lancaster county 50plus senior news jan. 2012

By Laura Farnish

“I never buy that ‘at this time of your life’ stuff. It’s as though people

think that if you reach a certain age you should just retire and play checkers

at the fire hall, as though that’s the norm.”

For Chet Williamson, the fire hall is merely a staged scene, and checkers

are nothing more than a prop.

As a board chair for Creative Works of Lancaster, Williamson remains

active in the local community through recognizing the kind of performance

and art Lancaster needs and wants. The non-profit organization’s mission is

“to fuel and sustain the city’s cultural renaissance.” Their free and low-priced

shows aim to fill the artistic gaps in Lancaster’s cultural offerings.

Although started several years ago, the organization has been active for the

past year and a half. Their work includes sock puppet parodies, staged

readings in art galleries, and full productions of non-traditional plays.

Williamson’s current involvement, however, is only an addition to his

repertoire of success over the years.

As a young actor, Williamson was involved in regional theater and

industrial shows, which led him into writing. His first short story, sold to

The New Yorker and other markets, was published in the 1980s, followed by

his first published novel in 1986.

Williamson continued to pursue his career as a writer, publishing suspense

and dark fantasy fiction, children’s books, and written work for a local college.

Creativity‘Works’ forLocal Actor

The view from the audience seats is a change of perspective for Chet Williamson,

who has been comfortable on stage for decades.

Grandparenting:

Agonies and Ecstasies

page 16

How Much You’ll Pay

for Medicare in 2012

page 20

please see CREATIVITY page 21

Inside:

PRSRTSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLandisville, PA

Permit No. 3

Lancaster County Edition January 2012 Vol. 18 No. 1

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

Heckling Hawks and Owls

The Beauty in Nature

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

The day may be quiet in a

southeastern Pennsylvania

neighborhood, and then there is

a sudden uproar of many crows all

cawing loudly and excitedly at once. And

the crows repeatedly dive noisily into a

tall tree.

Crows heckle raptors (hawks and

owls) whenever they find them during

the day through the year. Crows don’t

like hawks and owls because they know

them for what they are: killers. That’s

why they make life miserable for them.

They want to permanently chase those

birds of prey completely out of crow

territory.

When I hear crows cawing

boisterously and angrily, I stop what I’m

doing to watch those agitated hecklers

and see what kind of bird they are

harassing. I feel the crows’ emotion in

their vehement shouting. I know a

raptor, probably a big, common, great

horned owl or red-tailed hawk, is the

target of that clamorous fussing that

electrifies the local bird community.

Often I find the feathered recipient of

the commotion stirred up by the crows

hunched unhappily in an

evergreen tree. The raptor tries

to be inconspicuous in

spite of its being

discovered.

Meanwhile, the

crows

repeatedly

dive close to

it, cawing excitedly, but not

touching it.

Crows are full of bluff and

taunting but stay clear of a raptor’s

strong, sharp talons and beak in case that

bird of prey turns on its tormentors. At

some point the hawk or owl may launch

itself in flight to shake its screaming

hecklers, but it usually is followed by a

shrieking, black entourage all

the way to another

perch.

Raptors’ feathers

camouflage them so they won’t

be spotted by prey animals and

hecklers.

But

sharp-

eyed

crows

spot

some of

these birds

of prey

anyway.

Hawks,

being

daytime

hunters,

don’t want

to be

pestered because the fuss will reveal their

presence to would-be prey. Owls don’t

like being bothered because they need

rest during the day so they can hunt

mice the following night.

Smaller birds also assault hawks and

owls during the day. Some of those

attackers are eastern kingbirds, blue jays,

American robins, purple grackles, red-

winged blackbirds, ruby-throated

hummingbirds, and others.

These birds call loudly with panic in

their voices that stirs the bird

community. Often a few kinds of little

birds join forces to chase a raptor away

from their young.

If the reader hears the agitated voices

of crows and other birds, most likely a

raptor is being heckled. You might spot it

perched uncomfortably in the midst of

the excitement it caused.

Clyde McMillan-Gamber is a Lancaster

County Parks naturalist.

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

Steinmetz Coins & Currency

(717) 299-1211

(800) 334-3903

Harrison Senior Living – Coatesville

(610) 384-6310

Dri-Masters Carpet Dry Cleaning

(717) 299-1888

Dental Health Associates

(717) 394-9231

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

(800) 638-6833

Internal Revenue Service

(717) 898-1900

Fred F. Groff, Inc.

(717) 397-8255

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

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

Alliance Home Help

(717) 283-1444

Central Penn Nursing Care, Inc.

(717) 361-9777

(717) 569-0451

Sadie’s Angels

(717) 917-1420

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

The Long Community at Highland

(855) 407-9240

Medicare Hotline

(800) 638-6833

Neff’s Safe Lock & Security Inc.

(717) 392-6333

Health Network Labs

(717) 560-8891

Lancaster NeuroScience

& Spine Associates

(717) 569-5331

(800) 628-2080

Conestoga View Nursing & Rehabilitation

(717) 299-7850

Harrison Senior Living – Christiana

(610) 593-6901

The Center for Advanced Orthotics &

Prosthetics

(717) 393-0511

CVS/pharmacy

www.cvs.com

May•Grant Obstetrics & Gynecology

(717) 397-8177

Lancaster County Community

Foundation

(717) 397-1629

Neffsville Plumbing & Heating Services

(717) 625-1000

Prudential Homesale Services Group

Rochelle Welkowitz

(717) 393-0100

Symposium Mediterranean Restaurant

(717) 391-7656

Country Meadows of Lancaster

(717) 392-4100

The Long Community

(855) 407-9240

Luther Acres

(717) 626-1171

St. John’s Herr Estate

(717) 684-0678

TLC Ladies

(717) 228-8764

Transition Solutions for Seniors

Rochelle Welkowitz

(717) 615-6507

Passport Information

(877) 487-2778

Travel

Senior Move Management

Retirement Communities

Restaurants

Real Estate

Plumbing/Heating

Planned Charitable Giving

Physicians — OB/GYN

Pharmacies

Orthotics & Prosthetics

Nursing Homes/Rehab

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Medical Services

Locksmith

Insurance

Independent Living

Housing

Hospice Providers

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Home Care Services

Health & Medical Services

Funeral Directors

Financial Services

Entertainment

Employment

Emergency Numbers

Dental Services

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Assisted Living/Personal Care

Appraisals

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Awards

Corporate Office:3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512

Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360

Chester County:

610.675.6240

Cumberland County/Dauphin County:

717.770.0140

Berks County/Lancaster County/

Lebanon County/York County:

717.285.1350

E-mail address:

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PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERDonna K. Anderson

EDITORIAL

MANAGING EDITOR

Christianne Rupp

EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS

Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENT

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Renee Geller

PRODUCTION ARTIST

Janys Cuffe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES

Leah Craig

Angie McComsey

Ranee Shaub Miller

SALES COORDINATOR

Eileen Culp

CIRCULATION

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATION

BUSINESS MANAGER

Elizabeth Duvall

With the sky-high prices

for gold and precious

metals making headlines,

I thought some information and

useful tips would prove helpful.

Precious metals, gemstones, and

fine-design pieces have dazzled us

through the ages.

Called precious metals, gold,

platinum, and silver are some of the

world’s rarest materials. These three

metals are found in many parts of

the world, but they are not easily

extracted from their natural state.

Precious metals maintain their

luster and shine and resist corrosion

with little care. Objects dating back

to the world’s ancient civilizations,

like the Native Americans,

Egyptians, and Greeks, show us that

these metals endure.

Gold

The ancient Egyptians reserved

the use of gold (yellow

gold) for the pharaohs

and related gold to the

powers of the sun.

White gold is created

by alloying gold with

nickel or palladium,

zinc, and copper. Alloys

are mixtures of different

metals that offer greater strength,

hardness, or malleability to another

metal. For instance, alloying gold

with copper creates pink gold or rose

gold.

Workability, the ability for master

craftsmen to shape these metals, is

important to longevity.

