Dauphin County 50plus Senior News August 2013

City Slickers in the

Wyoming Wilds

page 10

What to Consider Before

Joining a Clinical Trial

page 14

Inside:

By Megan Joyce

The eighth installment of the annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition—which showcases the talent of the commonwealth’s over-50 performers—hasarrived, but with a few changes.

Most notably, the SENIOR IDOL “season” has been moved from spring toearly fall. Also, vocal, instrumental, dance, or comedic acts will be able toaudition during morning, afternoon, or evening time slots.

But the heart of the event is still the same, as are the motivations fuelingits contestants: a passion for entertaining, for sharing talent, and for bringinghappiness to others in doing so.

Curtis Mease was first introduced to music in elementary school. Afterpiano lessons didn’t pan out, he moved on to the slide trombone andbaritone horn, playing in the school band.

During this time he discovered his vocal instrument as well, singing inchurch choir, high school glee club, and several district and regional chorusfestivals.

And, during his four years in the Navy in the early 1960s, Mease sang inthe naval base Blue Jackets choir until he was assigned to a ship.

But then, for the next few decades—during which he attended Penn State

please see IDOL page 12

Talent Competition Moves toEarly Fall for 8th Year

PA State SeniorIdol Returns

for 2013

Tammy Estep, left, and Curtis Mease, right,will be auditioning for the eighth annualPA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition this fall.

Dauphin County Edition August 2013 Vol. 15 No. 8

2 August 2013 50plus SeniorNews www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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xpoCumberland County

ESponsorshipand exhibitorapplications

now beingaccepted.

To reserve space or for more information, go to:

a G r e a t W a y T o S p e n d M y D a y . c o mFREE advance guest registration online! ($5 at the door)

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Carlisle Expo Center

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PPuummpp-UUpp Your Business.Be an Exhibitor!

Vaughn L. Schwalm, 66, of PineGrove, had a distinguished careerin the U.S. Air Force, Air

National Guard, and the PennsylvaniaState Police as a trainer and pilot. Hereceived numerous awards and citationsduring his 41-year military career.

A native of Pottsville, Schwalm’sfamily moved to Mechanicsburg when hewas 11. A 1965 graduate of CumberlandValley High School, he enlisted in theAir Force in September 1965 andcompleted basic training at LacklandAFB, San Antonio, Texas, and was sentto Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Ill., for jetcrew chief training.

Upon graduation, he was assigned tothe Aircraft Mechanic Instructors Schooland was transferred to Amarillo AFB,Texas.

“I taught Jet Aircraft MaintenanceTechnical School for a year and was sent

to McChordAFB,Tacoma,Wash., whereI wasassigned tothe 62nd

MilitaryAirlift Wingin theTrainingControlSection.

“My mainfunction wasteaching C-141 AircraftEngine Run School to McChordmaintenance troops as well as troopsfrom Elmendorf AFB, Alaska.”

Schwalm was discharged in 1969 andreturned to Mechanicsburg, where he

enlisted inthePennsylvaniaAir NationalGuard’s 193rd

TacticalElectronicWarfareGroup as aflightengineer ontheir EC-121 SuperConstel-lations.

“Whenthe unit

transferred to the EC-130 Hercules, Ibecame a small arms marksmanshipinstructor for four years.”

He was then transferred to the flightengineer section to fly once again.

The unit was then designated the193rd Special Operations Group,eventually becoming the 193rd SpecialOperations Wing at HarrisburgInternational Airport, Middletown.Upon retirement, he had accumulatedmore than 8,500 flight hours.

As a flight engineer on the EC-121Super Constellation, Schwalm was ableto travel a great deal.

Back in the 1970s, much of what wedid was classified, as well as some of theequipment we had in the aircraft. Backthen, we used to fly to Nellis AFB, LasVegas, to take part in the “red flagexercises.” They were designed to train U.S.pilots in air-to-air combat flying skills,similar to the Navy’s Top Gun School.

We were invited to participate becausewe had the ability to jam certainfrequencies, which prevented fighter pilots

He Served More than 41 Yearsin Military Service – Part 1

Beyond the Battlefield

Alvin S. Goodman

Vaughn Schwalm, far left, with otherPa. Air National Guard crew members at

King Fahd Airport, Saudi Arabia, February 1991.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews August 2013 3

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

Central PA Poison Center(800) 521-6110

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

Gipe Floor & Wall Covering5435 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg(717) 545-6103

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

Alzheimer’s Association(717) 651-5020

American Diabetes Association(800) 342-2383

Arthritis Foundation – Central PA Chapter(717) 763-0900

CONTACT Helpline(717) 652-4400

The National Kidney Foundation(717) 757-0604(800) 697-7007

PACE(800) 225-7223

Social Security Information(800) 772-1213

Tri-County Association for the Blind(717) 238-2531

PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council(717) 232-6787

Hershey Hearing Center431 E. Chocolate Ave., Hershey(717) 533-7350

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

Safe Haven Quality CareServing Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perrycounties(717) 238-1111

Visiting AngelsServing East and West Shores(717) 652-8899 or (717) 737-8899

Homeland Hospice2300 Vartan Way, Suite 115, Harrisburg(717) 221-7890

B’Nai B’rith Apartments130 S. Third St., Harrisburg(717) 232-7516

Dauphin County Housing Authority(717) 939-9301

Homeland CenterCumberland and Dauphin counties(717) 221-7727

Property Tax/Rent Rebate(888) 728-2937

Apprise Insurance Counseling(800) 783-7067

Lincoln Heritage(484) 945-3213

Colonial Park Care Center800 King Russ Road, Harrisburg(717) 657-1520

CVS/pharmacywww.cvs.com

Homeland Center1901 N. Fifth St., Harrisburg(717) 221-7902

StoneRidge Retirement Living(717) 866-3204

Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging(717) 255-2790

The Salvation ArmyEdgemont Temple Corps(717) 238-8678

American Lung Association(800) LUNG-USA

Bureau of Consumer Protection(800) 441-2555

Meals on Wheels(800) 621-6325

National Council on Aging(800) 424-9046

Social Security Office(800) 772-1213

Veterans Affairs(717) 626-1171 or (800) 827-1000

CAT Share-A-Ride(717) 232-6100

Lebanon VA Medical Center1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon(717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771

