Lebanon County 50plus LIFE - February 2020

Complimentary | Lebanon County Edition

February 2020 • Vol. 15 No. 2

ge re covera a c i d e M Is your expensive? too ls? ith referra w g n i l a e Still d ring aids a e h r o f e erag Need cov or dentures? t see wha o t 9 e g Go to pa do for you. we can

Licensee dependent tion In n a is s eCros socia Capital Blu Cross BlueShield As e lu of the B

Fun and Philanthropy page 4

Tax Form Created for Seniors Introduced page 5

Fraud Advisory: Phone Scams page 9

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50plus LIFE and Vision Resources of Central Pennsylvania have partnered to bring you weekly audio readings of 50plus LIFE’s editorial content!

Listen to the livestream Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at www.vrocp.org!

The program will repeat 3 times that day and Saturdays from 11-11:30 a.m.

This audio broadcast is one of the many ways Vision Resources facilitates independence, enriches quality of life, and empowers individuals in our community who are visually impaired.

And it’s one more way 50plus LIFE and On-Line Publishers are continuing 25 years of serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community.

25 th

For more information, call Vision Resources at (717) 238-2531 and listen at visit www.vrocp.org.

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www.50plusLifePA.com

The Impact of Stress on Your Heart

By James Price Stress can have a substantial effect on your health, response to stress might drive certain behaviors that aren’t especially if it’s chronic or severe. good for your heart.

February is Unfortunately, it’s an unavoidable part of life. When your Let’s have a look at how stress impacts your heart and how American Heart job is a struggle, you have a family or aging parents to take you can protect it: Month care of, and you encounter various challenges on a day-to-day basis, it’s inevitable to start feeling stretched too thin.

Stress Response that Affects Heart Health Excessive stress contributes to myriad health risk factors People respond to stress differently, and this response and conditions, including asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, largely determines the effect of it on health. Some people might experience and ulcers. tension headaches, a lack of energy, sleep pattern disruptions, or stomach and What’s more, stress can also severely impact your heart health, as your digestion issues.

please see Stress page 7

At Your Fingertips Helpful numbers, hotlines, and local businesses and organizations eager to serve you—all just a phone call away.

Emergency Numbers Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 Food Resources Food Stamps (800) 692-7462 Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels (717) 273-9262 Lebanon County Christian Ministries (717) 272-4400 Salvation Army (717) 273-2655 Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 American Cancer Society (717) 231-4582 American Diabetes Association (717) 657-4310 American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association (717) 207-4265

Arthritis Foundation (717) 274-0754 Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services (717) 787-7500

Kidney Foundation (717) 652-8123

Medicare (800) 382-1274

Lupus Foundation (888) 215-8787

PennDOT (800) 932-4600

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

Pennsylvania Crime Stoppers (800) 472-8477

Home Care Services Homeland at Home Serving all of Lebanon County (717) 221-7892

Social Security Information (800) 772-1213

Hospice Services Homeland at Home Serving all of Lebanon County (717) 221-7890 Hospitals Medical Society of Lebanon County (717) 270-7500 WellSpan Good Samaritan Hospital 252 S. Fourth St., Lebanon (717) 270-7500 Hotlines Energy Assistance (800) 692-7462

American Lung Association (717) 541-5864

CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (717) 652-6520

Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Hotline (800) 541-2050 IRS Income Tax Assistance (800) 829-1040 Medicaid (800) 692-7462

Recycling (800) 346-4242

United Way of Lebanon County 2-1-1 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (800) 827-1000 Housing Assistance Housing Assistance & Resources Program (HARP) (717) 273-9328 Lebanon County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities (717) 274-1401 Lebanon HOPES (717) 274-7528, ext. 3201 Insurance Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833 Legal Services Pennsylvania Bar Association (717) 238-6715 Office of Aging Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (717) 273-9262

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

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Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com real estate Heart & Home Properties (717) 276-9951 retirement LIVING Providence Place at the Collegeville Inn 4000 Ridge Pike, Collegeville (610) 222-5007 Senior Centers Annville Senior Community Center (717) 867-1796 Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048 Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786 Northern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 865-0944 Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237 Senior Center of Lebanon Valley (717) 274-3451 Veterans Services Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771 Volunteer opportunities RSVP of the Capital Region (717) 454-8647

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Cover Story

Fun and Philanthropy

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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 Email address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com

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EDITORIAL

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

ART DEPARTMENT Project Coordinator Renee McWilliams Production Artists Connie Molitor Lauren Phillips

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By Bart A. Stump Don Shuler knows complete his makeup and how to put a smile on that Buzz-Zee’s character people’s faces. has evolved over time.

For the past 17 years “If you look at the he has been entertaining way I was dressed when I crowds as Buzz-Zee, a first started and the way Zembo Shrine clown.

I dress now, it’s changed, Shuler first became and the makeup has interested in being a changed. Over the years clown while serving I toned some things as the master of his down and accented other Masonic Lodge. He things,” Shuler said. invited a Shriner Shuler shared a clown unit to give a humorous story from presentation about their when he first became history and what they do.

Buzz-Zee. Heading to a The highlight of the park for an outing with meeting occurred when a group of special-needs Three attendees of the Zembo Shrine the clowns made up one children, he realized Children’s Christmas Party stopped for a photo with Buzz-Zee. of the Masons in full he had forgotten the clown makeup. That directions. person was Shuler’s father.

Spotting a farmer bailing hay, Shuler drove his With his interest now piqued, Shuler took the 4x4 truck out into the middle of the field to ask plunge. for help. Shuler recalled the look of surprise on the “Talking with them and hearing what they do, it farmer’s face when a clown in full makeup and sounded like a lot of fun,” he said. “Of course, you’re costume hopped out of the truck. helping the Shriners, which is the organization for The situation grew even more comedic when the Shriners Hospitals for Children and the burn the farmer, not being sure of the directions, sent centers for burn victims.”

Shuler to the local police station. The officer who Shuler has gone full circle, having always enjoyed responded to Shuler’s knock appeared extremely working with kids. He originally earned a degree in uneasy and would only open the door about 6 elementary education but, due to economic reasons, inches. he ended up working in the trucking industry.

Shuler identified himself and explained that he Now retired, he finds himself spending a lot of needed directions, but the suspicious officer still time with kids while serving a fraternal organization would not open the door any wider or come outside. dedicated to helping children.

He did, however, give Shuler the needed directions “I was very apprehensive about [clowning] at first and sent him on his way. because I’m not that big of a showoff-type person,” Arriving at the park, Shuler, not realizing there Shuler said. “I thought, ‘I’ve got to put this stuff on were two parties, ended up joining a large family and go out there and be in front of people.’ It was a reunion by mistake. Eventually he was directed to little intimidating at first.” the proper group.

