50plus LIFE York County April 2019

Complimentary | York County Edition

April 2019 • Vol. 20 No. 4

have books, will travel page 4

financial focus: 5 mistakes to avoid in retirement page 10

soldier stories: vietnam vet joe novak page 17

Art and Antiques

Collecting American Girl Dolls Dr. Lori Verderame

If you don’t think the millennial generation is saving objects, collecting vintage pieces, or displaying antiques, maybe you should think again.

I have been evaluating the collections of 20- and 30-year-old collectors for a long time. They are seasoned collectors who know a lot about the market for a special, historic collectible called American Girl Dolls.

American Girl Dolls were produced by the Pleasant Company — prior to the company’s acquisition by Mattel, Inc. — and came onto the scene in 1986.

The first three dolls captured the background of historical figures in the forms of 9-year-old girls living at specific times in American history.

The first dolls produced from 1986 to 1991 were character dolls Molly McIntire, Kirsten Larson, and Samantha Parkington. These three original American Girl Dolls are valuable collectibles and attract both adult and youth audiences today.

The dolls are robustly traded online, at American Girl Doll events, and on social media. The dolls’ collectors are very active on Instagram, showing off their varied customization of the figural dolls, fashion outfits, and books.

The values for American Girl Dolls vary based on several factors, including condition of the doll body, hair, outfits, and accessories, as well as the type of doll and the popularity of the doll’s character and story.

Some of the doll characters were featured in television and full-length feature movies, making those particular American Girl Doll characters better known and thus, more valuable than other dolls.

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| Harrisburg, PA

Also, some dolls have since been discontinued, making those particular dolls somewhat rare and typically pricier and more desirable with collectors.

To recognize the American Girl Dolls, collectors have to learn the background of each doll.

Arguably the most valuable of the dolls include the originals: Molly, Kirsten, and Samantha.

The Molly McIntire doll represents a 9-year-old girl living during World War II, circa 194145. Like all American Girl Dolls, Molly has books and accessories based on her story, including eyeglasses, skirt, blouse, sweater, socks, and shoes.

Molly, like other American Girl Dolls, has additional accessories, called “Meet accessories,” including a purse, a wartime steel penny from 1943, and a picture of her father inside of a locket.

A fine-condition example of the American Girl Doll Samantha Molly McIntire doll is valued Parkington, circa 1986-91. in a range between $1,000 and $10,000.

Molly is the topic of a line of American Girl Doll books, and the character was featured in the American Girl television movie entitled Molly: An American Girl on the Home Front, which debuted in 2006.

Another American Girl Doll of the original three dolls, Kirsten Larson, is a Swedish immigrant living in the 1850s as member of a pioneer family in the Minnesota territory. Kirsten has traditional period boots and braided hair looped and tied with ribbons.

Based on the related book, Meet Kirsten Larson, the character comes with a wooden spoon and a heart-shaped amber necklace typical of the girl’s native Scandinavia homeland. In very good condition, Kirsten dolls are actively traded online.

The Samantha Parkington doll was in production from 1986-1991.

Samantha was an orphan who lived in the late 19th/early 20th century. Her accessories, which impact the doll’s value, include a Victorian dress, stockings and shoes, and a large hair bow.

When collecting American Girl Dolls, look for historical figure dolls in original condition with styled hair, original outfits, and character accessories, when available. If you think your favorite millennial isn’t into collecting, then ask them if they have an American Girl Doll from childhood. Odds are, they do.

Dr. Lori Verderame is an author and award-winning TV personality who appears on History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island. With a Ph.D. from Penn State University and experience appraising 20,000 antiques every year, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide. Visit DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Tinseltown Talks

Michael Dante: From Actor to Author Nick Thomas

It’s not uncommon for actors to find a second career away from the camera after spending years in front of it.

In Michael Dante’s case, that new vocation has been writing, beginning with his 2014 award-winning autobiography From Hollywood to Michael Dante Way (see Desilu Productions, NBC michaeldanteway.com).

Michael Dante, center, as Maab “I received the Ella in Star Trek's “Friday's Child.”

Dickey Literacy Award for it last April in Marshfield, Missouri, at their Cherry Blossom Festival,” said Dante. “My second book, Winterhawk’s Land, is the sequel to the film I starred in and played the title role, Winterhawk.”

His latest novella is called Six Rode Home, which, he says, is “about six horse soldiers who come home from the Civil War, and it’s a great read.”

Dante is well acquainted with early American life through his films, which included working alongside Audie Murphy in two Westerns.

“Audie was the greatest American hero of World War II, but never talked about his war experience. He was a very quiet, sensitive, and soft-spoken guy with a great sense of humor who also wrote beautiful poetry and song lyrics.”

Dante’s first film was the 1956 bio-drama Somebody Up There Likes Me starring Paul Newman as boxer Rocky Graziano and featuring Steve McQueen in his first role.

During filming, a truck lost control when its brakes failed and hurtled toward the cast, causing Newman to leap out of the way and sending a cameraman flying.

Volunteers Needed for Theater, Literacy Help RSVP – York County has two opportunities for which it is seeking volunteers age 55 and over.

The Appell Center for the Performing Arts in the city of York has several available volunteer positions, including ushers, coat check, inside ambassadors, merchandise, concessions, and others.

The York County Literacy Council in York and Hanover is in need of tutors.

Training will be provided in York in August or October and in Hanover in April or November.

Volunteer benefits include: transportation reimbursement, free supplemental liability insurance, recognition and appreciation events, and assistance with clearances.

For more information, contact Scott Hunsinger at (717) 893-8474 or yorkrsvp@rsvpcapreg.org. www.50plusLifePA.com

“Then it headed towards me and Steve — I pulled him out of the way.”

In Kid Galahad, another boxing film, Dante sparred with Elvis Presley. He says the two performed all the fight scenes themselves, with Presley landing a blow on Dante, cutting his lip.

“He kept apologizing Provided by MIchael Dante over and over,” he Michael Dante, recent photo. recalled, laughing.

On TV, Dante created a memorable character in the original 1967 Star Trek episode “Friday’s Child,” where the Enterprise crew visit an alien planet and attempt to negotiate mineral rights with a local tribe. His character, Maab, was dressed head to foot in a stiflingly hot costume.

please see DANTE page 7

Senior Real Estate Specialist With 30 Years of Real Estate Experience • 2016 Realtor of the Year •2 014 President of Realtor’s Association of York and Adams County

Paula Musselman Selling or buying a house?

Please call me – I’ll guide you every step of the way!

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Taking the time to make your transaction smooth and stress free.

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Cover Story

Have Books, Will Travel

Corporate Office

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

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL

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

ART DEPARTMENT Project Coordinator Renee McWilliams Production Artist Lauren Phillips

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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

ADMINISTRATION Business Manager Elizabeth Duvall

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

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

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

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By John Crawford Liz Richardson has always loved books and always wanted to help people, so she knew her career choice from an early age.

“I have always read and was encouraged to find the answers to my own questions,” Richardson said.

“I knew from a young child that I wanted to be a librarian.”

A native of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, now living at Messiah Village, Richardson graduated from Seton Hill College with a Bachelor of the Arts in English and a master’s in library science from the University of Pittsburgh.

Retiring in 2007 did not lessen her desire to help or her love of books; therefore, Richardson decided to bring books to homebound adults at Messiah Village through Cumberland County Library System’s Service to Adult Readers (STAR) program.

Christa Bassett, adult outreach services coordinator for the library system, explained that Richardson participates in STAR’s site-delivery program, in which a volunteer selects and delivers books to a retirement home, adult daycare, or senior center.

“It’s been about four years that I’ve been doing it,” Richardson said.

Through the program, Richardson gathers books from the local community library and takes them to Messiah Village. This way, seniors unable to get to the library can have access to the collection.