Veterans Services

Transportation

Toll-Free Numbers

Services

Retirement Communities

Pharmacy

Nursing/Rehab

Insurance

Housing Assistance

Housing/Apartments

Hospice Services

Home Care Services

Hearing Services

Healthcare Information

Health & Medical Services

Funeral Directors

Floor Coverings

Emergency

Cremation

This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being.Resource Directory

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

from conversing with each other duringtheir missions.

As a young flight engineer, I enjoyedmany trips to the Azores Islands in theAtlantic Ocean. The Azores used to be amajor stopping point for aircraft needing torefuel en route to Europe. Now, with jetaircraft being able to cross withoutrefueling, the Azores are not used verymuch.

In the 1970s, the 193rd used to fly to theAzores almost every other weekend, leavingFriday night and flying all night. The tripswere to train all aircrew members. As ayoung engineer, I always had a seniorinstructor engineer with me to teach me allthe things I needed to know.

My main function was to monitor theaircraft’s systems and, if a problem arose, Iwas charged with the task of trying to fixit. One duty I had was to maintain wing

fuel balance and makecertain the engines hadfuel flowing to them.

Crossing the ocean isa very tiring and, inmost cases, boring time.The old saying is,“Flying is hours andhours of boredom,interjected withmoments of starkterror.”

On this one night, Iwas sitting in theengineer seat and myinstructor had goneback to bed in the rearof the aircraft. Thepilot was asleep in theleft seat and the co-pilot was making his

position reports andtaking naps betweenthem.

The navigator wasthe only person whowas constantly busymaking sure we wereon course so we couldfind the island. I, inturn, was very tiredand had fallen asleepat my station.

So basicallyeveryone in the cockpitwas sleeping. Thenavigator station wasin a compartmentbehind the cockpit. Allof a sudden, we werestartled when one ofour engines began to

surge up and down in RPM. I had no ideawhat was going on.

My instructor engineer came running upto the cockpit, reached over my shoulder,and opened the valve to supply fuel to theengine. I had left the fuel tank fueling oneof the four engines go empty.

Needless to say, my instructor was not ahappy camper with me. I did not sleep atmy station after that experience. I also gotsome very nasty looks from the other crewmembers. When we got to the island, Ibought them all plenty of beer.

To be continued next month …

If you are a mature veteran and haveinteresting or unusual experiences in yourmilitary or civilian life, phone Al Goodmanat (717) 541-9889 or email him [email protected] Trooper

Vaughn L. Schwalm


50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc.and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirementcommunities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets

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Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360Chester County:610.675.6240

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Megan Joyce

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My husband, Bob, gets thebrunt of my worry storms.Yet he still loves me.

“You hungry?” I said.“Not really.”“What’s wrong?” I grabbed the

thermometer from my keychain.“Nothing. Will you please stop

being you for let’s say, four minutesa day?”

“Well, sue me for caring.”“I’m sorry. Let’s eat. Fried food

sound good?”“Not if it’s fried in canola oil.” He sighed. “What’s wrong with

canola oil?”“A canola is a Canadian ola—

that’s Spanish for tomato, which isin the deadly nightshade family. Anddeadly nightshade is poisonous. Nocanolas!”

“Canola oil is made from seeds ofthe field mustard plant.”

“Oh.”We drove to a vegetable stand.

“Bob, I’m worried you have astomachache.”

“I don’t. I do, however, have onehuge pain in the—neck.”

Many years ago, Leo Buscagliawrote, “Worry never robs tomorrowof its sorrow; it only saps today of itsjoy.”

Yesterday I called the billingdepartment at a huge hospital andspoke with a gal named Dianne. Shecould tell I was freaking out aboutmy bill.

She ever-so-gently said, “You canchoose to worry yourself sick aboutproblems or not. That same problemis still going to be there either way.”

Earlier this year, we received anaudit notice from the IRSincorrectly stating we owed $8,000.Bob persevered through phone calls

with 45-minute wait times, emails,faxes, and a zillion trips to the bank,as well as certified letters. And hewon.

He never worried about theaudit, the $8,000 we don’t have, thepaperwork, or the ludicrous processof reaching a human being, so tospeak, at the IRS.

“How do you not worry, Bob?”“In the long run, most problems

won’t matter. Plus, I always say,‘Wait to worry.’ If I didn’t win withthe IRS, I would have worriedthen.”

What he does worry about is me.My walking problem makes mefragile. Frankly, like most of us, Bobis having an overall harder time aswe get older.

“I worry about the future,” hesaid tearfully. “It’s almost too sad tothink about.”

I told him, “It’s only too sadbecause it’s so beautiful.” I touchedhis arm. “Don’t miss me while I’mhere.”

He was still tearful. “Sweets,” I said, “thinking about

losing our dog didn’t make it anybetter when she died. It was just aspainful. Look at this day. Here weare, so lucky to live near the seashorein our tiny, cozy home. Don’t misstoday by worrying about somethinginevitable that you can’t control.”

I took his hand and led him tothe bedroom, where we spent anentire hour doing what people inlove do when they are spending aglorious day together near a seasidetown: Googling “fried seafood.”Then we went to a local shanty andgorged ourselves on fried shrimp.

Made with canola oil.

