Postcard collector Bob Sallade preserves images

of days gone by in dozens of binders stored at his home.

Highlights from the

50plus EXPOpage 14

Vaccination Options

for Seniors

page 22

Inside:

By Chelsea Shank

Bob Sallade loves the thrill of the hunt.

And as a deltiologist—that is, someone who collects postcards—he takes

every opportunity that he can to hunt for postcards to add to his collection.

Sallade, 63, has a collection of between 4,000 and 5,000 postcards.

Collecting postcards is tied with coin collecting as the second most popular

hobby, next to collecting stamps, said Sallade.

He started his collection about six years ago.

“I went to flea markets for other reasons and I picked up five old

postcards … and that’s what started it,” Sallade said.

As a native of Central Pennsylvania, he takes a personal interest in the

history of the area and enjoys finding postcards featuring old buildings that

are no longer around and others that are still standing.

“My thrill is getting different scenes,” said Sallade.

He has postcards of a former recreational facility called Playland, which

had a roller skating rink and swimming pool where Sallade spent time as a

teenager. There are others in his collection of an old judicial center, the

Wrightsville Bridge, and hotels and motels that are no longer in operation.

“That’s the interesting part—seeing what your town used to look like,”

said Sallade.

please see MEMORIES page 26

Local History Preserved in

Vast Postcard Collection

Memoriesin the Mail

Lancaster County Edition December 2012 Vol. 18 No. 12

2 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Thank You, Volunteers!On-Line Publishers, Inc. and 50plus Senior News

would like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all of

the individual and senior group

volunteers who donated their time

and efforts at our 2012 50plus EXPOs.

Because of your assistance, we

were able to bring the contents and

the mission of 50plus Senior Newsto life for the residents of

Central Pennsylvania!

50plus Senior News continues to bring important information as well as

entertaining articles to the 50+ community. We at On-Line Publishers

would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the

editorial contributors of 50plus Senior News:

It is through the varied interests and considerable talents

of our contributors and freelance writers that such a range

of informative and entertaining content is available to read each month.

The pages of 50plus Senior News are enriched by your contributions.

Thank You, Columnists!

AAnnggeelloo CCoonniigglliioo (The Search for Our Ancestry)

WWeennddeellll FFoowwlleerr (Preventive Measures)

AAll GGooooddmmaann (Beyond the Battlefield )

AAnnddrreeaa GGrroossss (Traveltizers)

DDrr.. LLoorrii (Art and Antiques)

GGlloorriiaa MMaayy (NurseNews)

CCllyyddee MMccMMiillllaann--GGaammbbeerr (The Beauty in Nature)

JJiimm MMiilllleerr (The Savvy Senior)

CCaannddaaccee OO’’DDoonnnneellll (Balancing Act)

VViiccttoorr PPaarraacchhiinn (Fragments of History)

SSaarraalleeee PPeerreell (Such is Life)

DDrr.. LLeeoonnaarrdd PPeerrrryy (The Green Mountain Gardener)

WW..EE.. RReeiinnkkaa (Silver Threads)

TTeedd RRiicckkaarrdd (The Squint-Eyed Senior)

SSyy RRoosseenn (Older But Not Wiser)

PPaatt SSiinnccllaaiirr (Recipes for Two)

WWaalltt SSoonnnneevviillllee (My 22 Cents’ Worth)

RRoobbeerrtt WWiillccooxx (Salute to a Veteran)

JJuuddiitthh ZZaauussnneerr (Creativity Matters)

Yellow-Rumped Warblers

The Beauty in Nature

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

Yellow-rumped warblers seem to be

two species of small birds. Pretty

in a plain way, they are brownish

and streaked in their winter plumages, as

sparrows are for camouflage. They

actually look like petite sparrows, but

with thinner beaks.

In summer, however, these wood

warblers are striking in their gray, black,

and white breeding plumages. But yellow

flanks, crowns, and rumps are present in

both plumages. And the yellow rumps

are the signature of this species through

the year.

Sharp “check” notes among trees and

shrubbery indicate the presence of these

birds, usually before they are seen. They

can be spotted when one looks diligently

for them, though they are seldom still.

Yellow-rumps, or “butter-butts” as

they are also called, are an adaptable,

abundant species of warbler seen most

everywhere in North America at some

time of the

year, including

in southeastern

Pennsylvania

in winter. A

hardy species,

they are the

only warbler

wintering in

abundance in

the continental

United States,

including in

the northern

regions.

Yellow-

rumps are the

most versatile

foragers among

warblers. In

winter, they

move about in

fairly conspicuous groups in deciduous

thickets along

streams and

woodland edges

across much of

the Lower 48

because they eat

berries and small

seeds instead of

the invertebrates

they consume in

summer. They

ingest poison ivy,

Virginia creeper,

myrtle, or

bayberries and

other berries.

Myrtle berries

gave these birds

an alternate

name: myrtle

warbler.

Yellow-rumps

also ingest the berry-like, blue cones of

red junipers. They consume wild grapes,

too, and the tiny seeds of goldenrods,

asters, and other weedy plants, as well as

grasses, as sparrows do.

Breeding pairs of yellow-rumps raise

young in mature, northern forests of

conifers and mixed deciduous/coniferous

trees. In summer, they eat invertebrates

from the foliage of the outer limbs at

middle heights in the trees. They often

flit out from the trees to catch flying

insects, as flycatchers do. They feed many

of the invertebrates they snare to their

young.

The adaptable butter-butts use a

variety of niches. Watch for them in

thickets of berry-bearing shrubbery and

vines in local hedgerows, woodland and

stream edges, and lawns this winter or

succeeding ones.

Clyde McMillan-Gamber is a Lancaster

County Parks naturalist.

Photo courtesy of Dan Pancamo

A male yellow-rumped warbler

in summer plumage.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 3

Steinmetz Coins & Currency, Inc.

(717) 299-1211

Auer Cremation Services of PA

(800) 722-8200

Dental Health Associates

(717) 394-9231

Lancaster Denture Center

(717) 394-9773

Smoketown Family Dentistry

(717) 291-6035

Central PA Poison Center

(800) 521-6110

Office of Aging

(717) 299-7979/(800) 801-3070

Lancaster County Office of Aging

(717) 299-7979

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre

(717) 898-1900

Internal Revenue Service

(717) 291-1994

Richard H. Heisey Funeral Home

(717) 626-2464

Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home &

Crematory, Inc.

(717) 393-9661/(717) 872-5041

(717) 627-8668

Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home

(717) 394-4097

General Surgery Practice &

Hemorrhoid Clinic

Hiep C. Phan, MD FACS

(717) 735-9222

Regional Gastroenterology Associates of

Lancaster (RGAL)

(717) 544-3400

Alzheimer’s Association

(717) 651-5020

American Cancer Society

(717) 397-3744

American Diabetes Association

(888) DIABETES

American Heart Association

(717) 393-0725

American Lung Association

(717) 397-5203/(800) LungUSA

American Red Cross

(717) 299-5561

Arthritis Foundation

(717) 397-6271

Consumer Information

(888) 878-3256

CONTACT Helpline

(717) 652-4400

Disease and Health Risk

(888) 232-3228

Domestic Violence

(800) 799-7233

Flu or Influenza

(888) 232-3228

Health Network Labs

(717) 243-2634

Hearing and Ear Care Center, LLC

(717) 653-6300

Sonus Hearing Care Professionals

(717) 544-0327

Visiting Angels

(717) 393-3450

DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen

(717) 367-9753

Hospice of Lancaster County

(717) 295-3900

Eastwood Village Homes, LLC

(717) 397-3138

Medicare

(800) 633-4227

GSH Home Med Care, Inc.

(717) 272-2057

Lancaster NeuroScience

& Spine Associates

(717) 569-5331

(800) 628-2080

CVS/pharmacy

www.cvs.com

May•Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology

(717) 397-8177

Prudential Homesale Services Group

Rocky Welkowitz

(717) 393-0100

Splits & Giggles

(717) 399-3332

TLC Ladies

(717) 228-8764

Transition Solutions for Seniors

Rocky Welkowitz

(717) 615-6507

Passport Information

(877) 487-2778

Lebanon VA Medical Center

(717) 228-6000

(800) 409-8771

Veterans Services

Travel

Senior Move Management

Restaurants

Real Estate

Physicians — OB/GYN

Pharmacies

Neurosurgery & Physiatry

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Insurance

Housing

Hospice Providers

Home Improvement

Home Care Services

Hearing Services

Health & Medical Services

Gastroenterology

Funeral Directors

Financial Services

Entertainment

Employment

Emergency Numbers

Dental Services

Cremation Services

Coins & Currency

Resource Directory

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

This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made

an extended commitment to your health and well-being.

4 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc.

and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement

communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets

serving the senior community.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish

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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

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or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be

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Corporate Office:3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360

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610.675.6240

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717.770.0140

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Lebanon County/York County:

717.285.1350

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PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERDonna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Christianne Rupp

EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS

Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENT

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Renee McWilliams

PRODUCTION ARTIST

Janys Cuffe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Karla Back

Angie McComsey Jacoby

Valerie Kissinger

Ranee Shaub Miller

Lynn Nelson

Sue Rugh

SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR

Eileen Culp

CIRCULATION

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATION

BUSINESS MANAGER

Elizabeth Duvall

Q: I have begun developing my family

genealogy, and in going online, I

found someone with a common

ancestor. This researcher, who is

evidently related to me, has an

extensive family tree for that ancestor,

going back to a king of Persia in 1300

AD. How do I know whether this is

accurate, and if I am descended from

that king? – O.K., Illinois

A: I’m generally wary of such

claims. It is true that if anyone

traces his lineage back 20

generations or so, the odds of

finding a “noble” ancestor increase.

