help? Saralee Perel

is commemorating the 70th anniversary of V-J Day with a special spread in its August issue! Share your memories of Aug. 14, 1945, and help us honor the legacy of the Greatest Generation. Name: _______________________________________________ Current town of residence: _____________________________ Your memories of 8/14/45. Where were you? How old were you? What sights, sounds, and feelings do you recall? (150-word limit): ______________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ Entries may be edited for space and grammatical accuracy.

Contact information (phone and/or email): _______________ _____________________________________________________ All information will be kept confidential and is for OLP’s use only.

Deadline for entries is July 15, 2015. Please include a photo of yourself, from either today or circa 1945! (Not required.) Info and photo may be emailed to mjoyce@onlinepub.com, uploaded to www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com/VJDay, or mailed to: 50plus Senior News 3912 Abel Drive Columbia, PA 17512 If you would like your photo returned, please include a SASE.

June 2015

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didn’t realize until I got home that I had left my cane in my cart at the supermarket. It was the first time in the 12 years since my spinal cord injury that I was without it. I panicked. After I drove back, I held onto parked cars and outside walls to get in the store. Like a fool, when five shoppers offered to help me, I didn’t accept. I think that when many of us are offered help, such as to carry things or to borrow anything or for a ride to pick up something we need, we say no. I feel so badly for my husband, Bob. It breaks my heart that he helps me so much. Earlier that day, he was washing dishes. I cried, “I’m sorry I don’t wash my tomato juice glass.” He said, “It’s hard for you to stand at the sink.” He put his arms around me. “I love helping you. Wouldn’t you want to help me?” Of course I would. While shopping that day, a woman offered to pick up the bag of popcorn I had dropped. I said, “Thanks so much, but I can do it.” But once I knelt down, I couldn’t get back up. So I held onto a store fixture in order to stand. Who do I think I am? Am I a stronger person for refusing help? No. That’s ridiculous. Apparently I think that asking for help makes me inferior, dependent, and needful. Well, the reality is, I am in need. Most of us are at some point. Is that a sin? Accepting help would show some real strength. There were samples of sandwiches at the deli counter. I tried but couldn’t reach one because I have no balance. I thought, “So what if I’m hungry and can’t reach a sandwich?” A shopper reached one for me. She said, “Please take this sandwich. The world is full of people who want to help.”

With thoughtful tenderness, she handed me the sandwich and then got one for herself. We quietly enjoyed our snacks. “Oh, it’s delicious,” I said, grateful for more than the sandwich. I stood next to her, cherishing this sweet, touching moment of a stranger who cared about me. We all have pitfalls: a loss of a relationship, avoidance of public speaking, fear of being alone, a bad shoulder. Who is perfectly capable in all ways? Nobody I know. When I left my cane at the store, I felt I had lost an attachment of me. My cane is a part of me, like a real limb. Of course I could get another cane, but this one’s been with me for so long. We had become— sort of—family, my cane and me. Constantly interconnecting with each other. I wanted my cane back so badly. When I saw it behind the store’s service counter, I told the store worker I could get it myself. Then, when I saw the obstacles that would make that hard, I asked a simple question that would change my life. “Would you please get it for me?” Naturally, he reunited me with my cane. I knew then that I’d never turn back. I’m not inferior. I’m not in the way. I’m not bothering anyone. And if I am, whose problem is that? I may be physically impaired, but my greatest handicap has been in not accepting the helping hands of others. Of that, I am no longer disabled. Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist. Her new book is Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. To find out more, visit www.saraleeperel.com or email sperel@saraleeperel.com.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Farmers Market Vouchers Soon Available Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program vouchers, worth $20, may be redeemed for Pennsylvania-grown fruits and vegetables at participating farmers markets and roadside stands in Dauphin County. FMNP-eligible food is defined as “grown or able to be grown in Pennsylvania.” Eligible seniors will receive four vouchers worth $5 apiece for a total value of $20. Customers will not receive change if the FMNP purchase does not total $5. They may be offered additional FMNP-eligible food to make the purchase an even $5. To be eligible, county residents age 60 and older must have an annual income less than $21,775 for a single individual, $29,471 for two people, $37,167 for

three people, $44,863 for four people, $52,559 for five people, and $60,255 for six people. The Seniors Farmers Market Nutrition Program does not include seniors who are living in nursing home facilities, convents, and residential facilities where meals are provided. These guidelines are subject to change. The federal guidelines that are in place the day of distribution will be those that are used. Proof of age and Dauphin County residency are required (driver’s license, photo ID, etc.). Any person obtaining vouchers for another must present a completed and

signed proxy form from the person for whom they are receiving vouchers. Contact the agency to have this form sent to you prior to your selected distribution date. Vouchers are offered on a onetime-only per summer basis. Supplies are limited and are distributed on a first-come, firstserved basis. For more information or to receive a proxy form, contact Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging at (717) 780-6130. Voucher distribution will take place at the following sites:

Tuesday, June 2, 9 a.m. to noon – Pheasant Hill Estates, 4400 Pheasant Hill Road, Harrisburg Friday, June 5, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Essex House, 320 Market St., Middletown Tuesday, June 9, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Zion Assembly of Harrisburg, 2101 N. Fifth St. (Fifth and Maclay), Harrisburg Friday, June 12, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Friendship Senior Center, 5000 Commons Drive, Harrisburg Any remaining vouchers from Essex House, Friendship Senior Center, Pheasant Hill Estates, and Zion Assembly of Harrisburg will be available at the Agency on Aging office, 2 S. Second St., Harrisburg, by appointment at (717) 780-6130.

Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Cremation Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. 4100 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-4001 Emergency Central PA Poison Center (800) 521-6110

PACE (800) 225-7223 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213 Tri-County Association for the Blind (717) 238-2531

Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 780-6130

Healthcare Information PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council (717) 232-6787

Floor Coverings Gipe Floor & Wall Covering 5435 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-6103

Hearing Services Enhanced Hearing Solutions, LLC 431 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey (717) 298-6441

Funeral Directors Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home, Inc. 4100 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 545-4001

Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY

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 www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Hospice Services Homeland Hospice 2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg (717) 221-7890 Housing/Apartments B’Nai B’rith Apartments 130 S. Third St., Harrisburg (717) 232-7516 Housing Assistance Dauphin County Housing Authority (717) 939-9301 Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937

Insurance Apprise Insurance Counseling (800) 783-7067

Toll-Free Numbers American Lung Association (800) LUNG-USA

Legal Services Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner, LLC Attorneys at Law 635 N. 12th St., Lemoyne (717) 724-9821

Bureau of Consumer Protection (800) 441-2555

Medical Equipment & Supplies Medical Supply (800) 777-6647 Nursing/Rehab Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Personal Care Homes Homeland Center 1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg (717) 221-7902 Pharmacy CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Services Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging (717) 255-2790 The Salvation Army Edgemont Temple Corps (717) 238-8678

Meals on Wheels (800) 621-6325 National Council on Aging (800) 424-9046 Social Security Office (800) 772-1213 Veterans Affairs (717) 626-1171 or (800) 827-1000 Transportation CAT Share-A-Ride (717) 232-6100 Travel AAA Central Penn (717) 657-2244 Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771

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

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June 2015

Savvy Senior

Getting Around When You No Longer Drive

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

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL VICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING EDITOR Christianne Rupp EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS Megan Joyce EDITORIAL INTERN Jason Tabor

ART DEPARTMENT PROJECT COORDINATOR Renee McWilliams PRODUCTION ARTISTS Janys Cuffe Lauren McNallen

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Angie McComsey Jacoby Amy Kieffer Ranee Shaub Miller ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES Christina Cardamone Robin Gamby Jennifer Schmalhofer SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR Eileen Culp EVENTS MANAGER Kimberly Shaffer

CIRCULATION PROJECT COORDINATOR Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATION BUSINESS MANAGER Elizabeth Duvall Member of

Member of

Winner

50plus Senior News 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.

June 2015

Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Where can I find out about alternative transportation options for my elderly mother? She needs to give up driving, but before she does, we need to figure out how she’ll get around. – Searching Daughter

national nonprofit that has 27 affiliate transportation programs in 23 states. With this program, seniors pay membership dues and fees based on mileage. And, most programs will let your mom donate her car in return for credits toward future rides.

Dear Searching, Alternative transportation services vary widely by community, so what’s available to your mom will depend on where she lives. Here’s what you should know. Transportation Options For starters, it’s important to know that while most urban areas offer seniors a variety of transportation services, the options may be few to none for those living in the suburbs, small towns, and rural areas. Alternative transportation is an essential link in helping seniors who no longer drive get to their doctor appointments, stores, social activities, and more. Depending on where your mom lives, here’s a rundown of possible solutions that can help her get around, along with some resources to help you locate them. Family and friends: This is by far the most often used and favorite option among seniors. So make a list of all possible candidates your mom can call on, along with their availability and contact information. Local transportation programs: These are usually sponsored by nonprofit organizations that serve seniors. These services may charge a nominal fee or accept donations and often operate with the help of volunteer drivers. Also check out the Independent Transportation Network (http://itnamerica.org), which is a

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Private program services: Some hospitals, health clinics, senior centers, adult day centers, malls, or other businesses may offer transportation for program participants or customers. And some nonmedical home-care agencies that bill themselves as providing companionship and running errands or doing chores may also provide transportation. Mass transit: Public transportation (buses, trains, subways, etc.), where available, can also be an affordable option and may offer reduced senior rates.

Demand response services: Often referred to as “dial-a-ride” or “elderly and disabled transportation service,” these are typically governmentfunded programs that provide doorto-door transportation services by appointment and usually charge a small fee or donation on a per-ride basis. Many use vans and offer accessible services for riders with special needs. Taxi or car service: These private services offer flexible scheduling but can be expensive; however, they’re cheaper than owning a car. Some taxi/car services may be willing to set up accounts that allow other family members to pay for services, and some may offer senior discounts. Be sure to ask. Another option to look into is ride-sharing services, which connect people who have cars with people who need rides. Uber (www.uber.com), Lyft (www.lyft.com), and Sidecar (www.side.cr) are three of the largest companies offering services in dozens of cities across the U.S.