Realizing that putting on makeup allowed him Shuler summed up the experience by saying, “… to create a completely different persona, provided I can do anything after this. I was never intimidated a sense of anonymity, and permitted him to just about the makeup or anything after that.” focus on the fun, Shuler soon got over his initial Shuler is now a life clown, having served 15 years reluctance. on active status, which requires 18 makeups per year Buzz-Zee is an auguste clown, with white makeup and attending at least six monthly meetings. applied around the eyes and mouth. Other types Shuler’s clown unit participates in 35-40 events of clowns include whiteface, in which the entire annually, including Four Diamonds events for face is covered in white, and tramp, in which the kids with cancer, private clubs, the Zembo Shrine person appears as a hobo with a beard of stubble and Children’s Christmas Party, and the annual Zembo tattered clothing.

Shrine Circus, held this year March 11-15 in the Shuler said it takes him an hour and a half to Zembo Shrine Auditorium. www.50plusLifePA.com

According to Shuler, the circus runs Wednesday– Sunday for a total of 10 performances.

“The clowns usually do two skits during each circus performance, and we normally get quite a few clowns that show up for that,” he said.

The clowns also visit the children at the Shriners Hospital in Philadelphia.

Another of their traditions is Rose Day, held the Sunday before Valentine’s Day, when they visit local nursing homes and provide all the ladies with a silk rose.

When asked where he would like to perform if he could perform anywhere, Shuler replied, “The one thing that would have been neat would have been to perform in the Ringling Brothers Circus, and in Hershey because it would be in front of a hometown crowd.”

Shuler is quick to point out that Shriner clowns do

Shuler as Buzz-Zee with a rose recipient at Church of God Home in Carlisle, Pa., during Rose Day, held annually the Sunday before Valentine’s Day.

Shuler, right, teamed up with the Nittany Lion during the Autumn Day at Masonic Village in Elizabethtown, Pa.

Shriners are a subgroup within the Freemasons that focuses on fun, fellowship, and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, truth, and relief.

They are easily recognized by the distinctive red fezzes they wear.

The Shriners are best known for their philanthropic support of the Shriners Hospitals, where care is provided free of charge for children in need.

not get paid; it is a strictly volunteer gig. Being a clown is an expensive undertaking, however — Shuler’s first pair of clown shoes cost $395.

Nevertheless, it is a labor of love with the rewards being the smiles on kids’ faces and the opportunity to brighten the days of older people. Shuler also enjoys the comradery shared among the clown unit, a tight-knit group that does a lot together besides clowning.

Shuler said someone thinking about becoming a Shriner clown “will find it very rewarding, giving your time towards something good.

“It gives you a real good feeling inside.”

On the cover: Don Shuler inside the Zembo Shrine Building in Harrisburg, Pa. The historic building, which opened in 1930, is significant for its Moorish Revival architecture.

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

IRS Introduces a Tax Form Created for Older Taxpayers

Dear Savvy Senior, A couple months back I read that the IRS will be offering a new senior-friendly tax form this tax season that will be easier to use. What can you tell me about this?

– Paper Filer Dear Filer, It’s true. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has created a new federal income-tax form specifically designed for senior taxpayers, age 65 and older, that should make filing a little easier this year, particularly for those who don’t file electronically.

Here’s what you should know.

Form 1040-SR Created by the 2018 Bipartisan Budget Act, the new two-page simplified federal income tax form is called the 1040-SR. www.50plusLifePA.com

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Similar in style to the old 1040-EZ form that the IRS discontinued last year, the new 1040-SR has larger print and better color contrast that make it easier to read.

It also includes a chart to help older taxpayers calculate their standard deduction, which may help ensure that fewer seniors neglect to take the additional standard deduction they are entitled to. For 2019, the additional deduction for those 65 or older or the blind is $1,300.

The 1040-SR form also has specific lines for retirement income streams, such as Social Security benefits, IRA distributions, pensions, and annuities, along with earned income from work wages and tips.

And it allows a child tax credit for seniors who are still taking care of a dependent child or grandchild.

You can report capital gains and losses too, as well as interest and dividends, please see Tax Form page 13

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

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CROSSWORD

Puzzle Page

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 18 SUDOKU

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The Old West

Across 1. Nabokov novel 4. Part of a process 8. Winston Churchill’s ___ Country 12. Wall socket 16. La Scala area 17. Tympani 18. Vitamin additive 19. Grandma’s word 20. Condo division 22. Cricket wicket 23. Present month 25. Certain print 27. Mace, e.g.

30. Get behind 32. Advanced degree?

33. Rotates a camera 34. Palme ___ (Cannes award) 35. Large lizard 38. Phenom 39. Roman goddess of wisdom 41. Apply gently 42. Church officer 44. Thumbs down 45. Relocate 46. CIA forerunner 47. Web allocator (abbr.)

48. Wheel of Fortune purchase 49. Coats of arms

51. Romulus or Remus 53. Chinese tea 54. Festive time 56. True heath 59. Barbecue fare 61. Maine, for one 64. Guisado cooker 65. BC follower 66. Fleabane 67. Aswan and others 68. Filbert

10. Ecstasy’s opposite 11. Cleave 13. Morality 14. Carpenter’s tool 15. Expressionist Nolde 21. South Seas kingdom 24. Silly Symphony output, briefly 26. Comic Gilliam

27. Pool sites 28. Worry on foot 29. Set in stone 31. Small songbirds 34. Cacophony 35. Wrigley Field flora 36. Place to pray 37. Explorer Tasman

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Association Found Between Poor Diet, Age-Related Macular Degeneration

By David J. Hill Participants who ate a diet high in consumption of red and processed red and processed meat, fried food, meat, fried food, refined grains, and refined grains, and high-fat dairy were high-fat dairy, may be a risk factor for three times more likely to develop an developing late AMD. eye condition that damages the retina However, a Western diet was and affects a person’s central vision, not associated with development of according to the results of a study from early AMD in the study, published the University at Buffalo. recently in the British Journal of The condition is called late-stage Ophthalmology. age-related macular degeneration.

The authors studied the AMD is an irreversible condition that occurrence of early and late AMD affects a person’s central vision, taking over approximately 18 years of away their ability to drive, among follow-up among participants of the other common daily activities.

Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities “Treatment for late, neovascular Study.

