Andy Leh in front of one of his historic home’s seven fireplaces (six in working order). The 1798 home is the perfect setting for Leh’s extensive antiques collection.

Niagara Falls’New Year’s Bashpage 8

She Took a Callfrom Churchillpage 12

Inside:

By Rebecca Hanlon

Andy Leh’s fascination with antiques started as a teenager.In the summer of 1972, construction crews were digging along a nearby

street when they discovered what was left of a glass-recycling facility. Theworking men would leave at 4 p.m., and the local kids would jump in thepit, digging until dark to collect the unwanted bottles for themselves.

“It was a summer fad for most kids, but it stuck with me,” said Leh, now56.

It was the start of a 42-year-long obsession with antiques. Even as a youngboy, Leh remembers spending hours in his grandparents’ basement rootingthrough boxes and examining random items—from glasses to stoneware andfurniture.

When he started digging up bottles in the streets of his neighborhood, heunknowingly dug up history.

If he found bottles he didn’t want, or duplicates, he would sell them tofriends.

At 16, Leh’s father let him drive the family station wagon to the fleamarket to sell the bottles, using the profits to buy better ones.

By early high school, his collection was worth several thousand dollars.“My dad thought I was crazy,” Leh said. “He was angry with me for

wasting my money on frivolous stuff. Now, he stands back and smiles,

Historic Home Now Houses Collection

of Local Antiques

A TreasureChest of Stories

Chester County Edition December 2014 Vol. 11 No. 12

please see TREASURE page 15

2 December 2014 50plus SeniorNews u www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

As On-Line Publishers, Inc. sees the conclusion of yet another year, weare grateful to our dedicated staff, loyal readers, and supportiveadvertisers who have all enabled us to continue to grow in our missionto serve the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50+ community. We wish to thank each of you for helping to make 50plus Senior News

a fun, interesting, and unique source of information and entertainmentfor our readers in Central Pennsylvania.At this special time of giving thanks and reminiscing, the staff of

On-Line Publishers wishes you, our friends, warmest holiday wishes.

Happy Holidays

www.50plusExpoPA.com(717) 285-1350 • (717) 770-0140 • (610) 675-6240

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What do Bing Crosby, ElvisPresley, Martina McBride,Alvin and the Chipmunks,

The Beach Boys, Patty Loveless, TheOsmonds, Perry Como, and TheMormon Tabernacle Choir have incommon?

The answer: They have all sung andrecorded the song “White Christmas.”

“White Christmas” is, in fact, theworld’s most popular Christmas song,having sold more than 125,000,000copies. It has been recorded in Dutch,Yiddish, Japanese, and even Swahili.

Written by Irving Berlin, “WhiteChristmas” is a fascinating footnote inAmerican cultural history: A Jewishsongwriter wrote a universal bestsellingsong about a day celebrating the birth ofChristianity’s founder.

Also unusual is the fact that IrvingBerlin did not like the Christmasholiday. That time of year brought back

memories of the tragic death of his infantson, Irving Berlin Jr., in December 1928.

Berlin’s inspiration may have comefrom his being a lonely andnostalgic northeasterntransplant caught in LosAngeles during the holidayseason. There, the palmtrees and summerliketemperatures in Decembermade him yearn for hismore familiar winter: coldweather and snow.

Berlin’s song originally began with thisintroductory verse:

The sun is shining,The grass is green,The orange and palm trees sway.There’s never been such a dayIn Beverly Hills, L.A.,But it’s December the 24th,And I’m longing to be up north …

And then follows the line known andsung all around the planet everyDecember: “I’m dreaming of a white

Christmas …” Berlin’s labors over this

song took place throughouta night in January 1940.When completed, Berlin wasexcited about his creation,describing it as a “round”song, his term for those raretunes that seemed to flow

from him effortlessly and seamlessly. “We working composers all too often,

in the interest of expediency, sharpen ourpencils, get out that square sheet ofpaper, and become too slick,” he laterexplained. “Those forced efforts are‘square’ songs. But sometimes a song isnatural. We may start it to order for aspecific scene or show, but oursubconscious beings go to work and thesong is just there.”

On a Monday morning, when hecompleted “White Christmas,” Berlinrushed to his office, proclaiming toHelmy Kresa, his transcriber: “I wantyou to take down a song I wrote over theweekend. Not only is it the best song Iever wrote, it’s the best song anybodyever wrote.”

Initially skeptical, Kresa wrote downthe notes as Berlin, sitting at a piano,began to play the song. While Kresalistened and transcribed, his skepticismevaporated.

“As he started to sing, I knew rightaway that the way he juxtaposed thewarmth of Southern California with thecold snow would make it a hit,” Kresarecalled, “and when he sang the chorus, Iknew it really was the greatest song everwritten. I was as thrilled as he was.”

The duo continued working,developing and refining “White

The World’s Most Popular Christmas Song

Fragments of History

Victor Parachin

please see SONG page 13

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews u December 2014 3

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Resource Directory This Resource Directory recognizes advertisers who have made an extended commitment to your health and well-being.

The Squint-Eyed Senior

Theodore Rickard

The best of Christmases and thehigh point of the feast daymarking the beginning of the

Christian era was the year I got theelectric train. An electric train has a lotof pieces. And you can take the piecesapart and put them back together inyour own fashion, any old way you wantto.

The next best part of Christmas wascousin-visiting. Here the cousins—almost all male and within a coupleyears of my own age—became realpeople, not just the last or next wearer ofhand-me-down “Sunday best.”

They were here in person, kids Icould play with, bringing with them thecold-fresh of December into our second-

floor apartment. Gift inspection was the first order of

business for visiting cousins. Even beforehellos, it was, “Whad-ja-get?”—all oneword. Without waiting for a response,this was followed by, “Whad-else-ja-get?”

The year of the electric train was atriumph of familial snobbery.Questioning never got past the first

“whad-ja-get.” Instantly, four cousinswere on hands and knees, takingeverything apart to rearrange it: revisingit to anything but the drearilysymmetrical layout plotted by Lionel.

