By Megan Joyce Peggy Kurtz Keller has been a busy bee these last nine months. It’s an apt metaphor for the 2011 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL, who always seems to be cheerfully zipping about, buzzing with energy and fueled by her effervescent and refreshingly positive personality. Her unassuming, people-person charm has made her a fast favorite among local retirement groups and senior-citizen organizations in recent months, who have frequently sought out Keller to entertain them with her clear soprano and obvious enthusiasm for performance. And the key turn of phrase there is sought out—it’s a change from the pre- Idol days when Keller says it was she who had to place the phone calls, trying to interest various groups in having her come out to sing. She is beyond grateful for the transformation. “It’s like I got my diploma,” said Keller. “Now, somebody calls me because I’m the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL and they know I have some kind of credibility.” Her singing-engagement calendar has been happily full since last June, when Keller earned top honors in the annual talent competition, produced by On-Line Publishers, Inc. It had been Keller’s fourth time as a SENIOR IDOL semifinalist, and she impressed both judges and audience with her renditions of “Summertime” and “Cabaret.” The Happy Graduate Peggy Kurtz Keller performing at last November’s 50plus EXPO in Lancaster. Exercise is the Antidote page 12 Organ Donation: You’re Never Too Old page 14 please see GRADUATE page 17 Inside: 2011 PA State Senior Idol Now a Common Sound in Communities, Stadiums Cumberland County Edition March 2012 Vol. 13 No. 3
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By Megan Joyce
Peggy Kurtz Keller has been a busy bee these last nine months.
It’s an apt metaphor for the 2011 PA STATE SENIOR IDOL, who always seems
to be cheerfully zipping about, buzzing with energy and fueled by her
effervescent and refreshingly positive personality.
Her unassuming, people-person charm has made her a fast favorite among
local retirement groups and senior-citizen organizations in recent months,
who have frequently sought out Keller to entertain them with her clear
soprano and obvious enthusiasm for performance.
And the key turn of phrase there is sought out—it’s a change from the pre-
Idol days when Keller says it was she who had to place the phone calls, trying
to interest various groups in having her come out to sing. She is beyond
grateful for the transformation.
“It’s like I got my diploma,” said Keller. “Now, somebody calls me because
I’m the PA STATE SENIOR IDOL and they know I have some kind of credibility.”
Her singing-engagement calendar has been happily full since last June,
when Keller earned top honors in the annual talent competition, produced
by On-Line Publishers, Inc. It had been Keller’s fourth time as a SENIOR IDOL
semifinalist, and she impressed both judges and audience with her renditions
of “Summertime” and “Cabaret.”
The HappyGraduate
Peggy Kurtz Keller performing at last November’s 50plus EXPO in Lancaster.
Exercise is the
Antidote
page 12
Organ Donation:
You’re Never Too Old
page 14
please see GRADUATE page 17
Inside:
2011 PA State Senior Idol Now a
Common Sound in Communities, Stadiums
Cumberland County Edition March 2012 Vol. 13 No. 3
2 March 2012 50plus SeniorNews › www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Siemens created Motion for hassle-free hearing.
It’s fully automatic, so there’s no need to change
programs or adjust volume. Motion 701 even has a
SoundLearning™ feature that remembers your
volume, bass and treble preferences for a consistent
and more natural hearing experience. Designed for
easy handling and simple operation, Motion is available with a choice of
easy-to-use optional remote controls. It also features Autophone®
technology for seamless performance when using the phone. Motion BTEs
are rechargeable, so you don’t have to fiddle with batteries. For greater
convenience and versatility, they also work with regular hearing instrument
batteries. What could be easier?
Whether you’re working in the garden or spending quality time
with friends, you’re too busy to let hearing loss get in your way.
That’s why we developed Siemens MotionTM.
Easy does it.
Motion isergonomicallydesigned for acomfortable fit.
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Frank E. Gable, BC-HISBoard Certified Physician Affiliated • Over 39 years of experience
Hearing Instruments help many people hear better, but cannot solve every hearing problem or restore normal hearing.
The crew of the Pargo (photo taken at Pearl Harbor
after the seventh patrol). Huntington is fifth from
right, squatting with the officers.
St. Patrick’s Notable KinAs the nation celebrates this St.
Patrick’s Day on March 17 with frothy
pints of Guinness, many will raise
glasses to recognize the
hallowed patron saint
of Ireland (who is
actually British!).
While those
glasses are
raised, consider
cheering a few
other Irishmen who
made contributions to the world.
Did you know an Irishman, John
Philip Holland, invented the
submarine? Color photography was
invented by Ireland’s John Joly.
And guided missiles, the modern
tractor, and even a cure for
leprosy were all
invented by
Irishmen.