This is because of the huge number

of ancestors any person has in his

20th generation back, and the fact

that if we go that far back in

time, the total number of

people living was much

smaller than today.

1300 AD could be 25

generations or more ago.

You (and I, and everyone)

had about 30 million

ancestors who lived 25

generations back, or about

10 percent of the world’s

population! There probably

was a noble or two in that

group of ancestors, but the

problem is proving it.

Such claims are further lessened

by the fact that in most countries

800 years ago, detailed records

simply didn’t exist, and in fact

many of the countries (or political

boundaries) that existed in 1300 are

no longer here. “Nobles” did keep

better track of lineage than

common folk (or someone kept it

for them), and well-documented

and reliable family trees may exist

for some noble families.

But in this instance, as well as in

more mundane cases where

someone claims to know the names

of, and pertinent information

about, your great-great-

grandparents and their ancestry, the

key question to ask is, “What are

the researcher’s sources?”

Before I went to the trouble of

adding voluminous information to

my family tree from another tree, I

would want to be sure that every

relationship in someone else’s

genealogy database had been

confirmed to my satisfaction.

Consider some types of sources,

from the most reliable to the least:

Primary Records: Your great-

grandmother’s birth record from her

town of birth. Your aunt’s birth

certificate, filed with a local

governmental office. A church

record of your parents’ marriage.

These are all primary records, made

at the time of the specific event they

document. Some, for example, a

marriage record, may be primary

records of one event and secondary

records of another. See below.

Secondary Records: Your great-

grandfather’s tombstone gives his

birth date as Jan. 1, 1898. Your

mother’s marriage certificate says

she was born on June 12, 1950.

Your father’s Army discharge papers

report his birthday. These are all

secondary records of the events I

have noted.

However, the information in

question may be included in a

primary record of another event.

For example, a marriage certificate

is a primary record of the marriage,but only a secondary record of the

births of the bride and groom. Some

information on any sort of record

may be hearsay.

Hearsay: Your father says his

father was born in 1921 in

Belgium. A neighbor of your

grandmother’s tells you that one of

your uncles was married three

times. Your mother says she was

married on April 10, 1972. All of

these are hearsay. The person

conveying the message may be

reliable or not, but the information

they convey is not backed up by a

document (not that you would ask

your mother to prove that she had

been married!).

A good researcher not only

records the names and dates

associated with subjects of a

study, but also documents the

sources of the information, so

that others can decide for

themselves how reliable the

information may be. Such

documentation of sources

may say “personal

conversation with so-and-so,”

which is hearsay; or “birth date

given on death certificate No.

27168, Erie County, N.Y.”

(primary for the death date,

secondary for the birth date); or

“1889 Serradifalco, Sicily, birth

record Number 158 for Gaetano

Coniglio,” a primary record of birth.

Most genealogy software allows

entry of source information, and I

try to include a source for every

important bit of information I

record. If others doubt any

information I have online, they can

usually go to the same source I cite

and check it out. In the case of the

above letter writer, I would suggest

he contact his “relative” and ask:

“What are your sources?”

Angelo Coniglio encourages readers to

contact him by writing to 438 Maynard

Drive, Amherst, N.Y. 14226; by email

at Genealogytips@aol.com; or by

visiting www.conigliofamily.com/

ConiglioGenealogyTips.htm. His new

historical fiction novel, The Lady of theWheel, is available through

Amazon.com.

‘Noble’ Ancestors

The Search for Our Ancestry

Angelo Coniglio

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 5

Serving Lancaster County for over 28 Years!

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Prudential is a registered service mark of The Prudential Insurance Company of America. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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As On-Line Publishers, Inc. sees the conclusion of yet another year,

we are grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportive

advertisers who have all enabled us to continue to grow in our mission

to serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community.

We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50plus Senior Newsa fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainment

for our readers in Central Pennsylvania.

At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of

On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.

Happy Holidays!

Tank is a 10-month-old pit

bull mix and boy, is he the life

of the party. This boy is very

outgoing and playful. He loves

stuffed animals and squeaky

toys. Tank already knows the

command “sit,” and he would

enjoy going to obedience

classes.

He is very energetic and

enthusiastic, so he would be

happy in a family with adults

or older children to run

around with. Longs walks and playing in the yard are Tank’s idea

of a good time.

This boy gets along well with other dogs and just

wants to play all day. Will you consider making

Tank your new playmate? Tank ID No.

17389475

For more information, please contact the

Humane League of Lancaster County at

(717) 393-6551.

Humane League Pet of the Month

Tank

6 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

LANCASTER COUNTY

EMPLOYERS NEED YOU!!

For more job listings, call theLancaster County Office of Aging

at (717) 299-7979or visit

www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco_aging

Lancaster County Office of Aging150 N. Queen Street, Suite 415

Lancaster, PA

Job

OpportunitiesHOMEMAKER – FT

Local retirement community seeking a compassionate person to serve residents of their innovative living

program. Must be team-oriented, flexible, organized, and have some prior experience with activities for

residents in long-term care programs.

The holidays are right around the corner. Give yourself a gift this year by volunteering to assist an older person. For asmall investment of time and energy, you’ll receive the invaluable present of knowing that your presence has made adifference in that person’s life!

Here are a few of the volunteer opportunities that will change the life of the older person, and yours, for the better!You’re needed by:• A lady who lives in Lancaster city who is asking for help with grocery shopping• A woman in Ephrata who wants a Friendly Visitor volunteer• A man who’s requesting a volunteer cleaner once a month to do light housecleaningIf you’d like more information about these opportunities or the many others we have, call Bev Via, volunteer coordinator,

at (717) 299-7979 or email us at aging@co.lancaster.pa.us.

CASHIER – PT

Big-box retailer needs persons

capable of providing friendly, fast,

and accurate processing of a variety

of customer transactions while

communicating targeted offerings

of related products and services.

Requires 3-6 months' experience in

customer service or sales.SN110022.02

BUILDING MAINTENANCE – FT

Property management company is

searching for a dependable, responsible

technician to perform plumbing,

electrical, carpentry, painting, and

appliance repair for an apartment

community. Need a minimum 3-5

years' experience, clean background,

and valid driver's license.

SN110026.04

E.O.E.

VIEW OUR JOB LIST

We list other jobs on the Web at

www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco_agi

ng. To learn more about applying

for the 55+ Job Bank and these

jobs, call the Employment Unit at

(717) 299-7979.SN-GEN.03

SN110030.01Age 55 or over? Unemployed? The 55+ Job Bank is one of

three services offered by Employment Unit at the Office of Aging.Jobs are matched with those looking for work. Based on an

evaluation of your skills and abilities, we can match you with aposition needed by a local employer. Some employers arespecifically looking for older workers because of the reliabilityand experience they bring to the workplace. There is a mix offull-time and part-time jobs covering all shifts, requiring varyinglevels of skill and experience, and offering a wide range ofsalaries.

The other services available through the Office of Aging arethe Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)and the regularly scheduled Job Search Workshops.

— Volunteer Opportunities —

Along with festive sights, a major

part of the holidays is aromatic

smells. From evergreens to the

holiday meal, the holidays offer a feast

for the eyes and for the nose.

Some of the most popular scents

derive from holiday decorations like fruit

wreaths, citrus pomanders, and evergreen

garlands. The models for these luscious

holiday elements all have roots in art

history.

Renaissance WreathsThe works of art by the Renaissance

artisan and master Luca della Robbia

served as the impetus for today’s version

of the holiday fruit wreath. Aptly called

the della Robbia wreath, fruit wreaths

decorate homes and hearths all over the

world.

Della Robbia’s 15th-century

architectural medallions were often

highlighted with fruit wreaths and

decorative garlands of green and red

apples, berries, pineapples, lemons, limes,

and oranges. Based on these Renaissance

decorations, the della Robbia-style

wreath was reintroduced during the late

1800s in a time period known as the

Renaissance Revival.

Traditionally, fruit wreaths were

lovingly hung on the exterior doors of

homes at holiday time. Fruit wreaths

gave the winter greenery a bright,

colorful contrast. Fruits often appear in

the paintings, prints, architectural, and

furniture designs of the 18th and 19th

centuries based on Renaissance

iconography.

The type of fruit chosen for such

living wreaths was symbolic. For

instance, ornamental apples symbolized

the family, and this fruit played a major

role in holiday decorations. Apple ring

wreaths were associated, at

Christmastime, with the holy family and

the nativity.

Other related wreaths featured fruits

such as lemons, pineapples, and oranges.

Wreaths made of whole lemons

symbolized friendship and were typically

hung on doors at the back of homes

Holiday Fruits in Home Décor

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Dr. Lori

Photos courtesy of Staff of www.DrLoriV.com

A traditional della Robbia-style fruit

wreath featuring symbolic holiday fruits.

Fruit wreath sculpture by Luca della

Robbia, circa 15th century, from the

collection of the Hermitage Museum,

St. Petersburg, Russia.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 7

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Get a 12-month subscription to 50plus Senior News for just $10.Mail form to: 50plus Senior News,

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Give someone you lovethe gift that entertains,informs, and inspires,month after month!

Or renew an existing subscription!

(where close friends enter), rather than

on front doors. For the holidays, fruit-

inspired decorations remind us of the

bountiful harvest and the joy of sharing

with family and friends.

Also, pineapples were symbolic fruits

associated with the holiday season. The

pineapple represented the tradition of

hospitality at holiday time and all year

long. The hospitable pineapple form

was typically carved into Chippendale

and Federal furniture, including

bedposts, mantles, dining room

sideboards, etc.