Her task involves going through the collection to find books that interest her fellow residents without repeating previous selections. She sorts among the subjects the homebound seniors enjoy, and then refers to the sign-out card to be sure she hasn’t previously checked out the book.

She will occasionally get a specific request and will do her best to follow through on it.

“The people at Messiah Village are like the people anywhere,” Richardson said. “There are some who don’t want to [read about harder topics], and some who want to think about it. It’s not any different from the community as a whole.

“I keep a list of things that are popular,” she added.

Her role requires considerable insight but not necessarily a set schedule or deadline. The community residents know when to expect a new selection.

“They’re not waiting, but if I miss a day or two, they want to know where I’ve been,” she explained with a smile.

Richardson’s work for the residents doesn’t end with the delivery of the Simpson Library books.

Concurrent with her STAR duties, she helps to maintain and enlarge the nascent library at the retirement community.

“I have worked there about four years and been the librarian about three,” said Richardson.

“Someone is at the library every day for a few hours to check in what has been returned and help people find what they need. Most of the time, readers help themselves.”

Helping the library grow has been a community effort that Richardson helps direct.

“Our library is very small and gets most of our books through donations,” Richardson said. “There also is a small budget to buy books. Last year we received a donation from a resident’s family to buy large-print books.”

Large-print books may be an obvious fit for a senior community, but the books themselves weren’t, at least not for the after-hours return receptacle.

Richardson and the community needed to upgrade the return and managed to do so from within the village.

“I recently designed a new book return, which is being made in the village’s woodshop” by fellow resident Max Van Buskirk, she said. “Our circulation is increasing, and we are getting more large-print books, which are bigger than a normal book.”

STAR also features a homebound delivery program, where a volunteer selects and delivers library items to a single homebound individual.

“Currently, we serve approximately 100 homebound people across the county with this individualized service,” Bassett said. “This is the type of volunteer service that our volunteer Heidi Stadnicki assists with.”

Massachusetts native Heidi Stadnicki, now of Boiling Springs, has a background similar to Richardson’s, which drew her to the program.

“As a former librarian, I was drawn to STAR as a way to use my skills and give back to others who are unable to visit a library,” said Stadnicki, who delivers books and DVDs to four nursing-home residents and two homebound clients.

“I am thankful for the opportunity to bring pleasure to others in such a simple way.”

Stadnicki works to develop an understanding of her clients’ preferences, much like a site volunteer, but does so on a one-to-one basis. This delivery service provides not only library materials, but also companionship to homebound individuals.

“I enjoy doing reader’s advisory,” said Stadnicki.

“Once I am familiar with my clients’ favorite genres and authors, I choose books that I think they will enjoy.

“Learning their preferences involves chatting about the books they have read and why they liked or disliked a particular author,” she said. “This input provides me with valuable insight into making my next selections for each client.” www.50plusLifePA.com

As she gets familiar with each participant’s preferences, the former librarian enjoys trying to expand their choices.

“It is also fun to introduce new fiction and nonfiction books tailored to a client’s interests or hobbies,” Stadnicki said. “Not every choice is a success, but the challenge makes it enjoyable for me as well.”

“Heidi and Liz both willingly go above and beyond the expectations for STAR volunteers,” Bassett said. “They have a love for the homebound participants we serve and for our program. Our program would not be as vibrant as it currently is without the support of volunteers such as Heidi and Liz.” The STAR program also includes self-service and digital-only programs. As Bassett explained, the self-service program is “for those residents who are still

mobile enough to visit their library but, due to health or other concerns, they may not be able to visit as frequently as necessary.”

The digital-only program is for homebound individuals who strictly want to be able to access from their homes the library system’s electronic databases and the e-book and e-audiobook resources available on its website.

While Bassett will always welcome new volunteers for the STAR program, she really wants to reach more recipients.

“Our greater need, for the moment, is to get the word out about our wonderful program to those homebound individuals who could benefit from it,” she said. “We currently have extra volunteers, but I am looking for homebound participants for these volunteers to serve.”

On Life and Love After 50

Do Multiple Past Marriages Matter?

Tom Blake

A woman, age 69, recently emailed me with a dating question.

“I’ve been married three times,” she said. “Should three marriages matter to the men I meet? Might they be a deal-breaker? Turn-off? Red flag? Or, (hopefully) a nonissue?”

My response: There’s no automatic answer; it depends on several circumstances. Here are nine of my thoughts: 1. What is your dating goal? To marry again? Or to meet a nice man-friend with whom you can have a committed relationship? Would you want to live together, or perhaps have an LAT, a living-apart-together relationship?

Your answer could determine how a potential mate feels about your three marriages. If it’s your hope to marry a fourth time, most men are going to head for the exit before the second date.

2. What are the dating goals of the man you meet? If he wants to remarry, your three marriages may be a red flag to him. You’ll need to explain what happened. But, if he’s looking for a similar arrangement as you, your three marriages may be a nonissue.

3. How many marriages has he had and why did his marriages end? How long did they last? Or maybe he never married? Is he willing to reveal how many marriages he’s had?

Answers to those questions are important to know. You wouldn’t want to become involved with someone who has a history of terrible marriages or relationships. You need to protect yourself.

7. Before a budding relationship turns serious, the number of prior marriages isn’t as important as the disclosure of them. Also, people had the courage and were willing to take the risk to find happiness.

8. Understanding what happened in your three marriages can help you build a more solid relationship the next time around. please see MARRIAGES page 9

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4. When a man or a woman is widowed, he or she had no control over losing that spouse. Should that count in his or her previous-marriage tally?

Of course not. (Well, if they’ve had four, and all have died under suspicious circumstances, then that would be a red flag).

5. One woman described her three divorces as “failed” marriages. I don’t like that term. Why? Because most marriages were the right thing to do at that time. But, as years passed, people changed, and marriages faded.

Does that make the marriages failures? No. They just didn’t last forever, although they were good for a while.

6. Often, marriages that end in divorce turn out to be a blessing in disguise, although at the time of the breakup, it didn’t seem that way. Hence, three marriages that ended could be three blessings in disguise. www.50plusLifePA.com

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It Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In’ Randal C. Hill

When the moon is in the seventh house, and Jupiter Before long, Daniels’s phone rang with the good news aligns with Mars that his wallet had been found and that the caller wanted to Then peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the return it. The relieved Daniels invited the producer and his stars wife to see the Fifth Dimension in concert; the producer, in ··· turn, invited Daniels’s group to see Hair.

The Fifth Dimension would never have made their At the show, the Fifth Dimension members were so taken best-known record if not for a wallet inadvertently left with the music that they declared “Aquarius,” the musical’s behind in a taxicab. uplifting opening number, to be a work that they absolutely The quintet started as a mid-1960s Los Angeles pop/ must record. soul outfit called the Versatiles. When they signed But their L.A.-based producer, “Bones” Howe, with Johnny Rivers’s nascent Soul City label, Rivers felt otherwise, as he was concerned about a possible demanded that they update their name; thus was born overexposure of the song. The original Broadway cast album the cooler-than-cool title of the Fifth Dimension. had been out for a while and had soared to the top of the Fast-forward to the fall of 1968. The outfit, by then Billboard LP charts, where it had stayed for 13 weeks. hit-making headliners, was performing at New York’s Howe harbored another issue, as well.

Americana Hotel. Group member Billy Daniels Jr. took “I said [that] it’s half a song,” he recalled. “It’s an “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” a cab to do some shopping one afternoon before the introduction.

It needs something on the back end.”

