50plus Life Chester County – December 2022

Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Popularity of Kitchen Collectibles Spans Generations

Kitchens are one of the best places to spot valuable collectibles. From antique fine china to vintage appliances, kitchen collectibles can hold their value for generations and serve as wonderful accessories in the most popular place in the house during the holidays.

Kitchen collectibles range (pardon the pun) from aprons to zesters, and all of these objects are making a strong market impact.

Utensils, cookie jars, bowls, trays, cookbooks, coffee pots, and sterling silver flatware have always been available to estate sale and yard sale shoppers, thrifters, and collectors. Now, with much of the collectibles market online, everyone can find vintage holiday kitchen stuff.

Have you heard that entertaining is a dying art form? Not true … not by a long shot.

In fact, young adults enjoy the art of entertaining and are actively collecting

barware and vintage kitchen items for parties, gatherings, and social events. Everything from 1960s martini shakers to Sunbeam Mixmasters are in new 21st-century kitchens, assembled in groups by collectors in their 20s and 30s.

Collectors with an interest in the history of cooking look for items like cookbooks, antique utensils, and Victorian food processors. Despite the varied collectibles from the kitchen, when it comes to value and high-style design, some of the most coveted collectibles are also the most common.

When it’s all said and done, dishes win the day.

Collectors and shoppers look for fine china, holiday patterns, and established

please see KITCHEN on facing page

Lori Verderame

Photo credit: Staff of drloriv.com

Spode holiday china dish.

Photo credit: Staff of drloriv.com

Enterprise Manufacturing Company food processor, circa late 19 th century/early 20 th century.

Little-Known Stories about Pearl Harbor

By Lauren Berg

More than 80 years later, the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor remains significant as one of only a few times the United States has been attacked by a foreign adversary on its own soil.

The tragedy of the attack came not only in the loss of over 2,400 lives, but also in how unprepared the U.S. was for it. Not that they can be much blamed; a surprise attack from a nation over 4,000 miles away had been previously unthought-of.

While much has been said about the attack itself, here are some lesser-known facts and stories surrounding Pearl Harbor:

1. Japan’s surprise attack came in the wake of a devastating American oil embargo.

In July 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt issued an executive order announcing a freeze on assets with Japan. Now, any business would need to seek the U.S. government’s permission to trade with the country.

However, confusion about the order resulted in cutting off all trade with Japan — including the export of U.S. oil, which the Japanese naval forces were dependent upon.

This led the island country to set its sights toward an invasion of Southeast Asia and its oil resources, though it knew such an act would lead to war against America. As a result, Japan decided to attack America’s Pacific Fleet based out of Pearl Harbor to prevent American interference in its plan for accessing the resources of these other countries.

2. Among the fallen were the remains of a baby girl.

In 1937, Chief Yeoman Albert Wagner’s wife gave birth to premature twins, one of whom died two days later. Wagner planned to scatter his daughter’s ashes at sea, storing the urn in his locker on the U.S.S. Utah

But he never got the chance. While he survived Pearl Harbor, the daughter’s remains were lost with the sunken ship, along with the lives of 58 sailors.

A funeral was never held for baby Nancy until 2003, when her twin sister, Mary, gathered friends and family to the site of the memorial to say an official goodbye.

“I feel nothing but pride and pleasure that she’s in such magnificent company,” Mary said. “I could not ask for anything better than for her to be tenderly, carefully looked after by America’s finest.”

3. A conspiracy theory developed about newspaper ads warning of the attack.

Two weeks before the Dec. 7 attack, The New Yorker published an ad promoting a mysterious board game called The Deadly Double, which featured

brands as they are desired by collectors. Fine-china serving sets are not as fashionable as they once were, but collectors in the know are still collecting china services from big names like Meissen, Spode, Haviland for Limoges, Lenox, Herend, Royal Copenhagen, Royal Doulton, etc.

Seasoned collectors are telling their grandchildren about the value in fine china and the family history that goes along with it. As a result, many fine china sets are staying in families for the next generation and, hopefully, generations thereafter, too.

And, mixing and matching is totally acceptable, unlike the tables set by our

people in an air raid shelter playing dice — two of which were numbered 12 and seven — and included words like “alert” and “warning.”

After Pearl Harbor, people saw the ad in a different light, convinced it was a coded message to Japanese spies warning them of the impending assault.

However, the conspiracy theory was quickly debunked when it was discovered that Roger Paul Craig had indeed invented such a game and created the ads, with the numbers on the dice amounting to coincidence.

Despite its notoriety, the game never sold well, and Craig ironically ended up working for the Office of Strategic Services — the U.S.’s intelligence agency during World War II.

4. Months later, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor again.

After the success of its initial attack, Japan began plans for bigger targets like mainland America.

But first, the military decided to do a reconnaissance flight over Pearl Harbor to see how the repair operations were going and to drop some bombs while there. Less than 90 days after the first attack, Japanese bombs once again fell on Oahu. Fortunately, bad weather stymied the pilots’ efforts, and the bombs missed their targets, hurting no one. Though less damaging than “the date which will live in infamy,” the second attack was kept secret from the public for decades.

5. Elvis Presley helped raise money for the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Fund. A few years after President Dwight D. Eisenhower authorized the building of the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor, the project struggled to raise enough funds.

Elvis Presley decided to help by putting on a benefit concert, performing classics like “Hound Dog” for thousands of fans at Pearl Harbor’s Bloch Arena. The event brought in more than $54,000 and helped raise public interest in the memorial, which was dedicated a year later in 1962.

6. A Japanese and American soldier, both Pearl Harbor survivors, later became friends.

Zenji Abe, a Japanese pilot who dropped bombs on Pearl Harbor, didn’t learn until decades later that the attack had come before Japan’s declaration of war.

Viewing Japan’s wartime leaders’ actions as immoral, he worked to engage in reconciliation efforts between Japanese and American veterans.

In 1991, at the 50th anniversary of the attack, Abe visited the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial in Hawaii where he came to apologize to his former foes.

He found reconciliation, forgiveness, and friendship from American Pearl Harbor survivors like Richard Fiske. Fiske and Abe became close friends and agreed to honor the memorial each month with roses until Fiske’s death in 2004.

grandmothers, where a match-or-die attitude was the only way to entertain. The kitchen mix-or-match idea harkens back to the 1990s, when variety in dishware was embraced.

