50plus Life Cumberland County – October 2023

Nurse Nancy Autumnal Herbs

It is October; the air is beginning to turn crisp, and the leaves will change from green to blazing colors of orange, red, and yellow.

And along with these wonders of fall come the smells of rosemary, thyme, and other popular autumnal herbs. In addition to their deliciousness, these herbs also boast some excellent health benefits.

Using herbs in everyday cooking is becoming more popular. Culinary herbs are aromatic, edible plants used in small amounts to flavor dishes. Chefs and home cooks use fresh and dried herbs to make sweet and savory dishes, ranging from rich sauces to light salads and herb-laced baked goods.

As well as their culinary uses, people used herbs for centuries for medicinal purposes. Many today still prefer to use natural herbal remedies to cure ailments, and more people are turning to natural foods and fresh herbs to stay healthy.

Thyme: A Truly Timeless Ancient Herb

Thyme is an evergreen herb renowned for its use as both a culinary and a medicinal herb. It should be one of the first herbs in your spice collection as

thyme is one of the most basic, versatile, and oftenused herbs in almost any cuisine.

Thyme’s flavor is earthy and sweet, with a slightly minty taste. Warm, peppery undertones add depth to the flavor profile.

Thyme contains impressive amounts of essential vitamins and nutrients: vitamins C and A, fiber, copper, iron, and manganese.

It is known to stimulate the liver, aid digestion, and enhance the appetite. Thyme effectively treats diarrhea and gum and mouth infections and fights against various digestive and respiratory diseases.

This herb relieves sufferers of asthma, dry coughs, bronchitis, laryngitis, and whooping cough. Thyme is a potent antioxidant that protects the body from many of the adverse effects of aging.

Thyme is used in almost every type of cuisine. Traditional uses include seasoning blends for poultry stuffings and marinades, fish sauces, soups and chowders, and lamb and veal.

Eggs and custards seasoned with thyme are delicious. Italian spaghetti sauces rely on thyme to add a warm and earthy flavor, and it is a standard component

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Nancy J. Schaaf

We fight the unimaginable so we can witness the incredible.

of pizza sauce.

Thyme as an herbal tea is a popular health drink with a light flavor and numerous vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.

Of all the herbs utilized in cooking, thyme is undoubtedly one of the most versatile.

Rosemary: The Herb of Remembrance

Rosemary is a perennial herb and is incredibly fragrant, with needlelike leaves and flowers that may be white, pink, blue, or purple. It is highly aromatic and spicy and the most potent standalone herb in the kitchen.

Rosemary’s various aromas and flavors have a distinct and complex range; each aroma and taste within the herb perfectly complements the others.

This herb has a pronounced lemon-pine flavor but is also woodsy and peppery. The scent is tea-like, similar to charred wood, making it highly compatible with barbecued dishes.

A distinctive mustard-like aroma is produced when rosemary leaves are roasted with meats or vegetables. A release of aromas, including pine, menthol, and pepper, is noticed when cooking or handling the leaves of this herb.

This fantastic, unique flavor profile is something that only rosemary provides, and it blends extraordinarily well with a vast array of dishes.

Modern science indicates this herb increases memory and concentration. Its piney and energizing camphor aroma can lift one’s mood while helping to fight mental fatigue and promote alertness.

While memory improvement is rosemary’s best-known benefit, this herb can offer many others.

Rosemary is a natural insect repellent, muscle relaxant, antioxidant, and analgesic agent. It increases digestive health while decreasing fatigue and sluggishness. It softens and tones the skin when added to cosmetics and skincare products.

Rosemary is a staple in traditional Italian cuisine. Fresh or dried leaves pair beautifully with various dishes, including root vegetables, pasta, sauces, fresh cheeses, breads, poultry, and lamb.

Rosemary is used to infuse oil, sauces, and syrups. Its complex flavor combines exceptionally well with mushrooms, grains, sausage, and seafood. The wonderfully fresh taste and unique aroma of rosemary infuse a dish with its entire range of flavors, giving each culinary creation an earthiness and pungent herbal bite that no other herb can produce. Rosemary is an absolute staple with uses that can benefit anyone.

Rosemary and thyme are two herbs that should be in every kitchen. Not only are they flavorful, but they also boast remarkable health benefits. So, go into the kitchen, cut a few herbs, and care for yourself deliciously.

Our troops deserve our help and to know they aren’t forgotten!

Nancy J. Schaaf, a retired RN, worked as a school nurse, a nurse supervisor at a men’s prison, and a health educator. She earned her BSN at Edinboro University. She is a freelance writer whose health articles appear in magazines throughout the U.S. and Canada. She can be reached at nancyjschaaf@gmail.com. Please

Keystone Military Families, a PA-based nonprofit, encourages you to brighten the holidays for our troops overseas by sponsoring a care package! Thousands of essential items have been received for veterans, but monetary donations to defray shipping costs are desperately needed.

Cover Story An Unusual Arteast

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By Lynda Hudzick

Susan Marcorelle-Kroeck has loved art, all kinds of art, since she was in elementary school.

“I remember in third grade, my teacher would always ask me to design the bulletin boards at school,” she said.

“I always liked using my imagination; when I go for a walk, looking at different things like the bark on the ground … and seeing what I can paint. I just think it is important to use your imagination.”

These days, this Lancaster County mother and grandmother particularly enjoys painting on recycled materials of many kinds, including old pieces of wood, cloth, apple crates, and her personal favorite: used teabags.

Member of

It is definitely an unusual canvas, but it’s something she thought about doing back in her high school days. She decided to give it a try after meeting with a distant cousin, also an artist, who paints on teabags.

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“She asked if I ever painted on teabags … that just lit a spark, and I said, ‘I’ve always wanted to try that’ — and that is when I got started painting on teabags,” Kroeck said.

So how does one actually turn a used teabag into a canvas for a miniature work of art?

“After my husband enjoys a hot cup of tea, I let the teabag dry out,” Kroeck said. “I open it up and then just get started painting on it with acrylics or watercolors.”

She favors painting on tiny things because “I just need a tiny dab of paint … and then I can just start to paint my picture. I like to do landscapes of places I have been.”

Each painting takes about three days because “I go back to it and if I don’t like it, I’ll start over,” Kroeck said.

She starts working in mid-autumn on the handmade teabag Christmas cards she sends out each year.

“It takes a while,” she said. “My kitchen table and countertop are usually filled with teabags that are laid out all over the place so I can do one step at a time.”

Her process involves painting all of the backgrounds first and then going back and doing the chosen scene for the card that year.

“I make 35 Christmas cards each year. I enjoy seeing how many people put them out every Christmas and keep them year after year,” Kroeck said.

Putting a smile on the faces of those who are lucky enough to receive one of her creations makes all the work worth it. Her very first piece of teabag art was created to bring joy to a resident at Moravian Manor, where she worked at the time.

“She had her tea, and I said, ‘Can I have your teabag to paint on?’ She could not believe it, so I took it home … and painted a little pot of flowers and put it in a frame and gave it to her,” Kroeck said.

“She was so surprised … it makes me happy to create my art and when people tell me they still have it today.”

Although most of her artwork is created as gifts for friends and family, Kroeck recalls once being asked to create a piece with a food theme for the Taste of Lititz Art auction.