Hire someone: If your mom lives in an area where there are limited or no transportation services available, another option to consider is to pay someone in the community to drive her. Consider hiring a neighbor, retiree, high school student, or college student who has a flexible schedule and wouldn’t mind making a few extra bucks. Where to Look To find out what transportation services are available in your mom’s community, contact the Rides in Sight national toll-free call center at (855) 607-4337 (or see http://ridesinsight.org) and the Eldercare Locator at (800) 6771116, which will direct you to her area agency on aging for assistance. Also contact local senior centers, places of worship, and retirement communities for other possible options. And check with her state department of transportation (www.fhwa.dot.gov/webstate.htm) and the American Public Transportation Association (www.publictransportation .org). Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Salute to a Veteran

The Seabees Moved Liquor in Pontoons, Beer in Wooden Crates Robert D. Wilcox

rand-new Navy Ensign Myron (Mike) Geller landed on the Philippine island of Samar in June

1945. If he had been there only a few months earlier, he would have found himself in the middle of an enormous battle, since Samar was smack in the center of the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the largest naval battles in history. Historians also call it one of the greatest military mismatches in naval history. Admiral Halsey had been lured into taking his powerful 3rd Fleet after a decoy fleet, leaving only three escort carrier groups of the 7th Fleet and their destroyers, which had been repurposed to attack ground targets and thus had few of the torpedoes they would normally carry. The northernmost of the three groups, Task Unit 77.4.3 (“Taffy 3”) found itself facing a large force of Japanese battleships and cruisers. Although Taffy 3 destroyers had neither the firepower nor armor to do so, they attacked the huge Japanese fleet in order to permit the safe retreat of their slow “Jeep” carriers. Planes from those carriers then strafed, bombed, torpedoed, rocketed, and depthcharged the Japanese forces, sinking or disabling three cruisers and causing the Japanese force to turn tail and fail to take part in the further battle in Leyte Gulf. That was then. But now Geller was assigned to the 29th Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees). And he found himself on Samar, facing a huge collection of all kinds of equipment used by Seabees: bulldozers, trucks, cranes, drag-lines, etc. As cargo officer, it was his responsibility to sort it all out and get it securely off the island. We had dropped the two A-bombs on Japan, and the Japanese had finally surrendered unconditionally. But we still had equipment to take care of and men to support. One special concern was the large stock of liquor and beer they had to move. Experience was clear that no matter how well you guarded anything alcoholic, it somehow managed to disappear. So they solved that by filling pontoons with the bottles of liquor and then welding the pontoons shut. The beer went into large wooden crates they fashioned and carefully padlocked. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

The destination was welded pontoons did a at Columbia University. He wrote his Truk, halfway across the good job of keeping the thesis on the power crane and shovel Pacific. It had once been liquor safe.” industry and was careful to send a copy of the largest Japanese base By that time, Geller it to manufacturers in that industry. in the Pacific. The deep had accrued enough That got him an interview—and a job lagoon was 40 miles points to go home. So he as sales rep—at the Bucyrus Erie wide, with high islands caught a Navy flight to Company upon graduation. He worked and an encircling barrier Guam and another to his way up in several other companies reef. Hawaii. Then it was by before becoming vice president of sales at Often there had been ship to San Francisco and Dynapac, where he worked until his more than 1,000 a commercial flight to retirement in 1986. Ensign Myron (Mike) Geller in Japanese merchant and New York, where he was He then used his computer to search New York after graduation warships moored there discharged. for the kind of retirement home he from midshipman school in awaiting further Before he ever joined thought he would like and found just January 1945. deployment. However, the Navy, he had been what he wanted in Central Pennsylvania. our submarines had effectively cut off studying at City College of New York He feels very comfortable in retirement supplies from Japan, with supply convoys when he decided to join the Navy’s V-12 there and often thinks of those formative receiving nearly 90 percent losses en route program that sent him to Cornell years in the Navy and how they helped to Truk. University and permitted him to graduate him so well in choosing the rewarding And in February 1944, we put together there before he became a Navy ensign. civilian career he’s had. a huge armada of top-line carriers, Now, after returning from the Pacific, Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in battleships, cruisers, destroyers, and he was able to use the G.I. Bill to get a Europe in World War II. submarines for attacks that reduced Truk master’s degree in industrial management to rubble, with more than 70 shipwrecks, 400 aircraft destroyed, and the base no longer a threat to our forces. Starvation had killed many of the soldiers before the complete surrender of the base in 1945. When Geller and his convoy reached Truk, he got the additional job of water officer, since water was a key need of our soldiers, sailors, and Marines there. He supervised the maintaining of procedures that were essential for purifying the drinking water on the main island. Did he lose any of the liquor or beer on the voyage from Samar? APPRISE is a free health insurance “Well,” he grins, “there was some of counseling program for Medicare the beer that came up missing, but the

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heat included! Look at all we have to offer... Meal Programs, Beauty Shop, Grocery Store and More... Give us a call and check out our fabulous facilities. We offer congregate meals to all residents, Mon.–Fri., at noon.

b’nai b’rith apartments 130 South Third Street • Harrisburg

(717) 232-7516

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www.aging.pa.gov/local-resources/pa-link 50plus SeniorNews H

June 2015

Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

Bethany Village — MapleWood

Homewood at Plum Creek

325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org

425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewood.com

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Assisted Living Residence: Yes Private: 100 Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 98 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: One-bedroom suites; secured memory support neighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Excellent care in a lovely environment. Call to schedule a visit.

Colonial Lodge Community

Lakeview at Tel Hai Retirement Community

2015 North Reading Road • Denver, PA 17519 717-336-5501 • www.coloniallodgepa.com

1200 Tel Hai Circle • Honey Brook, PA 19344 610-273-9333 • www.telhai.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 70 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *SSI depends on availability. A veteran-approved “home for heroes” facility, all in a beautiful, rural setting.

