lebanon county 50plus senior news sept. 2011

By Megan Joyce

It’s a safe bet that Bob Rudy is one of those people who doesn’t often leave

his house without a little pet hair on his clothing. And he probably doesn’t

mind; in fact, he likely wears the strands proudly, each a tiny, individual

talisman reminding him always of the animals he’s spent the better part of his

54 years loving and working to protect.

And now, he’s not alone in his mission. In 2008, Rudy married his wife,

Debra Vredenburg-Rudy, a psychology professor at Millersville University

and the founder of Pet Guardians, a Lancaster County-based nonprofit that

finds new homes for pets of the elderly or terminally ill. Rudy is now the

treasurer and a board member of Pet Guardians.

Together, the couple works daily to locate foster homes and, eventually,

new permanent homes for animal lovers who are ill or entering assisted living

or hospice care—so that, on top of everything else on their minds, they don’t

have to worry about who will care for their pets.

Although his charitable work on behalf of our furry friends is now at its

zenith, Rudy’s dedication to animals began decades ago and has included so

much volunteer work that in 2005 he received the Jefferson Award for Public

Service in York County and the March of Dimes’ Community Spirit Award

in 2007.

A Voice for

Central PA’s Pets

Bob Rudy with his pack. From left, Maggie the black lab, Taj the Afghan hound, Rudy the

human, Rudy the lab/pit bull mix on bench, and Maggie the Irish setter, seated in front.

Options for Retirees

Headed Back to School

page 6

Dumpster or

No Dumpster

page 9

please see PETS page 16

Inside:

Media Personality Devotes Decades to

Animal Advocacy

PRSRTSTANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

Landisville, PA

Permit No. 3

Lebanon County Edition September 2011 Vol. 6 No. 9

2 September 2011 50plus SeniorNews � www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

What’s new forMedicare 2012?

Join us for a community forumto stay informed.

• Learn about changes in coverage• Meet with multiple Medicare specialists in one location

• Easy, on-site enrollment• Convenient, comfortable setting

For more information, call 717.285.1350 or email [email protected].

October 18, 20119 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Holiday Inn Harrisburg East4751 Lindle Road

Harrisburg, PA 17111

October 31, 20119 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Eden Resort & Suites222 Eden Road

Lancaster, PA 17601

November 2, 20119 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Holiday InnConference Center of York

2000 Loucks Road, York, PA 17408

Sponsored in part by:

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews � September 2011 3

Eckenrode Rare Coins

(717) 272-4579

Dri-Masters Carpet Dry Cleaning

(717) 260-3563/(717) 769-1533

Tri-Valley Contractors

(717) 277-7674

Poison Control Center

(800) 222-1222

Food & Clothing Bank

(717) 274-2490

Food Stamps

(800) 692-7462

Hope/Christian Ministries

(717) 272-4400

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging

Meals on Wheels

(717) 273-9262

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

(717) 273-0463

American Lung Association

(717) 541-5864

American Stroke Association

(717) 273-0463

Arthritis Foundation

(717) 274-0754

Bureau of Blindness and Visual Services

(717) 787-7500

CONTACT Helpline

(717) 652-4400

Kidney Foundation

(717) 652-8123

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

(717) 652-6520

Lupus Foundation

(888) 215-8787

Hearing & Ear Care Center, LLC

(717) 274-3851

Central Penn Nursing Care, Inc.

(717) 361-9777

(717) 569-0451

Good Samaritan Hospital

(717) 270-7500

Medical Society of Lebanon County

(717) 270-7500

The Reading Hospital

(610) 988-4357

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

Hope (Helping Our People in

Emergencies)

(717) 272-4400

Housing Assistance & Resources Program

(HARP)

(717) 273-9328

Lebanon County Housing &

Redevelopment Authorities

(717) 274-1401

Medicare Hotline

(800) 638-6833

Melnick, Moffitt, and Mesaros

(717) 274-9775

MidPenn Legal Services

(717) 274-2834

Pennsylvania Bar Association

(717) 238-6715

GSH Home Med Care, Inc.

(717) 272-2057

Ficco Memorials

(717) 272-6308

Lancaster NeuroScience &

Spine Associates

(717) 569-5331

(800) 628-2080

Spang Crest Manor

(717) 274-1495

Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging

(717) 273-9262

CVS/pharmacy

www.cvs.com

Old Country Buffet

(717) 657-6290 – Harrisburg

(717) 390-8800 – Lancaster

(610) 375-9954 – Wyomissing

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

Southern Lebanon County Senior

Community Center

(717) 274-7541

Governor’s Veterans Outreach

(717) 234-1681

Veterans Services

Senior Centers

Restaurants

Pharmacies

Office of Aging

Nursing Homes/Rehab

Neurosurgery & Physiatry

Monuments

Medical Equipment & Supplies

Legal Services

Insurance

Housing Assistance

Hotlines

Hospitals

Home Care Services

Hearing Aid Services

Health & Medical Services

Food Resources

Emergency Numbers

Construction

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

Appraisals

Resource Directory

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

This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made

an extended commitment to your health and well-being.


SeniorNews is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is

distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement

communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets

serving the senior community.

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

advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature.

Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters

are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of

advertisements for products or services does not constitute an

endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not

be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five

days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise

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

reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.

We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not

in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws

or other local laws.

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:

[email protected]

Website address:

www.onlinepub.com

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

Angie McComsey

Susan Miller

Ranee Shaub Miller

Chrissy Smolenski

SALES COORDINATOR

Eileen Culp

CIRCULATION

PROJECT COORDINATOR

Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATION

BUSINESS MANAGER

Elizabeth Duvall

Winner

Member of

Awards

Can you pass a citizenship

test? This country’s adult

population, and apparently

the voting sector of that population,

appears to be inadequately informed

regarding our form of government

and current events.

A number of polls reveal

astounding misinformation among

the electorate. Given the

complexities of our country’s history

and the time required to remain

current in new developments, this is

understandable but not acceptable.

The voting-age

population that

participates in the

presidential general

election declined from

63.1 percent in 1960 to

56.8 percent in 2008.

The latter year actually

was an improvement

from the 2000 election,

when 51.3 percent of

eligible voters bothered

to do so.

While the percentage

of registered voters who exercise

their franchise is of interest, it is

crucial that the voting public has a

basic understanding of our country’s

government, its history, and its

economic policies.

A representative democracy must

have an informed electorate. James

Madison, the father of the U.S.

Constitution, made the point when

he declared, “A popular

government, without popular

information or the means of

acquiring it, is but a prologue to a

farce or a tragedy.”

The lowest 20 percent of income

earners had a 36 percent rate of

voting in 2004. The percentage

increased as incomes increased until

it reached the top 20 percent of

income earners, at which point it

declined from 67 to 63 percent.

This implies that higher income

earners generally have the benefit of

more education, better access to

information, and, perhaps, easier

transportation access to the polls.

The “farce and tragedy” that

worried President Madison are

indicated by several polls taken over

the past decade. Consider the ABC

News Poll taken February 2000

when respondents placed Ronald

Reagan as the fifth most effective

president and George Washington

as the sixth.

