Janice Ballenger, volunteer EMT and former deputy coroner. The local ambulanceassociation was on the scene with Ballenger during the aftermath of the shooting at the

West Nickel Mines School in October 2006.

How to Fight AgeDiscriminationpage 6

Costars RememberElvis the Actorpage 10

Inside:

By Chelsea Peifer

Whenever Janice Ballenger’s name was listed on the schedule as deputycoroner, the 911 dispatchers joked that they knew they were in for ademanding day.“My initial years as deputy coroner were filled with a lot of horrific calls,”

said Ballenger. “Scenes that I can never erase from my mind.”Ballenger, 62, had been working at a bank for 23 years when she read a

headline stating a need for volunteers for emergency situations—noexperience necessary.She began volunteering as a vehicle rescue technician before becoming an

emergency medical technician and then serving as her county’s first femaledeputy coroner from 2004 to 2008.“It was quite the struggle to balance working full time, volunteering as an

EMT, and doing deputy coroner calls 24 hours a week,” Ballenger said. “Theamount of time that is required to be a volunteer is unbelievable.”Ballenger volunteered for nearly 20 years. While beginning in her 40s was

a “late start,” she said that just proves that it is never too late to follow yourdreams.Volunteers are the world’s greatest unsung heroes, and many people have

no idea how much money is saved thanks to volunteer efforts, said Ballenger.“If I could say something to those aspiring to enter any of these fields, it

Volunteer EMT, Former Deputy

Coroner Heals by Writing Memoir

Penning a‘New Normal’

Lebanon County Edition January 2015 Vol. 10 No. 1

please see NEW NORMAL page 15

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

from

Year of the Sheep

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2015!

Simply mail this form and $12 for an annual subscription to:

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Jan. 24 – The criminal trial of O.J. Simpson began inCalifornia. On Oct. 3, the Los Angeles jury found him notguilty of the murders of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson,and her friend, Ronald Goldman. A civil court would award awrongful-death judgment against Simpson in 1997.

April 19 – A car bomb detonated outside the MurrahFederal Building in Oklahoma City, Okla., killing 168 people.Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols were later convicted ofthe antigovernment plot to avenge the Branch Davidianstandoff in Waco, Texas, exactly two years prior.

Oct. 16 – The Million Man March, a political demonstrationto promote African-American unity and family values, drewhundreds of thousands of African-American men toWashington, D.C. Louis Farrakhan organized the event;speakers included Jesse Jackson, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks.

Dear Readers,Notice anything different on this issue’s front cover? It’s been 20 years since

the first issue of 50plus Senior News hit newsstands, and some traces of a rich,green hue signal the arrival of our “emerald anniversary”! A lot has changed for us in two decades. 50plus Senior News has expanded

to encompass six counties in Central Pennsylvania. Its contents now “come tolife” at six annual 50plus EXPOs. This publication that began as a humble yet passionate local effort to bring

news and entertainment to Central Pennsylvania’s seniors has gone on to garnerdozens of national awards.The designs of our logo, pages, and cover have evolved over the years, but

our commitment to serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50-plus communityhas stayed the same.Keep an eye out in the coming months for some special retrospective

features as we peek back at our beginnings in 1995—while still focusing on2015 and the exciting future ahead.

Happy New Year,

Donna Anderson, President On-Line Publishers, Inc.

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

Poison Control Center

(800) 222-1222

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

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

Interventional Vein & Vascular Institute

(844) 438-4884

Kidney Foundation

(717) 652-8123

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

(717) 652-6520

Lupus Foundation

(888) 215-8787

Hearing & Ear Care Center

200 Schneider Drive, Suite 1, Lebanon

(717) 274-3851

Melnick, Moffitt, and Mesaros

927 Russell Drive, Lebanon

(717) 274-9775

Pennsylvania Office for the Deaf and Hard

of Hearing

(800) 233-3008 V/TTY

Good Samaritan Hospital

252 S. Fourth St., Lebanon

(717) 270-7500

Medical Society of Lebanon County

(717) 270-7500

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 & Resources

Program (HARP)

(717) 273-9328

Lebanon County Housing &

Redevelopment Authorities

(717) 274-1401

Lebanon HOPES

(717) 274-7528, ext. 3201

Country Acres Manufactured Home Park, LP

1600 Kercher Ave., Myerstown

(717) 866-5496

Medicare Hotline

(800) 638-6833

Pennsylvania Bar Association

(717) 238-6715

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging

(717) 273-9262

CVS/pharmacy

www.cvs.com

StoneRidge Retirement Living

440 E. Lincoln Ave., Myerstown

(717) 866-3204

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

Governor’s Veterans Outreach

(717) 234-1681

Lebanon VA Medical Center

1700 S. Lincoln Ave., Lebanon

(717) 228-6000 or (800) 409-8771

RSVP of Capital Region, Inc.

(717) 847-1539

RSVP Lancaster County

(717) 847-1539

RSVP Lebanon County

(717) 454-8956

RSVP York County

(443) 619-3842

Volunteer Opportunities

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50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc.and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirementcommunities, 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 ofadvertisements for products or services does not constitute anendorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will notbe responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within fivedays of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reviseor reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may bereproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.