Today, pineapples are the fruit of

choice for home décor items ranging

from silver candelabras to front porch

welcome mats.

Fancy FruitLike fruit wreaths, fruit pyramids

and aromatic pomanders dating back to

the Colonial period were among the

delights of a holiday home.

Scents of fresh fruit and spices

lingered from the tabletop fruit

pyramids suggesting architectural

examples in miniature. In the 19th

century, sweet-smelling fruit pomanders

had yet to be relegated to the hall closet,

but instead they were prominently hung

front and center in a Victorian home’s

entry foyer.

Orange, lime, or lemon pomanders,

enhanced with whole cloves, were

suspended over doorways and in

stairwells to give busy areas of a home a

lovely scent. Made by pushing cloves

into whole oranges or other citrus fruits,

a pomander was a welcomed and

popular hostess gift. They were used in

the 1700s and 1800s to ward off foul

odors that were thought to bring illness

into a home in wintertime.

In Colonial America, fruit wreaths,

pyramids, and pomanders were popular

in holiday homes. These antique

holiday handicrafts not only smelled

delightful with the scents of apple,

clove, and citrus, but they were also

pretty, natural additions to the interior

decor.

The pleasing aroma of the fruit

decoration allows the pomander to

maintain a prominent place among

holiday decorations. Happy holidays!

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-

winning TV personality, Dr. Lori presents

antique appraisal events nationwide. Dr.

Lori is the expert appraiser on the hit TV

show Auction Kings on Discovery channel,

which airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. Visit

www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/

DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.

Don’t Overdo It withVitamin Supplements

“Take your vitamins,” Mom always

said, and though mother knows best,

doctors also know a few things about

what your body needs.

Their research indicates that too

much of a good thing can have negative

effects on your health. Check with your

physician if you take any of these

common vitamin supplements.

Vitamin A. In the proper amounts,

vitamin A is essential to reproductive

health, good bones, and immune

functions, and can be beneficial to

people suffering from such conditions as

celiac disease, pancreatic disorders, and

Crohn’s disease.

Vitamin A deficiencies usually caused

by malnutrition can lead to problems in

vision, skin disorders, infections like

measles, and other health issues. But

such deficiencies are rare in the U.S.

and other developed countries, so there’s

no need to overdo it.

Vitamin C. In its natural form,

vitamin C has been shown to boost

immune functions, but despite its

popularity, no evidence firmly links it to

prevention of such diseases as the

common cold. It’s important to the

growth and repair of bodily tissues, and

it contains antioxidants that may help

fight cancer.

Because it’s water-soluble, your body

will eliminate any excess vitamin C it

doesn’t need, but too much of it can

cause stomach cramps, nausea,

heartburn, and diarrhea, and excessive

doses may produce kidney stones.

Vitamin E. This essential nutrient is

frequently recommended because of its

antioxidant qualities, but except in very

rare cases of vitamin E deficiency,

evidence of any clear medical benefits of

a supplementary dose is slim.

In one study of the effect of this

vitamin fighting prostate cancer, results

showed a 17 percent increase in the rate

of cancer among subjects taking higher

doses. Your best bet is to focus on

naturally occurring sources of vitamin E

in cereals, fruits, and green, leafy

vegetables such as spinach, meat, and

nuts.

8 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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RRaaccee ffeeeess:: $20 before January 2, and $25 after January 2, 2013.All those who register before January 2 will be guaranteed a t-shirt.

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Date:

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January 19, 2013

Race start:

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Location:

Lancaster County Central Park,

Pavilion 22

The Christmas Tree:An American Tradition

Fragments of History

Victor M. Parachin

In 1851, Mark Carr, a logger from

New York’s Catskill Mountains,

created the first Christmas tree lot.

In order to make a little extra money

over the holiday, he rented sidewalk

space in New York City. His rental

expense for the season was a mere $1.

Day after day, he sold his cut trees to city

dwellers.

Over the years, Carr’s concept of

placing a holiday tree inside the home

would expand across the country, making

the Christmas tree an American

tradition. One poll reveals that nearly 85

percent of all American homes contain a

decorated tree at Christmastime, totaling

between 80 and 90 million decorated

trees.

Although the Christmas tree is

associated with a major Christian holiday

celebrating the birth of Christ, the origin

of placing a festive tree in the home goes

back to the Vikings. In Scandinavian

countries, winter was cold and bleak, and

days were

short. In some

areas, the sun

disappeared

for weeks at a

time, creating

a perpetual

night. Every

community

experienced

the death of

several

villagers and

many animals.

Yet, the

Vikings found

a point of

hope and comfort in the evergreen tree.

They noted that the evergreen not only

survived one harsh winter after another,

but also continued to grow and thrive in

spite of the season. Consequently, the

Vikings

began to cut

down

evergreens

and place

them in

their homes.

There, the

tree would

be a daily

symbol of

hope.

Along

with the

Vikings,

other

Europeans

were intrigued by the mystery of the tree

that stayed green throughout the winter.

Many of them included the evergreen as

part of their pagan religious practices. It

is through those pagan customs that the

evergreen made its way into Christianity.

There are various legends that offer

explanations for the origins of the

“Christmas tree,” as it came to be called.

One of those legends involved St.

Boniface (675-754), a British monk who

traveled across Europe as a missionary.

One Christmas Eve he came across some

German-speaking people who were

preparing a human sacrifice before an

oak tree. According to legend, he struck

the oak a single blow with his axe and

felled the tree.

Impressed by his miraculous powers,

the people abandoned human sacrifice

and embraced Christianity. Boniface

pointed to a small evergreen fir tree,

instructing them to make that tree a

symbol of their new faith and to use it

when celebrating the birth of Christ.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 9

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Another legend about the Christmas

tree is tied to Protestant Reformation

leader Martin Luther (1483-1546). On

Christmas Eve, he was walking through

the woods when the beauty of the stars

shining through the branches of the fir

trees moved him deeply. An idea came

to his mind. He quickly cut down a

small tree and brought it home for his

family.

Luther covered it with lit candles

and then used the tree as an object

lesson to explain the faith. He taught

his family that the tree, whose

evergreen color never faded, was like

God’s love, which would never fade

away no matter what life’s

circumstances were. The lit candles

were representative of Jesus Christ, who

was the “light of the world.” For

Luther, the tree was symbolical of the

entire Christian faith and not just

Christmas.

It is in Germany where the earliest

historical reference to a Christmas tree

first appears. In 1561 at Alsace a law

was passed limiting each “burgher” or

resident to only one Christmas tree.

The law further stipulated the tree

could be no more than “eight shoes” in

height. Evidently, the custom of

bringing a live tree into the home was

so popular that deforestation was

becoming an issue.

From Germany the custom of a

Christmas tree spread all over western

Europe. By 1837, a Christmas tree was

being used in France. In 1840

England’s Queen Victoria and her

German-born husband-to-be, Prince

Albert, celebrated Christmas with a

decorated tree.

In the United States, the first

Christmas trees were introduced during

the American Revolution by German

mercenaries fighting for the Colonial

army. The concept of using a live tree

at Christmas did not catch on with the

early Americans, and the tree returned

to Germany with the mercenaries at the

conclusion of the Revolutionary War.

Around 1820, German immigrants

to Pennsylvania brought the tree back,

and this time it caught on. By the

1840s, the Christmas tree was widely

known in the United States. An 1845

children’s book, Kriss Kringle’s Christmas

Tree, helped further propel popularity

of the tree.

The earliest American trees were

short and small, often displayed on

tables. Americans gradually switched to

larger trees placed in stands on the

floor because they had an ever-

increasing variety of ornaments to place

on them. Those early trees were

decorated with gingerbread, pretzels,

cookies, apples, lemons, oranges, figs,

strings of cranberries or popcorn,

candy, dolls, paper roses, glass balls,

and ornaments made of eggshells or

cotton.

As the Christmas tree made its way

into American homes and hearts, some

clergy voiced opposition to what they

declared was originally a pagan custom.

However, the Christmas tree began to

appear in churches during the holiday

season.

From its humble beginnings as a

symbol of hope and strength for the

ancient Vikings, the Christmas tree has

evolved to become the central symbol

of the world’s most celebrated holiday.

Safe Eviction Treatments

for Ants

Most of us don’t want to share a

home with ants, but we don’t want to

douse the place with insecticide either.

Keeping your sinks and

counters dry and clean is a

good start. Here are a few

natural treatments to keep

ants at bay:

Cinnamon. Place a few

cinnamon sticks anywhere

you spot ants crawling into

your house. The pleasant odor will

send ants away. (Garlic cloves work as

well, though you may not enjoy the

scent as much.)

Vinegar. Spray some apple or white

vinegar on areas where ants have set up

shop.

Black pepper. Sprinkle a

little pepper when you see

ants. Watch where they run

to, and treat that area as well

to prevent them from

returning.

Mint. The scent of mint can

disrupt ants’ sense of smell. Plant

mint outside, especially near doors and

windows, and place a few mint leaves in

and around your windows.

10 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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World War II vets ...

and in memory of the

attack on Pearl Harbor

What he didn’t know was that

the first raid against this

critical target had been one of

the costliest for the USAAF in the

European Theater, with 53 aircraft and

660 aircrewmen lost. It had been the

worst loss ever suffered by the USAAF in

a single mission.

Ploesti was a cluster of nine oil

refineries around Ploesti, Romania, that

produced one-third of the oil that

powered the German war machine. It

was so critically important to the

German war effort that it was guarded by

50,000 German troops and, literally,

hundreds of anti-aircraft guns.

