Tech And YouRadio host Nora Young on staying ahead of technology ....... 2

You & Your HealthScience finds some answers for macular degen­eration .............. 3

Lenbrook Life ... 4

Finding Youth In Ancient ArtRestoring balance with tai chi ....... 4

Crossword Puzzle ................ 4

Oktoberfest!Polka band rings in the fall .......... 5

Tending Many FlocksChaplain caters to all faiths ........... 5

Sudoku .............. 5

Messy Is GoodCherishing a mangled lunch . 6

The Jane Austen Book ClubEndearing char­acters make novel memorable ....... 6

Flying For Thanksgiving?Brush up on rules for carry­ons .. 7

Discover LenbrookAtlanta’s Best Retirement Living ............... 8

How does Lenbrook deliver consistently

great service and ameni-ties to its residents? By listening!

As Atlanta’s only CARF-CCAC accredited retirement community, Lenbrook takes special care to maintain its premier standing. As part of its accreditation process, the community engaged the services of Holleran, to con-duct a formal Resident Sat-isfaction Survey to ensure it delivers the highest quality services to its residents.

The Leadership Team knows you can’t manage what you don’t measure, so they consistently ask resi-dents how satisfied they are with the community’s many services, including dining, housekeeping, security, resi-dent enrichment (wellness, activities, spiritual life), facility management, safety, health care (skilled nursing care, assisted living, medi-cal center), and more.

Lenbrook has three very important goals: safe, happy people living at Lenbrook; safe, happy people working at Lenbrook; and remaining the leader in senior living in the Southeast. The Resi-dent Satisfaction Survey is a vital tool to promote resi-dent fulfillment.

Retirement Community’s Success Built On Resident Satisfaction

Furry Friends Boost Our Spirits, Ease Our Tensions, Bolster Our HealthSome years ago, friends visiting Bruce

Goldfarb and his family might have been a little puzzled when they were told that the family dog’s name was “Dog.”

It seems they acquired their black lab-

rador after it was already a couple years old, and its previous owners had named him “Max.” Unfortunately, Bruce’s eldest son — then just a small child — was also named “Max,” and

they needed to do something to alleviate the inevitable household confusion. Hence, Max the Dog became, simply, “Dog.”

“We figured it was better than calling our son, ‘Boy,’ ” Bruce says with a grin.

One wonders if every family would have chosen as wisely, because we Americans are just nuts about our pets. Dogs, cats, parakeets, fishies, ferrets, snakes … you name ’em, we love ’em! And the great thing is, they love us right back!

In fact, in a 2004 survey by the American Animal Hospital Association, respondents were slightly more likely to choose their pet to be their compan-ion if they were stranded on

Are books going the way of the dinosaur?

I recently requested a book from my local library, only to discover that I could download an e-book but not check out a physical book of that particular title. I love to sit in my reading chair and hold a physical book in my hands, crack open the spine and breath in the smell of paper and ink. So, the realization that this could be a thing of the past was a shock.

E-books, of course, are digital text files — like very long word processing docu-ments — and which replace the physical pages one typically associates with the concept of a “book.” They require the reader to own an electronic gad-get to convert the file into electronic ‘pages’ that the user can read. Some formats can simply be read on one’s personal computer, while others require a dedicated device like the Kindle,

iPad, or their many variants.

Book Publishing Woes

Business news reports one physical book publisher down-sizing after another, as the industry strug-gles to remain profit-able. As traditional books compete with all the entertainment options of the mod-ern consumer (think video, computer, internet, texting,

etc.), it is also strug-gling to stave off market erosion from its digital off-spring: e-books and audio downloads. Why would a library choose to only offer an electronic version of a literary selection? After all, isn’t it in the business of offering books to the public?