While collectors amass kitchen objects in bulk, the trend for resellers is to find the bargains and market the items on YouTube Thrift with Me channels, social media groups on Instagram, and Facebook, and by old-fashioned word of mouth.

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide and appears on The Curse of Oak Island on History channel. Visit drloriv.com and youtube.com/drloriv or call (888) 431-1010.

Pearl Harbor Day – Dec. 7

KITCHEN from facing page

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Cover Story

It’s Beginning to Sound a Lot Like Christmas

By Lynda Hudzick

When the people of York hear Whistle Master Don Ryan wrapping up his yearly Christmas concert by playing “Silent Night,” they know Christmas Day has truly arrived.

The Christmas Eve concert of the historic York Factory Whistle is an annual event that has been part of Yorkers’ lives for many years and has touched people all over the globe. And it’s an experience Don Ryan and his family have been a part of for more than 65 years.

Born and raised in York, Ryan is a mechanical engineer by trade, but music has always been a big part of his life.

“My dad taught me how the play the trumpet,” Ryan said. “He loved music and was very talented. He was a mechanical engineer as well, but also gave private music lessons, and I do the same. I like young people, and I enjoy watching them learn.”

Ryan’s father began playing the whistle in 1955 when “a neighbor who knew Dad was into music told him about the chance,” Ryan said.

He recalls that the first song his father played on the whistle was “London Bridge,” and it was in the summer.

“My dad said, ‘I think I can make this work,’” Ryan said. “He wrote up his own music and developed the scale to play the music on. It took about seven years to develop what we have today that lets us play a variety of music in two octaves.”

For 35 years, Ryan’s father presented the late Christmas Eve performance to usher in Christmas Day. Ryan was an apprentice to his father for 35 years.

“I learned by watching him do it; that’s how I caught on.”

Because both he and his father shared mechanical and musical backgrounds, they understood not only the music but also the mechanics of the whistle, and that helped enhance their performance.

Variable-pitch whistles, similar to the one Ryan plays today, were patented in 1872 and, years ago, were used all over the United States. These whistles can be heard in a 5-mile radius or even a 10- to 12-mile radius, depending on the wind direction.

Because of this, the whistles were often used to communicate with the people living close to the factory where a whistle was in operation. York’s whistle can produce sounds measuring 134 decibels, louder than a jet engine.

“It was used to announce the start and the end of a workday, to announce lunch breaks, and even to notify people of an emergency at the factory,” Ryan said.

Ryan is very knowledgeable about the history of the single- and variable-pitch whistles. He offers presentations to local organizations that would like to learn more about them, discussing single- and variable-pitch whistles and demonstrating how they are played.

Never intended to be used as a musical

BUSINESS DEVELoPMENT

Marketing Consultant Joshua Binkley Events Manager Kimberly Shaffer

ADMINISTr ATIoN Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall Member of

Scott ryan, left, joined dad Don, right, during the Christmas concert in 2021.

To engage the whistle, one operator controls the air compressor; another holds the valve open while r yan reads the notes on sheet music.

instrument, the cylindrical whistle Ryan plays has existed since at least the late 1880s. It is 15 inches long and approximately 5 1/8 inches in diameter and was originally operated with steam.

“That could be a little dangerous for the person operating the whistle,” Ryan said. “It got very hot, and you would be soaked from the steam gathering in the small area where the whistle was usually installed. It was switched to compressed air in 2010, which is safer and more comfortable for the performer.”

The York whistle, currently housed in the old Metso building in York, is brass and is maintained annually.

“We have a guy who goes over it every year, tightens things up,” he said. “We do put a cover over it when it’s not in use, but you can see it from the road.”

There is a live broadcast projector on a car roof nearby that allows approximately a 20-by-20-foot projection of the whistle performance on the side of a nearby building. People can then watch the whistle during the concert, although there is a 10second delay.

Ryan and the whistle have appeared on national and international television and radio broadcasts, and thus, he has heard from people all around the globe, telling him how much they enjoy his work.

“I’ve also had my music students come in to watch and assist with the performance, and they’ve been on worldwide TV — their parents really like that,” he said.

In addition to broadcast media recognition, the whistle was listed in the 2002 Guinness Book of World Records as the “World’s Loudest Music without Amplification from a Non-Musical Instrument,” and has been featured in the National Music Museum at the University of South Dakota since 2004.

Also of note, in 2020, the whistle concert’s eighth live broadcast received 29,267,153 hits representing 104 different countries.

But perhaps more important than all the worldwide acclaim, Ryan said playing these concerts still helps him feel connected to his father and to his lifelong community.

After having been the whistle master for many years, Ryan would now like to hand the tradition down to a future generation. Although his children are interested in what he does and have assisted him in the past, they do not live in the area and so are unable to take over.

“I would like to teach someone who lives in York County who would be interested in doing it, but they have to be able to read music, and they have

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to be willing to give up Christmas Eve to present this for the community,” he said.

For many people in the York area, this tradition has taken place annually for their entire lives.

“It makes Christmas for them; it’s so unique, and the sound is totally different from anything you’ve ever heard,” Ryan said. “I have made recordings on CD, but the sound isn’t the same as being right on top of it, hearing those Christmas carols. It touches a lot of people.”

As a way to show their appreciation for a job well done, Ryan said each year at the end of each song, “people outside lay on their car horns as a form of applause. It’s noisy, but it’s so special, everyone joining in. It’s also a chance for them to blow their horns really loud and get away with it.”

And so on Dec. 24 of this year, Don Ryan will once again don his tuxedo and head over to Arch Street to work his magic on the factory whistle, and at 12:15 a.m., he will once again usher in Christmas Day for the people of York.

“It’s something I do for my own enjoyment and the enjoyment of the community,” Ryan said. “It’s something special that I like to do for the people of York.”

on the cover: Whistle Master Don ryan, right, and son Scott, left, tuxedoed up for last year’s Christmas Eve performance of the York factory Whistle.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

We at On-Line Publishers, Inc. are grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportive advertisers who have all enabled us to continue our mission to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community in 2022.

