dauphin county 50plus senior news jan. 2012
DESCRIPTION
50plus Senior News, published monthly, is offered to provide individuals 50 and over in the Susquehanna and Delaware Valley areas with timely information pertinent to their needs and interests. Senior News offers information on entertainment, travel, healthy living, financial matters, veterans issues and much, much more.TRANSCRIPT
By Laura Farnish
“I never buy that ‘at this time of your life’ stuff. It’s as though people
think that if you reach a certain age you should just retire and play checkers
at the fire hall, as though that’s the norm.”
For Chet Williamson, the fire hall is merely a staged scene, and checkers
are nothing more than a prop.
As a board chair for Creative Works of Lancaster, Williamson remains
active in the local community through recognizing the kind of performance
and art Lancaster needs and wants. The non-profit organization’s mission is
“to fuel and sustain the city’s cultural renaissance.” Their free and low-priced
shows aim to fill the artistic gaps in Lancaster’s cultural offerings.
Although started several years ago, the organization has been active for the
past year and a half. Their work includes sock puppet parodies, staged
readings in art galleries, and full productions of non-traditional plays.
Williamson’s current involvement, however, is only an addition to his
repertoire of success over the years.
As a young actor, Williamson was involved in regional theater and
industrial shows, which led him into writing. His first short story, sold to
The New Yorker and other markets, was published in the 1980s, followed by
his first published novel in 1986.
Williamson continued to pursue his career as a writer, publishing suspense
and dark fantasy fiction, children’s books, and written work for a local college.
Creativity‘Works’ forLocal Actor
The view from the audience seats is a change of perspective for Chet Williamson,
who has been comfortable on stage for decades.
How Much You’ll Pay
for Medicare in 2012
page 8
Grandparenting:
Agonies and Ecstasies
page 10
please see CREATIVITY page 14
Inside:
PRSRTSTANDARD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Landisville, PA
Permit No. 3
Dauphin County Edition January 2012 Vol. 14 No. 1
(717) 545-4001
A Legacy of Service
Dale A. Auer, Supervisor4100 Jonestown Road • Harrisburg, PA 17109
Funerals • Cremation • Pre-PlanningAsk about our: Cremation with Memorial Service Package - $2,485
Sunset Funeral Package - $3,885Traditional Funeral Package - $4,485
Traditional Funeral with Cremation Package - $4,485
(717) 545-4001
Harrisburg
361-9777Lancaster
569-0451
55443355 JJoonneessttoowwnn RRdd..
HHaarrrriissbbuurrgg
554455--66110033GGiippeeFFlloooorrAAnnddWWaallllccoovveerriinngg..ccoomm
1100%%
SSeenniioorrDDiissccoouunntton materials only
SShheeeett VViinnyyll •• FFlloooorr TTiillee
CCaarrppeett •• CCeerraammiicc TTiillee
HHaarrddwwoooodd FFlloooorriinngg
FLOOR & WALL COVERING
PA009846
2 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Are you 62+
or Older?
COME
LOOK US
OVER
Look at all we have to offer...
Meal Programs, Beauty Shop,
Grocery Store and More...
Give us a call and check out
our fabulous facilities
B’NAI B’RITHAPARTMENTS
130 South Third Street • Harrisburg
(717) 232-7516
This Month in History:January
Events
• Jan. 5, 1972 – President Richard Nixon
signed a bill approving $5.5 billion over
six years to build and test the NASA
space shuttle.
• Jan. 10, 1863 – The world’s first
underground railway service, the
Metropolitan line between Paddington
and Farringdon, opened in London.
• Jan. 22, 1901 – Queen Victoria of
England died after reigning for 64 years,
the longest reign in British history,
during which England had become the
most powerful empire in the world.
Birthdays
• Jan. 1 – American patriot Paul Revere
(1735-1818) was born in Boston, Mass.
He is best known for his ride on the
night of April 18, 1775, warning
Americans of British plans to raid
Lexington and Concord.
• Jan. 8 – Elvis Presley (1935-1977) was
born in Mississippi.
• Jan. 31 – Jackie Robinson (1919-1972)
was born in Georgia. He was the first
African-American to play professional
baseball. He played for the Brooklyn
Dodgers from 1947 to 1956, was
chosen as the National League’s most
valuable player in 1949, and was elected
to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1962.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 3
Dri-Masters Carpet Dry Cleaning(717) 545-4984/(717) 258-3123(717) 516-5004
Central PA Poison Center(800) 521-6110
Dauphin County Office of Aging(717) 255-2790
Gipe Floor & Wall Covering(717) 545-6103
Neill Funeral Home(717) 564-2633
Zimmerman Auer Funeral Home(717) 545-4001
Alzheimer’s Association(717) 651-5020
American Diabetes Association(800) 342-2383
Arthritis Foundation – Central PA Chapter(717) 763-0900
CONTACT Helpline(717) 652-4400
The National Kidney Foundation(717) 757-0604(800) 697-7007
PACE(800) 225-7223
Social Security Information(800) 772-1213
Tri-County Association for the Blind(717) 238-2531
PA Healthcare Cost Containment Council(717) 232-6787
Central Penn Nursing, Inc.(717) 361-9777(717) 569-0451
Home Instead Senior Care(717) 540-5201
Safe Haven Quality Care(717) 238-1111
Visiting Angels(717) 652-8899
Dreammaker Bath & Kitchen(717) 367-9753
Senior Home Repair(717) 545-8747
B’Nai B’rith Apartments(717) 232-7516
Dauphin County Housing Authority(717) 939-9301
Property Tax/Rent Rebate(888) 728-2937
Apprise Insurance Counseling(800) 783-7067
Keystone Elder Law PC(717) 691-9300
GSH Home Med Care(717) 272-2057
The Center for Advanced Orthotics &Prosthetics(800) 676-7846
CVS/pharmacywww.cvs.com
Spring Creek Rehabilitation & HealthCare Center(717) 565-7000
Country Meadows of Hershey(717) 533-1880
Dauphin County Area Agency on Aging(717) 255-2790
The Salvation ArmyEdgemont Temple Corps(717) 238-8678
American Lung Association(800) LUNG-USA
Bureau of Consumer Protection(800) 441-2555
Meals on Wheels(800) 621-6325
National Council on Aging(800) 424-9046
Social Security Office(800) 772-1213
Veterans Affairs(717) 626-1171(800) 827-1000
CAT Share-A-Ride(717) 232-6100
Wheelchair Getaways(717) 921-2000
Travel
Transportation
Toll-Free Numbers
Services
Retirement Communities
Rehabilitation
Orthotics & Prosthetics
Medical Equipment & Supplies
Legal Services
Insurance
Housing Assistance
Housing/Apartments
Home Improvement
Home Care Services
Healthcare Information
Health & Medical Services
Funeral Services
Floor Coverings
Emergency
Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
Not an all-inclusive list of advertisers in your area.