There was never enough track, ofcourse. There never would be—not forthe fledgling empire builders who were

Cousins for Christmas

please see COUSINS page 7

4 December 2014 50plus SeniorNews u www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

50plus Senior News is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc.and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirementcommunities, 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 ofadvertisements for products or services does not constitute anendorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will notbe responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within fivedays of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to reviseor reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may bereproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc.

We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information notin compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State lawsor other local laws.

Corporate Office:3912 Abel Drive, Columbia, PA 17512Phone 717.285.1350 • Fax 717.285.1360

Chester County:610.675.6240

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PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHERDonna K. Anderson

EDITORIALVICE PRESIDENT AND MANAGING EDITOR

Christianne RuppEDITOR, 50PLUS PUBLICATIONS

Megan Joyce

ART DEPARTMENTPROJECT COORDINATOR

Renee McWilliamsPRODUCTION ARTIST

Janys Cuffe

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTACCOUNT EXECUTIVESAngie McComsey Jacoby

Amy KiefferRanee Shaub Miller

ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVES

Christina CardamoneKristy NeideighBUSINESS INTERNS

Mariah K. HammacherChristopher Lee-Jimenez

SALES & EVENT COORDINATOR

Eileen CulpEVENTS MANAGER

Kimberly Shaffer

CIRCULATIONPROJECT COORDINATOR

Loren Gochnauer

ADMINISTRATIONBUSINESS MANAGER

Elizabeth Duvall

Member of

Winner

Dear Savvy Senior,I understand that there are several

types of flu vaccines being offered toseniors this flu season. What can youtell me about them?– Cautious Senior

Dear Cautious,Depending on your health, age,

and personal preference, there’s abuffet of flu shots available toseniors this flu season, along withtwo vaccinations for pneumonia thatyou should consider getting too.

Flu Shot OptionsJust as they do every year, the

Centers for Disease Control andPrevention (CDC) recommends aseasonal flu shot to almost everyone,but it’s especially important forseniors who are at higher risk ofdeveloping serious flu-relatedcomplications.

The flu puts more than 200,000people in the hospital each year andkills around 24,000—90 percent ofwhom are seniors. Here’s therundown of the different options:

• Standard (trivalent) flu shot: Thistried-and-true shot that’s beenaround for more than 30 yearsprotects against three strains ofinfluenza. This year’s versionprotects against the two common Astrains (H1N1 and H3N2) and oneinfluenza B virus.

• Quadrivalent flu shot: Thisvaccine, which was introduced lastyear, protects against four types of

influenza—the same three strains asthe standard flu shot, plus anadditional B-strain virus.

• High-dose flu shot: Designedspecifically for seniors age 65 andolder, this vaccine, called theFluzone High-Dose, has four timesthe amount of antigen as a regularflu shot does, which creates astronger immune response for betterprotection.

But, be aware that the high-doseoption may also be more likely tocause side effects, includingheadache, muscle aches, and fever.

• Intradermal flu shot: If you don’tlike needles, the intradermal shot is anice option because it uses a tiny1/16-inch-long micro-needle toinject the vaccine just under theskin, rather than deeper in themuscle like standard flu shots. Thistrivalent vaccine is recommendedonly to those ages 18 to 64.

To locate a vaccination site thatoffers these flu shots, visitwww.vaccines.gov and type in yourZIP code.

You’ll also be happy to know thatif you’re a Medicare beneficiary, PartB will cover 100 percent of the costsof any flu shot, as long as yourdoctor, health clinic, or pharmacyagrees not to charge you more thanMedicare pays.

Private health insurers are alsorequired to cover standard flu shots;however, you’ll need to check withyour provider to see if they cover the

other vaccination options.

Pneumonia VaccinesThe other important vaccination

the CDC recommends to seniors,especially this time of year, are thepneumococcal vaccines forpneumonia. An estimated 900,000people in the U.S. get pneumococcalpneumonia each year, and it killsaround 5,000.

This year, the CDC isrecommending that all seniors 65 orolder get two separate vaccines,which is a change of decades-oldadvice. The vaccines are Prevnar 13and Pneumovax 23. Previously, onlyPneumovax 23 was recommendedfor seniors.

Both vaccines, which areadministered just once, work indifferent ways to provide maximumprotection.

If you haven’t yet received anypneumococcal vaccine, you shouldget the Prevnar 13 first, followed byPneumovax 23 six to 12 monthslater. But, if you’ve already beenvaccinated with Pneumovax 23, youshould get Prevnar 13 at least oneyear later.

Medicare currently covers onlyone pneumococcal vaccine per olderadult. If you’re paying out of pocket,you can expect to pay around $50 to$85 for Pneumovax 23 and around$120 to $150 for Prevnar 13.

Jim Miller is a regular contributor tothe NBC Today show and author ofThe Savvy Senior Book.www.savvysenior.org

Vaccination Options forSeniors this Flu Season

Savvy Senior

Jim Miller

Keep Stress in Check during the HolidaysThe holidays should be a joyous

time for family and friends, butthey can be stressful if you feelstretched too thin.

Don’t let the pressure bring youdown. Here are some helpful hintsfor keeping your stress levels undercontrol during what should be afun and relaxing time:

Pay attention to your mood.Recognize the signs of stress, suchas irritability and anxiety. Avoidthese by getting a handle on thingsinstead of just letting them happen.

Set reasonable limits. Allowyourself to say “no.” Be realisticabout what you can and cannot doduring this busy month.

Watch your diet. Overindulging in

holiday treats can affect your mood.Sugar overload will make yousluggish, for example, and thestimulating effect of caffeine maymake you overanxious.

Exercise. Take a walk or visit thegym regularly. Not only will itcombat the extra calories you’reconsuming, but you’ll also relievetension and get some relaxation.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews u December 2014 5

50plus Senior News continues to bring important information as well asentertaining articles to the 50+ community. We at On-Line Publisherswould like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the

editorial contributors of 50plus Senior News:

It is through the varied interestsand considerable talents of ourcontributors and freelance writersthat such a range of informativeand entertaining content isavailable to read each month.The pages of 50plus Senior News

are enriched by your contributions.