We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50 plus Life a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment for our readers in central Pennsylvania.

At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.

The factory Whistle at its original site, the New York Wire Cloth Company on East Market Street in downtown York. In 2013 it moved to Metso Industrial Materials on Arch Street.

What You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2023

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve read that retirees will be getting a nice costof-living increase in our Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will our Medicare Part B monthly premiums and other Medicare costs be in 2023?

– Planning Ahead

Dear Planning,

From an entitlement program standpoint, 2023 is going to be a very good year for retirees!

Not only will you receive a nice 8.7% cost-ofliving increase in your Social Security retirement benefits — the largest since 1981 — the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services also recently announced that your Medicare Part B standard monthly premium will be lowered 3% ($5.20), from the current rate of $170.10 per month to $164.90/month in 2023.

The reason for the reduction is a correction to last year’s hefty Part B premium increase, which was larger than it needed to be. The 2022 premium hike of about 14.5% was announced amid uncertainty about the potential impact of a new Alzheimer’s drug called Aduhelm, which threatened to explode Medicare costs.

That didn’t happen. The cost of the drug was cut roughly in half, from an

original $56,000 a year, and Medicare sharply limited coverage. This created a large financial reserve for Part B, allowing the program to reduce next year’s premium.

You’ll also be happy to know that in addition to the premium reduction, the annual deductible for Medicare Part B will also be lowered $7, from $233 in 2022 to $226 in 2023. And if you have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, the average premium in 2023 will be about $31.50, which is a 1.8% decrease from $32.08 in 2022.

But the news isn’t all rosy. The deductible for Medicare Part A (hospital coverage) per benefit period (which generally starts when you are admitted to the hospital) will be $1,600 in 2023, up $44 from this year’s $1,556.

That applies to the first 60 days of inpatient care. For the 61st through 90th day, the coinsurance will be $400 per day, up from $389 this year. And for days 91-150, the charge will be $800 per day (up from $778 in 2022).

And the skilled nursing facility coinsurance for days 21-100 will also increase to $200 per day, up from $194.50 in 2022.

Wealthy Beneficiary Breaks

High-earning Medicare beneficiaries, who make up about 7% of all Medicare recipients, will also receive a break in 2023.

Medicare surcharges for high earners are based on adjusted gross income from two years earlier, which means that 2023 Part B premiums are determined by 2021 annual income.

So, if your 2021 income was above $97,000 up to $123,000 ($194,000 up to $246,000 for married couples filing jointly), your 2023 Part B monthly premium will be $230.80, down from $238.10 in 2022.

Monthly premiums for singles with an income between $123,000 and $153,000 ($246,000 and $306,000 for joint filers) will decrease from $340.20 to $329.70 in 2023.

Individuals earning above $153,000 up to $183,000 ($306,000 to $366,000 for joint filers) will see their monthly premium decrease from $442.30 to $428.60 in 2023.

Those with incomes above $183,000 up to $500,000 ($366,000 to $750,000 for joint filers), your 2023 Part B premium will be $527.50, down from $544.30 in 2022.

And single filers with income of $500,000 or more ($750,000 or more for joint filers) will pay $560.50 per month next year, versus this year’s premium of $578.30.

High-income beneficiaries with a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan will also pay a little less next year. If your income was over $97,000 ($194,000 for joint filers), you’ll pay a $12.20 to $76.40 monthly surcharge on top of your regular Part D premiums based on your income level.

For more information on Medicare’s 2023 costs, see medicare.gov/basics/ costs/medicare-costs.

Miller

Willing to Wander Christmas around the World

Model boats are decorated with brightly glimmering lights. Women sprinkle water scented with basil around their house, which they believe will keep bad spirits away. Families dine on spitroasted pork and fried pastry.

This is merry Christmas as it’s celebrated in Greece.

People around the world welcome this special day in a variety of ways, some familiar and others less so. These include festivities focused on Santa Claus and those that stress the Christ in the holiday’s name.

Given the seafaring history of Greece, it’s not surprising that decorated ships are an old tradition. In the past, small vessels were displayed in homes when sailors returned from sea voyages.

The kallikantzarol are described as roguish goblins that dwell underground and emerge during the 12 days of Christmas. While they have a reputation as naughty, some believers insist they’re actually impish and stupid.

Food often is a focus of Christmas merriment, and the list of typical fare is long and varied. Carp is the main dish at some holiday meals in Poland, and while some people buy a filet, others adhere to the time-honored way by purchasing the fish several days in advance, letting it swim in a bathtub, and then being dispatched when the time has come for it to be cooked and consumed.

Since Poland is largely a Catholic country, church attendance is part of the

Victor Block

A Greek-decorated Christmas ship. The Christmas market in Dresden, Germany.

holiday observance for many people. Some also refrain from enjoying their favorite food and beverages in their effort to remember what they believe to be the real reason for Christmas.

Colonel Sanders would feel at home in Japan, where fried chicken at KFC and other fast-food restaurants is a holiday favorite. Other imports from the United States include exchanging cards and presents. Because most people are not Christian, Christmas in Japan is more like Valentine’s Day, a romantic time for couples to spend time together.

That contrasts with Germany, where the focus of celebration is the Advent; many families attend Mass on Dec. 24, and gifts are brought by the Christkind (child of Christ). Christmas trees have been used since the late Middle Ages. Most people have a real tree, which traditionally is decorated with wooden ornaments and real candles.

An impressive feature of holiday celebrations in Germany is the famous Christmas markets. Most cities have at least one, and some are based upon a theme, like angels or medieval times. The market in Frankfurt dates back to the 14th century, and the one in Cologne can attract more than 4 million visitors.

Some time-honored ways of celebrating Christmas were brought to Canada by German immigrants, along with people from France, Great Britain, Norway, and other countries. Given the cold winter climate, skiing, ice skating, and tobogganing are popular pastimes if the ground is covered by snow.

An annual extravaganza in Toronto is the Santa Claus Parade, which first took off in 1905 and now attracts more than a half-million people. Lavish floats, marchers, bands, clowns, and, of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus wind through the city along a 3.5-mile route.

