Computer Club President Helps

Residents Stay on the Cutting Edge

Club Covers PCs, Macs, and Evolving Technology

By Pete Wisniewski

“[Technology] is going to happen whether we want it or not. The key question for individuals is whether or not they want to embrace it,” said Sid Paskowitz, president of the Willow Valley Computer Club.

Having been exposed to cutting-edge technology from the beginning of his professional life, Paskowitz is an ideal candidate to serve as president of the computer club at Willow Valley Communities.

“I recognized the potential benefit of computers in my early years in submarines,” he said. “My generation was significantly impacted by the fallout from Sputnik and the need to stay ahead in the technology race.”

Though he never worked for a computer corporation directly, Paskowitz has a background in logistics, and as a management consultant he worked with computer and technology companies and “tried to have devices that allowed [him] to interact efficiently with those companies.”

“My primary focus is on the quality of life of [our] residents,” Paskowitz said. “Toward that end, I try to communicate information that will assist residents in being productive with new technologies while protecting their security and privacy, which are potentially put at risk by those technologies.

Sid Paskowitz works to keep technology accessible and approachable for his fellow residents, a “generation [that] was significantly impacted by the fallout from Sputnik

and the need to stay ahead in the technology race.” Inside:

please see CLUB page 21

Discovering Maycomb in Monroevillepage 12

Special Focus: Create a Great Funeral Daypage 20

Lebanon County Edition October 2015 Vol. 10 No. 10FREE ADMISSION WITH THIS COUPON

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Oct. 3, 20159 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lebanon Expo Center

80 Rocherty Road, Lebanon

2 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

WellPreparedThe physicians of Lebanon Orthopaedic Associates are now part of the

WellSpan Medical Group. Together, we’re prepared to take orthopedic care in this community to a new level.

Lebanon Orthopaedic Associates and its respected physicians have joined the WellSpan Medical Group. Now, the same team of highly skilled, local orthopedic specialists are backed by Central Pennsylvania’s largest, most comprehensive health

and adding resources that will help us grow along with our

call (717) 272-7971 or visit WellSpan.org/Orthopedics

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 3

Resource DirectoryEmergency Numbers

Poison Control Center(800) 222-1222

Food Resources

Food Stamps(800) 692-7462

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging Meals on Wheels(717) 273-9262

Lebanon County Christian Ministries(717) 272-4400

Salvation Army(717) 273-2655

Gifts

Edible Arrangements103 Rohrerstown Road, Lancaster(717) 390-3063245 Bloomfield Drive, Lititz(717) 560-1056

Health & Medical Services

Alzheimer’s Association(717) 651-5020

American Cancer Society(717) 231-4582

American Diabetes Association(717) 657-4310

American Heart Association/American Stroke Association(717) 207-4265

American Lung Association(717) 541-5864

Arthritis Foundation(717) 274-0754

Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services(717) 787-7500

CONTACT Helpline(717) 652-4400

Kidney Foundation(717) 652-8123

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society(717) 652-6520

Lupus Foundation(888) 215-8787

Hearing Services

Hearing & Ear Care Center(717) 553-0667

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

Hospitals

Good Samaritan Hospital252 S. Fourth St., Lebanon(717) 270-7500

Medical Society of Lebanon County(717) 270-7500

Hotlines

Energy Assistance(800) 692-7462

Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Hotline(800) 541-2050

IRS Income Tax Assistance(800) 829-1040

Medicaid(800) 692-7462

Medicare(800) 382-1274

PA Crime Stoppers(800) 472-8477

PennDOT(800) 932-4600

Recycling(800) 346-4242

Social Security Information(800) 772-1213

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs(800) 827-1000

Housing Assistance

Housing Assistance & Resources Program (HARP)(717) 273-9328

Lebanon County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities(717) 274-1401

Lebanon HOPES(717) 274-7528, ext. 3201

Independent Living Communities

Country Acres Manufactured Home Park, LP1600 Kercher Ave., Myerstown(717) 866-5496

Insurance

Medicare Hotline(800) 638-6833

Legal Services

Pennsylvania Bar Association(717) 238-6715

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Medical Supply(800) 777-6647

Office of Aging

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging(717) 273-9262

Pharmacies

CVS/pharmacywww.cvs.com

Senior Centers

Annville Senior Community Center(717) 867-1796

Maple Street Senior Community Center(717) 273-1048

Myerstown Senior Community Center(717) 866-6786

Northern Lebanon County Senior Community Center(717) 865-0944

Palmyra Senior Community Center(717) 838-8237

Senior Center of Lebanon Valley(717) 274-3451

Senior Move Management

TLC Ladies(717) 228-8764

Travel

AAA Central Penn(717) 657-2244

Veterans Services

Governor’s Veterans Outreach(717) 234-1681

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

Volunteer Opportunities

RSVP of the Capital Region, Inc.(717) 847-1539

RSVP Lancaster County(717) 454-8647

RSVP Lebanon County(717) 454-8647

RSVP York County(443) 619-3842

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

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

4 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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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

advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and

letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.

We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.

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Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360Chester County:610.675.6240

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EDITORIALVice President and Managing Editor

Christianne RuppEditor, 50plus Publications

Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENTProject Coordinator

Renee McWilliamsProduction Artists

Janys CuffeLauren McNallen

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTAccount Executives

Angie McComsey JacobyAmy Kieffer

Amy McLaneRanee Shaub Miller

Account RepresentativesBrantley Lefever

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ADMINISTRATIONBusiness Manager

Elizabeth Duvall

Health Matters

Help a Loved One Remain in Their Home

Most older adults would prefer to stay in their own home for the rest

of their lives, in order to maximize their comfort and preserve their independence.

While no one knows what the future holds, there are many things that you, as a caregiver, can do to maximize the chances that your aging relative can remain safe and well in their current environment.

Read on to learn about some of them.

In the Kitchen• Position regularly used pots, dishes, staple foods, and other supplies within easy reach. Ensure the heaviest items are stored in the lower cupboards.

• Get them a microwave oven for easy cooking and for heating prepared food.

• Small appliances should have an automatic shutoff feature along with simple controls, large dials or buttons, and easy-to-read labels.

In the Bedroom• Situate a lamp within reach of their bed. It should be easy to turn on and off.

• Arrange for a phone at their bedside. If their bedroom doesn’t have a phone jack, get a cordless phone so they can keep the receiver with them at night.

• Assist them in obtaining an adjustable bed to maximize their comfort and facilitate mobility.

• Ensure there’s a clear path from their bed to the bathroom (no throw rugs or cords).

In the Bathroom• Have grab bars installed by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower area.

• Purchase a rubber mat (the kind

with suction cups) for the tub or shower and a non-skid bath mat on the floor.

• Acquire a bathtub seat or shower chair.

• Obtain a raised toilet seat if they have trouble getting on and off the toilet.

• Install a handheld shower head so they can shower sitting down.

• Consider installing a walk-in bathtub or shower.

In Stairwells• Steps should be in good repair and have a non-skid surface.

• Have solid handrails installed on both sides of stairways—ideally, these should project past the top and bottom steps.

• Keep steps free of clutter.

• Ensure stairwells are well lit. If necessary, get battery-powered dome lights that easily attach to the wall.

• Get a stair lift if it’s hard for them

to navigate stairs and they must do so daily.

• Equipment is available for all types of stair configurations. Some companies sell reconditioned models, which can make the cost more manageable.

Outdoors• Install handrails on both sides of any entrance steps.

• Have an entrance ramp built or a porch lift installed if necessary.

• Install an exterior light with an automatic timer or a sensor, and affix house numbers that are easy to see from the street.

• Arrange for a property maintenance service to tend their lawn and garden and clear snow in the winter.

General Tips• Ensure throw rugs and scatter mats have a non-skid backing. Better yet, remove them, since they’re one of the most common causes of falls.

• Use night lights in the bedroom, hallways, and bathroom. Find the kind that have a motion sensor or that automatically turn on in dim lighting conditions. Also get some plug-in, rechargeable flashlights that automatically come on when the power goes out.

• Arrange for a personal emergency response system, also known as a medical alarm.

• Spend time browsing in a medical supply store or perusing an online catalog to discover the many items available that can increase household safety and make everyday activities easier.

Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior concerns. She has personal and professional experience with elder care.