In February 2005 the

Washington College Poll had

elevated Reagan to the No. 2 spot

after Abraham Lincoln, while

George Washington fell to eighth

place, immediately behind George

W. Bush.

Two years later, in 2007, the

Gallup Poll ranked Reagan

comfortably close behind Lincoln

(20 percent and 15 percent) for first

and second honors. George

Washington was named the seventh

most effective president (7 percent).

George W. Bush had fallen to ninth

place (2 percent).

Voters in 1948 appear to have

had a better understanding of the

rankings of American presidents. A

Schlesinger Poll at that time named

Lincoln, Washington, FDR,

Woodrow Wilson, and Jefferson as

our top five most effective

presidents. (Of course Reagan and

George W. Bush were not nominees

in the poll at that time.)

When Oregon’s Tom Foley,

speaker of the House of

Representatives (1989-1995), lost

his reelection bid, 30 percent of

those voting against him believed

his opponent would automatically

succeed to the position. (Newt

Gingrich succeeded him.)

According to a September 2010

Pew Research Center survey, about

25 percent of U.S. voters did not

know the Democrats had a majority

in the U.S. House of

Representatives.

Michael Delli Carpini, dean of

the Annenberg School for

Communications, states: “Public

opinion polling since the 1930s has

consistently documented low levels

of political knowledge among the

public.”

Is civics still taught in high

schools? Education emphasis today

is placed on improvements in

reading, math, and

science. Should more

attention be given to the

fundamentals of our

multi-layers of

government? Could

native-born high-school

graduates pass the test

given to naturalized

citizens?

Here are typical

questions asked of those

seeking to become new

citizens. For citizens who

are seniors, these should be easily

answered.

1. What do we call the first 10

amendments to the Constitution?

2. How many U.S. senators are

there?

3. We elect a U.S. senator for how

many years?

4. We elect a U.S. representative for

how many years?

5. If both the president and vice

president no longer can serve, who

becomes president?

6. Who is the current chief justice

of the United States?

At a minimum, schools should

be encouraged to offer the same

citizen-preparation program given

to those who wish to become

citizens. Anyone should be eligible

to attend upon application.

Walt Sonneville is a retired market-

research analyst. He enjoys writing and

reading non-partisan opinion essays.

Contact him at

[email protected].

Citizenship Tests:Can You Pass One?

My 22 Cents’ Worth

Walt Sonneville


Please join us for either or both events!The 50plus EXPO offers relevant information about lifestyle and wellness options, travel, finances,

home renovations, leisure, and more. a Caregivers Forum provides essential support and guidance for people whose lives are continually changing and the ones who care for them.

Where community comes together.

On-Line Publishers, Inc. • 3912 Abel Drive • Columbia, PA 17512 • (717) 285-1350 • (610) 675-6240 • www.onlinepub.com

Nov. 8, 2011Nov. 8, 2011Lancaster Host Resort

2300 Lincoln Highway EastLancaster, PA

9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

If someone tried to sell Hollywood a

script of John (Jack) Collins’ career

in the Air Force, they’d be turned

down and told that it’s something

nobody would believe.

Growing up in Wyomissing, Pa.,

Collins had always been fascinated with

airplanes. So he went from making

model planes as a child to earning his

civilian pilot’s license when he was 18.

After soloing, he remembers flying

with Lancaster’s premier barnstorming

pilot, Jesse Jones, and Jesse’s daughter,

Jessie, herself a pilot. Then it was to

Franklin & Marshall College for two

years before leaving to join the Army Air

Corps in November 1942.

Nine months later, he was pinning on

his wings and gold bar as he graduated

from the aviation cadet program as a

second lieutenant at Kelly Field in San

Antonio. Little did he know then that

he’d be flying 14 different types of

aircraft as he

amassed 10,000

hours of flying

with the Air

Force.

He was first

sent to Westover

Field, Mass.,

where he flew B-

25s in anti-sub

patrols along the

Eastern Seaboard.

Soon they

switched to four-

engine B-24s that

could remain

airborne for 12

hours.

Their job was

to protect huge

convoys leaving

the U.S. The German U-boats had diesel

engines that needed air to recharge.

They’d surface for

that. Otherwise,

the American

planes were

looking for

periscopes, by

eyesight in the

day and by radar

at night. When

they sighted one,

they’d drop depth

charges … and,

later, homing

torpedoes.

Next

assignment for

him was flying B-

24s from Gander

in Newfoundland

on 10-hour

submarine-

chasing trips toward Greenland, Iceland,

and back to Gander. Then it was to

Land’s End, England, on sub patrol in B-

24s down the western coast of Europe to

the Strait of Gibraltar and back. A key

objective of those flights was to intercept

Nazi U-boats as they left and returned to

their bases in France and Germany.

Then came combat, when Collins was

assigned to the 93rd Bomb Group at

Hardwick, England, where he flew 30

missions in B-24s. Does any one mission

stand out in his memory?

“Yeah, well, it would have to be one of

my two missions to Norway to bomb out

the heavy water facility where the Nazis

were producing that essential ingredient

for a nuclear bomb,” he said. “Naturally,

it was especially heavily defended, and an

M-110 came right up our con trail to fire

his cannons at us and all but cut off our

rudders. We were lucky to get back from

that one.”

He Had 10,000 Hours Flying Everything

from PT-19s to B-36sRobert D. Wilcox

Salute to a Veteran

John J. Collins, while in aviation cadet

training at Randolph Field in July 1942.

please see FLYING page 13


I feel safe. I am protected. I have Life Alert®.

When

ALONEI am home

One touch of a button sends help quickly in the event of a medical emergency, fall, home invasion, fire or carbon monoxide poisoning.

For a FREE brochure call:

1-888-445-1693

Your choice of help buttons

Now we have two systems available: New!• Life Alert Classic for seniors

• Life Alert 50+ for people 50+

��

®

One Book, One Community is a program through the public library systems in

Central Pennsylvania designed to encourage dialogue about a particular book,

foster lifelong learning, and develop strong community ties.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is this year’s selection. Readers in Central PA will

read the book throughout September, with special events and group discussions to

follow in October at your local library.

Kathryn Stockett

Ph

oto

: Ke

m L

ee

®2010 Buffets, Inc. Menu varies by location. Beverage and tax not included. Prices available at participating

locations only. Not valid with coupons or other offers. No prior discount applies to this special promotional pricing.

Buy a Beverage and get

1 Adult Dinner for

$6.99Limit 2 Adult Dinners, Each Coupon

Expires 9/30/11

Not valid with any other offers, dine in, singleuse only. Not redeemable for cash or credit.Reproduction and release prohibited.

BREAKFASTSat.-Sun. Until 11 a.m.

$5.49*

LUNCHMon.-Sat. Until 3:30 p.m.

$7.19*

Also Try Our Great

*Beverage BarNot IncludedLancaster – 1700 Fruitville Pike

Harrisburg – 5083 Jonestown Road

Wyomissing – Berkshire Mall,Woodland Avenue

Dear Savvy Senior,

Are there any financial resources

available to retirees who are interested in

going back to college? Since I retired, I’ve

been thinking about going back to school to

study some topics of interest to me, but,

living on a fixed income, I could use some

financial help.