In contrast to the snow and shivering cold of Canada is warm winter weather south of the Equator. Of course, that includes Australia, where, as in other countries that previously formed the British Empire, some practices — like Boxing Day on Dec. 26 — take place.

Less familiar are the facts that Santa at times has been depicted as wearing Australian-style clothing, including a wide-brimmed Akubra hat and flipflops, and riding in a sort of pickup truck pulled by kangaroos. Some Aussies go to a beach to swim in the ocean, and it’s not unknown for Santa to come ashore riding a surfboard.

Argentina and South Africa share a Southern Hemisphere location with Australia, so sand and surf are more closely associated with Christmas than snow and sleet. Santas dressed in their traditional wool clothing do their best to keep shouting ho-ho-ho when they’d prefer to say hot-hot-hot.

Argentinians are lovers of meat, so it’s no surprise that an outdoor barbecue is a staple of activities. So are Christmas trees, usually artificial and sometimes decorated with cotton balls to represent snow. Fireworks at midnight often mark the start of Christmas Day, and the sky is filled with

globos, paper decorations with a light inside that float into the sky.

Dining outside also is a highlight of Christmas in South Africa. The main course might be turkey, duck, or suckling pig, followed by a desert of malva pudding, a sweet cake prepared with apricot jam and vinegar, which gives it a caramelized texture.

Some activities, like trimming a Christmas tree and hanging stockings, may sound familiar. Depending upon where you live in the United States, outdoor activities like beach sunbathing, hiking in a park, or camping may be less likely.

A fter gallivanting around the world, Victor Block still retains the travel bug. He believes that travel is the best possible education. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Victor loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won a number of writing awards.

A spit-roasted Christmas meal in Argentina.

A Tokyo KfC at Christmastime.

Canada’s Toronto Christmas Parade attracts more than a half-million people.

By Sandra Gordon

Over half of the nearly 24 million Americans with diabetes also have osteoarthritis.

It’s the most common kind of arthritis, which occurs when the cartilage that provides a cushion between bones wears away, causing inflammation, stiffness, and pain in joints. One disease affects the other.

“Controlling arthritis is critical to diabetes management and vice versa,” says John H. Klippel, M.D., president and CEO of the Arthritis Foundation.

Staying active and at a healthy weight are key. Here are seven important facts that can help you manage both conditions to help you stay healthier.

Weight gain makes osteoarthritis worse. Because of body mechanics, every pound you gain over your ideal body weight can cause a force on your

hips and knees that’s four times greater. But even just a little weight loss goes a long way to reduce the wear and tear on those major weight-bearing joints. By losing just 10 pounds, for example, you’ll decrease the force on joints with each step by 40 pounds.

To reduce the risk of osteoarthritis, minimize pain, and help prevent the disease from progressing, keep your weight in check or lose weight if you need to by watching portion sizes and being as physically active as you can.

Age increases risk. The older you become, the greater your chances of developing osteoarthritis. The majority of people with osteoarthritis are over age 45. If you’re overweight, you’re at risk of developing the disease even earlier. You’re also more likely to get osteoarthritis if you injured a joint or if the

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stock photo Live Independently for Longer. LIFE (Living Independence for the Elderly) is a Medicare/Medicaid program that helps people meet their health care needs in the community instead of going to a nursing home or other care facility. With LIFE, you have a team of health care professionals working with you and your family to make sure you get the coordinated care you need. To find out more about services, eligibility, and financial coverage, visit AlbrightLIFE.org or call (484) 378-1215 | TTY: 711 555 Fox Chase, Suite 106 | Coatesville, PA 19320

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Avoid Back Injury in the Workplace

No matter what your job is, chances are it involves at least some lifting. And as we get older, lifting becomes even more hazardous. Don’t take any risks with your back. Follow this advice from the Mayo Clinic:

Eat a healthy diet. Get enough calcium and vitamin D to prevent your bones from growing weak and brittle due to osteoporosis. Bone fractures can lead to back pain.

Exercise regularly. Combine walking or swimming with exercises that stretch and strengthen your back muscles, as well as tai chi and yoga to maintain your balance.

Watch your posture. Remember to balance your weight evenly on both feet when

disease runs in your family. Like diabetes, the tendency for osteoarthritis can be inherited.

Exercise reduces arthritis joint pain. Over time, physical activity actually reduces the pain of osteoarthritis surrounding an ailing joint and may be just as effective as taking pain medication.

That’s because stronger muscles protect joints by absorbing the force placed upon them. They also help hold joints in a better position so they don’t wear out as quickly.

Moreover, exercise helps keep your joints flexible. Focus on activities that strengthen the muscles surrounding an ailing joint, such as walking, swimming, and cycling, including using a stationary bike.

Besides bolstering your joints, regular exercise helps with weight and blood sugar control. Klippel recommends starting by walking for 30 minutes daily.

Too much exercise can worsen osteoarthritis symptoms. Don’t overdo it. Just like too little exercise, too much physical activity can make the disease worse.

To prevent overuse or further injury, monitor your pain level to avoid pushing yourself too hard. If it hurts to walk the day after taking a long hike, for example, take a break from walking that day but not from exercise.

Try swimming or cycling on a regular or a stationary bike. Both types of activity are joint friendly and can help you stay active consistently.

Osteoarthritis drugs won’t make your diabetes worse. To manage joint pain, ask your doctor about medication such as Tylenol (acetaminophen). It relieves pain, and the side effects are minimal.

If that doesn’t help, your doctor may recommend taking nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), such as Advil or Aleve. None of these common

standing, and don’t slouch. When sitting, choose a chair that supports your lower back, and adjust the height so your feet lie flat on the floor.

Practice proper lifting. Stand close to the object you’re lifting, bend your knees, and tighten your stomach muscles. Stand slowly, supporting your weight with your legs. Hold the object close to your body and maintain the curve of your back. Don’t twist while you’re lifting.

Pay attention to your body. Don’t lift if something hurts. If you’re sitting for a long time, shift position often, and take frequent breaks to walk around and stretch your muscles, reducing muscle tension.

pain relievers will affect your blood sugar, but be sure to take them as directed in the correct dosage to minimize or avoid side effects.

