Oct14Butler

Butler County Senior News

October 2014Volume 9, Number 4

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All-terrain wheelchairs help disabled go beyond previous limitations

Veteran Richard Bogue is able to go camping again, now that he has an all-terrain wheelchair.

Photo provided by Richard Bogue.

By Gina Mazza For Butler County Senior News

An innovative company in Grove City is helping its clients go places they hadn’t been able to go before. Trac Fabrication produces all-terrain tracked wheelchairs and related accessories to the disabled community, and the result is greater mo-bility and improved quality of life for the chairs’ owners.

“This machine makes you independent,” says owner David Kennedy of Volant—who, with his cousin, Ben Ridenbaugh of Slippery Rock, started the company in 2012.

“My life wouldn’t be much without my TracFab chair,” says Richard Bogue, a Navy veteran and intelligence spe-cialist. “Before, if I couldn’t get to where I wanted to go

with my standard electric wheelchair, I just didn’t go. I got it stuck a few times and had to ask for help to get out. The TracFab chair has given me the ability to go back to hunting, camp-ing and just getting outside with my family. I really love having the freedom to get back outside.”

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Lynn Webster

Publisher’s Corner

Volume 9, Number 4

Published monthly by

Pittsburgh Senior News, Inc.

for Butler County Senior News

P. O. Box 11126

Pittsburgh, PA 15237

(412) 367-2522

Visit our website at www.pittsburghseniornews.com

or email us at [email protected]

Butler County Senior News is distributed monthly in the Butler County area. Copy-right 2014 by Butler County Senior News. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part of this publication without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. All advertisement in Butler County Senior News is subject to the approval of the publisher. Publication of advertising herein does not necessarily constitute endorsement.

In Memory of John A. Hogan, Sr.

Carmella M. Hogan Michael J. Hogan, Sr.

Wayne Hogan

Owner/Publisher Lynn Webster

Editor: Gina Mazza

Art Director: Shantessa Burnfield

Sales Executive: Wallace Webster

Photographer: Chuck LeClaire

Printing Company: Knepper Press

Contributing Writers: Gina Mazza

Intern: Kara Boyle


View the most recent issues of

• Butler County Senior News

• Pittsburgh Senior News

• Beaver County Senior News

• Allegheny County Senior

Resource Guide

• Beaver County Senior

Resource Guide

Crossword Puzzle Answer(See page 15)

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Did you know that an esti-mated one in seven seniors in America don’t know where their next meal is coming from? Hunger among the elderly is a more pervasive problem than you might imagine. Are you struggling with this or know someone who is? Turn to page 8 and learn how to get help.

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Get complete access to UPMC and have complete peace of mind.

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Many people enjoy eating French fries, pretzels and fast foods that are rich in salt. Salt is everywhere. Even if we don’t add salt to food, we are getting plenty of it hidden in foods we eat every day. Your favorite bottled pasta sauce or soup may contain hidden amounts of salt. Our bodies need salt but we eat too much of it and don’t even know it.

According to the American Heart As-sociation, about 98 percent of Americans eat more than twice as much sodium than is recommended for a healthy diet, consuming an average of 3,436 milligrams daily.

Salt soaks up liquids like a sponge soaks up water. A dry sponge feels light but gets heavier when it is full of water. Salt does the same thing in our bodies and puts more stress on the heart and blood vessels. For many with high blood pres-sure, salt can make our blood pressure higher. For those with heart failure or kidney disease, depending on how much salt was eaten, weight gain can some-times be two or more pounds overnight. This makes the heart work harder and makes breathing difficult. The kidneys work harder because they have to deal with more fluid. Holding onto extra fluid may mean having to take extra pills; it puts strain on the kidneys and heart and may mean an unexpected trip to the hos-pital. Diabetics are also at a higher risk for high blood pressure, and both diabetes and high blood pressure put you at a higher risk for a heart attack or stroke.

Limiting salt may allow you to decrease some of the pills and the bad outcomes. People 51 years old and older, African Americans or anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney or heart disease

should have less than 1500 mg of sodium a day but your doctor can tell you the amount that is right for you. It will not be more than that but may be much less.

Here are a few tips to help you use less salt—and may allow you to need less medicine:

• Don’t add salt to food.

• Make food from scratch. You are in control of the ingredients.

• Read food labels to see how much sodium (salt) is already in the food. Baked goods and canned soups can be especially high. Check out labels on food in your own home.