Lisa M. Petsche

Aging in Place Week: Oct. 13–19

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 5

Once a year, my sweet, loving husband, Bob, turns into a maniac.

“Saralee,” he said, “What did you just do?”

I slowly backed away and whispered, “I, um—ate a walnut.”

“You stole a walnut?” His face was red and sweating because the oven had been on for eight hours.

You see, Bob was baking cookies and bread for the county fair. Over the years, he’s won 19 winning ribbons in the baked goods competition.

“Sweets,” I gently said, “the competition is supposed to be fun. It’s not really serious.”

“Not really serious?!”For three days, I hid in the bedroom,

listening to alternating screaming, smashing pans, and crying. We taste-tested 10 batches of cookies and eight loaves of bread.

“Man,” Bob said, “I’ve never been so hot and tired and miserable in my life.”

Frustratingly, he picked up one cookie that he thought wasn’t done enough.

“Who could eat this crap?” he said, and then handed it to me to eat.

“It’s not just competition,” I said. “It’s for the spirit of community; it’s for trying to do your best.”

He dried his hands on his pink calico apron, then grabbed a wad of dough in his hand and squeezed it to death. “I need to win!”

Bob, like a surgeon, hovered over the dough while ordering, “Swab,” every two seconds as I stood by, like a scrub nurse, patting his forehead with paper towels so his sweat wouldn’t keep

dripping into the batter. We went to the fair for judgment day.

When he saw the shiny blue ribbon on his bread, he instantly transformed back to his normal, tranquil self.

Smiling peacefully, he graciously thanked everyone, then hugged me and said, “Thank you, my love. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

His cookies, though, won second place. He was thrilled. I was surprised. I thought he’d have a fit because he didn’t win first place.

He looked around. “I’m part of a community of sharing.”

And how did I take it? I picked up the plate of cookies.

“I’m declaring this contest invalid!” I was steaming. “I want the judges’ names—and I want their backgrounds, notarized. I’m taking these cookies away so nobody sees that you’re a big loser.”

He wrenched the plate from my red, hot hands.

That’s when I took a closer look at the plate and saw the card with the baker’s

name. Although the cookies resembled Bob’s, someone else’s name was on the card.

Frantically, I searched for his cookies. And what do you think I found on them? A big, beautiful, glistening, glorious blue ribbon.

And so, he won two blue ribbons that day.

That night, we had cookies in bed while lovingly declaring we lost all respect for each other. We solemnly promised we’d never behave the way we did again.

I said, “Let’s not think about it for another whole year. I need a break from the craziness.”

“Me too. You have my word that I will not bring up the fair or any kind of baking competition for an entire year.”

And that is when I discovered, hidden under the sheets, a cookbook all about exotic muffins.

Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationally syndicated columnist. Her new book is Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. To find out more, visit www.saraleeperel.com or email sperel@saraleeperel.com.

October 3, 20159 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Lebanon Expo Center80 Rocherty Road

Lebanon

November 7, 20159 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Carlisle Expo Center100 K Street

Carlisle

717.285.1350

TravelFair

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

Talk to us about sponsor and exhibitor opportunities.

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Carlisle Regional Medical Center • Freedom Auto Group • Freysinger Mazda Hyundai • GiAnt Food StoReSJackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology • the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School • tanger outlets at Hershey • VF outlet

Fun!HolidayShopping

Special appearance by former White House Chef John Moeller

Such is Life

Nothing is Fair in Love and War

Saralee Perel

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free 6-month subscription!Plus, you’ll receive event updates, story links, and more!

6 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Art & Antiques by Dr. Lori

Vintage Halloween Decorations

There are many types of Halloween decorations that are collectible and crafty.

For the purists among us, you can decorate a pumpkin using everything from acrylic paint to glitter glue, featuring themes ranging from the scary Frankenstein monster to Casper the Friendly Ghost.

While carving jack-o-lanterns requires some skill and expertise, you can use your favorite Halloween antiques and collectibles to make some fun and seasonal home decorations. If you want some quick Halloween decorating ideas, try these simple displays.

Some of the easiest Halloween holiday displays can be developed from digging in your crammed closets, dusty attics, or jam-packed basements.

Find some vintage costumes, black-and-orange metal noisemakers, autumn-themed ceramics, and pumpkin candles

and put them together to make a fancy kitchen island or family-room shelf display.

In no time, you’ve got a great display that ushers in the season’s scariest night with memories and objects from days gone by.

Halloween NoisemakersClickers, horns, lithographed

tin noisemakers, and even musical instruments with Halloween themes are not just objects that help children

stay safe as they walk the streets in search of silly tricks or candy treats. These collectible noisemakers speak to the crux of the Halloween holiday.

These vintage noisemakers—featuring owls, ghosts,

witches, goblins, and black cats—were introduced in order to ward off evil spirits, plain and simple. The idea behind vintage, collectible noisemakers is making noise and a lot of it. It was thought that evil spirits could be frightened away by loud noises.

If you want to make your own Halloween noisemaker, fill a clean orange-juice-concentrate or lemonade-concentrate can with uncooked beans; decorate the outside of the can with Halloween-themed drawings using markers, crayons, or stickers; add a popsicle stick or wooden dowel as a handle; and you are ready to go.

Most of the original, vintage Halloween noisemakers are very valuable on the collectibles market now, so don’t let your children or grandchildren take the vintage collectibles outside with

them when they tour the neighborhood hunting for candy.

Mask BasketRemember those hot masks that

you wore as a kid with your favorite Halloween costume? Reuse them to make a fun Halloween centerpiece.

In the same way that many people will prominently display their beloved Christmas tree ornaments in a bowl on the dining-room buffet, select a group of three or four vintage, plastic costume masks from yours or your children’s bygone Halloween costumes.

Gather the plastic masks—masks of politicians, witches, astronauts, and cartoon characters—and place them together in an oversized bowl or basket to make a bright and colorful Halloween centerpiece. Forget the candy bowl; you’ve got a scary bowl!

Keep these costume masks at home, since the market for these collectibles is strong at this time of the year and collectors pay a pretty penny for them online, at flea markets, swap meets, and antique stores.

Have some fun sharing the memories of Halloweens past and decorate the season in style. Happy Halloween!Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and former museum director, Dr. Lori hosts antiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr. Lori is the star appraiser on Discovery channel. Visit www.DrLoriV.com/Events, www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.

Lori Verderame

Courtesy of www.DrLoriV.com Images Staff

Vintage Halloween noisemaker

Famous People’s Final WordsA person’s final words can have a

powerful impact on people—family, friends, and the world at large.

Consider these famous last words of some significant people: Winston Churchill (British statesman): “I’m bored with it all.” Joan Crawford (actress): “Don’t you dare ask God to help me!” Frida Kahlo (artist): “I hope the exit is

joyful and hope never to return.”

Nancy Astor (socialite): “Am I dying? Or is this my birthday?” Bob Hope (comedian): “Surprise me.” Edith Piaf (singer): “Every damn foolish thing you do in this life, you pay for.” Steve Jobs (entrepreneur): “Oh wow. Oh wow. Oh wow.”

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 7

This time of year when I am bringing my houseplants back inside, or even just getting those

inside ready for winter, I like to repot my houseplants if needed.

By repotting on a warm fall day, you can work outside without risk of injuring these tender plants with cold. I like potting outside as my messes are much easier to clean up!

Fall is a good time in the North, because with leaves off the trees outside in winter, houseplants often get more light than in summer. Coupled with warm temperatures indoors from heating, they often grow well in autumn.

If you don’t have much light indoors, either artificial or from windows, and your plants generally grow little during fall and winter, you may want to wait until spring to repot.

So how do you know if a plant needs repotting? Do any of your houseplants wilt between normal waterings? Do the roots protrude from drainage holes? Has there been little or no new growth? Are there white salts on the soil surface? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, it’s probably time to repot.

Generally speaking, young and fast-growing plants will need repotting every six months to a year, older ones every few years.

You can tell when a plant needs repotting by knocking the soil ball out of the pot and checking the roots. To do this, invert the plant, hold your hand over the soil, and gently tap the pot edge on the table to loosen the soil. If the roots are exposed with little soil covering them, it’s time to repot.

If your plant isn’t growing or looking well, this is the time to check root color. They should be firm and often white, with many tiny root hairs covering them.