Resource DirectoryThis Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made
an extended commitment to your health and well-being.
New VA Campaign Provides Online Support for Vets
Make the Connection, a new
campaign launched by the Department
of Veterans Affairs, is creating ways for
veterans and their family members to
connect with the experiences of other
veterans.
The program’s ultimate goal is to
connect veterans with information and
resources to help them confront the
challenges of transitioning from service,
facing health issues, or navigating the
complexities of daily life as a civilian.
“I have seen over and over again how
important it can be for a veteran to hear
a message from another veteran. This
type of communication will be especially
useful in helping to break down the
stigma associated with mental health
issues and treatment,” said Secretary of
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
“VA is
leveraging this
powerful
connection using
an approachable
online resource
that links veterans
to personal stories
from their peers,
to VA resources
and support, and
to reliable information about mental
health and resilience.”
The campaign’s central focus is a
website, www.maketheconnection.net,
featuring numerous veterans who have
shared their experiences, challenges, and
triumphs. It offers
a place where
veterans and their
families can view
the candid,
personal
testimonials of
other veterans
who have dealt
with and are
working through
a variety of common life experiences,
day-to-day symptoms, and mental health
conditions.
The website also connects veterans
and their family members with services
and resources that may help them live
more fulfilling lives.
At maketheconnection.net, veterans
and their family members can explore
information on mental health issues and
treatment—and easily access support—in
comfort and privacy, anywhere, anytime.
Visitors to the site can customize and
filter their online experience, directly
connecting with content that is the most
relevant to their own lives and situations.
For more information, visit
maketheconnection.net or VA’s mental
health services website at
www.mentalhealth.va.gov.
“This type of communication
will be especially useful in
helping to break down the
stigma associated with
mental health issues and
treatment.
“
4 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
50plus SeniorNews is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc.
and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement
communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets
serving the senior community.
On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish
advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature.
Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters
are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of
advertisements for products or services does not constitute an
endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not
be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five
days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise
or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be
reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.
We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not
in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws
or other local laws.
Corporate Office:3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512
Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360
Chester County:
610.675.6240
Cumberland County/Dauphin County:
717.770.0140
Berks County/Lancaster County/
Lebanon County/York County:
717.285.1350
E-mail address:
Website address:
www.onlinepub.com
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERDonna K. Anderson
EDITORIAL
MANAGING EDITOR
Christianne Rupp
EDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS
Megan Joyce
ART DEPARTMENT
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Renee Geller
PRODUCTION ARTIST
Janys Cuffe
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES
Leah Craig
Angie McComsey
Ranee Shaub Miller
SALES COORDINATOR
Eileen Culp
CIRCULATION
PROJECT COORDINATOR
Loren Gochnauer
ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS MANAGER
Elizabeth Duvall
Winner
Member of
Member of
Walter E. Mattson of Camp
Hill, 92, was one of a
very few B-24 bomber
pilots to be designated a “Lone
Wolf” during World War II. He and
his 10-man crew were authorized to
fly solo at night, during bad weather,
and without fighter escorts because
of extensive training in
instrument flying.
Many of his 35 missions
also included daylight flights in
formation and fighter escorts
with his 15th Air Force
Bombardment Group, 760th
Squadron. They hit strategic
targets from September 1944
to May 1945 in Germany,
Austria, Northern Italy,
Czechoslovakia, Hungary,
Poland, Romania, and
Yugoslavia.
On his third mission, Sept.
14, 1944, to Poland, his B-24,
named the Princess Carole, was
badly damaged by flak. His
engineer was seriously injured
and spent 75 days in the
hospital before rejoining his
plane’s crew.
“After the plane was
damaged I had to leave the
formation, going down to
5,000 feet to fly alone, when
two Tuskegee Airmen flying P-
51 fighters escorted me to safe
territory (the Isle of Vis), where
I got fuel and I met Marshal Tito,
who was inspecting his troops on the
island.”
Mattson flew his first nightly
“Lone Wolf” mission on Dec. 8,
1944, dropping all of his bombs on
a railroad marshaling yards at Graz,
Austria.
On Dec. 29, 1944, on a daylight
mission to Verona Porto Vescova
marshaling yards in Northern Italy,
“Flak badly damaged my plane,
knocking out two engines. We were
lucky to find a grass landing strip
formerly used by the Germans. A
third engine caught fire as we were
coming in for a landing, but we
landed safely on one engine.”
Fortunately, the men ran into a
British unit and, after three days,
returned to their base in Southern
Italy in a British truck, which had
brought supplies to the unit.
On April 15, 1945, Mattson and
his B-24 crew took part in the
greatest assembly of aviation when
1,033 planes took to the air in one
of the six missions of maximum
strength. On May 11, three days
after Victory in Europe (VE) Day,
Mattson was promoted to captain.
Since the bombers cruised at
altitudes between 25,000 and
30,000 feet, with temperatures
between -25 and -50 degrees F,
special clothing was required in the
unpressurized cabins.
“We would start with heavy
winter underwear, long woolen
socks, and then put on electrically
heated socks over the other socks;
then our wool military uniform,
pants, and shirt. Over that came the
sheepskin-lined jacket and trousers
and, finally, the sheepskin-lined
boots. Our hands were covered by
heated silk- and sheepskin-lined
leather gloves. Leather sheepskin-
lined helmets with flaps covered our
ears.” The men wore oxygen masks
when flying above 10,000 feet.
A native of Dickson City, near
Scranton, Mattson is the son of
Walter and Mary Maciejewski, two
Polish immigrants.
Mattson graduated from Dickson
City High School (1936) and a
two-year business college (1938).
When it appeared the U.S.
would be drawn into the war in
Europe, Mattson applied to the
Army Flying Cadet Program
because of his interest in flying.
He also enrolled in St.
Thomas College (now the
University of Scranton) to take
courses in mathematics and
aerodynamics. He enrolled in its
Civilian Pilot Training Program
at a local airport, where he
received his private flying
certificate.
When the federal government
enacted the draft law and his
number was called, he convinced
the draft board to defer his
induction until he completed his
education in June 1941, after
which he enlisted.
He received his basic training
at Maxwell Field, Montgomery,
Ala., and advanced training at
Gunter Field, Ala.; Mitchell
Field, N.Y.; Thompson Robbins
Field, Helena, Ark.; and
Blytheville, Ark.