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PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERDonna K. Anderson

EDITORIALVICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING EDITOR

Christianne RuppEDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS

Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENTPROJECT COORDINATORRenee McWilliamsPRODUCTION ARTIST

Janys Cuffe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTACCOUNT EXECUTIVESAngie McComsey Jacoby

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EVENTS MANAGER

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Member of

Awards

Winner

Pete Billis was born in Greece.His home was the island ofChios, one of those

picturesque Greek islands that todaydraw millions of tourists to sharetheir beauty.In 1970, however, his dad found

the U.S. a lot more attractive, andhe, with his wife and three children,left for Central Pennsylvania. Whyhere? “Because that’s where my dad’s

sister and friends of our family wereliving,” Billis says.The area quickly became home to

Billis, and he was soon speakingEnglish without an accent. Aftergraduation from McCaskey HighSchool in 1982, he enteredMillersville University, graduating in1986. He then “wanted to do something

for his country and to see theworld,” as he puts it. So he enlistedin the Air Force.He had basic training in Texas at

Lackland Air Force Base. Whilethere, an Air Force master sergeanthe knew suggested that he take in-flight refueling as a career field. Normally, you had to complete a

more basic assignment for three ormore years after basic training beforerequesting assignment to in-flightrefueling, but a special Air Forceprogram briefly opened the programup, and Billis took it.After air crew training at

Sheppard AFB in Texas, and thenland- and water-survival training atFairchild AFB in Washington, he wasassigned to advanced training as anin-flight fueling specialist at CastleAFB in California. Upon graduation, he was qualified

to fly in KC-135 Stratotankers asthey refueled aircraft in flight. Hewas home-based at Grissom AFB inIndiana while flying missions inmany parts of the world.The KC-135 was the Air Force’s

first jet-powered refueling tanker. Itwas needed in order to keep up withthe speed of the Air Force’s new jetfighters and bombers. Holding more than 30,000

gallons of aviation fuel, it was able to

transfer the fuel in flight that ourbombers and fighters needed inorder to extend their range for longflights or, for the fighters, to extendthe loiter time on station.The fuel was transferred through a

boom at the tail section of the KC-135, with the receiving plane onlyfeet from the tail of the tanker. Thepilot of the KC-135 and thereceiving airplane had to carefullymaintain exactly the same speed andposition throughout the refueling. The boom operator of the KC135

lay on his belly while he peered out asmall window and carefullymaneuvered the boom through asmall port near the nose of theairplane following behind and belowhim. At that time, the success of themission was literally in his hands.

Did it take a lot of skill to do hisjob? “Not according to the Air Force

after all the training they gave us,”Billis says with a grin. “But livesdepended on our ability to do itright. Both bombers and interceptorsroutinely flew missions that requiredin-flight refueling. And thathappened around the world.” Did Billis ever have a time when

things didn’t go well? “Well,” he reflects, “there was one

time when our F-16s were scrambledto meet Russian bombers off Icelandthat were trying to penetraterestricted airspace. It was nighttime,and we were at 30,000 feet when Ineeded to refuel an F-16 whose lighton the receiving port had failed, andI had to find the port in the dark. “It was touch and go, but

fortunately, I was able to handle that,and the F-16 pilot was saved from astark experience, since the F-16s,because of the foulest weather atIceland, had to fly on to England toland after the mission.”Often they were called upon to

refuel the AWACS aircraft we used inorder to conduct missions in Iranand Afghanistan. And they weresometimes tasked to fuel aircraftbeing flown in efforts to control drugtrafficking.In October 1993, Billis, by then a

sergeant, was discharged and camehome to Central Pennsylvania. Hebecame a distributor of PepperidgeFarm products, and then in 2002established his own eBay business,selling collectibles, mostly stamps andcoins.Asked what he thinks about his

years in the Air Force, he says, “Theywere wonderful years. I met some ofthe finest people in this world. Infact, one of my greatest regrets is thatI didn’t stay in until retirement. “It’s not that I’m not happy now

… but for me, the Air Force was awonderful and very special place tobe.”

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

In an Air Force Plane, He Brought theGas to You … 30,000 Gallons at a Time

Robert D. Wilcox

Salute to a Veteran

Sgt. Peter Billis in the pilot’scompartment of a KC-135 Stratotanker.

Sgt. Billis on leave in 1992.

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

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Did This Player Deserveto Be Tossed

from the Casino?

Deal Me InBy Mark Pilarski

Dear Mark: I know that you haveclearly stated multiple times in yourcolumn that casinos do not cheat. I amstill leery of your belief. I guess myquestion is: Who monitors the casinoto ensure their slot machines are on theup-and-up? – Jared J.

Every state that offers land-basedcasinos has some form of a gamingregulatory agency that provides you, thecasino patron, with protection fromplaying on a rigged machine.Let’s begin with the machine itself.

Each new slot machine goes throughroughly a six-month process to beapproved before it hits the casino floor.A state’s gaming regulatory agency tests

the machine to make sure that it operatesrandomly by scrutinizing how it selectsthe reel stops on a slot machine. The agency does a thorough inspection

of the machine’s source code for anypossible problems and then peeks at theprinciples behind how the randomgeneration occurs. Only then is the machine placed out

in the field (casino) for more testingbefore final approval.After the proverbial two thumbs up,

the manufacturer can then sell thatconfiguration of that slot machine to thecasino. Testing then continues once themachine is placed into operation.For starters, the machine will run self-

tests to make sure it hasn’t been tamperedwith; plus, it makes sure it runs withincertain parameters—meaning it doesn’tpay out too little or too much. These internal tests also look out for

the casino’s best interest in that they makesure the slot machine isn’t susceptible tocheating.In most (if not all) states, machines are

also subject to random spot checks inwhich someone from gaming verifies thata machine is identical to the approvedconfiguration, it has not been tamperedwith, and the chips in the machine matchthe reference chips approved by theagency.Agents in the field show up

unannounced and armed with a laptopcomputer that has a database of all thechip signatures. Each chip has a codenumber that contains all its attributes,including its return percentages.