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Discover our newly renovated accommodations and homelike environment with the security of 24-hour nursing care.

Heatherwood Retirement Community

Mennonite Home Communities

3180 Horseshoe Pike • Honey Brook, PA 19344 610-273-9300 • www.heatherwoodretire.com

1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601 717-393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 82 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 150 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Private balcony or patio; no wait for availability; no buy-in; simple month/month lease.

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Supportive, encouraging environment. Various room types and suites available. Secure memory care offered.

Homeland Center

The Middletown Home

1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102 717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org

999 West Harrisburg Pike • Middletown, PA 17057 717-944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 50 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 64 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: No Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Exemplary care in a caring, beautiful environment has been provided for more than 147 years. Our continuum includes a hospice program.

Serving from the Heart in the Spirit of Friendship, Love, and Truth

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: No Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: Beautifully appointed apartments overlooking the garden terrace with the safety and security of 24-hour nursing care.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

June 2015

50plus SeniorNews H

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Assisted Living Residences/Personal Care Homes The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

Moravian Manor

St. Anne’s Retirement Community

300 West Lemon Street• Lititz, PA 17543 717-626-0214 • www.moravianmanor.org

3952 Columbia Avenue West Hempfield Township, PA 17512 717-285-6112 • www.stannesrc.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 55 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: No Short-term Lease: Yes Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: Yes* Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No** Comments: *Or applied to final bill. **Pet visitation only.

Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: No Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Minimal Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: No Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Pending Approval Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Select rooms currently available! Call for details.

Pleasant View Retirement Community 544 North Penryn Road • Manheim, PA 17545 717-665-2445 • www.pleasantviewrc.org Total AL and/or PC Beds: 96 Personal Care Home: Yes Private: Yes Semi-private: Yes Private Pay: Yes SSI Accepted: Yes* Short-term Lease: No Entrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes Part/Totally Refundable: No Outdoor Areas/Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes Respite Care: Yes Social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry Service: Yes Transportation (Scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No Comments: *Three-year private pay spending. Maintain independence in an enriching and supportive environment; now offering respite stays.

If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your account representative or call (717) 285-1350.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

Here’s to You, Dad Father’s Day started with a dedicated woman: Sonora Smart Dodd, the daughter of a widowed Civil War veteran who had raised her on his own. Dodd came up with the idea for a special day celebrating fathers when listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. She held her own special tribute

for her father on June 19, 1910, in Spokane, Wash., and began a campaign for an official celebration thereafter. The idea of

Father’s Day initially met with some skepticism, but in 1919, President Calvin Coolidge expressed support for the holiday, and in 1926 a National Father’s Day

Committee was formed in New York City. In 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation designating the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day, but it wasn’t until 1972 that President Richard Nixon officially recognized it as a national holiday.

Fly Old Glory with Pride on Flag Day Flag Day became an official national celebration in 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed June 14 Flag Day to commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes by the Second Continental Congress on that day in 1777. The idea of setting aside a special day to celebrate the U.S. flag wasn’t new, though. One of the earliest observances of Flag Day occurred in Hartford, www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Conn., in 1861, at the suggestion of George Morris, to pray for the preservation of the Union at the beginning of the Civil War. In 1885, a Wisconsin schoolteacher named Bernard J. Cigrand held a formal

observance of what he called “Flag Birthday” at his school. Cigrand went on to become a passionate promoter of Flag Day, delivering more than 2,000 speeches on the subject, and he is generally considered to be the “Father of Flag Day.”

In 1914, Secretary of the Interior Franklin K. Lane delivered a Flag Day speech in which he said the flag had spoken to him that morning: “I am what you make me; nothing more. I swing before your eyes as a bright gleam of color, a symbol of yourself.” In 1949, President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress formally establishing June 14 as National Flag Day.

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June 2015

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Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

An Off-Beat Food Adventure in New Orleans “Most of these young people, who are between 16 and 22 years old, have seen nothing but poverty and violence. Many he food is tasty, the service have mental health concerns, substance outstanding, and the money the abuse issues—and the vast majority have best we’ve ever spent. Café Reconcile is New Orleans’ most unusual had run-ins with the juvenile justice system. We help restaurant. them get on While the track and French Quarter become selfis exciting, after sufficient a few days my members of husband and I society,” found it both explains Kelder too expensive Summers, one and too frenetic of the café’s for our taste. directors. Therefore, we’d Our server moved to the brings us our Whitney, a order: shrimp charming Café Reconcile helps young folks learn etouffée with historic hotel in life skills as well as work skills. salad for me; the Central fried catfish Business with two sides District. for my husband My husband ($10.99 each). asked a He’s deferential, gentleman who a bit tentative, works at the but determined. hotel for a I ask him why restaurant that he joined the caters to locals program at Café rather than Reconcile. tourists. “Because I “There’s a want to turn my place about a life around,” he mile from here says. where they train Working at Café Reconcile teaches If the impoverished young folks the skills necessary concerned folks youth to work to landing decent jobs. who run Café in the tourist Reconcile have industry. Can’t their way, he’ll be able to do just that. get much more local than that. New After completing a short Orleans has lots of tourists and lots of apprenticeship at a New Orleans impoverished youth,” he answered. restaurant, they’ll help him find a job And thus began our offbeat New and track him for a year, offering him Orleans Food Adventure. advice and support if he feels Big Dreams at a Small Café overwhelmed. By this time he should When we arrive at Café Reconcile have the life skills as well as the work almost every table is filled, some with skills to break the cycle of poverty. families, others with businessmen and (www.cafereconcile.org) women who are enjoying their lunch break. A bevy of young adults sporting The Intersection of Café Reconcile shirts are cooking, Culture and Cuisine waiting tables, cleaning up. In short, We only have to walk across the street they’re running the restaurant. and down the block to reach The