It had been bombed many times by

American bombers from Libya, then

from Italy, by the time Fred Lowery and

his B-17 crew arrived in their base at

Foggia, Italy, and found that Ploesti was

to be their first mission. Did they realize

how hazardous that mission would be?

“I guess the officers might have

learned that in their briefing,” he says.

“But the

other

enlisted

men and I

had no

idea.

“We

were being

checked

out on our

first

mission,

and we all

flew on

different

crews, to

give us

some

experience

before flying in combat together as a

crew. I learned after the mission that our

navigator and bombardier had been shot

down and

had

become

prisoners

of war.

Worse

still, our

waist

gunner

had been

killed by

flak.

“We

were then

all split up

and sent

to

different

crews, as

needed. Only once did I ever fly again

with any of our original crew, and that

was on my 17th and final mission. My

original copilot had become a first pilot,

and he flew the mission to bomb an oil

refinery near Vienna.

“Strangely enough,” he explains, “I

came closer to buying the farm on that

mission than on any other. For the first

time, we had with us a guy who was

operating a ‘flak jammer.’ This was a

device that confused the radar that

guided the German ack-ack guns.

“While we were flying at 28,000 feet,

he kicked me and pointed to my main

oxygen line. It had been severed by flak,

so, although I was breathing, what I

didn’t realize was that I wasn’t getting any

oxygen. I was able to quickly uncouple

my oxygen line and couple it to his. If it

hadn’t been for him, I surely would have

died.”

He Flew in 3 Raids on theDreaded Oil Fields at Ploesti

Robert D. Wilcox

Salute to a Veteran

Frederick C. Lowery (at right, standing)

with his original B-17 crew in training.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 11

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Lowery wouldn’t have been there at

all if he hadn’t been called by the draft

board when he was 18 years old and

still a senior in Manheim Township

High School in Lancaster. His father

was a minister, and Lowery had grown

up in Intercourse, Pa., in a strictly

religious home. So he says he was rather

looking forward to striking out on his

own.

The Army sent him to Miami for

basic training, then to Sioux Falls, S.D.,

for radio school. It was then to Yuma,

Ariz., for gunnery school, and to Salt

Lake City to join a B-17 crew. After

combat training at Biloxi, Miss., the

crew flew to Newfoundland and the

Azores on their way to their base in

Foggia, Italy.

Thinking back to the missions he

flew, he says, “We were really lucky. We

really had to worry only about flak. The

German fighter planes had been

decimated by the time we got there. We

never saw a one. Once, flak knocked

out one of our engines and we fell

behind the group until we were all

alone. Our tail gunner then found a

fighter coming at us. But, when it got

closer, we found it was one of ours. So I

never got to fire a gun.”

Lowery returned to the U.S. in late

1944 and served at several bases before

being discharged as a tech sergeant at

Fort Indiantown Gap in 1948. He

returned home, entered Franklin and

Marshall College, and earned a B.A. in

history in January 1950. He then

entered seminary at the Dallas

Theological Seminary, earning a Master

of Theology degree in 1954.

He joined the Army Reserve in 1957

as a first lieutenant and served as

chaplain at many bases and hospitals

before retiring from the Reserve as a

lieutenant colonel in 1995.

In civilian life, he served as minister

of the United Brethren Church in New

Holland, Pa., for 27 years. In

retirement, he was asked if he would be

interested in serving as minister for the

United Brethren Church of Intercourse,

Pa. That had been his father’s church,

so he readily accepted the call and

served there for 16 more years before

settling in a retirement community in

Lancaster with his wife, Cora Jean.

Lowery says that, despite his years

since then, he still thinks of those

exciting, dangerous months of missions

over Europe as if they were yesterday.

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in

Europe in World War II.

Art Exhibit WinnersAnnounced

The Lancaster County Office of

Aging is pleased to announce the

winners in the 19th Annual Senior Art

Exhibit.

The artworks were displayed at the

Lancaster General Hospital Health

Campus from Oct. 16–19. Local art

professionals judged the exhibit, which

consisted of works in watercolor, oil,

pastels, acrylics, photography, and

mixed media.

The winners are:

Watercolor

First – Beverly Felter, Venetian Byway

Second – Marjorie Maninger, Memories

Third – Margaret Mahoney, Low Tide

Oils

First – Sylvia Goodling, Lady of Fashion

Second – Lucy Rankin, Middle East

Woman

Third – Andy Krause, Portrait of Paula

Acrylics

First – Larry Hostetter, October’s Call

Second – Jane Scott, Amish Country

Third – Larry Hostetter, Home on the

Range

Pastels

First – Diane Dinkel-Romano, Just

Apples

Second – Herb Ackerman, Half Dome

at Yosemite

Photography

First – Donald Lownes, River Sunset

Second – Margaret Cooney, The Getty –

Los Angeles

Third – Donald Frey, The Hawk

Mixed Media

First – John Thackrah, Rockford

Second – Betty Reiff, Mt. Fuji

Third – Pam Young, Nature’s Beauty

The People’s Choice Award went to

William Lau for his photograph

entitled Kenya Child.

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12 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Who Do I Look Like?

Older But Not Wiser

During the past year I have been

told several times by people

younger than me that I look like

someone.

No, not the same someone, many

different someones. I’ve been told I look

like Billy Graham, Billy Crystal, Hugh

Hefner (even though I don’t wear

pajamas in public), Bob Dylan, Tony

Bennett, and Ed Koch (the former mayor

of New York).

In addition, just the other day I had

an extremely weird conversation with a

middle-aged guy at the checkout line at

the supermarket.

“You look like that actor,” he told me.

“What actor?” I asked.

“You know, that actor.”

“Oh, him.” At this point I just wanted

to get out of the supermarket and away

from this guy. However, he was

relentless.

“He’s in a lot of comedies but he also

does serious pictures, you know, with

heart.”

“So he has a lot of range,” I said.

“Exactly. You look like the actor with

a lot of range.”

“OK, great,” I replied. “I’ll make sure

I see the next picture he’s in.”

“I’m pretty sure he’s dead.”

“So I looked like him before he passed

away?” I asked.

“Yeah, he probably doesn’t look too

good now.”

At first this whole series of “lookalike”

events was kind of amusing to me, and

then I realized what might be happening.

It’s not that I look like a celebrity, even

though I’d love to go on tour as Bob

Dylan.

It’s that people younger than us think

that we seniors all look alike. All they see

is the gray hair and the wrinkles. They

probably also see the turkey neck, but

let’s not dwell on that.

Or maybe, and this is even worse, as

we get older we do all start to look alike.

We become kind of … a generic version

of what we once were. I guess if this is

true, there’s one semi-positive side

effect—all the cool guys I envied in high

school now look like me.

Ironically, when I was a teenager I

desperately wanted to look like

everybody else. I just wanted to blend in.

However, now I wanted to fight this

anonymity.

I started to think of ways to make

myself stand out. I was thinking of

wearing something all the time, like a

scarf, that would become my trademark.

But then I would be known as “the guy

with the scarf ” and I don’t want to take

second billing to an article of clothing.

Then I thought of maybe getting a

tattoo. I’ve seen guys with Chinese

lettering tattooed on their arms or neck. I

could have a have tattoo that says AARP.

I have a feeling no one’s ever done that.

And then, all of the sudden, the

insanity stopped. I’d like to think that it

was a sudden burst of maturity on my

part, but actually it was the fear of the

tattoo needle that brought me to my

senses. I realized that if some younger

people can’t tell us apart, that’s their

problem. We seniors are definitely

unique individuals with unique looks.

I, for example, am just a regular guy

who happens to look like Cary Grant.

Hey, the guy at the supermarket couldn’t

remember the actor’s name, so I get to

fill in the blanks.

Note: If you’re looking at my picture

now and trying to figure out who I really

look like—it was taken seven years ago and

in the right light (semi-darkness).

Sy Rosen

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 13

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In print and online

Profile Stories • Local Events

Finance • Lifestyles

Health & Healthcare

Antiques & Collectibles

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Serving the mind, heart, and

spirit of the 50+ community.

Information that’s relevant to you!

14 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Thank you, sponsors and volunteers!The 50plus EXPO is FREE to the community due to the generosity of our sponsors.

Proudly Sponsored By:

By Megan Joyce

Although political tension hung in the air

everywhere else, a friendly atmosphere presided

over the thousands of visitors who elected to

spend some time at the Lancaster Host Resort on

Nov. 6 for the 16th annual Lancaster County

50plus EXPO.

For an entirely free event, the 50plus EXPOoffered visitors a lot of bang for their zero bucks.

More than 90 friendly exhibitors. Health

screenings. Live entertainment. Door prizes.

Antiques appraisals. A seminar. Not to mention a

giveaway of 500 lottery tickets and the

opportunity to enter to win the day’s grand prize:

a casino trip for 40.

Presented by On-Line Publishers, Inc.—

publishers of 50plus Senior News—and the

Lancaster County Office of Aging, the backbone

of the annual Lancaster County 50plus EXPO was

its aisles of exhibitors, whose businesses and

organizations covered everything from finance

and healthcare to retirement living and local

media.

“There’s a lot of information from the vendors

if you need it, and I’ve got some already that I

can use. I come every year to see what’s new,” said

Judy from Lancaster.

Several health screenings were scattered

throughout the EXPO floor and included tests for

alpha-1 and blood pressure as well as a smile

evaluation. RetireSafe offered a seminar on

government news from Washington, DC.

Beverly Bowers of Ronks had come on a

twofold mission: on behalf of her father and

herself.

“[I came] to see whether I can get personal care

for my father, who’s 98 and living on his own at

home yet,” Bowers said. “And for me, I just

turned 65 and I’m here to see what’s going on.”