Agents will know on the spot if thechip is legit by inserting the chip intotheir specialized laptop; it reads the chipand all its contents to certify that it is anapproved value chip. Any hanky panky (Tommy James and

the Shondells, 1966), and we’re talkingthe possible loss of a gaming license.Besides, most casinos today are publiclytraded companies not interested inexposing their gaming license to loss withany suspicion of monkey business goingon.Furthermore, in some states, casinos

can’t even access the logic boards in theirmachines. Only the gaming authority caneither make the change or witness theswap.Some states do allow casinos to make

variations to slot machines under thatstate’s regulations. By variations, I meaneither a paytable modification or a chipswap inside a machine to make it returnmore or less. As long as “approved” chips are used,

and the payback is within the minimumlimit set by each state’s law, it is legit.Another reason the slot machine is on

the up-and-up is that every machineoffered is mathematically in the casino’sfavor. It is the way they make theirmoolah—by paying you less than the trueodds on every machine on the casinofloor. Why cheat? There isn’t any need to

swindle you beyond what the statealready allows them via the casino hold.They don’t call slot machines “one-armedbandits” for nothin’.Please take into account, Jared, that

my above answer is to some degreegeneralized. Each gaming jurisdictionmay use a slightly different approach, butyou can rest assured that who’s watchingwhom is watching out for you.

Gambling Wisdom of the Month: “Slotmachines are the cotton candy and theMcDonald’s of the casino. Everyoneknows that they’re bad for you, but fewcan resist their junk-food appeal.” –Andrew Brisman

Mark Pilarski is a recognized authority oncasino gambling, having survived 18 years inthe casino trenches. Pilarski is the creator ofthe bestselling, award-winning audio bookseries on casino gambling, Hooked onWinning. www.markpilarski.com

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

Your guide to choosing the right living

and care options for you or a loved one.

19th Edition Now Available!

• Active adult and residential living

• Independent and retirement living communities

• Assisted living residences and personal care homes

• Nursing and healthcare services

• Home care, companions, and hospice care providers

• Ancillary services

Call today for your free copy!(717) 285-1350

Online at www.onlinepub.com and in print.

Dear Savvy Senior,What constitutes age discrimination in

the workplace, and where can I turn forhelp if I think I’ve got a case?– Demoted at 64

Dear Demoted,Age discrimination has become a

much more frequent complaint in recentyears as more and more people areworking into their retirement years. But, you need to be aware that proving

it is extremely difficult to do, especiallysince the 2009 Supreme Court decisionthat raised the bar for the type of legalproof that workers need to win age-discrimination lawsuits.With that said, here are the steps you’ll

need to take to fight age discrimination ifyou think you’ve been treated unlawfully.

ADEA ProtectionThe Age Discrimination in

Employment Act (ADEA) is your firstdefense against age discrimination. Thisis a federal law that says an employercannot fire,refuse to hire,or treat youdifferentlyfrom otheremployeesbecause ofyour age. Some

examples ofagediscriminationinclude:

• You were fired because your bosswanted to keep younger workers who arepaid less.

• You were turned down for apromotion, which went to someone

younger hired from outside the company,because the boss says the company“needs new blood.”

• When companylayoffs areannounced, mostof the personslaid off wereolder, whileyounger workerswith less seniorityand less on-the-job experiencewere kept on.

• Before you werefired, your supervisor made age-relatedremarks about you.

• You didn’t get hired because theemployer wanted a younger-lookingperson to do the job.

The ADEA protects all workers and jobapplicants age 40 and over who work foremployers that have 20 or moreemployees—including federal, state, andlocal governments as well as employmentagencies and labor unions.If your workplace has fewer than 20

employees, you may still be protectedunder your state’s anti-age-discriminationlaw. Contact your state labor departmentor your state’s fair employment practicesagency for more information.Another protection for older workers

is the federal Older Workers BenefitProtection Act. Under this law, anemployer cannot reduce health or lifeinsurance benefits for older employees,nor can it stop their pensions fromaccruing if they work past their normalretirement age. It also discourages businesses from

targeting older workers when cuttingstaff and prohibits employers from

How to Fight Age Discrimination

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

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

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

Gold AwardWinter 2013 issue

Bronze AwardSpring 2013 issue

Merit Award“Life’s Second Draft”

BY CHELSEA PEIFER

Merit Award“Take Two” BY MEGAN JOYCE

On-Line Publishers, Inc. was recently honoredwith four national awards.

Thank you for readingour award-winningpublications.

Have you photographed

a smile that just begs

to be shared?

Have you photographed

a smile that just begs

to be shared?

Send us your favorite smile—your children,grandchildren, friends, even your “smiling” pet!—and it could be 50plus Senior News’ next Smile of the Month!

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

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Digital photos must be at least 4x6'' with a resolution of 300 dpi. No professional photos, please.Please include a SASE if you would like to have yourphoto returned.

forcing employees to take earlyretirement.