AMD is invasive and expensive, and Dighe and colleagues used data on there is no treatment for geographic 66 different foods that participants Macular degeneration causes the atrophy, the other form of late AMD self-reported consuming between sufferer’s central vision to deteriorate. that also causes vision loss,” said Shruti 1987 and 1995 and identified two diet Dighe, who conducted the research as patterns in this cohort — Western February is Age-Related part of her master’s in epidemiology and what researchers commonly refer Macular Degeneration Awareness Month at UB’s School of Public Health and to as “prudent” (healthy) — that best Health Professions. explained the greatest variation “It is in our best interest to catch this condition early and prevent development

between diets. of late AMD.” “What we observed in this study was that people who had no AMD or early And that’s why the finding that diet plays a role in AMD is so intriguing, AMD at the start of our study and reported frequently consuming unhealthy added Dighe. foods were more likely to develop vision-threatening, late-stage disease It turns out that a Western dietary pattern, one defined as high in

please see Macular page 9

Stress from page 3 Of course, our immediate reaction to a stressful event can also impact the heart, if the state of high agitation is prolonged. An increase in adrenaline allows us to react to an unexpected and stressful chain of events, but with constant stress, the heart is in a steady state of exertion.

There’s also the aspect of unhealthy stress management, such as indulging in alcohol or cigarettes, and even overeating. That’s especially dangerous, considering the harmful effects of these habits on your cardiovascular health, such as increased blood pressure and artery wall damage.

Overeating can also saddle you with high cholesterol, which can escalate the problem further.

Stress Management and Remedies for a Healthy Heart Unfortunately, stress isn’t that easy to manage. The main issue is that while it’s easy to tell yourself that you’ll walk away from stressful situations, sometimes it isn’t possible.

What’s more, we tend to fall into a stressful lifestyle and become its hostages, so even replacing a bad habit with a relaxing one, such as yoga, can seem like too much work.

However, there are a couple of techniques you can try out when you find yourself in a high-stress situation or environment.

For example, take a few deep breaths to settle down, as this slows down the www.50plusLifePA.com

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racing of your heart by decreasing the influx of adrenaline.

Alternatively, you could try to count to five or 10 before you speak.

If you’re facing a problem that’s difficult to solve, try changing your approach and coming up with ways to break it down into manageable tasks.

Stress is a significant health concern and can cause major changes in the gut and in the brain, which can cause changes in behavior. Eating high-fiber foods may reduce the effects of stress on our gut and behavior, according to new research published in The Journal of Physiology.

Becoming aware of stress is the first step in defeating it and decreasing its harmful impact on your health. Even though active relaxation and taking time for yourself might seem like a luxury you can’t afford, your heart will thank you for it.

Staying healthy requires us to regularly and conscientiously make good decisions for ourselves. Only this can keep the numerous harmful influences at bay.

It’s essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle to protect your heart, both from the stress and its physical manifestations. It’s an effort, but it will be worth it.

James Price is the CEO of Cholesterade, an all-natural drink mix and fiber supplement designed to help lower bad cholesterol and improve digestive, colon, and kidney health. www.cholesterade.com

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

7

Sixties Flashback

It’s Just a Game! (Or Is It?) Randal C. Hill

On Nov. 25, 2019, three months Smokey Robinson), several iconic before Super Bowl LIV was to hitmakers (Bruce Springsteen, be played on Feb. 2, 2020, Fox Madonna, Aerosmith, Lady Gaga, TV announced that the game at Prince, Katy Perry, Beyonce), and Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium was some legendary UK entertainers sold out of available advertising (Phil Collins, U2, the Rolling spots. Companies that hadn’t Stones, Sir Paul McCartney). already ponied up $5.5 million Today’s Super Bowl draws a per 30-second message were out of viewing audience of about 100 luck. million. It’s America’s biggest The Super Bowl has become a annual sporting competition spectacular yearly advertising and (although the World Cup soccer entertainment event … and there’s games draw more viewers even a football game thrown in for worldwide). good measure! Tickets for those But, for many Americans, who want to witness the event for it’s more a boisterous afternoon themselves now cost an average of of fun and friendship than a Jan. 15, 1967 $2,500 to $3,500 per seat. sports contest. More food — and AFL – NFL World Championship Game Over the years, numerous music presumably more drink — is icons have brought a true “wow” factor to the halftime performances and consumed on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year except included Motown superstars (Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Thanksgiving.

It wasn’t always this way. The first such game wasn’t even called the Super Bowl. Played on Jan. 15, 1967, it was officially termed the AFL – NFL World Championship Game.

But NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle wanted something a bit punchier, something easy to remember. The Pro Bowl, perhaps, or maybe even The Big One. The name by which it later became known originated with Lamar Hunt, Introducing a very the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs. He had seen his young daughter play active dog named Turkey! with a bouncing toy called a Super Ball, and Hunt was inspired to propose the A 1-year-old neutered name Super Bowl for the contest. male shepherd/hound Rozelle declared the term too informal, but it didn’t take long for Hunt’s mixed breed, Turkey is recommendation to take hold with the public. tall, lean, and handsome.

That first game was far from being a sellout. By kickoff time, about oneTurkey loves to run in third of the seats at the 94,000-seat Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum remained the play yard and walks unsold, as many people grumbled that the $12 ticket price (about $92 in pretty well on his leash. today’s money) was excessive and refused to cough up the required funds.

Turkey will thrive best And just how impressive was that first halftime show compared to the with an active family who budget-busting, jaw-dropping extravaganzas we have come to expect now? can provide daily runs Judge for yourself. Two men, who each wore hydrogen-peroxide-propelled and weekend hikes.

A new family for Turkey will also need lots of jetpacks (technically termed “rocket belts”), flew around the field — barely off time and patience available for exercise, training, and the ground — to show what future travel could look like someday. socialization.

Two college marching bands paraded. Trumpeter Al Hirt performed. Ten Turkey has learned to sit for a treat but can be a bit thousand balloons went airborne. So did 300 pigeons, one of which left a food grubby. He does have child restrictions (due to toy deposit on the typewriter of young sportscaster Brent Musburger. guarding) and a canine sibling will depend on a meet In that initial contest, by the way, the NFL’s Green Bay Packers walloped and greet. the AFL’s Kansas City Chiefs 35-10, and Green Bay quarterback legend Bart For adoption process details, please visit www.

Starr was named MVP. lebanonhumane.org, call (717) 628-1369, or stop in the Humane Society of Lebanon County, 150 N. Ramona Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Road, Myerstown.