By Andrea Gross

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Southern Food and Beverage Museum, 16,000 square feet dedicated to the culinary heritage of the South, both in toto and in all its regional variations. There are Coca-Cola bottles from Georgia, fishing nets from Louisiana, a ham-smoking rack from Virginia, and an entire wall that explains the history of the American cocktail. In addition, behind closed doors but accessible to the public, there’s a library of more than 15,000 books. Most are cookbooks but some are manuals for old appliances. Finally I may learn how to work my mother’s vintage blender! The museum’s restaurant, Purloos, which is named after a traditional Lowcountry dish, serves Southern regional fare such as Cape Hatteras clams and Delta corn tamales, as well Swamp Pop, a made-in-Louisiana soft drink to which I soon become addicted. With a Swamp Pop Satsuma Fizz in hand, we look at a special exhibit highlighting the oldest continuously operated, family-owned restaurant in the United States, which just happens to be back in the French Quarter. (www.southernfood.org) 175 Years of French-Creole Food I know exactly what I want when I walk into Antoine’s: Oysters Rockefeller,

At the Southern Food and Beverage Museum each of the 15 Southern states has a display that honors its own culinary traditions.

Servers at Antoine’s often inherit their positions.

People flock to Café du Monde for its café au lait and beignets.

the restaurant’s signature dish of fresh Gulf oysters topped with a rich green sauce.

Mother’s Restaurant is known for po’ boys that are packed with ham, roast beef, debris, and gravy.

Its name is a tribute to the “rich” Rockefellers who, like the oysters, were awash with “green”—albeit in the form

of money rather than spinach. These were exactly the kind of folks that Antoine Alciatore hoped would patronize his restaurant when he immigrated to New Orleans in 1840. By that time, the 18-year-old boy had spent 10 years as an apprentice for a master chef in a ritzy French hotel, and he was familiar with the preferences of the upper class. He knew they would want more than the simple boiled dishes that were the staple of other Louisiana restaurants. Thus he added French flair in the way of sauces and seasonings and, voilà, a new regional cuisine and one of New Orleans’ most renowned restaurants were born. As we leave, my husband and I both have the same thought. Nearly 200 years ago, a young boy named Antoine learned kitchen skills from a master chef in France in order to ensure a more secure future for himself and his family. Today, another young man is learning kitchen skills at a small café in New Orleans for much the same reason. Fingers crossed that he has similar success. (www.antoines.com) Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

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My 22 Cents’ Worth

Mr. Webster and Mr. McGuffey Walt Sonneville e are well acquainted with the names of our country’s founding fathers: Washington, John Adams, Jefferson, Hamilton, and others. Few of us— including historians—acknowledge the contributions made by Noah Webster

and William Holmes McGuffey to the standardization of American culture. These two were founding giants of American language and shared values. Their influence in establishing an American culture for a young nation of diverse ethnic origins helped turn our

country toward a united pluralism—our vaunted “melting pot.” Noah Webster (1758-1843) had been a controversial partisan pamphleteer urging the independence of the nation before he published his A Grammatical Institute of the English Language in 1783,

the year our War of Independence concluded. He renamed the book in 1786, calling it The American Spelling Book. It was 32 years later in 1828 that his two-volume An American Dictionary of the English Language, containing 70,000

Calendar of Events

Dauphin County

Support Groups

June 9, 6 to 7 p.m. Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group Graysonview Personal Care Community 150 Kempton Ave., Harrisburg (717) 561-8010 June 10, 6 to 7 p.m. Alzheimer’s Support Group Emeritus at Harrisburg 3560 N. Progress Ave., Harrisburg (717) 671-4700

Free and open to the public.

June 17, 1:30 p.m. Parkinson’s Support Group on East Shore Jewish Home of Harrisburg 4004 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 441-8627

June 29 to Oct. 5 (Mondays) 6 to 8 p.m. GriefShare 13-Week Seminar/Support Group Derry Presbyterian Church 248 E. Derry Road, Hershey (717) 533-9667

June 18, 6 to 8 p.m. Harrisburg Area Parkinson’s Disease Caregiver Support Group Giant Food Stores – Second Floor 2300 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 580-7772

Community Programs June 11, 7:30 p.m. Central Pennsylvania Vietnam Roundtable Meeting 8000 Derry St., Harrisburg (717) 545-2336 centralpavietnamrt@verizon.net www.centralpavietnamroundtable.org

June 4, 7 p.m. Central Pennsylvania World War II Roundtable Meeting Grace United Methodist Church 433 E. Main St., Hummelstown (717) 503-2862 charlie.centralpaww2rt@gmail.com www.centralpaww2roundtable.org

June 24, 7 p.m. Piecemakers Quilt Guild of Middletown St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Spring and Union streets Middletown (717) 915-5555 gsk1308@gmail.com

June 30, 6 p.m. Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Walking Club Gander Mountain 5005 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg (717) 991-5232

If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

June 10, 6 to 7:30 p.m. – Stress Relief Walk, Wildwood Park June 13, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Volunteer Work Day, Wildwood Park June 14, 10:30 a.m. to noon – Flower Walk: Peak of Blooming, Wildwood Park June 2015

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Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682, www.rutherfordhouse.org Mondays, 10 a.m. – Line Dancing Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – Zumba Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – Computer Assistance

Dauphin County Library Programs

Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation

Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002, www.hersheyseniorcenter.com June 5, 5 to 9 p.m. – Decades Dance

Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.