If brown, or with discolored patches, and mushy, they likely have a root rot—often from overwatering. If just a few sickly roots, simply prune them off. If most look sickly, then discard the plant but try making some stem or leaf cuttings first.

For repotting, you will need good-quality potting soil, available at garden stores or you can make your own. If buying one, make sure to get one for indoor or potted plants. Garden soil, or mixes containing it, should be avoided as they are not suited for pot culture and often keep plants too wet.

I often use a “peat-lite” medium, which contains peat moss, some perlite (the small white granules), and perhaps vermiculite (the silvery granules, an expanded mica). A purchased mix also usually has some nutrition and lime to raise the soil acidity or pH. If making your own, you’ll need to at least correct for the latter.

When repotting, use a pot slightly larger than the one the plant is in

currently. Keep the old potting mix at the same level in the new pot. If white salts, moss, or other growth is on the surface, scrape this off before planting and replace with fresh potting mix.

Don’t bury the stem base. Firm the new soil around the old soil ball, being careful not to pack it down too tightly. Allow at least a half inch of space from soil to rim to make watering easier and more thorough.

Don’t forget to fertilize, following instructions on the label. Water well, but don’t overwater and don’t let the pot sit in a saucer of water. Obviously, you’ll want to use a saucer if the plant is on furniture; just empty it after watering.

Keep the plant in a warm place, at least to start, so roots can resume growth, but don’t place it directly on a radiator or wood stove. Keep it away from drafts, as these keep pot and soil cool on cold days and nights.

If a plant is too large to repot, “topdress” it every few years. To topdress, scoop out the top 2 or 3 inches of soil, taking care not to disturb too many of the roots. Refill the pot to its original soil level using a fresh potting mixture.

If your plant is too big already, especially to put in an even larger pot, you may need to divide off a piece, or

divide it into sections, if there are obvious shoots or clumps of them that can be easily separated, such as with the peace lilies.

Many, whether vines like the pothos or an upright cane like the dumbcane or umbrella plant, may drop leaves as they

get older. If your plants get leggy, you may just

need to root a section of stem and then pot this, discarding the original plant after your cutting is rooted. Those with

VolunteerSpotlight

‘DennyRita’ Duo Honored in OctoberThey say the best things come in

pairs, so it’s appropriate that Denny and Rita Christ are both RSVP of the Capital Region’s Volunteer of the Month. As Rita says, they are known as “‘DennyRita’—one name is never mentioned without the other.”

Denny and Rita are RSVP volunteers at the JOY Pantry in Jonestown, Lebanon County, where they have served as volunteers since October 2011. The JOY Pantry is a nonprofit organization that provides meals to people in the community of Jonestown and beyond.

Throughout the week, Denny and Rita each give a minimum of 20 hours. They make numerous runs to pick up food donations and then continue to serve in sorting, stocking shelves, helping clients bag groceries, and more.

What do a retired nurse and a jack-of-all trades, camera-shy veteran have in common? Volunteering and more! Denny and Rita say their lives always have revolved around

volunteering since the beginning of their relationship. They feel giving back to the community is a calling they’ve been given, not to be taken lightly.

Denny and Rita also volunteer at the local Hinkelfest, rummage sales, their local church, fundraising for JOY, and more.

In addition to all the volunteer hours, they enjoy spending

time with their two children and grandchildren. Their smiles and enthusiasm for life, as well as their funny disposition, are electrifying.

What a truly wonderful addition to the RSVP family and proud servant to the JOY Pantry! Keep smiling, “DennyRita.”

RSVP, the nation’s largest volunteer program for adults aged 55-plus, works with volunteers to help match their time and talents with volunteer positions in the community. For more information, email lancleb@rsvpcapreg.org or call Margie Groy at (717) 454-8647 or the statewide Senior Corps of PA toll-free hotline at (800) 870-2616. www.rsvpcapreg.org

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’ Volunteer Spotlight! 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.

The Green Mountain Gardener

To Repot Houseplants, or Not Dr. Leonard Perry

please see HOUSEPLANTS page 20

8 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Home Care Services & Hospice ProvidersAffilia Home Health(717) 544-2195(888) 290-2195 (toll-free)www.AffiliaHomeHealth.orgYear Est.: 1908Counties Served: Berks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill, YorkRNs: YesLPNs: YesCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services:Home care specialists in physical, occupational, and speech therapy; nursing; cardiac care; and telehealth. Disease management, innovative technologies, and education help you monitor your condition to prevent hospitalization. Licensed non-profit agency; Medicare certified; Joint Commission accredited.

Connections at HomeVIA Willow Valley(717) 299-6941www.ConnectionsAtHome.orgYear Est.: 2014Counties Served: LancasterRNs: YesLPNs: NoCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Connections at Home VIA Willow Valley delivers unparalleled, personalized care and companionship in the home, hospital, or senior living community, by compassionate, reliable, dedicated caregivers who are backed by the area’s most trusted name in senior living for more than 30 years—Willow Valley Communities.

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

Good Samaritan Home Health(717) 274-2591www.gshleb.org

Year Est.: 1911Counties Served: Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, SchuylkillRNs: YesLPNs: YesCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services:Good Samaritan Home Health is a Pennsylvania-licensed home health agency that is Medicare certified and Joint Commission accredited. We work with your physician to provide nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, wound care, and specialized care as needed.

Good Samaritan Hospice(717) 274-2591www.gshleb.org

Year Est.: 1979Counties Served: Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, SchuylkillRNs: YesLPNs: YesCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services:Good Samaritan Hospice provides services to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness. We are Pennsylvania licensed, JCAHO accredited, and Medicare certified. We provide services 24 hours per day with a team approach for medical, emotional, spiritual, and social needs.

Homeland Hospice(717) 221-7890www.homelandhospice.org

Year Est.: 2009Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Northumberland, Perry, Schuylkill, Snyder, YorkRNs: YesLPNs: YesCNAs/Home Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services: Exemplary personalized care that enables patients and families to live each day as fully as possible. Registered nurses who are certified in hospice and palliative care for both adults and children.

Central Penn Nursing Care, Inc.(717) 569-0451www.cpnc.com

Year Est.: 1984Counties Served: Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, YorkRNs: YesLPNs: YesCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Providing all levels of care (PCAs, CNAs, LPNs, RNs), in the home, hospital, or retirement communities with specifically trained caregivers for Alzheimer’s and dementia clients. Home care provided up to 24 hours a day to assist with personal care and housekeeping. A FREE nursing assessment is offered.

If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your

account representative or call (717) 285-1350.

Keystone In-Home Care, Inc.(717) 898-2825; (866) 857-4601 (toll-free)www.keystoneinhomecare.com

Year Est.: 2004Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lebanon, YorkRNs: NoLPNs: NoCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services:Two- to 24-hour non-medical assistance provided by qualified, caring, competent, compassionate, and compatible caregivers. Personalized service with Assistance for Daily Living (ADL, IADL): companionship, meal prep, bathing, cleaning, and personal care needs. Respite care, day surgery assistance. Assistance with veterans’ homecare benefits. Medicaid Waiver approved.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 9

Home Care Services & Hospice ProvidersSenior Helpers(717) 920-0707www.seniorhelpers.com/harrisburg

Year Est.: 2007Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Perry, YorkRNs: NoLPNs: NoCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Offering nonmedical home care to provide positive solutions for aging in place. Companionship, personal care, and our specialized dementia care. No minimum number of hours. Medicaid Waiver approved. Convenient, free assessment.

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Year Est.: 2001RNs: NoLPNs: NoCNAs: YesHome Aides: YesMedicare Certified?: No

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

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

Older But Not Wiser

Life is Like a Grocery Store

As I’m getting older, I’m spending more time at the supermarket. I’m not sure why this is

happening, but it’s somewhat enjoyable—not as much fun as the movies but better than my last colonoscopy.

And I’ve discovered that the grocery store is like a microcosm of life. (That may sound a little pretentious, but I’m trying to make up for my colonoscopy comment.)

Anyway, here are some lessons I’ve learned at the supermarket that I can apply to my everyday life:

Pick your battles: When do you tell someone standing in front of you in the “10 or under” line that they have too many items?

If they have 14 items, I cough to let them know I’m slightly annoyed. If they have 16 items, I mutter something unintelligible under my breath. And if they have 20 or more items, I will say something to them directly.