Pet of the Month

Turkey

Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

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Social Security News

Fraud Advisory: New Twist on Phone Scams

By John Johnston

The Inspector General of Social Security, Gail S. Ennis, is warning the public that telephone scammers may send faked documents by email to convince victims to comply with their demands.

The Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General has received reports of victims who received emails with attached letters and reports that appeared to be from Social Security or Social Security OIG. The letters may use official letterhead and government “jargon” to convince victims they are legitimate; they may also contain misspellings and grammar mistakes.

This is the latest variation on Social Security phone scams, which continue to be widespread throughout the United States.

Using robocalls or live callers, fraudsters pretend to be government employees and claim there is identity theft or another problem with one’s Social Security number, account, or benefits.

• T hreaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee • Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment • Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card please see Fraud page 13

Medicare 101 sessions to learn the basics of Medicare and how it works: March 12, 5 p.m. • Inn at Reading, 1040 Park Road, Wyomissing 19610

Macular from page 7

BlueJourney Products Offer You:

approximately 18 years later,” said study senior author Amy Millen, Ph.D., associate professor and associate chair of epidemiology and environmental health at UB. This U.S.-based study is one of the first examining diet patterns and development of AMD over time. The other studies were conducted in European cohorts.

Early AMD is asymptomatic, meaning that people often don’t know they have it. To catch it, a physician would have to review a photo of the person’s retina, looking for pigmentary changes and development of drusen, or yellow deposits made up of lipids.

With late AMD, there could be either atrophy or a buildup of new blood vessels in the part of the eye known as the macula.

“When people start developing these changes, they will begin to notice visual symptoms. Their vision will start diminishing,” Dighe said. “This is advanced or late-stage AMD.” But not everyone who has early AMD progresses to the more debilitating late stage.

To date, most research has been conducted on specific nutrients — such as high-dose antioxidants — that seem to have a protective effect.

But, Dighe explains, people consume a variety of foods and nutrients, not just one or two, and that’s why looking at diet patterns helps tell more of the story.

“Our work provides additional evidence that that diet matters,” Millen added.

“From a public health standpoint, we can tell people that if you have early AMD, it is likely in your best interest to limit your intake of processed meat, fried food, refined grains, and high-fat dairy to preserve your vision over time.”

David J. Hill is a director of news content at the University at Buffalo.

www.50plusLifePA.com

They may threaten arrest or other legal action or may offer to increase benefits, protect assets, or resolve identity theft.

They often demand payment via retail gift card; cash; wire transfer; internet currency, such as Bitcoin; or prepaid debit card.

Ennis urges continued vigilance against all types of phone scams no matter what “proof” callers may offer.

Social Security will never:

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This information is not a complete description of benefits. Contact the plan for more information. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply. Benefits, premiums and/or copayments may change on January 1 of each year. The formulary, pharmacy and/or provider network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary.

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February 2020

9

Join us in celebrating our silver anniversary by taking a look back at life over the last 25 years … as well as a blast from one of our covers past!

2013 Top Headlines

25 th

Entertainment

• The U.S. government charged fugitive whistleblower Edward Snowden with espionage and theft of government property after Snowden copied and leaked highly classified information from the National Security Agency.

• Streaming-service companies like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon began creating their own original program content to subscribers.

• Prince George, first child to the Duke and Duchess of Wales, was born in July and made his first public appearance on the steps of St. Mary’s Hospital in London.

• In June, the Supreme Court ruled that the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was unconstitutional, meaning the Supreme Court would recognize same-sex marriage as legal.

• 10.3 million viewers watched the series finale of AMC’s Breaking Bad. The series ran five seasons and was nominated for 58 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning 16.

• Detroit became the nation’s largest public sector bankruptcy when it filed in July; the city was $18 billion to $20 billion in debt.

• Inside the apartment of an elderly German man, German investigators discovered more than 1,400 paintings by masters such as Picasso, Dürer, Renoir, Chagall, and Matisse. Many had been seized from museums and Jewish owners during Nazi rule.

• A partial government shutdown lasted 16 days after several failed attempts by the House, Senate, and President Barack Obama to reach a deal.

• Notable entertainment passings included musician Lou Reed; author Tom Clancy; and actors James Gandolfini, Cory Monteith, Peter O’Toole, Jean Stapleton, and Paul Walker.

• The implementation of the Affordable Care Act began Oct. 1 when health insurance exchanges opened online. Technical problems plagued the sites during their initial rollout.

3 February 201

Sports • A Super Bowl blackout energized the game between the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers after the stadium went dark for 34 minutes.

• After years of denials, cyclist Lance Armstrong confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs during his Tour de France wins. Armstrong was stripped of all seven titles.

• Tennis player Andy Murray became the first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years. Murray won in three sets against Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

• Two homemade pressure-cooker bombs concealed inside backpacks exploded 12 seconds apart at the finish line of the Boston Marathon on April 15, killing three people and injuring more than 250.

• On her fourth attempt, 64-year-old American longdistance swimmer Diana Nyad became the first person to swim from Cuba to Miami without a protective shark cage. Nyad arrived in Key West 53 hours after leaving Havana.

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Science & Technology • Amazon and Google began experimenting with making deliveries using drones, autonomous flight vehicles used to transport packages.

• 3D printing became more widely available to consumers and could be used to create medical devices, art, toys, architecture models, guns, and more.

• Smartwatches began to be released to the public, featuring biofeedback, GPS function, access to email via Bluetooth connection — and, of course, the time.

• The cloud went mainstream in 2013, with more than half of U.S. businesses using the cloud to store data that year. Schools and governments were also signing up for cloud-based computing.

• The olinguito, a carnivorous mammal in the raccoon family, was the first new species discovered in the Western Hemisphere in 35 years. It resides in the Andes cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador.

Join us next month to see what was happening in 2010! www.50plusLifePA.com

Since 2000, 50plus LIFE (previously Senior News and 50plus Senior News) has won more than 130 awards for its editorial content and design. Here’s a look at an award-winning article from our archives.

Remembering the Twentieth Century: I Remember Mama

GOLD Award

May 2002 issue Mature Media Awards: Gold Award, Personal Essay

By Joe Cacka

This wonderful story begins in the beautiful upper slopes of the thousand-foot Little Carpathian Mountains of western Slovakia.

These actually small, unspoiled rolling hills were known as the Magical Zahorie, a rather remote area covered with orchards, grape vineyards, fish ponds, streams, great cathedrals, old castles in ruins, and small family cemeteries.

The land held gorgeous scenery throughout to rest the eyes — forested peaks with lower slopes of fields and meadows filled with a magnificent profusion of wildflowers: blues, reds, purples, pinks, and yellows; bluebells, daisies, wild geraniums, and delphiniums, even dandelions.