Cordier Antiques conducted free antiques

appraisals throughout the day. Attendees were

welcome to bring up to three items per person to

have examined and appraised by Cordier staff.

Jim Bryan of Bainbridge toted along a carefully

packaged item and left the antiques table with a

satisfied smile.

“It’s a Chinese dynasty wine vessel,” Bryan

explained, adding that it had been a joint

investment between him and his granddaughter.

“I wanted to see if I’m going to get a return on

my investment, so I brought it down for an

appraisal … hopefully I’m going to at least break

even.”

There were few empty seats to be found in the

EXPO’s entertainment area. Guests pulled up

chairs to enjoy the soaring voices of Vickie

Kissinger, 2012 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL, and, later, a

special joint performance of SENIOR IDOL winners

Barry Surran (2008) and Peggy Kurtz Keller

(2011).

And it was standing-room only during The

50plus Dating Game, a new feature at the 50plus

EXPO. Modeled after the popular TV show from

the 1960s and ’70s, The 50plus Dating Game gave

a local over-50 bachelor the tough job of

choosing between three 50-plus bachelorettes.

The winning “couple” received a prize package

that included various theater and restaurant gift

certificates.

And then there were the lottery tickets—500

in total, given away by 50plus Senior Newsduring four 125-ticket distribution times.

Just in case their lottery ticket didn’t pan out,

EXPO visitors were encouraged to stop by Bailey

Coach/Travel’s booth to enter to win the day’s

grand prize: motorcoach transportation for 40 to

Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. This day of

fun and games went to Linda Carl of Lancaster.

On-Line Publishers’ 50plus EXPOs will return

in spring 2013 with events in Chester, Northern

Lancaster, and Dauphin counties. For updates in

the months to come, call (717) 770-0140 or visit

www.50plusExpoPA.com.

Voters and Visitors Gather at 50plus EXPO

Prize Sponsors

Bailey Coach/Travel

Resorts Casino Hotel

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Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster (RGAL)

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Traveltizers Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

By Andrea Gross

The clock strikes midnight.

Fireworks explode. Confetti fills the

air. And I get a chance to make a

whole new set of resolutions, some of

which I may even keep. How can I

not like New Year’s Eve and New

Year’s Day? What’s more, if

celebrating once is nice, wouldn’t

twice be even better?

Squeezing two such festivities into

one year takes planning, but it can be

done. First, welcome the new year on

Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, the dates set by

the internationally accepted Gregorian

calendar.

Then, several weeks later, partake

in a traditional Chinese New Year’s

celebration, the date of which is set

according to the age-old Chinese

calendar. (In 2013, Chinese New Year

will fall on Feb. 10.)

Here, two places that celebrate the

new year in very different ways.

Savannah, Ga.As midnight approaches, people make

their way to the upper deck of the three-

tiered riverboat. They’ve been partying

for more than three hours—dancing to

live music, feasting on hors d’oeuvres

and a buffet of elegant offerings. Now, as

fireworks from nearby Tybee Island color

the sky, it’s time to welcome the new

year.

On shore, Savannah’s famed City

Market, a four-block area of restored

buildings, is filled with landlubbers who

are enjoying the city’s biggest street

party. Some are dining in one of the

many restaurants; others are enjoying the

free entertainment outside.

Then the countdown begins, and a

man lifts his son to his shoulders for a

better view of the fireworks. Another

man lifts his drink as the band strikes up

“Auld Lang Syne.” The new year has

officially begun.

The next day, more than 2,000

people, presumably recovered from the

Welcoming the New Year with Double the Fun

Photo courtesy of tybeevisit.com

More than 2,000 people partake in a

New Year’s Day Polar Plunge near

Savannah.

Lion dancers provide

entertainment during

New Year’s Day festivities.

Photo courtesy of Savannah Riverboat Cruises

Traditional stern-wheel

riverboats offer a unique

party spot for New Year’s Eve

revelers in Savannah.

please see NEW YEAR page 20

16 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

LIHEAP Now OpenEligible Pennsylvania residents are

encouraged to apply for the Low-Income

Home Energy Assistance Program

(LIHEAP), which helps low-income

people pay their heating bills through

home energy assistance grants and crisis

grants.

Cash grants are awarded based on

household income, family size, type of

heating fuel, and region.

Crisis grants are provided in the event

of a heating emergency, including

broken heating equipment or leaking

lines that must be fixed or replaced, lack

of fuel, termination of utility service, or

danger of being without fuel or of

having utility service terminated.

In most counties, assistance with

home heating crisis situations is available

24 hours a day.

The Department of Public Welfare is

sending all LIHEAP clients who applied

online last year a postcard notice

encouraging them to reapply online. In

the past, the department sent only paper

applications to all prospective clients,

even if those individuals applied online

the previous year.

Prior applicants who did not apply

online last year will still be mailed paper

applications.

By way of the new postcard, clients

will be provided with a preregistration

number, giving them access to an online

application that has already been filled

out using last year’s data. Clients will

simply have to ensure online

information is correct and update

anything that may have changed, such as

an address.

All online applications are sent

straight to the county office to

determine eligibility, thereby eliminating

mail and hand processing time.

For more information or to apply

online, visit www.dpw.state.pa.us.

Household sizes and maximum

income limits for LIHEAP’s

2012-13 season:

1 person – $16,755

2 people – $22,695

3 people – $28,635

4 people – $34,575

5 people – $40,515

6 people – $46,455

7 people – $52,395

8 people – $58,335

9 people – $64,275

10 people – $70,215

(For each additional person, add $5,940.)

VolunteerSpotlight!VolunteerSpotlight!

Time is aPriceless Gift

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and

photos are encouraged. Email preferred to

mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail nominations to

50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight,

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

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 Senior News’

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and

photos are encouraged. Email preferred to

mjoyce@onlinepub.com or mail nominations to

50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight,

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

Remember to Eat Your FishWe all know fish is good for you, but

a new study suggests it really may be

“brain food.”

Researchers at the University of

Pittsburgh Medical Center have found

that eating baked or broiled fish appears

to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

The study followed 260 healthy,

elderly subjects over a 10-year period,

tracking their food choices and

comparing brain scans at the beginning

and end of the period.

They observed that people who eat

fish at least once a week tended to have

less cell loss in the hippocampus and

frontal brain cortex, areas both involved

in maintaining memory.

The researchers point out that the

subjects’ brain health could be related to

lifestyle habits and general good health,

but the study reinforces other research

suggesting omega-3 fatty acids in salmon

and other seafood could limit the risk of

Alzheimer’s and dementia.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 17

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If you are a caregiver and find it hard

to get out, or you simply don’t have

the energy or desire to brave the

madness at area malls, consider a less

stressful way to purchase gifts this

holiday season: mail-order shopping.

Its advantages are many: operating

from the comfort of your home; the

convenience of 24-hour access; the

option of gift-wrapping service; and

delivery to your door or the gift

recipient’s door.

There’s no travel time involved, no

parking hassles or taxicab costs, no

crowds to elbow through, and no lineup

at the checkout. And, if you’re a

caregiver, you can shop while your loved

one is napping or in bed for the night.

With the holidays fast approaching,

the sooner you place an order, the better.

You’ll want to allow plenty of time not

only for standard delivery, but also in

case an item is temporarily out of stock.

In addition, if

you end up

requesting special

services like

hemming,

monogramming, or

gift packaging, this

normally delays

shipping by an extra

day or two—

possibly more at this

peak shopping time.

Here is some

further advice to

make mail-order

shopping a positive

experience.

1. Before ordering,

obtain information

about shipping and other charges. Costs

can vary considerably from one company

to the next and are based on the total

order cost or the

combined weight of

items ordered.

Some companies

charge an

additional flat

handling or

insurance fee. In

some cases, the

vendor will waive

the shipping fee if

you spend more

than a certain

amount. Watch for

offers of free

shipping at this

time of the year.

2. Find out the

company’s return

policy so there are no surprises if an item

doesn’t turn out to be suitable for any

reason. Look for companies that stand

behind their products with

unconditional guarantees.

3. Determine the cut-off date for

ensuring purchases arrive prior to the

holidays. Factors include your

geographic location in relation to the

company’s warehouse and whether or

not you’re prepared to pay a premium

for expedited delivery.

4. To save money, look for seasonal

clearances, discontinued items, and other

special offers before ordering out of the

regular catalog. Sale pages are typically

inserted in the center of print catalogs;

on websites, look for a section with a

title such as “clearance,” “overstocks,” or

“outlet store.” Order items of interest

right away, since quantities may be

limited.

5. With clothing, always consult sizing

charts before ordering, since these can

vary from one company to the next.

Some merchants also have special

customer service staff available to answer

questions about their products.

6. If you’re unsure whether a particular

item you have in mind is suitable, opt

for a gift card instead. It will arrive with

a note card and a copy of the company’s

latest catalog.

7. Save your invoices in a clearly marked

envelope or folder, in case you need to

return an item for a refund or

replacement.

Telephone TipsBe prepared before you call.

Bookmark catalog pages and circle the

items you wish to order, for easy

reference. Better yet, prepare a list that

includes product number, name of item,

and desired size and color. Include an

alternative color selection or a substitute

item in case a product is on back order

or is no longer available.

Have a pen and paper handy to jot

down any revisions to your list as well as

the reference number provided after

you’ve placed your order.

Internet Shopping TipsDeal only with reputable companies.

If you’ve never heard of a merchant

before, look for an “about us” or “FAQ”

(frequently asked questions) section and

check it out first. This should include

information about the security of their

site and privacy policies about collecting

and using your personal data.

The company’s name, address, and

phone number should also be listed. If

you can’t find it, consider shopping

elsewhere.