Worn-out joints can be replaced, but you’ll need to be fit for surgery. If X-rays show there’s little to no cartilage cushioning your joints — and everyday activities such as walking around the block or driving your car are extremely painful even with medication — you’re a contender for joint replacement (arthroplasty).

The surgery, which can replace worn-out hips, knees, and shoulders with a prosthetic, can make walking and more rigorous physical activity possible again and pain-free.

To be a candidate for this procedure, you’ll need to have your blood sugar under control. Managing blood sugar well will help reduce your risk of infection after the surgery.

Exercise before surgery is also important. Strong muscles can speed recovery from the operation so you can get back on your feet faster.

Did you know?

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Dear Pharmacist

4 Natural Alternatives to relieve Joint Pain

Joints are meant to last a lifetime, and for some people they do! But for others, joints wear out and start to ache. Old injuries can give rise to pain later on in life.

Over 50 million people have arthritis today, and conventional medicine’s answer is a pill. It’s usually an NSAID, like ibuprofen. This can work temporarily. It’s not right for everyone, though, especially those with ulcers or heart disease.

The latest studies on osteoarthritis suggest that people who are above their healthy BMI make their pain much worse due to additional pressure on the joints. Also, a diet high in soda, carbs, and sugary foods will exacerbate pain.

But there are things you can do. Let’s go through four natural alternatives to

Keystone Military Families, a PA-based nonprofit, encourages

drugs to relieve joint pain fast.

1. Curcumin – Books have been written on the topic of curcumin and pain relief! It’s a strong anti-inflammatory component of turmeric spice extract.

Most people think it is just “curcumin” that works, but recent research proves three different curcuminoids work even better, and you’ll find those in high-quality supplements.

2. MSM – Methylsulfonylmethane provides the body with natural, healing sulfur. This is one component necessary for healthy joints.

MSM is sold in health-food stores because it is an extremely common ingredient that supports joint health, and it cleans the body up. Your body requires sulfur to make collagen.

Sometimes people get scared to take MSM because they don’t understand that it is not a sulfa pill. Sulfur is the third most common and abundant element in your beautiful human body! It is found in great amounts in your nails, your hair, and your skin.

3. Hyaluronic acid – Arthritic joints are deficient in natural hyaluronic acid, so over time, it leads to the cartilage becoming less squishy and pliable. The stiffer a joint is, the more likely there is pain and inflammation.

Hyaluronic acid holds moisture like a sponge; it’s a plumper, as in Restylane®and Juvederm®, which are two popular facial fillers.

Hyaluronic acid may be injected into your joint — for example, your knee. It will not cure anything serious, like if you need a knee replacement, but for simpler problems, an injection of this can bring relief for two or three months. It can be taken orally as well.

4. Vitamin D – Vitamin D is naturally synthesized in the human body after exposure to sunlight. It is a fact that people who have low levels of vitamin D often have joint pain and/or osteoporosis.

Vitamin D supplements would be an effective adjunctive supplement that you can take if you have chronic joint pain, and it is particularly helpful for both autoimmune rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.

Today you’ve learned about four supplements that support joint health. One of them is free: the vitamin D!

If you’d like additional help with your pain, I have a longer article available at my website, as well as additional resources.

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

Suzy Cohen

The Beauty in Nature Wildlife Succession in Cornfields

Much farmland in southeastern Pennsylvania is devoted to raising field corn. Cornfields are human-made habitats that have stages of succession, from bare ground to rows of tall corn plants, to short stubble after being harvested. And each stage is inhabited by certain adaptable kinds of wildlife.

Corn is planted in bare soil early in May. Killdeer plovers and horned larks are adapted to raising young on bare ground, or nearly so. Each female killdeer lays her four speckled eggs right on the soil.

But larks dig teacup-sized nurseries in bare ground, where each female deposits her eggs. Birds of both species are brown on top, which camouflages them against soil.

Some clutches of eggs are laid in rows of corn where they won’t be disturbed by cultivators trying to remove weeds. Nests between rows might be destroyed by cultivators.

The handsome killdeer and larks, and their eggs and chicks, blend into bare soil and are invisible until they move, which usually keeps them safe from hawks and other predators.

Baby killdeer are fluffy and hunt for invertebrate food soon after hatching. But lark chicks are born helpless and stay in their soil cradles for a couple of weeks. There they are fed invertebrates by both parents.

When fields of cornstalks are 8 and more feet tall, they look a little like woods or cattail marshes. They now offer food and shelter to a variety of adaptable wildlife. Elegant white-tailed deer and rascally raccoons ingest corn kernels while they are soft on the ears.

Grasshoppers eat the leaves of weeds and grasses on the sunny edges of cornfields. Butterflies, bees, and other insects sip the nectar of some weeds’ lovely flowers.

Field mice and groups of house sparrows feed on weed and grass seeds. Some of those mice, grasshoppers, and birds are caught and eaten by American kestrels, a type of hawk.

I’ve also seen post-breeding American robins and barn swallows flying into tall, sheltering cornfields at dusk. There they spend the night, as robins do in woods and swallows do in cattail marshes.

And I’ve seen a few lovely male indigo buntings singing in cornfields by late July, just as if they were establishing nesting territories in wooded thickets.

Corn is harvested in September, locally, leaving acres of short-stubble banquet tables. Attractive flocks of rock pigeons, mourning doves, Canada geese, mallard ducks, American crows, individual field mice, and other kinds of wild creatures feed on corn kernels lying on the ground among the stubble through autumn and winter.

Adaptable wildlife is interesting to experience in cornfields the year around, mainly because those species make use of human-made situations. The creatures have additional food and shelter sources, and we can enjoy experiencing them.

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Killdeer sitting on nest with young.

The History of Ordinary Things

Nutty as a fruitcake

The phrase “nutty as a fruitcake” was first used in 1935 in reference to Southern bakers who loaded their fruitcakes with nuts. But what is the history of this heavy, fruit-laden cake?

The ancient Romans made a cake called satura to sustain their troops in battle. It consisted of pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, raisins, barley mash, and honeyed wine. It was packed with calories and soaked in wine, which made it last a long time.

A similar form of fruitcake was used by Christian armies during the Crusades. During the Middle Ages, fruit, spices, and honey were added. The loaves were carried on long expeditions.