Saralee Perel is an award-winning,nationally syndicated columnist. Hernew book is Cracked Nuts & SentimentalJourneys: Stories From a Life Out ofBalance. To find out more, visitwww.saraleeperel.com or [email protected].

Such is Life

Saralee and Bob, June 2013

Saralee Perel

Does Worrying Ever Help?

Pa. Ranked 17th in Senior Health ReportAmerica’s Health Rankings®

Senior Report shows Minnesota atthe top of the list of healthiest statesfor older adults. Vermont is rankedsecond and New Hampshire is third,followed by Massachusetts and Iowa.

Mississippi is ranked 50th as theleast healthy state for older adults.Oklahoma, Louisiana, West Virginia,and Arkansas complete the bottomfive states.

Pennsylvania ranked 17th overall.In 2013, 28 percent ofPennsylvanians over 65 are obese;9.1 percent are smokers; 80.5 of

diabetics are receiving appropriatedisease management; and 32.4percent are physically inactive.

By contrast, 23.7 percent ofMinnesotans over age 65 areconsidered obese, versus 27.9 percentof Mississippians. Of Minnesota’sseniors, 8.6 percent smoke; the rateis 10 percent for Mississippi.

Minnesota came in at 83 percentfor diabetes management, versus74.1 percent in Mississippi. Finally,28.9 percent of Minnesota seniorsare physically inactive, versus 38.1percent of seniors in Mississippi.

The 34 measures that compriseAmerica’s Health Rankings® SeniorReport are of two types:determinants and outcomes.Determinants represent those actionsthat can affect the future health ofthe population, whereas outcomesrepresent what has already occurredeither through death or disease.

View the entire report online atwww.americashealthrankings.org.

Source: America’s Health Rankings®Senior Report. ©2013 United HealthFoundation. All Rights Reserved.


Dauphin County

Calendar of EventsDauphin County Library Programs

Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation

Aug. 6, 7 p.m. – Twilight Walk, Wildwood ParkAug. 11, 10:30 a.m. to noon – Heat-Tolerant Plants, Wildwood ParkAug. 17, 10 to 11:30 a.m. – Yoga in Harmony with Nature, Wildwood Park

Programs and Support Groups

East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, (717) 652-9380

Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville, (717) 362-9825Aug. 1, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Elizabethville Library Meeting

Harrisburg Downtown Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976

Johnson Memorial Library, 799 E. Center St., Millersburg, (717) 692-2658

Kline Branch, 530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-3934Aug. 22, 6:30 p.m. – Friends of the Kline Library Meeting

Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg, (717) 232-7286

McCormick Riverfront Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976

Northern Dauphin Library, 683 Main St., Lykens, (717) 453-9315

William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second St., Hummelstown, (717) 566-0949Aug. 6, 6:30 p.m. – Novel Thoughts Book ClubAug. 20, 1 p.m. – Novel Thoughts, Too! Book Club

Free and open to the public.

Senior Center Activities

Aug. 2, 4:30 to 10 p.m.Cultural FestCorner of Second and Market streets, Harrisburg

Aug. 13, 6 to 7 p.m.Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support GroupGraysonview Personal Care Community150 Kempton Ave., Harrisburg(717) 561-8010

Aug. 21, 1:30 p.m.Parkinson’s Support Group on East ShoreJewish Home of Harrisburg4004 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg(717) 441-8627

Aug. 27, 6 p.m.Susquehanna Rovers Volksmarch Walking Club Gander Mountain5005 Jonestown Road, Harrisburg(717) 991-5232

Aug. 27, 6 to 7:30 p.m.Parental Loss Support GroupAseraCare Hospice75 S. Houcks Road, Suite 101, Harrisburg(717) 541-4466

Give Us the Scoop!Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about free events occurring in Dauphin County! Email preferred to: [email protected]

(717) 770-0140Let help you get the word out!

What’s Happening?

If you have an event you would like toinclude, please email information to

[email protected] for consideration.

Bistline Senior Center – (717) 564-5633

B’Nai B’rith Senior Center – (717) 232-6757

East Hanover Township Senior Center – (717) 469-7514

Edgemont Senior Center – (717) 236-2221

Friendship Senior Center – (717) 657-1547

Heinz-Menaker Senior Center – (717) 238-7860

Hoy/Latsha Senior Center – (717) 939-9833

Jewish Community Center – (717) 236-9555

Lick Towers Senior Center – (717) 233-0388

Lykens Senior Center – (717) 453-7985

Millersburg Senior Center – (717) 692-2657

Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002www.hersheyseniorcenter.comAug. 2, 9 to 11 a.m. – Medicare 101 SessionAug. 12, noon – Computer Scams Lunch and Learn

Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682www.rutherfordhouse.orgMondays, 9 a.m. – AerobicsTuesdays, 11 a.m. – ZumbaWednesdays, 9 a.m. – Computer Assistance

Steelton Senior Center – (717) 939-0693

Please call or visit the centers’ websites for additional activities.

AARP Driver Safety Programs

For a Safe Driving Class near you, call toll-free(888) 227-7669 or visit www.aarp.org/findacourse.

Aug. 17 and 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.Mohler Senior Center25 Hope Drive, Hershey(717) 533-2002


ONE GIANT STEPFOR MANKIND!

Bob Hansen is smitten by two young women in Iowa,and one in Lancaster, PA. But he has to find afull-time job and decide which of the three youngwomen to pursue.

Use a gallon of gas and take a beautiful 9-mile trip through Amish and Mennonitefarm country on Route 23 between Blue Ball and Morgantown.

This stretch of road, which follows an old Native American trade route, wasdeclared “The Conestoga Ridge Road Heritage Byway” in the fall of 2012.

Stop off in Morgantown at the Masthof Bookstore (first road after Old Village Inn)and pick up a copy of Choices and Decisions and a local history book.