If personal information such as your

Social Security number, bank account

information, or date of birth is

requested, avoid that merchant.

Don’t provide credit card or other

necessary personal information until

you’re sure the browser is secure (a

padlock symbol at the bottom of the

screen is a common indicator). If you

have any doubt as to the security of the

website, shop instead via the company’s

toll-free telephone order line.

Print out a copy of your order once

submitted (it will include a reference

number). Many companies will also send

an email confirmation that your order is

being processed. Some offer access to an

online area where you can check the

status of your order; others offer email

notification advising when your

shipment has left the warehouse.

Lisa M. Petsche is a clinical social worker

and freelance writer specializing in eldercare

issues.

Health Matters

Lisa M. Petsche

Shop-at-Home Hints to Ease Holiday Stress

Have you photographed

a smile that just begs

to be shared?

Have you photographed

a smile that just begs

to be shared?

Send us your favorite smile—your children,

grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling”

pet!—and it could be 50plus Senior News’ next

Smile of the Month!

You can submit your photos

(with captions) either digitally to

mjoyce@onlinepub.com or by mail to:

50plus Senior NewsSmile of the Month

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

Digital photos must be at least 4x6'' with a

resolution of 300 dpi. No professional photos, please.

Please include a SASE if you would like to have your

photo returned.

18 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 19

MAIN OFFICE: Women & Babies Hospital

OTHER LOCATIONS: Brownstown • Columbia • Elizabethtown

Willow Street • Intercourse

maygrant.com • 397-8177

Senior Homecare By Angels®

Select Your Caregiver!

• Insured and bonded for peace of mind

• 24-hour care

• Housekeeping/meal preparation

• Hygiene assistance

• Nurse owned and operated

• Respite

Please call or visit our website:

393-3450 • www.visitingangels.com/Lancaster

We know it isn’t easy to invite someone into your home to provide care.

With us, you interview and choose your caregiver.

Our caregivers are Visiting Angels® employees who have caregiving experience

and are thoroughly screened.

Retirement Community DedicatesNew Health and Wellness Center

Students Meet Seniorsto Bring History Alive

If you have local news you’d like considered for

Around Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com

Pleasant View Retirement

Community recently held the

dedication of the J. Calvin Wenger

Health and Wellness Center.

More than 350 guests, including

donors, residents, family members,

and local dignitaries, were in

attendance. Tours of the new

facility as well as hors d’oeuvres

and light fare were a treat for the

guests of the Pleasant View

campus.

Included in the dedication was

the honorific naming of the J.

Calvin Wenger Health and

Wellness Center.

“I can sincerely say that the

honor of having this Health and

Wellness Center hold my name is

something that I never expected.

I’m overjoyed and delighted with

what Pleasant View has done over

the years and I’m privileged to be a

part of it,” Wenger said.

From left, Dr. J. Calvin Wenger;

Shirley Wenger, wife; Colleen Frankenfield,

PVRC president and CEO; Jim Devine,

vice president of the board; and Ruby

Miller, past board member, outside the

main entrance to the J. Calvin Wenger

Health and Wellness Center.

Garden Spot Village resident

Robert Hohl sharing his memories

of historic events to a small group

of high-school freshmen.

Ninth-grade students in Mark

Leaman’s class at Garden Spot High

School recently came face to face with

history. Thanks to a unique living

history program, groups of students

heard first-person accounts of key

moments in 20th-century history from

residents of Garden Spot Village who

lived through the events.

“The purpose of the project is to

help students make a connection and

reinforce the information we are

studying in class. Hopefully, they’ll

also reflect on the ‘history’ going on

around them in their current lives,”

said Leaman.

“This program gives Villagers an

opportunity to share their stories with

a younger generation. It acknowledges

the insights acquired through each

lifetime and enriches the lives of all

participants,” said Colleen Musselman,

director of life enrichment at Garden

Spot Village.

The students broke into small

groups, each with an adult born before

1950. They addressed such topics as

the assassination of President John F.

Kennedy, the Three Mile Island crisis,

and the falling of the Berlin Wall. The

class covers the period from the 1920s

to the present.

20 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

50plus Senior Newsis now on Facebook!

Visit

www.facebook.com/50plusSeniorNewsand “like” us to receive

a free 6-month subscription!

Plus, you’ll receive event updates,

story links, and more!

NEW YEAR from page 15

previous night’s revelry, gather on Tybee

Island for the Polar Plunge, an event that

raises money for a local charity. In

addition to swimming caps, which range

from ordinary-plain to frivolously freaky,

they are outfitted in glittery capes, feather

boas, bathrobes, PJs, and, occasionally,

regular old bikinis and briefs.

At noon they race for the water,

emerging a few minutes later, shivering

and smiling.

“I’ve washed off the sins of the past.

Now I’m ready to enjoy the new year,”

says one woman. She wraps her arms

about herself, smiles, and disappears into

the crowd of cold, but cleansed, folks.

www.savannahvisit.com

Richmond, British ColumbiaThree thousand miles away, people in

Richmond, British Columbia, have just

finished packing away the piney boughs

and glass ornaments that represent the

Western holiday season when they begin

preparing for the traditional Chinese New

Year’s celebration.

In Richmond, this second welcoming

of the new year is a very, very big deal.

This isn’t surprising, given that the city

boasts North America’s highest percentage

of people of Chinese heritage outside of

China.

Walking the streets of the area known

as the Golden Village—a four-square-

block enclave that is home to more than

400 Asian restaurants and three Asian-

themed malls—it’s easy to believe you’re

in China, except that there’s no smog, the

water is safe to drink, and most people

understand English.

Festivities begin approximately two

weeks before New Year’s Day, as malls set

up special booths where vendors hawk

elaborate flower arrangements and special

holiday treats. At Landsdowne Mall,

women make paper fish and lanterns;

children perform dances and demonstrate

their skill in martial arts; and expert

calligraphers make banners that are used

to decorate homes and public places.

On New Year’s Eve, restaurants serve

multicourse feasts where each food has a

special meaning. Since pork symbolizes

good luck, Shanghai River Restaurant

prepares bamboo baskets filled with xiao

long bao (steamed dumplings filled with

minced pork and jellied broth).

“These are packages of good fortune,”

says the waiter.

Seafood dishes are supposed to bring

prosperity because in ancient times only

the wealthy could afford such treats, while

eating long, uncut noodles foretells a long

life. Sweet, sticky rice is served as a

reminder that families should “stick

together” and support one another.

After dinner, many folks go to the

Aberdeen Mall, where the new year is

welcomed with speeches, lion dancing,

and lots and lots of confetti. Others go to

the Kuan Yin Temple of the International

Buddhist Society, which is modeled in

part after the Forbidden City in Beijing.

It is considered by many to be one of the

most magnificent Buddhist temples in

North America.

There, they greet the new year with

prayer, many even staying overnight in

order to be among the first to receive

blessings in the new year. By noon on

New Year’s Day, thousands of folks have

congregated at the temple for a prayer

ceremony and vegetarian lunch.

“Yes,” I say to myself as I munch on

some bamboo shoots, “it’s definitely nice

to celebrate twice.”

www.tourismrichmond.com

Photos © Irv Green; story by Andrea Gross

(www.andreagross.com).

Hot pot dinners are favorites

throughout the year.

Elaborate flower booths

are set up in malls.

Young dancers prepare to

entertain people who are

shopping for holiday presents

at a Richmond mall.

APPRISE Volunteers Needed

You are invited to join the Lancaster

County Office of Aging team of

volunteer APPRISE counselors who help

Medicare-eligible beneficiaries navigate

the often confusing Medicare system.

APPRISE counselors receive intensive

training in Medicare Parts A, B, and D;

supplemental insurances; long-term care

insurance; Medicare Advantage plans;

Medicaid; PACE Plus; and other health-

insurance-related topics.

This training allows volunteers to

provide unbiased assistance to consumers

so they can make an informed decision

and choose the plan that best meets their

specific needs.

APPRISE counselors assist older and

disabled individuals with:

• Understanding Medicare A, B, and D

• Making informed choices about

Medicare Advantage plans

• Deciding what Medicare D plan

(prescription coverage) is best

• Selecting a Medigap policy

• Applying for PACE Plus

• Determining what financial assistance

an individual may be eligible to receive

If you would like more information

about this volunteer opportunity, please

contact Bev Via at (717) 299-7979 or by

email at viab@co.lancaster.pa.us.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 21

• 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

(717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240 • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Media Division, Magazine

Fall 2011

Article:

“Boomers on the job hunt sparkthe ‘re-’ generation”

BY KIM KLUGH

Article:

“A Voice forCentral PA’s Pets”

BY MEGAN JOYCE

Thank you for reading ouraward-winning publications.On-Line Publishers, Inc. was recently honored with four national awards.

Media Division

Article:

“Inspired byForgiveness”

BY KATIE WEEBER

Monthly Social Security and

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

benefits for nearly 62 million Americans

will increase 1.7 percent in 2013, the

Social Security Administration

announced recently.

The 1.7 percent cost-of-living

adjustment (COLA) will begin with

benefits that more than 56 million Social

Security beneficiaries receive in January

2013. Increased payments to more than

8 million SSI beneficiaries will begin on

Dec. 31, 2012.

Some other changes that take effect in

January of each

year are based on

the increase in

average wages.

Based on that

increase, the

maximum

amount of

earnings subject

to the Social Security tax (taxable

maximum) will increase to $113,700

from $110,100.

Of the

estimated 163

million workers

who will pay

Social Security

taxes in 2013,

nearly 10 million

will pay higher

taxes as a result of

the increase in the taxable maximum.