Mike Clark (The Way I See It)

Angelo Coniglio (The Search for Our Ancestry)

Al Goodman (Beyond the Battlefield )

Andrea Gross (Traveltizers)

John Johnston (Social Security News)

Dr. Lori (Art and Antiques)

Gloria May (NurseNews)

Clyde McMillan-Gamber (The Beauty in Nature)

Jim Miller (The Savvy Senior)

Victor Parachin (Fragments of History)

Saralee Perel (Such is Life)

Dr. Leonard Perry (The Green Mountain Gardener)

Ted Rickard (The Squint-Eyed Senior)

Sy Rosen (Older But Not Wiser)

Walt Sonneville (My 22 Cents’ Worth)

Nick Thomas (Tinseltown Talks)

Robert Wilcox (Salute to a Veteran)

Judith Zausner (Creativity Matters)

Thank You,Columnists!

Ihave been known to say that justbecause something is old doesn’t meanit is automatically valuable. I have junk

in my house, my grandmother had junk inher house … sometimes it’s just olderjunk.

With those sage wordsof wisdom offered to themasses, here are somecreative ideas about whatto do with those keepsakesthat you just can’t partwith but you don’t want tostore away in a plastictub for the rest of yourlife.

Objects that have somevalue to you on some levelbut that really won’t makea big difference when it comes to cashingin are the objects that are the topic ofthis particular column.

Repurposing is very popular now. Thereare more people seeking out antiques andthrift-store items in order to reuse orrecycle them than people who just want tocollect for collecting’s sake. Be sure youonly repurpose those objectsthat really are not valuable.

Of course, you don’t want to repurposethat Chippendale side table or a Picassodrawing, so get it checked out before youmove ahead. Once you know that youhave a low-value object, consider somecreative ideas.

Piecing Up the PlatesPlates can be among some of the most

inexpensive collectibles that nearlyeveryone has hanging around the house,attic, or yard sale. Vintage, decorative floralplates can be used at parties and even givenaway to guests as favors. They really spruceup a buffet line, block party, or family get-together.

Look around your grandma’s, aunt’s,and neighbor’s cupboards and see if youcan spot any plates. I have some chippedyet colorful examples from the 1970shanging around my cabinets that would beprime examples for this project.

Some creative craft aficionadoshave taken such plates, broken them intopieces, and used them in craft projects.Just break the inexpensive plates into 2- to4-inch pieces and then use them as youwould tiles.

Some of the most popular repurposingobjects for old plates are refrigeratormagnets. Just simply stick an adhesive-backed magnet to the back of your platepiece.

Some damaged orchipped plates have beenrecycled into a decorativeconcrete frame around thekids’ sandbox or kiddiepool area. They will lookgreat stuccoed or gluedonto wooden birdhouses,garden jardinieres orbirdbaths, and trivets.

Some folks have usedbroken plates as walkwaysleading to a gardenshed or pool house. These

are some great ways to use those damagedand not-so-valuable floral plates and keepthe memories, too.

Picking Up JewelryDamaged jewelry or fancy buttons—

particularly cheap pieces of costumejewelry that can no longer be repaired orworn—can be reused and made into reallycool art objects.

Damaged pieces of costume jewelry canbe the source for jewelrypictures by sewing or gluingthe broken pieces onto a piece of velvet,felt, or fabric. Then, the textile is framed asyou would a collage.

Old, broken jewelry or pieces thereofcan be made into a brooch, tussy mussy, orbrooch bouquet comprised of both freshflowers and colorful, fake-gemstone pins inthe shape of flowers.

Country music star Miranda Lambertcarried a brooch bouquet at her country-themed wedding. It is a cool union ofvintage and Victorian, fresh and faux.

Some pieces of costume jewelry arevaluable, so be sure to check out the valuewith an appraisal before you start takingapart the jewelry pieces that are still intact.However, the damaged pieces are fair gamefor you crafters out there.

Celebrity Ph.D. antiques appraiser, author, andaward-winning TV personality, Dr. Lori hostsantiques appraisal events worldwide. Dr. Lori isthe star appraiser on Discovery channel’s TVshow Auction Kings. Visit www.DrLoriV.com,www.Facebook.com/DoctorLori, Lori Verderameat Google+, or call (888) 431-1010.

Cool Ideas for theNot-so-Valuables

Art and Antiques by Dr. Lori

Lori Verderame

Photo courtesy staff of www.DrLoriV.com

Vintage china or mismatchedplates with minor damage are

often repurposed.

6 December 2014 50plus SeniorNews u www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Bethany Village — MapleWood325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055717-766-0279 • www.BethanyVillage.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100Assisted Living Residence: YesPrivate: 100Private Pay: YesSSI Accepted: NoShort-term Lease: YesEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: NoOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: YesHealth Fee-for-Service Available: Yes

Alzheimer’s Care: YesRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: YesComments: One-bedroom suites;secured memory supportneighborhood; skilled nursing – The Oaks.

Homewood at Plum Creek425 Westminster Avenue • Hanover, PA 17331717-637-4166 • www.homewood.com

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 98Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: NoPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: NoShort-term Lease: YesEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: NoPart/Totally Refundable: NoOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: YesAlzheimer’s Care: NoRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: NoComments: Excellent care in a lovelyenvironment. Call to schedule a visit.

Longwood Manor Personal Care & Memory Care2760 Maytown Road • Maytown, PA 17550717-426-0033 • www.longwoodassisted.com

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 144Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: YesPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: YesShort-term Lease: YesEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: Yes*Part/Totally Refundable: NoOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: NoMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: No

Health Fee-for-Service Available: NoAlzheimer’s Care: YesRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: YesComments: Beautiful, homelikeenvironment nestled in the heartland ofLancaster County. Specializing in memorysupport. *One-time community fee only.

This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.

Colonial Lodge Community2015 North Reading Road • Denver, PA 17519717-336-5501 • www.coloniallodgepa.com

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 70Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: YesPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: Yes*Short-term Lease: NoEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: NoPart/Totally Refundable: NoOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: NoAlzheimer’s Care: NoRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: NoComments: *SSI depends onavailability. A veteran-approved“home for heroes” facility, all in abeautiful, rural setting.