“I painted up five teabags with teacups on them and framed it. It was displayed in one of the store windows. My daughter overhead someone saying

painted-teabag Christmas sweaters.

Kroeck sometimes branches out into other “upcycled” artwork, including this papier-mâché Halloween witch made from an empty Wesson Oil bottle and a brown bag.

they thought it was a print, and she told them it was one of my paintings. They couldn’t believe it was real because of how small the details were.”

For Kroeck, creating her pieces is a relaxing hobby, and often her subject is inspired by a holiday.

“My last one was May Day,” she said. “I imagined a little girl holding a basket, and I just went from there.”

She hand-painted flowers and cut them out, and then used the teabag strings, painted green, as the stems.

“I painted a little basket on cardboard and cut that out, and then I took the inside of the tea and I sprinkled that on the bottom to make it look like dirt,” Kroeck said.

There is a great sense of accomplishment for Kroeck when she completes a piece, “especially if it came out well,” she said. “I love to look back at my art and remember what I have made and the places I have gone that inspired my paintings.”

She has kept artwork from all the way back to her middle school years, and she treasures the fact that much of it tells the story of her life.

There are many ways people can express themselves artistically, and Kroeck truly believes that all people have a creative side just waiting to flourish.

“Whether it is painting, or sewing, or other crafts, or even just day-to-day life as people work through problems creatively. I love to see what my children

sew and create,” Kroeck said.

She enjoys finding reusable things around the house to create pieces of art with her grandchildren.

“I love seeing them using their imaginations and being creative,” she said. “My really young grandchildren love to see how the colors mix and what new colors can be made.”

Kroeck’s oldest grandson put it this way when asked how he feels about his grandmother’s artwork:

“I have always liked looking at my grandma’s art. I love the stories behind the art. I love to create my own art. My personal favorite thing to draw is houses and buildings. Someday I want to be an architect. My grandma’s creativity and art have inspired me to continue to create.”

The best art teacher, according to Kroeck, is your own imagination and creativity — you just have to be willing to take a chance and express yourself without worrying about striving for perfection.

One of her biggest inspirations is nature, with all of its beautiful imperfections.

“There is no wrong when it comes to art,” Kroeck said. “I would advise everybody to go out into nature and take inspiration from what is around them.”

Kroeck creates an annual photo book of the teabag art she made during the year.

Kroeck paints at her kitchen table using an assortment of small brushes.

Kroeck’s subjects range from flowers, landscapes, and figures to animals and even the philly phanatic.

Home Care ServiCeS & HoSpiCe providerS

Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition. This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

DEDICATED NuRSINg ASSOCIATES, INC.

(570) 523-1810

www.dedicatednurses.com

Home Aides: Yes

Year Est.: 2006

Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, York

RNs: Yes

LPNs: Yes

CNAs: Yes

Medicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services: DNA is dedicated to all of your home care needs. Our services include, but are not limited to: bathing, dressing, feeding, meal preparation, light housekeeping, medication reminders, errands, respite, community integration, socialization, recreational activities, and appointments.

HOME INSTEAD

(717) 832-2222

www.homeinstead.com/696

Year Est.: 2007

Counties Served: Lancaster

RNs: Yes

LPNs: No

CNAs: No

Home Aides: Yes

L ANDIS AT HOME (717) 509-5800 www.landisathome.org

Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Graceful transitions – move management, downsizing; senior servant – bookkeeping; and transportation.

PATRIOT HOME CARE

(717) 798-9008 www.patriothomecare.org

Year Est.: 2008

Counties Served: Lebanon

RNs: No

LPNs: No

CNAs: No

Home Aides: Yes

Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Respite care, companionship, light housekeeping, personal care, medicine reminders, meal prep, dress assist, transport services, community engagement.

HOMELAND AT HOME

www.homelandathome.org

Year Est.: 2018

Counties Served: Adams, Berks, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, York

RNs: No

LPNs: No

CNAs: No

Home Aides: Yes

Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services:

Act 150, aging waiver, OBRA waiver, COMMCARE waiver, independent waiver, and attendant care waiver. Meal prep, companionship, light housekeeping, laundry, medication reminders, errands, bathing, community engagement, and personal care.

PLANET HOME HEALTHCARE, LLC (717) 941-2230 www.planethhc.com

Homeland Hospice: (717) 221-7890

Year Est.: 2008

Homeland Palliative Care: (717) 857-7403

Year Est.: 2022

Homeland HomeCare: (717) 221-7892

Year Est.: 2016

Homeland HomeHealth: (717) 412-0166

Year Est.: 2017

Counties Served: Adams, Cumberland*, Dauphin*, Franklin, Fulton, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon*, Mifflin, Northumberland, Perry*, Schuylkill, Snyder, York*

*Homeland HomeHealth currently serves five of 14 counties.

RNs: Yes

LPNs: Yes

CNAs/Home Aides: Yes

Direct Care Workers: Yes

PT/OT/Speech Therapists: Yes

Social Workers: Yes

Spiritual Counselors: Yes

Complementary Therapies: Yes

Medicare Certified: Yes

Other Certifications and Services: Homeland at Home is a community outreach of Homeland Center, a nonprofit CCRC that has served our region with excellent and benevolent care since 1867.

Our expert team is dedicated to providing a continuum of At Home services—from nonmedical personal assistance to skilled nursing and compassionate care. We are privileged to care for you and your loved ones … any place you call “home.”

We offer 13 months of bereavement support as well as community and staff educational programs. Please call for details.

Year Est.: 2016

Counties Served: Adams, Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, and York counties and beyond

RNs: Yes

LPNs: Yes

CNAs: Yes

Home Aides: Yes

Medicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services: CHAP certified

SPIRITRuST LuTHERAN HOME CARE & HOSPICE (800) 840-9081 www.spiritrustlutheran.org

Year Est.: 1978

Counties Served: South-central through northeastern Pennsylvania and northern Maryland

RNs: Yes

LPNs: Yes

CNAs: Yes

Home Aides: Yes

Medicare Certified?: Yes

Other Certifications and Services:

Home health care, in-home support, hospice care, palliative care, grief support, Medicaid certified. Physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Home Care ServiCeS & HoSpiCe providerS

Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition. This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

vISITINg ANgELS

(717) 652-8899

www.visitingangels.com/harrisburg

Year Est.: 2003

Counties Served: Cumberland, Dauphin

RNs: No

LPNs: No

CNAs: No

Home Aides: Yes

Medicare Certified?: No

Other Certifications and Services: Visiting Angels is a leading provider of elder care since 1998. We help older adults live independently and comfortably in their own homes. Services are customized and tailored for best outcomes.

The Beauty in Nature Antarctic Krill

Several species of krill, which are crustaceans related to shrimp, crayfish, and crabs, are abundant in all oceans on Earth.

Antarctic krill, which inhabit the southern oceans that completely surround icebound Antarctica, are 2.5 inches long — small in size, but big in their role near the bottom of numerous food chains in those waters.

Krill have several swimming legs to move forward, but they jet backward with a powerful forward flip of their rears to escape predators. They use comb-like front appendages as “baskets” to snare tiny food items from ocean water and have gills to take oxygen from that water.