He received his second lieutenant
bars in January 1943. His first
active duty was flying B-25
antisubmarine duty from Fort Dix,
N.J. After the U.S. Navy took over
these flights, Mattson was assigned
to Smyrna Army Air Corps B-24
and B-17 Pilot Instructors School.
He was sent to Boise, Idaho, as
an instructor from January to July
1944. In August, Mattson shipped
overseas to England, where he and
his crew were assigned a new B-24
Liberator bomber and flew it to
their permanent station in Southern
Italy.
“After the war ended in Europe,
my crew and I flew personnel from
various bases to other points for
He Was a ‘Lone Wolf’in Sheepskin Clothing
Beyond the Battlefield
Alvin S. Goodman
Mattson’s aircraft, the B-24 Princess Carole.
Mattson in uniform.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 5
Each month, 50plus Senior News profiles one of your friends or neighbors on
its cover, and many of our best cover-profile suggestions have come from you,
our readers!
Do you or does someone you know have an interesting hobby or collection? A special passion or inspirational experience?
A history of dedicated volunteer work?
If so, tell us, and we’ll consider your suggestion for a future cover story!
Just fill out the questionnaire below and return it to 50plus Senior News, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512,
or email your responses to Megan Joyce, editor, at [email protected].
Your name:___________________________ Your address:_________________________________________________________________________
Your phone number/email address: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Name of person nominated (if not you): _______________________________________________________________________________________
Please receive their permission to nominate them. Nominee’s age range: 50–59 60–69 70–79 80–89 90+
Why would you/your nominee make a great cover profile? _______________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512 (717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240 50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
deployment home or to other locations.
We flew the last B-24 bomber from our
unit to the U.S. Our final destination
was Bradley Air Field in Connecticut.”
In August
1945, two months
after returning
from overseas,
Mattson married
Constance
Boshinski. The
couple has two
sons, Gene and
Greg; three
grandchildren; and
six great-
grandchildren.
Between WWII
and the Korean
Conflict, Mattson
received his
insurance and real
estate licenses. He
was recalled to the
military for the
Korean Conflict
but was not in combat. He received
many decorations, including the
Distinguished Flying Cross.
He worked for 20 years as an engineer
at PennDOT’s testing lab in Harrisburg.
Mattson later established an
international trading business with his
son, representing a number of medical
and dental firms. He traveled extensively
to Poland and other countries, hosting
trade shows throughout Europe.
Last year,
Mattson authored a
book, entitled Lone
Wolf in Enemy Skies
(Aperture Press,
Reading, Pa.). The
224-page
paperback is a well-
documented book
that gives valuable
information that
should be of
interest to aviation
and World War II
history buffs.
Autographed
copies are available
for $16 plus
postage from the
author at 2921
Cumberland Blvd.,
Camp Hill, PA
17011; on Amazon.com; or by emailing
Mattson at [email protected].
If you are a mature veteran and have
interesting or unusual experiences in your
military or civilian life, phone Al Goodman
at (717) 541-9889 or email him at
• Breakfast with Ben Barber and News with Dennis Edwards
• John Tesh with Music and Intelligence for Your Workday
• Bruce Collier & The Drive Home
• Mike Huckabee Three Times Daily
WE PLAY OVER1500 GREAT SONGS!
Harrisburg’sOldies Channel!
Online 24/7 at whylradio.com
Mattson today.
6 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
As of 2010, almost 15 millionseniors were on Facebook.
In 2012, it’s time we give yousomething new to “like.”
Just stop by
and “like” us to receive
a free 6-month subscription!
Plus, you’ll receive event updates,
story links, and more!
50plus Senior Newsis now on Facebook!
www.facebook.com/50plusSeniorNews
With the sky-high prices for
gold and precious metals
making headlines, I thought
some information and useful tips would
prove helpful. Precious metals,
gemstones, and fine-design pieces have
dazzled us through the ages.
Called precious metals, gold,
platinum, and silver are some of the
world’s rarest materials. These three
metals are found in many parts of the
world, but they are not easily extracted
from their natural state.
Precious metals maintain their luster
and shine and resist corrosion with little
care. Objects dating back to the world’s
ancient civilizations, like the Native
Americans, Egyptians, and Greeks, show
us that these metals endure.
Gold
The ancient Egyptians reserved the
use of gold (yellow gold) for the
pharaohs and related gold to the powers
of the sun.
White gold is created by alloying gold
with nickel or palladium, zinc, and
copper. Alloys are mixtures of different
metals that offer greater strength,
hardness, or malleability to another
metal. For instance, alloying gold with
copper creates pink gold or rose gold.
Workability, the ability for master
craftsmen to shape these metals, is
important to longevity.
On Your Mark
Pure gold is 24-karat gold, and it is
very soft. This is often too soft for
everyday jewelry, so gold is alloyed to
increase its strength.
In the United States, 14-karat gold is
common and a piece must be at least 10-
karat gold to be sold as gold jewelry.
Here are some common marks:
• 14-karat would be marked “14 K” (or
“585” in Europe), indicating that it is
58.5 percent gold.
• 18-karat would be marked “18 K” (or
“750” in Europe), indicating that it is 75
percent gold.
• 24-karat or pure gold would be marked
“24 K” (or “999” in Europe), indicating
that it is 99.9 percent gold.
If you like gold jewelry, these marks
should be committed to memory! Look
for them at your next yard sale; you’ll be
surprised how many yard-sale sellers put
out real gold for sale on their front lawn!
Platinum
Platinum is a popular choice for
bridal jewelry as its strength surpasses
that of gold and silver. A dense metal,
platinum weighs more than gold and has
a high level of purity, making it naturally
hypoallergenic.
Platinum jewelry must show one of
the following marks: “Platinum,” “Pt,” or
“Plat,” which means that piece of jewelry
contains at least 95 percent pure
platinum. Platinum may be worn every
day without fear of damage and is
perfect for wedding rings.
Sterling Silver
Silver is affordable, soft, and
malleable. It has been used to make
objects of adornment dating back to the
Byzantine world.
One of the most common and
recognizable metal marks is the mark for
silver. In the United States, only jewelry
that is at least 92.5 percent pure silver, or
925/1,000 pure, may be marked “silver,”
“sterling,” “sterling silver,” “925,” “92.5,”
or “ster.”
Silver is often alloyed with copper to
increase its strength. Silver will not rust,
but it will tarnish. Tarnish may be
restored with polishing.