This may not be the same story you’re thinking of.This one’s about a young, itinerant engineer with job

assignments in two states: Decorah, Iowa, and Lancaster, PA.

The step he is considering is marriage!

Pick up or order Choices and Decisions atMasthof Bookstore – 219 Mill Road,

Morgantown, PA 19543($13.95 plus 84¢ tax and $4 shipping)

610-286-0258 www.Masthof.com— or —

Available on Amazon.com in paperback or Kindle

ADVERTISEMENT

• Breakfast with Ben Barber and News with Dennis Edwards

• John Tesh with Music and Intelligence for Your Workday

• Bruce Collier & The Drive Home

WE PLAY OVER1500 GREAT SONGS!

Harrisburg’sOldies Channel!

Find us at AM 960 or at whylradio.com

By John Johnston

Question: How do I change mycitizenship status on Social Security’srecords?

Answer: To change your citizenshipstatus shown in Social Security records:

1. Complete an application for a SocialSecurity card (Form SS-5), which you canfind online at www.socialsecurity.gov/online/ss-5.html.

2. Locate documents proving your newor revised citizenship status. Only certaindocuments can be accepted as proof ofcitizenship: your U.S. passport, aCertificate of Naturalization, or aCertificate of Citizenship. If you are nota U.S. citizen, Social Security will ask tosee your current immigration documents.

3. Locate documents proving your ageand identity.

4. Take (or mail) your completedapplication and documents to your localSocial Security office. All documents

must be either originals or copiescertified by the issuing agency. Wecannot accept photocopies or notarizedcopies of documents. For moreinformation, visit www.socialsecurity.gov.

Question: I have never worked butmy spouse has. What will my benefitsbe?

Answer: You can be entitled to asmuch as one-half of your spouse’s benefitamount when you reach full retirementage. If you want to get Social Securityretirement benefits before you reach fullretirement age, the amount of yourbenefit is reduced.

The amount of reduction depends onwhen you will reach full retirement age.For example, if you file at age 62, andyour full retirement age is 65, you canget 37.5 percent of your spouse’sunreduced benefit; if your full retirementage is 66, you can get 35 percent; and ifyour full retirement age is 67, you canget 32.5 percent.

The amount of your benefit increases

if your entitlement begins at a later age,up to the maximum of 50 percent at fullretirement age. If your full retirement ageis other than those shown here, theamount of your benefit will fall between32.5 and 37 percent at age 62.

However, if you are taking care of achild who is under age 16 or who getsSocial Security disability benefits on yourspouse’s record, you get the full spouse’sbenefits, regardless of your age.

Learn more about retirement benefitsat www.socialsecurity.gov/retirement.

Question: My doctor said he thinksI’m disabled. Who decides if I meet therequirements for Social Securitydisability benefits?

Answer: We first will review yourapplication to make sure you meet somebasic requirements for Social Securitydisability benefits, such as whether youworked enough years to qualify.

Then we will send your application tothe disability determination servicesoffice in your state, often called the

“DDS” or “state agency.” Your stateagency completes the disability decisionfor us.

Doctors and disability specialists inthe state agency ask your doctors forinformation about your condition. Theyconsider all the facts in your case. Theyuse the medical evidence from yourdoctors and hospitals, clinics, orinstitutions where you have been treatedand all other information.

The state agency staff may need moremedical information before they candecide if you are disabled. If moreinformation is not available from yourcurrent medical sources, the state agencymay ask you to go for a specialexamination. We prefer to ask your owndoctor, but sometimes the exam mayhave to be done by someone else. SocialSecurity will pay for the exam and forsome of the related travel costs.

Learn more about disability benefits atwww.socialsecurity.gov/disability.

John Johnston is a Social Security publicaffairs specialist.

Q&A for August

Social Security News


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

CCRCs offer a tiered approach to the aging process, accommodating residents’ unique and oftenchanging needs.

Healthy adults entering a CRCC are able to live independently in a home, apartment, orcondominium of their own within the community. When assistance with everyday activitiesbecomes necessary, they can move into personal care, assisted living, rehabilitation, or nursingcare facilities. Some CCRCs have designated dementia areas within the community. These unitsaddress the progressing needs of people who have any form of dementia.

With a wealth of available resources, these communities give older adults the option to live inone location for the duration of their lives, with much of their future care already figured out —which equals both comfort and peace of mind.

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

CCRCContinuing Care

Retirement Communities

Bethany Village325 Wesley DriveMechanicsburg, PA 17055Stephanie LightfootDirector of Sales & Marketing(717) 766-0279www.bethanyvillage.org

Chapel Pointeat Carlisle770 South Hanover StreetCarlisle, PA 17013Linda AmsleyDirector of Marketing/Admissions(717) 713-2201www.chapelpointe.com

StoneRidge Retirement Living440 East Lincoln AvenueMyerstown, PA 17067Stacia KeithDirector of Sales(717) 866-3553www.stoneridgeretirement.com

Willow Valley Communities600 Willow Valley SquareLancaster, PA 17602Kristin HambletonManager of Sales(717) 464-6800(800) 770-5445www.willowvalleycommunities.org

Woodcrest VillaMennonite Home Communities2001 Harrisburg PikeLancaster, PA 17601Connie BuckwalterDirector of Marketing(717) 390-4126www.woodcrestvilla.org

Cornwall Manor1 Boyd StreetCornwall, PA 17016Anne PeifferV.P. for PR & Development(717) 274-8092www.cornwallmanor.org

Homeland Center1901 North Fifth StreetHarrisburg, PA 17102-1598Barry S. Ramper II, N.H.A.President/CEO(717) 221-7902www.homelandcenter.org