So as you
search for that
elusive four-leaf
clover, remember
that Ireland has given us
much more than just good beer!
(SPM Wire)
Never Miss Another Issue!
Subscribe online at
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
12 March 2012 50plus SeniorNews › www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
Scott D. Brenneman Becky J. CocklinFuneral Director, Supervisor Funeral Director
Serving Dillsburg and the Surrounding Area
Since 1935
• Pre-Arrangement Counseling
• Cremation
30 N. Chestnut Street
Dillsburg, PA 17019
(717) 432-5312
www.cocklinfuneralhome.com
COCKLINFUNERAL HOME, INC.
Dillsburg, Pennsylvania
Exercise Is the Antidote for Aging, Disease, and DeclineBy Dawn Williams
The changes come gradually, sneaking
up on us while we’re busy doing other
things.
Perhaps walking up a flight of stairs is
more tiring than it used to be. Groceries
feel like they’ve gotten heavier over the
years. Muscle strain and injury occur
more often, and a few hours of yard
work or home repair require days of
recovery.
Our waistlines grow thicker, flesh
becomes doughy, posture slackens, and
energy flags. We chalk up these
symptoms to the process of aging,
assuming they are inevitable and
attempting to endure them with as much
grace and good humor as possible.
It doesn’t have to be that way.
Statistics gathered during the last 50
years consistently show that people who
exercise regularly suffer a far lower
incidence of heart disease, hypertension,
stroke, diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis,
and even cancer. Exercise is that powerful
and that important.
Beyond the ObviousWe know exercise is good for us, but
why, exactly, is
it so? Harvard
University
summarized
the most
relevant
research
findings on the
specific effects
of exercise.
Among them:
• Exercise
improves the
cardiovascular
system by
decreasing
resting heart
rate, heart
stiffness, and
vascular
stiffness; by
lowering blood pressure; and by
increasing the heart’s maximum pumping
capacity. It also decreases thickness of the
blood, all of which make the heart
stronger and more efficient, while
making its job easier to accomplish. The
effects of being sedentary are exactly the
opposite.
• Metabolism
slows with age,
but exercise
increases it while
reducing body fat,
regulating blood
sugar and insulin
levels, and
lowering
dangerous LDL
cholesterol as it
increases
beneficial HDL
cholesterol.
• The skeletal and
muscular systems
benefit from
exercise, too.
Muscle mass and
strength increase
over time, which
in turn build stamina and reduce the risk
of injury. Bones benefit from increased
calcium content and strength, reducing
the risk of osteoporosis and decreasing
the likelihood of fractures.
• Even our neurological functions are
improved through exercise. Physical
activity slows the loss of nerve
conduction and reflex speed associated
with aging, improves quality of sleep,
reduces risk of depression, and reduces
memory lapses and other cognitive
decline.
• Heart health drastically improves with
exercise, even for those who have already
developed cardiovascular disease. People
who are regularly active are 45 percent
less likely to experience cardiac-related
incidents in their lifetime, and some
research suggests that exercise may even
improve cardiac event-free survival in
coronary patients better than angioplasty.
Reaping the BenefitsResearch at Harvard School of Public
Health studied 13,000 subjects and
found that those who exercise for five
hours a week were 76 percent more likely
to age free of chronic illnesses, including
heart disease and cancer, than those who
worked out only 20 minutes a week.
Physical activity in this study was also
correlated with less mental and physical
impairment.
Even if you have been inactive for a
long period of time or have never
Photo by Arne9001, Dreamstime.com
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews › March 2012 13
Cook’s Note: One of my favorite convenience foods now that I’m cooking for only two
is frozen peeled shrimp. Look for peeled, deveined shrimp. Almost all shrimp
is frozen shortly after it is caught, maintaining freshness.
Individually frozen shrimp usually come in 12- to 16-ounce packages,
allowing you to remove the amount you need and return the remainder to
the freezer. Thaw frozen shrimp overnight in the refrigerator. Look for the
number of shrimp per pound as an indication of size.
To cook raw shrimp, simmer gently in salted water about 3-5 minutes. I
often slice a lemon and add it to the water. When shrimp is cooked it turns
bright pink. Overcooking will make it tough.
Copyright by Pat Sinclair. Pat Sinclair announced the publication of her second
cookbook, Scandinavian Classic Baking (Pelican Publishing), in February 2011.
This book has a color photo of every recipe. Her first cookbook, Baking Basicsand Beyond (Surrey Books), won the 2007 Cordon d’Or from the Culinary Arts
Academy. Contact her at http://PatCooksandBakes.blogspot.com
Makes 2 servings
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons butter
3/4 cup Arborio rice
1/3 cup white wine
2 1/2 – 3 cups hot chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
8 to 12 ounces cooked cleaned shrimp
3/4 cup frozen baby peas
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and add the onion and
garlic. Cook over medium heat until the onion is transparent, stirring
often so the garlic doesn’t burn. Add the rice and stir until it is well
coated with the butter. Pour in the wine and stir until most of it has
evaporated.