On Your Mark

Pure gold is 24-karat gold, and it

is very soft. This is often too soft for

everyday jewelry, so gold is alloyed

to increase its strength.

In the United States, 14-karat

gold is common and a piece must be

at least 10-karat gold to be sold as

gold jewelry.

Here are some common marks:

• 14-karat would be marked “14 K”

(or “585” in Europe), indicating that

it is 58.5 percent gold.

• 18-karat would be marked “18 K”

(or “750” in Europe), indicating that

it is 75 percent gold.

• 24-karat or pure gold would be

marked “24 K” (or “999” in

Europe), indicating that it is 99.9

percent gold.

If you like gold jewelry, these

marks should be committed to

memory! Look for them at your next

yard sale; you’ll be surprised how

many yard-sale sellers put out real

gold for sale on their front lawn!

Platinum

Platinum is a popular choice for

bridal jewelry as its strength

surpasses that of gold and silver. A

dense metal, platinum weighs more

than gold and has a high level of

purity, making it naturally

hypoallergenic.

Platinum jewelry must show one

of the following marks: “Platinum,”

“Pt,” or “Plat,” which means that

piece of jewelry contains at least 95

percent pure platinum. Platinum

may be worn every day without fear

of damage and is perfect for wedding

rings.

Sterling Silver

Silver is affordable, soft, and

malleable. It has been used to make

objects of adornment dating back to

the Byzantine world.

One of the most common and

recognizable metal marks is the mark

for silver. In the United States, only

jewelry that is at least 92.5 percent

pure silver, or 925/1,000 pure, may

be marked “silver,” “sterling,”

“sterling silver,” “925,” “92.5,” or

“ster.”

Silver is often alloyed with copper

to increase its strength. Silver will

not rust, but it will tarnish. Tarnish

may be restored with polishing.

Another mark is the vermeil

mark, which is evident when a piece

of sterling silver has been

electroplated with karat gold. If the

thickness of the karat gold plating is

at least 100 millionths of an inch

thick, that is referred to as vermeil

(pronounced “vermay”) and

sometimes as “overlay.” This is an

affordable alternative to karat-gold

jewelry.

While I know I have the ladies’

attention, I wouldn’t want to leave

out the gentlemen who enjoy a bit of

bling. Today’s styles are introducing

men to the industrial look in fine

jewelry, achieved by metals such as

titanium, tungsten carbide, and

stainless steel.

Steel-gray color, light weight, and

strength are some of the qualities of

these non-precious metals.

Tungsten is the world’s

hardest metal substance

with a nine on the Mohs

hardness scale (diamonds

rank 10 on the scale).

These metals are less likely

to scratch, but resizing a

ring made of any of these

metals proves difficult.

Here’s what I like to call famous

last words: take care when cleaning

your precious metals, dry your

jewelry before storing it, and place

pieces in separate compartments to

avoid scratching. Keep gold and

silver out of pools, showers, and hot

tubs as chlorine may weaken their

structure and cause breakage.

Know your jeweler and your stuff

when you are selecting valuable

precious metals.

Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser,

author, and award-winning TV

personality, Dr. Lori presents antique

appraisal events nationwide and

antiques-themed vacation cruises. As

seen on NBC’s The Tonight Show and

Comedy Central’s The Daily Show,

watch Dr. Lori weekdays on Lifetime

Television. Visit www.DrLoriV.com,

www.Facebook.com/

DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.

Tips and Trends in Precious Metals

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Dr. Lori

Sterling silver bracelet of sea life figures


Serving Lancaster County for over 26 Years!

©2008. An independently owned and operated member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.

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

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Personal, In-Home Care for SeniorsServices include:

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A LOVING ENVIRONMENT, A CARING COMMUNITY

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Visit Our Website At:

50plusSeniorNewsPA.comCentral Pennsylvania’s Award-Winning 50+ Publication


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

Opportunities

CALL CENTER REPS – FTLocal bank seeking persons with good customer service skills to respond to phone and other devices to answer

customer inquiries regarding products, services, procedures, or account information. Shifts vary from 9:30 a.m.

to 8 p.m.

Have you made any New Year’s resolutions? How about making a resolution that will enrich your life and the life of an older person inyour community?

The volunteer opportunities available at Lancaster County Office of Aging are diverse, offer flexibility, and require a minimal timecommitment. As a volunteer, you can choose to provide a consumer with hands-on help with laundry, grocery shopping, or cleaning. Youcan also provide socialization as a Phone Pal or Friendly Visitor.

There are also several specialized programs for volunteers through our agency. They include the Volunteer Ombudsman and APPRISEvolunteer programs. Volunteers are also invited to participate in several special events during the year, such as distribution of donatedchicken barbecue dinners and the Christmas holiday program.

For more information about any of these opportunities and others, contact Bev Via, volunteer coordinator, at (717) 299-7979 or byemailing [email protected]. Becoming an Office of Aging volunteer is one resolution you’ll enjoy keeping!

GREETER/SECURITY – PTRetail store seeking persons to

open lobby doors, greetcustomers, and direct them to

returns or merchandise. Must befriendly, have good verbal skills,have a neat appearance, and be

able to work a flexible schedule. SN113411.02

CUSTOMER SERVICE – PTSmall family-owned business in

New Holland area needs areliable individual for data entry,

customer service, receivingpayments, and reconciling

receipts at end of shift. Must beable to work variety of hours

during day.SN111211.04

E.O.E.

VIEW OUR JOB LISTWe list other jobs on the Web at

www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco_aging. To learn more about applyingfor the 55+ Job Bank and these

jobs, call the Employment Unit at(717) 299-7979.

SN-GEN.03

SN111411.01

Age 55 or over? Unemployed? The 55+ Job Bank is one ofthree services offered by Employment Unit at the Office of Aging.

Jobs are matched with those looking for work. Based on anevaluation 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.

I’ll pause in my presentation of online

methods for researching genealogy to

reply to questions from readers. I’ll

pick up that topic again in coming issues,

with Scotland and Ireland.

Q: I’m sure my grandmother was

Sicilian. She spoke that language, celebrated

St. Joseph’s Day and all the other holidays in

Sicilian style, cooked Sicilian food, and so

on, but she said she was born in Tunisia.

How can that be, and how can I do research

on her ancestry? – R.F.L., Kenmore, N.Y.

A: Around 1860, in the time of the

unification of Sicily with the Italian

peninsular states, there was extreme

poverty in the Mezzogiorno (southern

Italy and Sicily). After the formation of

the unified Kingdom of Italy, much of the

already meager wealth of the south was

appropriated by northern officials and

opportunists, and the peasants and

laborers of the Mezzogiorno bore the

brunt of the

economic

hardship.

This

social

upheaval led

to the “great

migration”

out of the

south,

primarily to

the United

States, but

also to

Western

Europe and

even Africa,

only 100

miles away

across the Straits of Sicily. At the start of

this period, Tunisia was under control of

the Ottoman Turks, but in 1881, it

became a French protectorate, until its

independence

in 1956.

In the late

1800s and

the early

1900s, Tunis

and other

coastal cities

of Tunisia

received the

immigration

of tens of

thousands of

Italian

peasants,

mainly from

Sicily and

Sardinia. As a

consequence,

by the first years of the 20th century, there

were more than 100,000 Italian residents

in Tunisia, concentrated in the large cities

of Tunis, Biserta, La Goulette, and Sfax,

and even in smaller cities.

These immigrants established their

own churches and neighborhoods, and

while picking up the Arabic and French

tongues, many retained their Sicilian and

Italian language and social customs. Many

made frequent trips back to their towns of

origin, often convincing others to

emigrate to Tunisia. Some who were

dissatisfied with conditions in Tunisia

eventually emigrated to the United States.

So it’s not unreasonable to think of

your grandmother as Tunisian and

Sicilian. Passenger manifests at Ellis Island

and other U.S. ports, available on Ellis

Island’s free site (www.ellisisland.org) and

the subscription site Ancestry.com, often

show travelers’ last place of residence.