Homestead Village Enhanced Senior Living1800 Marietta AvenueP.O. Box 3227Lancaster, PA 17604-3227Susan L. DoyleDirector of Marketing(717) 397-4831 ext. 158www.homesteadvillage.org

Normandie RidgeSenior Living Community1700 Normandie DriveYork, PA 17408Joyce SingerDirector of Sales & Marketing(717) 718-0937www.normandieridge.org

Pleasant ViewRetirement Community544 North Penryn RoadManheim, PA 17545Amanda EckingerCommunications Coordinator (717) 664-6207www.pleasantviewrc.org

St. Anne’sRetirement Community3952 Columbia AvenueWest Hempfield Township, PA 17512Christina E. GallagherDirector of Marketing (717) 285-6112www.stannesretirementcommunity.com

Calvary FellowshipHomes502 Elizabeth DriveLancaster, PA 17601Marlene MorrisMarketing Director(717) 393-0711www.calvaryhomes.org

www.StoneRidgeRetirement.com

You’ll feel right at home in over 1,400 square feet of luxuriousapartment living. With housekeeping, home maintenance, three dining

venues, a general store, and much more, you can leave the work to usand live the worry-free life you have been dreaming of for years.

Call 717-866-3553 to schedule your tour today!

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Friendly faces, helpinghands, warm hearts. That’s

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phone:

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Safe Haven Skilled Services LLC

Safe Haven Quality Care LLCServing Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties


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How Fixing Cataracts Can

Improve Your Health

Remember the old song lyric: “Thefoot bone’s connected to the leg bone?”Well, here’s an interesting connection—better vision could lead to a 16 percentlower risk of hip fractures.

Sure, fixing cataracts can restore clear,colorful vision, but according to a recentstudy published in the Journal of theAmerican Medical Association, havingcataract surgery lowers the risk ofbreaking a hip as well in adults 65 andolder.

“Seeinghelps younavigate anewenvironmentand helpswithbalance,” leadinvestigatorDr. Anne L.Coleman ofBrownUniversitytold the NewYork Times.“You reallyneed youreyes andvision to helpyou stay stable.”

Older patients and those who werevery ill benefited the most from havingcataracts removed, with a 23 to 28percent reduced risk of hip fractures.

Cataracts are more treatable than ever.That’s good news, considering half of allAmericans will be diagnosed withcataracts by age 80.

Cataract surgery has come a very longway over the last 50 years. What wasonce a complicated surgery with a two-week hospital stay is now a simple

outpatient procedure that takes a fewminutes.

About 3 million people have cataractsremoved in the U.S. each year, making itone of the most common procedures.

The eye’s cloudy lens is removed andreplaced with an artificial intraocularlens. Traditional lenses can correctdistance vision, but newer, advanced-technology lenses can also help correctpreexisting eye conditions like

astigmatismand age-relatedpresbyopia.These newerintraocularlenses canpotentiallyeliminate theneed forglasses.

Medicat-ions, eyedrops,exercises, andeatinghealthy can’treversecataracts. Theonly effective

way to correct a cataract is to remove theclouded lens with minor surgery. Itbecomes a matter of “when” rather than“if ” you should have the procedure done.

This study suggests that acting earliermay help prevent other health problemsthat accompany poor vision, such as falls.Cataract surgery can also mean moreindependence, as better vision allows youto confidently do more everyday thingson your own.

According to the Centers for DiseaseControl and Prevention, only half of the

August is CataractAwareness Month

Photo Credit: (c) jamstockfoto – Fotolia


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estimated 61 million adults at high riskfor serious vision loss visited an eye careprofessional in the last year. To makesure you are protecting your eye health,follow these simple steps.

Everyone 50 or older should getyearly comprehensive eye exams. Thisallows for detection of eye diseases inearly stages, before you experiencevision problems, some of which may bepermanent.

Adults over 50 should be mindful ofsymptoms of common age-related eyediseases, such as cataracts, the leading

cause of reversible blindness in the U.S.Blurry vision and needing more light toread even while wearing glasses can beearly signs. In later stages, you mayexperience poor night vision, colorslooking dull, difficulty with glares orhalos, and double vision.

Seniors should talk to their doctorsand visit the National Institutes ofHealth National Eye Institute website(www.nei.nih.gov) to learn aboutcataracts and treatment options.

Source: Courtesy of Alcon Labs

2013’s More Unusual Billionaires

Earth is home to 1,426 billionaires,according to Forbes magazine. Some ofthem are familiar and fairly normal folks(Carlos Slim, Warren Buffet), but othersare a little more colorful.

Forbes recently shared some of themore outlandish stories of 2013’s richestpeople:

God is a billionaire. Not that God—God Nisanov, who was born inAzerbijan, currently resides in Moscowand built his $3 billion fortune in realestate.

Money buys you love? Jeff Greene,who also made his billions in real estatedeals, spent $1 million on his wedding atan estate he bought for $35 million andthen spent $15 million renovating. Hisbest man? Boxer Mike Tyson.

Money supports some unusualhobbies. Tuncay Ozilhan collects pens—and currently owns more than 3,000 ofthem. He can afford them because hisworth is $1.6 billion, thanks to being theproducer of the most popular beer inTurkey, a brew known as Efes.


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Traveltizers Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

By Andrea Gross

he sign says we’re enteringparadise. I’m skeptical. The six of us—my husband,

me, our son, our daughter-in-law, andtheir two children—are about to spenda week at a top-rated guest ranch.

Back in December when we’d madethe reservations, we’d all agreed that thiswould be a perfect experience for ourintergenerational group, but now I’mhaving second thoughts.

We’re city-folks through andthrough—better at driving four-lanehighways than riding four-leggedcreatures, more familiar with walkingthrough manicured parks than hikingon canyon trails. And we’re used toplucking fish from market showcases,not from mountain streams.