Free and open to the public.

June 3, 7 p.m. Australia – The Beauties and the Beasts Slideshow Presentation Penn State Hershey Medical Center Fifth Floor, Lecture Room C 500 University Drive, Hershey www.worldcultureclubpa.org

Senior Center Activities

East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, (717) 652-9380 June 23, 9:30 a.m. – Friends of the East Shore Area Library Meeting Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville, (717) 362-9825 June 4, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Elizabethville Library Meeting June 8–13, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. – Library Book Sale at Salem United Church of Christ Kline Branch, 530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-3934 June 25, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of Kline Library Meeting Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg, (717) 232-7286 June 16, 6 p.m. – Story Series: Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors, Inc. William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second St., Hummelstown, (717) 566-0949 June 2, 6:30 p.m. – Novel Thoughts Book Club June 4, 6 p.m. – Friends of the Alexander Family Library Knitting Group June 9, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Alexander Family Library Meeting www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

words and priced at $20, was published. Sales the first year were only 2,500 copies. Eventually it achieved overwhelming acceptance as the price dropped to $6 by 1847, after Webster had died and the book rights were sold to George and Charles Merriam. The Merriam brothers condensed the first two editions of Webster’s dictionary and, in 1847, released a third edition. By 1900, almost 100 million copies had been sold worldwide. Webster’s purpose was to make Americans’ language independent of British spelling. In this effort he was mostly successful. He said our “customs, habits, and language, as well as government should be national.” Americans followed Webster’s lead and abandoned the British spelling of centre, cheque, plough (plow), honour, defence, labour, favour, colour, and other words. But he failed to gain acceptance for his spellings of groop, wimmen, and tung. The country to this day remains undecided as to theatre or theater and ketchup or catsup. Our nation could not be culturally fragmented and succeed. Differences in pronunciation, spelling, and values were seen by Webster as pathways to persistent regional separateness. William Holmes McGuffey (18001873) has been called the “Schoolmaster to the Nation.” Author John H. Westerhoff III, in his McGuffey and His Readers: Piety, Morality, and Education in Nineteenth-Century America, stated: “It is estimated that at least 120 million copies of McGuffey’s Readers were sold between 1836 and 1920 … by 1890 [they] had become the basic school

readers in thirty-seven states.” There were 44 states in the union by 1890. McGuffey’s Readers did not sell well in New England. They were popular in the newer states of the country, where a frontier mentality prevailed. The shared values emphasized by the Readers included cleanliness, courageousness, frugality, honesty, patriotism, perseverance, and piety. They laid the foundation for the succeeding “Greatest Generation,” those young citizens who experienced the Great Depression and World War II and their common values of duty, frugality, and sacrifice. As founders of the American culture, the books of Webster and McGuffey are importantly instructive. What lessons can we learn from these two in establishing themselves as our nation’s first bestselling authors? From Webster’s life we learn that an unrelenting obsession in achieving a stellar mission can be fundamental to success—and that the timing of the release of your work can be critical to its broad acceptance. The books of both authors also demonstrate that dependency on the foundations laid by predecessors is inescapable. Both Webster and McGuffey borrowed heavily from the writings of others. Webster’s dictionary quoted Franklin, Washington, Madison, and many others to define the meaning of words. He also borrowed extensively from Samuel Johnson’s dictionary, “sometimes

Splurging on Dinner? Eating out is always at least a little more expensive than cooking dinner at home, but at some restaurants eating out is almost as expensive as buying a home. Take a look at this list (from the Fox News website) of some of the priciest eateries in the U.S.: Masa (New York City). This world-class sushi restaurant features fresh fish flown in from Japan and dinners that start at $450 per person. Joël Robuchon (Las Vegas). A lucky streak at the roulette table could finance your meal at this place, located in the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. A prix fixe menu with 16 courses will cost you $425 a person, but if you’re feeling stingy, you can go for the five-course www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

tasting menu for only $195 per diner. Urasawa (Beverly Hills). Top sushi bars are not cheap, apparently. This restaurant’s 30-course omakase menu, refreshed daily, is priced at $395 per person. Guy Savoy (Las Vegas). This French restaurant features such delicacies as artichoke and black truffle soup and red mullet fillet, along with a 14-course meal for $375 and a nine-course version for $290. Per Se (New York City). Overlooking Central Park, this restaurant boasts an open fireplace and two nine-course menus: the Chef ’s Tasting Menu and the Tasting of Vegetables Menu, both for $310.

verbatim,” according to literary scholar Joseph Reed. McGuffey’s Eclectic Fourth Reader, published in 1838 and meant for children in the seventh and eighth grades, was 324 pages—according to the title page—of “elegant extracts in prose and poetry from the best American and English writers with copious rules for reading and directions for avoiding common errors.” The sources whose work he featured included the Bible, Jefferson, Washington Irving, Lord Bryant, Milton, Shakespeare,

and many others. Webster, a Connecticut Yankee, and McGuffey, born in Pennsylvania and reared in Ohio (at that time the western frontier), linked the country culturally. Now it was left for Lincoln to reunite the country politically and the railroads to unite it commercially. Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research analyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen and A Musing Moment: Meditative Essays on Life and Learning, books of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. Contact him at waltsonneville@verizon.net.