What to DoIf you think you are a victim of

employment age discrimination, yourfirst step is to file a charge with theEqual Employment OpportunityCommission (EEOC) usually within180 days from the date of the allegedviolation. You can do this by mail or in person

at your nearest EEOC office(see www.eeoc.gov/contact) or by calling(800) 669-4000. They will help youthrough the filing process and let youknow if you should also file a chargewith your state anti-discriminationagency.Once the charge is filed, the EEOC

will investigate your complaint and findeither reasonable cause to believe thatage discrimination has occurred or nocause and no basis for a claim. After the investigation, the EEOC

will then send you their findings along

with a “notice of right to sue,” whichgives you permission to file a lawsuit ina court of law.If you decide to sue, you’ll need to

hire a lawyer who specializes inemployee dischargesuits. Lawyers.com andFindLaw (www.findlaw.com) are twowebsites that can help you locatediscrimination attorneys in your area.Another option you should consider

is mediation, which is a fair andefficient way to help you resolve youremployment disputes and reach anagreement. The EEOC offers mediation at no

cost if your current or former employeragrees to participate. At mediation, youshow up with your evidence, youremployer presents theirs, and themediator makes a determination withina day or less.

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

If you have local news you’d like considered forAround Town, please email mjoyce@onlinepub.com

The Good Samaritan Hospitalrecently broke ground for a new centerthat will deliver integrated cancercare—a comprehensive mix of clinicaland other support services—that willenable patients to receive services intheir hometown with fewer visits.With construction underway, Good

Samaritan plans to open the SechlerFamily Cancer Center to patients

before the end of 2015.The 22,000-square-foot, single-

story center will providechemotherapy, infusion therapy, andthe latest radiation treatment in onelocation. The facility will also house

physician offices, laboratory services, apharmacy, a social worker, nutritionservices, and a spiritual center.

New Cancer Centerto Open in County

Architectural rendering of the Sechler Family Cancer Center.

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

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Traveltizers Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

By Andrea Gross

I’m a sucker for superlatives. Mypersonal bucket list demands that Ivisit as many “ests” as possible, places

that hold the record for being thehighest, hottest, or in some way the verybest of their category. I thought compiling the list would be

simple, especially after I limited it to theUnited States, but of course it wasn’t. Iran into myriad problems ofmeasurement and definition. Eventually I came up with my own

criteria, based as much on practicalityand desirability as on quantifiable data.Here, my recommendations for the

Best of the Ests:

Highest I have no intention of actually

climbing the tallest peak, which rules outAlaska’s Mt. McKinley (20,237 feet), yetI want to do more than peer toward theheavens. Thus I head for Colorado’s Mount

Evans. At 14,265 feet, Mount Evans is apigmy among giants, but—and this isimportant—it’s home to the highestpaved road. This means I can drive almost all the

way to the country’s highest parking lot,

walk a mere quarter mile to the summit,and voila, I’ll be standing atop thehighest reasonably accessible peak in theU.S.The highway was built between 1917

and 1927 as a means of drawing tourists.

It worked. Today, the scenic drive—atwo-lane ribbon that winds betweentowering evergreens, open meadows, andlovely alpine lakes—is one of Colorado’stop attractions. (www.mountevans.com)

Lowest Choosing the lowest spot is easy. Since

I quickly rule out deep-sea diving anddescending into a mine, I’m left withDeath Valley, Calif., which is the lowestpoint of dry land that was formed bynature as opposed to by man-and-shovel.The valley’s precise lowest point (282

feet below sea level) is near BadwaterBasin, which sits amidst nearly 200square miles of salt flats. A boardwalk lets visitors walk part

way into the basin, but most folks stepdown onto the actual flats. Thelandscape is bizarre but beautiful, apattern of interlocking shapes created bythe valley’s unique combination ofextreme heat, minimal rainfall, and lowelevation. (www.nps.gov/deva/index.htm)

A Quest for the Ests: Visiting the Extremes of the United States

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

A boardwalk at Badwater Basin leads froma parking lot to the salt flats that mark the

lowest point in the United States.

Photo courtesy of National Park Service

The salt flats of Death Valley are nothospitable to plants or animals.

People who take a short hike fromthe highest paved parking lot in theU.S. to the summit of Mt. Evans canbrag that they’ve climbed one ofColorado’s famous Fourteeners(mountains that rise more than14,000 feet above sea level).

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

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DriestHere I run into trouble. Calexico, a

small town on the California-Mexicoborder, has the lowest annual rainfall, butDeath Valley has the most consecutivedays with no rainfall. In the end I opt for neither. In my

mind, “dry” suggests a place where I canmount a camel and ride endless milesacross towering sand dunes. Calexico isdune-less, and while Death Valley hasdunes, they aren’t record-setters. For that I have to go to Great Sand

Dunes National Park in Colorado,which, although devoid of camels, has750-foot-tall sand piles, the highest inNorth America. Later I learn that the dunes aren’t

really dry. In fact, it’s the moist layer ofsand right under the surface that holdsthe upper dry sand in place. But that’s OK. At this point in my

Quest-Est, I’m more concerned withimagery than scientific accuracy.(www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm)