But there was no rest for Andela. As the oldest sibling in a family of 13 children, she had the dubious job of doing all the housework plus outside farm work.

So one day in June, Andela, a beautiful, petite, blue-eyed blonde on her 16th birthday, packed all her worldly possessions into a bundle and left home for America with hopes of a better life, never to return home again.

With a week of mostly foot travel and rides by horse and wagon, sleeping in barns or fields, she covered 475 miles, arriving at Bremen, Germany, for a few more weeks’ ocean voyage in the hold of a vessel, steerage class, under terrifying conditions.

Deaths were disposed of by dumping the bodies overboard.

“A more forlorn party, in more dismal circumstances, would be hard to imagine,” wrote Robert Louis Stevenson after observing life in steerage on the Atlantic crossing.

Andela arrived on July 3, 1907, landing at Ellis Island for more screening and health checks before boarding a train to Allentown, Pennsylvania, where she found a job as a housemaid for a dollar a day.

Later she moved to Newark, New Jersey, where, after a few years, Andela, age 18 now, met and married her prince charming: Libor, age 21, also an immigrant who arrived the same year as Andela.

They had four children; I was the youngest. We sure were poor financially for years. The wealthy people Andela worked for eventually called her Ella. From then on, Mom was my Cinderella.

Now, Cinderella worried herself sick over the large family she left behind. Her mother and father both died, leaving the children orphans.

Cinderella worried herself to death when World War II started and Hitler invaded Czechoslovakia in 1938. By 1939, Mom (Cinderella) died of coronary thrombosis at age 47. I was 20 years old. So now, you have the real story of “Cinderella.”

Happy Mother’s Day, “Cinderella,” wherever you may be.

www.Providence-Place.com www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE p

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

11

On Life and Love after 50

There’s no bu$ine$$ ... like your bu$ine$$!

25 th

April 4, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hershey Lodge

325 University Drive, Hershey Please join us this spring as a sponsor or exhibitor for the seventh annual Dauphin County Women’s Expo.

Women of all ages have enjoyed these community events, finding helpful information for all the hats they wear in their everyday lives, including:

Health & Wellness • Finance • Home Technology • Beauty • Nutrition Spa Treatments

and more!

Face-to-face in a comfortable environment.

Sponsor an Exhibito d Reserva r tio Now Bei ns ng Accepte d

FREE advance guest registration online. ($5 at the door.)

Brought to you by:

Principal Sponsors:

Supporting Sponsors:

(717) 770-0140

aGreatWayToSpendMyDay.com 12

February 2020

50plus LIFE p

Tom Blake

Hot-Potato Topic: Women Dating Younger Men

A widow named Jackie approached me recently and asked: “Does age matter in dating when it comes to women being older than men?”

I asked Jackie why she asked that question.

She explained that at her 50th high school reunion, she met a classmate.

After a year of dating, they married.

Two months later, he was diagnosed with cancer. Five months after that, he passed away.

“I don’t think I could willingly go through that again,” Jackie said.

“At my ‘young age’ of 72, I’d want someone younger.”

Older dating younger has always been a hot-potato topic with my readers. When I’ve written on this subject, I’ve been dragged over the coals by young women, older men, older women, bitter men, and opinionated women.

In society, older men dating younger women seems to be acceptable, whereas women dating younger men raises eyebrows and can bring forth disparaging remarks.

A Canadian dating website is credited with coining the term “cougar,” which describes a woman who dates younger men. I don’t like the term; I think it’s demeaning.

Jackie is not the only widow who feels she doesn’t want to experience widowhood again.

I fixed up a widow, age 60, with a male friend, knowing they had similar interests.

She asked, “How old is he?”

“Late 60s, early 70s,” I guessed.

Two days later, I saw them enjoying a beverage together at a local restaurant. I thought to myself, “Bingo. A good introduction and possible match.”

Not so. The following week, she told me she found out he was 75, and she didn’t want to take the chance of becoming a widow again.

I asked four other senior women their opinions about dating younger men.

Ann said: “If I were to date men my age, 72-82, I’d be taking my life into my own hands every time one of them drives. Also, some men that age can’t drive at night.”

Lisa wrote, “Age is less important than someone’s level of maturity, outlook on life, and health and activity level. I have dated men older and younger. I will be 72 in February and am dating a man 60.

“When I’m on dating websites, men who are older than I seem so ‘old.’”

Greta commented, “Age has nothing to do with it. Compatibility is what’s important.”

Margaret shared, “I’ve dated men 15 years older and 20 years younger.

Some younger men were more mature than older men — a few who behaved childishly. If you enjoy each other’s company and have fun together, age doesn’t matter.”

At what age difference do critics of older women dating younger men start rolling their eyes and making please see Hot-Potato page 14

www.50plusLifePA.com

Tax-Aide Sites Scheduled for Lebanon County Beginning Feb. 1 and continuing through April 15, AARP Foundation is providing free tax assistance and preparation in Lebanon County through its Tax-Aide program, the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service.

Tax-Aide volunteers have served taxpayers in Lebanon County for more than 20 years.

There are four tax sites in Lebanon County: • Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 723 Lehman St., Lebanon • Lebanon Area Evangelical Free Church, 600 Shepherd St., Jonestown • Lebanon Senior Center, 710 Maple St., Lebanon • Myerstown Church of the Brethren, 51 W. Stoever Ave., Myerstown Tax appointments can be made at any of these Lebanon County tax sites

by calling (717) 274-2596 or (717) 376-4664. These phones will be answered during the following times: Mondays, 9 a.m. to noon; Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; and Wednesdays, noon to 3 p.m.

During the tax year 2018, 16 Lebanon County volunteer counselors completed 1,228 tax returns for taxpayers whose average adjusted gross income was between $20,208 and $30,525. The program is also supported by the help of six volunteer taxsite greeters and 10 volunteer appointment schedulers.

AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers are trained and IRS-certified each year to ensure they know about and understand the latest tax laws.

To find another Tax-Aide site or for more information, including which documents to bring to the tax site, visit aarp.org/findtaxhelp or call (888) AARPNOW or (888) 227-7669.

Tax Form from page 5 on this new form. Any of the tax schedules available to those using the standard form 1040 may also be used with the 1040-SR. You should also know that the 1040-SR doesn’t put a limit on interest, dividends, or capital gains, nor does it cap overall income like the old 1040EZ form did.