Information about Medicare changes

for 2013, when announced, will be

available at www.medicare.gov. For some

beneficiaries, their Social Security

increase may be partially or completely

offset by increases in Medicare

premiums.

The Social Security Act provides for

how the COLA is calculated. To read

more, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/

cola.

Effective Nov. 19, all Social Security

offices are open to the public Monday

through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—a

reduction of 30 minutes each weekday.

In addition, beginning Jan. 2, 2013, the

office will close to the public at noon

every Wednesday.

While agency employees will continue

to work their regular hours, this shorter

public window will allow them to

complete face-to-face interviews and

process claims work without incurring

the cost of overtime.

The significantly reduced funding

provided by Congress under the

continuing resolution for the first six

months of the fiscal year makes it

impossible for the agency to provide the

overtime needed to handle service to the

public as it has done in the past.

Most Social Security services do not

require a visit to a local office. Many

services—including applying for

retirement, disability, or Medicare

benefits; signing up for direct deposit;

replacing a Medicare card; obtaining a

proof of income letter; or informing us

of a change of address or telephone

number—are conveniently available at

www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing the

toll-free number, (800) 772-1213.

People who are deaf or hard-of-

hearing may call the TTY number,

(800) 325-0778. Many online services

also are available in Spanish at

www.segurosocial.gov.

“Increased payments to

more than 8 million SSI

beneficiaries will begin

on Dec. 31, 2012.

“

Benefit Increase Announced, Office Hours Reduced

Social Security News

***

Dear Savvy Senior,

Are there any new or different types of

vaccines being recommended to seniors this

flu season?

– Health-Conscious Carol

Dear Carol,

There are actually several different types

of flu shots available to seniors this year,

along with a new FDA-approved shot for

pneumonia. Here are your options.

Flu ShotsJust as they do every year, the CDC

strongly recommends a seasonal flu shot

to almost everyone, but it’s especially

important for seniors who are more

vulnerable. The flu puts more than

200,000 people in the hospital each year

and kills around 24,000—90 percent of

whom are seniors.

This year, all seniors 65 and older

have two flu vaccine options from which

to choose: a traditional flu shot or a shot

of Fluzone High-Dose. The high-dose

vaccine contains four times the amount

of antigen (the part of the vaccine that

prompts the body to make antibody) as a

regular flu shot does, which creates a

stronger immune response for better

protection.

And if you’re under age 65, your two

options are a regular flu shot or a shot of

Fluzone

Intradermal.

The

intradermal

vaccine uses

a shorter,

thinner

needle to

inject the

vaccine just

under the

skin, rather

than deeper

in the muscle

like standard

flu shots. If

you’re squeamish about needles, this is a

nice option.

You also need to be aware that if

you’re allergic to chicken eggs or if you

have had a severe reaction to a flu

vaccine in the past, you should not get

vaccinated without consulting your

doctor first.

To locate a vaccination site that offers

regular, high-dose, and intradermal flu

shots, ask your doctor or pharmacist or

check the online flu-shot locator

(www.flu.gov). Most chains like CVS,

Walgreens, Safeway, Kmart, Walmart,

Rite Aid, and Kroger offer all types of

shots.

You’ll also be happy to know that if

you’re a Medicare beneficiary, Part B will

cover 100 percent of the costs of any flu

shot. But if you’re not covered, you can

expect to pay around $25 to $35 for a

regular or intradermal flu shot or $50 to

$60 for a shot of the high-dose.

Pneumonia VaccineThe other important vaccination the

CDC recommends to seniors—especially

this time of year—is the pneumococcal

vaccine for pneumonia and meningitis.

Pneumococcal diseases hospitalize around

300,000 U.S. seniors each year and kill

around 5,000.

The CDC currently recommends all

seniors 65 or older get a one-time-only

shot of the vaccine Pneumovax, as well as

those under 65 who smoke or have

chronic health conditions like asthma,

lung and heart disease, diabetes, or a

weakened immune system.

Pneumovax, which protects against 23

strains of the pneumococcal disease, is

also covered

100 percent

under

Medicare

Part B, and

you can get

it on the

same day you

get your flu

shot. If

you’re not

covered by

insurance,

this vaccine

costs around

$45 to $85

at retail clinics.

You also need to know that this year,

there’s an alternative pneumococcal

vaccine available to people age 50 and

older called Prevnar 13. This vaccine,

which has been available to children for

several years, may provide seniors longer-

lasting and better protection against

pneumonia than Pneumovax.

Talk to your doctor to determine

which pneumonia vaccine is best for

you.

Prevnar 13 is also covered by most

insurers, including Medicare Part B, but

if you aren’t covered, the shot runs

between $100 and $150.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the

NBC Today show and author of The SavvySenior Book. www.savvysenior.org.

Vaccination Options for Seniors This Flu Season

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

22 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Celebrate Those Strongly Tied Knots!

Are you or is someone you knowcommemorating a special anniversary this year?

Let 50plus Senior News help spread your news—for free!

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www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 23

Lancaster County

Calendar of EventsCocalico Senior Association – (717) 336-7489Dec. 4, 10 a.m. – Visit to Adamstown Library

Dec. 8, 6 p.m. – Christmas Dance at Ephrata Rec. Center

Dec. 20, 7 p.m. – “Coping with Grief Over the Holidays”

Program

Columbia Senior Center – (717) 684-4850Dec. 6, 10:15 a.m. – Christmas Music by Quarryville

Presbyterian Church

Dec. 11, 10:30 a.m. – Columbia High School and Rotary

Club Christmas Show

Dec. 28, 10:15 a.m. – New Year’s Eve Party

Elizabethtown Area Senior Center – (717) 367-7984 Mondays and Thursdays, 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle Club

Thursdays, 9 a.m. – Quilting Club

Fridays, 10 a.m. – Bible Study

Lancaster House North – (717) 299-1278Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m. – Happy Hearts Club

Pinochle

Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center – (717) 299-3943Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – Vantage House Christmas Program

Dec. 20, 10:15 a.m. – Holiday Bingo

Dec. 28, 10 a.m. – New Year’s Party

Lancaster Rec. Center – (717) 392-2115, ext. 147Fridays, 12:30 to 3 p.m. – Happy Hearts Club Bridge

Lititz Senior Center – (717) 626-2800Thursdays, 9:15 a.m. – Strength Training Exercise

Dec. 13, 10:30 a.m. – Music and Dancing with New

Earth Band

Dec. 27, 10 a.m. – Movie: The Bucket List

LRC Senior Center – (717) 399-7671Mondays, 9:30 a.m. – Senior Exercise Class

Thursdays, 9:15 a.m. – Qi Gong Class

Dec. 15, 9:15 a.m. – Basic Skin Care Class

Luis Munoz Marin Senior Center – (717) 295-7989Dec. 4, 9 a.m. – “Heart Health and Diabetes” with

Bonnie

Dec. 11, 10 a.m. – Blood Pressure Checks

Dec. 24, 11 a.m. – Christmas Party

Millersville Senior Center – (717) 871-9600Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. – Exercise with Jim

Dec. 5, 10 a.m. – Music by Harmonica Jack

Dec. 14, 10 a.m. – Program by Mic Bender, Physical

Therapist

Next Gen Senior Center – (717) 786-4770Dec. 7, 10:30 a.m. – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Dec. 13, 10:15 a.m. – Smith Middle School Singers Visit

Dec. 19, 10 a.m. – Christmas Program with SASC Choir

Rodney Park Center – (717) 393-7786 Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. – Happy Hearts Club Pinochle and

Bingo

Library Programs

Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation

Pre-registration is required for these programs. All activities are held at the Environmental

Center in Central Park unless otherwise noted. To register or to find out more about these

activities or any additional scheduled activities, call (717) 295-2055 or visit

www.lancastercountyparks.org.

Dec. 2, 9 to 11 a.m. – Marvelous Money Rocks, Money Rocks County Park

Dec. 10, 10 to 11 a.m. – Evergreens and Poinsettias: Christmas Plants

Dec. 17, 10 to 11 a.m. – A Red-Nosed Reindeer?

Community Programs Free and open to the public

Dec. 1Christmas on Main

Downtown New Holland

www.christmasonmain.com

Dec. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, 1:30 to4 p.m.Model Railroad Club Open House

Garden Spot Village

433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland

(717) 355-6000

Dec. 2, 1 to 5 p.m.Gospel, Old-Time Country Music,

and DancingDenver Fire Hall

Fourth and Locust streets, Denver

Dec. 5, 10 to 11:30 a.m.Documentary and Discussion:

Libby, Montana

Garden Spot Village

Garden Towers Classroom

433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland

(717) 355-6000

Dec. 7 and 8Christmas in ManheimDowntown Manheim

Dec. 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Pennsylvania Music Expo

Continental Inn

2285 Lincoln Highway East,

Lancaster

(717) 898-1246

www.recordcollectors.org

Dec. 9, 4 p.m.Performance: Handel’s Messiah

Grace Lutheran Church

517 N. Queen St., Lancaster

(717) 397-2748

Dec. 21, 6 to 9 p.m.Music Fridays

200 and 300 Blocks of North

Queen Street

24 W. Walnut St., Lancaster

(717) 341-0028

Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, (717) 626-2255

Dec. 10, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. – Scrabble Club

Dec. 12, 6:30 p.m. – Great Decisions Discussion Group

Dec. 13, 7 p.m. – Concert: No Limit Band

Senior Center Activities

Support Groups Free and open to the public

Dec. 5, 7 to 8:15 p.m.Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support

Group

Willow Lakes Outpatient Center

212 Willow Valley Lakes Drive,

Willow Street

(717) 464-9365

Dec. 20, noonBrain Tumor Support GroupLancaster General Health Campus

Wellness Center

2100 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

(717) 626-2894

Dec. 24, 2 to 3 p.m.Parkinson’s Support Group

Garden Spot Village – Concord

Room

433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland

(717) 355-6259

jshaffer@gardenspotvillage.org

Dec. 26, 6 to 8 p.m.Epilepsy Foundation of Eastern

Pennsylvania Support Group

Lancaster General Hospital –

Stager Room 5

555 N. Duke St., Lancaster

(800) 887-7165, ext. 104

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

24 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

LancasterLGH Outpatient Pavilion

2112 Harrisburg Pike, Ste. 2

(717) 544-0327

YorkYorkTowne Medical Centre

2350 Freedom Way, Ste. 109

(717) 741-4327

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Broccoli andHappy Endings

Such Is Life

Saralee Perel

My husband, Bob, attracts

lunatics. One is a stand-alone

screwball. Hey, I heard that! It’s

not me. It’s our 6-year-old cat, Murphy.