Rita A. Renner and a team of contributors outline the many advantages for a library to begin the transi-tion to virtual books in their white paper, “eBooks – Costs and Benefits to Aca-demic and Research Librar-ies.” They report that digital versions of books allow for

Is The Book Dead?Digital Readers Look To

Topple Paper Books As Premier Literary Format

by Pat Hillenbrand

Inside

SEE “CHOICES” ON P. 2

SEE “PETS” ON P. 3

SEE “E-BOOKS” ON P. 7

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Do you find it hard to keep up with all of the amazing new

technologies and products that are being released every year? Nora Young feels your pain.

“I think some of the things affecting us all is that the rate of change is extremely fast now, and many people feel like they’re hav-ing trouble keeping up,” she says. “I mean, my full time job is to keep on top of it, and I find it hard to keep on top of it!”

Nora’s “full time job” is host of the superlative radio program Spark, a show from Canada which

airs in a few American markets as well and is available everywhere via podcasting on the Internet (http://www.cbc.ca/spark/). Though not a technical program, each week Nora and Spark focus on the chal-lenges and rewards ordinary people experience as they incorporate tech-nology into their daily lives.

If you find technology bewilder-ing, you’re not alone!

“Every once in a while, I’ll have one of those moments where I go, ‘Oh my god, I’m living in the future!’ when I’ve had that uncanny feeling that what we’re

doing shouldn’t be possible,” Nora comments enthusiastically. But the sheer pace of change can alienate people.

“For many people, once you feel like you’re falling behind, it can make it extra hard to keep up,” she con-tinues. “That’s

where the anxiety creeps in.”

Seniors And Technology

Spark is somewhat unusual among technology-oriented programs in that it will often make a point of discussing how a particular new development affects older people.

“I guess I see it partially from a personal point of view,” she says. “When I give advice to my parents about com-puters, I can see them confronting some of their nervousness with technology, and I imagine the same sort of thing goes on with a lot of other people.”

The genera-tions don’t always fit into people’s stereotypes.

“People make broad assumptions about the gen-erations’ different approaches to

technology, but I think there’s a big range in people in both ends of the demographic,” Nora explains. “Not all young people are tech savvy, and not all old people are not. I’ve

noticed for example that people in the younger end of the older demographic — people in their 60s — often have a lot of experience using digital technology in their jobs, much more so

than those in their 80s.“I think there can be a point of

friction between the generations centered on new technology and how it changes our lives,” she says, “but it can be a tremendous source of community as well.”

Nora recalls one story which featured an 85 year old British woman, Ofelia Podolski, who developed a small global following on the Internet even though she doesn’t use computers (http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2009/02/episode-67-february-25-28-2009/). Her grandson helped her post her thoughts on the web, and in the process he learned things about his grandmother — such as her doomed affair with a member of the Resistance during World War II — that she had never discussed with him before.

Design Makes A Difference

Spark often focuses on the chal-lenge of making technology usable for everyone. Nora notes that Spark staff have speculated that the pro-verbial youngster you might get to help you with some new tech prod-uct won’t necessarily know how to use it right off the bat. Instead, he or she likely has the confidence to poke around and tinker with it until they figure it out.

“If people are afraid they’re going to break something, that can really affect their confidence level when they’re trying to learn how to use a new device,” Nora explains.

“It’s also a question of design,” she adds. “A good design presents the user with how a device is sup-posed to be used more effectively than a poor design. My father is in his 80s and had a lot trouble with PCs, but he took to his iPod Touch like a duck to water because it presented its function in a clear and obvious way.”

Location, Quality, And Choices Make Lenbrook A Clear WinnerListening To Learn

Dorothy Rebecca “Becky” Web-ster has always been a skilled listener. After all, it was part of her background. In fact, it was her listening skills that helped her climb the ladder to chief operating officer of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. It was a position Webster loved, before retiring in 2003.

She was happily enjoying her retirement at Lake Oconee with her minister husband when she heard the call of duty again. After serving on Lenbrook’s board of directors for several years, and actually being elected chair elect, she felt a calling

to step up when the previous CEO stepped down in 2009.