– College-Bound Senior

Dear Senior,

There are actually numerous

discounts, tuition waivers, tax credits,

and other deals that can help boomers

and seniors go back to school. Here are

some of the opportunities available.

Lifelong Learning

One continuing education option in

the Central Pennsylvania area is the

Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning,

which offers mental, cultural, and

spiritual activities for anyone 55 and

older through various retirement

communities in the region. These courses

are open to the public, so you do not

need to be a resident to participate.

In addition

to being a

great example

of learning

for the

pleasure of it,

Pathways’

noncredit

courses are

often taught

by seniors

who are

experts in

their

particular

field. Topics include literature, religion,

computers, hobbies/crafts, politics,

music, environment, current issues, and

culture.

For more information on Pathways

programs, visit www.thepathways

institute.org, email pathwayinquiry@the

pathwaysinstitute.org, or call (717) 591-

7213.

Another

popular and

inexpensive

option for

retirees is

Lifelong

Learning

Institutes

(LLIs). These

are noncredit

educational

programs that

involve no tests

or grades, just

learning for the pure joy of it. They are

programs specifically developed for adults

aged 50 and older.

Usually affiliated with colleges and

universities, LLIs offer a wide array of

academic courses in such areas as

literature, history, religion, philosophy,

science, art and architecture, economics,

finance, computers, lifestyle issues, and

more.

To find an LLI, call your closest

college or search the websites of the two

organizations that support and facilitate

them: Osher (www.osher.net) and

Elderhostel (www.roadscholar.org/ein/

intro.asp). Together they support more

than 500 LLI programs nationwide.

If you don’t find an LLI in your area,

depending on where you live, there are

other organizations that offer non-credit

older adult education courses like Oasis

(oasisnet.org, (314) 862-2933),

Shepherd’s Centers of America

(shepherdcenters.org, (816) 960-2022),

and SeniorNet (seniornet.org, (571) 203-

7100), which offers computer courses at

learning centers around the country.

Options for Retirees Headed Back to School

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller


1. Like some columns

5. Strike

9. Cheerless

13. Paella pot

14. Maintain

15. Not fine

16. Acquisition method

19. Ones at the helm

20. “You don’t say!”

21. “___ time”

22. Old Icelandicliterary work

23. Snubbing

31. West Indian folkmagic

32. Catch

33. Farm call

34. Fabric

35. Acadia NationalPark locale

37. Bakery buy

38. Extreme suffix

39. Foofaraw

40. Ism

41. Eluding an officer

45. Feeder filler

46. Legal org.

47. Catalog

50. Eccentric

55. Kamikaze run?

57. X-Men villain, andnamesakes

58. Place

59. Big name inpineapples

60. Eyelid woe

61. Leavings

62. Abreast of

1. Cries at fireworks

2. Map

3. Further

4. Watch feature,perhaps

5. Fourth letter ofHebrew alphabet

6. Exceedingly

7. “___ go!”

8. Bygone politicalcause

9. Tree type

10. **** review

11. Sheltered

12. Maryland stadium

15. Gregor Johann ___

17. Dander

18. Certain federal tax

22. Distinctive flair

23. Show fear

24. Having a lot to lose?

25. Boxing blows

26. Not dis

27. Kind of jack

28. Candidate’s concern

29. Standards

30. Reached

35. Unaccompaniedcompositions

36. Passage

37. Lookout point

39. Aggravation

40. Harsh Athenianlawgiver

42. King Mark’s bride

43. January’s birthstone

44. Old calculator

47. Does something

48. Dirty coat

49. Cut down

50. Coconut fiber

51. African antelope

52. Plaything

53. Capital near the 60th

parallel

54. Adult-in-waiting?

56. U.N. workers’ group

Across

Down

Solution on page 8

By Myles Mellor

and Sally York

Also, be sure to contact your local

public library to see if it offers any

programs for seniors.

Back to School

More and more retirees are also

heading back to the classroom, looking

to pursue their interests, connect with

other people, or retool for a new career.

But with the high cost of college

these days, paying for tuition, fees. and

books can be a big strain for many

older adults living on a fixed income.

Here are some tips that can help you

save.

Discounted Tuition

Your first step is to contact your

nearby college to find out what, if any,

deals they offer. Many community

colleges and some four-year colleges,

for example, allow people over 50 to

audit classes for free and many offer

significantly discounted tuition rates

for those who take them for credit.

In fact, according to Fastweb, a

college financial aid resource, 21 states

and Washington, D.C., offer free

tuition for senior citizens at some or all

of their public colleges. (Textbook costs

and sometimes fees are not covered,

however.)

Credits and Deductions

Uncle Sam can offer some assistance

too in the form of tax credits and

deductions. For credits, check out the

Lifetime Learning tax credit that

allows students of any age to claim up

to a $2,000 credit each year for college

or other post-secondary school

expenses. And the American

Opportunity credit allows an annual

tax credit up to $2,500.

The government also provides

tuition and fees deductions for

students that can cover up to $4,000

in expenses. But, you can choose only

one of these three tax breaks: Lifetime

Learning credit, American

Opportunity credit, or the tuition and

fees deduction.

To learn more about these benefits,

visit the IRS’s Tax Benefits for

Education Information Center, which

you can access at

TaxBenefitsForEducation.info.

Scholarships

While most scholarships are aimed

at traditional undergraduates, there are

a number of scholarships offered

specifically to adult and nontraditional

students. Two good websites to help

you find them are fastweb.com and

scholarships.com, both of which offer

huge scholarship databases and easy-to-

use search tools.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the

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

Change

Older But Not Wiser

Igot an email from a guy I hadn’t

heard from since high school. About

45 years ago we were best friends—

two goofballs who did everything

together.

I remember

spending hundreds

of afternoons

eating Eskimo pies

and debating what

superpower we

would want most.

We decided on

invisibility because

then we could go into the girls’ locker

room. I told you we were goofballs.

Anyway, as soon as I started reading

the email my smile turned into look of

bewilderment. He was using terms like

transcendental meditation, peace, serenity,

and love. He said he now feels a spiritual

connection to the universe and has

devoted his life to doing good deeds.

My first thought

was, Man, is this guymessed up. He no

longer wants to be

invisible.And then I started

marveling about how

much he’d changed.

The thing is, I don’t

think my personality

has changed much since I’ve been in

high school. I still hate all the cool,

popular people while wishing I were one

of them.

Sy Rosen

please see CHANGE page 13

Today, 78 million baby boomers are

approaching the age of greatest risk of

Alzheimer’s.

In 2011, there are an estimated 5.4

million people living with Alzheimer’s

disease in the United States. This

includes 5.2 million people age 65 and

over and 200,000 people under age 65

with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Every 69 seconds, someone is diagnosed

with Alzheimer’s disease. Currently, there

is no cure for Alzheimer’s and no

treatment available to improve the

quality of life for those affected by this

debilitating disease.