Familiarize yourself with the names of

Tunisian cities, as these manifests may

indicate Tunis, Biserta, or the other large

cities noted above, or smaller ones such as

Zaghouan, Bouficha, Kelibia, or

Reader Questions

The Search for Our Ancestry

Angelo Coniglio

A section from one of Guy Coniglio’s naval musters.


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

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Your Favorite Local Publications —Collecting Accolades in Spades!On-Line Publishers, Inc. & 50plus Senior Newsjust earned 4 awards!

141 E. Orange Street, Lancaster, PA | 717-394-4097www.KASnyderFuneralHome.comMark C. DeBord, Supv.

CARING. TRUSTING.

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Serving families in our communityfor four generations.

Branch location: Richard A. Sheetz Funeral Home2024 Marietta Avenue, Lancaster, PA 17603 | 397-6329Randy L. Stoltzfus, Supv.

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Time is a Priceless GiftDo 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!Volunteer Spotlight!Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and photos are

encouraged. Email preferred to [email protected] or mail

nominations to 50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight,

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

Submissions should be 200 words or fewer and photos are

encouraged. Email preferred to [email protected] or mail

nominations to 50plus Senior News, Volunteer Spotlight,

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512.

Ferryville. If your grandmother came here

through a U.S. port, her manifest may give

the name of the town she came from and

even name the closest relative she left

behind.

Certain Tunisian baptism, marriage,

and death records have been indexed

online at Geneanum.com

(http://www.geneanum.com). You’ll have

to read French or get a French speaker to

help you, but that page gives links to

helpful genealogical sites for Malta, Sicily,

and Tunisia (Tunisie in French).

Clicking on the Tunisie link leads to a

page with the link Bases de données

(databases), and clicking there leads to

choices for baptisms, marriages, and

burials.

Information on parents, spouses, etc., is

shown in limited text form, but copies of

original documents may be ordered

through the site. Caution—given names

are in French: Salvatore is Sauveur,

Antonio is Antoine, Pietro is Pierre, and so

on.

Q: My grandfather was in the U.S. Navy

during World War II. I would like to find

information about his Navy experience and

the ships on which he served. – M.C.,

Norman, Okla.

A: Ancestry.com has many historical

military records, including U.S. World

War II Navy muster rolls, 1938–1949.

These can be searched at Ancestry.com for

free at many public libraries or at a

Mormon Family History Center. The

database can be searched by the sailor’s

name, date of service, and location.

The search results show images of

original “ship musters.” Many such records

have information on enlistment,

assignment, rank or rating, etc. Once you

find the names of the ships on which your

grandfather served, search free sites like

Wikipedia to get more information about

the ships, including photos.

To see an example of my brother Guy’s

pre-WWII musters, see

http://www.conigliofamily.com/GuyPage2.

htm.

Angelo Coniglio encourages readers to contact

him by writing to 438 Maynard Drive,

Amherst, NY 14226; by email at

[email protected]; or by visiting

www.conigliofamily.com/ConiglioGenealogyTi

ps.htm.

New VA Campaign Provides

Online Support for VetsMake the Connection, a new campaign

launched by the Department of Veterans

Affairs, is creating ways for veterans and

their family members to connect with the

experiences of other veterans.

The program’s ultimate goal is to

connect veterans with

information and

resources to help them

confront the challenges

of transitioning from

service, facing health

issues, or navigating the

complexities of daily life

as a civilian.

“I have seen over and

over again how

important it can be for a

veteran to hear a

message from another veteran. This type

of communication will be especially useful

in helping to break down the stigma

associated with mental health issues and

treatment,” said Secretary of Veterans

Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

“VA is leveraging this powerful

connection using an approachable online

resource that links veterans to personal

stories from their peers, to VA resources

and support, and to reliable information

about mental health and resilience.”

The campaign’s central focus is a

website, www.maketheconnection.net,

featuring numerous veterans who have

shared their experiences, challenges, and

triumphs. It offers a place where veterans

and their families can view the candid,

personal testimonials of other veterans

who have dealt with and

are working through a

variety of common life

experiences, day-to-day

symptoms, and mental

health conditions.

The website also

connects veterans and

their family members

with services and

resources that may help

them live more fulfilling

lives.

At maketheconnection.net, veterans

and their family members can explore

information on mental health issues and

treatment—and easily access support—in

comfort and privacy, anywhere, anytime.

Visitors to the site can customize and filter

their online experience, directly

connecting with content that is the most

relevant to their own lives and situations.

For more information, visit

maketheconnection.net or VA’s mental

health services website at

www.mentalhealth.va.gov.

“This type of

communication will

be useful in breaking

down the stigma

associated with

mental health issues

and treatment.

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For 10 days in early November, 6,530 American flags

were displayed in the Masonic Village at Elizabethtown’s

Veterans Grove.

The public was invited to walk through and enjoy the

flag display at their leisure. A program in the Brossman

Ballroom also helped commemorate Veterans Day 2011.

For more information about Masonic Village’s

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Help yourself to a

50plusSenior News

and a shopping basket.

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your FREE copy of

50plus Senior News!!!Check out your local

CVS/pharmacy storesand look for

this display.

The car was an Alfa-Romeo 6C

2300 Pescara Spyder, but to

M/Sgt. Gerald Schmidt, it was

just another car. And, as it was his

responsibility in combat ordnance, he

drove it back to his echelon behind the

front lines.

Only much later did he learn that he

had driven such a historic car. During the

great depression in Italy, Mussolini had

bailed out the car manufacturer from

going into liquidation,

so he was presented

with this custom-made

car as a gift. Just 60 of

the 6C 2300 Pescara

Spyders were

produced, and

Mussolini’s auto is

believed to be the sole

one surviving.

Although

Mussolini had his

Spyder specialized by

adding horsepower, he

never added

bulletproof glass or

armor plating. He was

often seen riding

around in the car,

saluting crowds as he

stood in the passenger seat, with flowers

and bouquets strewn on the hood.

Famed test driver Ercole Boratto

became Mussolini’s driver and drove the

car in the 1936 Mille Miglia, a dangerous,

1,000-mile, open-road endurance race in

Italy, coming in an impressive 13th place.

So what else is impressive about the car

Jerry Schmidt once drove so casually? It

sold for $1.1 million when auctioned,

that’s what!

But, in 1945 Schmidt knew none of

that … and couldn’t have cared less,

because he had his hands full while he

was part of our Army’s push northward

through Italy, past the battlefields of

Salerno, Anzio, and Monte Cassino to

take the city of Rome and then on to

Florence.

Throughout, his job was to supply new

trucks to replace those that were

destroyed in combat. He had been

assigned to ordnance when he was drafted

in 1944 because he had gotten familiar

with heavy equipment while working for

International Harvester in Boston, where,

at age 24, he had become the youngest

wholesale manager in the company.

And now, after his outfit had fought

their way into Florence, he ran ordnance

as part of a huge depot the Army had

established there. Then he got the news

that the Army had decided that they

needed him a lot more in the Pacific than

they did in Europe. So he spent 42 days

aboard a troop transport on his way to

the Philippines.

What was it like to

spend that much time

aboard ship?

“It was hell on

wheels,” he says. “That

ship pitched so much

that everyone except

the crew were sick as

dogs most of the time.

When I got off, I

vowed that I would

never get on a ship

again. And, except for

the one that took me

home, I never did.

“The fighting in the

Philippines was

tough,” he remembers.

“The Japanese were

fanatically aggressive

fighters, and we were under fire

constantly, until eventually Manila fell.”

In August, after the U.S. had dropped

the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and

Nagasaki, the Japanese surrendered, and

Schmidt was shipped back to Los Angeles.

He then went by train to Fort Dix, where

he was discharged in January 1946.

He went back to work at International

Harvester, and the company sent him, at

age 26, to Providence, R.I., to build a

new plant to repair and sell their trucks.

After managing that plant for a year, he,

surprisingly, got the company’s backing to

set up his own Cadillac-Oldsmobile

dealership in Providence.

In 1960, he sold his dealership and

came to live in Lancaster to be close to his

son and his family. In retirement, things

are quiet, but Jerry Schmidt has much to

remember about the years when he fought

for his country on two different sides of

the globe.