“I guess you could say, I ‘unre-tired’ but I thought it was a unique opportunity to join a great team and serve the residents at Lenbrook.” Becky continues, “Our residents are still living life to the fullest. They’re volunteering in the larger community, engaging with their neigh-

bors, and spend-ing time with their families. It’s our job to carefully listen to them, so that we can enable them to live fuller, richer lives. It’s one of the reasons we implemented

the Resident Satisfaction Survey. I wanted to make sure we were really listening.”

A World Of Possibilities

Since 1983, Lenbrook has been Atlanta’s premier retirement option. Surprisingly affordable, this Buck-head landmark offers an incredible array of choices.

“We have always believed it’s about listening to our residents

and future residents — and then providing value and choice!” notes Felecia Sveda, vice president of marketing

for Lenbrook. “ Lenbrook is provid-ing more personalized options and choices than any other community in Atlanta. We offer a variety of flexible financial options which allow prospective residents to select plans which best suit their financial needs. We also provide residents the ability to customize their new living spaces to create their perfect retire-ment dream home.”

Felecia adds, “Because of our incredible location and the way the community looks, people used to assume we were too expensive for them. Happily many people are now discovering that just isn’t true. Chances are, we have a home and pricing plan that fits your needs.”

Making Friends With TechnologyRadio Host Helps Guide Ordinary People Through Changing Times

“My father is in his 80s and had a lot of trouble

with PCs, but he took to his iPod Touch like a duck to water because it presented its function in a clear and

obvious way.”

FROM “CHOICES” ON P. 1

Nora Young hosts Spark, a Canadian radio program about living with technology that Americans can listen to on the web.

“We have always believed it’s about

listening to our residents and prospects — and

then providing choices!”

The Retirement Community.Inspirement

Page 3 The Lenbrook LedgersNovember 2011

Age-related macular degenera-tion (AMD) is a common, pain-

less eye disease that can eventually cause low vision or blindness. AMD slowly takes away sharp, clear cen-tral vision, replacing it with haziness, grayness, or blank spots in the cen-ter of the field of vision. Increased difficulty with reading, driving or doing close work may also become evident. Visual distortion can occur, with straight lines appearing bent, or objects seeming smaller than they actually are.

There are two forms of age-related macular degeneration, wet (neovas-cular or exudative) and dry (non-neovascular, nonexudative, or atro-phicy). Ninety percent of all people with AMD have the dry form. Its early sign is blurred vision. Details become fuzzy, especially in dim light. As the disease progresses the patient may see a blind spot in the middle of the vision field. Again, there may be a central blind spot.

If you have any of these symp-toms, you should consult an ophthal-mologist for a complete eye exam. After dilating the pupils, the doctor examines the back of the eye with a special magnifying lens, checking the retina and optic nerve. A visual acuity test measures how well the patient can see from various dis-tances. The doctor may also check eye pressure and run some other tests. An Amsler grid (which looks similar to a checkerboard) is used to determine if lines look wavy to the patient. To confirm the presence of wet AMD, a fluores-cein angiogram may be ordered. Special dye is injected into the body which helps reveal if any blood vessels in the eye are leaking.

Causes Of AMD

Macular degeneration is caused by a number of factors. It can occur in one or (more com-monly) both eyes. The retina is the light-sensi-tive tissue at the back of the eye. These nerves send images to the brain. The macula is in the center of the retina. In wet or advanced AMD, the blood vessels enlarge under the macula, often leaking blood and fluid. This displaces and damages the macula, quickly resulting in central vision loss. One of the first signs of wet AMD is that straight lines appear wavy. Wet AMD does not have stages, though it’s generally preceded by the dry form.

Dry AMD is caused by a slow break down of light-sensitive cells in the macula, blurring central vision. Not easily recognizing a face, or requiring more light to read, etc., is often an early sign of the disease. Another sign is yellow deposits under the retina, called “drusen.”

There are three stages of dry AMD. The first is the appearance of drusen without other symp-

toms. As AMD advances, the drusen increase and some blurriness may be detected. In the advanced stage, the breakdown of light-sensitive cells may cause the blurred spot to increase in size and darkness, making reading and facial recognitione increasingly difficult.