Homeland Center1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102717-221-7727 • www.homelandcenter.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 50Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: NoPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: NoShort-term Lease: YesEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: YesPart/Totally Refundable: YesOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: NoAlzheimer’s Care: YesRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: YesComments: Exemplary care in a caring,beautiful environment has beenprovided for more than 140 years. Ourcontinuum includes a hospice program.

Lakeview at Tel Hai Retirement Community1200 Tel Hai Circle • Honey Brook, PA 19344610-273-4602 • www.telhai.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 100Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: YesPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: NoShort-term Lease: YesEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: YesPart/Totally Refundable: YesOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: YesAlzheimer’s Care: YesRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: YesComments: Come discover a wonderful,faith-based community that has beenvoted No. 1 retirement community byreaders of the Daily Local newspaper!

Mennonite Home Communities1520 Harrisburg Pike • Lancaster, PA 17601717-393-1301 • www.mennonitehome.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 150Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: YesPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: YesShort-term Lease: NoEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: NoPart/Totally Refundable: NoOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: Yes

Health Fee-for-Service Available: YesAlzheimer’s Care: YesRespite Care: YesSocial Programs: YesHousekeeping/Laundry Service: YesTransportation (Scheduled): YesPersonal Car Permitted: YesPets Permitted: NoComments: Supportive, encouragingenvironment. Various room types andsuites available. Secure memory careoffered.

The Middletown Home999 West Harrisburg Pike • Middletown, PA 17057717-944-3351 • www.middletownhome.org

Total AL and/or PC Beds: 64Personal Care Home: YesPrivate: YesSemi-private: NoPrivate Pay: YesSSI Accepted: NoShort-term Lease: YesEntrance Fee/Security Deposit: NoPart/Totally Refundable: NoOutdoor Areas/Fitness Center: YesMedication Management: YesOn-call Medical Service: Yes

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www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews u December 2014 7

already looking down the hall to thedining room, wondering how manypieces and how many Christmases itwould take to get there.

There was one other Christmas giftthat, even among my cousins, wouldsquash the “whad-ja-gets.” If you got anErector Set, you simply pointed at thebox.

You tried not to look too superior,acting as though lavish gifts were aneveryday thing with you. You might beinterrupted by your aunt insisting youtry on “at least the jacket” from theSunday outfit her son had finallyoutgrown. But the moment was stillyours.

The Erector Set consisted entirely ofparts. Nothing was put together in thefirst place: hundreds of metal pieces, steelwheels, nuts and bolts—endlesspossibilities for both construction andeventual dismemberment—and theruination of hundreds of vacuumcleaners.

(My Aunt Ella used to claim that theErector Set people were subsidized by theHoover people. But then, Aunt Ella alsoclaimed that opening an umbrellaindoors madethe roof leak,and one rainyspring sheturned out tobe right aboutthat.)

One year, acousin wevisited got anIrish Mail. Thiswas a sidewalkvehicle that you steered with your feetand propelled by working a handlebarback and forth.

It was really a neat machine, and onceyou got the rhythm of it, you could workup some real speed—plenty enough tobecome a pedestrian hazard and getyelled at.

But the Irish Mail was expensive and

thus unheard of in his neighborhood, soit simply had to be “dorky,” which meantit was soon abandoned and left in a darkcorner of the cousin’s basement. It was a

gift from theother side of thefamily: an uncleby marriage wholived in a swellapartmentbuilding thatdidn’t allow kids.

There was asuper-deluxemodel of theErector Set that

actually had a miniature steam enginewith it. None of us cousins had one, butthere was an only child named Arnoldwho lived in a first-floor apartmentdown the block who did.

The engine would have made a lot offriends for Arnold, who could have usedsome help in that department, since henot only had steel-rimmed glasses but

wore braces, too.But his mother wouldn’t let anybody

play with it because it was toodangerous. So we kept pushing Arnoldinto snow banks or bushes for all thenext year until he and his steam enginefinally moved to the suburbs.

Eventually, the cousins went separateways. Some uncles became prosperousand relocated to airier neighborhoods.Today, the children of the cousins andthe cousins of the cousins don’t evenknow one another.

Which is a pity, really. If all thecousins chipped in, we could get theextra track for the train and the ErectorSet with the miniature steam engine.Then we’d get together again and makeall those nifty things that are pictured onthe lids of the boxes.

A collection of Ted Rickard’s family-funessays is titled Anything Worth Knowing ILearned from the Grandkids. It is nowavailable in paperback on Amazon.com.

COUSINS from page 3

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Traveltizers Travel Appetizers: Stories that Whet the Appetite for Travel

By Andrea Gross

I’m half-submerged in a luxuriouswhirlpool tub, sipping from a glass ofsweet ice wine and looking out the

window at the cascading waters ofHorseshoe Falls, the largest of the threefalls that make up Niagara Falls.

Over there, in the distance, is theUnited States. Here, at the RadissonHotel, is Canada.

Divided in part by the Niagara River,the two countries share the falls, withHorseshoe on the Canadian side andAmerican and Bridal Veil falls technicallyin the United States, although betterviewed from Canada.

They’re not the tallest falls in theworld, but they’re among the mostpowerful, and tonight, illuminated infestive colors, they’re surely the mostbeautiful.

Waterfalls, wine, and a whirlpooltub—could there be a more glorious wayto spend New Year’s Eve? I think not, buta party is waiting outside—not just any

party, but one of the grandest in Canadaand the only one that’s televised fromcoast to coast.

In short, “It’s Canada’s answer toTimes Square,” says Niagara Falls MayorJim Diodati.

My husband and I don our parkas—December weather in Niagara typicallyranges from the low 20s to the mid-30s—and set out for Queen VictoriaPark.

It’s not far from the hotel, and as we

walk along the path bordering the falls,we’re surrounded by trees sparkling withmore than a million lights and more than100 illuminated displays representingeverything from Noah’s ark and an Inuitkayak to humongous Canadian andUnited States flags.