• Look at the sodium count on the label and then check the serving size. If the serving size is three and you eat the whole can, you ate three times that amount of salt and three times more of anything else listed on the label.

• Check out different brands. There can be a world of difference between the salt used in different brands.

• Foods can be rinsed to remove some of the salt.

• Don’t use the seasoning packets that come in dry or frozen foods. These are LOADED with salt. Go for water sea-soned with herbs or spices or use a low sodium broth and add water to dilute it.

• Other forms of sodium, such as mono-sodium glutamate (MSG), is another example of sodium added to food.

One way you can prevent eating too much salt is to balance your diet with potassium. The more potassium you consume, the more sodium is eliminated through the urine and out of the body.

Potassium also helps relax blood vessel walls, which helps lower blood pres-sure. Foods that are rich in potassium include bananas, white beans, dark leafy greens and baked potatoes with the skin. By making healthy nutritional choices, you can keep your sodium levels down and blood pressure in check.

How is blood pressure measured?

Blood pressure is recorded as two mea-surements. The systolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is beating and fills with blood. Systolic blood pressure is the top or first number of the blood pressure reading. Diastolic blood pressure is the pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats. Diastolic blood pressure is the bottom or second number of the blood pressure reading. A normal blood pressure should be between 120/80. Pre-hypertension is a systolic pressure between 120-139 with a diastolic pres-sure between 80-89. High blood pres-sure begins when the systolic pressure reading is over 140 and the diastolic pressure is over 90.

Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to heart attack or stroke. So, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly by a physician at least once a year. If you have chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic kidney disease, you’ll need to treat your blood pressure more aggressively.

When it comes to eating salt, modera-tion is key. Other ways to reduce blood pressure is by quitting smoking and losing weight. A well-balanced diet and regular exercise will keep your blood pressure under good control and avoid complications down the road. BCSN

Salt: Blood Pressure’s Silent Enemy

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* A Harvest Festival will take place from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and from noon to 5 p.m. Sundays through October at Harvestview Farm, 143 Eagle Mill Rd., Butler. There will be free hot cider, popcorn and a three-acre corm maze. Call (724) 282-8038 or visit www.harvestviewfarm.com.

* Join Moraine State Park staff for a free kayaking evening paddle at Mo-raine State Park at 6 p.m. October 2 and 7. Free kayaking is also available at 9 a.m. October 14 and at 1 p.m. October 18. Participants may bring their own kayak (lifejacket required), or borrow one of Moraine’s kayaks and equip-ment free of charge. Participants must be at least 9 years of age. An adult must accompany participants under the age of 18. Call (724) 368-3612 for details.

* Mars Applefest will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 4 in down-town Mars. Live entertainment will

Entertainment and Eventsbe presented on the main stage at the corner of Grand Avenue and Pittsburgh Street. There will also be food, crafts, games and shopping. All entertainment is free. Visit www.marsapplefest.com.

* Debbie Lee’s car cruise will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. October 9 at Deb-bie Lee, 880 Evans City Rd., Renfrew. This is a Rodfathers-sponsored event. There will be a DJ, dash plaques, food and ice cream. Visit www.therodfa-thers.com for details.

* Come find out if your antique is a treasure or a trinket the antique ap-praisal from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October 11 at Maridon Museum, 322 N. McK-ean St., Butler. Bring your treasures for verbal appraisals by qualified antiques dealers and receive free same day admission to the museum. $5 per item, limit 10 items per person. Call (724) 282-0123.

* Concordia Lutheran Ministries Cabot campus, 134 Marwood Rd., Cabot, is transformed into a site for fun, food, friends and family the first Saturday in October each year to enjoy the tradi-tional German Oktoberfest. This year’s event will take place October 11 and the day features a special German menu, musical entertainment, a petting zoo/pony rides, and games and entertain-ment for all ages, ending with Zambelli fireworks. Call (888) 352-1571 for details.

* The Zelienople and Harmony Coun-try Fall Festival will take place from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. October 11 and from noon to 5 p.m. October 12. Stroll the sidewalks, enjoy the small town feel of historic Zelienople and Harmony. The festival continues on down the Main Street, Zelienople; with a chili cook off, kids activities, toy tractors/hobby show, shops, sidewalk sales, and onto the Zelienople Museum’s Passavant House and Buhl House for a historical

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7Butler Ambulance Service • 106 First Street Butler, PA 16001 • (724) 283-4385

Serving the Community Since 1967

Care You Can Count OnAmbulance Service • Wheelchair Van Service

• Our wheelchair van service, Butler Assist Coach, currently operates 10 vans providing transport to and from hospitals, doctor’s appointments, nursing homes, and private events (i.e. funerals, weddings, birthdays, etc.)