Wettest As for the wettest place, I must choose

between the soggiest land or the drippiestsky. Since I don’t have a pair of wet bootsbut own several umbrellas, I decide onHawaii’s Mount Waleleale. Then I learn that the mountain’s

average rainfall exceeds 38 feet a year—a

fact that greatly dampens my enthusiasm(pardon the pun)—so I restrict mysearch to the contiguous United Statesand end up on Washington’s OlympicPeninsula.While the Aberdeen Reservoir is the

rainiest place, with 130.6 inches a year,Forks is the rainiest town, with 120

inches a year. More important, it’s given this

accolade not only by the NationalClimatic Data Center, but also byStephenie Meyer, who used it as a settingfor her Twilight book series. Why, I may even spot a vampire along

the shore or amidst the trees, and this

makes Forks a double superlative—winner of both the wettest and theweirdest categories. (www.forkswa.com)

ColdestOnce I exclude non-contiguous

Alaska, Rogers Pass, Mont., holds therecord for a one-day temperature low(minus 70 F), but the peak of NewHampshire’s Mount Washington winsthe title for all-time year-around cold(annual average temperature of 27 F). In addition, with wind gusts that

sometimes reach more than 230 mph, it’salso considered the windiest place in theUnited States.Therefore, with masochistic

determination I head to the summit. Theroad is steep, narrow, and bordered withdeadly drop-offs. But am I glad I went? Absolutely. The

view on top is spectacular and, what’smore, at the Weather Discovery Centerin nearby North Conway I learn thatMount Washington holds bragging rightsto the best Est of all: Home of theWorld’s Worst Weather.It’s a perfect way to end my search.

The title of “worst” makes MountWashington the “best.”(www.mountwashington.org)

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

Photo courtesy of Forks Chamber of Commerce

Forks, Wash., is the gateway to therainforests of Olympic National Park.

Great Sand Dunes National Park has thetallest dunes in North America.

Photo courtesy of Mount Washington Observatory

Scientists at the Mount WashingtonObservatory work in a place that’sreputed to have the worst weatherin the world.

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

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STARTING AT

For many, the title “King of Rock’n’ Roll” is reserved for one man:Elvis Presley. Had he lived, the

King would have celebrated his 80thbirthday on Jan. 8, 2015.Unlike most departed singers who are

remembered largely for their music,Presley lives on through a phenomenalnumber of appearances in scriptedmotion pictures—31 in all—beginningwith Love Me Tender in 1956 and ending13 years later with Change of Habit in1969. His movies provide a unique glimpse

into another dimension of one of the 20thcentury’s greatest entertainers.Although his films were often

dismissed due to weak and predictablescripts, critics generally regarded Presleyas a surprisingly good actor. But whatdid costars think about working withPresley?In 1966, 10-year-old Donna

Butterworth costarred in Paradise,Hawaiian Style, the second Presley filmset in Hawaii.“My mom and dad took me to see

Blue Hawaii when I was just a little girl,and I fell in love with him right then andthere,” said Butterworth. “I used to listen

to his records, and I couldn’t get enoughElvis.”Butterworth recalls filming her first

scene on the cliffs of Makapuu, onOahu.“I had to run up into Elvis’s arms and

call out, ‘Uncle Rick, Uncle Rick.’ But I

had only met him a few minutes beforethat. So when the director called ‘action,’I ran up and got in his arms and his facewas about 4 inches from my face. “After all the anticipation of meeting

Elvis Presley and working with him, Ijust froze. I couldn’t believe I was so closeto this beautiful man! All the crewcracked up because they knew I was soenamored. In fact, Elvis laughed thehardest—he just loved to laugh.”Unlike Butterworth, 7-year-old Susan

Olsen wasn’t a Presley fan when shebriefly appeared in the talent-contestaudition scene in Presley’s second-to-lastfilm, The Trouble with Girls (1969).“I couldn’t understand all the hype

over him, and I didn’t even think he wasgood-looking!” said Olsen, who went onto play youngest daughter Cindy on thepopular ’60s TV show The Brady Bunch.That changed after their first brief

encounter.

Costars Remember Elvis the Actor

Tinseltown Talks

Nick Thomas

Donna Butterworth and Elvis inParadise, Hawaiian Style

Marlyn Mason and Elvis in The Trouble with Girls

“I remember that a bunch of the kids’mothers suddenly started screaming.Elvis had come out of his dressing room,and they crowded around him forautographs. So I thought, ‘What theheck! I’ll get one too.’ “So I went up to him—and I’m not

making this up—when he looked at me,I thought, ‘Oh, I get it! I see why theylike him so much.’ He had this specialaura abouthim. I wasjustdumbstruck;I couldn’t sayanything. Hesigned thephoto,handed it tome, and said,‘Here ya go,darling.’”Presley’s

leading ladyin TheTrouble withGirls cameaway withmore thanjust anautograph.MarlynMasonsnagged anon-screenkiss.“It was a

comedy kiss,”said Mason,indicatingthat the only fireworks were the real onesin the movie scene.“He was great fun to work with,

because I could throw anything at himand he’d just throw it right back.”She also recalls a private moment

when Presley shared thoughts about hisacting.“The saddest thing Elvis said to me

was, ‘I’d like to make one good filmbecause I know people in this townlaugh at me.’ I’ll never forget that,” shesaid. “But he was always down to earth and

comfortable with himself. Some of thatdialogue was so corny, but he managedto bring a realness to it. And I thinkthat’s just how he was in real life. He wasa natural comedian, and his timing wasjust impeccable. I just found him to be avery genuine person.”Despite his fame, Will Hutchins says

Presley didn’t play the celebrity, althoughhe was usually accompanied on most ofhis films by pals—the so-called MemphisMafia.“On the set, Elvis was like a host—a

Southern gentleman—making sure

everyone was having a good time,” saidHutchins, who first worked in Spinout(1966).The following year he costarred with

Presley in Clambake, which featured a lotof ad-libbing and fooling around on theset.“It was more or less a de facto stag

party because Elvis was getting marriedsoon after the filming was finished,”

recalledHutchins.“Elvis and hisbuddieswould set offfirecrackers.It was prettywild, but alot of fun.For thedirector’sbirthday,they had acake andpushed itright in hisface!”Wilda

Taylorappeared inthree ElvisPresley filmsbut struttedinto Presleymovie historyas exoticdancer LittleEgypt inRoustabout(1964).