The dry form of AMD can turn into the wet form, but it can cause vision loss without doing so.

Risk Factors

While age is the greatest risk factor for get-ting age-related macular degeneration, lifestyle and genetics also play a role. Being white (the lighter the iris color the higher the incidence), farsighted, female or having a family history of the disease are all risk factors that cannot be improved.

Conversely, protecting your eyes with sunglasses and visors when outdoors, eat-ing a diet high in green leafy vegetables and omega-rich fish, maintaining healthy weight, blood pressure and an active and smoke-free lifestyle can all help prevent AMD. In fact, Johns Hopkins University reports on research from the University of Sydney Eye Clinic in Australia which finds “Those who ate fish once a week had a 40% reduced risk of early age-

related macular degeneration compared with those who ate fish only once a month; those who ate fish three times a week had a reduced risk of late age-related macular degeneration.”

Current treatment for wet AMD incorporates laser sur-gery, photodynamic therapy or injections; all three may lessen symptoms, but are not cures.

Hope For Dry AMD Sufferers

Although there is cur-rently no effective treatment for advanced dry AMD,

there are treatments that delay and stop inter-mediate AMD’s progression. According to the National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Dis-ease Study (AREDS), patients with intermedi-ate AMD in one or both eyes, and those with advanced AMD (dry or wet) in only one eye, can help save their vision by taking a specific high-dose formulation of zinc and antioxidants (higher than a normal diet can provide). While this treatment will not restore vision, it may delay the onset of advanced AMD. It was not beneficial to those with early stage AMD.

Ongoing treatment for AMD should include a yearly comprehensive dilated eye exam, and

Tail Wags And Purrs Let Pet Owners Know They’re Appreciateda deserted island than they were to choose a human.

Furry Comfort When You’re Down

Pet ownership can be beneficial for your health. A study for the Journal of Social Psychology found that dog owners were twice as likely to take daily walks

as non-owners, and less likely to be dissatisfied

with

their social, physical and emotional states. Other studies indicate that pet owners have lower blood pressure, lower triglyceride and cholesterol levels, fewer minor health problems and better psychological well-

being than those who don’t own pets.

“They’re very comforting when you don’t feel good,” says retired admin-istrative assis-

tant Miriam Meisel,

who

received her first pet cat in the late 1950s and has shared her family’s home with at least one ever since. Like many pets, her current feline companions, Lilly and Sam, seem to have a keen sense of how she’s feeling. When she had to go to bed to try to sleep off some painful dental work, her normally rambuctious cats “just sat very quietly, one at each end of the bed.”

Getting Stuck With A Pup

Retired carpenter Bob Lowman and his family had always had dogs, but when the last of his three beagles passed on a decade ago, he wasn’t looking for another dog. His daughter brought

him her mother-in-law’s puppy, Rebel, to care for while her mother-in-law was in the hospital with can-cer. When the mother-in-law didn’t survive, Bob tried to find another home for Rebel but wasn’t able to.

“So I was stuck with Rebel, but I ended up being very happy that I was,” says Bob. “A lot of times things happen for a purpose. He’s really been a perfect companion.

“He’s a lousy watchdog,” Bob adds, smiling. “He’ll let anybody come in the house. He just loves people. When I have people in to repair something, he’s right there with them to help them out.”

Early Detection, New Treatments Help Fend Off

Macular Degenerationby Pat Hillenbrand

FROM “PETS” ON P. 1

SEE “EYES” ON P. 7

Early detection can often keep a minor physical problem from turn-ing into a serious medical issue … which is why the residents of Lenbrook appreciate the many on-site health care programs and resources helping them stay active and informed.

November 2011Page 4 The Lenbrook Ledger

ENBROOK

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“Souls don’t run on ‘automatic pilot’,” says Chaplain Robbye Jarrell, director

of enrichment at Lenbrook. “Souls need gentle tending.”