• Our Assist Coach is available to individuals: with or without their own wheelchairs; with stairs or other obstacles at their residence; and those need-ing extra assistance in and out of their wheelchairs.

• BAS also provides emergency and non-emergency ambulance transports to sick and injured patients.

• We operate 10 ambulances from 3 stations, serving the community 24 hours a day.

• Reduced rates are available for members.

Entertainment and Eventstour, art exhibits and sales, antiques, and lots of food. Be sure to also go to the Main and Mercer Streets of Harmony for all the special festival events; visit the Harmony Museum for historical tours, art exhibits and sales, antiques, pastries, dining, coffee shop, and an abundance of more Festival events and join the Car Cruise at Creekside Plaza, located Route 19 North of Zelienople/Harmony. Call (724) 452-5571 or visit http://fallfestival.zelie.us.

* An antique and artisans festival will take place at Whispering Pines Farm, 201 Winsome Lane, Cabot, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 18 and from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 19. Call (724) 568-7463.

* An oldies concert featuring The Holidays will take place at 6 p.m. Oc-tober 19 at Day’s Inn, Route 8, Butler. Proceeds support the restoration of Glade Run Lake. Enjoy music, dancing, food, prizes, 50/50 raffle, cash bar and

Chinese auction. Cost is $35 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres and GRLC membership. Call (724) 898-2063 or visit www.gladerunlakeconservancy.org.

* Hamony Museum Stewart Hall, 218 Mercer St., Harmony, will hold its an-nual pumpkin pancake brunch from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. October 19. Reserva-tions are suggested. Call (724) 452-7341.

* Enjoy a fall hayride at Cranberry Highlands Golf Course, 5601 Freshcorn Rd., Cranberry Twp., starting at 2 p.m. October 19. Sessions will be every half hour. Ride together on the scenic Na-ture Trail. Cost is $12 per child under 13 and includes hot dog, drink, festive cookie and a small pumpkin. All chil-dren must be accompanied by an adult. Adults ride free with child. Preregistra-tion is required. (724) 776-7372.

* A Cranberry fall festival will take place from noon to 2 p.m. October 25

at the Streets of Cranberry, Route 19, North Cranberry Township.

* Alpaca Farm Days at West Park Alpacas, 1037 West Park Rd., Slippery Rock, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 25 and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 26. Feel the alpaca fleece, walk amongst the herd. Tour the farm, learn about raising and breeding alpacas, purchase finished products from the store. Enter a drawing for a free alpaca teddy bear. Call (724) 738-9380.

* Help raise funds for the Dollar Ener-gy Fund and keep low-income families warm this winter. The fundraiser will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. October 29 at Hearth and Home Furnishings, 300 N. Main St., Zelienople. $20 from each ticket will be donated to Dollar Energy Fund. There will be food, beverages, music, raffles and a silent auction. Call (724) 452-6732. BCSN

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8October 2014 • Butler County Senior News

Butler County Area Agency on Aging Senior Express

By Gina Mazza For Butler County Senior News

Hunger among the elderly is a more pervasive problem that you might imagine. An esti-

mated one in seven seniors in America doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from.

According to the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, the US population of older adults is growing at an unprecedented rate as a result of advancements in medical care and improved awareness of healthy lifestyles, which have led to longer life expectancies. As a result, the percent-age of seniors who don’t have enough in their budget—or on their table—to eat well is also increasing.

The good news is that here in Butler County, a number of programs and ser-vices exist that are making a difference with this quietly growing epidemic. Some of them are also great opportuni-ties for seniors to get out, socialize, share a meal and stay nutritionally healthy.

Senior Center congregate meals

The Butler County AoA provides con-gregate meals in its 11 senior centers in Butler County. Six centers serve meals daily, Monday through Friday; five satellite centers are open part time and serve meals only two to three days a week.

The Older Americans Act under Presi-dent Lyndon Johnson in the 1970s established congregate meals to en-courage and assist older individuals to remain independent and active in their communities. The Act mandates that the menus follow federal nutrition

Programs and services in Butler County combat senior hunger

guidelines, and that each meal delivers one-third of the USDA recommended dietary allowances for older adults.

“That noontime meal is very impor-tant not just for seniors to congregate and socialize but to get one-third of their nutrition for the day,” says Lee Markosky, general manager of the Nutrition Group. “We feed thousands of people over the age of 60 and we build our menus around a wide vari-ety of options that will please mostly everyone’s palate.”