But here we are, on a mountain roadin north-central Wyoming. We round acurve, and I catch my first glimpse ofParadise Guest Ranch. It’s in a valley

surrounded by more than a million acresof Bighorn National Forest, and with thehills awash with wildflowers, it’sbreathtakingly beautiful.

Then I see the corral, and I feel arumble in the pit of my stomach. Thekids—aged 9 and 6—have never been ona horse; the rest of us have a combinedtotal of, perhaps, 10 hours of horseback-riding experience. Will we be the onlynovices in a group of experts?

The answer becomes clear the nextmorning when we go to the stables forour first horseback ride. Everyone else iswearing a cowboy hat or riding helmet.We, on the other hand, are decked out inbaseball caps and bonnets. Oh, dear!

We exhaust the first wrangler when hetries to take us out on the trail.Grandson can’t make his horse move.Daughter-in-law’s horse goes backwardwhen she pulls too hard on the reigns. Ican’t make mine stop eating.

But that afternoon, a second wranglertakes us into the arena for a course inhorseback riding basics.

City Slickers in the Wyoming Wilds

The ranch is surrounded by a million acres ofunspoiled land.

Most folks go on at least one trail ride a day;many go on two.

TNewcomers to the ranch can taketheir time getting acquainted with

the horses.

A 9-year-old girl who takes balletdancing in the city becomes a fan

of square dancing during herweek at the ranch.


Granddaughter’s journal, day one:

My horse’s name is Pollywog. I thoughtthe horse would know what to do, buttoday I found out that I’m the one who’ssupposed to know what to do.

The next morning we ride a trail—across a stream, up a rocky mountainpath, through a meadow, back to thestables. Grandson declares that “nowwe’re really cowboys.” By Wednesdaywe’re beginning to feel like pros.

Granddaughter’s journal, day four:

I think I’ve learned Pollywog’spersonality, which is that sometimes hewants to do things his way. But now I cansometimes make him do things my way.

The week progresses, offering us a mixof family time and individual time. Weride together and eat together, but inbetween we can each explore our owninterests.

Daughter-in-law and I take a long (forus) hike—proudly puffing our way alongtrails that rise to an elevation of nearly8,000 feet. Son tries his hand at fly-fishing, and Husband finishes two booksand starts a third. The kids spend off-horse time doing crafts or swimming inthe pool.

After dinner the counselors entertainthe kids while the adults have a chance to

get to know each other. Out of 12groups, five are adults-only; the rest havechildren ranging from toddlers to teens.Only three, like us, are first-timers.

Every day we learn something new.One day we have a lesson on wildflowers.Another day we hear stories of ButchCassidy and The Sundance Kid, who had

an “Outlaw Cave” nearby. And anothertime we watch a moose moseying aroundthe grounds near the fishing pond.

Saturday is Rodeo Day, a chance forthe kids to show off their equestrianskills.

“Mount your horse.” Grandson is too short to do it alone—

a ranger has to lift him on—but he grabsthe reigns like a pro.

“Circle the barrels.” No problem. “Weave between the poles.” Granddaughter does it at a trot. Six

days has transformed them both fromWestern Wimps to Cowboy Champs.

But it’s at the square dance whereGranddaughter really shines. Blond hairflying, she allemandes left and circlesright. Wrangler Dave grabs Grandson’shand.

“Come on, Buddy. Let’s dance!” hecalls, as he propels a grinning Grandson’round the room.

Then, the next morning, we have ourfirst crisis. None of us wants to leave.

“Wait! We have to go down to thebarn to say goodbye to Pollywog.”

“Wait! We have to take one morepicture of the fishing pond.”

Wait, wait, wait! It takes us two hoursto say our goodbyes and get into the car.

Grandson’s comment, day seven:

I like to watch sports, and Wyomingdoesn’t have any professional sports teams.But that’s OK. It’s still paradise.

www.paradiseranch.com

Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted;story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

While experienced fishermen go on all-dayoutings to more remote locations, otherschoose to practice on the ranch proper.

The ranch is at an altitude of 8,000 feet,making a walk in the woods a huff-puff

experience for some.

Guests of all ages tend to gatheraround the swimming pool inlate afternoon.


One Book, One Community

RSVP by August 14, 2013 to Mary Beth Long at

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2013 Book AnnouncementPlease join 93 libraries and their community partners

in celebrating the 2013 One Book, One Communitybook announcement and reception.

Wednesday, August 21 at 4 p.m.Red Land Community Public Library

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and embarked on a longtime job drivingan 18-wheeler—Mease’s voice wentquiet.

“For the next 45 years, I was merely alistener, a spectator, until a couple yearsago when a karaoke experience revealedI had not lost my singing voice,” Measesaid.

On that occasion, Mease’s renditionof Louis Armstrong’s “What aWonderful World” was so well receivedthat he became motivated to resumesinging, adding to his repertoire songsmade popular by Frank Sinatra, DeanMartin, Elvis Presley, Willie Nelson, andNeil Diamond.

Now retired, Mease still drives atruck part time and is active on thekaraoke circuit. He continues to beamazed and heartened by the multi-generational encouragement from hisaudience members.

“The songs I’ve chosen at karaokehave been enthusiastically received bythose close to my own age and,surprisingly, by younger people as well,”Mease said.

“I thought my choices from amongthe ‘crooning ballad’ type of music fromyesteryear were a refreshing departurefrom the more often heard ‘pop rock’ oftoday.”

Mease hopes the exposure he gainsthrough the PA STATE SENIOR IDOLcompetition can boost his performance“hobby” into a second part-time career,with gigs at parties, reunions, orretirement centers.

He would also like to continue tocultivate his “Sinatra touch.”

“I seem to have been able to pick uphis timing and phrasing,” Mease said,“and I can relate ever so realistically tothe life themes he sang about.”