Another mark is the vermeil mark,
which is evident when a piece of sterling
silver has been electroplated with karat
gold. If the thickness of the karat gold
plating is at least 100 millionths of an
inch thick, that is referred to as vermeil
(pronounced “vermay”) and sometimes
as “overlay.” This is an affordable
alternative to karat-gold jewelry.
While I know I have the ladies’
attention, I wouldn’t want to leave out
the gentlemen who enjoy a bit of bling.
Today’s styles are introducing men to the
industrial look in fine jewelry, achieved
by metals such as titanium, tungsten
carbide, and stainless steel.
Tips and Trends inPrecious Metals
Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori
Dr. Lori
Friendly faces, helping hands, warm hearts.
That’s what we at Safe Haven bring to our clients.
24/7/365
“Providing quality care you can
depend on at prices you can afford.”
Providing skilled nursing
& non-medical in-home support
Skilled Nursing • Personal Care • Homemaking
Respite Care • Errands • Chores • Companionship
~ Free Consultations ~
phone:
717-582-9977
Caregivers aresupervised, licensed,bonded & insured
www.safehavenqualitycare.com
Safe Haven Skilled Services LLC
Safe Haven Quality Care LLCServing Cumberland, Dauphin, and Perry counties
Are you struggling to keep up with your home?
WE CAN HELP!Repairs • Home Cleaning • Snow Removal
WE CAN HELP!
717-545-87476203 Elaine Avenue,
Harrisburg, PA 17112
PA029774
The following list is only an idea of the many services we offer and in no way
should be considered complete. If you need something and do not see it listed,
PLEASE do not hesitate to ask — our business is being built around you.
� Weekly/monthly home cleaning� Lawn mowing/snow removal� Replace electrical outlets and
switches� Install or replace light
fixtures/ceiling fans
� Hang pictures, curtain & shower rods� Repair leaky faucets and toilets� Install hand rails/grab bars� Install handicap fixtures/access
ramps
� Painting interior and exterior� Tile re-grouting and sealing� Small building & remodeling
projects
� Patch or repair drywall� Install and remove window AC units� Repair or replace
windows/doors/screens� Replace locks and door knobs� Repair and install mailboxes� Repair fencing and gates� Clean or repair gutters &
downspouts
� Pressure washing/deck sealing &staining
� Shrub trimming or removal� Mulch� Prep home for sale
FREE ESTIMATES • INSURED
This Year, Resolve to Do
Something Different
It’s January again. Have you made
your New Year’s resolutions yet? Maybe
this is the year to forget the boring,
routine promises you won’t keep.
Try resolving to be
more creative in 2012
with these resolutions:
Keep a journal.Spend a few minutes
every day or so
writing down your
thoughts, feelings,
dreams, and
ambitions—not your
daily schedule or your
upcoming
appointments. Let
your mind wander;
free-associate a little.
You may be surprised
at the ideas you
generate.
Read more. Vary
your reading habits
and explore different topics. If you
usually read novels, try a biography. If
you read only history, try a book on
modern-day science. You’ll exercise your
mind and maybe find new connections
between ideas.
Learn something new. Take a class in
something unrelated to your job or your
hobbies—art, auto mechanics,
philosophy, etc. Mastering new skills can
refresh your outlook on life.
Meet new people.Make a positive effort
to make new friends
this year (or
professional contacts).
Look for gatherings of
people whose interests
match yours, and
network. The more
people you know, the
better equipped you
are to learn and grow.
Create somethingfor the heck of it.Paint a picture, write
a poem, or start a
garden—not because
you’ll get paid for it,
but because you want
to. You’ll find
satisfaction in achieving personal goals
and motivation to keep trying new
things.
Volunteer. Find a cause you support,
and offer your time and service. You’ll
meet new people and enjoy the feeling of
helping out with an important cause.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 7
Steel-gray color, light weight, and
strength are some of the qualities of these
non-precious metals. Tungsten is the
world’s hardest metal substance with a
nine on the Mohs hardness scale
(diamonds rank 10 on the scale). These
metals are less likely to scratch, but
resizing a ring made of any of these
metals proves difficult.
Here’s what I like to call famous last
words: take care when cleaning your
precious metals, dry your jewelry before
storing it, and place pieces in separate
compartments to avoid scratching. Keep
gold and silver out of pools, showers,
and hot tubs as chlorine may weaken
their structure and cause breakage.
Know your jeweler and your stuff
when you are selecting valuable precious
metals.
Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author,
and award-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori
presents antique appraisal events nationwide
and antiques-themed vacation cruises. As
seen on NBC’s The Tonight Show and
Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, watch Dr.
Lori weekdays on Lifetime Television. Visit
www.DrLoriV.com, www.Facebook.com/
DoctorLori, or call (888) 431-1010.
Sterling silver bracelet of sea life figures
8 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
For sponsorship and exhibitor information:
www.50plusExpoPA.com • (717) 770-0140
Does Your Marketing Reach Active,Affluent Boomers & Seniors?
Reserve Your Space Now for the 13th Annual
May 30, 20129 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Hershey LodgeWest Chocolate Avenue & University DriveHershey
• Exhibitors • Health Screenings
• Seminars • Entertainment
It’s the premier event for baby boomers,caregivers, and seniors in Dauphin County
•Face-to-face interaction with 2,500+ attendees
•Strengthen brand recognition/
launch new products
Why Participate?
Presented by:
&
For more than 143 years, Homeland has provided the highest
level of quality care in a charming, home-like environment.
� Provider and leader of quality healthcare in
Central PA for more than 143 years.
� 50 renovated Personal Care Suites.
� Applications being accepted for a limited
number.
� Skilled Nursing Care Unit accommodates
92, including a 20-bed Alzheimer’s Unit.
717-221-7902www.homelandcenter.org
� Exemplary personalized care for those who
entrust the end of their lives to us.
� Respectful, considerate and heart-felt care
that assures comfort of patients and
families.
� Professional clinical and bereavement staff
available to provide compassionate support.
717-221-7890www.homelandcenter.org/hospice
“A Continuing Care Retirement Community.”
1901 North Fifth Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
Dear Savvy Senior,
I know we will be getting a slight increase
in our Social Security checks this year, but
what about our Medicare costs? What will
the Medicare premiums and deductibles cost
seniors in 2012?
– Looking Ahead
Dear Looking,
The new Medicare premium,
deductible, and co-pay changes for 2012
were all announced several weeks ago and
the news was actually pretty good. Here’s a
breakdown of what retirees can expect to
pay for Medicare starting in January.
2012 PremiumsFor most Medicare beneficiaries who
enrolled in 2009 or earlier, your monthly
premiums for Part B (which covers doctor
visits and outpatient care) will increase
only $3.50 to $99.90 in 2012. That’s
much less than was predicted by the
government earlier in 2011.