Preparation for the county’s senior center congregate meals takes place at Grace Meals in Gibsonia, owned by The Nu-trition Group. The full-service food and facilities management company provides meals to Butler County Area Agency on

Aging senior community centers, Center at the Mall in Beaver County, the Butler Supper Club (see below) and recipients of home-delivered meals throughout Butler and Beaver, as well as 29 other counties across the Commonwealth.

“We cook for about 900 people a day, plus 1,500 frozen meals—so we’re mak-ing 2,700 meals a day out of our Gibso-nia location,” notes Marci Cumberland, manager for Grace Meals. “About 350 of those meals are for Butler County. I order in the products and our team ar-rives about four o’clock every morning and makes everything fresh that day.”

Home-delivered meals

The Older Americans Act also estab-lished home-delivered meal service for

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older individuals who are homebound due to illness, disability or geographic isolation. Nationwide, about 868,000 individuals were served home-based meals in 2010.

In Butler County, Grace Meals delivers to about 70 consumers every week. The five-pack frozen meals arrive in refrigerated vans and can be kept in the freezer until ready to cook or put in the oven immediately. Last year, the home-delivered meals program has begun offering seven-day meal service for those who require meals over the weekend; so the two-pack was added to its offerings. In total, the average amount of monthly meals delivered is 1,700. As with congregate meals, the home-delivered menu adheres to federal dietary guidelines.

Butler Supper Club

Monthly dinner gatherings, called the Butler Supper Club, take place from April through October at the 11 senior centers (at one center each month). These fun events feature educational programming on topics of interest to older adults. To learn more about the Supper Club, inquire at your local senior center.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

SNAP is the US government’s nutrition assistance program, former known as Food Stamps. Many people who are eligible for SNAP benefits today are not receiving them, including 67 percent of adults ages 60 and older who are strug-gling with making ends meet. “This means that millions of seniors today are suffering from the debilitating effects of hunger and poor nutrition, despite the fact that most of these 67 percent paid taxes to support the program for years,” says Becky Squires from the AARP Foundation.

And yet, according to the USDA, SNAP benefits go a long way in reducing the rate, depth and severity of poverty in our country.

In Butler County, the estimated SNAP-eligible population is 32,100, and 51 percent are not participating in the pro-gram. When it comes to seniors, there are a number of reasons why those who are eligible for SNAP don’t apply for it. Some may be too embarrassed or proud to do so. Others think that if they receive SNAP they will be taking food benefits away from others, especially children. And still others think that it’s difficult to apply for SNAP, or don’t even know the program exists.

SNAP is designed so that the number of people getting help depends on eco-nomic conditions. The poor economy of the last few years caused enrollment to increase; and as the economy improves, the number of people getting SNAP will recede. Also, seniors who live alone or with one other person qualify at higher incomes.

If you are in need of nutrition assis-tance, call the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh’s hotline at (866) 395-3663. If you know of someone in need of food assistance, check out AARP’s Create the Good campaign here: http://crea-tethegood.org/toolkit/help-someone-get-food-they-need-it’s-snap.

Other resourcesOn Point radio show on senior hunger: This podcast features a discussion on senior hunger, as well as on the Meals on Wheels Program. To listen, all you need is a computer and access to the Internet. This segment features three guests: Enid Borden, president and CEO of the National Foundation to End Senior Hunger; James Ziliack, director of the University of Kentucky’s Center for Poverty Research; and filmmaker Seth Hancock on

his documentary, Leftovers, which explores the topic of senior hunger in America. Go to: http://onpoint.wbur.org/2012/07/30/senior-hunger.

National Foundation to End Senior Hunger: This non-profit offers a wealth of information and information on nutrition and healthy aging on its website: www.nfesh.org.

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_ Butler Senior Center, 10 Austin Ave., (located in Tangle-wood Senior Center), Lyndora, offers the following events: bingo at 10 a.m. October 3 and 17; Pokeno at noon October 8 and 22. Cost is $1; birthday celebration October 9; Pinochle at noon October 13 and 23. Cost is $1; fall prevention pro-gram at 10 a.m. October 14; Bunko at noon October 15; bus trip to Ohio Amish country at 7 a.m. October 15; leadership council meeting at 10 a.m. October 23; Halloween party Oc-tober 30. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 285-5392.