However, all this changes if the person is more than 6 feet tall and weighs more than 250 pounds. When that happens, I simply say, “Have a good day.”

The lesson here—which can be applied to everyday life—is that you don’t want to get hurt over six cans of tuna.

Don’t be intimidated: For some people, choosing a cantaloupe has become a major event. They thump it … they smell it … they shake it.

I’ve come to the conclusion that most of these people, like other so-called experts, have no idea what they are doing.

Take the moral high ground: There

is always one brand of apples that is way more expensive than the rest. In our grocery store, it is the Honey Crisp. I don’t know why they are so expensive; there is no prize in the middle of them. Unfortunately, my wife, Wanda, loves

the Honey Crisp. I’m tempted to tell her they were all out and bring her the cheaper Granny Smiths or Galas. However, I would never do that. First, because it’s morally wrong,

and second, because I’m afraid she would find out.

Be vigilant: Expiration dates are often difficult to read. As in all aspects of our lives, we must be vigilant.

Take your reading glasses or magnifying glasses with you. There is nothing worse than expired yogurt (except maybe expired cottage cheese).

Too many choices can drive you crazy: In our supermarket there are 42 different kinds of hot sauces. I have no idea if I could actually taste the difference

between them, but I waste a lot of time choosing one.

In life, we sometimes have too many choices—where to go on vacation, where to retire, what doctor to go to, etc., etc. Like a hot sauce, sometimes it’s best for our sanity just to have two or three choices.

Be a fanatic: I think bulk buying is anti-senior. For example, at our supermarket you have to buy five cartons of Coke to get the cheaper price. That’s tough for anybody to carry, especially seniors.

As an activist, I’m going to write somebody a letter about this. I don’t exactly know whom I’m going to write to or when I will do it, but I’m definitely going to do it (I think).

Be responsible but not a fanatic: Should you bring your shopping cart all the way back to the supermarket, or can you leave it tucked safely away in the parking lot?

I feel you’re being responsible if you bring it back, but if no one is looking you can leave it in the parking lot.

Sy Rosen

10 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Lebanon County

Oct. 28, 6 to 7 p.m.Alzheimer’s and Dementia Family Support GroupLinden Village100 Tuck Court, Lebanon(717) 274-7400

Annville Senior Community Center – (717) 867-1796200 S. White Oak St., AnnvilleOct. 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Bus Trip and Special Event

FairOct. 20, 10:30 a.m. – Game Day: HeartsOct. 28, 10 a.m. – Halloween Costume Party

Maple Street Senior Community Center – (717) 273-1048710 Maple St., LebanonOct. 2, 10 a.m. – Carpool: Refreshing Mountain Camp to

Zip LineOct. 7, 8:30 a.m. – Planning for 2016 Trips and Events

Meeting Oct. 14, 2 to 5 p.m. – Carpool: Hershey Winery

Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-6786Myerstown Baptist Church, 59 Ramona Road, MyerstownOct. 1, 10:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Bus Trip: Rainbow

Dinner Theatre Oct. 19, 9 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. – Bus Trip: Lancaster

County’s Best-Kept Secrets TourOct. 29, 10:30 a.m. – Jubilee Painting Class with Karen

Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 865-0944335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown – www.jonestownpa.org/senior.htmlOct. 7, 8:20 a.m. – Bus Trip: American Music TheatreOct. 14, 10 a.m. – Paint a Halloween Pumpkin FaceOct. 22, 10 a.m. – Celebrate 240th Anniversary of U.S.

Navy

Palmyra Senior Community Center – (717) 838-8237101 S. Railroad St., PalmyraOct. 2, 11:30 a.m. – Lunch Club at Red LobsterOct. 5, 11:30 a.m. – Fall Fest at Heisey’s DinerOct. 7, 8:50 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – American Music Theatre

Privately Owned Centers

Senior Center of Lebanon Valley, Inc. – (717) 274-3451710 Maple St., Lebanon

Washington Arms – (717) 274-4104303 Chestnut St., Lebanon

Just a snippet of what you may be missing … please call or visit their website for more information.

Senior Center ActivitiesCommunity Programs Free and open to the public

Library Programs

Annville Free Library, 216 E. Main St., Annville, (717) 867-1802Oct. 12, 6 to 8 p.m. – Geek Night: What’s New in Technology?Oct. 28, Nov. 4 and 11, 3 to 5 p.m. – Computer Classes: Managing Digital PhotosOct. 28, Nov. 4 and 11, 6 to 8 p.m. – Computer Classes: PowerPoint

Lebanon Community Library, 125 N. Seventh St., (717) 273-7624

Matthews Public Library, 102 W. Main St., Fredericksburg, (717) 865-5523

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

Palmyra Public Library, 325 S. Railroad St., (717) 838-1347

Richland Community Library, 111 E. Main St., Richland, (717) 866-4939

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

to mjoyce@onlinepub.com for consideration.

Lebanon County Parks and Recreation

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

Oct. 18, 2 p.m. – Naturalist Foray: Learn Your TreesOct. 23, 10 a.m. – Awake in the Wild: Coming to Your Senses WalkOct. 31, 10 a.m. – Narrow-Gauge Railroad Walk

Calendar of Events

To Improve Brain Function, Take a Walk, Work a Puzzle

A study by UCLA researchers found that older people can improve their brain function after just 14 days of following some simple, healthy lifestyle strategies.

Incorporating healthful food, physical activity, stress reduction, and memory exercises seems to help improve cognitive function.

In the study, participants were divided into two groups, a control group that did not change behaviors and one that incorporated modifications to improve health and mental function.

After only 14 days of following the regimen, participants’ brain metabolism slowed down in the working memory regions, which means the brain was not working as hard to accomplish its tasks.

Here are some of the health strategies participants worked into their daily routines:

• Memory exercises, such as crossword puzzles and brain teasers, were worked on throughout the day.

• Participants took daily walks.

• Participants ate five small meals a day in order to prevent drops in blood glucose levels, because glucose is the main source of energy for the brain. They also ate

diets rich in omega-3 fats, antioxidants, and low-glycemic carbohydrates like whole grains.

• Participants performed daily relaxation exercises to prevent the release of cortisol, a hormone that can impair memory and damage memory cells.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 11Images: genericgiftcard_NEWS_BW.tif (Gray; 1297 ppi; 30.82%), Coventry_HC_HealthAmerica_EndorsedLG_White.eps (55.77%)

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Pub: 50plus Senior LEBANON Ins. Date: OCTOBER

©2015 Aetna Inc.

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12 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Free to the Consumer … Yet PricelessBe included in the housing and care resource that has been

Central Pennsylvanians’ go-to guide for two decades.

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By Andrea Gross

Monroeville, Ala., may be the most well-known small town in America. Millions of folks

have read about it, seen a movie about it, and picture it as the archetypical Southern town, but comparatively few recognize its name.

To them it is Maycomb, the place memorably depicted in one of the world’s bestselling books, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, as well as in her recently released novel, Go Set a Watchman.

Despite having similar themes (racial attitudes, moral certitude, and family relationships) and featuring many of the same characters, there are important differences between the two books.

Mockingbird takes place in the 1930s, while Watchman is set in the 1950s. The intervening 20 years have wrought changes in everything from political actions to societal expectations, and the story is told from the perspective of an

informed adult rather than an innocent child.

But one thing remains the same: in a physical sense, the fictional town of Maycomb is strikingly similar to the real town of Monroeville.

Today Monroeville is almost twice as large as it was 60 years ago when Lee wrote both of her books (Watchman was actually an early draft of Mockingbird), but with a population of just over 6,000, it’s still not much more than an outpost midway between Montgomery and Mobile.

Yet due to Lee, who has always called it home, and Truman Capote, who vacationed there as a child, in 1997 the state legislature dubbed the town the Literary Capital of Alabama. Twelve years later, the 40-acre downtown area was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

My husband and I are eager to see what all the fuss is about. We stop first at the 1903 domed courthouse, a familiar structure to those who have seen

Traveltizers Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

Discovering Maycomb in Monroeville

Harper Lee’s lawyer father tried cases in the Old Monroe County Courthouse.

A bronze statue titled A Celebration of Reading honors Monroeville as Alabama’s

Literary Capital.