The Fifth Dimension evening’s show and forgot his wallet on the taxi’s back He jetted to New York to evaluate the 33-tune musical seat. for himself and decided that the last three bars of the show’s The next person to enter the cab was one of the producers of the closing (and decidedly antiwar) tune “The Flesh Failures” would make a perfect groundbreaking Broadway rock opera Hair, which had been playing to packed ending, especially after witnessing the audience joyfully singing along with the houses since April. line “Let the sunshine in” over and over.

The single’s instrumental tracks were recorded in Los Angeles when the Fifth Dimension were opening shows for Frank Sinatra at Caesar’s Palace in Las Tom & Randi LaNasa “MEMORY MUSIC” Vegas.

At a primitive Sin City recording studio where trains rumbling by would stop recording sessions mid-song, Howe cut the group’s soon-to-be-signature tune using two microphones for the five singers.

“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” ran long, so Howe edited it to less than five minutes — a better fit for radio playlists of the time. As the Fifth Dimension’s eighth Top 40 single, it spent six weeks at No. 1 on the charts and sold 3 million copies.

In 1968, the Fifth Dimension had earned a Grammy for Record of the Year for their hit “Up, Up and Away”; “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” brought them that same coveted honor two years later.

Attention: RETIREMENT HOMES, CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS. Looking for entertainment?

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

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

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

Specialty shows include …

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

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

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Phone: (717) 846-6126 6

April 2019

E-mail: memrymusic@aol.com 50plus LIFE t

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Call for a Rent-A-Kid in Your Area York County seniors interested in help with spring cleanup, mowing, yard work, electronic devices, or with other household chores are encouraged to arrange for a Rent-A-Kid. The Rent-A-Kid program, sponsored by the York County Area Agency on Aging, is an intergenerational program that connects York County older adults and teenagers together.

For over 30 years, kids have been helping and learning from older adults through the Rent-A-Kid program. It gives individual teenagers the chance to

help York County senior citizens, 60 years or older, with indoor and outdoor household chores.

The senior needs to be agreeable to a reimbursement of a minimum of $5 per hour, or a negotiated rate based on the job.

Interested York County residents age 60 or older can get assistance by calling Hope Eberly at (717) 771-9103 or (800) 632-9073. Information is also available at ycaaa.org.

DANTE from page 3

four people staring my way and they yelled, ‘Maab!’

One girl even carried a thick portfolio filled with Star Trek photos. I signed some and asked how she happened to have them with her. ‘You never know when you’ll run into a Star Trek actor,’ was her reply.”

A recipient of many acting awards throughout his career, including the Golden Boot and Silver Spur Awards for his work in Westerns, the actor-turnedauthor says he’s especially proud of his new career.

“Now, I am referred to as award-winning author Michael Dante!”

“The exterior shots were filmed at Vazquez Rocks, near Santa Clarita, California, where it was 117 degrees,” recalled Dante. “So much perspiration drained into my boots that I squished when I walked — I lost 7 pounds on the first day of shooting!”

With more than 180 TV and film roles to his credit, Dante remains astonished that his 50-year-old Star Trek role still draws wide fan attention, recalling an encounter during a trip to the San Diego Zoo with his niece and nephew.

“As we stood by the giant birdcage, I noticed

Provided by Michael Dante

Audie Murphy and Michael Dante on the set of Arizona Raiders.

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 700 magazines and newspapers.

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

Animal Hospitals Community Animal Hospital Donald A. Sloat, D.V.M. 400 S. Pine St., York (717) 845-5669

Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020

Automobile Sales/Service Gordon’s Body Shop, Inc. 10 Mill St., Stewartstown (717) 993-2263

American Diabetes Association (800) 342-2383

Energy Assistance Low-Income Energy Assistance (717) 787-8750 Entertainment Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster (717) 898-1900 financial services Morgan Stanley Wealth Management (302) 573-4027 Funeral & Cremation Services Cremation Society of Pennsylvania Serving York County (800) 720-8221 www.50plusLifePA.com

Alzheimer’s Information Clearinghouse (800) 367-5115

CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400 The National Kidney Foundation (800) 697-7007 or (717) 757-0604 Social Security Information (800) 772-1213 Healthcare Information Pennsylvania HealthCare Cost Containment (717) 232-6787 Hearing Services Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (800) 233-3008 V/TTY

Home Care Services Homeland at Home Serving all of York County (717) 221-7892 Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services Hanover: (717) 630-0067 Lancaster: (717) 393-3450 York: (717) 751-2488

Insurance – Long-Term Care Apprise Insurance Counseling (717) 771-9610 or (800) 632-9073 Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com

Hospice Services Homeland at Home Serving all of York County (717) 221-7890

real estate Berkshire Hathaway Paula Musselman (717) 793-9678 (Office) (717) 309-6921 (Cell)

Housing Assistance Housing Authority of York (717) 845-2601

Services York County Area Agency on Aging (717) 771-9610

Property Tax/Rent Rebate (888) 728-2937 Insurance Medicare (800) 633-4227 Vibra Health Plan (844) 660-2961 (TTY: 711)

Veterans Services Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon (717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771 Volunteer opportunities RSVP of the Capital Region (443) 619-3842

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

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Tech Talk

Mark Rinaudo

Slow Computers: When Is it Time for a New One? started out as viruses and has grown into a gray area where it’s not as malicious as a virus, but it’s not exactly harmless.

Most malware is installed on your machine by an outside source and is aimed at directing your computer to some location on the internet to financially benefit the malware’s creator.

If your computer is running slowly, the first place to start is to scan the machine with several malware-scanning tools.

I usually recommend starting with the free version of Malwarebytes. This is the first scan tool I normally use on a machine just to get an idea of how badly infected the machine is. From there, I typically move on to other scan tools that go deeper and search for more

Question: My computer is running slower and slower, it seems, and I’m not sure if it’s worth upgrading. Is there any hope for this old machine?

I get this question a lot. I usually tell my customers that if you’ve owned the machine for seven years or more, then you have used the effective life of the machine.

If the computer is older than 7 years and it’s running slow or locking up, it’s not really worth the money to try to save it. It’s time to move on to a new or newer computer.

If your machine is newer than 7 years old, then this is where the answer gets tricky. Most new computers that are running slower are suffering from some form of malware on them.

The malware landscape has changed quite a bit over the years. Malware

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obscure malware.

In my findings, malware is the culprit 80 percent of the time. The other 20 percent of the time, it’s hardware related.

A computer has many parts to it, and any one of those parts can cause a severe slowdown. If your hard drive is starting to die, then you’ll notice your machine running slower and slower and, if you’re able to check it, you’ll notice that the CPU (central processing unit) is barely being used.

If you find yourself in this boat, then there is some good news. With the introduction of the solid-state drive (SSD) — a new kind of hard drive — you can replace that faulty hard drive with new technology that’s 10 times faster than the hard drive your machine originally came with. This upgrade can sometimes make your machine faster than when it was brand new.

I usually recommend an SSD upgrade for machines with failing drives that are 5 years old or newer. This upgrade is very beneficial to the older Mac line of computers.

Other factors that dictate whether the machine is worth upgrading (instead of trashing) are the operating system (for example, which version of Windows or Mac OS you have installed). Your machine may be running an operating system that’s no longer supported with security updates, or is about to be unsupported.

With these guides in mind, hopefully you’ll be better informed to www.gordonsinc.com Providing trusted service for over 40 years! make a decision on whether to invest Complete and Skilled your money into an aging machine Automotive Maintenance and Repair that may just have another two or three COLLISION SERVICES years of life in it, or if it’s time to start 24/7 Emergency Towing/Recovery shopping for your next computer.

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April 2019

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

www.50plusLifePA.com

Retirement Workshop Planned for Public School Employees The Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees for Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Juniata, Perry, and York County chapters will hold a free preretirement workshop from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at Mechanicsburg Middle School, 1750 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg.

Hosted by Cumberland County PASR, the workshop is open to teachers, librarians, counselors, nurses, maintenance, custodial, transportation, cafeteria, administration, paraprofessionals, and office staff considering retirement in one to four years.