The Alzheimer’s Association – Greater

Pennsylvania Chapter’s Walk to End

Alzheimer’s is its signature event,

attended by nearly 7,000 people across

the 21 walks hosted in the 59-county

territory served by the chapter. The goal

is to expand the funds raised to meet the

ever-increasing demand for chapter

services and support.

But it can’t be done without your

help! Take a stand. Make a difference:

Come out to one of the Walks to End

Alzheimer’s listed below:

Saturday, Sept. 10Harrisburg, City Island

Registration at 8 a.m. Walk at 9 a.m.

Saturday, Sept. 17York, Morgan-Cousler Park


Saturday, Sept. 24Lancaster, Long’s Park


Saturday, Oct. 8Chambersburg, Providence Place


Register now by calling (717) 651-

5020 or emailing

[email protected].

The Alzheimer’s Association –

Greater Pennsylvania Chapter provides

a broad array of programs and resources

to individuals, families, and health

professionals in 59 of Pennsylvania’s 67

counties.

Within this area, there are an

estimated 250,000 individuals with

Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. In

fiscal 2010, the chapter conducted 619

education programs attended by 12,116

individuals. There are 187 chapter

support groups that meet monthly to

provide valuable answers and caregiving

techniques to family members.

The chapter also offers the Medic

Alert + Safe Return training and

enrollment program to register

individuals with dementia who may

wander and to train public service

officials who assist in locating them.

Proceeds from the Walk to End

Alzheimer’s support these valuable

services as well as funding research

aimed at finding treatments and a cure

for this disease.

Your support ensures that those who

are directly affected by dementia, as

well as those who struggle with seeing

their loved ones suffer, are able to find

the compassion, education, and

continued assistance they need from

the chapter.

The chapter also advocates for

expanded services and eligibility for

families affected by Alzheimer’s at the

federal, state, and local levels.

If you have any questions or concerns,

please call (717) 651-5020. To register,

go to www.alz.org/walk and type in your

zip code to register for a walk near you.


Greater Pennsylvania Chapter

3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205

Harrisburg, PA 17110

(717) 651-5020

(717) 651-5066 (Fax)

(800) 272-3900 (Helpline)

Register Today for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Crossword

shown on page 7

September 10, 2011City Island, Harrisburg

Registration at 8 a.m. • Walk at 9 a.m.

Tiffani Chambers, Constituent Relations Manager


(717) 651-5020 [email protected]


3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205 • Harrisburg, PA 17110

Registration brochures, team packets and sponsorshippackets available, please call (717) 651-5020 or email

[email protected]

•

Easy online registration at http://www.alz.org/walk

•

Volunteer opportunities available.

•

Teams and individuals welcome.

Chapter Sponsors

September 17, 2011Morgan Cousler Park, York


September 24, 2011Long’s Park, Lancaster



Never Miss Another Issue!

Subscribe online at

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com


“The Stain Removal Experts” We Dry Clean Your Carpets!!

II ttoollddGGrraannddmmoomm ttoo ccaallll

DDrrii--MMaasstteerrss!!

Serving all of Central PA

Satisfaction guaranteed • We move your furniture • We do repairs • Water removal

717-260-3563 717-769-1533

Fully insured • Prices guaranteed

Safe for children and pets

Eliminates mildew

Non-toxic/Non-allergenic

Carpets dry in about one hour

Recommended by carpetmanufacturers worldwide

Only$69.95

2 Rooms andFREE HALLWAY

1-800-897-4032

With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. 3 roomminimum. Max 200 sq. ft. per room. L-shaped rooms

count as 2 rooms. Expires 10/15/11.

Toll-Free 1-800-897-4032

Only$79.95


1-800-897-4032



Only$99.95


1-800-897-4032



Only$119.95


1-800-897-4032



Only$79.95

Upholstery CleaningStandard Sofa

(3 cushions) & one chair

1-800-897-4032With this coupon. Not valid with other offers. 3 roomminimum. Max 200 sq. ft. per room. L-shaped rooms


Additional

5% OFFcoupon rates

for seniors!

Additional

5% OFFcoupon rates

for seniors!

Same-dayservicewhen

available

Same-dayservicewhen

available

or

Lebanon

My antiques quiz game,

Dumpster or No Dumpster™,

has become a mainstay for fans

who play along at

www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori during

my TV appearances and at my antiques

appraisal events presented nationwide.

I developed the game years ago so

folks can enjoy playing as they learn

which objects to trash and which they

should treasure. Remember, cleaning is

not the same as trashing. While you will

get rid of stuff by simply throwing it

away, you may be liquidating some real

money in the process. Typically, when

you clean out a house, you have no idea

what certain items are, their age, or their

value.

If you are faced with the decision of

what to do with the following items

relating to the back-to-school season,

which objects should you throw away

and which objects should you keep?

From the list below, is

it a “Dumpster” or a

“no Dumpster” item?

1. An original, not a

first edition, copy of a

Winnie the Pooh book

2. A circa 1970s

Happy Days television

show lunchbox

3. A small, easel-

style chalk blackboard

that is moldy from

being stored in the

basement since the

1950s

4. Your high-

school yearbook

from 1968

Many people make the mistake of

thinking that old books are worthless

unless you own a first-edition copy. Of

course, first editions are

highly sought after, but

it is also true that later

editions of favorite

books are highly

regarded.

For example,

children’s literature that

is either antique (more

than 100 years old) or

vintage (less than 100

years old) is quite

valuable. When it

comes to the big names

in children’s literature

or beloved characters

like Winnie the

Pooh, the Velveteen

Rabbit, or Curious

George, don’t be

quick to dump it!

You know that you should keep the

lunchbox featuring Ritchie, the Fonz,

and the rest of the Happy Days gang.

They regularly sell online for a couple of

hundred dollars in good condition. You’ll

get a few more dollars for it if you sell

yours around the time that the school

buses return to your neighborhood in

early September.

So, what about the other back-to-

school items? Remember that I made this

game easy on you. You only have to deal

with a few items. Imagine how hard it is

to make these decisions when you have

an entire house filled with stuff to sort

through. That’s why people ask for my

help and get an appraisal from me first.

Deciding what to do without any expert

help can really cost you!

As you make decisions, you are pretty

sure that you can throw away the child’s

chalkboard and the high-school

yearbook. The chalkboard is in bad shape

Dumpster or No Dumpster: Back-to-School Edition

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Dr. Lori

A Winnie the Pooh book and other

examples of children’s literature

command big bucks.

please see DUMPSTER page 12


Brought to you by:717.285.1350

www.50plusExpoPA.com

Sponsored by:

Gold:

Media:

WHYL

WDAC

Bronze:

HealthAmerica Advantra

Humana

Regional Gastroenterology Associates of Lancaster

(RGAL)

ShelfGenie

90+ ExhibitorsHealth Screenings

SeminarsEntertainment

Door PrizesWant to have a fun

and informative day out?

Then get ready to renew,

revitalize, reinvent,

and rediscover at this

15th-annual event!