Scientists estimate there are over 379 million tons of Antarctic krill, and there are over 350 trillion individual Antarctic krill living in large swarms in ocean water under the Antarctic pack ice. Some gatherings of this kind of krill are so huge they can be seen from space.

As filter feeders, Antarctic krills’ front appendages collect free-floating phytoplankton (one-cell algae), zooplankton, and diatoms from the open ocean. Those tiny bits of food are then passed by the filters to the krills’ mouths. This kind of krill also scrapes off and consumes the abundant green algae attached to the underside of the Antarctic pack ice on southern oceans. Sunlight shines through the ice, encouraging the growth of those algae.

A key species, krill are one of the largest biomasses on Earth because of their tremendously abundant food supplies. Therefore, krill are the main food of baleen whales, crab-eater seals, penguins, fish, squid, and other marine creatures around Antarctica.

Living exclusively on pack ice around beautiful and wild Antarctica, crabeater seals are the most common seals in the world because of the overwhelming abundance of krill.

Dwelling in the Southern Hemisphere, Antarctic krill spawn from January to

March. Each female produces up to 10,000 eggs, which male krill fertilize. Those eggs sink in the ocean, but the larvae swim to the surface after hatching and feed on microscopic plankton.

And like all crustaceans, krill must periodically shed their exoskeleton (outer shell) to be able to grow. They mature in two or three years and live up to six years, if not eaten.

Krill are important in the southern oceans for the number of marine creatures that ingest them. Krill annually produce one of the largest biomasses of wildlife on Earth. They turn plankton in the open ocean and algae under ice shelves into food (themselves) that larger marine creatures eat. Oceans around intriguing Antarctica would be much poorer without Antarctic krill. They are near the base of several food chains of who eats whom.

Clyde McMillan-Gamber

photo by professor Dr. Habil, en.wikipedia.org. Antarctic krill

if you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your marketing consultant or call (717) 285-1350.

A nature blog by Clyde McMillan-Gamber, retired Lancaster County Parks naturalist and longtime 50 plus Life columnist

It Was 50 Years Ago Today

‘Midnight train to Georgia’

randal Hill

For superstar Gladys Knight, recording “Midnight Train to Georgia” was probably like singing poignant lines from a diary.

“I was going through the exact same thing that I was [singing] about when recording,” she once said, “which is probably why it sounds so personal.”

The story begins with singer-songwriter Jim Weatherly. An all-star quarterback for his Mississippi high school’s football team, he also formed a band as a teenager and began writing original songs. Upon graduation, he chose music over a possible athletic career.

Weatherly moved to Los Angeles to try his songwriting luck. One evening in 1970, he phoned Lee Majors, an actor friend who had just started dating model Farrah Fawcett.

“Lee and I were in a flag football league together,” Weatherly explained. “Farrah answered the phone. She said Lee wasn’t home and that she was packing to take a midnight plane to Houston to visit her folks. I thought, ‘What a great line for a song.’”

After Weatherly hung up the phone, he grabbed his

“Midnight train to Georgia”

By

guitar and wrote “Midnight Plane to Houston” in 45 minutes.

The next year, Weatherly recorded an album of original songs, including “Midnight Plane to Houston.” When RCA Records released Weatherly’s LP in 1972, gospel icon Cissy Houston — Whitney’s mother — envisioned a pop-country tune and wanted first crack at the track.

“I loved it right away,” Houston said. “But I wanted to change the title. My people are from Georgia, and they didn’t take planes to Houston or anywhere else. They took trains. We recorded ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ in Memphis in 1972, but my label didn’t do much to promote it.”

Weatherly’s tune was then offered to fellow Georgian Gladys Knight. She had been an R&B and Top 40 sensation since 1961, when, at 17, she scored her first hit single — “Every Beat of My Heart” — with the Pips, her family-oriented backup group. (One cousin was nicknamed “Pip.”)

Knight recalled, “I listened to Cissy’s version, and I loved it, but I wanted to do something moody — horns, keyboards, and other instruments to create texture and to spark something in me.”

Knight thus recorded her signature song, which told of a man relinquishing his dreams of Hollywood stardom to return home, with the love of his life choosing to follow him:

L.A. proved too much for the man

He’s leaving the life he’s come to know

He said he’s going back to find what’s left of his world

The world he left behind not so long ago

He’s leaving on that midnight train to Georgia

Said he’s going back to a simpler place and time

“While recording that single, I was thinking about my own situation,” Knight admitted later when discussing her chart-topping, Grammy-winning smash release on Buddah Records.

“My husband at the time was unhappy that we didn’t have a more traditional marriage, because I was often on the road or recording. Ultimately, it all proved too much for him, like the song said, and we divorced later.”

Randal C. Hill is a rock ’n’ roll historian who lives at the Oregon coast. He may be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

photo of Gladys Knight from 1974.

Gladys Knight and the pips October 1973

Puzzle Page

Yosemite National Park

the Dark Side of Medicine

This month, I will explore the dark and disturbing history of medical treatments. While these methods may seem shocking and gruesome by today’s standards, they were once considered cutting-edge solutions. As we delve into the past, it’s important to appreciate the progress we’ve made in medicine. Additionally, I’ll briefly speculate on current treatments we do today that may be viewed as primitive in the future. It’s scary to think about it.

Right now, let’s explore 10 fascinating and bizarre historical remedies and reflect on medicine’s hall of shame:

1. Bloodletting: Bloodletting, a widespread medical treatment in ancient and medieval times, aimed to restore balance by draining blood to rectify an imbalance of the four “humors.” Despite its popularity, bloodletting often led to infection and death.

2. Trepanation: Trepanation involved drilling holes into the skull to release evil spirits or pressure, with the intent of treating conditions like headaches and epilepsy. This risky procedure persisted until the 18th century.

3. Mercury: Mercury was once considered a universal remedy for various ailments, including syphilis and toothaches. However, its toxic nature caused severe side effects and contributed to neurological damage, as seen in hatters during the 19th century. “Mad hatter disease” resulted from the use of mercury to stiffen animal fur to make hats.

4. Tobacco smoke enemas: In the 18th century, tobacco smoke enemas were used to treat respiratory issues and even revive drowning victims. This practice, based on the belief that tobacco smoke could warm the body and stimulate respiration, proved ineffective and dangerous.

5. Lobotomies: Lobotomy, a procedure that severed connections in the brain’s prefrontal cortex, gained popularity in the 20th century as a treatment for severe mental illnesses. Despite its initial promise, it often resulted in severe side effects and has since fallen out of favor.

6. Animal-dung ointments: In ancient Egypt, animal dung was believed

to possess healing properties and was used to treat various ailments. However, this unsanitary practice introduced harmful bacteria and worsened infections!

7. Mummy powder: Powdered mummies were used as a medical treatment in the belief that they possessed curative properties. This practice, which persisted for centuries, was not only ineffective, but also contributed to the destruction of historical artifacts.

8. Hemiglossectomy: During the 18th and 19th centuries, doctors believed that stuttering resulted from an unusually thick or long tongue. Hemiglossectomy, the removal of a portion of the tongue, was thought to cure the condition but often led to severe complications.

9. Strychnine: In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, strychnine, a highly toxic alkaloid, was used as a stimulant and performance-enhancing substance. However, its poisonous effects posed significant risks to health.