Helping to tend those souls is Chaplain Jar-rell’s main focus. With the help of Lenbrook’s religion committee and the support of its administration, the community offers services to tend to all its residents’ diverse spiritual needs. Whether it’s an ecumenical Communion on the first Wednesday of each month, a Bible study on Thursday morning, a vespers service on Tuesday night or a Shabbat service on a Fri-day evening, residents come and souls are fed. And when spirits soar, the word “community” takes on new depth and meaning.

Devoted To Service

Chaplain Jarrell is pleased to be able to serve in a community as spiritually-inclined as Lenbrook. “This community pulses with a ‘soul energy,’ ” she explains. “The religion com-mittee is very hardy here, and takes its respon-sibilities very seriously.

“Our residents want something substantive and deep,” she contin-

Harvey Meisner practices what he preaches. For more

than five years, he’s been helping Lenbrook residents strengthen their muscles and improve their balance by teaching them the venerable Chinese arts of tai chi and qi gong (pronounced chee gong). Harvey has been following these regimens himself for 15 years.

“I’ve always been athletic,” explains the former high school basketball and football player. “I wanted something I could continue to do that didn’t involve banging into people, something that would allow me to maintain my strength and balance in my later years. I’m only 58 now, but I hope to still be fit when I’m 108.”

Harvey leads his Lenbrook stu-dents every Tuesday and Thursday

afternoon in an ongoing practice that helps participants improve their physical vitality.

“I use a program developed by my wife, Cate Morrill,

called Movement Improvement™,” Harvey says. His wife has been studying tai chi for more than 25 years, and they co-direct their tai chi instructional business, Shoul-ders Down, Inc. (at www.Shoul-dersDown.com).“All of the work we do is based on traditional tai chi and qi gong movements. Qi gong is several thousand years old; tai chi is only about 700 years old.”

Wisdom Of The Ancients

According to the National Cen-ter for Complementary and Alterna-tive Medicine, researchers review-ing over 60 studies of tai chi and qi gong concluded that “the strongest and most consistent evidence of health benefits for tai chi or qi gong is for bone health, cardiopulmonary

fitness, balance and factors associ-ated with preventing falls, quality of life, and self-efficacy (the con-fidence in and perceived ability to perform a behavior).”

Harvey enjoys leading the Lenbrook sessions.

“It’s a lot of fun. We’re very focused on what we do, but we have a good time,” he says. “We have some gentle Chinese flute music playing in the background that’s very soothing as they learn the movments.

“There’s a lot of brain work to learn the different movements. Sometimes you might see tai chi referred to as ‘moving medita-tion.’ Each movement is a flowing motion, one to the next without stopping. The movements are dance-like, but the work is more detailed and focused.”

It’s a ‘dance’ that helps Lenbrook residents flow gracefully through their active lives.

Ancient Combination Of Dance, Meditation Helps Residents Preserve Youthful Vigor

Lenbrook Passionate About Serving Residents’ Spiritual Aspirations

Like many at the party, resident

GiGi Gelzer was fascinated by Bill Mixon’s feathered

companion.

Below, Bill and Gloria Garrett get an early start on the party’s tasty

fare.

Tai chi instructor Harvey Meisner

Dozens of residents participated in a tai chi demo Harvey recently held at Lenbrook. Tai chi has been shown to produce a number of health benefits for seniors.

ACROSS1 Son of Abijah4 Portion8 Female12 Own (Scot.)13 Hindu stringed

instrument14 Toward shelter15 Sheep disease16 Sprit (2 words)18 Camelot lady20 Varnish

ingredient21 Straw braid25 Confusion29 Occasional32 Counsel

33 Rocket fuel34 Friend of Pythias36 Turk. title37 Galatea’s

beloved39 Redo41 Pleasant-

smelling bean43 Tooth pulp44 Mountain on

Crete46 Spoken49 Aura55 Tumor (suf.)56 Lank57 Very (Ger.)58 Pronoun

contraction

59 Consecrated60 Door part61 Indo-Chin.

people

DOWN1 Rhine tributary2 Condition (suf.)3 Serum4 Television

channel5 Objective6 Genetic letters7 Lofty8 Chilean volcano9 Peak10 Body of water

11 Serum (pref.)17 Science class19 Daughters of

the American Revolution (abbr.)