Also during the Middle Ages, dried fruits and nuts from the Mediterranean became available to western Europeans, resulting in variations on the fruitcake recipe. Italy introduced panforte and panettone. Germany created powdered-sugar-coated stollen.

The British form started as “plum pudding,” which was not sweet at all. After the 16th century, the expansion of the British Empire brought sugar from the

Tom

Victor Block (Willing to Wander)

Fred Cicetti (The Healthy Geezer)

suzy Cohen (Dear Pharmacist)

Jonathen J. David (Legal Ease)

Bob DeLaurentis (Bob’s Tech Talk)

randal C. Hill (Sixties Flashback

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

The Reel Deal)

Bill Levine (Booming Voice)

Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature)

Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior)

Doris Montag (The History of Ordinary Things)

Melinda Myers (Melinda’s Garden)

Victor Parachin (Grief Relief)

James Patterson

s aralee Perel (Such is Life)

Nancy schaaf

Terri schlichenmeyer (The Bookworm Sez)

Nick Thomas (Tinseltown Talks)

Dr. Lori Verderame (Art and Antiques)

Arthur Vidro (The Cautious Consumer Guy)

Colonies and cheap brown sugar and rum from the West Indies. In the 1700s, fruitcakes became more cakelike after the introduction of butter and vanilla.

In the Christmas carol, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” there is a line, “Now bring us some figgy pudding.” In the 19th century, it was the practice of English nobles to feed carolers with a slice of this baked pudding, perhaps creating the association of fruitcake with Christmas.

During the Victorian era, the fruits and the cake were soaked in alcohol, which served as a preservative. As the cake aged, the alcohol softened the bitterness of the tannins in the fruits. Because the sweet fruitcakes were thought to be “sinfully rich,” they were outlawed throughout Continental Europe for close to 100 years.

Despite this restriction, Queen Victoria enjoyed a slice with her tea in the afternoons, ultimately making fruitcake, or plum cake, as the English called it, acceptable. In the late 1800s, regulations softened to allow fruitcake to be eaten at weddings and holiday celebrations.

Fruitcake came to America with the early Colonists and was used to sustain soldiers during the American Revolution. Rum, bourbon, brandy, or sherry was used to preserve the cake.

By the end of the 19th century, fruitcake had become a thoughtful gift to bestow upon friends. In 1913, the first mail-order fruitcake was sent. By midcentury, U.S. charities often sold fruitcake as a fundraising item. They typically came in a classic red gift tin.

In the early 1900s, because of the strong female prohibitionist sentiment, U.S. manufacturers dropped that one ingredient that made traditional fruitcake “work”: the alcohol. This “unleaded” recipe results in a dry, heavy, candied fruitand-nut cake that has gotten a bad rap in America. The alcohol is integral to holding in the moisture.

Bakeries are continually perfecting the recipe to deliver the right blend of density, moistness, and flavor. The current recipe has 70% dried fruit and nuts! Today, mass-produced fruitcakes are typically 1.5-2 pounds and are alcohol free.

You can correct this problem by “feeding” the fruitcake. Dedicate yourself to pouring alcohol over the loaf every two weeks for at least a month before serving. It will be better if you continue every two weeks for a year! Brandy, rum, and whiskey will deliver a spicy flavor. Orange liqueur produces a citrus flavor, and cherry brandy and amaretto also work.

Today a $100 million industry, fruitcake is available as a light or dark cake. The lighter cake is made with golden raisins, candied citron, apricots, pineapples, maraschino cherries, and almonds. Darker fruitcakes are crafted with molasses, brown sugar, cherries, dried plums, cranberries, cherries, raisins, dates, pecans, and walnuts.

I believe the secret to enjoying fruitcake is in the bottle. Happy holidays!

Doris Montag is a homespun historian and an exhibit curator who researches and displays historical collections of ordinary things, such as can openers, crochet, toy sewing machines, hand corn planters, powder compacts, egg cartons, and more. Contact or follow her on Facebook, HistoryofOrdinaryThings.

Doris Montag

Assisted Living Residences/PeRsOnAL cARe HOMes

Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition. This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

BETHANy VILLAGE — MAPLEwOOD

325 wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 • 717-766-0279 www.BethanyVillage.org • jyockin@asbury.org

EVErGrEEN EsTATEs rETIrEMENT COMMuNIT y 1600 East King street • Lancaster, PA 17602 • 717-394-2208 www.evergreenestatesrc.com • john@evergreenestatesrc.com

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100

Assisted Living Licensure: Yes Personal Care Licensure: No Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: Yes Private Pay: Yes

ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: Yes Entrance Fee/security Deposit: Yes Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: No Health Fee-for-service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes respite Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry s ervice: Yes Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Featuring private accommodations with aroundthe-clock assistance to help you stay active and engaged.

THE HICKMAN FrIENDs sENIOr COMMuNIT y OF wEsT CHEsTEr

400 North walnut street • west Chester, PA 19380 484-760-6300 • www.thehickman.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 125 Assisted Living Licensure: No Personal Care Licensure: Yes Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: Yes Private Pay: Yes ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: Yes Entrance Fee/security Deposit: Yes Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: No Health Fee-for-service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry s ervice: Yes Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes

Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: The Hickman is a senior living community located in the heart of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Guided by Quaker principles and tradition, The Hickman provides individualized care and assistance to older adults who seek a safe and affordable living environment.

HOMEwOOD AT PLuM CrEEK 425 westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331 717-637-4166 • www.homewoodplumcreek.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 125

Assisted Living Licensure: No Personal Care Licensure: Yes Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: Yes Private Pay: Yes ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: Yes Entrance Fee/security Deposit: Yes Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: 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

HOMELAND CENTEr

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

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 56

Assisted Living Licensure: No Personal Care Licensure: Yes Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: Yes Private Pay: Yes ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: No Entrance Fee/security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes

Medication Management: Yes On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: Yes

Health Fee-for-service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry s ervice: Yes Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes

Pets Permitted: Yes

Comments: Providing exemplary care in a beautiful environment for more than 155 years. Our continuum of care includes therapy services, skilled rehab, 24-hour medical staffing, plus Hospice, Palliative Care, HomeHealth, and HomeCare outreach programs. All-private rooms include a full bath and kitchenette.