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in

Europe in WWII.

After the Fall of Romein WWII, He DroveMussolini’s Auto

Robert D. Wilcox

Salute to a Veteran

M/Sgt. Gerald K. Schmidt in 1945.


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2010 Census Shows Older Population Growing QuicklyThe U.S. population 65 and older is

now the largest in terms of size and

percent of the population, compared

with any previous census, according to

a new 2010 census brief released

recently from the U.S. Census Bureau

on the nation’s older population.

The group grew at a faster rate than

the total population between 2000 and

2010.

According to the 2010 census, there

were 40.3 million people 65 and older

on April 1, 2010, increasing by 5.3

million since the 2000 census, when

this population numbered 35 million.

The percentage of the population 65

and older also increased during the

previous decade. In 2010, the older

population represented 13 percent of

the total population, an increase from

12.4 percent in 2000.

65 and Older PopulationGrew Faster than Total Population

Between 2000 and 2010, the

population 65 and older grew 15.1

percent, while the total U.S.

population grew 9.7 percent.

The opposite happened between

1990 and 2000, when the growth of

the older population was slower than

the growth of the total population,

with growth rates of 12 percent and

13.2 percent, respectively.

Population Size and Growth VariedAmong the Older Age Groups

Examining the growth of 10-year

age groups within the older population

shows that 85- to 94-year-olds

experienced the fastest growth between

2000 and 2010. This group grew by

29.9 percent, increasing from 3.9

million to 5.1 million.

Among five-year age groups in the

older population, 65- to 69-year-olds

grew the fastest. This age group grew

by 30.4 percent, rising from 9.5

million to 12.4 million. The 65- to 69-

year-old group is expected to grow

more rapidly over the next decade as

the first baby boomers start turning 65

in 2011.

The only older-population age

group to decline between 2000 and

2010 was the 75- to 79-year-old age

group. This group decreased by 1.3

percent from 7.4 million to 7.3

million. The changes in this group

mainly reflect the relatively low

number of births during the early

1930s as fewer numbers of people

entered these ages between 2000 and

2010.

Population of Older MenIncreased at a More Rapid Rate

than Older Women

While women continue to

outnumber men in the older ages, men

have continued to close the gap over

the decade by increasing at a faster rate

than women.

The largest growth rate for a 10-year

age group within the older population

was for men 85 to 94 years old (46.5

percent). Women in this age group also

increased but to a smaller degree (22.9

percent).

In the 2010 census, there were

approximately twice as many women as

men at age 89. This doubling point

occurred about four years older than it

did in 2000 and six years older than it

did in 1990, illustrating the narrowing

gap in mortality between men and

women at the older ages.

> In the 2010 census, there were

53,364 centenarians (people

100 and older), an increase of

5.8 percent since 2000.

> The number of people 65 and

older more than doubled in

21 counties in the United

States.

> Approximately 1.3 million

people 65 and older—or 3.1

percent of this population—

lived in skilled-nursing

facilities in 2010.

> In 2010, the states with the

highest percentage of people

over age 65 were:

Florida – 17.3 percent

West Virginia – 16 percent

Maine – 15.9 percent

Pennsylvania – 15.4 percent

Iowa – 14.9 percent


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16th EditionNow Available!

This Year, Resolve to Do

Something DifferentIt’s January again. Have you made

your New Year’s resolutions yet? Maybe

this is the year to forget the boring,

routine promises you won’t keep.

Try resolving to be more creative in

2012 with these

resolutions:

Keep a journal.Spend a few minutes

every day or so

writing down your

thoughts, feelings,

dreams, and

ambitions—not your

daily schedule or your

upcoming

appointments. Let

your mind wander;

free-associate a little.

You may be surprised

at the ideas you

generate.

Read more. Vary your reading habits

and explore different topics. If you

usually read novels, try a biography. If

you read only history, try a book on

modern-day science. You’ll exercise your

mind and maybe find new connections

between ideas.

Learn something new. Take a class in

something unrelated to your job or your

hobbies—art, auto mechanics,

philosophy, etc. Mastering new skills can

refresh your outlook on life.

Meet new people.Make a positive effort to

make new friends this year

(or professional contacts).

Look for gatherings of

people whose interests

match yours, and network.

The more people you

know, the better equipped

you are to learn and grow.

Create something forthe heck of it. Paint a

picture, write a poem, or

start a garden—not

because you’ll get paid for

it, but because you want

to. You’ll find satisfaction in achieving

personal goals and motivation to keep

trying new things.

Volunteer. Find a cause you support,

and offer your time and service. You’ll

meet new people and enjoy the feeling of

helping out with an important cause.

A New YearThe old year is over,It’s time to be sober,A New Year lies ahead.

No time to dread the past,Because that time won’t lastNow is the time for you to shine,You can make a differenceIn a new place in time.

Give it all you got to get to the top.Let your love shine for all mankind.Make the New Year a new world for all,Do your best and you’ll stand tall.

The old year is over,So, do what you doDay in and day out,Just let it all come out!

Be brave and have no fear,Your New Year is here,Follow the cheer and you willHave a happy New Year!

Written and submitted byLeigh P. Hoffman


1. Rapids transit

6. ___ print

10. Arizona’s governor, tofriends

13. Toothpick fruit

14. Defiant one

15. Arapaho foe

16. 1966 Beatles hit

19. Alexei’s father, for one

20. Times to call, inclassifieds

21. Sweet drink

22. Blue eyes or baldness, e.g.

24. Endings for ecto- andproto-

26. Zesty

29. Hollywood pole

30. Nymph

31. Almanac tidbit

32. Latin “I”

35. 1963 Beatles tune

39. Nonclerical

40. Squander

41. ___ the moment

42. Splendor

43. Ridges

45. Wets

48. Analyze, in a way

49. Neurotransmission site

50. Commend

51. 100 paisa

55. Songwritingpartnership

59. College frat.

60. Newspaper chain

61. Skip off

62. Put away

63. Watering holes

64. Garment slits

1. Egyptian Christian

2. Wistful word

3. Mangrove palm

4. Upset

5. Ballad’s end?

6. Side

7. Exasperates

8. ___ Age

9. Bobble

10. Asian plants

11. Special Forces unit

12. Uncool candies?

14. Lifeboat support

17. Vetch or lupin

18. Prayer leader

23. Optical phenomenon

24. Somewhat, in music

25. Mythological plants

26. Murphy Brown bar owner

27. Part of the Corn Belt

28. Jetty

29. Aircraft compartment

31. Elite group

32. Broadcast

33. Palestinian city

34. Half of binary code

36. Offering

37. Some jazz

38. Move

42. Ivy League team

43. Trick

44. Organic compound

45. Model material

46. College leave

47. Gift recipient

48. They remainedundefeated by theRomans

50. “Time’s a-wastin’!”

52. Bartlett’s abbr.

53. Set aside

54. Roll call calls

56. It’s a wrap

57. Prefix with profit

58. King’s title: abbr.

Across

Down

By Myles Mellor and Sally York

WORD SEARCH

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 16

Would you like to see your ad here? Sponsor the Puzzle Page!

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


May 8, 20129 a.m. – 2 p.m.

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Presented by:

&

Back in the days of stock ticker

machines, standardized company

abbreviations or ticker symbols

reduced the costs of quotations ticked

across telegraph lines.

Although ticker tape was an early

casualty to the electronic revolution,

ticker symbols remain. Most are staid

abbreviations: WMT for Walmart, LLY

for Eli Lily, and MAT for Mattel.

But a few companies show a fun-

loving spirit.

Take Steinway Piano, whose LVB

ticker symbol honors Ludwig van

Beethoven.

When you’re ready to invest in the

Avis Budget group, look to what it

rents—CARS. Likewise, Barnes and

Noble reminds us that they sell BKS.

The scientists at the genetic engineering

firm Genentech showed that they can

crack a joke as well as the human

genome when they settled on DNA for

their ticker symbol.