By the time we arrive at the park,music is blaring from the stage, and theplace is packed with revelers. Off to theside, the Skylon Tower rises 775 feetabove the falls.

The circular top, which resembles aspace station, is aglow with lights, andthe exterior glass-enclosed elevator, calledthe “Yellow Bug,” streaks up and down,ferrying visitors to and from therevolving dining room and observationdeck at the top.

The countdown begins shortly beforemidnight. Eight, seven, six … one! TheYellow Bug zooms to the top, fireworksexplode from the tower, and the crowdroars. Then, led by the performers on

Niagara Falls’ New Year’s Bash

Niagara Falls consists of three separate waterfalls.From left, American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, Horseshoe Falls.

Horseshoe Falls is wider than sevenfootball fields, and as the water dropsthe distance of a 13-story building, itcreates an explosion of mist.

please see FALLS page 11

Information and support at your fingertips —

Call for your free copy —717.285.1350

orview it online at

www.onlinepub.com(under supplements)

CAREGIVERSOLUTIONSCAREGIVERSOLUTIONS

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews u December 2014 9

WORD SEARCH

SUDOKU

Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 10

1. Unhurried2. Persian spirit3. Bird (Lat.)4. Lingerie5. Happen again6. Exhilarates7. Football’s Starr8. Handmaiden9. Nut tree10. Jai ___11. Slender gull14. Mix16. Droop21. Early-blooming

shrub

22. Requisite25. Ritual26. Amphitheater28. Essay29. Actress MacGraw31. Fluorescent dye32. Expressions of

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agreements

45. Kitchen appliance48. Lawn tools51. Memo abbr.53. Resource54. Disconnected55. Wan56. God of love57. Persia58. Gracious59. E. Ireland village60. Egress61. Explosive device

Down

CROSSWORD

1. Bridge5. Singer McEntire9. Chapeau12. Jacob’s son13. Finals15. Islands (Fr.)17. Master copy (abbr.)18. Weight unit19. ___ mia!20. Fantasy, of sorts23. Civil wrong24. Car of yore25. Body covering

27. Watering hole30. ___ de menthe34. Stroke36. Hamlin cartoon

character38. Playwright Burrows39. Cries of excitement41. Before Paulo or Tome42. Forest inhabitant44. Father and son actors

John and Sean46. Squirrel away47. Before (prefix)49. Charged particles

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52. Information54. Windows, for one62. Old casino game63. Attempts64. Hack65. Move, as a stream66. Mother-of-pearl67. Ireland68. Sharp curve69. Aerie70. Value

Across

Puzzles shown on page 9

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When readers meet me, theynever want to talk to me.Instead, they excitedly look

all around for my husband, saying,“Where’s Bob?” Everyone loves Bob. But they feel

sorry for him because I often make himlook like a doofus (which he is) in mycolumns. They look at him with pityand say, “You’re such a good sport.”Well, I’m here to tell you: Bob adores

it when I write about him. When I don’tinclude him, he’ll ask, “What aboutme?” with an insanely disappointed lookon his face.Having said all that, last week he had

to fast for routine blood work, whichmeant no food after midnight. No bigdeal, right?Early that evening, he was face down

on the couch. I knelt down andmassaged his shoulders. “What’s the matter?” I said.Ever so slowly he raised his head.

“Don’t you remember the medicalprocedure I’m about to get?”“It’s not an operation, sweets. It’s just

a blood test.”He sat up. “JUST A BLOOD

TEST?”I quietly tiptoed out of the room. At five to midnight, I found him in

the kitchen, gorging on frozen pizza. “Sheesh, Bob. Don’t you want to

nuke it first?”“There’s no time!”I lovingly took his hands but he

crazilypulled awayandfranticallysearchedthrough thecookie jar. “Where

are thepeanutbuttercookies?” hesaid. Slowly, I

steppedbackwardandwhispered,“I—I—mayhave finished them last night.”“WHAT?”“Well, I, um. I wanted cookies.”“Oh, so you wanted cookies, did you?

I will never forgive you for this.”He dragged himself off to bed. I

quietly got in bed too. In exactly threeminutes he started moaning the songfrom Oliver. “Food, glorious food—hotsausage and mustard.”Less than an hour later, he sneezed

once and said, “Starvation has causedme to get a cold.”Now, I don’t like gender stereotyping.

But I take that back when it comes to acold. That’s because Bob gets “mancolds.” During his last one, he threwhimself an “I’m going to die” party.

I realizedthat the wayI wasapproachingthis was allwrong. So Ichanged.Andmiraculously,I also foundthe cure tothe commoncold. “You’ll be

OK,” I said.“Right afteryour bloodwork, we’llget rid of

your cold. Instead of heading to yourfavorite diner like we planned, for aluscious omelet made with grilledapples, cheddar cheese, and bacon, we’llkeep you on nothing but chicken brothall day.”Suddenly he stopped sneezing.“Sweets, we couldn’t have gone to the

diner anyway,” I said. “You’re obviouslytoo weak from starvation. We’ll go theresomeday, sometime—far, far from now,since it will clearly take a long time foryou to recover from your horriblefasting ordeal.”And with that, he jumped out of bed

and said, “I feel great!” After the blood work, we went to the

restaurant, where Bob made a speedy

recovery as he reveled in mouthfuls ofglorious food. That week, I wound up with a

monster cold. I knew Bob would getback at me for how I tricked him intogetting better. I stayed in bed—waiting. He found my grandmother’s quilt in

the cupboard and placed it on me,tenderly snugging it under my chin. Between sneezes I said, “This is the

worst cold I’ve ever had. Go ahead.Make fun of me. I deserve it.”“Yep, you do,” he said, putting on his

jacket and getting the car keys. “Bob, you’re going out when I’m on

my deathbed?”When he came home, he had a bag

with him. He took out a chicken potpie, my favorite Kleenex made withaloe, a copy of People magazine, and acarton of mint chocolate chip ice cream. He propped up our pillows. We spent

the day together, watching MurphyBrown reruns and luxuriating in thebreathtaking nearness of each other. So, of course everyone loves Bob.