Presented

by:

&

Who Should Attend

• Family caregivers of adults or seniors with chronic illness or disability

• Adult children living near or afar from aging parents

• Spouses and relatives of loved ones with dementia

• Boomers looking to the future

Who Should Attend

www.onlinepub.com/CaregiversForumFor more information visit

www.onlinepub.com/CaregiversForum

• No cost to attend

• Not necessary to attend all sessions

• Held in conjunction with the 50plus EXPO

November 8, 20119:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Lancaster Host Resort2300 Lincoln Highway East

Lancaster, PA

Come for all or

part of the day!

Keynote Speaker

Dr. Linda Rhodesformer Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging

PPlluussSeminarsandPanelDiscussions

Strategies, Information, and Support for Caregivers.

Save the DateSave the Date

Presented by: Seminar Sponsors: Panelists:

Lancaster CountyOffice of Aging

United DisabilitiesServices

Pre-register today to reserve yourseat at the Forum!

Pre-register today to reserve yourseat at the Forum!

www.onlinepub.com/caregiversforum 717.285.8120


Gold is at anall-time high!

We offer the best trade-in value in town.

We buy unwanted gold, silver, diamonds, chains, rings, andearrings in any condition. Think of it as recycling memories!

What is my gold worth?Gold is priced using three main factors:

1) Karats: the higher the karat, the purer the gold

2) Price of gold: set twice daily by London Gold Fix

3) Weight: measured in grams

BRENT L. MILLER JEWELERS

& GOLDSMITHS

Jo Miller

I will evaluateyour gold while

you watch & wait.

Deal withsomeone you

can trust!

Receive an extra

for your gold, silver

& diamondsAT BRENT L. MILLER

JEWELERS & GOLDSMITHS

With coupon only. Expires 10/15/11

10% CASHBRENT L. MILLER JEWELERS

& GOLDSMITHS

1619 Manheim Pike

Chelsea Square (Near Park City)

(717) 569-5450M-W 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Th-F 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

www.BrentLMiller.com

• Comprehensive audiologic evaluation

• Featuring the most advanced hearing products

• Accessories, batteries and ALDS

• Custom earpiece for iPods and cell phones

• Home Visits

• Tinnitus Retraining Therapy

Your one-stop shop for all your hearing care needs!

Most insurances accepted. Major credit cards accepted. Payment plans offered.

Hearing and Ear Care Center, LLCSupported with Trust

200 Schneider Drive, Suite 1 • Lebanon

717.274.3851 www.HelpingUHear.com

Linda Gonya-Hartman, Au.D.

Audiologist

Number of Children Living witha Grandparent Has Increased

In 2009, 7.8 million children lived

with at least one grandparent, a 64

percent increase since 1991, when 4.7

million children lived with a

grandparent,

according to a

new report from

the U.S. Census

Bureau.

Among

children living

with a

grandparent, 76

percent also were

living with at

least one parent

in 2009, not

statistically

different from the

77 percent who

lived with at least

one parent in

1991.

These statistics

come from the household relationship

module of the Survey of Income and

Program Participation collected in 2009

and published in the report Living

Arrangements of Children: 2009.

In 1991, 5 percent of white, 15

percent of black, and 12 percent of

Hispanic children lived with at least one

grandparent. By 2009, 9 percent of

white, 17 percent of black, and 14

percent of Hispanic children lived with at

least one

grandparent, a

significant

change for white

children but not

for black or

Hispanic

children.

Many

children who do

not live with a

parent live with

a grandparent.

More than half

of the children

living with no

parents were

living with

grandparents.

Percentages for

black children (64 percent) and non-

Hispanic white children (55 percent) did

not differ from Hispanic children (61

percent), but the percentage of Asian

children living with no parents who lived

with grandparents was lower, at 35

percent.

NationalGrandparents Day

Sept. 11, 2011

In Remembrance2001-2011


RehabilitationScootersSeat Lift ChairsPower Wheel ChairsManual Wheel ChairsStair Lifts

Women’s HealthMastectomy ProductsBreast Feeding AccessoriesBreast Pumps

RespiratoryServicesOxygenCPAP SuppliesAir Compressors

Orthopedics and SupportsCompression Hosiery Orthopedic PillowsSeating & SupportsKnee BracesDiabetic Shoes & Socks

GSH Home Med Care

1.800.487.2057 | www.gshhomemedcare.com

Lebanon | 301 Schneider Drive | 717.272.2057 & Palmyra Shopping Center | 717.838.7511

We carry a full line of home medical equipment and specialized products. Our certified and professional staff is ready to assist you with the product that is right for your needs and your budget. We can service and maintain your equipment at both of our convenient locations in Lebanon and Palmyra. We also provide customized products for use in your home and offer in-home consulations.

Quality Homecare Products.Our Experience is Your Peace of Mind.

Other ServicesBathroom Safety ProductsWound CareFirst Aid & Health SuppliesWalkers with WheelsHospital BedsBlood Pressure Units

PPROFESSIONALLROFESSIONALLYY SSPEAKINGPEAKING......

Since the economic downturn, the

number of Americans living in

multigenerational households has

risen to 49 million. The benefits are

family dinners, built-in babysitting,

reduced expenses, and convenient

care of aging parents. Here are a few

tips to help multigenerational housing

be the most pleasant for everyone.

• Large gathering areas — If your

house has sleeping space, but

nowhere for everyone to interact

together, communication problems

can arise.

• First floor master

— Easy access for

aging family members.

• Attached living wing — Two

homes within a home, with just an

attached laundry room area, can

give both age groups space and

privacy.

Clyde Patches is the president of

Tri-Valley Contractors, Inc., in Lebanon.

The company specializes in custom homes,

remodeling and additions, and kitchens

and baths. Recently voted Best Builder in

the Lebanon Valley. Call 717-277-7674 or

visit trivalleycontractors.com.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

1501 East Cumberland Street

Lebanon PA 17042

(717) 277-7684

www.trivalleycontractors.com

MAKING THE MOST OFMAKING THE MOST OF

MULMULTIGENERATIGENERATIONAL LIVINGTIONAL LIVING

Clyde Patches

Contractor #8825

DUMPSTER from page 9

so it can go. You are right! In good

shape, these sell for $45 to $75. But,

condition is directly related to an

object’s value and yours is in sorry

shape. It’s a Dumpster piece.

And, as you stand in the basement

holding an old high-school yearbook,

you think, Wasn’t it silly that Mom kept

this around all these years? So, you don’t

really have a sentimental attachment to

it anymore and you figure that it is a

Dumpster item.

One thing to remember about old

yearbooks: The only time that your

high-school yearbook might be of

interest to buyers is if you share the

pages with a celebrity. If you had home

economics or physical education class

with Madonna, Julia Roberts, or the

Prince of Monaco, it could be

valuable. Otherwise, you can dump it!

Keep playing Dumpster or No

Dumpster with me and find out what

your stuff is really worth!

Note: Dr. Lori will be hosting two

free antiques appraisal events in

Pennsylvania this fall: at the Laurel

Mall in Hazelton on Sept. 17 and at

the Suburban Fall Home Show at the

Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in

Oaks on Oct. 22 and 23. For

information, call (888) 431-1010 or

www.DrLoriV.com.

Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and

award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori

presents antique appraisal events

nationwide and appears on the Fine Living

Network and on TV’s Daytime. Visit

www.DrLoriV.com or call (888) 431-1010.