Readers of TKAM will recognize the inside of the Old Monroe County Courthouse as

the place where an all-white jury convicted the wrongfully accused black laborer.

Harper Lee’s father and sister each had a law office in the Monroe County Bank

Building.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 13

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the 1962 film of Mockingbird starring Gregory Peck or read the early works of Capote.

We enter the courtroom where Lee’s father, as well as the fictional Atticus Finch, practiced law. I shudder as I see the jury box where 12 white men convicted an innocent black man in a pivotal scene in Mockingbird.

The upstairs rooms are filled with exhibits pertaining to the town’s famous duo. We read about Lee receiving the 1961 Pulitzer Prize, admire photos of Capote as a chubby-cheeked child, and pause before a giant enlargement of a postage stamp featuring Gregory Peck. I find it strange that the postal service honored a movie star who recreated a character on screen rather than the author who created that character in the first place.

But the real importance of Monroeville, as well as the museum, is best represented by a bronze sculpture on the courthouse lawn that depicts three children absorbed by a book. The sculpture is titled A Celebration of Reading.

As we stroll the surrounding streets, we try to imagine the town as it was when Lee was a child. Her home was only two blocks from the courthouse; the Faulk home in which Capote summered was right next door to Lee’s, and the home of

Alfred Boulware, whom Mockingbird fans will recognize as the likely inspiration for Boo, is around the corner near the elementary school.

These homes are gone now. An overpriced ice cream shack occupies the site of Lee’s home, a rock wall is all that’s left of the former Faulk house, and the Boulware home has been replaced by a gas station.

But many of the old buildings remain, although most have been repurposed.

Circling back to the courthouse, we pass the Monroe County Bank, where Lee’s father had his law office, and the RSVP building that now houses a charitable organization but used to be the town jail.

Finally, behind the courthouse, the former La Salle Hotel, where Gregory Peck stayed when he was in town preparing for his award-winning role as Atticus, has been turned into the public library.

Then, because travel is as much about

meeting people as seeing sights, we go to Radley’s Fountain Grille, where 92-year-old George Jones enjoys talking to visitors about days gone by.

“Nelle was four years behind me in school,” he says, referring to Lee by her first name, the one used by longtime acquaintances. “She was a notorious tomboy, just like Scout (the main character in Mockingbird), and Capote was just like Scout’s friend Dill, who was a smart-alecky kid with a high-pitched voice.”

He also gives us the real scoop on Alfred Boulware.

“He stole a 15-cent pack of cigarettes, and rather than let the judge send him to reform school, his father kept him under house arrest for life.”

George shakes his head. “Nelle portrayed him as a dodo, but he was one of the smartest boys in his class.”

Before we leave, we visit Ol’ Curiosities & Book Shoppe, where we buy a copy of Go Set a Watchman. It’s been embossed and certified as coming from the author’s hometown—the Maycomb of Scout and the Monroeville of Nelle.

For more stories from Jones as well as a list of Monroeville restaurants favored by Lee, check our companion website, www.TraveltizersPlus.com. Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted; story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

Only a rock wall remains from the house owned by Truman Capote’s relatives, but

the site features a historic marker.

Monroeville expects to see even more visitors now that Go Set a Watchman has

been published.

Harper Lee’s father and sister each had a law office in the Monroe County Bank Building.

14 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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Social Security News

Let’s Talk about Medicare

October is “Talk about Prescriptions Month” and marks the beginning of this year’s

Medicare open enrollment period. It’s the perfect time to talk about Medicare prescriptions and the Extra Help available from Social Security.

Newly eligible Medicare beneficiaries and current beneficiaries who are considering changes to their Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage) plan should act now. The Medicare open enrollment period runs from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

The Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is available to all Medicare beneficiaries to help with the costs of medications. Joining a Medicare prescription drug plan is voluntary, and participants pay an additional monthly premium for the prescription drug coverage.

While all Medicare beneficiaries can participate in the Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, some people with limited income and resources may

be eligible for Extra Help to pay for monthly premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.

The Extra Help is estimated to be worth about $4,000 per year. Many Medicare beneficiaries qualify for these big savings and don’t even know it.

To figure out whether you are eligible for the Extra Help, Social Security needs to know your income and the value of any savings, investments, and real estate (other than the home you live in).

To qualify, you must be receiving Medicare and have:

• Income limited to $17,665 for an individual or $23,895 for a married couple living together. Even if your annual income is higher, you still may be able to get some help with monthly

premiums, annual deductibles, and prescription co-payments.

Some examples where your income may be higher include if you or your spouse support other family members who live with you, have earnings

from work, or live in Alaska or Hawaii.

• Resources limited to $13,640 for an individual or $27,250 for a married couple living together. Resources include such things as bank accounts, stocks, and bonds. We do not count your house or car as resources.

You can complete an easy-to-use online application or get more information by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare.

To apply for the Extra Help by phone or have an application mailed to you,

call Social Security at (800) 772-1213 (TTY (800) 325-0778) and ask for the Application for Extra Help with Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Costs (SSA-1020).

And if you would like more information about the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program, visit www.medicare.gov or call (800) MEDICARE or (800) 633-4227 (TTY (877) 486-2048).

While we’re on the subject of open seasons, the open enrollment period for qualified health plans under the Affordable Care Act is Nov. 15 to Feb. 15. Learn more about it at www.healthcare.gov.

This Medicare open enrollment season, while you search for the Medicare prescription drug plan that best meets your needs—see if you qualify for the Extra Help through Social Security. That’s a winning prescription worth talking about.

John Johnston is a Social Security public affairs specialist.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 15

16 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

There are certain website names that just stick with us. Even if you’ve never visited a website,

you’ve probably heard of Google, Amazon, and YouTube. Well, today let’s learn what YouTube is all about.

YouTube is a website that allows anyone with a computer, tablet, or smartphone, along with access to the Internet, to upload and share a video for all to see. (Upload is just like download— it means to move or copy files from one place to another. In this case, you’re moving files from your computer, tablet, or smartphone to YouTube’s website.)

YouTube clips aren’t usually more than a few minutes long. Be warned: YouTube runs the gamut from nostalgic clips of past television shows, to Maria Callas singing at the Met, to newsworthy current events, to practical how-to videos, to juvenile pranks and worse.

You select video clips to view based

on your interests, or you can view those “recently added” to the site, “most viewed,” “top rated,” and so on. Click in the search box at the top of the website to type in keywords for what interests you, and then click on the magnifying glass to the right of the search box.

Skip over any of the search results that have the word “AD” in yellow. Those are advertisements and are not really results from your search.

When my nephew, Nic, recently rode a horse for the first time, I sang the theme

song from the ’60s TV show Mister Ed. Nic, 6 years old, looked at me as though I might have fallen off a horse and hit my head.

I was determined to prove my sanity, and,

thank goodness, I found validation on YouTube. You can type “Mister Ed” in the search box to brush up on those forgotten lyrics.

Be sure to turn on your speakers if they have been muted, and click on the play arrow.

Below are suggestions of phrases to search for when you get a chance to visit YouTube. (Circled above in lower left corner.)

• “Birks organ” — Birk Petersen emailed me after reading my book and sent the link to this amazing hand-crank organ that he designed and built.

• “Sand drawing” – Kseniya Simonova’s sand art is extraordinary.

• “Famous failures” – If you’ve never failed, you’ve never lived. This video reminds us that failure is just a stepping stone to success.

• Search for me on YouTube, and you’ll discover video clips of my classes, lectures, and TV interviews—or visit my YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/AskAbbyStokes (no spaces).

If you want to upload a digital video file onto YouTube, it’s free. Just be careful about what you choose to share. You don’t want to post anything that gives away too much personal information about you or anything that might jeopardize your job, relationship, or, in the case of younger folks, chances of getting into the college of their choice.

Anyone can visit YouTube, so your submission is there for all to see. Remember, Uncle Bert may not appreciate your impersonation of him being seen worldwide.

Let me know when you’ve posted a video. I’d love to see it!

If you’ve never watched a video before, visit me at AskAbbyStokes.com and click on “First Time Visitors” at the top right. There you will find a video that gives you tips about watching videos.

Happy YouTubing! (I think I just made up a word.)