L ANDIs HOMEs

1001 East Oregon road • Lititz, PA 17543 • 717-844-9766 www.LandisHomes.org • admissions@landis.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 93

Assisted Living Licensure: No Personal Care Licensure: Yes Private rooms: Yes semi-private rooms: No Private Pay: Yes

ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: Yes Entrance Fee/security Deposit: No Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: Yes Health Fee-for-service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry s ervice: Yes Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: No

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 97

Assisted Living Licensure: No Personal Care Licensure: Yes Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: No Private Pay: Yes ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: Yes Entrance Fee/security Deposit: No Part/Totally refundable: No Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

sT. ANNE’s rETIrEMENT COMMuNIT y

3952 Columbia Avenue west Hempfield Township, PA 17612 717-285-1404 • www.stannesrc.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 75

Assisted Living Licensure: No Personal Care Licensure: Yes Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: No Private Pay: Yes

ssI Accepted: Yes short-term Lease/respite: No Entrance Fee/security Deposit: Yes

Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: Yes Health Fee-for-service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry s ervice: Yes

Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100

Assisted Living Licensure: No

Personal Care Licensure: Yes

Private rooms: Yes semi-Private rooms: Yes

Private Pay: Yes

ssI Accepted: No short-term Lease/respite: Yes

Entrance Fee/security Deposit: Yes

Outdoor Areas/ walking Paths/ Fitness Center: Yes Medication Management: Yes

On-call Medical s ervice: Yes Telemedicine Available: Yes Health Fee-for-service Available: No Alzheimer’s Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry s ervice: Yes Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes Pets Permitted: Yes Comments: Attached to wellness center and pool without going outside.

TEL HAI rETIrEMENT COMMuNIT y 1200 Tel Hai Circle • Honey Brook, PA 19344 610-273-9333 • www.telhai.org

On-call Medical s ervice: Yes

Telemedicine Available: Yes

Health Fee-for-service Available: Yes Alzheimer’s Care: Yes social Programs: Yes Housekeeping/Laundry service: Yes

Transportation (scheduled): Yes Personal Car Permitted: Yes

Pets Permitted: Yes

Comments: Providing daily assistance paired with clinical support for seniors to remain independent, safe, and secure.

Green Winter Living – for the Holidays and the Winter Through

By Kimberly Blaker

Taking steps to reduce our negative impact on the earth is a year-round job. But it can seem much harder during the winter season. Cold weather and long, dark nights, along with holiday celebrations, make it challenging to prioritize planet-healthy habits.

Still, there are ways to reduce our impact for a more sustainable planet. So follow these tips to keep your winter — and our world — green!

Watch the Thermostat

One thing people struggle with most during winter is the chilly temperatures. As the weather gets colder, it’s tempting to crank up the thermostat.

But overusing your heater consumes a lot of energy. Depending on the size of your home, you’re likely warming up areas that aren’t even being used.

Before you turn up the thermostat, add some layers of clothing, socks, and warm fuzzy slippers. It may be enough to keep you warm and comfy. If you’re just relaxing, get cozy and cuddle up under a blanket with warm food and a hot drink.

Getting a smart thermostat is also a smart investment, which will pay for itself in a relatively short time. There are many brands available that offer features to help you stay eco-friendly.

These include timers to set specific temperatures for when you’re at home, away, or sleeping. There are also recommended eco-friendly temperature settings and even the ability to control the thermostat from your phone.

Starting a fire in your fireplace can be a fun heat alternative for winter. It gives off heat in a smaller, concentrated space and uses less energy than a furnace. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, be sure to have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually for fire safety.

Be Aware of Light Use

With the sun setting earlier and more gray days, it’s tempting to switch on a lot of extra lights. But lights also use a lot of energy.

So make a conscious effort to turn off lights when you leave a room (unless you’ll be returning in a reasonably short time), and only use the lights you need.

Another way to cut back on energy use from lights is to switch to LED or CFL bulbs, which are more energy efficient. Also, consider lights with dimmer switches. There are lights with sensors that turn them off automatically when there’s no movement in the room for a set amount of time, as well.

Another fun alternative is to use candles, which also add ambiance. Just make sure they’re eco-friendly! Also, if you have pets or young children, they should be kept in a high, secure spot to reduce the risk of injury or fire.

Conserving on electrical lights also goes for outdoor holiday lights. These lights use a lot of energy. So consider more earth-friendly options. Holiday lights with LED bulbs and solar-powered outdoor lights are better for the planet and your wallet. You can also use timers for outdoor decorations, so you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn them off.

Eco-friendly Gifting

A big highlight of winter is holidays and get-togethers with gift exchanges. But all the gift-giving leads to a lot of waste and overconsumption of goods.

The best option is to eliminate gift exchanges. Instead, make the holidays special by focusing more on fun activities and quality time with family and friends.

But there are many ways to go green, even with gifts. Doing so is also an excellent opportunity to share environmentally friendly practices with your loved ones.

A few ideas for green gifting include:

• Give experiences instead of things.

• Do a White Elephant or Secret Santa exchange where each person gifts one item.

• Look for gifts at secondhand or thrift stores (if everyone can agree to this, no one will feel like a cheapskate).

• Gift eco-friendly products like reusable straws or mugs.

• Choose wooden toys over plastic.

• Shop locally from small businesses.

Green gift wrap – Once you’ve found the perfect gifts, get creative with wrapping! Traditional wrapping paper is typically used once and then discarded, which consumes more resources.

Some alternatives are to reuse old wrapping paper; repurpose other products, like newspaper or paper bags from the grocery store (some stores even have themed bags during the winter); or look for gift bags that can be reused (nice fabric ones, such as reusable tote bags, can be passed along for years to come).

Small changes to your winter routines can help you stick to your values and reduce your consumption of the planet’s resources. So look for opportunities to reduce, reuse, and recycle throughout the winter months to help keep our earth evergreen.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera; and more.

Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘You’re So Vain’

You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht

Your hat strategically dipped below one eye, your scarf it was apricot

You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte

And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner, they’d be your partner

And you’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you Don’t you, don’t you?

Some lyrics of Carly Simon’s No. 1 hit often left many music fans scratching their heads in wonder. Let’s start with the little-known word gavotte.