Begin adding the chicken broth about 1/2 cup at a time. Continue
adding broth 1/2 cup at a time, stirring often, until most of the broth
has been absorbed. This will take about 20 minutes. Add the
mushrooms with the last of the broth. If the rice is not tender at this
time, add more broth and continue cooking.
Stir in the shrimp and the peas. Cook over low heat 1 to 2 minutes
or until heated through. Stir in the parmesan cheese and the lemon
rind. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Lemon Shrimp RisottoBy Pat Sinclair
Arborio rice is a short-grained Italian rice that releases starch as it is cooked,
making a creamy sauce. Although the results won’t be as creamy, you can use
any short-grained rice.
Some recipes require constant stirring, but I don’t find that necessary
although I do stir often. Add the shrimp and peas when the center of the rice is
still slightly firm.
Don’t skip the lemon because it adds a burst of springtime freshness!
Free Tax Assistance OfferedThrough April 15 of each year, the
AARP Tax-Aide program offers free one-
on-one counseling as well as assistance on
the telephone and Internet to help
individuals prepare basic tax forms,
including the 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ,
and other standard documents.
The following are locations in your
area. Please call for an appointment or
visit www.aarp.org/money/taxaide for
more information.
Big Spring Senior Center91 Doubling Gap Road, Newville
Fridays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(717) 776-4478
Carlisle Baptist Church SBC701 Walnut Bottom Road, Carlisle
Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(717) 243-5523
The Cottages of ShippensburgCommunity Room200 Cottage Drive, Shippensburg
Mondays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(717) 530-1573
East Pennsboro Community Center98 S. Enola Drive, Enola
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(717) 732-3915
Mechanicsburg Senior Center97 W. Portland St., Mechanicsburg
Mondays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Fridays,
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(717) 697-5947
New Cumberland Firehouse319 Fourth St., New Cumberland
Mondays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(717) 697-4117
Presbyterian Church of Mechanicsburg300 E. Simpson St., Mechanicsburg
Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(717) 697-0351
South Middleton Township MunicipalBuilding520 Park Rive, Boiling Springs
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(717) 258-5324
Trinity Lutheran Church2000 Chestnut St., Camp Hill
Mondays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
(717) 737-8635
West Shore Senior Center122 Geary Ave., New Cumberland
Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
(717) 774-0409
Remember to Eat Your FishWe all know fish is good for you, but
a new study suggests it really may be
“brain food.”
Researchers at the University of
Pittsburgh Medical Center have found
that eating baked or broiled fish appears
to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The study followed 260 healthy,
elderly subjects over a 10-year period,
tracking their food choices and
comparing brain scans at the beginning
and end of the period.
They observed that people who eat
fish at least once a week tended to have
less cell loss in the hippocampus and
frontal brain cortex, areas both involved
in maintaining memory.
The researchers point out that the
subjects’ brain health could be related to
lifestyle habits and general good health,
but the study reinforces other research
suggesting omega-3 fatty acids in salmon
and other seafood could limit the risk of
Alzheimer’s and dementia.
exercised seriously, you can still reap the
benefits of getting fit. The New England
Journal of Medicine reported that
decreased mortality is documented even
among those who were sedentary until
mid-life or later. It’s never too late.
The National Institutes of Health
recommends that all seniors strive for at
least 30 minutes of moderate activity
most days of the week. Medical
conditions such as arthritis, high blood
pressure, diabetes, and heart disease may
all be improved through exercise, so the
presence of these diseases should not be
considered a reason not to exercise.
However, be sure to see your doctor first
to learn if there are specific precautions
you should take.
Exercise is quite likely the surest
buffer against disease and the only
known antidote to age-related decline.
An investment of a little time and sweat
equity will buy you a healthier, higher-
quality, longer life.
For information on how to get
started, see the NIH National Institute
on Aging website at www.nia.nih.gov.
Dawn Williams is associate publisher of
Senior News 50 and Better and a health
writer who is pursuing certification as a
fitness trainer with a specialty in senior
exercise. More of her health articles can be
found at www.csn50andbetter.com.
Dear Savvy Senior,
Is there an age limit on being an organ
donor? At age 73, I’m interested in being a
donor when I die, but I am wondering if
they would still want my organs. What can
you tell me, and what do I need to do to
sign up?
– Willing But Old
Dear Willing,
There’s no defined cutoff age for being
an organ donor. In fact, there are many
people well up into their 80s that donate.
The decision to use your organs is
based on health, not age, so don’t
disqualify yourself prematurely. Let the
doctors decide at your time of death
whether your organs and tissues are
suitable for transplantation.