_ Chicora Senior Center, lower level of Moose Hall, 117 West Slippery Rock St., offers the following events: blood pressure screening at 10:30 a.m. October 7; bingo fundraiser at 10:30 a.m. October 9 and 23. Cost is $.50 per card; birthday celebration October 9; gambling addictions program at 10:30 a.m. October 14; hospice 101 program at 10:30 a.m. October 16; spaghetti fundraiser from 4 to 8 p.m. October 17. Cost is $6 per person; flu shots from 10 a.m. to noon October 21; and Halloween party at noon October 30. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 445-2551.

_ Cranberry Senior Center, Municipal Building, Rochester Rd., offers the following events: In home care program at 11 a.m. October 2; Medicare update from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 8 and 29; birthday celebration October 9; hayride and wiener roast from 3 to 6 p.m. October 14 at Yecks Farm. Cost is $5; hearing loss and dizziness program at 12:30 p.m. October 15; maintaining mobility program at 11 a.m. October 16; hoagie orders due October 22; hoagie pick-ups October 29; and Halloween party October 30. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 772-6086.

_ Evans City Senior Center, 426 East Main St., offers the following events: flu shots from 10 a.m. to noon October 2; bring a friend to breakfast at 9:30 a.m. October 6; blood pressure screenings at 11:15 a.m. October 9; birthday cel-ebration October 9; drum circle at 1 p.m. October 14; game night at 5 p.m. October 15. Bring a paper product; exercising as we age at 12:30 p.m. October 16; 500 card party at 10:30 a.m. October 23; ins and outs of gambling program at 12:30 p.m. October 30. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 538-9414.

_ Mars Senior Center, Penn Mar Plaza, Gilkey Dr., offers the following activities: Farkle dice game at 1 p.m. October 7; birthday celebration October 9; blood pressure screen-ing at 11:15 a.m. October 9; snack bingo at 1 p.m. October 14; flu and shingle vaccines program and blood pressure

screening at 11:15 a.m. October 16; leadership council meet-ing at 1 p.m. October 20; Open Enrollment in Medicare at 11:15 a.m. October 22; Sundaes at 12:30 p.m. October 27; and Halloween party October 30. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 625-4466.

_ Mount Chestnut Senior Center, Presbyterian Church, 727 Old Route 422, will offer the following events: blood pres-sure screening at 11 a.m. October 2; Bible study at 10:30 a.m. October 6 and 20; Wendy’s fundraiser night at 5 p.m. October 8, New Castle Road location; birthday celebration October 9; Steelers tailgate party October 20; slip and fall prevention program at 12:30 p.m. October 23; and book club at 10:30 a.m. October 27. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays. Call (724) 282-6006.

_ North Central Senior Center, West Sunbury Presbyterian Church, will offer the following events: exercise for older adults at 11 a.m. October 3; flu shots from 10 a.m. to noon October 10; birthday celebration October 10; blood pres-sure screening at 11:15 a.m. October 15; and Bible study at 11 a.m. October 29. Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and Friday. Call (724) 637-2959.

_ Slippery Rock Senior Center, Township Building, 155 Branchton Rd., will offer the following events: game day with Julie at 11:30 a.m. October 7; birthday celebration Oc-tober 9; cognitive conditioning at 11:30 a.m. October 14; flu shots from 10 a.m. to noon and blood pressure screening at 11:30 a.m. October 23; leadership council meeting at noon October 27; spelling bee at 11:30 a.m. October 28; and Hal-loween party October 30. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 794-6440.

_ Southeast Senior Center, Winfield Township Firehall, Brose Rd., offers the following upcoming events: chair vol-leyball at 10:15 a.m. October 7; birthday celebration October 9; art class at 10 a.m. October 9; blood pressure screening at 10 a.m. October 16; board game day at 9:30 a.m. October 21, bring your favorite game; chair yoga at 10:15 a.m. October 28; and Halloween party October 30. The center is open from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Call (724) 352-2036.