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June 2015

The Green Mountain Gardener

Watch for These Tomato Problems Dr. Leonard Perry f your tomato plants and fruits aren’t looking as healthy as they should, perhaps with leaf spots or diseased fruits, they may have one of several diseases.

Late blight. The disease that flared up a few years ago in the Northeast, destroying many home and commercial tomato plantings, was late blight—the same fungal disease that gets on potatoes and caused the famous Irish potato famine in the mid-1800s. If you had tomatoes with this, you may recall the nickel-sized or larger spots, olive-green to brown, on leaves. Sometimes the border of these spots is slightly yellow or appears water-soaked. Soon, brown to black lesions grow on stems with brown spots on fruit. Late blight is often around, but conditions aren’t primed for it to spread and get out of control. If it is present,

sprays are available but must be applied early in the season. Once leaves are more than about 10 percent affected, sprays do little good, so plants should be destroyed. Before doing this, make sure you have this disease by checking with the state agriculture department specialists. Early blight. Much more common on tomatoes (and potatoes) is early blight, a different fungal disease. It causes leaf spots, stem lesions, and fruit rots. The name is deceiving, as it more often develops not early but rather on mature leaves.

It usually progress up the plant, starting first with older leaves near the base. Spots may have concentric rings, giving a target or “bulls-eye” appearance. Stem lesions often are sunken with lighter centers. On older fruits, the dark and leathery sunken spots are often on the end attaching to the stem. Rotating other crops for a couple of years in the same spot, particularly smallgrain cover crops, corn, or legumes, can help with disease control. Some cultivars (cultivated varieties) have resistance to early blight (sometimes seen as Alternaria blight). Keeping up with weeding and fertility,

especially nitrogen and phosphorus, and watering early in the day so leaves dry quickly all can help in avoiding early blight. Sprays are available and ideally should be started early in the season. Septoria leaf spot. Another fungal disease, this occurs under similar conditions as early blight does and has similar controls. Its spots are often gray or tan with darker margins and have dark, pimplelike structures in the center that are fairly easily seen. These dark fungal structures are absent from early-blight lesions, nor do the spots have the target-like appearance. If the fruits rot on the ends opposite the stems, this is likely the common blossom-end rot. It is not actually caused by a disease, but by the growing conditions—uneven watering and a calcium deficiency.

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This rot can develop if conditions are hot and dry and are then followed by heavy rain or watering, as the plant can’t absorb enough calcium. Other factors to try to avoid through culture include low potassium or calcium levels; excess magnesium or nitrogen, which causes rapid plant growth; root damage; or high relative humidity. Balanced watering and fertility, and perhaps calcium sprays to foliage, should keep this under control on tomatoes, as well as on squash and peppers. Verticillium wilt. These fungi are in the soil and, if present, can cause plants to wilt, beginning with lower leaves. Lesions on leaves have a v-shape, widest on the leaf margin. Leaves die,

and eventually the whole plant can die. As there aren’t easy controls for this, practice crop rotation and control weeds, as many host this disease. Anthracnose. This is a fungal disease of green, but especially of ripening, fruit. Small, slightly sunken, and water-soaked spots appear, which grow larger and become dark in the centers. As it spreads in the fruit, it causes a softening decay. To avoid this disease, grow plants on well-drained soils, keep up with weeding, avoid excessive overhead watering, and rotate crops yearly. If this fungus is present, you may need to resort to sprays. Dr. Leonard P. Perry is an extension professor at the University of Vermont.

Social Security News

Social Security Supports National Cancer Survivors Day By John Johnston In 2015, more than a million people will be diagnosed with cancer. This alarming statistic affects people and families all over the world. On June 7, 2015, we observe National Cancer Survivors Day in the United States. In support of this day, Social Security encourages checkups, early detection, and awareness, while honoring the survivors who have gone through this battle and defeated the disease. Social Security stands strong in our support of the fight against cancer. We offer services to patients suffering from this disease through our disability program and our Compassionate Allowances program. Compassionate Allowances are cases with medical conditions so severe they obviously meet Social Security’s disability standards, allowing us to quickly process the cases with minimal medical information.

There is no special application or form you need to submit for Compassionate Allowances. Simply apply for disability benefits using the standard Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) application. Once we identify you as having a Compassionate Allowances condition, we’ll expedite your disability application. Social Security establishes Compassionate Allowances conditions using information received at public outreach hearings, from the Social Security and disability determination services communities, from medical and scientific experts, and based on our research. For more information about Compassionate Allowances, or to view the conditions currently listed, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/ compassionateallowances.

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June 2015

DANCE

from page 1

Murray Dance Studio to teach ballroom dancing on weeknights and weekends, which included swing dancing. During this time, he met his future wife, Leona, and decided to get married and start a family, thinking it “prudent to give up the dancing part” of his life. He and Leona had three daughters, Vicki, Kathy, and Cindy, and Kerns took a fulltime job at AMP Inc. (now Tyco) as a die engineer, where he worked in management before retiring in 1995. In 2001, after 49 years of marriage, Leona passed away from cancer, and Kerns began looking for activities and organizations to keep him occupied and active. He heard about the Central Pennsylvania Swing Dance Club and decided to put on his dancing shoes and check it out. “Turned out that their swing dancing was right up my alley, so I started going each week,” says Kerns. “In 2004, they asked me to become their president.” As president, Kerns guides board meetings and keeps the club moving forward.