Speakers will be available to provide current and useful information about retirement options, health insurance options, supplemental insurance, and Social Security benefits.

There is no charge for attendance.

Go to the DCPASR website (dcpasr. org) for further details.

Preregistration is required. For questions and to preregister, contact Donna Plummer at dplum733@gmail. com or (717) 545-8833 for Dauphin County districts. Please register by April 30 so that refreshments and materials can be prepared.

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9. There are many other factors to look at besides the number of former marriages. How about adult children? Do any of them live at home? Might they interfere with a new relationship?

And, what about a potential mate’s attitude, or outlook on life? Is the person happy, upbeat, cheerful, in good health, and physically fit? How does he treat you?

These days, seniors may have had two or three marriages. Does that make the people tainted? Are they bad people? No. They’ve just lived life.

I’ve had three marriages, and Greta, my partner of 21 years, also had three. Having the same number of marriages was one of the things we had in common when we were sharing information on our first date, so it was a positive thing that we both had “multiple marriages.”

And despite three marriages each, we’ve enjoyed the best relationship we could ever have hoped for. We live together but aren’t married.

I’ve never had children. And yet, in effect, I have four kids, eight grandkids, and three great-grandkids, thanks to Greta. I love her family dearly, and I’m pretty sure they appreciate me, so why risk changing that dynamic by getting married?

For seniors, should the number of marriages matter? I don’t think www.50plusLifePA.com

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Can you help in a caregiver’s journey?

Many readers of 50plus LIFE are caregivers and are looking for products, services, and support. so … but when the number reaches four, it’s time to scratch your head.

Five or more, well, it depends on the circumstances, so obviously proceed with caution.

One of my readers, Stella, said, “Take marriage out as a goal, and you open up endless possibilities.”

Another reader, Mary Lou, age 70, married once, said, “Multiple marriages don’t matter at this stage of my life. If I met a man with whom I clicked, no matter the number of marriages or whether he had children, I would be glad for him in my life.”

And reader Jim stated wisely, “Just because a person is available and willing, doesn’t make him or her a good candidate for marriage.”

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

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50plus LIFE t

April 2019

9

Financial Focus

5 Mistakes to Avoid in Retirement Steven Brettler

After a lifetime of planning and saving, you’re finally on the verge of retirement. However, retirement planning doesn’t stop just because you’re beginning to draw income from your investments.

As you embark on this exciting new chapter of your life, keep your retirement goals on track by avoiding these common pitfalls: 1. Claiming Social Security Too Early It may be tempting to apply for Social Security benefits when you’re first eligible at age 62. But doing so may be costly.

Choosing to receive your benefits before your full retirement age (which varies depending on the year you were born but is around 66 for most people nearing retirement) could reduce your monthly benefit by 25 percent or more.

And if you continue working, for every $2 you earn above a specific threshold — $17,040 in 2018, $17,640 in 2019 — your benefit is withheld by $1 until you reach full retirement age.1 Conversely, for every year you wait to claim benefits beyond full retirement age, the benefit you receive increases by 8 percent annually until age 70.2 So, unless you really need the money, you may want to consider waiting to apply.

2. Taking on Too Much Risk When time is on your side, you may be able to afford to take on riskier investments for greater growth.

As you begin retirement, however, the assets you’ve accumulated to meet your day-to-day expenses become harder to recoup if you suffer an investment loss. So, it’s important to make sure you’re not taking on too much risk.

But as retirement can last a very long time, you may want to consider maintaining some exposure to stocks, especially in the early years of your retirement.

it’s a good idea to seek RMD guidance from your accountant or tax adviser.

5. Ignoring Healthcare Expenses Overlooking healthcare costs is another area where retirees can face unwelcome surprises.

A 2017 survey by the Nationwide Retirement Institute found that health issues often happened sooner than retirees expected and interfered with their ability to afford to do the things they want to do.4 A couple with high prescription-drug expenses throughout retirement could need roughly $350,000 in savings to have a 90 percent chance of having enough money saved to cover their healthcare costs, according to the Employee Benefit Research Institute.5 Long-term care insurance can help protect and preserve assets meant for your loved ones, while relieving them of fulltime caregiving responsibilities by providing more options for your care.

With many options available and decisions to make as you approach this important milestone, a financial adviser who is familiar with your individual circumstances can help you create a strategy tailored to your goals and the retirement you envision.

Steven Brettler is a financial adviser and branch manager with Morgan Stanley in Greenville, Del. He may be reached at (302) 573-4027 or advisor.morganstanley.com/ steven.brettler.

Footnotes 1 Social Security Administration Fact Sheet, “2019 Social Security Changes.” Retrieved from: https://www.ssa.gov/news/press/ factsheets/colafacts2019.pdf 2 Social Security Administration Benefits Planner: Retirement, Increase for Delayed Retirement section. Retrieved from: https:// www.ssa.gov/planners/retire/delayret.html 3 Note: If you are still working for a company where you hold a workplace retirement plan and you don’t own more than 5% of the company, you may be able to delay your required distribution date to April 1 of the year following the year you retire.

Nationwide Retirement Institute, “The Nationwide Retirement Institute Consumer Social Security PR Study 2017,” August 2017. Retrieved from: https://nationwidefinancial.com/media/pdf/NFM-16829AO.pdf?_ga=2.11555895.207418086.152400790 5-449381559.1524007905

4

3. Spending Too Much The assets you have accumulated over a lifetime may seem like an enormous financial resource you can tap into whenever you like. However, those investments may need to last 30 years or more.

Create a list of all your likely expenses, compare it against your income sources, and develop a spending strategy to help you maintain your retirement lifestyle for as long as possible.

4. Miscalculating Required Minimum Distributions Generally, once you reach age 70.5, you must take annual distributions — called required minimum distributions (RMDs) — from your 401(k), IRA, or other qualified plan, whether you need the money or not. (Roth IRAs and some employer-sponsored qualified retirement plan investors are exempt from this requirement.3) Properly planning your minimum distributions is essential. They are usually taxable at your individual tax rate, and failure to take them could subject you to a penalty — 50 percent of the RMD or whatever portion of it you neglected to take.

Given the complexity of the requirement and the potential for penalties,

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Employee Benefits Research Institute, “Savings Medicare Beneficiaries Need for Health Expenses: Some Couples Could Need as Much as $350,000” January 2017. Retrieved from: https://www.ebri.org/publications/notes/index.cfm?fa=notesDisp&content_ id=5527

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Disclosures Article by Morgan Stanley and provided courtesy of Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor.

Steven Brettler is a Financial Advisor in Greenville, DE at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley. He can be reached by email at Steven.Brettler@morganstanley.com or by telephone at (302) 573-4027. His website is https://advisor. morganstanley.com/steven.brettler This article has been prepared for informational purposes only. The information and data in the article has been obtained from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley makes no representations or guarantees as to the accuracy or completeness of the information or data from sources outside of Morgan Stanley. It does not provide individually tailored investment advice and has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. The strategies and/or investments discussed in this article may not be suitable for all investors. Morgan Stanley recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor.

The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor’s individual circumstances and objectives.

Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are urged to consult their personal tax or legal advisors to understand the tax and legal consequences of any actions, including any implementation of any strategies or investments described herein.

Steven Brettler may only transact business, follow-up with individualized responses, or render personalized investment advice for compensation, in states where he is registered or excluded or exempted from registration, https://advisor.morganstanley.com/steven. brettler © 2018 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 2300657 11/2018

www.50plusLifePA.com

Free Educational Health Workshops Planned During April and May, the York County Area Agency on Aging will host free educational workshops to learn about the “10-KeysTM to Healthy Aging.”