22 Son of Zilpah23 “Cantique de

Noel” composer24 Marsh26 Castor (2 words)27 Restive28 Shak. king29 Lath30 Little: music31 Industrial fuel35 Grandfather of

Saul38 Gaunt40 Egg (pref.)

42 Amer. Dental Assn. (abbr.)

45 Sweetsop47 E. Indian tanning

tree48 New sugarcane

shoot49 Number (suf.)50 Electric unit51 Trouble52 Amazon

tributary53 Exclamations of

delight54 Ultimate degree

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Answers on page 7

November 2011 The Lenbrook Ledger Page 5

“Souls don’t run on ‘automatic pilot’,” says Chaplain Robbye Jarrell, director

of enrichment at Lenbrook. “Souls need gentle tending.”

Helping to tend those souls is Chaplain Jar-rell’s main focus. With the help of Lenbrook’s religion committee and the support of its administration, the community offers services to tend to all its residents’ diverse spiritual needs. Whether it’s an ecumenical Communion on the first Wednesday of each month, a Bible study on Thursday morning, a vespers service on Tuesday night or a Shabbat service on a Fri-day evening, residents come and souls are fed. And when spirits soar, the word “community” takes on new depth and meaning.

Devoted To Service

Chaplain Jarrell is pleased to be able to serve in a community as spiritually-inclined as Lenbrook. “This community pulses with a ‘soul energy,’ ” she explains. “The religion com-mittee is very hardy here, and takes its respon-sibilities very seriously.

“Our residents want something substantive and deep,” she contin-

ues. “It’s the chaplain’s mandate to help offer that. Not do it all them-selves, but to make sure everyone has those opportu-nities for meaningful involve-ment.”

Work-ing in such a spiritually devoted community can be very gratifying.

“Some of my most satisfying times are when I can be a part of a resident’s personal

life story; like those intimate moments on Sunday mornings after I’ve done a health care wor-ship or after I’ve done a devo-tional, when residents come into my office, take my hand and tell

me seriously that they’re glad I came,” she says.

Caring For A Spiritually Diverse Community

Tending to the many faiths at Lenbrook brings its own rewards.

“I almost cried the first time we had a Seder meal and I heard the residents singing in Hebrew,” she says. “It was so obvious that we were address-ing a pent-up demand. It gives me great satisfaction to meet those needs.”

The healthy attendance Chaplain Jarrell sees at the community’s many religious events reassures her that the community is on the right track.

“If you’re answering the spiritual questions that people have in their lives, then people will ‘vote with their feet’ and attend those events,” she explains. “That’s one side of the coin.

Another part of it is helping residents articulate the things they did in their lives that will stand the test of time. Then there are those moments in a chaplain’s day when a resident will say something to let you know they’ve settled something deep and that they’ve made peace with something important.”

Being retired allows residents to be more spiritually focused than during those times in their lives when they were busy with jobs and raising a family.

Embracing A Luminous ‘Re‑Firement’

“Residents will tell me, ‘All my life I was so busy. For the first time I have the time to study the Bible and to do things at church that I wasn’t able to do. For the first time I can really dive deeply into spiritual matters,” Chaplain Jarrell con-tinues. “I really like the way someone put it, that instead of ‘retir-ing,’ they liked the term ‘re-firing.’

“I love it when residents ponder ques-

tions like, ‘What is my unique contribu-tion to the world which would never have been

given had I not lived beyond 75?’ Or, ‘How will the world be better because God has given me the gift of a long life?’ Even though their bodies might not be as strong as they once

were, spiritually they can be stronger than ever.“When residents’ spirits are alive and thriv-

ing, they can actually be luminous with age,” Chaplain Jarrell beams. “If you’re meeting their spiritual needs wholistically, you’re giving them fresh reasons to choose life.”