The increase is the first in four years for
most people with Medicare, mainly
because of the federal law that freezes Part
B premiums when there’s no Social
Security cost-of-living adjustment
(COLA), which was the case in 2010 and
2011. But, Social Security recently
announced a 3.6 percent COLA for 2012.
That 3.6 percent increase will boost
monthly Social Security checks by an
average of about $43 for retirees next year.
So, even after your Part B premiums get
deducted from your Social Security
checks, you’ll still have about $40 more
every month.
The news for younger retirees is even
better. Medicare Part B beneficiaries that
enrolled in 2010 who’ve been paying
$110.50 per month, and those that
enrolled in 2011 who have been paying
$115.40 per month, will see their Part B
premiums go down to $99.90.
And for high-income beneficiaries
who’ve been paying higher Part B
premiums because their annual incomes
are more than $85,000 for individuals or
$170,000 for joint filers, they too will see
their monthly Part B premiums drop in
2012.
Here’s a breakdown of what they will
pay this year based on their income level.
• Individuals with incomes of $85,000 to
$107,000, or married couples filing joint
tax returns with incomes of $170,000 to
$214,000, will pay $139.90 per person per
month for Part B. That’s a $21.60
reduction from 2011’s premium.
• Individuals earning $107,000 to
$160,000, or married couples with
incomes of $214,000 to $320,000, will
pay $199.80—a $30.90 reduction.
• Individuals with incomes of $160,000 to
$214,000, or couples with incomes of
$320,000 to $428,000, will pay
$259.70—a $40.20 reduction.
• Individuals over $214,000 or couples
above $428,000 will pay $319.70 each per
month for Part B. That’s $49.40 less than
2011.
Other Medicare changes you need to
know about that will affect all beneficiaries
include the Part B deductible, which will
be $140 in 2012, a decrease of $22. And
the deductible for Part A, which covers
inpatient hospital care, will rise by $24 to
$1,156 this year.
For more information on all the
Medicare premiums and coinsurance rates
for 2012, see medicare.gov/cost or call
(800) 633-4227.
Help with Premiums If you’re a high-income beneficiary and
your income has fallen since 2010 (the tax
year used to determine your 2012
premiums), you may be able to reduce or
eliminate your Medicare Part B premium
surcharge.
To qualify, your income loss must be
tied to a life-changing event, such as a
marriage or divorce, a job loss or reduced
work hours (including retirement), loss of
income from income-producing property,
or cuts in pension benefits. To learn more,
see ssa.gov/pubs/10536.html.
And for lower-income retirees who are
having a difficult time paying their
Medicare costs, help is available through
Medicare Savings Programs. These are
Medicaid-administered programs that pay
Part B premiums and, depending on your
finances, may even pick up the tab on
your copayments and deductibles.
To find out if you qualify, contact your
local Medicaid office—call (800) 633-
4227 for contact information.
Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the NBC
Today show and author of The Savvy SeniorBook. www.savvysenior.org.
How Much You’ll Payfor Medicare in 2012
Savvy Senior
Jim Miller
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 9
1. Rapids transit
6. ___ print
10. Arizona’s governor, tofriends
13. Toothpick fruit
14. Defiant one
15. Arapaho foe
16. 1966 Beatles hit
19. Alexei’s father, for one
20. Times to call, inclassifieds
21. Sweet drink
22. Blue eyes or baldness, e.g.
24. Endings for ecto- andproto-
26. Zesty
29. Hollywood pole
30. Nymph
31. Almanac tidbit
32. Latin “I”
35. 1963 Beatles tune
39. Nonclerical
40. Squander
41. ___ the moment
42. Splendor
43. Ridges
45. Wets
48. Analyze, in a way
49. Neurotransmission site
50. Commend
51. 100 paisa
55. Songwritingpartnership
59. College frat.
60. Newspaper chain
61. Skip off
62. Put away
63. Watering holes
64. Garment slits
1. Egyptian Christian
2. Wistful word
3. Mangrove palm
4. Upset
5. Ballad’s end?
6. Side
7. Exasperates
8. ___ Age
9. Bobble
10. Asian plants
11. Special Forces unit
12. Uncool candies?
14. Lifeboat support
17. Vetch or lupin
18. Prayer leader
23. Optical phenomenon
24. Somewhat, in music
25. Mythological plants
26. Murphy Brown bar owner
27. Part of the Corn Belt
28. Jetty
29. Aircraft compartment
31. Elite group
32. Broadcast
33. Palestinian city
34. Half of binary code
36. Offering
37. Some jazz
38. Move
42. Ivy League team
43. Trick
44. Organic compound
45. Model material
46. College leave
47. Gift recipient
48. They remainedundefeated by theRomans
50. “Time’s a-wastin’!”
52. Bartlett’s abbr.
53. Set aside
54. Roll call calls
56. It’s a wrap
57. Prefix with profit
58. King’s title: abbr.
Across
Down
By Myles Mellor and Sally York
WORD SEARCH
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 12
Would you like to see your ad here? Sponsor the Puzzle Page!
Please call (717) 770-0140 for more information.
10 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
• Active adult and residential living
• Independent and retirement living communities
• Assisted living /personal care residences
• Nursing and healthcare services
• Home health, companions, and hospice care providers
• Easy-to-read format
Call for your free copy today!
(717) 285-1350
In print. Online: onlinepub.com
16th EditionNow Available!
The role of grandparents has
undergone complications over
the past several decades. Among
them are families geographically
separated, families that have expanded
through the inclusion of step-
grandparents, and evolving practices on
the care and feeding of babies and
toddlers.
Let’s begin with the latter
complication. Those of us born prior to
1946 may have been raised under the
influence of a Dr. John B. Watson,
whose popular book, Psychological Care of
Infant and Child, advised parents to be
firm with children, expect them to act
like young
adults, and
do not spoil
them with
affection,
hugs, and
kisses.
In 1946
came Dr.
Benjamin
Spock’s
celebrated
book, Baby
and Child
Care, taking
the opposite
view—just in
time for the onslaught of the baby
boomer generation. The Spock book,
which went through several revisions by
the time it had sold more than 50
million copies in 2004 (translated into
39 languages), was criticized by some as
promoting permissiveness in child
development.
This brings us to the matter of the
stereotypical grandparents, who
reputedly overindulge their
grandchildren, conflicting with the
parents who may prefer more constraint.