Taught by a certified health ambassador, the five-week program will be held at two locations beginning in April: Mondays, April 8–May 6, 9-11 a.m.

Bob Hoffman YMCA Dover, 1705 Palomino Drive, Dover Township Preregistration is required; call the YMCA to register at (717) 292-5622.

Fridays, April 26–May 24, noon to 2 p.m.

SpiriTrust Lutheran™ Zimmerman Place in the Gathering Room 800 Bollinger Drive, Shrewsbury Township Preregistration is required; call Megan Craley to register at (717) 771-9610.

Developed by the Center for Aging and Population Health at the University of Pittsburgh, along with the CDC Prevention Research Center, this healthpromotion program provides many no-cost and low-cost preventative services to promote successful aging.

Each of the “10 Keys”TM is an important step in preventing disease and improving quality of life.

They include: lowering systolic blood pressure; stopping smoking; participating in cancer screenings; regular immunizations; regulating blood glucose; lowering LDL cholesterol; being physically active; maintaining healthy bones, joints, and muscles; combating depression; and maintaining social contact.

A free resource manual will be provided that provides a wealth of information on preventative, proven strategies.

Volunteers Needed for Senior Games The York County Senior Games Planning Committee is seeking volunteers to assist with the 2019 York County Senior Games, to be held June 17-21.

If your community group, organization, or business is looking for a team-building opportunity, there are many different volunteer activities to choose from. All volunteers must be at least 14 years of age.

Help is needed in the following areas:

www.50plusLifePA.com

•R egistration, keeping score, and providing support for the event coordinators during the events •P icking up and delivering supplies and equipment during the games • Helping at events and restocking supplies To learn more about these volunteer opportunities, call (717) 771-9001 or email aging@yorkcountypa.gov.

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The High Impact of Flat Feet

By Dr. Charlton Woodly Symptoms While this sounds like a minor inconvenience, flat feet can lead to strain on the entire body.

When you have flat feet, the pain you feel does not usually come from the feet but rather the knee.

The foot is in an abnormal position, which makes your knee hurt.

A lack of an arch can stress your ankles, calves, knees, hips, lower back, and lower legs. Neck and back pain are extremely common from flat feet.

As we age, we worry about the changes that are overtly affecting our bodies — whether that’s noticing wrinkles or paying attention to something that’s causing pain.

We overlook the fact that aging affects all parts of our bodies, even those that often go unseen, like our feet. But our feet keep us grounded — they are the foundation of the rest of our body and deserve our care and attention.

One of the most common issues people face as they age is flat feet.

What are Flat Feet?

“Flat feet” simply means there is a low arch or lack of an arch under the foot. All babies are born flat footed; as they grow, arches begin to develop.

For some, the arch never develops. For others, the arch will develop but can fall after an injury or experiencing the stress of age. This is because the tendons in your foot, or both feet, can become April is National damaged.

The way I look at a flat foot is based on pronation, Foot Health Awareness Month or the way your foot goes inward. The main tendon, which holds the arch of your foot up, eventually becomes damaged if it is stretched too much. This results in flat feet.

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(717) 771-9001 12

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Warning Signs and Preventative Care While flat feet can go unnoticed, there are some warning signs that treatment is needed.

For example, some people may feel pain in the arch or ankle, and this pain can get worse after being on your feet all day or working out. Some may notice swelling along the inside of the ankle as well.

It’s important to get your feet examined by a podiatrist to determine if you have flat feet and what steps to take moving forward.

For those who don’t have flat feet, a podiatrist can determine what preventative measures to take to avoid developing them, such as wearing protective footwear or losing weight.

Treatment Options There is a range of different methods to treat the symptoms of fallen arches and flat feet.

Most podiatrists will recommend being mindful of the shoes you wear. This means wearing extra-wide fitted shoes or orthotics that are custom designed to support your arch, which can relieve the arch and reduce pain. Custom inserts can also help by taking pressure off the tendon.

Medication for pain and inflammation helps in some cases. While these methods treat the symptoms, they are not long lasting.

Long-lasting treatment options include being conscious of your body and movement. This could mean losing weight to reduce pressure on your feet or not walking or standing for prolonged periods.

People may also resort to therapeutic massages, such as rolling a ball under your foot. A massage is a powerful treatment tool for soft tissue. It allows the muscle to release built-up tension, therefore reducing pain.

In more severe cases, individuals can turn to surgery. Surgery is minimally invasive and restores the tendons and ligaments that support the arch. This means it does not involve a long incision and avoids significant damage to the muscles and soft tissue surrounding the foot.

In most cases, this approach results in less pain after foot surgery and a faster recovery; patients can go in and leave the same day.

Though our feet are what keep us grounded, the arches of our feet shouldn’t be touching the ground. I recommend visiting a podiatrist to learn more about flat-feet prevention to make sure it’s not one of the issues you have to worry about as you age.

Dr. Charlton Woodly is a board-certified podiatrist with more than 14 years’ experience providing conservative and surgical treatments at Woodly Foot & Ankle in Texas. A specialist in minimally invasive procedures and a hyprocure master surgeon, Woodly is an expert in treating the full spectrum of foot and ankle conditions and injuries.

www.50plusLifePA.com

The Beauty in Nature

Woodcock Courtship Clyde McMillan-Gamber

I remember the first time I saw a After a minute, or more, of beeping, courting male American woodcock he suddenly takes off in spiral flight silhouetted against a striking sunset upward and upward, silhouetted one evening early in April several years before the brilliant sunset. As he ago. ascends on rapidly beating wings, two I was standing in a weedy field by outer feathers on each wing twitter a bottomland thicket of young trees audibly. and facing the red, western sky in And when that male woodcock hopes that I would spot at least one reaches the zenith of his flight, and, woodcock before that lovely sunset. perhaps, is out of sight, but with Soon, wings still a chunky, twittering, robin-sized he vocally bird with a sings a few long beak series of fluttered musical out of the notes that thicket seem to and landed tumble on a bare to the patch ground: of soil “tew, tew, near me. tew — It was a tew, tew, woodcock! tew, tew.”

Male Then he woodcocks plummets begin to the their daily same spot American woodcock. courtship of bare displays at dusk from mid-February ground and starts his display again. to early May, weather permitting. But Only hunger, or a female interested in the most comfortable time for us to mating with him, stop his courtship observe those intriguing exhibits is displays. during pleasant April evenings.

American woodcocks are inland Often while waiting for the sandpipers that use their long, flexible woodcocks to begin their wooing, I beaks to probe in soft, damp soil hear spring peeper frogs peeping and in wooded bottomlands to snare American toads trilling musically from earthworms and other invertebrates. nearby wooded wetlands … or a pair Woodcocks poke in soil like other or small group of Canada geese flying sandpipers probe in sandy beaches overhead, some of them honking or coastal mud flats. But woodcocks incessantly. adapted to a different habitat from Then, suddenly, one or a few male their relatives, producing a different woodcocks fly out of nearby woods or species. woody thickets and land in the little Being sandpipers, female woodcocks clearing where I am standing and lay four eggs in a clutch. Young hatch facing the western sky. fuzzy, open-eyed, and ready to feed Almost immediately I hear the nasal themselves in woodland floors. “beeping” of a nearby, love-struck Readers, too, can spot woodcock male woodcock, each beep emitted at courtship displays in the fading light two-second intervals in the gathering of an enchanting April evening. Just be darkness. in the right place at the right time. www.50plusLifePA.com

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You provide valuable services to seniors, the disabled, caregivers, and their families.

Help them find you by being included in your county’s most affordable annual directory of resources.

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Home Care Services & Hospice Providers Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition.