10. Cocaine: Cocaine was once hailed as a miracle cure for various ailments and was widely used in medicine and everyday products. However, its addictive and dangerous nature eventually led to its decline and regulation.

While we can’t predict the future, some current medical practices might be considered primitive in years to come.

Chemotherapy’s nonselective nature, electroconvulsive therapy’s side effects, organ transplantation’s risks, and the necessity of amputations may one day be replaced by more targeted and advanced alternatives. We can only hope!

Reflecting on the past, it’s evident that our understanding of health and medicine has come a long way. These historical treatments serve as a reminder of the progress we’ve made and the importance of evolving our therapies so that they are less invasive and more effective.

This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, or treat your disease. For more information about the author, visit suzycohen.com.

Suzy Cohen

physician letting blood from a patient. france, late 13th century.

photo credit: “Brown glass bottle of phosphorus, zinc and strychnine pills, Wellcome L0058219,” by Wellcome images, licensed under CC-BY-4.0. Strychnine is a stimulant for the central nervous system and may have been used to treat nerve disorders. the pills are coated with gelatin for easy swallowing.

This year I am assuming that my younger son, M, will attend his 10th high school reunion, as he had both a successful and enjoyable run in high school. And probably, like all 10th reunion goers, he’ll want to show off his adult credentials.

His 10th reunion also marks a sobering milestone for me: 10 years away from my community of parents from his graduating class of 2013, a community pieced together from my son’s sports participation, his school activities, our synagogue membership, and his friends’ parents.

Finding my community sense started when my wife and I went to my son’s kindergarten back-to-school night, where I would commiserate with the other parents on the awkwardness of sitting in our kids’ classroom chairs.

Then there were the all-class spaghetti nights in the gym/cafeteria, where shoehorned picnic tables acted as social lubrication for us parents.

M’s K-4 school also offered an annual school fair as well as my favorite, the field day, where at the softball throw we cheered our kids on, hoping they would imitate a Major League centerfielder.

The parental community grew as M moved to the town-wide middle school. I had the opportunity to meet more parents from the class of 2013.

There were, of course, more back-to-school nights where, by high school, we were obligated to follow our kids’ schedule, meandering through the halls in search of elusive room numbers. I was lucky to have some parents with better navigational skills direct me to at least the right wing.

I made some parental connections from M’s bar-mitzvah-year family activities, but by eighth grade, M had abandoned Sunday school for basketball.

Indeed, his K-12 basketball pastime allowed me to join the fraternity of dads with extra sneaker expenses. It started for me quite intensely with an assistant coaching gig in the town’s third- and fourth-grade league. The coach and I have been good friends since that enjoyable year.

By sixth grade, M was playing on both in-town basketball and traveling team leagues, with most of the action on Saturday morning (in-town) and early Saturday evening (traveling).

This was then a day of parental mingling and conversation on basketball and other topics. Our basketball talk might be about the monstrous size of the rival team’s players, who we hoped were just clumsy oafs.

My best bleacher memory was the condolences that several basketball moms offered on my mother’s passing.

By eighth grade, my son started playing varsity in middle school, followed by JV and varsity in high school. The stakes in these games involved our town’s on-court prowess, so we parents gained solidarity by second-guessing the refs’ bad calls in unison. In high school games, I sat with the basketball gurus and learned insight into my son’s team’s performance.

In June 2013 there was the grad ceremony itself, an indoor event in the

gym. I scanned the crowd, taking in those parents whom I was on a nod-basis with in the grocery store, to those parents I enjoyed stopping in produce to chat up for five minutes, and finally to those solid acquaintances and friends.

As happy as I was for M, it was sad for me anticipate that my K-12 community was ending in a high school gym’s bleachers, tracing back to our origin in those kindergarten seats.

It’s possible that some of my 2013 community members have left the area, or maybe our physical changes create the “you look familiar” awkward zone, so public engagements are shied away from. What we need then, in theory, is to get reacquainted via a Parents Reunion of the class of 2013.

I would suggest the reunion be held at the town’s favorite watering hole, where everyone knows your kid’s name. The food would be pizza, in homage to those quickly thrown-together weeknight meals and endof-soccer season celebrations.

There would be a DJ spinning circa-2013 hits, plus real golden oldies to memorialize both parental and child control of the car radio.

The door prize would be free millennial expertise on electronic devices for a year from the Roku Not Haiku Collaborative.

Of course, this type of reunion won’t happen, but still, I can take more chances around town with “Hey, you look familiar” introductions.

Most importantly, I can easily postulate that the most common smile inducement at the Parent Reunion would be, “My kid successfully launched into adulthood and all I got was this t-shirt.”

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Bill Levine is a retired IT professional and active freelance writer. Bill aspires to be a humorist because it is easier to be pithy than funny. He may be reached at wlevine0607@comcast.net.

Bill Levine

a Great Funeral Day

Savvy Senior How to plan a Green funeral

Jim Miller

Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about green funeral options? At age 80, I would like to preplan my funeral and make it as natural as possible.

– Old Environmentalist

Dear Environmentalist, Great question! Green funeral options are becoming increasingly popular in the United States as more and more Americans are looking for environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional funerals. Here’s what you should know about “green burial” and “green cremation” options, along with some tips to help you locate services in your area.

Green Burial

If you wish to be buried, a green/natural burial will minimize the environmental impact by forgoing the embalming chemicals (which are not required by law), traditional casket, and concrete vault.

Instead, you’ll be buried in either a biodegradable container or shroud with no vault, and you won’t be embalmed. This allows the body to decompose naturally and become part of the earth.

If you want to temporarily preserve the body for viewing or a memorial service, instead of embalming, you can request dry ice or Techni ice, a refrigeration unit, or a nontoxic embalming agent.

You’ll also be happy to know that green burials are much cheaper than traditional funerals, which average

please see GrEEN on facing page

OCTOBe R 30 TH is Create a Great Funeral Day

Buying a Cemetery Site

When you buy a cemetery plot, the cost is not the only consideration. The location of the cemetery and whether it meets the requirements of your family’s religion are important, as well.

Specific Considerations

Additional considerations include what, if any, restrictions the cemetery places on burial vaults purchased elsewhere, the type of monuments or memorials it allows, and whether flowers or other remembrances may be placed on graves.

And then there’s cost. Cemetery plots can be expensive, especially in metropolitan areas. Most, but not all, cemeteries require you to purchase a grave liner, which will cost several hundred dollars.

Note that there are charges — usually hundreds of dollars — to open a grave for interment and additional charges to fill it in.

Perpetual care on a cemetery plot sometimes is included in the purchase price, but it’s important to clarify that point before you buy the site or service. If it’s not included, look for a separate endowment care fee for maintenance and groundskeeping.

If you plan to bury your loved one’s cremated remains in a mausoleum or columbarium, you can expect to purchase a crypt and pay opening and closing fees, as well as charges for endowment care and other services.

The FTC’s Funeral Rule (consumer.ftc.gov/articles/ftc-funeral-rule) does not cover cemeteries and mausoleums unless they sell both funeral goods and funeral services.

Veterans Cemeteries

All veterans are entitled to a free burial in a national cemetery and a grave marker.