Abby Stokes, author of “Is This Thing On?” A Friendly Guide to Everything Digital for Newbies, Technophobes, and the Kicking & Screaming and its companion website, AskAbbyStokes.com, is the Johnny Appleseed of Technology, singlehandedly helping more than 300,000 people cross the digital divide.

Send us your favorite smile—your children,grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling” pet!—and it could be ’ next Smile of the Month!

You can submit your photos either digitally tomjoyce@onlinepub.com or by mail to:

Smile of the Month3912 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 youwould like to have your photo returned.

Your name _____________________________________________Your town of residence _____________________________________Names(s) of those in photo ___________________________________Their town(s) of residence ___________________________________Their relationship to you ____________________________________

Please include the following information:

Is This Thing On?

Do You YouTube?Abby Stokes

Information and support at your fingertips —

Call for your free copy —717.285.1350

orview it online at

www.onlinepub.com(under supplements)

CAREGIVERSOLUTIONS

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 17

Your ad could be here on this popular page!Please call (717) 285-1350 for more information.

CROSSWORD

Across

1. Rose oil6. Artist’s tripod11. Swab14. Strong suit15. Tractor name16. Seafood17. Forest18. Pomegranate syrup20. Sharp curve21. His and her23. Yield24. Betsy or Diana26. Wrath27. Most beneficial28. Sidekick

30. Route33. ___ and Hyde36. Might37. Toward the mouth

(prefix)38. Fatima’s son39. Surveyor42. Crude43. ___ de mer44. Food fish45. Pasta47. Some Central

European people50. And so on (abbr.)51. Slick publications,

for short

52. Posed54. Labels58. Baseball’s Pee Wee60. Thick62. Before (prefix)63. Steward65. Poplar67. Tinge68. Rich cake69. Governed70. Knight’s title71. Behalf72. Lawn starters

1. Subsequently2. Trunk3. Braid of hair4. Supped5. Musical sign6. Garden tool7. Cliffside bird’s nest8. Visionary9. European sea eagle10. Guide11. Washed-up lumber?12. Topnotch13. Pub feature19. Workspace

22. Knolls25. Undercover agent27. Rifle attachments29. Totally30. Caress31. Plant part32. Conn. school33. Preserves34. Airline name35. Metric linear unit36. Delirious40. Romaine lettuce41. Decay46. Month (abbr.)

48. Flowerpot49. Representatives52. Actress Berger53. Staked55. Edible fruit56. Avarice57. Transmits58. Cheers59. Pocketbook60. Defy61. Corn spikes64. Period66. Lolita actress Lyon

Down

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 21

bRainTeaSeRS

Written by Alan Stillson. Please see http://stillsonworks.com

Bestselling Fiction Books of the ’50sFind the titles of these bestselling fiction books of the ’50s:

1. The Caine M _____ 2. The Old Man and the S_____ 3. No Time for S_____ 4. Don’t Go Near the W_____ 5. Peyton P_____ 6. Atlas S____ 7. Anatomy of a M_____ 8. From the T_____ 9. Advise & C_____ 10. Lady Chatterley’s L_____

Words and Phrases Created in the ’50sFind these words and phrases that came into existence during the ’50s.

Some of them lasted well beyond the ’50s: 1. ae _ _ sp _ _ _ 2. S _ a _ _ _ x 3. d _ _ a pr _ _ _ _ _ ing 4. d _ _ egr _ _ _ _ e 5. s _ _ c _ r _ c _ 6. ju _ _ ma _ _ 7. neu _ _ _ _ bo _ _ 8. p _ _ _ o v _ _ us 9. s _ _d _ v _ _ _ 10. we _ _ _

SUDOKU

Dear Savvy Senior,An old family friend recently asked me

to be the executor of his will when he dies. I feel flattered that he asked, but I’m not sure what exactly the job entails. What can you tell me?

– Concerned Friend Dear Concerned,Serving as the executor of your friend’s

estate may seem like an honor, but it can also be a huge chore.

Here’s what you should know to help you prepare.

Rules and Responsibilities

As the executor of your friend’s will, you’re essentially responsible for winding up his affairs after he dies.

While this may sound simple enough, you need to be aware that the job can

be tedious, time consuming, and difficult depending on the complexity of his financial and family situation.

Some of the duties required include:

• Filing court papers to start the probate process (this is generally required by law to determine the will’s validity)

• Taking an inventory of everything in his estate

• Using his estate’s funds to pay bills, including taxes, funeral costs, etc.

• Handling details like terminating his credit cards and notifying

banks and government agencies like Social Security and the post office of his death

• Preparing and filing his final income tax returns

• Distributing assets to the beneficiaries named in his will

Be aware that each state has specific

laws and timetables on an executor’s responsibilities. Your state or local bar association may have an online law library that details the rules and requirements.

The American Bar Association website (www.americanbar.org) also offers guidance on how to settle an estate. Type in “guidelines for individual executors and trustees” to find it.

Get OrganizedIf you agree to take on the

responsibility as executor of your friend’s estate, your first step is to make sure he has an updated will and find out where all his important documents and financial

information are located. Being able to quickly put your hands

on deeds, brokerage statements, and insurance policies after he dies will save you a lot of time and hassle.

If he has a complex estate, you may want to hire an attorney or tax account to guide you through the process, with the estate picking up the cost.

Avoid Conflicts Find out if there are any conflicts

between the beneficiaries of your friend’s estate. If there are some potential problems, you can make your job as executor much easier if everyone knows in advance who’s getting what and why.

So ask your friend to tell his beneficiaries what they can expect. This includes the personal items too, because wills often leave it up to the executor to dole out heirlooms.

If there’s no distribution plan for personal property, suggest he make one and put it in writing.

Executor Fees

As the executor, you’re entitled to a fee paid by the estate. In most states, executors are entitled to take a percentage of the estate’s value, which usually ranges anywhere from 1 to 5 percent, depending on the size of the estate.

But, if you’re a beneficiary, it may make sense for you to forgo the fee. That’s because fees are taxable, but in most states, Uncle Sam doesn’t tax inheritances.

For more information on the duties of an executor, get a copy of the book The Executor’s Guide: Settling a Loved One’s Estate or Trust from Nolo (www.nolo.com) or call (800) 728-3555.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the

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

The Year in World HistoryAs 50plus Senior News celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, we hope

you’ll enjoy a monthly peek back at the world in 1995!This month, the world-history events of 1995:

World population: 5.682 billion (today: 7.3 billion)Jan. 17 – More than 5,000 dead in Japanese earthquake.Feb. 21 – U.S. rescues Mexico’s economy with $20 billion aid program.March 14 – Russian space station Mir greets first Americans. March 20 – Nerve gas attack in Tokyo subway kills eight and injures

thousands. The Aum Shinrikyo (“Supreme Truth”) cult is to blame.April 22 – Death toll reaches 2,000 in Rwanda massacre.May 1 – Fighting escalates in Bosnia and Croatia. Sept. 24 – Israelis and Palestinians agree on transferring West Bank to

Arabs. Oct. 5 – Warring parties in Bosnia and Croatia agree on cease-fire. Nov. 4 – Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin slain by Jewish extremists at

peace rally.Nov. 10 – Nigeria hangs writer Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other minority-

rights advocates.Nov. 24 – Irish voters approve end to constitutional ban on divorce.Dec. 14 – Bosnia and Croatia sign peace treaty.

Savvy Senior

Understanding the Responsibilities of an Executor

Jim Miller

October is National Estate Planning Month

Never Miss Another Issue!Subscribe online at

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

18 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 19

Elder Law Attorneys

# Elder L

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Specific areas of elder law in which the firm concentrates:

Blakey, Yost, Bupp & Rausch, LLPDavid A. Mills, Esquire

17 East Market Street, York, PA 17401717-845-3674 fax 717-854-7839

dmills@blakeyyost.comwww.blakeyyost.com

1 9 1980 1990 No Yes No YesEstate planning, wills, trusts, powers

of attorney, estate administration, guardianships.

Daley Zucker Meilton & Miner, LLC635 North 12th Street, #101, Lemoyne

4813 Jonestown Road, #106, Harrisburg325 South Hanover Street, #2, Carlisle

717-724-9821 fax 717-724-9826ppatton@dzmmlaw.com • www.dzmmlaw.com

3 6 2004 2004 No Yes No Yes

Asset protection; long-term care; medical assistance; veterans’ benefits

(veteran certified); estate planning, wills, trusts, powers of attorney;

estate administration; guardianships. Attorney/CPA on staff.