_ Zelienople Senior Center, 700 S. Green Lane, Zelienople, offers the following upcoming events: sack lunch day Octo-ber 7, center closes at noon; manicures at 9:30 a.m. October 8; birthday celebration October 9; chili cook-off and movie from 4 to 7 p.m. October 17; play Name that Tune at 12:15 p.m. October 20; and Halloween party at 10 a.m. October 31. Bring a snack to share. The center is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Call (724) 452-5292. BCSN

Senior Center events

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October 2014 • Butler County Senior News

October Menu for senior centers

For more information, call or visit our office at Sunnyview Complex

111 Sunnyview Circle, Suite 101 Butler, PA 16001

Office Hours: Monday through Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Phone: (724) 282-3008 (888) 367-2434 Website: www.co.butler.pa.us/butler

Email: [email protected]

The Butler County Area Agency on Aging

Serving you:

Butler County Commissioners William L. McCarrier A. Dale Pinkerton

James Eckstein

Area Agency on Aging Administrator: Beth A. Herold, RN, BSN, MBA

About the Area Agency on Aging

The Butler County Area Agency on Aging (AAoA) is a community service agency for older adults and has operated in Butler County since 1984. The Area Agency on Aging administers programs and manages services for Butler County residents who are 60 years of age or older. Agency programs and services are designed to serve approximately 38,000 older consumers who call Butler County home.

How may we help you?

• Community Services for Older Adults and their families

• Home and Community Based Services

• PDA Waiver Services

Access to Services

• Information and Referral

• Assessment

• Care Management

Wednesday, October 1: Turkey sandwich, rice Florentine soup, pears.

Thursday, October 2: Stuffed pepper, whipped potatoes, corn, oatmeal cookie.

Friday, October 3: Taco salad, tossed salad, pineapple, Rice Krispie Treat.

Monday, October 6: Cheeseburger, macaroni salad, baked beans, fruit.

Tuesday, October 7: Roast turkey, whipped potatoes, peas, butterscotch pudding.

Wednesday, October 8: Roast beef sandwich, vegetable soup, fruit.

Thursday, October 9, Birthday menu: Homemade lasagna, mixed greens salad, green beans, cupcake and ice cream.

Friday, October 10: Potato crusted fish, macaroni and cheese, stewed tomatoes, Mandarin oranges.

Monday, October 13: Italian pepper chicken, rice pilaf, broccoli, pineapple, sugar cookie.

Tuesday, October 14, Trio cold plate: Ham and egg salad, cottage cheese, fruit salad.

Wednesday, October 15: Penne pasta with meatballs, tossed salad, warm apple crisp.

Thursday, October 16, Oktoberfest: Frankfurter, German potato salad, braised red cabbage, German chocolate cake.

Friday, October 17: Salisbury steak, new potatoes, mixed bean medley, orange dream cake.

Monday, October 20: Meatloaf, O’Brien potatoes, spinach, fruit.

Tuesday, October 21: Turkey sandwich, potato soup, lemon fluff.

Wednesday, October 22: Ham and cheese sandwich, chicken noodle soup, fruit.

Thursday, October 23: Tuna salad, pickled beets, pineapple, sugar cookie.

Friday, October 24: Cabbage roll, whipped potatoes, peas, jelly roll.

Monday, October 27: Hot turkey sandwich, whipped potatoes, coleslaw, chocolate pudding.

Tuesday, October 28: Italian hoagie, bean soup, fruit.

Wednesday, October 29: Meatball stroganoff, carrots, peaches.

Thursday, October 30: Cheese pizza, tossed salad, cinnamon applesauce, raspberry sherbet.

Friday, October 31, Halloween: Devilish chicken with a spell, spooky potatoes, cauldron vegetables, boo juice, eerie bread, Halloween cookie.

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All-terrain wheelchairs help disabled go beyond previous limitations

Continued from page 1

A seed of inspiration to start Trac Fabricat ion was planted when David’s wife, who worked as a physical therapist at the Department of Veter-ans Affairs, shared with him stories from her patients who longed to enjoy the outdoors, but couldn’t because of their standard wheelchairs’ and power scooters’ limitations. Like Richard, some used to enjoy hunting and fish-ing, or simply being out on wooded trails. Others dreamed of having a day at the beach with loved ones, or savoring a winter snowfall close up. “The best part of having my TracFab chair was going to the beach with my family in July,” Richard comments. “I had no problems at all getting across the beach.”

“A chair was needed that could handle more rugged types of terrain and weather conditions,” David explains. So he and Ben cobbled together a proto-type in their garage from a Hoveround mobility scooter, and the concept took off—literally and figuratively. The chairs are quite handsome looking, and each is a technological marvel. They come standard with a racing-car seat, five-point harness, retractable armrests, rubber tank-tracks, LED headlights and a display—which looks similar to a mobile device—near the control stick. It runs on two 24-volt motors powered by lithium batteries.

Today, just two years later, TracFab employs 16 people and produces 20 chairs every week out of their fabrica-tion and assembly plants in Grove City. All told, they’ve sold about 250 chairs, and knowing that their work is having a positive impact on other’s lives makes the job very rewarding. “The happiness that we bring to people really means a lot to us,” David says.