Comfort Keepers

(717) 299-4007 www.lancaster-402.comfortkeepers.com Year Est.: 2001 Counties Served: Lancaster RNs: No LPNs: No CNAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: We provide compassionate, in-home care that helps seniors live safe, happy, and independent lives in the comfort of their own homes. Companion care, light housekeeping, personal care, in-home safety solutions, incidental transportation, dementia/Alzheimer’s care, ongoing staff training. Member: Home Care Association of America

Homeland at Home

Homeland HomeCare: (717) 221-7892 Year Est.: 2016 Homeland HomeHealth: (717) 412-0166 Year Est.: 2017 Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland*, Dauphin*, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon*, Northumberland, Perry*, Schuylkill, Snyder, York* *Homeland HomeHealth currently serves five of 13 counties.

RNs: Yes LPNs: Yes CNAs/Home Aides: Yes Direct Care Workers: Yes PT/OT/Speech Therapists: Yes

(717) 560-5160 www.mediqueststaffing.net Year Est.: 2002 Counties Served: Lancaster RNs: Yes LPNs: Yes CNAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Our experienced caregivers will provide the level of care for your specific needs, including memory care, transportation to and from appointments, outpatient procedures, personal care, respite, and more. Services are provided wherever you reside. All caregivers are comprehensively screened, bonded, and insured. Call for a free RN assessment. Member: Pennsylvania Homecare Association.

PennCares Support Services

www.homelandathome.org Homeland Hospice: (717) 221-7890 Year Est.: 2008

MediQuest Staffing & Homecare

(717) 632-5552 www.penncares.org Other Certifications and Services: Homeland at Home is a community outreach of Homeland Center, a non-profit CCRC that has served our region with excellent and benevolent care since 1867.

Our expert team is dedicated to providing a continuum of At Home services—from non-medical personal assistance to skilled nursing and compassionate hospice and palliative care. We are privileged to care for you and your loved ones … any place you call “home.”

We offer community and staff educational programs, including a “My Reflections” end-of-life planning workshop, as well as 15 unique bereavement support groups.

Social Workers: Yes Spiritual Counselors: Yes Complementary Therapies: Yes Medicare Certified: Yes

Year Est.: 1968 Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Lancaster, York RNs: No LPNs: No CNAs: No Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Private pay and waiver-based participants.

Pleasant View Care at Home

(717) 664-6646 www.pleasantviewrc.org/care-at-home Year Est.: 2007 Counties Served: Lancaster, Lebanon RNs: Yes LPNs: Yes CNAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Caring and professional staff provide supportive services to help maintain independence within the comfortable setting of home.

Personal services, companion care, dementia care services, and transitional care offered — call for a free consultation.

Landis at Home

(717) 509-5800 www.landisathome.org Year Est.: 2007 Counties Served: Lancaster RNs: Yes LPNs: Yes CNAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: A licensed home-care agency, offering a variety of services to persons in their homes within 15 miles of the Landis Homes campus. Services, provided by carefully screened and qualified caregivers with oversight from RNs, may be used for a short visit or up to 24 hours a day. Call for a free, in-home consultation. A home-care service of Landis Communities.

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

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

Home Care Services & Hospice Providers Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition.

Surrey Home Care Services

Visiting Angels

(610) 647-9840 www.surreyhomecare.org

Year Est.: 1981 Counties Served: Chester, Delaware, Montgomery RNs: Yes LPNs: No CNAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

(800) 365-4189 www.visitingangels.com Other Certifications and Services: Surrey, a nonprofit, provides inhome services including personal care, social companions, medical procedure transportation, geriatric care management, RN care management, and live-in caregivers. We also offer house cleaning and weekend respite care.

Year Est.: 2001 Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York RNs: No LPNs: No CNAs: Yes Home Aides: Yes Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Visiting Angels provides seniors and adults with the needed assistance to continue living at home. Flexible hours up to 24 hours per day. Companionship, personal hygiene, meal prep, and more. Our caregivers are thoroughly screened, bonded, and insured. Call today for a complimentary and informational meeting.

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

Dear Pharmacist

5 Reasons You’ll Want a Weighted Blanket Suzy Cohen

Suffering from sleep problems? One strategy that I think is helpful is to use a weighted blanket. This is an easy, completely natural way to improve your mood, lower stress levels, and fall asleep faster.

Weighted blankets are simply blankets that are specially designed to weigh much more than a typical quilt or comforter.

These blankets range in weight from as few as 4 pounds to well over 30 pounds, and most are filled with plastic beads or natural materials, such as rice or barley.

This extra heft means that the blanket puts pressure on your body when you sleep under it, and this mimics the feeling of close physical contact. In this way, weighted blankets create an atmosphere of physical intimacy and security that can improve your mood and sometimes soothe sensory disorders.

I think these are a great idea if you have akathisia or restless leg syndrome. If you’re still skeptical of the general health benefits weighted blankets could offer, let me share five interesting facts.

3. The modern world makes many people feel isolated. Wrapping yourself in a weighted blanket when you feel alone can increase oxytocin levels and provide instant calm.

4. Could it help with attention problems?

The gentle, tactile feeling of deep-touch pressure can work as a relaxer to significantly increase the concentration and performance of people with ADHD. 5. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can be challenging to manage, but using a weighted blanket might help to control the symptoms. These heavier blankets boost your serotonin levels, which works to reduce symptoms of OCD, calm the mind, and, ideally, reduce compulsions.

1. Using a weighted blanket can lower your stress levels and improve your ability to relax. It’s all from an increase in serotonin, which converts to melatonin, your sleep hormone.

For these same reasons, the blankets can also improve other emotional issues or cognitive problems connected to low serotonin levels, including aggression, bipolar disorder, and PTSD. At our deepest core, we all want to be cuddled, right? It’s kind of like that!

There are some people who should not use a weighted blanket. Choosing the best weighted blanket for you is critical and is based on many factors. I’ve written a longer version of this article, and if you’d like it, just sign up for my free newsletter at suzycohen.com, and I’ll email you.

2. Reducing cortisol allows for a better night’s sleep. Studies support a reduction in this stress hormone when using a weighted blanket.

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

www.50plusLifePA.com

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April 2019

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Calendar of Events

York County

Community Programs/Support Groups Free and open to the public

Senior Center Activities

April 1, 9:30 a.m.

Green Thumb Garden Club Meeting Emmanuel Lutheran Church 2650 Freysville Road, Red Lion (717) 235-2823

April 5, 10:30 a.m.

Partners in Thyme Herb Club of Southern York County Glenview Alliance Church 10037 Susquehanna Trail, Glen Rock (717) 428-2210

Crispus Attucks Active Living Center (717) 848-3610, crispusattucks.org

April 2, 7 p.m.

Surviving Spouse Socials of York County Faith United Church of Christ 509 Pacific Ave., York (717) 266-2784

April 16, 7-8 p.m.