Gettle & Veltri13 East Market Street, York, PA 17401

717-854-4899 fax 717-848-1603ghg@gettleveltri.comwww.gettleveltri.com

2 4 1997 1997 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Wills; powers of attorney; living wills; estate settlement; probate; estate planning; nursing home planning;

Medicaid; asset protection planning; trusts. We make house calls!

Keystone Elder Law555 Gettysburg Pike, Suite C-100, Mechanicsburg

43 Brookwood Ave, Suite 1, Carlisle717-697-3223 toll-free 844-697-3223

karen@keystoneelderlaw.comwww.keystoneelderlaw.com

2 2 2010 2010 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Compassionate guidance with Alzheimer’s and special-needs

planning; VA and Medicaid benefits; wills; powers of attorney; trusts; estate

administration; care coordination; nurse on staff.

Mooney & Associates HARRISBURG: 105 North Front Street; YORK: 40 East Philadelphia Street CARLISLE: 2 South Hanover Street; SHIPPENSBURG: 34 West King Street

HALIFAX: 3703 Peters Mtn. Road; STEWARTSTOWN: 17 North Main Street HANOVER: 230 York Street; Additional offices in Chambersburg, Gettysburg,

Mercersburg, Duncannon, and New Oxfordtoll-free 877-632-4656 fax 717-632-3612

info@mooney4law.com www.PAElderIssues.com; www.Mooney4Law.com

4 9 1997 2009 Yes Yes Yes YesAsset protection, Medicaid planning,

all trusts for special needs, and charitable giving.

Reese, Samley, Wagenseller, Mecum & Longer, P.C.

120 North Shippen Street, Lancaster, PA 17602717-393-0671 fax 717-393-2969

mcs@trustmattersmost.comwww.trustmattersmost.com

4 6 1986 1986 No Yes No YesEstate planning, wills, trusts, powers

of attorney, estate administration, guardianships.

Scott Alan MitchellRhoads & Sinon LLPLancaster & Harrisburg

717-397-4431 (L) and 717-231-6602 (H)smitchell@rhoads-sinon.com

www.rhoadssinon.com

1 60 1935 1995 Yes Yes Yes YesEstate planning and administration;

long-term care planning; medical assistance; special-needs planning and

trusts; guardianships.

This is not an all-inclusive list. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services. * Indicates that at least one attorney in the firm is a member. Information contained herein was provided by the firm.

20 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

We attend funerals and wakes to console the bereaved relatives of the deceased. This can be

more a gesture of respect to the bereaved than to the deceased.

Mourners who truly believe in heaven should take comfort that the deceased, if worthy, is exalted by a glorious transition to an eternal reward. If the deceased had a lingering, painful death, there is relief that the departed is “free at last.”

Funerals and wakes frequently exhibit a mix of anguish and relief. Faith alone

may not extinguish the sorrow. A sense of relief will not void the disquiet we sense about our own mortality and our own eternal destiny.

Gen. George Patton took this view of

World War II combat mortalities: “It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather, we should thank God that such men lived.”

Extend that sentiment from the “good-war” context and apply it to all those who

led good, decent lives. Funerals then can be regarded as an occasion of muted celebration.

Some take it a step further and celebrate funerals as a joyous occasion. The wailing of trombones, the singing of saxophones and clarinets, and the eulogy delivered by a trumpet are created in a New Orleans-style funeral march.

That was the funeral preference of Dr. Benjamin Spock. He wanted “friends to snake-dance through the streets to the music of a jazz band.”

Funerals typically are followed by a group luncheon. This relaxes the tension and reminds us that life continues. It is not unlike the Christian practice of celebrating Easter following the observance of the death of Christ.

Newspaper columnist and humorist Art Buchwald wrote that he appreciated the manner of his own passage to the final exit. He died of kidney failure in 2007 at the age of 81, spending his final days in a hospice, enjoying visits and phone calls from many friends and eating those foods that had been prohibited when he was well.

He joked that “the National Hospice Association made me Man of the Year. I never realized that dying was so much fun.” That bizarre attitude defines the unique Buchwald personality and indicates why he was a treasured writer and celebrity.

Don’t let your own funeral and wake arrangements depend on the decision of others. Write them out and specify what you would want and not want: which songs (if any), a farewell message from you (recorded or read), flowers or donations—these or other topics should be choices made by you.

Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research analyst, is the author of My 22 Cents’ Worth: The Higher-Valued Opinion of a Senior Citizen and A Musing Moment: Meditative Essays on Life and Learning, books of personal-opinion essays, free of partisan and sectarian viewpoints. Contact him at waltsonneville@verizon.net.

My 22 Cents’ Worth

Mourning the DeceasedWalt Sonneville

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HOUSEPLANTS from page 7

woody stems, such as the Benjamin fig, may be very difficult to root.

To root a stem section about 3 to 4 inches or so, simply remove the lower leaves, only leaving a few near the tip. Some, such as the pothos or coleus, root easily in water; others you may want to stick in a rooting medium, which drains well and has lots of air space. Good rooting media are perlite, vermiculite, and a 50/50 combination of these two, or

even moist sand and peat moss mixed. Place cuttings in pots and then enclose

loosely in a plastic bag out of direct sun. Check daily for moisture, misting if needed, but don’t keep too wet. After several weeks, gently tug or pull on the cutting, and if it doesn’t pull out, it is likely rooted enough to pot.

Dr. Leonard P. Perry is an extension professor at the University of Vermont.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 21

Puzzl

e Solu

tions Brainteasers

Puzz

les s

how

n on

pag

e 17 1. The Caine Mutiny

2. The Old Man and the Sea

3. No Time for Sergeants 4. Don’t Go Near the

Water 5. Peyton Place

6. Atlas Shrugged 7. Anatomy of a Murder 8. From the Terrace 9. Advise & Consent 10. Lady Chatterley’s

Lover

1. aerospace 2. Spandex 3. data processing 4. desegregate 5. space race

6. junk mail 7. neutron bomb 8. polio virus 9. skydiving10. weirdo

Bestselling Fiction Books of the ’50s

Words and Phrases Created in the ’50s

“I also try to share information that has resulted from questions raised by new residents, especially those who are new to the area and are starting new lives.”

The mission statement of the computer club is simple and direct and includes providing a forum for the interchange of information on computers and training for those requesting it. The club arranges for speakers to talk about computer-related subjects and provides a means to educate beginners on how to use the computer and its systems.

The computer club holds monthly meetings to fulfill its mission statement and does everything it can to educate its residents who want to know more about the machines.

The club focuses specifically on the uses of computers, with discussions of operating systems only as necessary to help residents understand what the computer is doing and how it is functioning.

PCs and Macs are both covered in the club with a primary focus on PCs, since they have the largest presence in the community; however, there is also a Mac Special Interest Group (SIG) that addresses the particular needs of Mac users.

Sometimes, there are classes for specific programs based on resident requests. Resident questions are also covered in monthly meetings or in a classroom at a different time, so the issue will not go unanswered.

Residents often have questions when buying a new computer and needing to know the preferred specifications. There is a computer club meeting program annually that addresses these concerns and stays faithfully up-to-date with new technology because the tech world changes so rapidly.

Luckily, Paskowitz is aware of the constant change and is always willing and eager to learn more about computers, proving himself to be a dedicated

connoisseur on the subject. “My knowledge only scratches the

surface based on what I have been exposed to,” he said. “When I got to a certain age, I found I focused on learning what I needed to know to solve problems or to do new things; however, I don’t consider my knowledge about computers to even come close to 1 percent of what can be known about computers.”

He attempts to spread that new knowledge to the other residents. Part of this continuous learning is a computer club expo held every year where the club describes and displays various technologies.

A number of participants demonstrate desktops, phones, tablets, etc., so attendees can see the devices in action and ask any questions about their use, availability, and cost.

When asked if he was looking forward to any new pieces of technology coming out in the near future, Paskowitz said,

“I am hoping that Windows 10 will offer full hands-free operation where a person can talk to a device and have it do everything that can be done today with a mouse and keyboard.

