Lebanon County 50plus Senior News Sept. 2011 by On-Line Publishers, Inc.

Lebanon County Edition

September 2011

Vol. 6 No. 9

A Voice for Central PA’s Pets Media Personality Devotes Decades to Animal Advocacy 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. please see PETS page 16 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.

Inside:

Options for Retirees Headed Back to School page 6

Dumpster or No Dumpster page 9

Landisville, PA Permit No. 3

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September 2011

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Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being. Appraisals Eckenrode Rare Coins (717) 272-4579 Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning Dri-Masters Carpet Dry Cleaning (717) 260-3563/(717) 769-1533

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

Recycling (800) 346-4242

CONTACT Helpline (717) 652-4400

Social Security Information (800) 772-1213

Kidney Foundation (717) 652-8123

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

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (717) 652-6520

Construction Tri-Valley Contractors (717) 277-7674 Emergency Numbers Poison Control Center (800) 222-1222 Food Resources Food & Clothing Bank (717) 274-2490 Food Stamps (800) 692-7462

Nursing Homes/Rehab

Hearing Aid Services Hearing & Ear Care Center, LLC (717) 274-3851 Home Care Services Central Penn Nursing Care, Inc. (717) 361-9777 (717) 569-0451 Hospitals

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

Housing Assistance Hope (Helping Our People in Emergencies) (717) 272-4400

Lupus Foundation (888) 215-8787

Spang Crest Manor (717) 274-1495

Housing Assistance & Resources Program (HARP) (717) 273-9328 Lebanon County Housing & Redevelopment Authorities (717) 274-1401

Pharmacies CVS/pharmacy www.cvs.com Restaurants Old Country Buffet (717) 657-6290 – Harrisburg (717) 390-8800 – Lancaster (610) 375-9954 – Wyomissing Senior Centers

Insurance

Annville Senior Community Center (717) 867-1796

Medicare Hotline (800) 638-6833

Maple Street Senior Community Center (717) 273-1048

Hope/Christian Ministries (717) 272-4400

Good Samaritan Hospital (717) 270-7500

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

Medical Society of Lebanon County (717) 270-7500

Melnick, Moffitt, and Mesaros (717) 274-9775

Myerstown Senior Community Center (717) 866-6786

The Reading Hospital (610) 988-4357

MidPenn Legal Services (717) 274-2834

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

Salvation Army (717) 273-2655

Hotlines Health & Medical Services Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020

Energy Assistance (800) 692-7462

Legal Services

Pennsylvania Bar Association (717) 238-6715 Medical Equipment & Supplies

American Cancer Society (717) 231-4582

Environmental Protection Agency Emergency Hotline (800) 541-2050

American Diabetes Association (717) 657-4310

IRS Income Tax Assistance (800) 829-1040

American Heart Association (717) 273-0463

Medicaid (800) 692-7462

American Lung Association (717) 541-5864

Medicare (800) 382-1274

American Stroke Association (717) 273-0463

PA Crime Stoppers (800) 472-8477

Arthritis Foundation (717) 274-0754

PennDOT (800) 932-4600

GSH Home Med Care, Inc. (717) 272-2057 Monuments

Palmyra Senior Community Center (717) 838-8237 Senior Center of Lebanon Valley (717) 274-3451 Southern Lebanon County Senior Community Center (717) 274-7541

Ficco Memorials (717) 272-6308

Veterans Services

Neurosurgery & Physiatry

Governor’s Veterans Outreach (717) 234-1681

Lancaster NeuroScience & Spine Associates (717) 569-5331 (800) 628-2080

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

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September 2011

My 22 Cents’ Worth Corporate Office:

Citizenship Tests: Can You Pass One?

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: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com

PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna 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

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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.

September 2011

50plus SeniorNews

Walt Sonneville an 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 marketresearch analyst. He enjoys writing and reading non-partisan opinion essays. Contact him at waltsonneville@earthlink.net.

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Salute to a Veteran

He Had 10,000 Hours Flying Everything from PT-19s to B-36s Robert D. Wilcox f 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 They’d surface for amassed 10,000 that. Otherwise, hours of flying the American with the Air planes were Force. looking for He was first periscopes, by sent to Westover eyesight in the Field, Mass., day and by radar where he flew Bat night. When 25s in anti-sub they sighted one, patrols along the they’d drop depth Eastern Seaboard. charges … and, Soon they later, homing switched to fourtorpedoes. engine B-24s that Next could remain assignment for airborne for 12 him was flying Bhours. 24s from Gander John J. Collins, while in aviation cadet Their job was in Newfoundland training at Randolph Field in July 1942. to protect huge on 10-hour convoys leaving submarinethe U.S. The German U-boats had diesel chasing trips toward Greenland, Iceland, engines that needed air to recharge. and back to Gander. Then it was to

Land’s End, England, on sub patrol in B24s 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.” please see FLYING page 13

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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

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September 2011

Savvy Senior

Options for Retirees Headed Back to School Jim Miller 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

For more information on Pathways programs, visit www.thepathways institute.org, email pathwayinquiry@the pathwaysinstitute.org, or call (717) 5917213. 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) 2037100), which offers computer courses at learning centers around the country. Photo: Kem Lee

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.