Alzheimer’s Support Group Providence Place 3377 Fox Run Road, Dover (717) 767-4500

parks and recreation April 20, 8:30 p.m. – Moonlight Bike Ride, Hanover Junction April 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; April 28, noon to 4 p.m. – Native Plants Drop-in, Nixon Park April 27, 1-4 p.m. – Earth Day Service Project: Garlic Mustard Pull, Nixon Park

Library Programs Collinsville Community Library, 2632 Delta Road, Brogue, (717) 927-9014 Tuesdays, 6 to 8 p.m. – Purls of Brogue Knitting Club Dillsburg Area Public Library, 17 S. Baltimore St., Dillsburg, (717) 432-5613 April 6-13 – Spring Used Book Sale Dover Area Community Library, 3700-3 Davidsburg Road, Dover, (717) 292-6814 Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m. – Knitting Group Glatfelter Memorial Library, 101 Glenview Road, Spring Grove, (717) 225-3220 Mondays, 6-7 p.m. – Knitting Group April 2, 10-11:30 a.m. – Beginner Bridge Lessons Guthrie Memorial Library, 2 Library Place, Hanover, (717) 632-5183 April 2, 6:30-8 p.m. – Mystery Book Club Apri l 24, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Exercise, Crafts, Games, and Entertainment with Windy Hill on the Campus Kaltreider-Benfer Library, 147 S. Charles St., Red Lion, (717) 244-2032 Thursdays, 6-8 p.m. – Knit Wits April 2, 6-8 p.m. – Greeting Card Workshop April 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – Adult Book Discussion Kreutz Creek Valley Library Center, 66 Walnut Springs Road, Hellam, (717) 252-4080 April 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – The Friends’ Used Puzzle Swap April 12-13 – Th e Friends’ Spring Used Book and Jewelry Sale

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Martin Library, 159 E. Market St., York, (717) 846-5300 April 6, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Budgeting 101 April 14, 2-3:30 p.m. – Sundays with Scott: Human Interest Stories from Antietam April 28, 2-3 p.m. – Carlisle Indian School Mason-Dixon Public Library, 250 Bailey Drive, Stewartstown, (717) 993-2404 April 23, 6-8 p.m. – Bridging the Gap Workshop: Simplifying Medicare Paul Smith Library of Southern York County, 80 Constitution Ave., Shrewsbury, (717) 235-4313 April 2, 6:30-8 p.m. – Writers Group April 6, 10:30-11 a.m. – Family Storytime and Craft (Family) April 19, 10:30 a.m. to noon – Writers Group Red Land Community Library, 48 Robin Hood Drive, Etters, (717) 938-5599 April 2, 6-8 p.m. – Simplifying Medicare and Social Security April 15, 12:30-1 p.m. – Quick Tips: Balance and Flexibility April 26, 7-10 p.m. – Trivia Night Village Library, 35-C N. Main St., Jacobus, (717) 428-1034 Tuesdays, noon to 2 p.m. – Village Knitters Thursdays, 5-8 p.m. – Village Knitters April 18, 7:30-8:30 p.m. – Rowdy Readers Book Club If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

Delta Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 456-5753 Dillsburg Senior Activity Center – (717) 432-2216 Eastern Area Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 252-1641 Golden Connections Community Center (717) 244-7229, gcccenter.com Weekdays, 9 a.m. – Games Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Pinochle Fridays, 9:15 a.m. – Computers 101 Golden Visions Senior Community Center (717) 633-5072, goldenvisionspa.com Heritage Senior Center, Inc. – (717) 292-7471 heritagesrcenter.org Northeastern Senior Community Center (717) 266-1400, mtwolf.org/SeniorCenter Red Land Senior Center – (717) 938-4649 redlandseniorcenter.org September House – (717) 848-4417 South Central Senior Community Center (717) 235-6060 southcentralyorkcountysrctr.webs.com Wednesdays, 9:15 a.m. – Ceramics Wednesdays, 10 a.m. – Line Dancing Fridays, 9 a.m. – Weights Class Stewartstown Senior Center – (717) 993-3488 stewsenior.org Susquehanna Senior Center – (717) 244-0340 susquehannaseniorcenter.org Mondays, 9:30-10:30 a.m. – Chorus Practice Tuesdays, 6-10 p.m. – Bluegrass/Country Music Jam Session White Rose Senior Center – (717) 843-9704 whiteroseseniorcenter.org Windy Hill On the Campus – (717) 225-0733 windyhillonthecampus.org Tuesdays, 1-2 p.m. – Ballroom Dancing Classes Wednesdays, 9: 30 a.m. – Exercise Class for Parkinson’s Patients and Caregivers A pril 24, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. – Exercise, Crafts, Games, and Entertainment with Guthrie Library Yorktown Senior Center – (717) 854-0693 yorktownseniorcenter.org Submit senior center events to mjoyce@onlinepub.com.

www.50plusLifePA.com

Soldier Stories

Robert Naeye

Severely Wounded in Vietnam, He Spent a Year in an Upper Body Cast

Central Pennsylvania native Joe Novak Because Novak’s father had been killed survived grievous wounds as a Marine in action in Korea, he didn’t have to go into reconnaissance sergeant in Vietnam. Now he is combat. But Novak begged to go to ’Nam, a collector of knickknacks, from an autographed asking, “Why waste my capabilities?” photo of an archbishop to a motorcycle once Novak spent six days of intensive jungleowned by rock ’n’ roll legend Jimi Hendrix. combat training on Okinawa, where, he says, Novak was born in Harrisburg in 1951 and “snakes fall on you.” grew up in nearby Highspire. But when he The Marines sent Novak first to Da Nang, was only 2 months old, his father was killed in then Chu Lai, and then back to Da Nang, action in the Korean War. where he sat around doing not much of His mother remarried in 1955 to a World anything for a month.

War II veteran, but Novak recalls that he and “The colonel didn’t know what the heck to do his stepfather never saw eye to eye and always with me,” Novak remembers. had a distant relationship. And his stepfather Finally, he was sent to the A Shau Valley, never talked about his war experiences. near the borders of Laos and Cambodia.

Joe Novak, right, and his wife, Terry, inside their Blessed with a high IQ, Novak found school Americans in this intense combat zone had a life log cabin home, which Novak built in the 1980s. boring. expectancy of 30 days.

“Football was the best thing going for me,” Novak jury-rigged mines by filling root beer he recalls. cans with napalm, jet fuel, glass fragments He was such a good offensive lineman that he — anything that could be fashioned into played varsity for his high school even when he weapons. He attached electronic detonators was in eighth grade. and then set them up around the perimeter of In high school, Novak found himself getting American bases. Enemy soldiers would ignite into trouble. He realized the best option for him the makeshift bombs whenever they tried to was to go into the Marine Corps. But he did infiltrate at night. not tell his mother, fearing her disapproval.

“We never knew until Jan. 7, 1970, how th Just before his 17 birthday, he boarded a deadly they were,” says Novak.

After a battle on Landing Zone Ross that train for Washington, D.C. But his mother night, the Americans counted 139 North expected him home for dinner. In reality, he A few examples of the explosive devices made Vietnamese bodies (and three POWs) at the cost was heading to Parris Island in South Carolina by the North Vietnamese Army. of 14 Marines and 58 wounded. for Marine boot camp.

Novak also created small mines and put His mother tried to get him to come home, the sensors in elephant and tiger poop in and but Novak was determined to become a Marine. around the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Enemy soldiers His stepfather was proud that he was going into would trigger the sensors, sending radio signals the corps, but Novak recalls, “He didn’t think back to gunners, who would know exactly I’d make it.” where the targets were located. They would fire But Novak passed every test, often with on the trail all night long. flying colors. He recalls surviving brutal “You would not believe the number of bodies training conditions, with swamps, snakes, and we’d find there; they were food for tigers,” he alligators all around. says.

He had run-ins with his drill instructor that In April 1970, Novak used C4 and Semtex were so bad that he refused to shake his hand Novak’s home is a veritable museum of artifacts explosives to blow up a North Vietnamese Army when he graduated. But when he later ran into relating to his hobbies and interests, including this pedal car signed by late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Sr. bunker inside caves. Right before detonation, a him in Vietnam, Novak told him, “If it wasn’t colonel flew in on a chopper and ordered Novak for you, I wouldn’t still be here.” to wait until he could pluck souvenirs from the cave.

After Parris Island, Novak spent 12 weeks in demolition school, where he Novak refused the order, telling the colonel that “he came an hour too late.” finished first in his class. He next finished a course in underwater demolition When the charge was set off, the entire mountain rose up, and the colonel near Tallahassee, Florida, again first in his class.

Novak is proud that he was promoted from private to corporal to sergeant in and his helicopter were literally pushed back by the concussion.