That’s because we all know that he isjust like this—sensitive, loving,compassionate, and adoring—evenwhen I don’t have a cold.

Saralee Perel is an award-winning, nationallysyndicated columnist. Her new book isCracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: StoriesFrom a Life Out of Balance. To find out more,visit www.saraleeperel.com or emailsperel@saraleeperel.com.

Such is Life

Saralee Perel

When a Man Can’t Have Food

Bob and Saralee at the diner

10 December 2014 50plus SeniorNews u www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews u December 2014 11

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stage, everyone begins singing “AuldLang Syne.”

It’s almost 1 a.m. when we head backto the Radisson, and we have to run tocatch the Falls Incline Railway before itcloses. This saves us the uphill hike fromthe street-level park to the FallsviewTourist Area, where the hotels, casino,eateries, and shops are located.

We arrive in our room chilled butthrilled, ready to start the new year.

The next day we explore more ofNiagara’s winter offerings.

After walking farther along the 3-mileillumination route, we warm up amongstthe poinsettias and Christmas cacti at theFloral Showhouse and then make ourway to Journey Behind the Falls, anattraction that helps us truly appreciatethe size and splendor of Niagara.

Dressed in waterproof ponchos(distributed free at the entrance), weslosh through tunnels to emerge 13stories below ground level at the pointwhere Horseshoe Falls crashes into theLower Niagara River.

We’re showered with mist as theequivalent of more than 1 millionbathtubs full of water rush over the fallsevery hour, traveling at a speed of 25mph. (During the winter, the lower

observation deck is closed, but there’sdrama and moisture aplenty on theupper deck.)

Although it’s possible to see all threefalls from the ground-level walkway, we

take a helicopter ride in order to betterunderstand the area’s geography. From uphigh we can see how the Niagara River,which begins in Lake Erie and flowsnorth into Lake Ontario, divides as it

circles around Goat Island. The southern side plummets over a

cliff to form Horseshoe Falls, while thenorthern side leads to American Falls andBridal Veil Falls. These two smaller fallsare, in turn, separated from each other bythe much smaller landmass of LunaIsland.

Finally, since the Niagara Peninsula isone of the top ice-wine-producingregions in the world, we visit InniskillinEstate Winery, an award-winningproducer of the luxury wine. We see thevineyards, where harvesting of the frozengrapes has just begun; watch a video ofthe production process; and sample threedifferent types of ice wine: Riesling,Cabernet Franc, and Sparkling.

We can’t agree on which one we likebest, so we splurge on mini-bottles ofeach. If we can’t make it back to Niagaranext year, at least we’ll be able tocelebrate at home—but it won’t be thesame without the whirlpool tub and themagnificent view of the falls.

If you go:Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights

runs through Jan. 12, 2015.www.niagaraparks.comwww.radisson.com/niagarafalls.ca

Photos © Irv Green unless otherwise noted;story by Andrea Gross (www.andreagross.com).

Photo courtesy of Winter Festival of Lights

Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lightsfeatures a Christmas Tree Walk that

extends more than 3 miles.

Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission

The Falls are illuminated at night, adding tothe festive air of the holiday season.

Photo courtesy of Niagara Parks Commission

Fireworks mark the coming of theNew Year during Niagara’s

New Year’s Eve bash.

Photo courtesy of Winter Festival of Lights

A three-story-tall illuminated flag ofCanada welcomes folks from the

United States, who make up half of the11 million travelers who visit

Niagara each year.

FALLS from page 8

12 December 2014 50plus SeniorNews u www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com

Thank You, Volunteers!On-Line Publishers, Inc. and 50plus

Senior News would like to extend aheartfelt thank-you to all of theindividual and senior group volunteerswho donated their time and efforts atour 2014 50plus EXPOs and theVeterans’ Expo & Job Fair.

Because of your assistance, we wereable to bring the contents and themission of 50plus Senior News to life forthe residents of Central Pennsylvania!

Geraldine (Jeri) Kopf was a nativeof Central Pennsylvania whokept herself in shape through

her love of playing sports. So, when the Women’s Army Corps

(WAC) was formed in World War II, shefelt ready to enlist in September 1943and serve her country. The fact that shehad a strong background in stenographydidn’t hurt.

Having women in the Army was verycontroversial at the time. But she wasdetermined to go. And she was soon onher way to basic training at DaytonaBeach, Fla. Did she have a tough time inbasic?

“No, not at all,” she laughs. “Theygave us the same training they gave theguys, and because of all the sports I hadplayed, I was ready for it. I enjoyed everyminute of it.”

She was then sent to MacDill Field inTampa and was assigned toHeadquarters Company, where shehandled public relations for the base.

“At MacDill, pilots were being trainedto fly the B-26 medium bomber,” shesays. “It was such an unstable plane thatan unbelievable number of planes werebeing lost. In one 30-day trainingperiod, 15 planes crashed, leading to thecatchphrase: ‘A plane a day in TampaBay.’”

Fortunately, they soon solved that byadding 6 feet of wingspan and upgradingthe engines.

“The other big excitement,” she says,“was meeting Don Scott, who was to

become my futurehusband. He was amember of the baseband who played all theinstruments, as needed.He also had awonderful voice andwas gifted with perfectpitch.

“We got engagedbefore I shipped out tothe Pentagon, and hewent to the Pacific,where he and the bandplayed at basesthroughout the Pacific.

“At the Pentagon, Iwas astonished to beput in charge of theOverseas ConferenceRoom, where I workeddaily with the ArmyChief of Staff, Generalof the Army George C.Marshall and later with General of theArmy Dwight D. Eisenhower, when hebecame Army chief of staff.

“Officially, the Overseas ConferenceRoom didn’t exist, because everythingthat went in there was absolutely topsecret.

“The room had a thick carpet of deepred with a massive mahogany table andmaps of military facilities around theworld lining the walls. My job was to seethat the room was kept in perfect shapeand to manage all contacts with seniorofficers around the world.

“Where messageswere to be encoded, Iarranged that throughthe Signal Corps. And Ikept copies ofeverything that was saidby anyone and decidedfor action. Later I sawthat copies were thensent to each general inthe meeting.”