Of course we adore him, and he’s the

happiest being we’ve ever known.

Murphy’s not just dimwitted; he’s also

a thief. But he swipes things that no cat

with even

half a brain

would

want. Well,

I’m not

being fair.

Murphy

doesn’t

have half a

brain.

There

should be a

sign over

his head

that reads:

“Vacancy.”

He’s

lightning fast. One night, in a flash, he

jumped on the table, grabbed an entire

crown of broccoli that was twice the size

of his head, and raced away with it, all

the while scarfing it down so that none of

our other cats could have what every cat

dreams of (sarcastic): broccoli.

His favorite food group? Dust balls.

Yes, we vacuum. They appear out of

nowhere like Bob’s ex-brother-in-law

who’s suddenly in our living room

wanting to borrow more cash.

Murphy has an incessant desire to rip

tape off UPS boxes. When I extract the

tape from his throat, he doesn’t notice.

Can you imagine sticking your fingers 3

inches down your cat’s throat without

him even caring you’re doing it?

Murphy’s race to eat everything

recently took a disastrous turn on a late

Sunday night. Bob put a pill on the

counter for our dog, Gracie. This pill is

so bitter that

no pet will

take it unless

owners

disguise it in

something

tasteful. But

Murphy

made a

beeline to it

and ate it.

We called

a poison

hotline. We

were told he

needed to get

to a 24-hour

emergency veterinary hospital

immediately. I’m disabled and can’t move

late at night. Bob rushed Murphy to the

vet.

We figured they’d pump his stomach

and send him home. We were wrong.

Bob called me from his cell after the

vet saw Murphy.

“He has to stay here three days. They

made him vomit, but the toxin is still in

his system.” He was sobbing. “He could

lose all kidney function.”

Murphy

please see HAPPY page 26

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 25

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 26

Your ad could be here! Sponsor the Puzzle Page!

Please call (717) 285-1350 for more information.

1. Texas shrine

6. History

10. Punches

14. Famous prize

15. Folk singer Guthrie16. Orem location

17. Dispensed, with “out”

18. Tidy

19. Showy flower

20. Sampras of tennis

21. Bonanza’s Blocker

22. Bites

23. Ocean

25. Little piggies

27. Fragrances

31. Rooms at the top

35. Ripped

36. Attributes

40. Pecan, for one

41. Swear

42. Coffee holder

43. Old hairstyle

44. Nourished

45. Go to a meeting

48. Mexican money

49. California city

51. Worshipped

53. British school

55. Altar words

56. Ivy, for instance

58. Possess

60. Stumble

64. Fireplace need

65. Long story

66. Fatigued

68. Fem. suffix

69. Plateau

70. Make happy

71. Forest denizen

72. Consumes

73. Thick

1. Joiner

2. Fastener

3. Competent

4. Encounter

5. Most elderly

6. Chinese zoo attraction

7. Domain

8. Bias

9. Small child

10. Magistrate

11. Upon

12. Freshwater fish

13. Haggard novel

22. Fishing aids

24. NY summer hrs.

26. Food grain

27. Office workers

28. Lid

29. Wear away

30. Modern

32. Gather

33. Jinx

34. Remained upright

37. Furrow

38. “___ we there, yet?”

39. Lodge

43. Military address inits.

45. Poker stake

46. Also

47. Parent

50. Return to ___

52. Line type

54. Slangy negatives

55. Peruvian indians

56. Cast a ballot

57. Tiny amount

59. Like an owl

61. Agitate

62. Persia, now

63. Dogs and cats, e.g.

64. Spider’s home

65. Flightless bird

67. A Summer Place starSandra

Across

Down

CROSSWORD

26 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Pu

zzle

s sh

ow

n o

n p

age

25

Puz

zle

So

luti

on

sMany people he shows his collection

to do not know that when Milton

Hershey first started manufacturing

Hershey’s chocolate bars, he included

postcards with them as a way to

advertise, Sallade said.

“There are a total of 78 different ones

and I have 77,” he said. “I’m missing one

but it is hard to locate.”

Besides finding the last of the

postcards from Hershey’s chocolate bars,

Sallade said that he has no set goal or

finish line in sight for his postcard

collection. Selling postcards is a popular

way to regroup collections and make

room for more, or to simply make a

profit, but for now his collection remains

a hobby that he enjoys.

Sallade has been retired for five years

from his job as a florist. His grandfather

started the business in 1898 and Sallade

said he worked there since he could hold

a broom in his hand. He majored in

horticulture at Ohio State University

before returning to the family business.

Since retiring, Sallade and his wife,

Caryn, have had more time to travel to

places like Canada and Ireland, and he

purchases postcards everywhere that he

goes.

He has paid as little as 10 cents for a

postcard and as much as $250, he said.

Looking for them at flea markets is more

fun and the price is usually better as well,

said Sallade.

But sometimes postcards he finds for

sale online are only a few dollars.

“It is something that varies

considerably,” Sallade said.

While the bulk of his postcard

collection is from what Sallade calls “the

golden age of postcards,” between 1900

and 1915, he certainly does not shy away

from new postcards.

“I buy new ones too, because some

day they are going to be old,” he said.

He stores the postcards in notebooks

that have plastic liners to protect each

card and has the chance to display the

cards at his postcard club’s monthly

meetings.

Sallade is president of the club. He is

also one of the youngest members, with

the average age of the 45 club members

being between 65 and 70 years.

The club has been around for more

than 30 years and meets monthly at a

local church.

“We welcome anybody to come to

visit,” said Sallade. “We have a speaker

every month or sometimes we do a

display. This month everyone will be

displaying their Thanksgiving or

Christmas postcards.”

Sometimes the club holds events

where vendors come to purchase

postcards from the club members. He

said there are postcard clubs that meet in

York, Lancaster, and Carlisle.

And although so much of the world is

switching to digital, postcard collectors

like Sallade say that the postcard is

something that will always be around.

“I think there is always an interest in a

postcard of some place where someone

went to visit,” said Sallade.

MEMORIES from page 1

“Did the vet say he could die?”

“Yes.”

I felt as much anguish for Bob as I did

for Murphy. He went on, “Murphy’s so

innocent,” he said, crying harder. “I hate

myself for letting this happen.”

“Oh, Sweets, you didn’t mean for this

to happen. I wish I was sitting next to

you.” We cried without speaking. Then I

said, “Don’t drive. Not when you’re like

this.”

Then I called the vet. I asked her for

emotional guidance for Bob.

She said, “This happens all the time.

It happened with me and my cat. He

needs to forgive himself. It’s impossible

to prevent these things 100 percent. Plus,

I’ve never heard of a cat who’d want to

eat a pill, especially one that tastes so

awful.”

“Bob’s in your parking lot. Would you

please go to him and tell him what you

told me?” And she did.

Three days later, Murphy came home

happy and healthy. When the vet called

and asked about him, I incorrectly

assumed she knew about Murphy’s insane

antics.

“He’s back to normal. He just

presented me with a dust ball the size of a

Burger King Triple Whopper! Isn’t that

great?”

“What?”

“Don’t worry,” I said, and then

cemented myself as a bonehead.

“Nobody’s getting near my broccoli

again!”

She asked to speak to Bob. I said,

“He’s busy. UPS came. Bob’s racing like a

cyclone, ripping tape off the boxes before

disaster hits. You know what he’s like

around UPS tape.”

She sounded confused. “Bob?”

I laughed, “Not Bob—”

Before I could explain she interrupted,

“Please have him call me.”

Bob’s role as a caregiver is not a role he

asked for, but one he feels blessed to have.

He takes care of me with my spinal

cord issues, our old pet duck who’s

arthritic, our young border collie who can

never run again because of a genetic

spinal problem, and our very sick cat,

Josie, to whom Bob administers IV fluids

daily.

“How could I be so lucky?” Bob says,

every single day of his life.

Yesterday at dawn, as the light gently

filled our bedroom, I slowly turned over

to see which of Bob’s brood was in the

protection of his arms. He was cradling

beautiful Murphy, who was sound asleep

on his back in the crook of Bob’s armpit.

Bob’s eyes were open but I didn’t say a

word. I knew he was preserving the

precious moments for as long as he could

before Murphy would wake up.

I watched as Murphy opened his eyes

then curled his paw under his chin. I

heard him purr when he closed his eyes

again, preferring to remain in the safety of

Bob’s arm for just a little while longer.

And so, snuggling next to Bob, I

closed my eyes again too.

Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally

syndicated columnist. Her new book is

Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: StoriesFrom a Life Out of Balance. To find out

more, visit www.saraleeperel.com or email

sperel@saraleeperel.com.

HAPPY from page 24

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews • December 2012 27

28 December 2012 50plus SeniorNews • www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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