“We rehearsed for about two weeks,”said Taylor. “Elvis was in and out of therehearsal hall every so often between hisother busy filming days for the otherscenes. He knew his material and musicwell, and I grew to admire him a greatdeal. “It’s amazing, through the years, how

many people know about me and LittleEgypt from that film. Oddly enough, Ireally didn’t know much about Elvisbefore we worked together, but I foundhim to be a lovely, darling person, and Iwas just pleased to be a small part of hislife.”With each passing decade since his

death in 1977 at age 42, the Elvis Presleylegend and legacy continue to grow.When viewed in the context of the oftenzany ’60s TV and film period, it isgratifying that there exists such anextensive film library of the mostcelebrated entertainer in history.

Thomas’ features and columns have appearedin more than 400 magazines and newspapers,and he is the author of Raised by the Stars,published by McFarland. He can be reachedat his blog: http://getnickt.blogspot.com

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews p January 2015 11

Please return your completed entry form byFebruary 19, 2015 to:

50plus Senior News3912 Abel Drive • Columbia, PA 17512

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Phone ______________________________________________________This information is strictly confidential.

Where do you frequent for:Breakfast _________________________________________

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Who Has theBest Bites inCentral PA?Help 50plus Senior News

celebrate the local eateriesthat deserve national fame!

Wilda Taylor as Little Egypt with Elvis in Roustabout

Will Hutchins and Elvis in Clambake

id you get a piece of jewelry thisholiday season? Jewelry is a very popular type

of collectible. In addition to sprucing upan outfit, jewelry pieces, precious metals,and gemstones hold their value well in

the antiques and vintage marketplace. So, storing these valuables is

important. Gold and silver pieces can get

scratched when stored next to each otheror next to other pieces in a jewelry box.These precious metals can damage fragilejewelry items, like pearls and shells, too. Store gold pieces by themselves or in a

felt- or velvet-lined box when possible.Gold necklaces ideally should be storedhanging up by their clasp to preventdamage. Gold bracelets should be storedflat when possible. Bangles need their own storage boxes

to prevent dents and damage too. Always store pearls separately in a

padded case or jewelry compartment.This will prevent damage to the soft,cultured pearl’s luster surface. And, pearls should be restrung as soon

as you notice that the individual knotsare getting stretched out or loose. You

will lose the pearls if the string breaks—Iguarantee it. For gemstones set in rings, use ring

holders that separate set stones and theirsettings from one another. This willprevent scrapes and scratches and retain astone’s clarity, too. Watches should not be stopped when

stored. Let the watch run so you do notdamage the battery or movement. Storewatches flat, and use a soft cloth to coverthe dial and protect the crystal face whenstoring them. When it comes to fine jewelry,

protecting your investment goes hand inhand with proper storage.

Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, andaward-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori hostsantiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr. Lori isthe star appraiser on Discovery channel’s TVshow Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com,www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, Lori Verderameat Google+, or call (888) 431-1010.

Jewelry Storage Tips

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Lori Verderame

D

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

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

LANCASTER COUNTY

May 14, 20159 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Millersville UniversityMarauder Court

21 South George StreetMillersville

16th Annual

CHESTER COUNTY

June 9, 20159 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Church Farm School1001 East Lincoln Highway

Exton

12th Annual

DAUPHIN COUNTY

April 2, 20159 a.m. – 2 p.m.Hershey Lodge

325 University DriveHershey

16th Annual

www.50plusExpoPA.com

Limited SponsorshipOpportunities Available

Exhibitors•

Health Screenings•

Seminars•

Demonstrations•

Entertainment•

Door Prizes

VolunteerSpotlight

VolunteerSpotlight

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.

RSVP of the CapitalRegion has announcedPriscilla Gonya as itsLebanon CountyVolunteer of the Monthfor January. A “compulsive

volunteer,” Gonya, 87,has been volunteering inher community all of herlife, beginning in gradeschool helping her neighbors. An educator by profession, Gonya’s

family obligations precluded her frompursuing a career as a teacher. Nonetheless, in her 67 years of

marriage to husband Joe, she hasraised five children and cared formore than 40 exchange students,while still finding time to be asubstitute teacher and a very activevolunteer for RSVP partner AmericanRed Cross.Gonya’s first involvement with the

Red Cross began in high school whileparticipating in a door-to-doorfundraising drive. Her service to theRed Cross began in 1975 (tutoringVietnamese refugees in English) andcontinues to this day. Over the years, Gonya has worn

many hats at the Red Cross: volunteerchairperson for its board of directors,instructor for pet first aid,babysitting, volunteer orientations,

board orientations, and onevery board committeeavailable by rotation. If theRed Cross does it, she hasprobably been a part of it. In addition to her Red

Cross work, Gonya hasvolunteered for theLiteracy Council, CrisisIntervention, Women inCrisis, Panel for American

Women, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts,Lebanon Community Theatre, Youthfor Understanding exchange studentprogram, RSVP partner VITA(Volunteer Income Tax Assistance),and with her church, St. Cecelia’s. Gonya may have slowed down a

bit lately, but she still volunteers withVITA, Red Cross, and Youth forUnderstanding. If there is a RedCross display table in LebanonCounty, you will likely find PriscillaGonya staffing it. Priscilla’s lifetime of service to our

community is an inspiration to us alland demonstrates that we all can andshould give of ourselves in benefit toothers.