This eligibility also extends to some civilians who have provided military-related service and some Public Health Service personnel.

Spouses and dependent children also are entitled to a lot and marker when buried in a national cemetery. There are no charges for opening or closing the grave, for a vault or liner, or for setting the marker in a national cemetery. The family generally is responsible for other expenses, including transportation to the cemetery. For more information, contact the Department of Veterans Affairs (va.gov). To reach the regional Veterans Affairs office in this area, the Lebanon VA Medical Center, call (717) 272-6621.

In addition, many states have established veterans cemeteries. Eligibility requirements and other details vary. Contact your state for more information.

You may see ads for so-called “veterans’ specials” by commercial cemeteries. These cemeteries sometimes offer a free plot for the veteran but charge exorbitant rates for an adjoining plot for the spouse, as well as high fees for opening and closing each grave.

Evaluate the bottom-line cost to be sure the special is as special as you may be led to believe.

Source: Federal Trade Commission

around $8,000 in 2023. By scrapping the coffin, vault, and embalming, which are expensive, you’ll save yourself several thousand dollars on your funeral costs.

To find green burial services in your area, a good first step is to see if there’s a certified green funeral home in your area and contact them. The Green Burial Council offers an online directory of providers and other resources at greenburialcouncil.org.

If there isn’t one nearby, your next step is to contact several traditional funeral homes to see if they offer green funeral service options — many do. You’ll also need to find a green cemetery. There are nearly 100 green cemeteries throughout the U.S., along with more than 300 traditional (hybrid) cemeteries that offer green burials too. To find them, the New Hampshire Funeral Resources, Education and Advocacy website has a list at nhfuneral.org.

Or, if you own rural property, you may be able to have a home burial there, if your state and county allow it.

If, however, there are no green cemeteries nearby, you can still make your burial more environmentally friendly by not being embalmed and, if the cemetery allows, not using a biodegradable casket or shroud and skipping the vault.

If a vault is required, ask to have holes drilled in the bottom, or use a concrete grave box with an open bottom so the body can return to the earth.

Green Cremation

If you would rather be cremated, you have some green choices here too. While cremation has always been touted as being more eco-friendly than a typical burial, a traditional cremation, which uses high heat to incinerate the body, does emit greenhouse gases into the air.

A green cremation, however, uses water and potassium hydroxide to reduce a deceased body to its basic element of bone ash within a few hours.

This green technique, which is known as alkaline hydrolysis, is a little more expensive than traditional cremation but, unfortunately, it’s not legal in every state.

Contact some local funeral providers to find out if this is available in your area, or search for “alkaline hydrolysis cremation” online, followed by your city and state.

Another green consideration is deciding what to do with the remains. Instead of scattering, which can be harmful to the environment, there are a wide variety of biodegradable urns that dissolve into the earth or water over time, and memorial urns that will grow a plant or tree in combination with your ashes.

GrEEN from facing page

The 50 plus EXPO, central Pennsylvania’s one-day information and entertainment event focused on the 50-plus community, will return to Cumberland County this fall.

The 24th annual Cumberland County 50 plus EXPO will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 11, at the Carlisle Expo Center, 100 K St., Carlisle.

Hosted by OLP EvEnts and Cumberland County Aging & Community Services, the EXPO’s exhibitors will provide up-to-date information focused on the health, lifestyle, and needs of the local 50-plus community.

Admission and parking are free.

WellSpan Health will conduct a Health & Wellness Area with no-cost health screenings and information.

Guests can enjoy onstage entertainment, including seminars on Medicare and financial guidance for retirement, a discussion of why staying active is so important for well-being, and a performance by an award-winning Elvis Presley tribute artist.

Flu, COVID (if available), shingles, and pneumonia shots will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sponsors include 1st Choice Financial Services, 50 plus Life, BUSINESSWoman, Capital Blue Cross, Encompass Rehabilitation Hospital of Mechanicsburg, Highmark Blue Shield, Homeland Center/Homeland at Home, LeafFilter Gutter Protection, The Savings Guide, UPMC, WellSpan Health, WHTM abc27, and WHYF.

For updates, please visit 50plusExpoPA.com.

Don’t Miss the Great Lineup of Seminars and Entertainment at the EXpO!

9:45 a.m. – Medicare Basics: Your Questions

Answered

Presented by Taneya Porter, Medicare and Individual Sales Representative, Capital Blue Cross Medicare — a word that makes most people cringe, and some can’t believe the term even applies to them. Attend this free seminar and learn the basics: what the differences are between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental plans, when you should initiate the process, how to avoid late-enrollment penalties, and more.

10:30 a.m. – e ducational Retirement Seminar

Presented by Retirement Specialists by 1st Choice

Financial Services

This seminar will provide much-needed information to help you better understand Social Security and Medicare and will help you determine the best options for your situation. Learn about maximizing your Social Security benefits, Medicare choices, taxes in retirement, and pension and 401(k) decisions.

11:15 a.m. – Why Staying Active is So Important for Your Physical and Cognitive Well-being

Presented by Jessica Arnold, Director of Therapy, and Kylie Van Dam, Senior Physical Therapist, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Mechanicsburg

Learn how staying active will help protect your brain, maintain sleep quality, and enhance your mental well-being. Key takeaways will include increasing your energy level and lowering your risk for developing cognitive impairments.

Noon – e lvis Presley Tribute Artist Performance

Presented by Jeff Krick Jr.

At only 25, Reading native Jeff Krick Jr. is one of the most successful Elvis tribute artists in the country. At age 19, Jeff placed No. 6 in the world at the prestigious Ultimate Elvis Tribute Contest and in the top 10 at the Images of the King Contest in Memphis. He is a two-time fan-favorite award winner and three-time top 10 finalist at Maryland’s Ocean City Tribute Festival. Jeff has headlined cruise ships and numerous Elvis music festivals.

Door prizes

Cardiovascular e xperts

Heart- and health-friendly basket ($50 value)

Drayer Physical Therapy

Carrying bag ($30 value)

Highmark Blue Shield

Basket of health and wellness items ($15 value)

Miracle-e ar Variety of ME-branded products

The doctors at UPMC were on a mission to make Sam whole again. Today, she is cancer-free. To learn

Chair massages

My Hospital ‘Visit’ with Bob Barker

By James Patterson

Bob Barker, the longtime host of TV’s The Price is Right, recently died. He was 99 years old.

I recall seeing Barker’s early syndicated game show, Truth or Consequences, before Barker hosted The Price is Right on CBS for 35 years, from 1972 to 2007. It began as a 30minute show and transitioned to 60 minutes.

For several years, The Price is Right had a syndicated 30-minute evening version. My grandparents were viewers of the morning and evening show.

Barker also had a traveling Bob Barker Fun and Games Show that toured cities across the U.S. in the late 1970s and early ’80s. In these shows, audience members participated in games to win prizes.

In addition to his TV work, Barker was an animal rights activist. In September 1999, he was in Washington, D.C., to testify to Congress on a bill to protect circus elephants.

After becoming fatigued, he was admitted to George Washington University Hospital. At the time, my office was in a building that was across the street from the hospital.

Physicians advised Barker he had an obstruction in his carotid artery. Without immediate surgery, the doctors told him he was at risk of a stroke.