How did she getselected for such animportant post?

“I haven’t the slightestidea,” she says. “But youknow the Army. Theydon’t explain what theydo. They tell you whatyou’re going to do, andyou just do it.”

What about that callfrom WinstonChurchill, when he

shared his condolences over PresidentRoosevelt’s passing? Did she expect to betalking with a famous man like that?

With a little smile, she says, “Notreally, but most of the people I talkedwith regularly were among our mostimportant generals and admirals. Andwhen the prime minister called, Ienjoyed only a few words with himbefore passing him on to GeneralMarshall.”

By January 1946, she was a sergeant,and her hitch was over. All WACs wereasked to reenlist, but she and her fiancé

were discharged on the same day, Jan.18, 1946, and shortly thereafter weremarried. She became Mrs. Geraldine(Jeri) Scott and embarked on awonderful 58 years of married life.

The Scotts settled down to live inCentral Pennsylvania. And she immersedherself in a wide range of communityactivities. One close to her heart wasserving as executive director of the localchapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

There, she came up with the idea of aReadathon, during which childrenwould “solve the mystery of MS” byreading books for credit. WGAL-TVfilmed the skit through which theprogram was presented to the localchildren.

That film was sent to the national MSheadquarters, who found the film soinspiring that they adopted theReadathon as a national program,sending copies of the film to MSchapters across the U.S.

In addition to all her other activitiesin the community, in 1991 Scott startedan art gallery that she still runs today.

However, when asked what she thinkstoday about having actually talked withWinston Churchill so many years ago,she says with a grin, “At that time, Ididn’t think of it as something sodifferent from what I did every day. Butnow I more strongly think of it as aremembrance to be truly cherished.”

Colonel Wilcox flew a B-17 bomber inEurope in World War II.

Churchill Told Her How Sorry He Wasto Learn of FDR’s Death

Robert D. Wilcox

Salute to a Veteran

Pvt. 1st Class Geraldine Kopf atMacDill Field, Tampa, in 1943.

www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com 50plus SeniorNews u December 2014 13

Chester County Library Programs

Downingtown Library, 330 E. Lancaster Ave.,Downingtown, (610) 269-2741Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m. – Film ForumDec. 18, 6:30 p.m. – Downingtown Library’s Writers

Group

Paoli Library, 18 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 296-7996Mystery Book Club – Call for dates/times

Chester County

Calendar of EventsSenior Center Activities

Dec. 2, 2 p.m.Grief Support GroupPhoenixville Senior Center153 Church St., Phoenixville(610) 327-7216

Dec. 2 and 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m.Bereavement Support GroupBrandywine HospitalConference Room 2N201 Reeceville Road, Coatesville(610) 998-1700, ext. 226

Dec. 3, 6 p.m.Memory Loss and Dementia SupportGroupSunrise Assisted Living of Paoli324 W. Lancaster Ave., Malvern(610) 251-9994

Dec. 4 and 18, 7 p.m.Alzheimer’s Support GroupThe Solana Willistown1713 West Chester Pike, Willistown(610) 725-1713

Dec. 8 and 22, 10:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m.Caregiver Support GroupAdult Care of Chester County201 Sharp Lane, Exton(610) 363-8044

Dec. 9 and 23, 5 to 6:30 p.m.Bereavement Support GroupMain Line Unitarian Church816 S. Valley Forge Road, Devon(610) 585-6604phoenixbereavement@yahoo.comNondenominational; all arewelcome.

Dec. 9 and 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.Bereavement Support GroupJennersville HospitalConference Room B1015 W. Baltimore Pike, West Grove(610) 998-1700, ext. 226

Dec. 10, noonFamily Caregiver Support GroupSarah Care425 Technology Drive, Suite 200Malvern(610) 251-0801

Dec. 16, 6 p.m.Family Caregiver Support GroupSunrise of Westtown501 Skiles Blvd., West Chester(610) 399-4464

Dec. 31, 6 p.m.Living with Cancer Support GroupPaoli Hospital Cancer Center255 W. Lancaster Ave., Paoli(484) 565-1253

Programs & Events Free or minimal charge

Dec. 2, 11:30 a.m.West Chester University RetireesLuncheonFor restaurant location, pleaseemail darsie@verizon.net

Dec. 6 and 7, 1 to 5 p.m.Annual Model Railroad OpenHouseSchuylkill Valley Model RailroadClub400 S. Main St., Phoenixville(610) 935-1126www.svmrrc.com

Dec. 6 and 20, 5 to 10 p.m.Bingo NightsMarine Corps LeagueDetachment430 Chestnut St., Downingtown(610) 429-8174

Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m.The Mainliners Male ChorusTel Hai Retirement Community Garrett Community Center1200 Tel Hai CircleHoney Brook(610) 273-9333

Dec. 22, 7 p.m.A Quiet Christmas Service Grove United Methodist Church490 W. Boot Road, West Chester(610) 350-9372pastor.lin.george@gmail.comwww.grovechurch.org

Support Groups Free and open to the public

Coatesville Area Senior Center – (610) 383-690022 N. Fifth Ave., Coatesville –www.coatesvilleseniorcenter.orgDec. 4, 7 to 9 p.m. – Live, Learn, Grow: Painting PartyDec. 12, 2 to 6 p.m. – Monthly Dinner: Eat In or Take OutDec. 17, 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. – Christmas Party with Santa

Great Valley Senior Center – (610) 889-2121 47 Church Road, MalvernDec. 2, 1 p.m. – Wreath-MakingDec. 4 and 18, 10 a.m. – Canasta GamesDec. 18, 11 a.m. – History Book Club: Operation

Cowboy by Stephan Talty

Kennett Area Senior Center – (610) 444-4819427 S. Walnut St., Kennett Square –www.kennettseniorcenter.orgDec. 4, 11, 18, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Free Medicare

Counseling SessionsDec. 9, 10 to 11 a.m. – Book Club: In the Land of the

Grasshopper’s Song by Mary Arnold and Mabel ReedDec. 10, 7 to 9 a.m. – Walnut Street Café Breakfast

Phoenixville Area Senior Center – (610) 935-1515153 Church St., Phoenixville –www.phoenixvilleseniorcenter.orgTuesdays and Fridays, 9 to 10 a.m. – Sip & Swipe CaféDec. 5, 12, 19, 10 a.m. – American Red Cross Senior

Disaster-Preparedness ProgramDec. 10, 7 p.m. – Live, Learn, Grow: Painting Party

Please contact your local center for scheduled activities.