Donating Facts
In the United States
alone, more than
112,000 people are on
the waiting list for
organ transplants.
But because the
demand is so much
greater than the
supply, those on the
list routinely wait three
to seven years for an
organ, and more than 6,500 of
them die each year.
Organs that can be donated include
the kidneys (which are in the greatest
demand with more than 90,000 on the
waiting list), liver, lungs, heart, pancreas,
and intestines.
Tissue is also needed to replace bone,
tendons, and ligaments. Corneas are
needed to restore sight. Skin grafts help
burn patients heal and often mean the
difference between life and death. And
heart valves repair cardiac defects and
damage.
How to Donate
If you would like to become a donor,
there are several steps you should take to
ensure your wishes are carried out,
including:
Registering: Add your name to your
state or regional organ and tissue donor
registry. You can do this online at either
Donate Life America
(www.donatelife.net) or the U.S.
Department of Health & Human
Services’ organ-donation website
(www.organdonor.gov). Both sites
provide links to all state registries.
If you don’t have Internet access, you
can call your local organ procurement
organization and ask them to mail you a
donor card, which you can fill out and
return. To get the phone number of your
local organization, call Donate Life
America at (800) 355-7427.
Identify yourself: Designate your
decision to become an organ donor on
your driver’s license, which you can do
when you go in to renew it.
If, however, you don’t drive anymore
or if your renewal isn’t due for a
while, consider getting a
state ID card—this also
lets you indicate you
want to be a
donor. You can
get an ID card
for a few dollars
at your nearby
driver’s license
office.
Tell your family:Even if you are a
registered donor, in many states
family members have the ultimate say
whether your organs may be donated
after you die. So clarify your wishes to
your family.
It’s also a good idea to tell your
doctors and add it to your advance
directives. These are legal documents that
include a living will and medical power
of attorney that spell out your wishes
regarding your end-of-life medical
treatment when you can no longer make
decisions for yourself.
If you don’t have an advance directive,
go to caringinfo.org or call (800) 658-
8898, where you can get free state-
specific forms with instructions to help
you make one.
For more information on organ and
tissue donation and transplantation, visit
the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services Donate the Gift of Life
website (www.organdonor.gov). Also see
the United Network for Organ Sharing
(www.unos.org) and Transplant Living
(www.transplantliving.org), which offers
information on being a living donor.
Jim Miller is a regular contributor to the
NBC Today show and author of The SavvySenior Book. www.savvysenior.org.
Organ Donation: You’re Never Too Old
Savvy Senior
Jim Miller
14 March 2012 50plus SeniorNews › www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com
This Month in History:March
Events• March 4, 1830 – Former President John
Quincy Adams returned to Congress as a
representative from Massachusetts. He was the
first ex-president ever to return to the House
and served eight consecutive terms.
• March 19, 2003 – The United States launched
an attack against Iraq to topple dictator
Saddam Hussein from power. The attack
commenced with aerial strikes against military
sites, followed the next day by an invasion of
southern Iraq by U.S. and British ground
troops. The troops made rapid progress
northward and conquered the country’s capital,
Baghdad, just 21 days later, ending the rule of
Hussein.
• March 23, 1775 – Patrick Henry ignited the
American Revolution with a speech before the
Virginia convention in Richmond, stating, “I
know not what course others may take; but as
for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
Birthdays• March 1 – American band leader Glenn Miller
(1904-1944) was born in Carilinda, Iowa. His
music gained enormous popularity during the
1940s through recordings such as “Moonlight
Serenade” and “String of Pearls.” On Dec. 15,
1944, his plane disappeared over the English
Channel while en route to Paris where he was
scheduled to perform.
• March 6 – Renaissance genius Michelangelo
(1475-1564) was born in Caprese, Italy. He
was a painter, sculptor, architect, poet, and
visionary best known for his fresco on the
ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and his sculptures
David and The Pieta.
• March 31 – Boxing champion Jack Johnson
(1878-1946) was born in Galveston, Texas. He
was the first African-American to win the
heavyweight boxing title.
www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews › March 2012 15
1. Twosome5. P.D.Q.9. Finance magazine14. Kashmir clan15. Chronicle16. Madison Square
Garden, e.g.17. Fill to excess18. Property conveyor20. Is a loving person22. Days ___23. Orinoco, e.g.
24. Ridiculouslyincongruous
28. French game33. Capital city34. Central points35. In the preceding
month: abbr.36. Ready for battle40. Whisper sweet
nothings41. Wild about42. “___ So Vain”43. Indirect implication
46. ___ algebra47. Degree in math?48. Mont Blanc, e.g.49. Cooperate closely58. Issuances59. Department60. Industrial city in