Since I knew Barker was passionate about animal rights, I went to a nearby bookstore in Georgetown. I perused the magazine racks for colorful and appealing animal magazines. I left the store with three.

I placed the magazines in a large brown envelope with a note thanking

Barker for his animal activism. I also thanked him for the enjoyment he gave my grandparents on The Price is Right

I wrote “Bob Barker” on the outside of the envelope and took it to the George Washington Hospital. At the hospital’s security desk, I left it with the hospital security office.

“We’ll see that he gets it,” a security officer told me.

Weeks passed. One day I received an envelope from The Price is Right. Barker sent an autographed photo with a note. I forwarded the photo to my grandmother in Alabama.

In 2007, Barker retired from The Price is Right, and Drew Carey took over hosting responsibilities. The show is taped at The Bob Barker Studio.

In 1999, it was relatively easy to walk to a local bookstore and buy magazines from an abundant supply. It is more difficult today since many bookstores have closed.

Had I not been a regular customer at that Georgetown bookstore, I would not have recalled that it sold “colorful and appealing” magazines about animals. Had I not recalled the magazines, I would not have been able to brighten Bob Barker’s hospital stay. And, I would have missed the chance to tell him how much my grandparents enjoyed The Price is Right.

Thanks for the TV memories, Bob. Thanks for your animal activism. Goodbye, Bob.

James Patterson is a writer and speaker in the Washington, D.C. area.

Depression is far More Sinister than Sadness –But with treatment, there is Hope

By Kimberly Blaker

I was first diagnosed with major depression at the age of 31. I was married, had two beautiful kids ages 7 and 3, and owned a thriving business.

Yet, despite having so much to live for, my mood plummeted into despair. I lost all motivation to do anything. The simplest everyday tasks suddenly required an extraordinary effort.

At night, I’d lie awake ruminating over every minor thing I had ever said or done wrong — or less than perfect. My life felt utterly worthless, despite all evidence to the contrary, and I became engulfed in sorrow and hopelessness.

As days turned into weeks, I continued to spiral downward. I became increasingly focused on death. I wasn’t suicidal, per se — though thoughts of the least painful methods of ending my suffering swirled around in my mind. I wanted nothing more than to fall asleep and never wake up again.

Unable to endure the pain and emptiness

any longer and terrified by my thoughts, I finally sought help. My doctor prescribed an antidepressant, and within a few weeks, the darkness lifted. I was once again, my usual happy, energetic self.

But this was only the beginning of a lifelong battle with depression. Over the past couple of decades, I’ve had far too many bouts of depression to even count.

Some are mild and short-lived, having minimal impact on my functioning, despite the bleak and gloomy outlook that looms over me. Other episodes are major and impact all areas of my life.

Women are Particularly at Risk for Depression

Depression does affect both women and men, but women are twice as likely to experience major depression, according to Harvard Medical School. Women also experience higher rates of dysthymia, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and the depressive side of bipolar disorder.

Depression, unlike the normal sadness

October is National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month

everyone experiences from time to time, is a soul-sucking darkness that’s debilitating. It causes feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, and worthlessness. Depression can affect every aspect of life, from work and school to parenting, friendships, and the very basics of living.

For most women who’ve been diagnosed with depression in the past, the feeling is unmistakable when it begins to set in. But those who suffer from milder forms of depression, and sometimes even those suffering from a first major depressive episode, don’t immediately connect all the dots.

So, some people can experience depression and not realize they’re suffering from a treatable illness.

Signs of Depression

Symptoms of depression can range from mild to severe. Not everyone experiences every symptom. But several symptoms must be present for at least two weeks to receive a diagnosis of depression. The exact criteria for specific types of depression vary slightly. But the following are all indicators.

• Feeling depressed (sad, empty, or hopeless) nearly every day for at least a couple of weeks

• Unusual irritability or difficulty controlling anger

• Ongoing trouble sleeping or sleeping more than usual

• An increase or decrease in appetite or significant unexplained weight loss or gain

• Loss of interest or pleasure in all or most activities

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Feelings of fatigue or loss of energy

• Excessive or inappropriate feelings of guilt or worthlessness

• Visible psychomotor slowing down or agitation

• Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide, with or without a plan, or attempted suicide

Types of Depression

There are quite a few classifications, or types, of depression. The following are a few of the more common.

In any given year, major depressive disorder affects nearly 7% of the U.S. population, according to the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH). During a major depressive episode, almost all aspects of a person’s life are affected. Someone suffering from major depression may lack the motivation to do anything, including such necessities as taking a shower.

Because of the impairment, both work and personal life suffer. In addition to the symptoms noted above, 20% of those with major depression will also experience psychosis (hallucinations or delusions).

Dysthymia is diagnosed when someone experiences depression for most of each day and on most days for at least two years. It’s often a lower-level yet enduring depression. But those with major depression who are treatmentresistant can also meet the diagnosis of dysthymia. So, impairment from dysthymia can range from mild to severe.

Women, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine, are twice as likely as men to suffer from dysthymia.

Those with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) become depressed only or primarily during a particular season. For most with SAD, it’s during the fall and winter months resulting from the shorter days and reduced sunshine. But some people experience SAD during the summer months instead.

The onset of SAD is typically around the age of 20 and affects 10 million Americans each year.

Bipolar disorder affects 2.6% of American adults, according to the

NIMH. This treatable but lifelong disease typically develops in women in their mid- to late 20s. For men, the onset is usually in the teens to the early 20s.

Bipolar is signified by its bouts of both mania (or hypomania) and its opposite extreme, depression. Though an individual with bipolar will experience both sides of the spectrum, in women, depression is often the most problematic. For men, it’s the mania. Those with bipolar often experience psychosis during bouts of mania and sometimes with depression.

Postpartum depression will affect 10% to 15% of women, according to the NIMH. Postpartum depression shouldn’t be confused with the “baby blues,” which is milder, short-lived, and related to the worry and fatigue of parenting a new baby.

Instead, postpartum depression results from hormonal changes. During pregnancy, a woman’s hormone levels increase. Then immediately following childbirth, hormone levels rapidly drop to normal levels. This ultimately results in depression in some women. Like other forms of depression, it can be mildly to severely debilitating.

Causes

The exact cause of depression is unknown, but several factors likely contribute to the condition. According to the Mayo Clinic, those with depression have physical changes in their brains. These changes in the brain may eventually help researchers determine the exact cause of depression.

Depression is also genetic. A higher incidence of depression has been found in those with blood relatives who suffer from the condition.

Brain chemicals called neurotransmitters play a role in depression. The Mayo Clinic explains that the way neurotransmitters function and their effect on the neurocircuits involved in mood stability play significant roles both in depression and its treatment.

Hormonal changes can also play a role in depression, particularly for women. During pregnancy and for several months following pregnancy, women are especially vulnerable. Menstruation cycles and menopause can also trigger depression.

Treatment

In some cases, depression results from an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid problems or low vitamin B levels. For this reason, it’s essential to visit your primary care physician for blood work to rule out other causes.

If medical causes have been ruled out, then it’s best to consult with a psychiatrist, who has specialized training in diagnosing the various forms of depression and experience in treating them.