When

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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.

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.)

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-touse search tools.

Credits and Deductions

Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior Book. www.savvysenior.org.

Uncle Sam can offer some assistance too in the form of tax credits and

Older But Not Wiser

Change Sy Rosen got 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

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By Myles Mellor and Sally York

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 guy messed 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. please see CHANGE page 13

Across 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 Icelandic literary work 23. Snubbing Down 1. Cries at fireworks 2. Map 3. Further 4. Watch feature, perhaps 5. Fourth letter of Hebrew alphabet 6. Exceedingly 7. “___ go!” 8. Bygone political cause 9. Tree type 10. **** review 11. Sheltered 12. Maryland stadium

31. West Indian folk magic 32. Catch 33. Farm call 34. Fabric 35. Acadia National Park locale 37. Bakery buy 38. Extreme suffix 39. Foofaraw 40. Ism 41. Eluding an officer 45. Feeder filler

46. 47. 50. 55. 57.

15. 17. 18. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 35.

39. Aggravation 40. Harsh Athenian lawgiver 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

Gregor Johann ___ Dander Certain federal tax Distinctive flair Show fear Having a lot to lose? Boxing blows Not dis Kind of jack Candidate’s concern Standards Reached Unaccompanied compositions 36. Passage 37. Lookout point

58. 59. 60. 61. 62.

Legal org. Catalog Eccentric Kamikaze run? X-Men villain, and namesakes Place Big name in pineapples Eyelid woe Leavings Abreast of

Solution on page 8

50plus SeniorNews

September 2011

Register Today for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s 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. 10 Harrisburg, City Island Registration at 8 a.m. Walk at 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17 York, Morgan-Cousler Park Registration at 10 a.m. Walk at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24 Lancaster, Long’s Park Registration at 9 a.m. Walk at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8 Chambersburg, Providence Place Registration at 10 a.m. Walk at 11 a.m.

September 10, 2011 City Island, Harrisburg Registration at 8 a.m. • Walk at 9 a.m.

September 17, 2011 Morgan Cousler Park, York Registration at 10 a.m. • Walk at 11 a.m.

September 24, 2011

Register now by calling (717) 6515020 or emailing tiffani.chambers@alz.org. 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. Alzheimer’s Association Greater Pennsylvania Chapter 3544 N. Progress Ave., Suite 205 Harrisburg, PA 17110 (717) 651-5020 (717) 651-5066 (Fax) (800) 272-3900 (Helpline)

Long’s Park, Lancaster Registration at 9 a.m. • Walk at 10 a.m. Registration brochures, team packets and sponsorship packets available, please call (717) 651-5020 or email tiffani.chambers@alz.org • Easy online registration at http://www.alz.org/walk • Volunteer opportunities available. • Teams and individuals welcome.

Never Miss Another Issue! Subscribe online at www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Chapter Sponsors Tiffani Chambers, Constituent Relations Manager Alzheimer’s Association (717) 651-5020 tiffani.chambers@alz.org Alzheimer’s Association 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205 • Harrisburg, PA 17110

September 2011

50plus SeniorNews

Crossword shown on page 7

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Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Dumpster or No Dumpster: Back-to-School Edition Dr. Lori y 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?

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-toschool 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

From the list below, is it a “Dumpster” or a “no Dumpster” item?

course, first editions are highly sought after, but it is also true that later editions of favorite 1. An original, not a books are highly first edition, copy of a regarded. Winnie the Pooh book For example, 2. A circa 1970s children’s literature that Happy Days television is either antique (more show lunchbox than 100 years old) or 3. A small, easelvintage (less than 100 style chalk blackboard years old) is quite that is moldy from valuable. When it being stored in the comes to the big names basement since the in children’s literature 1950s or beloved characters 4. Your highlike Winnie the A Winnie the Pooh book and other examples of children’s literature school yearbook Pooh, the Velveteen command big bucks. from 1968 Rabbit, or Curious George, don’t be Many people make the mistake of quick to dump it! thinking that old books are worthless You know that you should keep the unless you own a first-edition copy. Of lunchbox featuring Ritchie, the Fonz,

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September 2011

Strategies, Information, and Support for Caregivers.

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Number of Children Living with a 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 nonHispanic 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.

National Grandparents Day

Sept. 11, 2011

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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.

Clarification The 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 unwanted mail. Thank you to readers who expressed concern over needing to give their Social Security number to this service to be removed from mailing lists. While it is generally true that personal information should not be given out, the opt-out service has been checked out and is legitimate. These industries identify consumers by Social Security number and use date of birth to verify the Social Security number; therefore, this information is needed to be removed from the lists. However, if readers are uncomfortable giving this information—then please do not do so.