But, if you have to itemize because of state and local taxes or charitable giving, then you will not be able to use the new Form 1040-SR. Paper-Filing Advantage Seniors who use tax-preparation software to file their taxes will be able to generate a 1040-SR, but the new form will provide the most significant benefit to taxpayers who still fill out and file their returns on paper.

Last year, about 88% of the 153 million individual federal tax returns filed to the IRS were filed electronically. About 5% were prepared using tax software and then printed out and mailed to the agency, while about 7% were prepared on paper.

To use the new 1040-SR tax form for the 2019 filing year, taxpayers, including both spouses if filing jointly, must be at least age 65 before Jan. 1, 2020.

You also don’t have to be retired to use the form — older workers can use it too. But early retirees (younger than 65) cannot use 1040-SR. To see the 2019 draft version of the new 1040-SR form, go to www.irs.gov/ pub/irs-dft/f1040s--dft.pdf.

Tax-Preparation Help If you need help filing your tax returns this year, consider contacting the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (or TCE) program.

Sponsored by the IRS, TCE provides free tax preparation and counseling to middle- and low-income taxpayers, age 60 and older. Call (800) 906-9887 or visit www.irs.treasury.gov/freetaxprep to locate a service near you.

Also check with AARP, a participant in the TCE program that provides free tax preparation at more than 4,800 sites nationwide.

To locate an AARP Tax-Aide site, call (888) 227-7669 or visit www.

AARP.org/findtaxhelp. You don’t have to be an AARP member to use this service.

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

Fraud from page 9 • Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email If there is ever a problem with your Social Security number or record, in most cases Social Security will mail you a letter. If you do need to submit payments to Social Security, the agency will send a letter with instructions and payment options.

You should never pay a government fee or fine using retail gift cards, cash, internet currency, wire transfers, or prepaid debit cards. The scammers ask for payment this way because it is very difficult to trace and recover. www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE p

If you receive a suspicious call or email about a problem with your Social Security number or account, hang up or do not respond.

We encourage the public to report Social Security phone scams using our dedicated online form at https://oig.ssa.gov.

Other ways to report fraud including calling (800) 269-0271 weekdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. or (866) 501-2101 for TTY; or by sending mail to Social Security Fraud Hotline, P.O. Box 17785, Baltimore, MD 21235.

For more information, please visit https://oig.ssa.gov/scam.

John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

13

The Beauty in Nature

Diverging Weasels Clyde McMillan-Gamber

All members of the weasel family demonstrate that species in any family of wildlife diverge into a variety of habitats to take advantage of foods and shelter in each one. That diversion created the many kinds of weasels found throughout much of the world.

All weasel species descended from a single ancestor, which is why they all have characteristics in common, including long, lean bodies; short legs; canine teeth; and being ruthless, secretive, and mostly nocturnal predators.

Weasel species are more common than most people know because those lithe creatures are seldom seen, though they are active all year around.

Each kind of weasel has unique traits, caused by adapting, over time, to a particular niche, apart from its relatives.

Those characteristics identify the different members of the weasel family.

Long-tailed weasels inhabit woods, thickets, and farmland across much of the United States. They take shelter in crevices in rock walls, wood piles, and brush piles.

And they prey mostly on mice, rats, small birds, and other small creatures on land, sometimes around barns.

Black-footed ferrets are a rare species of weasel in the remaining grasslands of the American Great Plains and prairie.

This type of ferret feeds mostly on prairie dogs and other rodents in the grasslands and lives down prairie dog burrows in the ground. Some prairie dog tunnels were abandoned by the ferrets’ killing and eating the prairie dogs that lived in them.

Black-footed ferret

River otter

Pine martens live in trees in Canada’s mixed coniferous and deciduous forests.

There they hunt red squirrels, flying squirrels, and small birds among the trees.

Martens live in tree cavities, some of which they obtained by killing the squirrels that lived in them.

Mink are semi-aquatic. They live along streams and creeks in woodlands and thickets in much of the northern hemisphere. There they prey on crayfish, frogs, small fish, mice, muskrats, and other small wildlife. Many mink live in muskrat burrows in stream banks, after those large rodents were dispatched and consumed by the mink.

River otters live along creeks, rivers, and lakes, where they mostly catch fish. Otters are naturally streamlined in the water and are speedy swimmers, which helps them catch fish.

Sea otters live in the Pacific Ocean, near shore. Probably close relatives of river otters, sea otters’ ancestors gradually adapted to living in the ocean and diving to the bottom to bring up sea urchins, mollusks, and other sea critters to ingest.

Sea otters learned to float on their backs on the ocean surface and use their front paws to hold small rocks to hammer open their sea-critter cuisine, which the otters balance on their furry bellies. What a distinction between pine martens and sea otters.

Exploiting different habitats and food sources, over time, created the various weasel species throughout the world.

Hot-Potato from page 12 snide comments? Five years, 10, 15, 20, and 25-plus; it doesn’t seem to matter.

I see nothing wrong with women dating younger men. The women should be aware, however, that there may be challenges, especially if the age difference is 10 or more years. If either person has children, that may muddy the water as well.

And there could be negative comments from nosy acquaintances. Imagine a friend seeing you in a restaurant with your younger man. The friend might say, “Hi, Ellen. I didn’t know you had a grandson!”

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February 2020

50plus LIFE p

Ellen smiles, her stomach churns; she mumbles something like, “Yes, isn’t he darling!”

Everybody’s different. There’s no right or wrong. Mature singles must enjoy life while they can. It’s nobody’s business what the respective ages are, except the two people involved.

So, go for it, Jackie. Check out those younger men.

For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to www.findingloveafter50.com.

www.50plusLifePA.com

25 th

We’d Like to Know More About You Complete Our Reader Survey to be Entered in Our Drawing

Please participate in our confidential reader survey. The information you provide is important to us.

Mail your completed survey to: 50plus LIFE Survey — 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 by July 15, 2020.

You could win a card$50 gift fr Giant om !

Name _____________________________________________________________ Phone _____________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________ City _________________________________ State ______ Zip ______________ Please give us your opinion so that we can give you a better publication. Thank you! The gift card winner will be announced in our September issue.