Depending on the type of depression and the specific set of symptoms, some people with depression require a combination of antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and mood stabilizers. Psychiatrists know how to tailor treatment to each individual for optimal results.

For those who are treatment-resistant, look for a psychiatrist with the special “psychopharmacologist” designation. Psychopharmacologists have gone through additional specialized training in how drugs affect the mind and behavior.

In addition to medication, many psychiatrists recommend cognitive therapy with a psychologist or behavioral therapist in conjunction. This can help people cope with the effects of depression as well as dealing with any underlying trauma or events fueling the depression.

Finally, for those with SAD, sitting under a light-therapy box is often recommended and can be helpful. You can order one online, and depending on your doctor’s recommendations, you can sit under it for 20-40 minutes each day.

Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera; and more at sagerarebooks.com

The History of Ordinary Things Writing tools over time

In the Western world from the sixth to 19th centuries, most writing instruments were “quills” made from the large wing feathers of geese, swans, and later turkeys.

The hollow shaft of the feather held the ink, which flowed to the tip by capillary action — the process of liquid flowing through a narrow space without help from gravity.

The quill’s era ended in the 1820s with the mass-produced “dip pen,” which used a metal point called a “nib” attached to a round stick. The pen was dipped directly into ink and only held enough ink to write a few words. It was re-dipped to get more ink, and it skipped and was messy if the writer was not careful.

In 1827, Petrache Poenaru received a French patent for the first “fountain pen,” a nib-tipped writing tool with a refillable internal ink reservoir.

The pen draws ink from the reservoir through a feed to the nib. The ink is then deposited on paper via a combination of gravity and capillary action. Filling the reservoir with ink was done manually, often with an eyedropper or syringe.

What is ink? It is an organic or inorganic pigment or dye dissolved or suspended in a solvent. Older-style writing inks use a water-based dye. Ballpoint pens use a thicker, paste-like, oilbased dye that better allows capillary action to keep the ink flowing. These inks generally are non-smearing and dry more quickly than waterbased ones.

To address the mess of refilling the ink reservoir, a New York salesman, Lewis E. Waterman, developed the first practical fountain pen with a built-in ink supply. He introduced an efficient feed system that effectively exchanged ink and air.

The success of Waterman’s fountain pen, patented in 1884, was aided by three key inventions: iridium-tipped gold nibs, a hardrubber pen barrel, and the free-flowing ink of the 1850s.

In 1892, George S. Parker started the Parker Pen Company. He patented a simplified “self-filling” mechanism (1911), followed by a leak-proof safety cap (1912). He introduced the “Lucky Curve” in 1911, which used a bent tube connecting the nib to the side wall of the ink reservoir.

Doris Montag

“ fountain pen writing (literacy),” by petar Milošević, licensed under CC-BY-SA 4.0. A traditional fountain pen with iridium nib.

Parker Pen Company manufactured pens in Janesville, Wisconsin. By the 1950s, Parker had introduced the “51” model, whose streamlined barrel was made of durable Lucite. Its cap and trademark arrow-shaped clip were fashioned from stainless steel. The hooded nib eliminated the leaking ink, and it never skipped.

Walter A. Sheaffer incorporated as Sheaffer Pen Company in 1913, producing ink as well as fountain pens in Fort Madison, Iowa. During the 1950s, Sheaffer produced “Snorkels.” These pens were filled by turning a knob at the back of the barrel, which extended a tube from the nib. It used a vacuum pump to draw ink from a bottle. It is considered the most complicated filling mechanism ever invented.

In the 1960s, disposable-plastic ink cartridges were introduced, but the decline of the American fountain pen had already begun with the ballpoint pen in the 1950s. Parker and Sheaffer were bought by big corporations that shifted to manufacturing ballpoint pens.

The factories were shuttered in both Janesville and Fort Madison. Today, the current lines of Parker and Sheaffer pens are made overseas. The pen industry’s downturn worsened in the 1980s and 1990s with the arrival of personal computers for writing our letters and documents. The handheld computing devices in the 2000s dealt the final blow to the industry.

Today, the fountain pen is the preferred tool for calligraphy and is sought by collectors, but basically, its lifecycle is over — along, perhaps, with penmanship.

Doris Montag is a homespun historian and an exhibit curator who researches and displays historical collections of ordinary things, such as can openers, crochet, toy sewing machines, hand corn planters, powder compacts, egg cartons, and more. Contact or follow her on Facebook, HistoryofOrdinaryThings.

An 1890 advertisement for perry & Co. dip pens.

Advertisement for Waterman fountain pens, 1919.

Skrip water-based ink by Sheaffers, fort Madison, iowa, with miscellaneous retail ink bottles and inkwells.

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The Reel Deal Ordinary Angels

Producer Kevin Downs says, “I hope this film inspires many to not just talk about how we can love our neighbor, but actually show how we can love our neighbor in ways that put others in front.

“I’m hoping that this kind of gives an example of what one community did in the face of extraordinary circumstances, and how they rallied together and lifted each other up. We could use a lot more of that, I think, in our society and our communities and neighborhoods.”

Ordinary Angels is based on a true story that centers on Sharon Steves (Hilary Swank), a recovering alcoholic hairdresser in small-town Kentucky.

When she is told, “Find a reason to be here that’s bigger than you are,” she discovers an energizing sense of purpose when she learns about Ed Schmidt (Alan Ritchson).

He’s a local widower working hard to make ends meet for his two young daughters, the youngest of whom is awaiting a liver transplant.

Steves becomes an “ordinary angel” when she decides to help the family and take on seemingly impossible odds, among which is a $400,000 charge for the transplant. (As a construction worker, Schmidt earns $3,600 a month.)

When Steves asks for the entire $400,000 to be erased, a panel of hospital power folks offers collective smirks.

“Was that funny?” Steves asks defiantly.

The worst snowstorm in recent memory adds to all the woes when Schmidt’s

daughter, Michelle, needs to be flown to a hospital 700 miles away for her transplant.

At one point, Steves is asked, “How did it become your responsibility to save her?”

Her response: “Because I’m here … because I can.”

Two-time Oscar winner Swank tells why she signed to do the film.

“I was drawn to this beautiful true story because it’s such a powerful reminder that angels reside everywhere among us. And that faith, hope, grit, and positivity are all powerful fuel for miracles.

“It’s also a story about the power of organ donation, something incredibly near and dear to my heart. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this story and message.”

Alan Ritchson (The Hunger Games, Fast X ) had his own reasons for taking on his role.

“I am an optimist,” he says. “I believe in the best in people. I believe that sometimes we just need to be reminded of the power of what we can do together.”

Independent film director Jon Gunn is the director, and Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig created the heartwarming script.

Ordinary Angels opens nationwide from Lionsgate on Oct. 13.

Randal C. Hill enjoys getting sneak peeks of forthcoming movies from his home on the Oregon coast. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com.

randal Hill

image copyright (©) Lionsgate or related entities. Used for publicity and promotional purposes.

Willing to Wander Cruising the History of the Lower Mississippi

Our room was spacious and comfortable. The food was delicious. The list of activities in our temporary homeaway-from-home covered a diversity of interests.

There also were opportunities to explore inviting towns that provide deep dives into Civil War and other history and visit magnificent antebellum plantations.