If you have an event youwould like to include,

please email information tomjoyce@onlinepub.com for

consideration.

Christmas” over several weeks, and thenput it away.

More than a year later, in April 1941,Berlin and film director Mark Sandrichwere working on a new movie, HolidayInn, when Berlin realized it would be theperfect forum for his Christmas song.

On the Paramount Studios set wasWalter Scharf, a staff music arrangerassigned to Berlin. His task was to turnBerlin’s tunes into full-fledged orchestralnumbers.

Scharf remembers Berlin tapping out“White Christmas” on a piano. Berlin

only had two years of formal schoolingand never learned to read or write music.Scharf recalls Berlin’s first performance asa “very rough” rendition.

Bing Crosby, who overheard Berlinplaying the piece, was not impressed.Crosby, a devout Catholic, wanted“White Christmas” removed from thefilm because he thought it would furthersecularize Christmas, which he feltshould be a religious season.

It was Scharf who eased Crosby’sconcern, telling the singer he thought“White Christmas” would turn out well.Reportedly, Crosby rolled his eyes,

saying: “I hope so!”Holiday Inn opened in New York on

Aug. 4, 1942. It featured Bing Crosby asa singer and Fred Astaire as a dancer.While Berlin was ecstatic andenthusiastic, the reviewers barely noticedor mentioned the production.

Before long, however, the song“White Christmas” was becoming a hit.The movie won an Oscar for Best Songin 1943 and was also nominated for BestScoring of a Musical Picture and BestOriginal Story.

Because the country was in thedarkest days of World War II, many

welcomed this sentimental reminder ofhome. As a result, Crosby’s recording of“White Christmas” has sold more than30 million records.

Crosby was amazed at the publicresponse to the song. As a member of theUSO’s traveling ensemble, he was askedby troops serving in World War II tosing “White Christmas,” no matter whattime of year it was.

More than 150 different performers,who run the entire musical gamut, haverecorded this piece. Crosby’s versionalone was listed as the all-time top singleby The Guinness Book of World Records.

SONG from page 2

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because I eventually got him into it, too.”Leh began to study antiques, learning

from older people he’d meet at the fleamarkets who would show him what tolook for and what wasn’t worth it.

From there, he gained an interest inblue-decorated stoneware, which hefound more interesting than bottles, aseach was handmade and uniquelydecorated.

“I learned at some point that diversityis good,” he said. “I got into all avenues ofantiquing, buying painted furniture, iron,glass, pottery, oil paintings, baskets, andchina.”

While he works full-time as a salesmanestimator, Leh has filled his weekendsrunning to different auctions. He stillloves variety, but he keeps a sharp eye outfor his favorite blue crocks.

He looks for ones with specialdecorations. Tulips and other floraldesigns are most common, with fruitfalling as a close second and birds as athird. The rarest finds have moons, cats,or dogs.

Leh has close to 100 crocks in hispersonal collection and said he can’t evenbegin to count the bottles. No matterhow many he gets, he keeps his findslocal.

His fascination with history pushed

him to sell his homeand move inSeptember to a 1798stone house built byThomas Pettit, the sonof a county founder.

The architecture isunparalleled, Leh said.There are sevenfireplaces, thickwindow boxes, andoriginal chair rails andhardwood floorsthrough the home.

The house wasadded to the NationalRegister of HistoricPlaces in 1983. It isthe perfectenvironment for Leh’snumerous treasures,now displayed andincorporated into thehouse’s décor.

“I just love history,”he said. “It makesperfect sense for me to have a place likethis to fill with the items I am sofascinated with.”

While antiques became a huge part ofLeh’s life, he slowly made it a familyaffair. His father bought a home in

upstate New York thatwas built in 1894, andtogether, theydecorated it withperiod items that fitthe theme of thehome.

Over the years, hisfather’s collection grewand he started sellingthings with his son,sharing a booth at alocal antique mart.Soon, they had twobooths and eventuallythree. The youngerLeh no longer has abooth, but his fatherstill runs one out ofEaston, Pa.

A lot of theantiques Leh tries tosell are higher-enditems that can sit toolong at a local market.He finds better luck

sending those to auctions.Visiting one is an experience, he said.“It’s the people, it’s the food, it’s the

trip,” he said. “There’s not an auction Idon’t go to where I don’t know people.”

Although antiquing can be expensive,

it doesn’t have to be, Leh said.He’s bought many things for more

than $10,000, including a LancasterCounty farm table he bought thissummer.

But there are a variety of levels atwhich people can get involved, he added.

Every year he goes to the BaltimoreBottle Show, where he sees many kidsgetting started at the same age he did.Some of them walk in with $5 and leavewith 10 bottles, ready to start a collectionthey can build on.

Many of them can even specialize incertain bottles, such as medicine bottles,or soda and beer bottles.

“My problem was I specialized ineverything,” he said, laughing.

Leh also finds value, not necessarily inthe expensive items, but in the ones thatare the most unusual.

“What they were, wherever they camefrom, what they were used for—thosestories are what interest me,” Leh said.

Early Pennsylvania settlers brought alittle bit of nature into their own homes,he said, painting furniture, pottery, andother decorations.

“Those are some of my favorite items,”he said. “At one point, they were all closeto someone’s heart. And I like to think Ican appreciate them now.”

TREASURE from page 1

Back row, from left, Gaudy Dutch cupand plate, Rabbitware plate, Leedsplate. Center, from left, eagle butterprint, pewter master salt, seated

Redware dog, and cow butter print.

Leh acquired this local farm table(circa 1820) in summer 2014.

16 December 2014 50plus SeniorNews u www.50plusSeniorNewsPA.com