“A gavotte is a French dance,” Simon explains. “I thought I would use a word that was slightly presumptuous … He’s gavotting because that’s what a pretentious, vain man would do.”

Then there is that mysterious line, “There were clouds in my coffee.” That statement came about during a flight Simon took with her piano player, Billy Merritt.

She explains, “As I got my coffee, Billy said to me, ‘Look at the clouds in your coffee.’ There were clouds outside the window of the airplane, and you could see the reflection in a cup of coffee.” (And we were supposed to figure this out?)

By Carly Simon December 1972

But the question that most fans asked was: Who was Simon ridiculing in “You’re So Vain,” an Elektra Records tune that topped the Billboard singles chart for three weeks in the waning days of 1972?

That hit, whose creation consumed nearly a year of Simon’s time, came from her third LP, No Secrets, a No. 1 Billboard album for over a month.

Simon claims that “You’re So Vain” actually refers to a total of three

famous, arrogant individuals. She has stated that ex-husband James Taylor and Rolling Stone Mick Jagger are definitely not the men she had in mind when she put pen to paper many years ago.

Other possible candidates — deep breath here — have included David Bowie, Cat Stevens, Kris Kristofferson, David Cassidy, and Jack Nicholson.

“I was brought up by a mother who was adamant that you didn’t even kiss a man until you were in love with him,” Simon has admitted. “So I was in love with a lot of men. I was besotted by the lads! I was definitely a romantic.”

Recently, Simon admitted that the second verse was about actor Warren Beatty — but only the second verse.

You had me several years ago, when I was still quite naïve

Well, you said that we made such a pretty pair and that you would never leave

But you gave away the things you loved, and one of them was me

I had some dreams, they were clouds in my coffee, clouds in my coffee

In August 2003, she agreed to reveal the unknown names to the highest bidder of a Martha’s Vineyard charity auction. Dick Ebersole, the head of NBC Sports, won with a bid of $50,000, but he had to agree to never reveal what she told him.

And so, to this day, Carly Simon’s mystery men have remained a mystery.

Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

randal Hill

Carly Simon, 1972 press photo.

“You’re So Vain”

Grandparent Colds

Q. Since I started being a babysitting grandparent, I seem to be getting more colds. I must be catching germs from the kids, right?

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases reports that schoolchildren get as many as 12 colds a year. Put those kids near their grandparents, and it doesn’t take a scientist to know those colds are going to spread.

My personal physician — also a grandfather — says one of the problems is that these walking petri dishes come home from school with new germs for which older people haven’t developed antibodies.

Any grandparent will tell you that being around their little treasures has made them sick. My seven grandchildren are generous with all the viruses they get from their school chums.

What are you supposed to do when one of the darlings comes up to you with a runny nose and asks for a hug? Well, if you understand the hazards, perhaps you can formulate a plan that works for you around the miraculous children of your children.

Obviously the best course of action is to stay away from grandchildren

when they have colds, but any grandparent knows that’s next to impossible.

There are two ways you can catch a cold:

1. Inhaling drops of mucus full of cold germs from the air

2. Touching a surface that has cold germs and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth

So, avoid close facial contact with your ailing grandchildren. Use some restraint. If the child needs comfort, limit yourself to hugs that don’t put you in the position of inhaling their germs.

Washing your hands thoroughly and often is important. Washing with soap and water doesn’t kill the cold virus but removes it. The scrubbing is more important than the soap.

Also, if you can, avoid touching your face after you have been around a child with a cold.

Rhinoviruses can live up to three hours on your skin and on objects such as telephones and stair railings. Cleaning environmental surfaces with a virus-

please see CoLDS on facing page

Cost-of-Living Adjustment, Veterans Benefits to Increase in 2023

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 8.7% in 2023, the Social Security Administration announced recently.

On average, Social Security benefits will increase by more than $140 per month starting in January. This is the largest cost-ofliving adjustment increase since 1981.

The 8.7% COLA will begin with benefits payable to more than 65 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2023. Increased payments to more than 7 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on Dec. 30, 2022. (Note: some people receive both Social Security and SSI benefits.)

The Social Security Act ties the annual COLA to the increase in the Consumer Price Index as determined by the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics.

“Medicare premiums are going down, and Social Security benefits are going up in 2023, which will give seniors more peace of mind and breathing room,”

Acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi said.

“This year’s substantial Social Security costof-living adjustment is the first time in over a decade that Medicare premiums are not rising and shows that we can provide more support to older Americans who count on the benefits they have earned.”

Increases in VA disability are directly correlated with the COLA increase. More than 5 million veterans can expect an increase in VA disability that ranges from $13.28 at 10% disability to $298.89 for 100% disability.

Those numbers only reflect single veterans. VA’s official compensation tables for veterans at 30% disability or higher who have dependents added to VA disability will be released in December.

Social Security and SSI beneficiaries are normally notified by mail starting in early December about their new benefit amount. The fastest way to find out their new benefit amount is to access their personal “my Social Security” account at ssa.gov/myaccount.

fred Cicetti

killing disinfectant might help prevent spread of infection.

Where are these viruses found most often? No, not in the bathroom. The worst room in the house for germs is the kitchen. And the greatest concentration is found in sponges and dishcloths.

Laundering a dishcloth doesn’t eliminate germs. And putting a sponge through the dishwasher makes it look clean but doesn’t remove the infection. Instead, moisten the sponge or dishcloth and microwave it for two minutes. Then you’ll have safe, germ-free tools to use.

These tips will help, but the reality is that you’re going to catch some colds. They’re the price of being a caregiver. It’s the price you paid as a parent. Now you’re having a second chance for all that love … and all those germs.

Fred Cicetti is a senior and health writer with more than three decades of experience. The Healthy Geezer is devoted to the health questions of seniors who are wondering what is going on with these bodies of ours.

Chace Pet of the Month

Chace is a handsome young pup looking for his forever home.

Chace previously lived with children and did great! He has been playing — no surprise —“chase” with other dogs in playgroups.

If you would like to meet Chace, please bring your family members and any other dogs in the home to the shelter for a meet-and-greet.

For more information, contact Brandywine Valley SPCA, 1212 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, at (484) 302-0865 or bvspca.org.