Adding to the allure of our Lower Mississippi River Cruise was the chance to explore museums that bring to life prehistoric times, Native American and African American stories, and numerous aspects of life in that corner of the country.

My wife, Fyllis, and I were sailing along the Lower Mississippi River with American Cruise Lines. Even if we had been confined to the ship, we could have found diversions enough to fill many an hour. Speakers led enlightening discussions, and there was nightly entertainment, among other offerings.

After spending time on our stateroom deck watching the river and towboats moving long lines of barges, we were enthralled by opportunities to set our feet

Solutions Puzzles shown on page 9.

Puzzle

on land and explore the historic and other gems at towns along our route.

The brick streets of Vicksburg, Mississippi, lead to a Civil War Museum, Vicksburg Military Park, and other highlights.

We were equally enthralled by a home that served as hospital during the Civil War, with Union and Confederate soldiers separated on different floors. Large wall murals along the waterfront depict various stories from the town’s past.

The next stop in Mississippi was Natchez, which was established by French colonists in 1716 and became part of the United States in 1783. Planters used slave labor to grow cotton and sugarcane and built expansive mansions to demonstrate their wealth.

Many of these stately homes survive to relate part of this story, while the Natchez Museum of African American History and Culture tells another side.

Baton Rouge has a number of interesting stories to relate, beginning with

Victor Block

Stone alligators prowl the front lawn of Louisiana’s circa-1775 Houmas House plantation.

Musicians performing outside the rural Life Museum, which highlights the daily lives of Louisianans in the 1700s and 1800s.

A sign at Houmas House invites visitors to embark on the plantation parade, a tour of four restored sugar plantations along a stretch of the Mississippi river in Southern Louisiana.

One of 32 riverfront murals on the flood wall in Vicksburg, Miss., painted by robert Dafford.

the derivation of its name. In 1698, French explorers sailing up the Mississippi River spotted a red pole along the shoreline. After learning that it marked the boundary between hunting grounds of two Native American tribes, they called it le baton rouge (the red stick) — and the name stuck.

The town was ruled by seven different governments before becoming the second largest city in Louisiana and, in 1846, being designated the state capital to replace “sinful” New Orleans. Not surprisingly, it has its share of history-rich sites.

The Capitol Park Museum traces contributions of Native Americans, early European colonists, enslaved people, and others to the area’s development and accomplishments.

Exhibits at the LSU Rural Life Museum, housed in a complex of 32 historic buildings, focus on the way of life of 18th- and 19th-century Louisianans.

Our voyage ended in New Orleans, where passengers had an opportunity for one last guided excursion. This tour leads to a number of highlights in the self-proclaimed “City that Care Forgot.”

They include the famous French Quarter, lovely Garden District, and imposing mansions. While some of these homes equal the most beautiful plantation houses encountered during the cruise, not all of those farmstead properties are so grand. Many are relatively modest, far from the idealized portrayals in movies and Southern lore.

On the other hand, my personal favorite lived up to the romanticized image of plantations and then some. That’s why Houmas (pronounced “hummus”) House, located between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, has appeared in a variety of motion pictures and TV series.

The plantation was established in the late 1700s on land inhabited by Houma Native Americans. The French Colonial-style house, built about 1775, served as the focal point of what became a very successful sugar cane operation.

An oak tree alley leads the eye to the front of the graceful house, and resident geese and ducks act as noisy sentries.

The tour of the lovingly restored antebellum mansion recalls those heady days, and rare period furnishings, art, and artifacts reflect the home’s former opulence.

Then there are the gardens. The 38 acres of colorful native and exotic plantings serve as backdrop to a museum-quality collection of sculptures. This treasure is but one gem among many that await discovery, and enjoyment, during a Mississippi River voyage.

After gallivanting around the world, Victor Block still retains the travel bug. He believes that travel is the best possible education. A member of the Society of American Travel Writers, Victor loves to explore new destinations and cultures, and his stories about them have won a number of writing awards.

A plaque at the Vicksburg waterfront highlights the Mississippi river’s role in the shape and development of the city.

New Orleans’ colorful french Quarter is the oldest neighborhood in the city.

Valuable Weather Collectibles

Functional objects are not often viewed as collectible, mainly because we rely on them in our daily lives and don’t consider them to be precious or rare.

Yet, despite being common, evident, and helpful, we should take a second look at such “workhorse” objects as both collectible and valuable.

The weather forecast is a common and essential interest. We all consider it when we start our days or plan events. The weather sparks simple and significant decisions, like

taking along an umbrella, selecting specific weatherappropriate clothing, or changing travel plans.

Weathervanes, barometers, thermometers, and other weather-related collectibles that help us make these decisions throughout the seasons are collectible.

Arguably the most popular weather-related collectible, weathervanes have a connection to our agricultural history, with figural elements at their top such as running horses, pigs, roosters, etc. Also collectible, barometers are necessary

Lori Verderame

photo credit: Staff of drloriv.com

A Cooper sunrays wall thermometer, mid-20 th century.

photo credit: Staff of drloriv.com

A hand-painted porcelain wall thermometer, Limoges, france, circa early 1900s.

weather instruments that measure atmospheric pressure.

While people collect various types of weather instruments, thermometers are another common weather collectible, as they come in many types and styles.

Polish physicist Daniel Gabriel Fahrenheit invented the thermometer, which uses mercury in a narrow glass tube to measure temperature. Liquid expands at a regular and measurable rate when heated, so when the mercury expands, it climbs up the tube.

Near Las Vegas, Nevada, stands the world’s largest thermometer at 134 feet high. Thermometers souvenirs may be found at gift shops in famous cities and landmarks worldwide: Eiffel Tower thermometers, Mount Rushmore thermometers, Statue of Liberty thermometers, and others are popular collectibles.

Advertising thermometers promoting oil companies like Esso and Exxon, soft drinks like Coca-Cola and Pepsi, and other products are sought after with collectors. Some advertising thermometer signs are very valuable, considering factors like condition and age.

Other rare thermometers that hang on walls or decorate kitchens or garden sheds in private residences are collectible too.

For instance, German-made thermometers from the 1950s were fashioned in the form of wooden cabins, like cuckoo clocks with moving figures and chirping birds.

Porcelain manufacturers from Limoges, France, produced lovely thermometers affixed to hand-painted porcelain plates or wall plaques appropriate for display in kitchens during the early to mid-20th century. Also, some mid-century modern thermometers dating from the 1950s and 1960s were used in offices, such as the sunrays/sunburst thermometer by Cooper, which resembled the wall clocks of the era.

For desktop use, thermometers were attached to all types of objects. A red die thermometer made in France called the Blavia dice thermometer was all the rage and remains of interest with collectors.

Often, the most common objects are the most collectible, too.

A Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, and award-winning media personality, Dr. Lori presents antique appraisal events nationwide, appears on Netflix’s King of Collectibles and History channel’s The Curse of Oak Island and Pawn Stars Do America. Visit drloriv.com, watch videos on youtube.com/drloriv, or call (888) 431-1010.

A 1985 proteus barometer by Maximum, inc., on exhibit in the Museum of Science and industry, Chicago.

A weathervane with rooster atop a church in Northington, Hampshire, England.

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