Other divergent views between
contemporary parents and grandparents
regarding child rearing might center on
the question of which parent is primarily
responsible for childcare. Grandparents
may advocate the mother as the primary
caregiver, while mothers today generally
believe both parents have a fully shared
responsibility.
Grandparents offering child-rearing
advice may find themselves at odds with
other views held by the parents, perhaps
involving childcare centers, babysitters,
the authority of a stepparent, and
nutritional choices.
Providing a good example to the
grandchildren can be a challenge. When
exceeding the speed limit in a 55 mph
zone, a common occurrence today, how
do you explain this rule-breaking to a
questioning child? Do you tease at the
emotional expense of the children or
anyone else in their company? Do you
thank a person who holds open a door
for you and yours?
Kids learn by example. They can make
better persons of grandparents by
creating in
them an
obligation to
teach by
example.
Ideally,
such trials are
offset by
pleasures.
Exercising
with
grandchildren
is much more
common
than in years
past. Today’s
grandparents
are more agile, enrolling in fitness centers
and enjoying jogging, hiking, swimming,
or biking.
We can relive some of our own
childhood by sharing the discoveries and
joy of the children. One of the main
responsibilities of being a grandparent is
to create happy memories.
Grandchildren accelerate our
perceptions of them. They change
rapidly as they grow into their formative
years, drawing us into maintaining a
relationship matching their progressive
development.
Walt Sonneville, a retired market-research
analyst, is the author of MY 22 CENTS’WORTH: The Higher-Valued Opinion of aSenior Citizen, a book of personal-opinion
essays, free of partisan and sectarian
viewpoints. He recently completed the
manuscript for another book of essays, AMUSING MOMENT, scheduled for release
in January 2012. Contact him at
Grandparenting:Agonies & Ecstasies
My 22 Cents’ Worth
Walt Sonneville
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 11
Through the years, all that’s changedis our ability to do even more.
For over 80 years, Rolling Green Cemetery and Neill Funeral Homes have served the
Central PA area with the highest level of personal service. As a Dignity Memorial®
provider,
we’re pleased to offer a number of additional benefits exclusive to the Dignity network.
Like our 100% Service Guarantee, that assures you of service beyond expectation before,
during, and after the service. But what makes us even prouder is the way we work with each
individual family, helping to create lasting memorials as unique as the loved ones they honor.
ONE-OF-A-KIND MEMORIALS | GRIEF COUNSELING
BEREAVEMENT TRAVEL PROGRAM | SERVICE GUARANTEE
NEILL FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Steven Wilsbach, Supervisor3501 Derry Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111717-564-2633
ROLLING GREEN CEMETERY
1811 Carlisle Road Camp Hill, PA 17011
717-761-4055
NEILL FUNERAL HOME, INC.
Kevin Shillabeer, Supervisor3401 Market Street
Camp Hill, PA 17011717-737-8726
Make your next trip or vacation memorable, fun, and affordable.
Looking for a replacement vehicle or want to rentfor the day, week, or month?
ACCESSIBLE VAN RENTALS
Wheelchair Getawaysof Pennsylvania
for Wheelchair & Scooter Users
Please call for information or to make a reservation
717-921-2000 • [email protected]
Serving Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware & Southern New Jersey
By Sherra Zavitsanos
Question: I recently applied for areplacement Social Security card, but Imight be moving before it arrives in themail. What do I do if I move before I getit?
Answer: Once we have verified all your
documents and processed your application,
it takes approximately 10 to 14 days to
receive your replacement Social Security
card.
If you move after applying for your new
card, notify the post office of your change
of address and the post office will forward
your card to your new address. If you do
not receive your card, please contact your
local Social Security office.
To get another replacement, you will
have to resubmit your evidence of identity
and U.S. citizenship or your lawful
immigration status and authority to work.
You can learn more at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question: What’s the average monthlySocial Security benefit for a retiredworker?
Answer: The current average monthly
Social Security benefit for a retired worker
is about $1,164. Social Security benefits are
based on earnings averaged over most of a
worker’s lifetime.
To learn more about how retirement
benefits are calculated, or to get an
immediate and personalized estimate based
on your earnings record, visit us online at
www.socialsecurity.gov.
Question: I am nearing my fullretirement age, but I plan to keepworking after I apply for Social Securitybenefits. Will my benefits be reducedbecause of my income?
Answer: No. If you apply for benefits
once you’ve reached your full retirement
age, you can work while you receive Social
Security and your current benefit will not
be reduced because of the earned income.
If you keep working, it could mean a
higher benefit for you in the future. Higher
benefits can be important to you later in
life and increase the future benefit amounts
your survivors could receive.
If you receive benefits before your full
retirement age, your earnings could reduce
your monthly benefit amount. After you
reach full retirement age, we recalculate
your benefit amount to leave out the
months when we reduced or withheld
benefits due to your excess earnings.
You can learn more by reading our
publication, How Work Affects Your Benefits,at www.socialsecurity.gov/pubs/10069.html.
Question: I get Supplemental SecurityIncome (SSI) because I am elderly andhave no income. My sister recently diedand left me the money she had in asavings account. Will this extra moneyaffect my SSI benefits?
Answer: The money inherited from
your sister is considered income for the
month you receive it and could make you
ineligible for that month, depending on the
amount of the inheritance.
If you keep the money into the next
month, it then becomes a part of your
resources. You cannot have more than
$2,000 in resources to remain eligible for
SSI benefits.
Call Social Security at (800) 772-1213
(TTY, (800) 325-0778) to report the
inheritance. A representative will tell you
how your eligibility and payment amount
might be affected. Learn more by visiting
us online at www.socialsecurity.gov.
Sherra Zavitsanos is the Social Security public
affairs specialist in Harrisburg.
New Year, New Questions
Social Security News
12 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Pu
zzle
s sh
ow
n o
n p
age
9
Puz
zle
So
luti
on
s
Locations in Dauphin, Lancaster & York counties
4601 Devonshire Rd., Suite 100, Harrisburg, PA
1-800-676-7846
Hey ...nice legs!
The Middletown HomeA Continuing Care Retirement Community
• Skilled Nursing
• Personal Care and Apartments
• Respite and Vacation Stays
• Physical, Occupational, and
Speech Therapy
• Pet Visitation
• Computer and Wii Availability
(717) 944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org999 West Harrisburg Pike, Middletown, PA 17057
Courtyard Gardens Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Crescent View Personal Care
West View Terrace Apartments
Book Review
Betcha Didn’t Know That!By Leon Castner & Brian Kathenes
Betcha Didn’t Know That! explores
the interesting world of antiques
and collectibles, sports
memorabilia, stamps, and dolls, among
others.