“I thought, ‘If only the officers listened to the sergeants more, I might less than a year, which was rare. survive this war,’” Novak recalls.

But Novak did not go to Vietnam right away. He received further demolition training in Virginia and North Carolina. Novak even learned how please see VET NOVAK page 18 to assemble and disassemble atomic bombs. www.50plusLifePA.com

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April 2019

17

Volunteer Spotlight

VET NOVAK from page 17

YCAAA Recognizes Volunteers of the Month Ruth Hartnett, He is a certified Dean Wise, and tour guide at the Shirley Kinard York County have been named Judicial Center. He Volunteers of the also volunteers as a Month by the York substitute delivery County Area Agency driver, distributing on Aging for their New Horizons bundles ongoing service and in the community. dedication to the “(Volunteering with agency and York YCAAA) is a great County’s older way to give back to Ruth Hartnett adults. the community, and Over the years, it provides an ‘outlet’ Springettsbury for needed extraTownship resident occupancy activities Ruth Hartnett after retirement,” Wise has served on the said.

YCAAA Advisory “It provides a Council and means of interacting as a volunteer with others outside ombudsman. She the usual social has played an contacts at home, in important role my neighborhood, in assisting and and at church.” advocating for York Shirley Kinard, Dean Wise County’s older from York city, feels adults. that everyone is placed “Life is short and in this world to help slips by quickly, so if others. She volunteers you share your time as telephone with others, you reassurance, performs will meet wonderful AARP tax phone calls, people and make and attends to other this world a little general office work. better for them and She enjoys reading, yourself,” Hartnett music, and spending said. “I am pleased time with her to have participated grandchildren.

Shirley Kinard in advising our “I have always seniors.” enjoyed helping older York Township resident Dean people,” Kinard said. “I was a Wise attributes his history of home health aide for older adults leadership roles in high school for 16 years. It feels good to academics and athletics to his help, and so many people need community leadership roles today. assistance in some way.”

Do you know a 50+ volunteer who gives selflessly to others? Tell us what makes him or her so special and we will consider them for 50plus LIFE’s Volunteer Spotlight!

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and photos are encouraged. Email preferred to mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail nominations to 50plus LIFE, Volunteer Spotlight, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

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Novak on Landing Zone Ross in 1969.

After catching malaria in the jungle, Novak was placed in a basket and was being pulled into a medevac chopper. But before he got into the helicopter, the chopper got hit by enemy ground fire.

Novak was sprayed with shrapnel, getting hit in the back, neck, and legs.

The helicopter flew away while Novak was still in the basket, swinging back and forth.

He spent 28 days recovering aboard the USS Sanctuary. Because his mission had been top secret, he couldn’t tell anyone where he had been wounded.

But three months later, Novak suffered severe wounds that ended his tour in Vietnam. This time, a rocket landed just 20 yards away. He suffered a broken collarbone, two broken bones in his neck, and the right side of his body was ripped open.

He spent 12 days undergoing surgery aboard the Sanctuary before he was flown to Da Nang and back to the U.S. Tragically, his mother received a letter from the Red Cross telling her that her son had been killed in action.

But a friend in a neighboring town informed her that Novak was alive and staying in Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, D.C. He spent a full year in an upper body cast, and one of his legs was wrapped.

Novak was not released until 1973, when he was still in a body cast, and returned to his hometown. When he walked the streets, people would run away.

“They thought they were seeing a ghost — they thought I was dead!” says Novak.

Like many Vietnam veterans,

Novak had his ups and downs after returning stateside. He had successful careers as an auto mechanic and then as a property manager for a realtor, and he developed strong interests in fishing and auto racing.

But his first two marriages ended in divorces. He takes full responsibility for these failures.

Speaking of his first wife, he says, “I had severe alcohol problems and severe PTSD. She couldn’t take it anymore, and I don’t blame her. I was really bad.”

He spent seven months in detox in 1975 and says he hasn’t touched booze since. He married his wife Terry, a cousin of President Richard Nixon, in 2013, after six years of dating. The couple lives in log house in the mountains, which Novak built himself in the 1980s.

The house is a veritable museum of pieces he bought or collected over many years. The photos, models, and knickknacks come from sports, music, religion, hot rods, and other areas relating to his many personal interests. He owns a 1949 Ford Convertible and a 1985 Corvette.

“It’s quite a museum between my stuff and her stuff,” he says, speaking of Terry.

Novak now devotes much of his time to assisting local veterans by helping them get medical care, benefits, and pensions. He also helped found Feed My Sheep Church and is an active member of Vietnam Veterans Chapter 542 and Marine Riders.

Robert Naeye is a freelance journalist living in Derry Township. He is the former editor-in-chief of Sky & Telescope magazine.

www.50plusLifePA.com

American Legion Post 455 Donates to York County VA From left, Post Commander Bobby O’Farrell; legion members Ken Benway, James Stanley, and Ken Addington; and York County Veterans Affairs Director Terry Gendron.

Members of American Legion Post No. 455, Stewartstown, recently donated $1,000 to the York County Veterans Affairs department.

Post 455 Commander Bobby O’Farrell and other legion members presented a check to Terry Gendron, director of the York County Veterans Affairs department, during the legion’s general membership meeting.

The money was raised from various legion activities and events and will be used for the VA’s Higher Standard

Project, which provides homes for honorably discharged veterans willing to undergo rigorous treatment to recover from substance abuse, trauma, or both.

More information on the Higher Standard Project can be found at yorkcountypa.gov or by contacting York County Veterans Affairs at (717) 771-9218.

For information on joining the American Legion, contact O’Farrell at (717) 309-3881.

May 30, 2019 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Crowne Plaza Reading Hotel

1741 Papermill Road, Wyomissing

This event is FREE to attend.

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

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

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

Local Coroner, TV Personality Graham Hetrick to Speak at EXPO Dauphin County coroner and medical legal death investigator Graham Hetrick will be discussing his work during a special presentation at the 20th annual Dauphin County 50plus EXPO on Tuesday, May 28, at Hershey Lodge, 325 University Drive, Hershey.

Since being elected coroner of Dauphin County almost 30 years ago, Hetrick, a Harrisburg native, has certified more than 13,000 deaths, investigated approximately 600 homicides, and participated in about 3,000 autopsies.

Hetrick’s case studies are featured on the Investigation Discovery (ID) channel show The Coroner: I Speak for the Dead.

Hetrick is a subject-matter expert on drug abuse, child death and child abuse, organ tissue donation, violent crimes, medical legal death investigation, forensic methodology, and the grieving process. www.50plusLifePA.com

He has advanced training in blood-pattern analysis, crime scene management, forensic sculpting, and shallow-grave recovery.

Hetrick advises the news media and consults attorneys on the investigative process for cases facing litigation.

An adjunct professor of forensics and human anatomy at Harrisburg University School of Science and Technology, Hetrick lectures widely on forensic autopsy, crime-scene management, and critical thinking within the investigative process. He is also a motivational speaker for students and troubled youth.

Over the last 35 years Hetrick has written and lectured on grief and loss recovery to the medical community, hospice groups, and loss-recovery organizations.

The Dauphin County 50plus EXPO will be held 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on May 28. For more information, call (717) 285-1350 or visit 50plusexpopa.com.

At the Expo

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

At the Job Fair

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

Sponsor & Exhibitor Opportunities Available

www.veteransexpo.com

Brought to you by: &

(717) 285-1350 www.olpevents.com

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April 2019

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This is JuJu’s superpower.

Giving kids like JuJu the best chance for a brighter future.

This is why we’re continuing to innovate, expand and invest in the people of central PA, and why we’re always raising the bar on advanced care at our Children’s Hospital.

Because this is the health we need to live the way we want.

This is Penn State Health.

pennstatehealth.org/ChildrensHeart

CHI-14410-19-106901-0119