To learn more about volunteeropportunities, please contact ScottBrubaker, Lebanon RSVP developmentcoordinator, at lebanonrsvp@rsvpcapreg.orgor (717) 454-8956.

Priscilla Gonya NamedVolunteer of the Month

Priscilla Gonya

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

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 15

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

1. Justice Warren2. Chigger3. Recounted4. Envision5. Indiscretion6. Bread spread7. Sickbed items (abbr.)8. Weakened9. Consummate10. Bring up11. Incision12. Charity14. Dress holder17. Of birth

22. Crone23. Strikes with revulsion24. Bay State city25. Latvian port city26. Draw out27. Fabric28. Watered silk29. Exorcist actress

Burstyn30. Pakistani monetary

unit32. Rascals34. Cleaning implements36. Terminate gradually

40. Contempt42. Sign of assent43. Spar45. Auspices46. Persia, now47. Egypt river48. Goulash49. Hawaii town50. And others (Latin)51. Microbe52. Likelihood55. Genetic material

(abbr.)56. Sailor’s affirmative

Down

CROSSWORD

1. Tritons5. Thwart9. Bear dipper13. Burn plant14. Figure out15. Gimme a Break star

Carter16. Inexorable18. Cripple19. Boy20. Singer Guthrie21. Garments23. Remain

24. Bench25. Porter28. More threadbare31. Utopian32. Tree trunk33. Morose35. TV cop Peter ___36. Levered37. Dog food name38. Vitriolic39. Injure40. Make tea41. Flow out43. Panoramas

44. Forfeiture45. Footless46. Not outdoors49. Ger. title of respect50. Pride53. Hotel name54. Started57. Downwind58. Not fired up59. Unit of length60. Information61. New Mexico city62. Shade trees

Across

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

Lebanon County

Calendar of EventsSenior Center Activities

Annville Senior Community Center – (717) 867-1796200 S. White Oak St., Annville

Maple Street Community Center – (717) 273-1048710 Maple St., Lebanon

Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-6786Myerstown Baptist Church, 59 Ramona Road, Myerstown

Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 865-0944335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown – www.jonestownpa.org/senior.html

Palmyra Senior Community Center – (717) 838-8237101 S. Railroad St., Palmyra

Privately Owned Centers

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

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

Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.

Programs and Support Groups Free and open to the public

Lebanon County Library Programs

Lebanon Community Library, 125 N. Seventh St., (717) 273-7624Jan. 5, 5 to 8 p.m. – Meet the Author: Alison Beard, Quit or Die TryingJan. 13, 6 to 8 p.m. – Poetry Workshop

Palmyra Public Library, 325 S. Railroad St., (717) 838-1347Jan. 20, 7 p.m. – Public Board MeetingJan. 26, 2 to 7 p.m. – Blood Drive

Jan. 28, 6 to 7 p.m.Personal Care Family Support GroupLinden Village100 Tuck Court, Lebanon(717) 274-7400

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

By John Johnston

Happy New Year from Social Security!Put down the champagne and ring in theNew Year with a COLA! And we don’tmean the soda. In 2015, nearly 64 million Americans

who receive Social Security orSupplemental Security Income (SSI) willreceive a 1.7 percent cost-of-livingadjustment (COLA) increase to theirmonthly benefit payments.The average monthly Social Security

benefit for a retired worker in 2015 is$1,328 (up from $1,306 in 2014). Theaverage monthly Social Security benefit

for a disabledworker in 2015is $1,165 (upfrom $1,146 in2014). For people

who receiveSSI, themaximumfederalpaymentamountincreased to $733 (up from $721 in2014).Other Social Security changes in 2015

are also worth noting. For example, the

maximumamount ofearnings subjectto the SocialSecurity payrolltax will increaseto $118,500(up from$117,000 in2014). A worker will

earn one credittoward Social Security coverage afterpaying taxes on $1,220 in earnings in2015 (up from $1,200 in 2014). As areminder, eligibility for retirement

benefits still requires 40 credits (usuallyabout 10 years of work).Information about Medicare changes

for 2015 is available atwww.medicare.gov.The Social Security Act outlines how

the COLA is calculated. To read moreabout the COLA, please visitwww.socialsecurity.gov/cola. To learn more about other changes in

2015, read our fact sheet atwww.socialsecurity.gov/news/press/factsheets/colafacts2015.html.

John Johnston is a Social Security publicaffairs specialist.

“In 2015, nearly 64 millionAmericans who receiveSocial Security orSupplemental SecurityIncome will receive a 1.7percent cost-of-livingadjustment increase to theirmonthly benefit payments.