“I believe speech is the natural means of interaction with different devices, and the memory and processing speed of today’s devices should enable that technology to become ubiquitous. However, we will need to learn the language that the devices understand, and that will be our next challenge.”

Being president of the computer club keeps Paskowitz busy, but, as with most efforts, the reward is worth the work.

“Being president of the computer club is constantly presenting me with new challenges that make me forget I am supposed to be retired,” Paskowitz laughed. “It also presents me with the opportunity to work with some great people where we are all working toward a common objective.”

CLUB from page 1

Nostalgia Road

I’m Sorry, Shirley Ann

I was a bit of a jerk throughout grade school and high school. This is going to be my first acknowledgment of

this. And it may not make for good reading.

First off, to Roger Bradley: I’m the one who bent your bicycle spokes (jumping on them) while you were winning the high jump, last day of school in the fourth grade. I was jealous.

To Gordie Yates: I chose you to run with me in the three-legged race that

same day. I figured you, being the fastest kid in our class, would pull us to victory. It never occurred to me that I just might slow us down.

I know I promised to give you my Louisville Slugger for running with me, but it was a gift from my granddad. I just couldn’t.

To Shirley Ann Neal: I’m sorry I walked Darlene Jones home from the sock hop our sophomore year. When you and I sort of had an agreement. Still don’t know why I did that. You were cuter. I don’t blame you for never speaking to me again.

An update on Shirley: She eventually married a millionaire. They live in the Bahamas. Me? No, I never married Darlene. Things didn’t go that well on the walk home.

I was gonna write a message to Rodney Waters, but I think I’ll head for the nursing home and tell him in person. Maybe take him a cheeseburger.

Visit NostalgiaRoad.com

Dick Dedrick

22 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

People sometimes ask me how I find the military men and women I write about. I learn of them

through many sources, of course, but the way I met George Resh was one of the most unusual.

As a retired Air Force pilot, my wife, Cammie, and I often flew as Air Force Space A (space available) passengers on flights to Europe.

Returning from one such trip, we got a flight on a C-5 Galaxy from Frankfurt, Germany, to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The flight stopped overnight at Torrejón Air Force Base in Madrid, Spain.

In the morning, we learned that the flight would be delayed because of some needed maintenance.

While we were waiting in the passenger lounge, a crew in flight clothes entered, led by a colonel who was the

pilot. I introduced myself, and he told me his name was George Resh.

I asked him how long the delay might be, and after we discussed that, just to make conversation, I asked him if he lived in Dover.

“No,” he replied. “I live in Pennsylvania.”

“Oh,” I said. “Whereabouts in Pennsylvania?”

“In Lancaster,” he said.

“Whereabouts in Lancaster?”

“On Marietta Avenue,” he replied.

“Whereabouts on Marietta Avenue?” I asked.

And his answer told me that, here in Spain, I was being flown home by a man who lived within walking distance of my home.

I later interested him in joining our Military Officers Chapter, where he later became president, and then served a term as a director. It turned out that Resh was a native Central

Pennsylvanian who attended Penn State, where he joined the ROTC and earned his commission.

He had wanted to become a pilot from age 7, when his dad had taken him to the celebration when the local airport was opened. There he had taken a free ride in an airliner, and the love affair of becoming a pilot had taken hold.

After graduating from Penn State in 1954, he entered the Air Force, where he was selected for pilot training. And after he earned his wings, he was assigned to fly B-25s, where he logged 1,200 hours, carrying navigators who were training in using radar for flak suppression.

Resh left active duty in the Air Force in 1958 and joined the Air Force Reserve, serving in the 512th Military Air Wing at Willow Grove, Pa. There, as a reservist, he flew the C-119 (known as the flying boxcar).

The Air Wing moved to Dover Air Force Base in 1968, and there he flew the all-jet C-141 on many missions to Vietnam, carrying troops and cargo. Those flights were too long for a single crew, so his crew would fly to Alaska where another crew would take over.

After resting overnight, his crew would take over for another crew and fly to Japan, where the procedure would be repeated before leaving for Okinawa and then to Vietnam.

Then, in 1975, the wing got C-5s. That airplane was so large that it could

carry six Greyhound Scenic Cruiser buses and had 100 seats for passengers in the space above. If the nose of the C-5 were placed on the goal line of a football field, the trailing edge of the elevator at the back of the plane would have been on the 30-yard line at the opposite end of the field.

Meanwhile, in his civilian career, Resh had entered Millersville University in 1958, where he got his degree and training for a civilian career as a teacher. He taught at elementary schools for three years, 20 years at junior high school, and later for 11 years at a high school, all while in the Air Force Reserve.

While a high school teacher, he introduced a link trainer (flight simulator) to the elective aviation course he taught. That permitted the students to fly on the ground before ever taking to the air.

When he flew to Europe as a reservist, he would often step out of the classroom on Friday and spend Saturday flying to Europe, Sunday returning to Dover, and Monday returning to the classroom.

At Dover, how far east had he flown? “Well,” he says, “I guess that would

have to be Tehran, Iran.” Then, with a grin, he adds, “I remember that we got there in Ramadan, when Muslims don’t eat or drink anything from sunrise to sunset. And, for some reason, they had something against having a Coke at any time.

“But there I saw my crew chief sitting in the shade of our C-141’s wing, nonchalantly eating his lunch, while drinking a bottle of Coke. I had to hustle him inside the plane before we provoked a riot.”

Resh remembers that the Air Force was the first to use the GPS (global positioning system). Once, when returning from Vietnam, he called air traffic control as he entered U.S. airspace near Detroit, to request clearance to fly directly to Dover, rather than using the regular airways.

When he was cleared to do that, a civilian airline pilot who was listening in asked, “Now, how are you going to do that?”

Resh answered, “I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you” (since the

Salute to a Veteran

In the C-5, He Flew One of theLargest Military Aircraft in the World

Robert D. Wilcox

2Lt. George A. Resh in 1956 after earning his wings.

50plus Senior News’ “Salute to a Veteran” Columnist

For more information, please call (717) 285-1350.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. • 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 • www.onlinepub.com

For 16 years, Bob Wilcox has faithfully chronicled the stories of almost 200 local veterans in the pages of 50plus Senior News—

preserving their legacies and providing invaluable service to our community and to our publication.

This fall, we would like you to help us thank him!

Please join us at the Veterans’ Expo & Job Fair on Nov. 13 at Spooky Nook Sports, Manheim, as we express our gratitude

to Col. Wilcox during a special noontime ceremony.

We especially encourage any profiled veterans or their loved ones to attend!

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p October 2015 23

GPS system was classified top secret in those days).

In 1981 Resh was made vice commander of the 512th military Airlift Wing, the first reservist to have that honor. In 1984 at his retirement ceremony, he received a Legion of Merit Award, the nation’s seventh-highest military award, as he retired as a full colonel.

In 1993, he retired from his civilian vocation as history/world cultures teacher. He now can proudly look back on dual careers of strong service to his country as a military pilot … and as a longtime teacher of our children.

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in World War II.

One hundred passengers loading into the massive C-5. Nov. 13, 2015

9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Spooky Nook Sports

2913 Spooky Nook Road, Manheim

This event is FREE to attend.Veterans (of all ages) and the

military community and their familiesare invited to join us!

At the Expoveterans benefits & servicesmedical/nonmedical resourcesProducts and services availablesupport/assistance Programseducation/training services

At the Job FairemployersJob counselingworkshopsemployment seminarsresume writing assistance

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Is your military hero also your spouse, child, grandchild, friend, or neighbor?

Help us put a face and a name to the courageous men and women who are currently serving or who

have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces.

Every Hero Has a Name.

Salute to Service is an online photo gallery honoring

the military heroes in our lives.

Upload your hero’s picture, name, and information at

VeteransExpo.com/salute-to-service.

24 October 2015 50plus SeniorNews p www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

WellSpan Health is coming to Lebanon County. Good Samaritan and WellSpan

are exchanging more than just hellos. We’re transforming the way health care

is delivered across the county — from Palmyra to Myerstown and everywhere in

between. Together, we’re building a health system where you are the focus of an

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experts who are there to help you realize your life goals. Good Samaritan is doing

more than just welcoming a new neighbor — we’re welcoming more possibilities.

Visit to learn more.

New Neighbor. New Possibilities.Welcoming WellSpan to Lebanon County.