1. What are your favorite columns in 50plus LIFE? ________________________________________________________________

21. My present work status is:  Full-Time  Part-Time  Retired  Volunteering  Disabled

2. How could we make 50plus LIFE more valuable to you? ________________________________________________________________

22. My spouse’s current work status is:  Full-Time  Part-Time  Retired  Volunteering  Disabled

3. If you could make one change to 50plus LIFE, what would it be? ________________________________________________________________

23. Our/my household networth is (includes home, pensions, investments, etc.):  Under $50,000  $50,000-$99,999  $100,000-$249,999  $250,000-$349,999  $350,000-$499,999  $500,000-$999,999  $1 million or more

4. What topics would you like us to cover? ________________________________________________________________ 5. How often do you pick up your copy of 50plus LIFE?  Monthly  Semi-regularly  Occasionally  Rarely 6. Which of the following actions have you taken in the last 12 months as a result of reading 50plus LIFE?  Requested information offered in an article  Requested information from an advertisement  Visited a specific store  Bought/ordered advertised product or service  Visited a specific travel destination  Attended a local event or meeting  Saved an article for future reference  Other 7. Do you patronize 50plus LIFE? advertisers?  Often  Sometimes  Never 8. How often do you do the puzzles on the Puzzle Page?  Every Issue  Sometimes  Never 9. Number of people (include yourself) who read your copy of 50plus LIFE? ______________________ 10. What percentage of 50plus LIFE do you read?__________________________ 11. Is 50plus LIFE an important source of information for you?  Yes  No 12. Have you visited 50plus LIFE’s website?  Yes  No 13. Do you read 50plus LIFE online?  Often  Sometimes  Never 14. Do you have a computer / smartphone / tablet?  Yes  No 15. Do you use the internet for: • Researching information:  Frequently  Sometimes  Never • Emailing:  Frequently  Sometimes  Never • Social Media (Facebook, etc.):  Frequently  Sometimes  Never • Reading newspapers/magazines:  Frequently  Sometimes  Never • Don’t have/use the internet  16. Do you prefer:  Print  Digital  50/50 17. Have you visited 50plus LIFE on Facebook?  Yes  No 18. I am (check all that apply):  Male  Female  Married  Divorced  Widowed  Single  Never Married 19. My age is:  Under 50  50-59  60-69  70-79  80+ My spouse’s age is:  Under 50  50-59  60-69  70-79  80+ 20. My education level is:  High School Grad  Some College  College Grad  Graduate/Professional Degree  Other

24. Our/my housing status (check all that apply): •  Own:  Single-Family House  Condo  Retirement Community •  Rent:  Single-Family House  Condo  Apartment

 Retirement Community •  Nursing Home  Other _________________________________________ 25. In the next two years, might you consider moving to any of the following?  Smaller House  Apartment  Condo  Retirement Community  None 26. How many times do you dine out each month?  1-3 times  4-6 times  7-9 times  10+ times  None 27. How many times a month do you attend cultural events, plays, concerts, movies, etc.?  1-3 times  4-6 times  7-9 times  10+ times  None 28. How many times a year do you travel?  1-3 times  4-6 times  7-9 times  10+ times  None 29. Have you visited a casino in the past year?  Yes  No If yes, how many times?  1-2 times  3-4 times  5-9 times  10+ times 30. What professional services have you employed in the past year?  Elder Law Attorney  Insurance Broker  Travel Agent  Tax Service  CPA  Financial Planner  Real Estate Agent  Other _________________ 31. What professional services do you foresee using?  Home Health Services  Retirement Living Community:

 50+ Community  Personal Care  CCRC  Assisted Living

 Nursing  Dementia  Insurance Broker  Travel Agency

 Real Estate Agent  Home Improvement 32. Check which purchases you plan to make in the next 12 months:  New Car  Used Car Make? ________________________________________  Motor Home or RV  Computer/Tablet/e-Reader  Furniture  Television  Major Appliance  Eyeglasses  Heater/Air Conditioner  Hearing Aid  Airline Tickets/Travel  Health/Long-Term Care Insurance  Other________________________________ 33. Do you have home care assistance?  Yes  No

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Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

15

Lebanon County

Calendar of Events

Community Programs / Support Groups Free and open to the public Feb. 3 and 17, 7 p.m.

From Fear to Serenity: Nar-Anon Family Group St. John’s United Church of Christ 120 W. Market St., Jonestown (717) 865-4453

Feb. 26, 6-7 p.m.

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Support Group Linden Village 100 Tuck Court, Lebanon (717) 274-7400

Submit senior center events to mjoyce@onlinepub.com.

Library Programs Annville Free Library 216 E. Main St. Annville, (717) 867-1802 Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m. – Adult Coloring Club

Myerstown Community Library 199 N. College St. Myerstown, (717) 866-2800

Lebanon Community Library 125 N. Seventh St. Lebanon, (717) 273-7624 Feb. 3, 10, 24, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Tech Help Matthews Public Library 102 W. Main St. Fredericksburg, (717) 865-5523 Feb. 20 and 27, 1:30 p.m. – Windows 10, Parts One and Two

Palmyra Public Library 50 Landings Drive, Suite B Annville, (717) 838-1347 Feb. 6 and 13, 1 p.m. – Windows 10, Parts One and Two Richland Community Library 111 E. Main St. Richland, (717) 866-4939

All events held at Park at Governor Dick unless otherwise noted.

Feb. 2, 1-4 p.m. – Music by the Fireplace Feb. 9, 2 p.m. – Winter Lecture Series: Invasive Plants of Pennsylvania

Now that’s Cold

You’re shut in due to the snow and cold weather, and your cousin in northern Florida calls to complain about the chilly 50-degree temps and having to wear a sweater.

Not to make light of their discomfort, but you might suggest they invest in fleece pajamas; then share this list of some of the coldest cities in the U.S.: Place

Coldest average winter temperature (Fahrenheit)

Average number of days below freezing

Deadhorse, Alaska

-23.1

291.9

Crested Butte, Colorado

-7.6

265.7

Stanley, Idaho

-1.8

291.6

Allagash, Maine

-7.6

208.1

Embarrass, Minnesota

-6.2

227.2

Wisdom, Montana

1

277.2

Belcourt, North Dakota

-6.2

205.2

Coalville, Utah

4.7

258.4

Sutton, Vermont

-1

204.8

Bondurant, Wyoming

-3.1

264.9

February 2020

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Annville Senior Activity Center (717) 867-1796 200 S. White Oak St., Annville Feb. 4, 11 a.m. – Tai Chi Feb. 10, 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle Club Feb. 21, 11 a.m. – Whoopie Pie Tasting Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048 710 Maple St., Lebanon Feb. 5, 11:30 a.m. – Paint & Sip Class Feb. 11, 12:30 p.m. – Chocolate-Covered Popcorn Cooking Class Feb. 14, 9:30 a.m. – Valentine’s Breakfast at Brickerville House Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786 Myerstown Baptist Church, 59 Ramona Road Myerstown Feb. 4, 11 a.m. – Bocce Ball Game Feb. 11, noon – Valentine Luncheon with Barbershop Quartet Feb. 20, noon – Monthly Soup and Sandwich Special Meal Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center (717) 865-0944 335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown Feb. 13, 11:30 a.m. – Valentine Covered Dish Social Feb. 20, all day – Maple Street Senior Center Activities, Soup & Salad Bar Feb. 27, 8:30 a.m. – Country Fare Breakfast Bunch