ClarificationThe July 2011 article “How to Stop Junk Mail” by Jim Miller advised readers to

contact the consumer credit reporting industry opt-out service to reduce unwantedmail. Thank you to readers who expressed concern over needing to give their SocialSecurity number to this service to be removed from mailing lists.

While it is generally true that personal information should not be given out, theopt-out service has been checked out and is legitimate. These industries identifyconsumers by Social Security number and use date of birth to verify the SocialSecurity number; therefore, this information is needed to be removed from the lists.

However, if readers are uncomfortable giving this information—then please donot do so.

I began wondering if I was the only

one stagnating … if everyone else is

evolving and transforming. I decided to

investigate the concept of personality

change and therefore had to do

something I usually try to avoid—talk to

my relatives.

I had lunch with my cousin Arnie.

“Heck yes, I’ve changed,” he told me. “I

used to be stuck in a rut in that

accounting job; everything I did was very

predictable. But now that I quit, I’m

spontaneous, I’m creative. I act, I write, I

paint. You know what that means?”

“I’m paying for lunch?” I asked.

“Exactly,” he replied with a laugh.

I went to see my Aunt Sarah at her

apartment. “Oh yes,” she said, “I’m a

changed woman. When I was married to

Mort I really loved him, but I did

everything he wanted. Now that he’s

passed away, may God rest his soul, I live

my own life and do whatever I want to

do.”

“What do you do?” I asked.

“Mostly I think about Mort,” she

answered.

I went to a coffee shop with my

cousin Tommy. Tommy used to weigh

about 350 pounds but now, because he

exercises and eats the right kinds of food

(stuff that tastes like cardboard), he’s

down to about 210 pounds.

“You know,” he said, “I used to hate

myself. I thought everybody was

laughing at me. And I was afraid to talk

to people, especially girls. Now, I like

myself and I’m not scared to ask a

woman out. I’ve definitely changed.” He

then asked the waitress out and she

turned him down. He was still proud of

himself for trying.

I spoke to a few more of my relatives

and they all thought they had changed in

some way, becoming more adventurous

… calmer … wiser … more optimistic

… or more loving. This, of course,

depressed the heck out of me, and I went

to talk to my friend Larry about it.

“I think I’m the only person in the

world who hasn’t changed since high

school,” I complained.

Larry said that he’s pretty sure I’ve

changed and grown.

“Really?” I asked.

“Oh yeah, you used to be a totally

self-absorbed jerk.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“But now look at you; you’re thinking

about other people … what they’re going

through … how they’ve changed.”

I thanked Larry for his nice words and

then spent the next three days thinking

about how I was no longer self-absorbed.

I then realized that if I’m thinking about

not being self-absorbed, I probably am

self-absorbed. And I thought about that

for another three days.

Returning from combat, he drew the

plum assignment of being one of three

pilots assigned to Offutt AFB,

headquarters of the Strategic Air

Command, to fly the generals to

wherever they needed to travel. He often

flew the commanding general, Curtis

LeMay.

Collins says, “General LeMay let you

fly copilot, but he always wanted to fly

the plane himself. His motto was, ‘If I’m

going to die in an airplane, I’m going to

do it myself.’”

After four years of flying the generals,

Collins was asked where he’d like to be

stationed. He picked Puerto Rico, and

they sent him there to be checked out in

the 10-engine B-36, which was the largest

military plane the U.S. ever built. It held

32,000 gallons of fuel and was powered

by six engines that powered pusher props

… and four more jet engines that were

used only on takeoffs and above 15,000

feet when added boost was needed.

Was the transition from B-29 to B-36

tricky? “Not really,” he says. “If you were

a qualified pilot, you got a check ride,

and that was it.”

Was it an easy plane to fly? “Not

especially,” he says. “It did take a little

getting used to your sitting 32 feet above

the runway when the wheels were

touching down.” He remembers one

mission when he flew his B-36 at 500

feet above the Mediterranean Sea to avoid

radar, then climbed to 40,000 feet to the

edge of Soviet airspace before breaking off

as a reminder to the Soviets that we were

still there.

“Another thing about the B-36,”

Collins notes, “was its extraordinary

ability to fly 32-hour missions. The crews

alternated during flight to permit them to

get them some rest, but the plane shook

and rattled so much that it was tough to

sleep. I wasn’t sorry to leave that

assignment.”

One of his strong recollections is of

manning one of the many B-29s in

England that were there to carry out our

secret threat to the Soviets that, should

they shoot down one of our planes that

flew the Berlin Airlift, we would wipe out

their major cities. Fortunately, the Airlift

ended without that happening.

Collins retired from the Air Force as a

full colonel in November of 1972. In

retirement, he worked for Rorer

Pharmaceuticals as senior vice president

for governmental affairs. Grinning,

Collins explains that the company’s most

well-known product was Maalox.

He notes that his wife, the former June

Prange, was a Central Pennsylvania girl,

so it was only natural that they look for a

place to live in the area. They did, and

therefore they now live in one of its

comfortable retirement communities.

Collins keeps himself busy with enjoying

his sailboat, playing a lot of golf, and

landscaping his grounds.

Recently, June asked him if there was

anything special he’d like for his 90th

birthday. He said it would really be nice

to go up in the mint-condition Piper Cub

he had seen at Smoketown Airport. So

she found the pilot, made the

arrangements, and Collins was taken for

the flight on his birthday. It was wholly

appropriate for a man whose career had

been so uniquely filled with flying.

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in

Europe in WWII.

FLYING from page 5

1. What year was Rembrandt born?

A. 1556

B. 1606

C. 1656

D. 1706

2. At what university was Rembrandt educated?

A. Webster

B. Leyden

C. Cambridge

D. Vrije

3. What was the name of Rembrandt’s first wife?

A. Helena

B. Franceska

C. Hendrickje

D. Saskia

4. Rembrandt was the chief painter of what school?

A. Italian School

B. Dutch School

C. Neoclassical School

D. Pre-Raphaelite School

5. Rembrandt moved to what city in 1631?

A. Amsterdam

B. Rotterdam

C. Maastricht

D. Rome

Braintwisters

This month’s answers on page 14

Source: www.usefultrivia.com


CHANGE from page 7


Braintwisters1. B. 1606

2. B. Leyden

3. D. Saskia

4. B. Dutch School

5. A. Amsterdam

Questions shown on page 13

Untwist Your Brain!

All the winnersfrom six years of PA STATE SENIOR IDOL willcome together for anevening of astoundingentertainment!

Please join us as the “best of the best” step into the spotlight to

not only showcase their individual talents once again, but to

also join together for blended musical renditions. Previous

performances can be viewed at www.SeniorIdolPA.com!

TThheessee ggiifftteedd PPeennnnssyyllvvaanniiaannss wwiillll ddeelliivveerr aann eevveenniinngg ooff

eexxcceeppttiioonnaall ttaalleenntt!! CCoommee,, sshhaarree tthhee ffuunn!! TToo rreesseerrvvee yyoouurr sseeaattss,,

ccaallll tthhee DDuuttcchh AAppppllee DDiinnnneerr TThheeaattrree aatt (717) 898-1900 nnooww..