Restaurant chains seem hungry for

laughs: PZZA (Papa John’s), BUNZ

(Schlotzsky’s deli) and YUM for

Yum Brands, which owns

KFC, Pizza Hut,

Taco Bell, and

Long John

Silver’s. Or

maybe you’re

just hungry.

In that case,

EAT with

Brinker

International,

which includes

Chili’s and

Maggiano’s among its

restaurant brands.

How about a beer with your meal?

Ask for one by name. There’s BUD

(Anheuser Busch) or SAM (Boston

Brewing, maker of Samuel Adams). If

you like draft beer, get it on TAP

(Molson Coors Brewing).

Vroom vroom. Kick start your portfolio

with HOG (Harley-Davidson).

Sotheby’s Auction House’s

symbol (BID) explains

how they make

money. With a

heart in its

logo,

Southwest

Airlines

(LUV) must

love its ticker

symbol, too.

Shuffle Master

(SHFL) makes—what

else? Automatic card

shufflers. FACE stands for Physician

Formula Beauty Products, CHIC for

Charlotte Russe women’s wear shops, and

EYE for Advanced Medical Optics.

Majesco Entertainment (COOL), a

video-game maker, has been anything

but cool for investors lately. TILT might

be a more accurate symbol based on its

stock prices.

Pet Sounds is not just an old Beach

Boys album. They emanate from Wall

Street through veterinary chain VCA

(WOOF) and exchange traded fund

Market Vector Agribusiness (MOO).

While the ticker symbol theoretically

has no effect on a company’s

performance, some people believe that a

clever symbol helps to draw attention to

a stock, like an enticing book cover

attracts a browser. Not every analyst

agrees. Hugh Johnson, of Johnson

Illington Advisors, is quoted as saying,

“It’s interesting. But not much more than

that.”

Sometimes investors just want to have

FUN. In that case, they should check out

Cedar Fair, LP, which runs amusement

parks across the country.

Tickled Ticker Symbols

Silver Threads

W.E. Reinka


Please return your completed entry form byFebruary 20, 2012 to:

50plus Senior News3912 Abel Drive • Columbia, PA 17512

Your Name __________________________________________________

Address ____________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Phone ______________________________________________________This information is strictly confidential.

Where do you frequent for:Breakfast _____________________________________

Lunch ________________________________________

Dinner _______________________________________

Ethnic Cuisine _________________________________

Celebrating ___________________________________

Bakery _______________________________________

Coffeehouse __________________________________

Fast Food _____________________________________

Seafood ______________________________________

Steak ________________________________________

Outdoor Dining _______________________________

Romantic Setting ______________________________

Smorgasbord/Buffet ___________________________

Caterer _______________________________________

Who Has the Best Bitesin Central PA?

Help 50plus Senior News celebrate the local

eateries that deserve national fame!

Cook’s Note: In Cincinnati, the famous chili restaurants serve so much

cheese on top that everything else is hidden. For four servings of

five-way chili, you will need the following:

12 ounces spaghetti, cooked, drained, and kept warm

1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 to 1 cup chopped onion

2 to 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese

When I make two servings, I freeze the remaining chili for another meal.

Reduce the toppings if you are only preparing for two.

Copyright by Pat Sinclair. Pat Sinclair announced the publication of her second

cookbook, Scandinavian Classic Baking (Pelican Publishing), in February 2011.

This book has a color photo of every recipe. Her first cookbook, Baking Basicsand Beyond (Surrey Books), won the 2007 Cordon d’Or from the Culinary Arts

Academy. Contact her at http://PatCooksandBakes.blogspot.com

Serves 4 to 6

2 pounds lean ground beef

1 cup chopped onion

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2 cans (14.5 ounces) stewed tomatoes

1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce

1 cup beef broth

1 to 2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon coarse salt

½ teaspoon ground cumin

Brown ground beef, onions, and garlic in 5-quart Dutch oven. Stir

occasionally to help browning. Pour off any fat. Add stewed tomatoes,

tomato sauce, and broth.

Combine chili powder, cocoa, cinnamon, salt, and cumin into a

small bowl. Stir into beef mixture. Heat chili to a boil over medium-

high heat. Reduce heat to low; simmer 30 minutes, stirring

occasionally. Chili can be prepared ahead and refrigerated until serving.

Reheat chili if needed. To serve Cincinnati style, serve with

spaghetti, beans, onion, and lots of cheddar cheese.

Cincinnati ChiliBy Pat Sinclair

Warm chili is the perfect winter supper. Cincinnati’s five-way chili is famous,

and many “fast-food” restaurants feature it.

Skyline Chili is the best known and is no longer limited to Cincinnati.

Chocolate and spices make the flavor different from standard chili.

Serve three-way, four-way, or five-way chili for a hearty meal. Five-way chili

starts with meat sauce and is built with spaghetti, kidney beans, chopped

onion, and lots of shredded cheddar cheese. Serve it with oyster crackers.


Locations in Dauphin, Lancaster & York counties

315 W. James St., #101, Lancaster, PA

717-393-0511 • 1-800-676-7846

Hey ...nice legs!

Subscribe online at

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Never Miss Another Issue!

Pu

zzle

s sh

ow

n o

n p

age

13

Puz

zle

So

luti

on

s

The role of grandparents has

undergone complications over

the past several decades. Among

them are families geographically

separated, families that have expanded

through the inclusion of step-

grandparents, and evolving practices on

the care and feeding of babies and

toddlers.

Let’s begin with the latter

complication. Those of us born prior to

1946 may have been raised under the

influence of a Dr. John B. Watson,

whose popular book, Psychological Care of

Infant and Child, advised parents to be

firm with children, expect them to act

like young adults, and do not spoil them

with affection, hugs, and kisses.

In 1946 came Dr. Benjamin Spock’s

celebrated book, Baby and Child Care,

taking the opposite view—just in time

for the onslaught of the baby boomer

generation. The Spock book, which went

through several revisions by the time it

had sold more than 50 million copies in

2004 (translated into 39 languages), was

criticized by

some as

promoting

permissiveness

in child

development.

This brings

us to the

matter of the

stereotypical

grandparents,

who reputedly

overindulge

their

grandchildren,

conflicting with the parents who may

prefer more constraint.

Other divergent views between

contemporary parents and grandparents

regarding child rearing might center on

the question of which parent is primarily

responsible for childcare. Grandparents

may advocate the mother as the primary

caregiver, while

mothers today

generally believe

both parents

have a fully

shared

responsibility.

Grandparents

offering child-

rearing advice

may find

themselves at

odds with other

views held by

the parents,

perhaps involving childcare centers,

babysitters, the authority of a stepparent,

and nutritional choices.

Providing a good example to the

grandchildren can be a challenge. When

exceeding the speed limit in a 55 mph

zone, a common occurrence today, how

do you explain this rule-breaking to a

questioning child? Do you tease at the

emotional expense of the children or

anyone else in their company? Do you

thank a person who holds open a door

for you and yours?

Kids learn by example. They can make

better persons of grandparents by

creating in them an obligation to teach

by example.

Ideally, such trials are offset by

pleasures. Exercising with grandchildren

is much more common than in years

past. Today’s grandparents are more agile,

enrolling in fitness centers and enjoying

jogging, hiking, swimming, or biking.

We can relive some of our own

childhood by sharing the discoveries and

joy of the children. One of the main

responsibilities of being a grandparent is

to create happy memories.

Grandparenting: Agonies & Ecstasies

My 22 Cents’ Worth

Walt Sonneville


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Grandchildren accelerate our

perceptions of them. They change

rapidly as they grow into their formative

years, drawing us into maintaining a

relationship matching their progressive

development.

Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research

analyst, is the author of MY 22 CENTS’

WORTH: The Higher-Valued Opinion of aSenior Citizen, a book of personal-opinion

essays, free of partisan and sectarian

viewpoints. He recently completed the

manuscript for another book of essays, AMUSING MOMENT, scheduled for release

in January 2012. Contact him at

[email protected]

Book Review

Betcha Didn’t Know That!By Leon Castner & Brian Kathenes

Betcha Didn’t Know That! explores

the interesting world of antiques

and collectibles, sports

memorabilia, stamps, and dolls, among

others.