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September 2011

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CHANGE

from page 7

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

FLYING

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

from page 5

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 www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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.

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.

Braintwisters 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

Source: www.usefultrivia.com

This month’s answers on page 14

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber in Europe in WWII.

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September 2011

Braintwisters Untwist Your Brain!

1. B. 1606 2. B. Leyden 3. D. Saskia 4. B. Dutch School 5. A. Amsterdam

All the winners from six years of PA STATE SENIOR IDOL will come together for an evening of astounding entertainment!

Questions shown on page 13

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.

Monday, Sept. 19, 2011 5:30 p.m. – Dinner; 7 p.m. – Show Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre 510 Centerville Road, Lancaster, PA

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

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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! These gifted Pennsylvanians will deliver an evening of exceptional talent! Come, share the fun! To reserve your seats, call the Dutch Apple Dinner Theatre at (717) 898-1900 now. 14

September 2011

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• 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 (18471882) 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.

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September 2011

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 highschool 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 companion, much to the owner’s delight. organization. Sadly, the owner passed away later that Rudy has also hosted numerous events year, and Rudy agreed to adopt Sheena for the York County SPCA, serving on until she herself passed two years later. their board of directors, as host of their By that time, Rudy had already been holiday auction, and, beginning in 2000, owned by several dogs in his lifetime, as the host of Meet the Pets, a television beginning with a beagle named Trixie show aimed at finding homes for pets at during elementary school and Tina, a the shelter. Chihuahua/terrier mix in high school. “Nearly everyone I When he moved out would run into would on his own, Rudy say, ‘How can you do adopted Smokey, an I knew I couldn’t that show every week Afghan mix, from the and not want to take Humane Society. save them all, so I all those animals home Afghan hounds, an did my best to with you?’” he unusual breed with recalled. “Well, I knew convince others to their long, thick hair, I couldn’t save them had always held a adopt them. all, so I did my best to special place in Rudy’s convince others to heart, ever since his adopt them.” grandfather, a state In early 2001, Rudy had his first forest fire warden, saved a kennel full of experience serving as an animal foster dogs in danger of being consumed by a parent when the executive director of the forest fire. The kennel owner had given SPCA asked him to take in Sheena, a his grandfather Wendy, a Westminster Saluki whose owner unexpectedly ended Dog Show award-winning Afghan, as a up in intensive care. token of his gratitude. While Sheena’s owner was in the A few years later, a purebred Afghan, hospital, Rudy managed to “sneak” the Ashley, joined Smokey in the Rudy dog up the back stairs to visit her ailing household. Six months later, Abby,

“

PETS

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!’”

A great place to call home — or the care needed to remain at home. Will they think of you? Call now to reserve your space! Closing Date: Oct. 14, 2011 • 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. 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 info@onlinepub.com 16

September 2011

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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 thepetguardians@yahoo.com. 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.”

September 27, 2011 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. York Expo Center Memorial Hall–East, 334 Carlisle Avenue, York

Social Security Offices Will 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 www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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.

October 25, 2011 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Carlisle Expo Center 100 K Street, Carlisle

November 8, 2011 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Lancaster Host Resort

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Lebanon County

Calendar of Events Senior Center Activities

Lebanon County Department of Parks and Recreation 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

Annville Senior Community Center – (717) 867-1796 200 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) 273-1048 710 Maple St., Lebanon

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

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

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

Myerstown Senior Community Center – (717) 866-6786 51 W. Stoever Ave., Myerstown

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

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

Programs and Support Groups

Northern Lebanon Senior Community Center – (717) 865-0944 335 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown – www.jonestownpa.org/senior.html

Free and open to the public

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

Medicare Fraud Alert Issued Senior 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.

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) 838-8237 101 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) 274-7541 Midway 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) 274-3451 710 Maple St., Lebanon

What’s Happening? “Face the Music” This idiom comes from the British military. When someone was courtmartialed, there would be a military drum squad playing, so the defendant would indeed be facing the music.

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: mjoyce@onlinepub.com Let

help you get the word out! (717) 285-1350

September 2011

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Lebanon

Lancaster

361-9777

569-0451

Howard B. Melnick, MD • John J. Moffitt, MD Glen J. Mesaros, MD • Donald Short, M.A., FAAA • Sharon K. Hughes, M.S., CCC-A www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

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September 2011

Minimally-invasive hysterectomy.

And maximum reassurance. She couldn’t ride her bike, hike with her husband or even plan a vacation. Still, the last thing Trudy Gates wanted was surgery. But when a friend told her about a new minimallyinvasive 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 assured her 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 advanced procedures and services. For more information or to ﬁnd a physician, visit comfortingcare.org.

September 2011

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