Monday, Sept. 19, 20115:30 p.m. – Dinner; 7 p.m. – Show

Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA

Dinner & Performance:$43 Adults; $32 Children 18 & Under

Performance Only:$28 (Limited Number Available)

Reserve your seats now before they’re sold out!

This Month in History:September

Events•• Sept. 9, 1776 – The United States came into

existence as the Continental Congress changed the

name of the new American nation from the

United Colonies.

• Sept. 12, 1953 – John F. Kennedy, 36, married

Jacqueline Bouvier, 24, in a ceremony before 750

invited guests at St. Mary’s Church in Newport,

R.I., conducted by Archbishop Richard Cushing

of Boston.

• Sept. 14, 1901 – Eight days after being shot,

President William McKinley died from wounds

suffered during an assassination attempt in

Buffalo, N.Y. He was succeeded by Theodore

Roosevelt.

Birthdays• Sept. 5 – Wild West legend Jesse James (1847-

1882) was born in Centerville, Mo. Following the

American Civil War, James and his brother, Frank,

formed a group of outlaws, robbing banks, trains,

stagecoaches, and stores. In 1882, after the

governor of Missouri offered a $10,000 reward for

their capture dead or alive, a member of the gang

shot 34-year-old James in the back of the head

and claimed the reward.

• Sept. 23 – American journalist and influential

commentator Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) was

born in New York. “Without criticism and reliable

and intelligent reporting, the government cannot

govern,” he once stated.

• Sept. 26 – American folk legend Johnny

Appleseed (1774-1845) was born in Leominster,

Mass., as John Chapman. For 40 years, he traveled

through Ohio and Indiana and into Illinois,

planting orchards. He was a friend to wild animals

and was regarded as a “great medicine man” by

Native Americans.


A great place to call home —or the care needed to remain at home.

Will they think of you?

A great place to call home —or the care needed to remain at home.

Will they think of you?

• 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

In print. Online at onlinepub.com.

Call now to reserve your space!Closing Date: Oct. 14, 2011

To include your community or service in the 2012 edition or for a copy of the

2011 edition, call your representative or (717) 285-1350 or email [email protected]

PETS from page 1

With three college degrees to his name

(an associate degree in police science; a

bachelor’s in humanities/

communications; and a master’s in

education/training and development),

Rudy has worked in radio and television

for almost 30 years. But as is so often the

case, his projected career path began

elsewhere: with a goal to become a

Pennsylvania state trooper after high-

school graduation.

“I’ve always had a heartfelt desire to

help others,” Rudy said, adding that it is

“just as well” that his policeman path

didn’t pan out. “I would have probably

spent more time helping stranded

motorists change tires than writing

speeding tickets.”

His radio work started in the early

1980s and included stints at more than a

dozen Pennsylvania radio stations,

including, locally, WYCR and WSOX.

Over the years, Rudy found ways to fuse

his expertise as a communications

professional with his passion for animal

welfare, beginning with the Helen O.

Krause Animal Foundation in

Mechanicsburg. Rudy used his trained

voice and honed people skills to host

many of their fundraising Pet Walks as

well as several other events for the

organization.

Rudy has also hosted numerous events

for the York County SPCA, serving on

their board of directors, as host of their

holiday auction, and, beginning in 2000,

as the host of Meet the Pets, a television

show aimed at finding homes for pets at

the shelter.

“Nearly everyone I

would run into would

say, ‘How can you do

that show every week

and not want to take

all those animals home

with you?’” he

recalled. “Well, I knew

I couldn’t save them

all, so I did my best to

convince others to

adopt them.”

In early 2001, Rudy had his first

experience serving as an animal foster

parent when the executive director of the

SPCA asked him to take in Sheena, a

Saluki whose owner unexpectedly ended

up in intensive care.

While Sheena’s owner was in the

hospital, Rudy managed to “sneak” the

dog up the back stairs to visit her ailing

companion, much to the owner’s delight.

Sadly, the owner passed away later that

year, and Rudy agreed to adopt Sheena

until she herself passed two years later.

By that time, Rudy had already been

owned by several dogs in his lifetime,

beginning with a beagle named Trixie

during elementary school and Tina, a

Chihuahua/terrier mix in high school.

When he moved out

on his own, Rudy

adopted Smokey, an

Afghan mix, from the

Humane Society.

Afghan hounds, an

unusual breed with

their long, thick hair,

had always held a

special place in Rudy’s

heart, ever since his

grandfather, a state

forest fire warden, saved a kennel full of

dogs in danger of being consumed by a

forest fire. The kennel owner had given

his grandfather Wendy, a Westminster

Dog Show award-winning Afghan, as a

token of his gratitude.

A few years later, a purebred Afghan,

Ashley, joined Smokey in the Rudy

household. Six months later, Abby,

another Afghan, entered the canine mix.

Ashley and Abby passed away within

three years of one another and,

heartbroken, Rudy wasn’t sure he could

ever own another dog. But while hosting

events for the York County SPCA, Rudy

was put in touch with a family who had

just had a litter of Afghan puppies. His

new dog was a blond male Afghan with

AKC papers, so Rudy had to choose an

AKC name to register the dog.

“I picked my dog’s AKC name,

‘Magic Carpet Ride,’ [after] one of my

favorite songs by Steppenwolf,” he said.

“After all, an Afghan hound lying down

does resemble a big rug!”

And it was a listener to Rudy’s

morning show on Oldies 96.1 who

called in with her idea for the new dog’s

exotic-sounding name: Taj.

In January 2004, Rudy’s life took a

dramatic change while hosting Meet the

Pets when a “crazy red Irish Setter came

bouncing into the video studio at the

shelter,” said Rudy. “Maggie … was so

full of life that I could hardly hang onto

her. As soon as we were done taping the

segment, I ran up to [the executive

director]’s office and said, ‘I want to take

that dog home!’”

“I knew I couldn’t

save them all, so I

did my best to

convince others to

adopt them.

“


September 27, 20119 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

York Expo CenterMemorial Hall–East, 334 Carlisle Avenue, York

October 25, 20119 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Carlisle Expo Center100 K Street, Carlisle

November 8, 20119 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.Lancaster Host Resort2300 Lincoln Highway East, Lancaster

717.285.1350 | 717.770.0140 | 50plusExpoPA.comBrought to you by:

Limited Sponsorship Opportunities Available

NEW:a Caregivers Forum

It was during his nine years as half of

the “morning drive” team of “Mad Dog

and Rudy” on WSOX that Rudy decided

to throw himself even deeper into

community service.

“I volunteered to host just about

everything I could, helping every

organization imaginable, which

eventually led to my being presented

with the Jefferson Award,” Rudy said.

He was also the public service director

at WSOX and host of a Sunday-morning

show called Music and the Message,

during which he interviewed people from

the nonprofit community to help spread

the word about their efforts. Knowing of

Rudy’s love for animals, a listener

contacted him about Pet Guardians.

Rudy invited the founder and president,

Debra Vredenburg, onto his show … and

the rest, as they say, is history.