The book investigates interesting

artifacts, such as the rarest baseball card in

the world and the most popular soft drink

collectible. It differentiates itself, however,

in that it reveals the real stories about why

we collect things, uncovering the human

and humorous side of the story.

The unusual items

included in the book will

surprise and astound you.

They will also give you

insight into their creation and

use and provide historical

context, human predicament,

and comical delight.

Betcha Didn’t Know That! is

available at

www.betchabook.com and

Amazon.com.

About the Authors

Leon Castner is a

lifelong appraiser of

personal property, a writer,

and a speaker. He is also a

registered contractor and

has provided major

appraisals for the U.S

Marshals Office, the

attorney general, and the

FDIC, among others.

Brian Kathenes, co-author and

appraiser, has appraised items ranging

from the Nixon Watergate papers, the

Batmobile, and memorabilia from the

movie Titanic. He was also the on-air

television appraiser and technology

consultant for the Discovery Channel’s

collectibles show, POP NATION:

America’s Coolest Stuff.

Together, Castner and Kathenes host a

weekly radio program, Value This!

Calling All AuthorsIf you have written and published a book and would like 50plus Senior News to feature a Book Review, please submit a synopsis

of the book (350 words or fewer) and a short autobiography (80 words or fewer). A copy of the book is required for review. Discretion is advised.

Please send to: On-Line Publishers, Inc., Megan Joyce, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. For more information, please email [email protected].


• Breakfast with Ben Barber and News with Dennis Edwards

• John Tesh with Music and Intelligence for Your Workday

• Bruce Collier & The Drive Home

• Mike Huckabee Three Times Daily

WE PLAY OVER1500 GREAT SONGS!

Harrisburg’sOldies Channel!

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By Sherra Zavitsanos

Question: I recently applied for areplacement Social Security card, but Imight be moving before it arrives inthe mail. What do I do if I move beforeI get it?

Answer: Once we have verified all

your documents and processed your

application, it takes approximately 10 to

14 days to receive your replacement

Social Security card.

If you move after applying for your

new card, notify the post office of your

change of address and the post office will

forward your card to your new address. If

you do not receive your card, please

contact your local Social Security office.

To get another replacement, you will

have to resubmit your evidence of

identity and U.S. citizenship or your

lawful immigration status and authority

to work. You can learn more at

www.socialsecurity.gov.

Question: What’s the averagemonthly Social Security benefit for a

retired worker?Answer: The current average monthly

Social Security benefit for a retired

worker is about $1,164. Social Security

benefits are based on earnings averaged

over most of a

worker’s lifetime.

To learn more

about how

retirement benefits

are calculated, or

to get an

immediate and

personalized

estimate based on

your earnings

record, visit us

online at

www.socialsecurity.gov.

Question: I am nearing my fullretirement age, but I plan to keepworking after I apply for SocialSecurity benefits. Will my benefits bereduced because of my income?

Answer: No. If you apply for benefits

once you’ve reached your full retirement

age, you can work while you receive

Social Security and your current benefit

will not be reduced because of the earned

income.

If you keep working, it could mean a

higher benefit for you in

the future. Higher benefits

can be important to you

later in life and increase

the future benefit amounts

your survivors could

receive.

If you receive benefits

before your full retirement

age, your earnings could

reduce your monthly

benefit amount. After you

reach full retirement age,

we recalculate your benefit amount to

leave out the months when we reduced

or withheld benefits due to your excess

earnings.

You can learn more by reading our

publication, How Work Affects Your

Benefits, at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/

10069.html.

Question: I get SupplementalSecurity Income (SSI) because I amelderly and have no income. My sisterrecently died and left me the moneyshe had in a savings account. Will thisextra money affect my SSI benefits?

Answer: The money inherited from

your sister is considered income for the

month you receive it and could make

you ineligible for that month, depending

on the amount of the inheritance.

If you keep the money into the next

month, it then becomes a part of your

resources. You cannot have more than

$2,000 in resources to remain eligible for

SSI benefits.

Call Social Security at (800) 772-1213

(TTY, (800) 325-0778) to report the

inheritance. A representative will tell you

how your eligibility and payment amount

might be affected. Learn more by visiting

us online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Sherra Zavitsanos is the Social Security

public affairs specialist in Harrisburg.

“If you apply for

benefits once

you’ve reached

your full retirement

age, you can work

while you receive

Social Security.

“

New Year, New Questions

Social Security News

Five Locations To Serve You Throughout Lancaster & Dauphin County

Coble-Reber F.H.

208 N. Union St.

Middletown, PA 17057

Brendan J. McGlone,

Supervisor

(717) 944-7413

Spacht F.H.

127 S. Broad St.

Lititz, PA 17543

Stephen J. Montpetit,

Supervisor

(717) 626-2317

Fred F. Groff, Inc.

234 W. Orange Street

Lancaster, PA 17603

Michele DeRosa,

Supervisor

(717) 397-8255

Boyer F. H.

144 E. High Street

Elizabethtown, PA 17022

Kristine M. Bostian,

Supervisor

(717) 367-1380

Smedley F. H.

29 N. Gay Street

Marietta, PA 17547

Richard D. Smedley,

Supervisor

(717) 426-3614

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Lancaster County

Calendar of EventsCocalico Senior Association – (717) 336-7489

Jan. 3, 10 a.m. – Visit to Adamstown Library

Jan. 11, 8:15 a.m. – Hot Breakfast with Lee Arment

Jan. 31, 6 p.m. – Senior Social

Columbia Senior Center – (717) 684-4850

Jan. 10, 10:15 a.m. – Music with Honey & Nelson

Jan. 13, 10:15 a.m. – Program on Medicare Fraud

Jan. 23, 10:15 a.m. – Line and Square Dancing

Elizabethtown Senior Center – (717) 367-7984

Weekdays, 8:30 a.m. – Walking in the Gym

Tuesdays, noon – Pickleball

Wednesdays, 11:30 a.m. – Badminton

Lancaster House North – (717) 299-1278

Thursdays, noon to 3 p.m. – Happy Hearts Club Pinochle

Lancaster Neighborhood Senior Center – (717) 299-3943

Jan. 3, 9:30 a.m. – Learning Spanish

Jan. 5, 10 a.m. – Blanket Bingo

Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m. – Program on Winter Care

Lancaster Rec. Center – (717) 392-2115, ext. 147

Fridays, 12:30 to 3 p.m. – Happy Hearts Club Bridge

Lititz Senior Center – (717) 626-2800

Jan. 5, 10:30 a.m. – Program by Musical Arts Society

Jan. 12, 10:30 a.m. – “Wildlife Adventure” by Vernon Boose

Jan. 25, 8:45 a.m. – Hot Breakfast

LRC Senior Center – (717) 399-7671

Thursdays, 9 a.m. – Chi Gung

Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – Cell Phone Instructions

Jan. 20, 9 a.m. – Penn State Nutrition Program

Luis Munoz Marin Senior Center – (717) 295-7989

Jan. 6, 10 a.m. – “Three Kings” Celebration

Jan. 11, 10 a.m. – “How to Handle Stressful Situations”

Jan. 18, 10 a.m. – “How to Take Full Advantage of Your

Healthcare Plan”

Millersville Senior Center – (717) 871-9600

Jan. 9, 10 a.m. – Country Music by Jay Eddie

Jan. 25, 10 a.m. – Music by Country Rhythm Band

Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – Penn State Nutrition Program

Next Gen Senior Center – (717) 786-4770

Wednesdays, 9:30 a.m. – Bible Study

Jan. 24, 10:30 a.m. – Karaoke

Jan. 31, 10:30 a.m. – Winter Movie Day

Rodney Park Center – (717) 393-7786

Tuesdays, 1 to 3 p.m. – Happy Hearts Club Pinochle and Bingo

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

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.