That same year, the ’50s-era dancing on club obtained its own to future venue for holding generations,” says dances, and Kerns Kerns. began teaching swing The dances attract dance to students about 50 dancers again, 50 years after most nights, from his retirement from high school and Arthur Murray. college students to The swing dance seniors, many with club celebrated its 10various diverse Photo credits: Jason Tabor backgrounds but all year anniversary last Kerns volunteers as a dance year. The club holds with a love for swing instructor “to pass the ’50s-era dances each week on dancing. dancing on to future generations.” Tuesday and Saturday “To keep things nights and also holds interesting, we teach special dance events various forms of with live bands swing dance,” throughout the year. including East and Dancers can attend West Coast Swing, a “beginner’s” lesson Lindy Hop, and the before each dance, Charleston, says taught by Kerns and Kerns. other instructors at “We love it that all A mural celebrating the swingthe club. ages come to dance. dance era brightens up the dance “The officers and Our advice to studio where the club meets. instructors are beginners is to learn volunteers and do this because of our the basics well first, as all other steps are love of dance and our desire to pass the developed from that firm foundation,

and it makes intermediate and advanced learning much easier and fun.” Kerns is also active outside of the dance studio. For 25 years, he was the president of his table-tennis club. He has won medals in the state and national Senior Games and competed in various USA Table Tennis-sanctioned tournaments. In addition, he is a volunteer at an organization providing support for the homeless, working overnight at a shelter and serving as president and a member of the governing board. He also volunteers at a local theater, where he ushers patrons at live shows. Kerns enjoys spending time with his family—now numbering three children, six grandchildren, and two greatgrandchildren—and traveling. He has traveled all around the world and visited most of the continents along the way. “When you retire, retire from work,” says Kerns. “Do not retire from life.” For more information about the Central Pennsylvania Swing Dancing Club and a schedule of their events, visit their website at www.centralpaswing dance.org or call (717) 218-9846.

Simply mail this form and $12 for an annual subscription to: 50 plus Senior News • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 Or, subscribe online at www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com! Name: _______________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________ City: _________________________________________________________ State: _________________ Zip: __________________________________

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June 2015

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Is This Thing On?

What To Buy – Desktop, Laptop, or Tablet? Abby Stokes an you picture yourself sitting in your backyard watching the roses bloom while “surfing the ’Net”? Or perhaps you’re traveling on a plane with your tablet tucked into your carry-on luggage. Maybe you’re even snuggled up all comfy in your bed answering emails. On the other hand, you might be sure you’ll use the computer only in the warmth of your den and have no intention of moving it. Read on to help you decide whether a desktop, laptop, or tablet best suits your needs. A desktop and a laptop function in exactly the same way, using the same software and allowing you to access the Internet. They both have the same basic hardware (monitor, keyboard, and mouse). They also have the capability of being plugged into a printer or other peripherals using ports. A desktop, which is not portable, comes at a significantly lower price point than a laptop computer. Smaller technology equals higher prices.

What’s the difference between a notebook and a laptop computer? I once posed a similar question to a farmer when visiting the Berkshires. “What’s the difference between a pig and a hog?” I asked. “Way you spell it,” he answered. That is the same answer for the difference between a notebook and a laptop computer. Two names for the same thing. A netbook (don’t mistake it for a notebook) is a small, lightweight, and inexpensive laptop. A netbook averages 2 to 3 pounds and the screen is quite small—they measure between 5 and 10 inches. Netbooks are less expensive than laptops and can be purchased for as little as $200. How does a tablet compare to a computer? A tablet is a computer. The distinction is that a tablet is fully contained in a single panel and it utilizes touch-screen technology. www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

So instead of using a mouse to navigate, you simply tap the screen to take an action. The keyboard is even integrated into the touch screen. A tablet can do pretty much anything a desktop or laptop computer can do, but the only option for adding software (referred to as apps) to a tablet is by downloading it from the Internet (there is no CD or DVD drive). The other significant difference is portability. As small and light as a laptop may be, a tablet can be slipped into a handbag or even a large pocket. The sacrifice that you make for something portable like a laptop or tablet is that everything is smaller. You may find some laptop screens difficult to view. If a laptop screen feels too small for you, a tablet screen might seem impossible. And if your hands are large, you may feel cramped using the keyboard or mouse on a laptop or the touch screen on a tablet. But for some people, it is infinitely more important that they can take their technology with them, even if it is a little harder to see or type. So why not buy a tablet if you want something portable? If you’re working with complex spreadsheets, heavily designed documents, or lots of typing, the smaller format of a tablet can make the task more difficult to manage than it would on a laptop. Also, if you need to use a particular software program, be sure there is a version available online for a tablet. The best way to decide is to test drive each choice for yourself. It’s your eyes that need to be able to see the screen and your hands that will be tapping on the keyboard. Go to http://tinyurl.com/ AAStestdrive for a printable test-drive form to bring with you. Abby Stokes, author of “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming and its companion website, AskAbbyStokes.com, is the Johnny Appleseed of Technology, singlehandedly helping more than 300,000 people cross the digital divide.

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