The book investigates interesting
artifacts, such as the rarest baseball card
in the world and the most popular soft
drink collectible. It differentiates itself,
however, in that it reveals the real stories
about why we collect things, uncovering
the human and humorous side of the
story.
The unusual items
included in the book will
surprise and astound you.
They will also give you
insight into their creation
and use and provide
historical context, human
predicament, and comical
delight.
Betcha Didn’t Know
That! is available at
www.betchabook.com and
Amazon.com.
About the Authors
Leon Castner is a
lifelong appraiser of
personal property, a
writer, and a speaker.
He is also a
registered contractor
and has provided
major appraisals for
the U.S Marshals
Office, the attorney
general, and the
FDIC, among others.
Brian Kathenes, co-author and
appraiser, has appraised items ranging
from the Nixon Watergate papers, the
Batmobile, and memorabilia from the
movie Titanic. He was also the on-air
television appraiser and technology
consultant for the Discovery Channel’s
collectibles show, POP NATION:
America’s Coolest Stuff.
Together, Castner and Kathenes host a
weekly radio program, Value This!
Calling All AuthorsIf you have written and published a book and would like 50plus Senior News to feature a Book Review, please submit a synopsis
of the book (350 words or fewer) and a short autobiography (80 words or fewer). A copy of the book is required for review. Discretion is advised.
Please send to: On-Line Publishers, Inc., Megan Joyce, 3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512. For more information, please email [email protected].
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 13
Dauphin County
Calendar of EventsBistline Senior Center – (717) 564-5633
Edgemont Senior Center – (717) 236-2221
Friendship Senior Center – (717) 657-1547
Heinz-Menaker Senior Center – (717) 238-7860
Highspire Area Senior Center – (717) 939-4580
Hoy/Latsha Senior Center – (717) 939-9833
Hummelstown Senior Center – (717) 566-6855
Jewish Community Center – (717) 236-9555
Lick Towers Senior Center – (717) 233-0388
Lykens Senior Center – (717) 453-7985
Millersburg Senior Center – (717) 692-2657
Mohler Senior Center – (717) 533-2002,www.hersheyseniorcenter.com
Royalton Senior Center – (717) 944-4831
Rutherford House – (717) 564-5682,www.rutherfordhouse.org
Steelton Senior Center – (717) 939-0693
Just a snippet of what you may be missing …
please call or visit their website for more information.
Dauphin County Library Programs
Dauphin County Department of Parks and Recreation
Jan. 7, 2 to 3 p.m. – “Winter Blues and Greens” Walk, Wildwood Park
Jan. 17, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Paradise Almost Lost Lecture Series: “Disappearing Species and the Future of
Pennsylvania’s Forests,” Wildwood Park
Jan. 31, 7 to 8:30 p.m. – Paradise Almost Lost Lecture Series: “Protecting the Kittatinny Ridge Corridor,”
Wildwood Park
Programs and Support Groups
East Shore Area Library, 4501 Ethel St., Harrisburg, (717) 652-9380
Elizabethville Area Library, 80 N. Market St., Elizabethville, (717) 362-9825
Harrisburg Downtown Library, 101 Walnut St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-4976
Johnson Memorial Library, 799 E. Center St., Millersburg, (717) 692-2658
Kline Branch, 530 S. 29th St., Harrisburg, (717) 234-3934
Madeline L. Olewine Memorial Library, 2410 N. Third St., Harrisburg, (717) 232-7286
Northern Dauphin Library, 683 Main St., Lykens, (717) 453-9315
William H. & Marion C. Alexander Family Library, 200 W. Second St., Hummelstown, (717) 566-0949
Free and open to the public.
Senior Center Activities
Give Us the Scoop!
Please send us your press
releases so we can let our
readers know about
free events occurring in
Dauphin County!
Email preferred to:
(717) 770-0140
(717) 285-1350
Let
Help you get the word out!
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.Free Art Classes
Thrive
100 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg
(717) 238-1887 or [email protected]
Jan. 4, 7 p.m.New Zealand – A Small Country that Delivers BigWorld Culture Club of PA
Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Lecture Room C
500 University Drive, Hershey
www.worldcultureclubpa.org
Jan. 19, 1:30 p.m.Hershey Area AARP Monthly Meeting
Spring Creek Church of the Brethren
335 E. Areba Ave., Hershey
(717) 832-3282
Jan. 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m.Parental Loss Support GroupAseraCare Hospice
75 S. Houcks Road, Suite 101, Harrisburg
(717) 541-4466
If you have an event you would like to include, please email information to [email protected] for consideration.
Cure for the Common Cold?Maybe it’s Yogurt
Colds, sinus infections, and other upper
respiratory tract infections are the leading reason for
visits to the doctor in the United States. But
according to a study reported by Yahoo News, eating
yogurt could help you avoid a cold.
Yogurt contains probiotics—bacteria that can
benefit the body’s immune system. In addition to
yogurt, probiotics are found in fermented and non-
fermented dairy products and in soy products like
miso and soy drinks.
A review of data involving more than 3,000
participants fond that patients who consumed foods
with probiotics for more than one week came down
with 12 percent fewer upper respiratory infections
than those who were treated with placebo or who
ate probiotic foods for less than a week.
14 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Please return your completed entry form byFebruary 20, 2012 to:
50plus Senior News3912 Abel Drive • Columbia, PA 17512
Your Name __________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Phone ______________________________________________________This information is strictly confidential.
Where do you frequent for:Breakfast _____________________________________
Lunch ________________________________________
Dinner _______________________________________
Ethnic Cuisine _________________________________
Celebrating ___________________________________
Bakery _______________________________________
Coffeehouse __________________________________
Fast Food _____________________________________
Seafood ______________________________________
Steak ________________________________________
Outdoor Dining _______________________________
Romantic Setting ______________________________
Smorgasbord/Buffet ___________________________
Caterer _______________________________________
Who Has the Best Bitesin Central PA?
Help 50plus Senior News celebrate the local
eateries that deserve national fame!
CREATIVITY from page 1
Hoping to combine his two passions,
Williamson began playwriting, and thus
renewed his acting career. For the past
five years, he has done work at the
Fulton Theatre and Theatre of the
Seventh Sister, as well as his work with
Creative Works.
“I hooked up with Creative Works
because they seemed to be interested in
doing the same kind of material in
which I was interested,” said
Williamson. “People who are involved
in theater in any city all seem to know
each other, and there’s a lot of mutual
interest and support within a group like
that.”
Williamson’s leadership
responsibilities vary, however, from his
wide-ranging character roles on stage.
As board chair, Williamson jokes that
his role includes signing thank-you
letters to donors and speaking to the
press on occasion.