Jan. 15 and 18, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. – “Let’s Go Tracking,” Chickies Rock

Jan. 26, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Owl Prowl

Jan. 29, 2:30 to 4 p.m. – Mill Creek Loop Walk, Parking Lot Across from Exhibit Farm Road

Programs and Support Groups Free and open to the public

Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.Red Rose Singles MeetingFarm & Home Center

1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster

(717) 397-2047

Jan. 8, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.Pennsylvania Music ExpoContinental Inn

2285 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster

(717) 898-1246

www.recordcollectors.org

Jan. 9, 10 to 11 a.m.Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support GroupGarden Spot Village – Concord Room

433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland

(717) 355-6076

[email protected]

Jan. 17, 6:15 p.m.Red Rose Singles Dine OutPark City Diner

884 Plaza Blvd., Lancaster

(717) 397-2047

Jan. 19, noonBrain Tumor Support GroupLancaster General Health Campus

Wellness Center

2100 Harrisburg Pike, Lancaster

(717) 626-2894

Jan. 20, 6 to 9 p.m.Music Fridays200 and 300 Blocks of

North Queen Street

24 W. Walnut St., Lancaster

(717) 341-0028

Jan. 23, 2 to 3 p.m.Parkinson’s Support GroupGarden Spot Village – Concord Room

433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland

(717) 355-6259

[email protected]

Jan. 25, 6 to 8 p.m.Epilepsy Foundation of EasternPennsylvania Support GroupLancaster General Hospital

Stager Room 5

555 N. Duke St., Lancaster

(800) 887-7165, ext. 104

Adamstown Area Library, 3000 N. Reading Road, Adamstown, (717) 484-4200

Columbia Public Library, 24 S. Sixth St., Columbia, (717) 684-2255

Eastern Lancaster County Library, 11 Chestnut Drive, New Holland, (717) 354-0525

Elizabethtown Public Library, 10 S. Market St., Elizabethtown, (717) 367-7467

Ephrata Public Library, 550 S. Reading Road, Ephrata, (717) 738-9291

Lancaster Public Library, 125 N. Duke St., Lancaster, (717) 394-2651

Lancaster Public Library Leola Branch, 46 Hillcrest Ave., Leola, (717) 656-7920

Lancaster Public Library Mountville Branch, 2 College Ave., Mountville, (717) 285-3231

Lititz Public Library, 651 Kissel Hill Road, Lititz, (717) 626-2255Jan. 5, 7 p.m. – Lititz Garden Club

Jan. 18, 7 p.m. – Genealogy Club

Jan. 26, 7 p.m. – Concert: Main Street Mystics

Manheim Community Library, 15 E. High St., Manheim, (717) 665-6700

Manheim Township Public Library, 2121 Oregon Pike, Suite 101, Lancaster, (717) 560-6441

Milanof-Schock Library, 1184 Anderson Ferry Road, Mount Joy, (717) 653-1510

Moores Memorial Library, 326 N. Bridge St., Christiana, (717) 593-6683

Pequea Valley Public Library, 3660 Old Philadelphia Pike, Intercourse, (717) 768-3160

Quarryville Library, 357 Buck Road, P.O. Box 678, Quarryville, (717) 786-1336

Strasburg-Heisler Library, 143 Precision Road, Strasburg, (717) 687-8969

Shuts Environmental Library, 3 Nature’s Way, Lancaster, (717) 295-2055

Senior Center Activities

If you have an event you would liketo include, please email information

to [email protected] forconsideration.


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Choices and Decisions

by Carl Nilsen

Dear Savvy Senior,

I know we will be getting a slight

increase in our Social Security checks this

year, but what about our Medicare costs?

What will the Medicare premiums and

deductibles cost seniors in 2012?

– Looking Ahead

Dear Looking,

The new Medicare premium,

deductible, and co-pay changes for 2012

were all announced several weeks ago and

the news was actually pretty good. Here’s

a breakdown of what retirees can expect

to pay for Medicare starting in January.

2012 PremiumsFor most Medicare beneficiaries who

enrolled in 2009 or earlier, your monthly

premiums for Part B (which covers

doctor visits and outpatient care) will

increase only $3.50 to $99.90 in 2012.

That’s much less than was predicted by

the government earlier in 2011.

The increase is the first in four years

for most people with Medicare, mainly

because of the federal law that freezes Part

B premiums when there’s no Social

Security cost-of-living adjustment

(COLA), which was the case in 2010 and

2011. But, Social Security recently

announced a 3.6 percent COLA for

2012.

That 3.6 percent increase will boost

monthly Social Security checks by an

average of about $43 for retirees next

year. So, even after your Part B premiums

get deducted from your Social Security

checks, you’ll still have about $40 more

every month.

The news for younger retirees is even

better. Medicare Part B beneficiaries that

enrolled in 2010 who’ve been paying

$110.50 per month, and those that

enrolled in 2011 who have been paying

$115.40 per month, will see their Part B

premiums go down to $99.90.

And for high-income beneficiaries

who’ve been paying higher Part B

premiums because their annual incomes

are more than $85,000 for individuals or

$170,000 for joint filers, they too will see

their monthly Part B premiums drop in

2012.

Here’s a breakdown of what they will

pay this year based on their income level.

• Individuals with incomes of $85,000 to

$107,000, or married couples filing joint

tax returns with incomes of $170,000 to

$214,000, will pay $139.90 per person

per month for Part B. That’s a $21.60

reduction from 2011’s premium.

• Individuals earning $107,000 to

$160,000, or married couples with

incomes of $214,000 to $320,000, will

pay $199.80—a $30.90 reduction.

• Individuals with incomes of $160,000

to $214,000, or couples with incomes of

$320,000 to $428,000, will pay

$259.70—a $40.20 reduction.

• Individuals over $214,000 or couples

above $428,000 will pay $319.70 each

per month for Part B. That’s $49.40 less

than 2011.

Other Medicare changes you need to

know about that will affect all

beneficiaries include the Part B

deductible, which will be $140 in 2012, a

decrease of $22. And the deductible for

Part A, which covers inpatient hospital

care, will rise by $24 to $1,156 this year.

For more information on all the

Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates

for 2012, see medicare.gov/cost or call

(800) 633-4227.

Help with Premiums If you’re a high-income beneficiary and

How Much You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2012

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

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CREATIVITY from page 1

Hoping to combine his two passions,

Williamson began playwriting, and thus

renewed his acting career. For the past

five years, he has done work at the

Fulton Theatre and Theatre of the

Seventh Sister, as well as his work with

Creative Works.

“I hooked up with Creative Works

because they seemed to be interested in

doing the same kind of material in

which I was interested,” said

Williamson. “People who are involved

in theater in any city all seem to know

each other, and there’s a lot of mutual

interest and support within a group like

that.”

Williamson’s leadership

responsibilities vary, however, from his

wide-ranging character roles on stage.

As board chair, Williamson jokes that

his role includes signing thank-you

letters to donors and speaking to the

press on occasion.

His diverse work has included: acting

in several Creative Works productions,

walking around with a sandwich board

with painting on it as part of a roaming

art gallery on First Friday, writing

material for last year’s Christmas

comedy show, creating sock puppets,

making arrangements for productions,

and running a freight elevator.

He regards the board as a group of

equals, sharing tasks accordingly.

“Creative Works is a real

collaborative effort, and everybody does

their part,” commented Williamson.

“One of our board members took

charge of getting all the sock puppets

constructed; another member wrote

brilliant lyrics to a song when we

needed one overnight; another takes

care of the business end; another the

legal question; and so on.”

Williamson also holds the role of

being the eldest member of the group;

however, his youthful ideas and insight

challenge this fact. Even though the

next oldest member is 20 years younger,

Williamson’s edgy ideas often keep

members guessing.

“Age really doesn’t matter when

you’re all working toward the same

goal,” said Williamson. “And you can

never predict anything on the basis of

age.”

And although Williamson could be

casted for retirement, the word is

unseen in his vocabulary.

“I got involved in Creative Works for

the same reason I would have gotten

involved with it if I’d been 40 years

younger—it was the chance to do new,

exciting, and meaningful work,” said

Williamson. “I can never see myself

retiring as a writer or as an actor, so I

might as well find new ways to make

what I do in those fields as much fun as

possible for me.”

In fact, Williamson believes there is

much to learn from the younger

population.