A recurring “life theme” amongpeople with a gift for singing is thatthey often don’t remember exactly whenthey started doing it—or a time whenthey didn’t. Such is the case for TammyEstep, who estimates she may havebegun exercising her pipes around age 5.

Her vocal gifts were likely passeddown to her from her mother, who wasslated to appear on The Ted MackOriginal Amateur Hour in the ’50s—until her father forbid her from going.

“I think if she would haveauditioned, she would have been amusic star, and I probably wouldn’t behere!” Estep said.

Estep sang all throughout her schoolyears; her guitar was “always strapped”to her, and she performed at everyschool event. Four months before shewas set to begin attending East

Stroudsburg University, Estep was askedto sing lead for a local band.

“Much to my parents’ dismay, Iaccepted that offer and ditched college,”Estep said.

“While there have been manyoccasions that I have regretted thatdecision, my music career as a guitarsoloist and as a member of several bandswith some very talented people spannedover 18 years of my life.”

In addition to those years withvarious bands, Estep spent eight years asa solo performer. Her style leans towarda Bonnie Raitt or Linda Ronstadt sound,she said.

Estep also traveled to Nashville in the1980s as a contestant on You Can Be aStar, where, in one round, she actuallybeat now-famous country musicianAaron Tippin. Tippin went on to winthe competition in 1985.

Currently a branch manager for alocal financial institution, Estep hasstepped away from singing for the lastseveral years but is eager to rekindleboth the happiness it brings her and thejoy she sees others receive from hermusic.

“There are a lot of people over 50that I’ve met in my lifetime who arefrom this area and who areextraordinarily talented,” she said. “Andthey’re still [performing]; I think that’scommendable.”

She added that she is embarking onher upcoming SENIOR IDOL experiencenot just for herself, but also for thosefellow musicians she’s worked with alongthe way.

“I have so many people I know thatI’ve played with over the years. I’m kindof doing this for them—because weworked very hard when we played,” shesaid. “It was many weekends, many latenights driving home, and I’m doing itfor all those people that sacrificed so wecould have a good time.”

Morning and early-afternoonauditions for the 2013 PA STATE SENIORIDOL competition will be held Tuesday,Aug. 27, at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg– East, 4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg.

Afternoon and evening auditions willbe held Thursday, Sept. 5, at theHeritage Hotel – Lancaster, 500Centerville Road, Lancaster.

For more information, call (717) 285-1350 or check out www.SeniorIdolPA.com to see clips from previous years orto download an application.

If your business would like to supportthe 50-plus community, please call tolearn more about sponsorshipopportunities.

IDOL from page 1


WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 14

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1. Drill part4. Maximum words8. Hand gun13. Burden15. Swimming place16. Accustom17. Space rock19. Roy Rogers’ mate,

Dale ___20. Mustang21. Distress signal23. Formerly24. Layers25. Battery filler

27. Pastries30. Bulbous herbs33. Aligned36. Capital of Morocco38. So. state (abbr.)39. Triumph40. Closed auto41. Fall mo.42. On-___ switch43. Spice rack item44. Moisten a turkey46. German prison48. Bordered50. Tiny amount

51. Most antiquated55. Food shop57. Took a chair60. Earth color61. Mine entrances63. One of a pair of

shoulder straps65. Dogma66. Fr. priest67. Exploit68. Hot under the collar69. Toll70. Parched

1. Depth charges2. Unreactive3. Coach4. Hubbub5. Hawaiian dish6. Youngsters7. Bread spread8. Misinform9. Expose10. Protectors11. Sea eagles12. Repose14. House of Congress

18. Eight22. The Tempter26. Write out28. Very (fr.)29. ___ Thompson31. Secret plan32. Economize33. The terrible ___34. Breach35. Constant37. Hairless40. Adventure stories43. Flying mammal

44. Contradict45. Add a number47. Hang around49. Religious text52. Concluded53. Facial expression54. Unpunctual55. Information56. Paradise58. Quick inits.59. Pea shooter62. Eye infection64. Commerce org.

Across

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CROSSWORD


Puzz

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show

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pag

e 13

Puzzl

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tions

Dear Savvy Senior,What can you tell me about clinical

trials and how to go about finding one? Mywife has a chronic condition, and we’reinterested in trying anything that may beable to help her.– Looking For Help

Dear Looking,Each year, hundreds of thousands of

Americans participate in clinical trials inhopes of gaining access to the latest, andpossibly greatest, but not yet on themarket treatments for all types ofillnesses.

But, you need to be aware thatclinical trials can vary greatly in whatthey’re designed to do, so be careful tochoose one that can actually benefit yourwife.

Here’s what you should know aboutclinical trials, along with some tips forlocating one.

Clinical TrialsA clinical trial is the scientific term for

a test or research study of a drug, device,or medical procedure using people.

These trials—sponsored by drugcompanies, doctors, hospitals, and thefederal government—are conducted tolearn whether a new treatment is safe andif it works. But, keep in mind that thesenew treatments are also unproven, so

there may be risks too.Also be aware that all clinical trials

have certain eligibility criteria (age,gender, health status, etc.) that your wifemust meet in order to be accepted. Andbefore taking part in a trial, she’ll beasked to sign an informed consentagreement. She can also leave a study atany time.

Things to KnowBefore

deciding toparticipate in atrial, you andyour wife need tofirst discuss itwith her doctor.Then, schedulean appointmentwith the study’smedical team andask lots ofquestions. Here are some to get youstarted.

• What’s the purpose of the study andcan it improve your wife’s condition? Youmay be surprised to know that manydrug or procedural trials are not designedto find a cure or improve a patient’shealth, but only to provide scientificdata.

• What are the risks? Some treatmentscan have side effects that are unpleasant,serious, and even life threatening.