“

Social Security Announces 2015 COLA

Social Security News

Nominees Needed for County Musicians Hall of FameDo you know a Lebanon County

musician to recommend for the LebanonCounty Musicians Hall of Fame?Applications are currently being acceptedby the Harmonia Music Association. Names of suggested nominees must be

submitted on the application form

provided by the Harmonia MusicAssociation and returned by Jan. 30. Access the application at www.pfmc-

music.org/clubHarmonia.html or by phoneat (717) 279-7494. The nominee should be a native of

Lebanon County and/or have been active

in Lebanon County music for at least 15years. Applications will be kept on file for

seven years and will be considered insucceeding years. Induction into the Musicians Hall of

Fame for successful candidates will occur

at Harmonia’s Annual Banquet, held May5 during the National Federation ofMusic Clubs’ celebration of NationalMusic Week. Please send the completed form to W.

Hoopes, 147 Hearthstone Lane, Lebanon,or email it to fiddlekat1932@comcast.net.

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

Puzzles shown on page 13

Pu

zzle

So

luti

on

swould be that these ‘jobs’ are not asglamorous as portrayed on television,”Ballenger said. “They require a hugeamount of commitment and an ever-larger amount of caring andcompassion.“They are not for the faint of heart,

but you will make a difference—andthat’s what it’s all about.”Her goal was to express empathy and

caring on every call she responded to.“Even if it was a man with knee

pain he’d had for three weeks and [hethen] decides to dial 911 at 3 a.m.,”said Ballenger. “In their opinion, whenthey dial 911, it is one of the worst daysof their lives, and I respect that.”Performing CPR on calls for people

she knew was very difficult.“I literally had to be pulled off of the

one man by the doctor at the hospitalas he announced time of death,”Ballenger said. “A little bit of you dieswith the person.”Successful and unsuccessful suicides,

as well as calls involving children, arealways the most difficult, she said.But on Oct. 2, 2006, she responded

to a call that nothing could haveprepared her for.Ballenger was one of the first

responders to the shooting at the WestNickel Mines School, where a manentered the schoolhouse and lined up10 young Amish girls before shootingthem execution style. Five of the girlsdied; the gunman later took his ownlife.“I was one of the few to enter the

school with the dead bodies still inside,”Ballenger said.She asked the local ambulance crew

to clean one of the girl’s faces becauseshe did not want the child’s mother tosee her face entirely covered in blood.“They said they had been told not to

touch her. I said, ‘I will take fullresponsibility and will risk my job onit,’” Ballenger recalled. “They agreedand were flawless in their work. I amforever indebted.“I was on scene from approximately

11 a.m. until midnight,” she said. “Istill have noidea how Imade ithome.”That

night,Ballengerhad tocomplete herreports fromthe hauntingtragedy thatshe hadbarely begunto process.“As I

downloadedthe pictures,it all seemedsurreal,” saidBallenger.Before

she couldbeginprocessingany further,her phonebegan toringnonstop. “CNN

called to saythey were ontheir way tomy home. I said, ‘Absolutely not.’”Ballenger took two weeks off from

everything. She visited the ambulancecrew to thank them for everything thatthey did for the victims and families.

“It was very emotional. I couldn’tthank them enough for cleaning herface,” Ballenger said. “And I didn’t getin trouble.”She met with counselors and visited

with the Amish families who lost theirchildren on that day.

“I stillkeep incontact withthem. Ialways leavetheir homesfeeling alittle better,”Ballengersaid.Her mind

keptrevisitingthe inside ofthe Amishschool, andin an effortto find a“newnormal,”Ballengerdecided tomove andsell nearlyeverythingthat sheowned.“In

hindsight, Iwish Ihadn’t donethat,”Ballengersaid. “But I

was desperate to try to find a normalplace in my mind.”She tried crafts and other endeavors

to occupy her mind, but writing amemoir about her experiences was what

finally gave her a greater sense of peace.Ballenger had been keeping journals

of her experiences since she startedvolunteering.“As I began seeing some gruesome

sights, I needed a way to vent myemotions. My brother, John, gave me alined journal and when I would returnhome from a call, I recorded myemotions in the journal—which turnedinto many, many journals,” Ballengerexplained.She spent the next two years writing

her first book, Addicted to Life & Death:Memoirs of an EMT & Deputy Coroner.She gives free talks in the community

about her book and experiences andbrings a guest speaker with her todiscuss suicide and its effects on thoseleft behind. She includes instructionson giving CPR in her talks.“Some people have said, ‘I guess you

get used to seeing the things you see.’No, you never get used to it. If you do,then it is time to get out of doing thatwork,” Ballenger said. “Others ask how I could do that

work. I reply, ‘Everyone has their placeon Earth. I am blessed that I was ableto do that work for many, many years.Someone has to do it. But don’t ask meto be a dental hygienist—I could neverdo that work.”Ballenger is a still a certified EMT

but does not run on calls. She works ata skilled nursing facility near Ephrata. Ballenger is available to speak about

her experiences and can be reached at(717) 606-3494, janiceballenger@yahoo.com, or at her Facebook page:www.facebook.com/AddictedToLifeDeathMemoirsOfAnEmtDeputyCoroner.Her book is available online or can

be purchased directly throughBallenger; she will sign them asrequested.

NEW NORMAL from page 1

Ballenger gives talks in the community about herexperiences and about her memoir, Addicted to Life &

Death: Memoirs of an EMT & Deputy Coroner.

Ballenger’s copies of the local newspaper coverageof the Amish schoolhouse shooting. As one of the firstresponders, Ballenger was a sought-after interview

in the wake of the tragedy.

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

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