“We always say that the younger

population should learn from the

experiences of their elders. Well, it

works the other way as well,” said

Williamson. “You’re never too old to

learn something new. I’ve learned some

new ways of thinking and problem

solving by working with my younger

colleagues, and I’m hopeful they’ve

learned something from me.”

Similarly, one can never predict the

excitement and enjoyment of their

interest in Creative Works, no matter

what age. Creative Works recently

sponsored a 24-Hour Plays event, in

which six 10-minute plays were written,

rehearsed, and performed within 24

hours. The sold-out venue was packed

with play-goers of all ages.

“A major part of our mission is to

appeal to all ages, 50+ as well as people

in their 20s,” said Williamson. “If we

don’t, where are the theater-goers of

tomorrow going to come from?”

To get in touch with Chet

Williamson, check out his website at

chetwilliamson.com. For additional

information on Creative Works, visit

creativelancaster.org or call (717) 723-

8355.

your income has fallen since 2010 (the

tax year used to determine your 2012

premiums), you may be able to reduce or

eliminate your Medicare Part B premium

surcharge.

To qualify, your income loss must be

tied to a life-changing event, such as a

marriage or divorce, a job loss or reduced

work hours (including retirement), loss

of income from income-producing

property, or cuts in pension benefits. To

learn more, see ssa.gov/pubs/10536.html.

And for lower-income retirees who are

having a difficult time paying their

Medicare costs, help is available through

Medicare Savings Programs. These are

Medicaid-administered programs that

pay Part B premiums and, depending on

your finances, may even pick up the tab

on your copayments and deductibles.

To find out if you qualify, contact

your local Medicaid office—call (800)

633-4227 for contact information.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the

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


Each month, 50plus Senior News profiles one of your friends or neighbors on

its cover, and many of our best cover-profile suggestions have come from you,

our readers!

Do you or does someone you know have an interesting hobby or collection? A special passion or inspirational experience?

A history of dedicated volunteer work?

If so, tell us, and we’ll consider your suggestion for a future cover story!

Just fill out the questionnaire below and return it to 50plus Senior News, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512,

or email your responses to Megan Joyce, editor, at [email protected].

Your name:___________________________ Your address:_________________________________________________________________________

Your phone number/email address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Name of person nominated (if not you): _______________________________________________________________________________________

Please receive their permission to nominate them. Nominee’s age range: 50–59 60–69 70–79 80–89 90+

Why would you/your nominee make a great cover profile? _______________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 (717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240 50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Tea-ing is Believing

Preventive Measures

Wendell Fowler

Ever observe a restaurant patron

bearing their esoteric teabags and

requesting a pot of hot water?

“… And it better be hot, Bub!”

Tea is my cup of joe, diet cola, and

red wine—my “longevi-tea.” I am

thankful for my tenderly brewed tea leaf

friends, for if I am too cold, tea warms

me; if I’m too heated, it cools me down;

if I’m depressed, it cheers me; and when

excited, it mellows my harsh.

Charles Dickens wrote, “My dear, if

you could give me a cup of tea to clear

my muddle of a head, I should better

understand your affairs.” Tea touches our

souls—a stand-up celebration of

simplicity.

As a youthful food server, tea drinkers

were a pain in the teabag, since

maintaining a civilized cup-o-tea

required more responsiveness than

decanting a cup of java. Teabags need

refreshing and the pot of water must be

kept hot and frequently refilled.

“Waiter, where’s the lemon? Would

you please warm the teacup first with hot

water?” Servers instantly roll their eyes at

the “needy, nerdy tea snob.” Tea gets a

bad rap, despite its uber healthy mojo.

Japanese studies urge eight to 10 cups

of green tea per day to positively affect

cholesterol levels and generally reduce

risk for cardiovascular disease, whether

you smoke, drink, or are weighty. The

connection: Green teas and some black

teas contain the same nutrients and

antioxidants in red wine and cocoa that

undo the effects of a fatty diet and

smoking.

Purdue’s School of Consumer and

Family Sciences says drinking more than

four cups of green tea a day provides

enough active compounds to speed-

bump cancer cell growth—prevention in

a teacup.

Our family dentist noticed that our

cavities frequency declined, so when I

read that black or green tea (hot or cold)

aid digestion, are antibacterial, and

contain anti-aging properties, we had our

explanation. Once a day, I slush the

green tea around my mouth as I would a

mouthwash, becoming a bacterial mass-

murderer. The Dental Clinics of North

America explains that the ideal anti-

plaque agents in tea can eliminate

disease-causing bacteria, reducing plaque

and gingivitis.

Natural Health Magazine reports that

green tea (Camellia sinensis) contains

catechins, which destroy bacterial bugs

that cause bad breath. Those bugs turn

sugar into a sticky colony of living

bacteria, sugars, proteins, and cavity-

causing acid when they come in contact

with sugary or starchy foods.

Malty, smoky, full-bodied, aromatic

green tea comes from the leaves of the

tea tree. For centuries, woodsy green tea

has been produced from leaves that

laborers handled gently and heated soon

after harvesting.

By contrast, black tea leaves are

vigorously rolled to make them release a

particular enzyme and are then left to sit

for a few hours, during which time the

enzymes interact with oxygen, causing

the leaves to develop a heartier flavor and

a darker hue.

Join me this year and become a tea

snob. Invite your “nerdy” friends over to

share a freshly brewed pot of tea graced

with raw, local honey.

As you’ve deduced, a wee bit of tea is

good for thee, accompanied by a little

sympathy. Preparing tea is the ceremony

of pouring all one’s attention into the

predefined, patient method. The process

isn’t about drinking tea as much as it is

about the aesthetics of preparing a bowl

of tea from the love from one’s heart.

Wendell Fowler is a retired chef turned

motivational speaker and the author of EatRight, Now! and Earth Suit MaintenanceManual. Contact him at

[email protected].


As of 2010, almost 15 millionseniors were on Facebook.

In 2012, it’s time we give yousomething new to “like.”

Just stop by

and “like” us to receive

a free 6-month subscription!

Plus, you’ll receive event updates,

story links, and more!

50plus Senior Newsis now on Facebook!

www.facebook.com/50plusSeniorNews

This Month in History:January

Events

• Jan. 5, 1972 – President Richard Nixon

signed a bill approving $5.5 billion over

six years to build and test the NASA

space shuttle.

• Jan. 10, 1863 – The world’s first

underground railway service, the

Metropolitan line between Paddington

and Farringdon, opened in London.

• Jan. 22, 1901 – Queen Victoria of

England died after reigning for 64 years,

the longest reign in British history,

during which England had become the

most powerful empire in the world.

Birthdays

• Jan. 1 – American patriot Paul Revere

(1735-1818) was born in Boston, Mass.

He is best known for his ride on the

night of April 18, 1775, warning

Americans of British plans to raid

Lexington and Concord.

• Jan. 8 – Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was

born in Mississippi.

• Jan. 31 – Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)

was born in Georgia. He was the first

African-American to play professional

baseball. He played for the Brooklyn

Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, was

chosen as the National League’s most

valuable player in 1949, and was elected

to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.


Can you belt it out like nobody’s business?

Do you belong on Dancing with the Stars ?

Are you wild and crazy like Steve Martin?

Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the seventh annual

PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition!

Auditions held at regional locations

Win a limousine trip to New York City

with dinner and a Broadway show!

For more information or an application:

717.285.1350 www.SeniorIdolPA.com

Brought to you by: Presented by:

Tues., April 24Body Zone

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Wyomissing, PA 19610

Wed., May 2Broadway Classics

Theatre at theHarrisburg Mall3501 Paxton Street

Harrisburg, PA 17111

Wed., April 25York Little

Theatre27 South Belmont St.

York, PA 17403

Thurs., May 3The Heritage

Hotel Lancaster500 Centerville Road

Lancaster, PA 17601NEW

LOCATION!

lancaster county 50plus senior news jan. 2012

Documents

crows allcawing

crows emotion

andthe crows

crows dontlike hawks

chet williamson

williamson remainsactive

local community

local bird community