Most rewarding of all is working with American veterans. A lot of TracFab’s chairs are sold to veterans, either through charities or individual sales. Just this month, the company shipped a dozen chairs to a charity that is dis-tributing them to wounded veterans.

TracFab chairs basically come in two models: the standard size, which is 36-inches wide and weighs 435-pounds;

and a more compact, 30-inch model that fits through doors and into acces-sibility vans. Beyond that, the chairs are fairly customizable in terms of speed, drive ratio, and add-ons that make it personal to the owner—like a fishing rod holder near the arm rest. Each one is American made and assembled.

Depending on the customized features, a chair sells for between $12,000 and $15,000. Because neither insurance nor VA benefits will pay for the chair, the company works with nonprofit organizations and veterans groups to raise funds and help defray costs for combat-wounded veterans.

In addition to doing purposeful work, the workers at TracFab have the benefit of working as a close-knit team. “We consider each other family in our local community,” says employee Jennifer O’Toole. “David and Ben are the most amazing people I have ever worked for, and I’m not alone in that. The whole staff feels that way.”

“It almost brings a tear to your eye, just knowing how it’s going to change someone’s life,” says employee Steve Dickson. Another employee, Kenneth Turner, adds: “Just seeing a customer’s reaction the first time they get their chair is priceless.” BCSN

Trac Fabrication, LLC is located at 578 Barkeyville Road in Grove City. To learn more, call (989) 865-6637 or visit www.tracfab.com.

View current and past issues of Butler County Senior News.


Call (412) 367-2522 or visit www.pittsburghseniornews.com

for more information.

Looking for Senior Resources?

Diabetic Medicare Recipients

Are you being asked to change test strip brands?

Kmart Pharmacy dispenses ALL MAJOR BRANDS of test strips.

Keep your current brand and let us bill medicare for you!

* Call (800) 866-0086 or visit your local Kmart Pharmacy for details.

Richard enjoys time at the beach with his family.

Photo provided by Richard Bogue.

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WesternPennsylvania

VNATrusted Home Care

Since 1965

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724.352.9445

Annual Chef Tasting Party and Auction takes place at The MansionThe 21st annual Chef Tasting Party and Auction will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. October 5 at The Mansion, 141 Mansion Lane, Butler. About 35 of the area’s finest restaurants, caterers, bakers, wineries, microbreweries will share samples of their best dishes and beverages. Guests can graze throughout The Mansion sampling appetizers, soups, salads, sides, entrees and desserts while visiting with friends or catching a football game in the “Sports Tent.”

Also featured will be drawings for valuable prizes and a silent auction. Guests have the opportunity to vote for “The Best of The Best” in six different categories. Proceeds benefit Community Care Connections, Inc., which has been providing services for infants, children and adults with disabilities for 40 years. Call (724) 283-3198 or visit www.communitycareconnect.org. BCSN

American Diabetes Association ExpoThe American Diabetes Association Expo will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. November 8 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The event is free and includes activities for all ages, as well as health screen-ings, cooking demonstrations, and diabetes prevention and management. Visit diabetes.org/expo or call the American Diabetes Association at (800) 342-2383 for more information on Diabetes. BCSN

Free bus trip for WWII and Korean War veteransThursday, October 9 is the next free bus trip for World War II and Korean War veterans to visit their Memorials in Washington DC. This is a one-day trip leaving early and returning between 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. Departure points are Beaver, North Hills, Green-tree and Monroeville. Box lunch and dinners are provided, as well as snacks and drinks. There is a registered nurse on each bus. Wheelchairs provided, if needed.

For more information or to make a reservation, call (724) 709-3614. All donations are gratefully accepted so the trip can be free to the veterans. Make checks payable to WWII Memo-rial Bus Trip and mail to ESB Bank, 701 Corporation St., Beaver, PA 15009, Attn: Paula. Seating is reserved for vet-erans only so we cannot accommodate family, friends or spouses. BCSN

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Penalties of the NHLCircle the correct answer for a chance to win $30 cash.

To enter, mail your answers to Butler County Senior News Contest, P.O. Box 11126, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. One entry per person. Correct entries will be eligible for our draw-ing. One winner will be drawn. Entries must be received by the 15th of this month. Answers will be published in the next edition of Butler County Senior News.