• What kinds of tests and treatmentsdoes the study involve, and how oftenand where they are performed?

• Is the experimental treatment in thestudy being compared with a standard

treatment or aplacebo? Keep inmind that if yourwife gets theplacebo, she’ll begetting notreatment at all.

• Who’s payingfor the study?Will you have anycosts, and if so,will your

insurance plan or Medicare cover therest? Sponsors of trials generally pay mostof the costs, but not always.

• What if something goes wrong duringor after the trial and your wife needsextra medical care? Who pays?

• If the treatment works, can your wifekeep using it after the study?

Find a TrialEvery year, there are more than

100,000 clinical trials conducted in theU.S. You can find them at condition-focused organizations like the AmericanCancer Society or the Alzheimer’sAssociation, or by asking her doctor, whomay be monitoring trials in his or herspecialty.

Or, use the National Institutes ofHealth’s clinical trials website(www.clinicaltrials.gov). This sitecontains a comprehensive database offederally and privately supported clinicalstudies in the U.S. and abroad on a widerange of diseases and conditions,including information about each trial’spurpose, who may participate, locations,and phone numbers for more details.

If, however, you don’t have Internetaccess or could use some help finding theright trial, use the Center forInformation and Study on ClinicalResearch Participation (www.ciscrp.org).

This is a nonprofit organization thatwill take your wife’s information over thephone and do a thorough clinical-trialssearch for you and mail or email you theresults in a few days. Call (877) 633-4376 for assistance.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to theNBC Today show and author of The SavvySenior Book. www.savvysenior.org

What to ConsiderBefore Joining a Clinical Trial

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

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Taboos confront us in every sectorof life. They permeate society—inhouseholds, offices, religion,

supermarkets, within ethnicities, andelsewhere.

Each sector has its own prescribednorms. We are told Americans live in “theland of the free,” but even in our homesit can take the truly brave to defy taboos.As some taboos collapse, others emerge tofill the ranks.

A household can bethought of as a “sovereignjurisdiction,” oftengoverned by a monarchwho establishes taboos.Some of these prohibitionsare anticipated by visitors.Others are ambiguous orincomprehensible.

Men must leave thetoilet seat down in amixed-sex household. Thatmaxim is accepted bymost. Bathroom sinksmust not be left to give the appearance ofa “wet bar.” Fair enough.

But a ban against wearing shoes in thehouse can arouse resistance by guestswearing socks that do not match or haveholes. Enforcement of taboos withinmany households is both certain andswift.

Taboos in supermarkets areunderstood but rarely enforced.Prohibitions limiting the number ofitems in the express checkout line orwriting checks in the cash-only line aresilently waived.

Taboo enforcement can be expected inoffices. It is inadvisable for an entry-levelemployee to address the chief executive ora senior executive by that person’s firstname. If a common-use refrigerator storesfood brought by employees for theirpersonal consumption, others samplingthe fare can lead to an embarrassingscene.

Society’s taboos underwritten by lawprovoke periodic legal challenges. Gaymarriage, marriage between first cousins,medical marijuana, military womenbarred from certain combat situations,and assisted suicide are prohibitions thatdivide public opinion.

Taboos decreed by custom, butunsupported by law, fade as attitudes

toward them moderate. Men emotingtears in public, considered unmanly indecades past, has had a change inperception. Breastfeeding infants inpublic is fading as a “morality” issue.

Topics considered inappropriate fortelevision commercials, such as bladderincontinence and erectile dysfunction, arenow accepted, however begrudgingly, byviewers.

There are countlessexamples of traditionaltaboos that persist. Womensmoking cigars, jokes aboutmothers-in-law, burping inpublic, cellular calls duringmeetings, and the “one-finger salute” come tomind.

Society traditionallyregarded tattoos asdistasteful, suited only fordrunks and sailors. LifeMagazine in 1936estimated that 6 percent of

Americans had a tattoo. Tattooing lostmuch of its appeal during the decadesimmediately following World War II.Perhaps the practice of the Nazistattooing concentration-camp prisonersinhibited its acceptability.

Tattoos in the past decade have seengrowing acceptance. Harris Polls in 2008estimated that 14 percent of Americanshad one or more tattoos, prevalent mostlyamong those in the 25-39 age group.

Over the past decades, new tabooshave emerged as others fade. Warymothers often exhibit apprehension whentheir toddlers receive unwelcomedadmiration from strangers. Whenrejection is indicated, the admirer feels amelancholic separation from the youngestgeneration.

We live in “the land of the free,” buttake care where you tread. You may,perhaps unwittingly, have violated ataboo.

Walt Sonneville, a retired market-researchanalyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth:The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizenand A Musing Moment: Meditative Essays onLife and Learning, books of personal-opinionessays, free of partisan and sectarianviewpoints. Contact him [email protected].

Taboos in the Landof the Free

My 22 Cents’ Worth

Walt Sonneville


You bring the talent, We’ll provide the stage!

For more information, updates, or an application:

717.285.1350 • www.SeniorIdolPA.com

Do you dance … sing … play an instrument … perform magic … do comedy?Do you think you’ve got what it takes to be called PA STATE SENIOR IDOL?

Then we’re looking for you!

Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the eighth annual PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition at one of these locations:

Finals to be held on October 14, 2013 at:

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601 • (717) 898-1900

Win a limousine trip to New York City with dinner and a Broadway show!

Emcee:Diane Dayton

of Dayton Communications911

Phot

o Gr

aphi

cs

Tuesday, August 27Holiday Inn Harrisburg East

4751 Lindle Road, Harrisburg, PA 17111(Morning/Early Afternoon Auditions)

Thursday, September 5Heritage Hotel – Lancaster

500 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA 17601(Afternoon/Evening Auditions)

Documents

Dauphin County 50plus Senior News August 2013