His diverse work has included: acting
in several Creative Works productions,
walking around with a sandwich board
with painting on it as part of a roaming
art gallery on First Friday, writing
material for last year’s Christmas
comedy show, creating sock puppets,
making arrangements for productions,
and running a freight elevator.
He regards the board as a group of
equals, sharing tasks accordingly.
“Creative Works is a real
collaborative effort, and everybody does
their part,” commented Williamson.
“One of our board members took
charge of getting all the sock puppets
constructed; another member wrote
brilliant lyrics to a song when we
needed one overnight; another takes
care of the business end; another the
legal question; and so on.”
Williamson also holds the role of
being the eldest member of the group;
however, his youthful ideas and insight
challenge this fact. Even though the
next oldest member is 20 years younger,
Williamson’s edgy ideas often keep
members guessing.
“Age really doesn’t matter when
you’re all working toward the same
goal,” said Williamson. “And you can
never predict anything on the basis of
age.”
And although Williamson could be
casted for retirement, the word is
unseen in his vocabulary.
“I got involved in Creative Works for
the same reason I would have gotten
involved with it if I’d been 40 years
younger—it was the chance to do new,
exciting, and meaningful work,” said
Williamson. “I can never see myself
retiring as a writer or as an actor, so I
might as well find new ways to make
what I do in those fields as much fun as
possible for me.”
In fact, Williamson believes there is
much to learn from the younger
population.
“We always say that the younger
population should learn from the
experiences of their elders. Well, it
works the other way as well,” said
Williamson. “You’re never too old to
learn something new. I’ve learned some
new ways of thinking and problem
solving by working with my younger
colleagues, and I’m hopeful they’ve
learned something from me.”
Similarly, one can never predict the
excitement and enjoyment of their
interest in Creative Works, no matter
what age. Creative Works recently
sponsored a 24-Hour Plays event, in
which six 10-minute plays were written,
rehearsed, and performed within 24
hours. The sold-out venue was packed
with play-goers of all ages.
“A major part of our mission is to
appeal to all ages, 50+ as well as people
in their 20s,” said Williamson. “If we
don’t, where are the theater-goers of
tomorrow going to come from?”
To get in touch with Chet
Williamson, check out his website at
chetwilliamson.com. For additional
information on Creative Works, visit
creativelancaster.org or call (717) 723-
8355.
Never Miss
Another Issue!
Subscribe online at
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews e January 2012 15
March 15, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Church Farm School1001 East Lincoln Highway, Exton
May 8, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Overlook Activities Center
Overlook Park • 2040 Lititz Pike, Lancaster
May 30, 2012 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.Hershey Lodge
West Chocolate Avenue & University Drive, Hershey
50plusExpoPA.com717.285.1350
2010 Census Shows Older Population Growing QuicklyThe U.S. population 65 and older is
now the largest in terms of size and
percent of the population, compared
with any previous census, according to
a new 2010 census brief released
recently from the U.S. Census Bureau
on the nation’s older population.
The group grew at a faster rate than
the total population between 2000 and
2010.
According to the 2010 census, there
were 40.3 million people 65 and older
on April 1, 2010, increasing by 5.3
million since the 2000 census, when
this population numbered 35 million.
The percentage of the population 65
and older also increased during the
previous decade. In 2010, the older
population represented 13 percent of
the total population, an increase from
12.4 percent in 2000.
65 and Older PopulationGrew Faster than Total Population
Between 2000 and 2010, the
population 65 and older grew 15.1
percent, while the total U.S.
population grew 9.7 percent.
The opposite happened between
1990 and 2000, when the growth of
the older population was slower than
the growth of the total population,
with growth rates of 12 percent and
13.2 percent, respectively.
Population Size and Growth VariedAmong the Older Age Groups
Examining the growth of 10-year
age groups within the older population
shows that 85- to 94-year-olds
experienced the fastest growth between
2000 and 2010. This group grew by
29.9 percent, increasing from 3.9
million to 5.1 million.
Among five-year age groups in the
older population, 65- to 69-year-olds
grew the fastest. This age group grew
by 30.4 percent, rising from 9.5
million to 12.4 million. The 65- to 69-
year-old group is expected to grow
more rapidly over the next decade as
the first baby boomers start turning 65
in 2011.
The only older-population age
group to decline between 2000 and
2010 was the 75- to 79-year-old age
group. This group decreased by 1.3
percent from 7.4 million to 7.3
million. The changes in this group
mainly reflect the relatively low
number of births during the early
1930s as fewer numbers of people
entered these ages between 2000 and
2010.
Population of Older MenIncreased at a More Rapid Rate
than Older Women
While women continue to
outnumber men in the older ages, men
have continued to close the gap over
the decade by increasing at a faster rate
than women.
The largest growth rate for a 10-year
age group within the older population
was for men 85 to 94 years old (46.5
percent). Women in this age group also
increased but to a smaller degree (22.9
percent).
In the 2010 census, there were
approximately twice as many women as
men at age 89. This doubling point
occurred about four years older than it
did in 2000 and six years older than it
did in 1990, illustrating the narrowing
gap in mortality between men and
women at the older ages.
> In the 2010 census, there were
53,364 centenarians (people
100 and older), an increase of
5.8 percent since 2000.
> The number of people 65 and
older more than doubled in
21 counties in the United
States.
> Approximately 1.3 million
people 65 and older—or 3.1
percent of this population—
lived in skilled-nursing
facilities in 2010.
> In 2010, the states with the
highest percentage of people
over age 65 were:
Florida – 17.3 percent
West Virginia – 16 percent
Maine – 15.9 percent
Pennsylvania – 15.4 percent
Iowa – 14.9 percent
16 January 2012 50plus SeniorNews e www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Can you belt it out like nobody’s business?
Do you belong on Dancing with the Stars ?
Are you wild and crazy like Steve Martin?
Pennsylvanians over 50 are invited to audition for the seventh annual
PA STATE SENIOR IDOL competition!
Auditions held at regional locations
Win a limousine trip to New York City
with dinner and a Broadway show!
For more information or an application:
717.285.1350 www.SeniorIdolPA.com
Brought to you by: Presented by:
Tues., April 24Body Zone
3103 Paper Mill Road
Wyomissing, PA 19610
Wed., May 2Broadway Classics
Theatre at theHarrisburg Mall3501 Paxton Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Wed., April 25York Little
Theatre27 South Belmont St.
York, PA 17403
Thurs., May 3The Heritage
Hotel Lancaster500 Centerville Road
Lancaster, PA 17601NEW
LOCATION!