Name________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Phone____________________________Age________________

Congratulations to Debra Burns who won last month’s contest. The answers were: 1. (D) Rent; 2. (C) Wicked; 3. (D) The Phantom of the Opera; 4. (D) Les Miserables;

5. (D) Hairspray; 6. (C) Avenue Q; 7. (B) Jersey Boys; 8. (C) Chicago.

1. Which one of these is not a type of penalty? A. Minor Penalty; B. Match Penalty; C. Major Penalty; D. Mild Penalty

2. How many minutes in the penalty box will a minor penalty get you? A. 2; B. 3; C. 1; D. 5

3. What happens if a single player gets 3 major penalties in the same game? A. A goal is rewarded to the opposing team; B. Put in penalty box for 5 minutes; C. Ejected from the game; D. Put in penalty box for 15 minutes

4. When a player receives a player misconduct penalty, he gets sent to the penalty box, and a player is allowed to replace him when his penalty is done. A. True; B. False

5. If a player swings his stick at an opposing player, what penalty is called? A. Slashing; B. Hooking; C. Spearing; D. Cross-Checking

6. What type of penalty is called if a player is found to have deliberatly injured an opponent? A. Minor Penalty; B. Match Penalty; C. Penalty Shot; D. Misconduct Penalty

7. If a goalkeeper commits a minor penalty, that goalkeeper must serve two minutes in the penalty box? A. True; B. False

8. For the penalty “Cross-Checking”, both hands of a player are holding the stick while delivering a check to a player by extending his arms? A. True; B. False

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Name________________________________________________

Address______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________

Phone____________________________Age________________

Crossword Puzzle answer on page 2

©King Features

ACROSS1 Pompous one4 — mater8 Microwaves12 Play- —13 Ring out14 Hebrew month15 Comfy footwear17 Vatican VIP18 11th president19 Winning20 Buxom22 Frilly, maybe24 39-Down speaker25 Change for the

worse, e.g.29 Goof up30 Brilliantly colored31 Dead heat32 In the cards34 “The Da Vinci —”35 Advantage36 Document37 Zoo howler40 Moist41 Deserve42 Strong-jawed turtles46 Differently47 Caffeine nut48 Scoundrel49 Antelope’s

playmate50 Mid-month date51 Agent

DOWN1 Billboards2 Scale member3 FedEx clientele4 Cider provider5 Welsh emblem6 Ruin the veneer7 Hirt and Gore8 Gentle breeze9 Burn aid10 Former larva11 Coaster16 Survey19 Scored 100 on20 On in years21 Stallion’s mate22 Embankment23 Eager, plus25 Circle26 Corks27 Staffer28 Villainous look30 “Livin’ La — Loca”33 Sawbuck34 Bivouac36 Half a 1960s quartet37 Pay attention38 Eli’s alma mater39 Celtic tongue40 Secluded valley42 Tackle moguls43 Affirmative action?44 Knock45 Unkempt dwelling

Taken from www.ahajokes.com.

The world’s smartest man?

A pilot, Michael Jordon, Bill Gates, the Pope, and a pizza delivery man were all in a plane together traveling through stormy conditions.

Suddenly, the pilot came running back to the passengers and announced that lightning had hit the plane, and they were going to crash in a matter of minutes. “There are only enough parachutes for four of the five of us,” he announced. “Since I’m the pilot, I get one!” After saying this, the pilot grabbed a parachute and jumped out of the plane.

“I’m the world’s greatest athlete,” proclaimed Michael Jordon. “This world needs great athletes, so I must live.” Michael Jordon then grabbed a parachute and leaped out of the plane.

“I’m the smartest man in the world,” bragged Bill Gates. “The world needs smart men, so I must also live!” Bill Gates grabbed a parachute and jumped out of the plane.

At this point, the Pope began to speak. “I have lived a long life compared to you, and you may take the last parachute. I will go down with the plane.”

“You don’t have to stay here! The world’s smartest man jumped out of the plane with my backpack.”

QualityTri Rivers Surgical AssociatesDe

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Managing chronic conditions—such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, gout and fibromyalgia—is complex and often unpredictable, requiring the care of experts. Our Rheumatology Team compassionately helpspatients achieve their best quality of life.

• Betsy F. Shook, M.D., Cranberry/Mars and Slippery Rock

• Kelly Heffner, PA-C, and Holly Vasses, PA-C

Tri Rivers: Defining quality in musculoskeletal care for more than 40 years.

1-866-874-7483 • www.TriRiversOrtho.com

livingabove and at left: Dr. Shook

above: Dr. Shook and Kelly Heffner, PA-C

Oct14Butler

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