“On May 31, 2008, Debra and I got

married and began our mission together

to save as many animals as possible,” said

Rudy. “I continue to host events, but the

deal is, if I’m there, Debra is there too

with a stand for Pet Guardians.”

The Vredenburg-Rudys combined

pets: his Afghan, Taj, and Maggie the

Irish setter with her Rudy the lab/pit bull

mix (yes, Vredenburg-Rudy named her

dog Rudy before she even met her

husband) and Maggie the black lab—

that’s two dogs named Maggie. Add in

foster dog Bella and four cats, and the

Vredenburg-Rudy household is

brimming with well-trained, well-loved

animal family members.

“Two of the special things Debra and I

do together include occasionally taking

our pets to area nursing homes and

retirement communities for pet therapy

visits,” Rudy said. “And every other week,

we take two of the dogs to visit with

patients at a day treatment center. There’s

nothing quite like an Irish Setter

unexpectedly jumping up onto your lap

and licking you in the face to make you

love life!”

Their household also now contains

not one but two Jefferson Award

winners—for her tireless efforts with Pet

Guardians, Debra Vredenburg-Rudy was

the recipient of the 2010 Jefferson Award

for Lancaster County.

“We strongly advocate preparing for

your pets when you’re gone, just as you

do with your estate,” advised Rudy.

Because Pet Guardians is not a shelter

or boarding service—they are essentially

liaisons that help find temporary and

permanent homes for the animals—they

are always seeking foster families who

will provide homes for the pets until a

permanent adoptive pet parent is secured.

To find out more about Pet Guardians,

visit www.petguardians.org or email

[email protected].

Rudy will be the master of ceremonies

at WoofStock in Harrisburg on Sept. 18.

A Central PA Animal Alliance event

featuring live bands, pet contests, food,

and rescue organizations from all over

Central Pennsylvania, WoofStock will

cover a nine-block area along Front Street

from North Street down to the Walnut

Street Bridge.

Rudy and Pet Guardians will also be

part of several local parades in the

coming months, and Rudy will emcee

the Dillsburg Farmer’s Fair Parade on

Oct. 15.

For Rudy, a lifelong animal lover and

advocate, the payoff is in serving as a

conduit for the human-animal bond, in

perpetuating for others that special

connection that has meant so much to

him in his own life.

“[I love] seeing the joy on the faces of

the people who know that their pet will

be taken care of as well as the joy of the

people getting the pet,” he said. “And

especially when they stay in contact with

each other; it’s almost like bringing those

two families together through the love of

that one dog or cat—that’s

overwhelming.”

Social Security OfficesWill Close Earlier

Due to budget cuts, the Carlisle,

Chambersburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster,

Lebanon, Selinsgrove, and York Social

Security offices are open to the public

Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to

3:30 p.m.—a reduction of 30 minutes

each weekday.

While agency employees will continue

to work their regular hours, this shorter

public window will allow them to

complete face-to-face service with the

visiting public without incurring the cost

of overtime.

Most Social Security services do not

require a visit to an office. For example,

anyone wishing to apply for benefits, sign

up for direct deposit, replace a Medicare

card, obtain a proof of income letter, or

inform us of a change of address or

telephone number may do so at

www.socialsecurity.gov or by dialing the

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

who are deaf or hard of hearing may call

the TTY number, (800) 325-0778.


Lebanon County

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

Sept. 13 and 21, 10 to 11 a.m. – Aerobics

Sept. 20, 10:30 a.m. – Breakfast Brainstormers

Sept. 21, 10 a.m. – Annual Picnic at Levitz Memorial Park

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

Sept. 6, 12:30 p.m. – Book Club with Cari

Sept. 10, 10 a.m. – Bunco Dice Game and Covered Dish

Sept. 23, 9 a.m. – Fall “Make a New Friend” Breakfast

Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-678651 W. Stoever Ave., Myerstown

Sept. 1, 10:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Dinner Theater Bus Trip

Sept. 16, 10:30 a.m. – Center Picnic at Hebron Banquet Hall

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

Sept. 12, 10:30 a.m. – Tai Chi for Seniors Demonstration

Sept. 14, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Annual Picnic at Jonestown Community Park

Sept. 30, 12:30 p.m. – Pinochle Club

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

Sept. 13, 11:30 a.m. – Lunch Club at Red Lobster

Sept. 14, 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. – Hawaiian Luau at Mt. Haven Resort

Sept. 21, 10 a.m. – Domestic Violence Intervention Program

Southern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 274-7541Midway Church of the Brethren, 13 Evergreen Road, Lebanon

Sept. 12, 10:15 a.m. – Blood Pressure

Sept. 19, 10 a.m. – Picnic and Entertainment

Sept. 28, 10:30 a.m. – Bible Study

Privately Owned Centers

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

Lebanon County Department of Parks and Recreation

Programs and Support Groups Free and open to the public

Lebanon County Library Programs

Annville Free Library, 216 E. Main St., Annville, (717) 867-1802

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sept. 4, 1 to 4 p.m. – Music on the Porch: Bluegrass/Traditional Appalachian

Workshop and Jam

Sept. 10, 6 to 8 a.m. – “Breakfast with the Birds” Meditation Hike

Sept. 25, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Volunteer Recognition Dessert Night

Senior Center Activities

Give Us the Scoop!

Please send us your press releases so we can let our readers know about

free events occurring in Lebanon County!

Email preferred to: [email protected]

(717) 285-1350

Let help you get the word out!

If you have an event you would like to include,

please email information to [email protected] for consideration.

What’s Happening?

Medicare Fraud Alert IssuedSenior Medicare Patrol programs in

North Carolina, Iowa, and

Pennsylvania have received

reports from

beneficiaries who have

received phone calls

from companies

wanting to send them a

free back brace.

The beneficiary simply needs to give

the caller a Medicare number. When

the beneficiary tries to follow up with

the company, the phone number given

for the company has been disconnected.

Remember: Do not give your

Medicare number to

telephone solicitors,

salespeople, and people

you are not familiar

with. Once given,

Medicare can be billed

time and again with your

number for services you do not want

and have not authorized.

To report Medicare fraud, call (877)

272-8720.

“Face the Music”

This idiom comes from the British

military. When someone was court-

martialed, there would be a military

drum squad playing, so the defendant

would indeed be facing the music.


Howard B. Melnick, MD • John J. Moffitt, MD

Glen J. Mesaros, MD • Donald Short, M.A., FAAA

• Sharon K. Hughes, M.S., CCC-A

Lebanon

361-9777Lancaster

569-0451


Minimally-invasive hysterectomy.

And maximum reassurance.

She couldn’t ride her bike, hike with her husband or even plan a vacation. Still, thelast thing Trudy Gates wanted was surgery. But when a friend told her about a new minimally-invasive procedure at Good Samaritan, Trudy checked it out. She’d have a smaller incision,less scarring, a shorter hospital stay and a faster recovery. Best of all, the nurses assuredher she’d feel as good as new. They were wrong. She feels better than new.

The Women’s Wellness Network at Good Samaritan offers a number of advancedprocedures and services. For more information or to find a physician, visit comfortingcare.org.

lebanon county 50plus senior news sept. 2011

Documents