Parks and Recreation

16

Senior Center Activities

Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237 101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra Wednesdays, noon – Pinochle and Phase 10 Games Feb. 10, 10:30 a.m. – Valentine’s-Themed Candy-Making Class Feb. 12, 10:15 a.m. – Valentine Craft Privately Owned Centers Senior Center of Lebanon Valley, Inc. (717) 274-3451 710 Maple St., Lebanon

If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration. www.50plusLifePA.com

Lebanon VAMC Earns Psychology Program Accreditation The Psychology Doctoral Internship program at Lebanon VA Medical Center has earned a full three-year full accreditation from the American Psychological Association’s Commission on Accreditation.

“Having an accredited program is a benefit to both students and veterans,” explained Melissa Cyrus, who holds a doctorate in psychology and is a licensed psychologist as well as the director of clinical training, psychology lead for Lebanon VAMC. “The veterans benefit with additional professionals assisting with their care, and the doctoral candidates gain valuable experience and are introduced to the VA as a possible career path,” she said.

Lebanon VAMC joined other VAs across the nation in hiring 1,045 new mental health professionals to meet increased demand for their services.

Lebanon VAMC serves a nine-county area in south-central Pennsylvania covering Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill, and York counties.

If you are a veteran, you may be eligible to receive care and benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. To learn more, call (717) 272-6621, ext. 6000.

Please join us for these FREE events!

21st Annual

LANCASTER COUNTY

April 22, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Shady Maple Conference Center Smorgasbord Building 129 Toddy Drive, East Earl

21st Annual

Are You Reading?

Join the 2020 One Book, One Community campaign by reading Heartland by Sarah Smarsh.

40 libraries in Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, York, and surrounding counties and their community partners present the regional reading campaign.

Attend free library programs and discussions throughout February and early spring!

DAUPHIN COUNTY

May 6, 2020 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Hershey Lodge 325 University Drive Hershey

Photo credit: Michael Lionstar

Visit www.oboc.org or your library to learn more.

Exhibitors • Health Screenings • Seminars • Demonstrations Entertainment • Door Prizes

Check out our online Resource Directory!

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

25 th

Convenient print edition plus extensive online, searchable directory.

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

www.ResourceDirectoryPA.com www.50plusLifePA.com

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www.50plusExpoPA.com

(717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

17

CCRC

Continuing Care Retirement Communities Designed with their residents’ changing needs in mind, CCRCs (Continuing Care Retirement Communities)/Life Plan Communities offer a tiered approach to the aging process.

Healthy adults entering these communities can live independently. When assistance with everyday activities becomes necessary, they can transition to personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursing care facilities.

Some CCRCs/Life Plan Communities have designated dementia areas that address the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia. In addition, some communities have sought out and earned accreditation from CARF International, signifying they have met CARF’s stringent set of quality standards. CCRCs Life Plan Communities enable older adults to remain in one care system for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out—creating both comfort and peace of mind.

The listings with a shaded background have additional information about their center in a display advertisement in this edition.

Bethany Village

Cornwall Manor

Homeland Center

Homestead Village

Landis Homes

Willow Valley Communities

325 Wesley Drive Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 Stephanie Lightfoot Director of Sales & Marketing (717) 766-0279 www.bethanyvillage.org

Enhanced Senior Living 1800 Marietta Avenue P.O. Box 3227 Lancaster, PA 17604-3227 Christina Gallagher Director of Marketing (717) 397-4831, ext. 158 www.homesteadvillage.org

Woodcrest Villa Mennonite Home Communities

1 Boyd Street, P.O. Box 125 Cornwall, PA 17016 Jennifer Margut Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations (717) 274-8092 info@cornwallmanor.org www.cornwallmanor.org

1001 East Oregon Road Lititz, PA 17543 Sarah Short Director of Residency Planning (717) 381-3549 sshort@landishomes.org www.landishomes.org

1901 North Fifth Street Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A. President/CEO (717) 221-7902 www.homelandcenter.org

600 Willow Valley Square Lancaster, PA 17602 Richard Myers Director of Sales (717) 464-6800 info@willowvalley.org www.WillowValleyCommunities.org

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

2001 Harrisburg Pike Lancaster, PA 17601 Connie Buckwalter Director of Marketing (717) 390-4126 www.woodcrestvilla.org

The CCRCs listed are sponsoring this message. This is not an all-inclusive list.

Puzzle Solutions Puzzles shown on page 6

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February 2020

50plus LIFE p

www.50plusLifePA.com

The help caregivers need to care for themselves and others!

Features

March 31, 2020

• Directory of Providers • Books and Resources

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• Support Organizations • Articles

Wyndham Hotel York 2000 Loucks Road, York

Also online at www.BusinessWomanPA.com

This event is FREE to attend.

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

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

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

Call for your free copy today!

(717) 285-1350

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Arthritis Corns Heel Spurs Gout Warts

Diabetic Neuropathy Plantar Fasciitis Ingrown Toenails Fungal Infections

At the Expo

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

At the Job Fair

Employers Job Counseling Workshops Employment Seminars Resume Writing Assistance

Many adults don’t give their feet the attention they deserve!

The April issue of 50plus LIFE will include a special focus on foot health in recognition of

National Foot Health Awareness Month.

Hosted by:

Advertisers in 50plus LIFE’s National Foot Health Awareness Month feature are eligible for a promotional advertising discount!

Reach up to 150,000+ monthly readers—let them know about the services and products you provide that can treat their foot conditions and improve their quality of life!

Space Reservation Deadline: March 6, 2020

Contact your marketing consultant today, call (717) 285-1350, or email info@onlinepub.com

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

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

On-Line Publishers, Inc. • 717.285.1350 • 717.770.0140 • info@onlinepub.com

www.50plusLifePA.com

50plus LIFE p

Serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50plus community for 25 years.

February 2020

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This is who we focus on.

Helping our neighbors get the care they need.

This is why we’re out in our community providing health screenings and resources, like the vision test that helped Gabriella get the glasses she needed. Because this is the health we need to live the way we want.

This is Penn State Health. thisispennstatehealth.org/stories/Gabriella

HEA-15142-20-128998-1219