Lenbrook Passionate About Serving Residents’ Spiritual Aspirations

Below, Bill and Gloria Garrett get an early start on the party’s tasty

fare.

Whether it’s through Communion, Bible study,

vespers, or a Shabbat service, residents’ souls

are fed.

Would you like to learn more about Atlanta’s finest retirement option? Call us, and we’ll be happy to

answer your questions!

404-410-0481We’ll also send you a detailed information package that shows the wide

variety of living options available at Lenbrook. The extraordinary Lenbrook lifestyle is closer than you think! We’ll be happy to show you just how close

by scheduling your visit to this outstanding not-for-profit community.

You can also learn more by visiting us on the web:www.Lenbrook-Atlanta.org

Rabbi Ronald Gerson commem-orated Yom Kippur at Lenbrook with a number of residents.

The Stew Magee Atlanta Polka Band brought the party to its feet with its lively Bohemian

numbers. Below, residents John Tomlinson and Mary Howe join

in on the fun.

Resident Dede Hamilton enjoyed getting together with her friends

on this beautiful fall occasion.

Answers on page 6

November 2011The Lenbrook LedgersPage 6

GRANDparents Corner

To subscribe to GRAND, the OnlineMagazine for Grandparents, visit

http://www.GrandMagazine.com/Subscribe.html

Before I begin my review, I have a ter-

rible confession: I have never read a book by Jane Austen. I have, however, seen (and enjoyed) the Pride and Prejudice remake with Keira Knightley, and the somewhat earlier Sense and Sensibility with Emma Thompson and Anthony Hopkins.

But claiming familiar-ity with Austen via film would no doubt strike most

of the main characters in Karen Joy Fowler’s The Jane Austen Book Club as a more than a little offensive … perhaps even sacrilegious.

New Lives And Old Friendships

Fortunately, it proved to be little impediment to enjoying Karen’s Austen-like story, which interweaves the hopes and heartaches of a multi-

generational cast living in present day Northern California. Much of the book is written in flash-back, giving us glimpses into the psychic scars and deep friendships which underlay the occasionally mundane-appear-ing interactions between the club’s members.

Karen centers her story on Sylvia and Joc-elyn, 50-ish women who have been best friends for decades. In flashback, we learn of Sylvia’s spirited Hispanic heritage, and the origins of her early romance with Daniel, her husband of 32 years who has just left her when The Jane Austen Book Club begins.

We get a similar look at Jocelyn, with her passion for raising puppies and her endearingly meddlesome penchant for matchmaking (a la Austen’s Emma).

Karen also charms us with the 60-ish Berna-dette, a slightly askew yet resolutely cheerful and observant woman who has somehow managed to marry both well and often. Syl-via’s daughter, Allegra, and the young Prudie round out the female members, while science fiction fan Grigg — invited by Jocelyn for her own mysterious purposes —

is the club’s lone male.All of these characters

are smartly drawn, and Karen displays a gift for making ordinary triumphs and trials compelling. Like Anne Tyler, Karen pres-ents her characters’ eccen-tricities as endearing, not as punchlines to some harsh literary judgment. I was most moved by the story of Prudie, a teacher with a won-derful hus-band and a super-ficially happy life who none-theless remains haunted by the slightly surreal emotional cruelties inflicted by her

mother during Prudie’s childhood.

As should be clear, I very much enjoyed The Jane Austen Book Club despite my relative inexperience with the Austen oeuvre. (It’s even inspired me to take a stab at reading Emma.) Aus-ten fans will no doubt enjoy it even more.

—Bert Meisel

One rainy day my three young granddaughters, Bailey, 5;

Kaylee, 4; and Eloise, 2, were dropped off for an impromptu visit. Before I was free to spend time with them, however, I had office work to do. “You’ll need to entertain your-selves for a bit,” I told them.

Within a few minutes the girls popped into my office. “Are you done yet?”

“No, not yet.”This scene repeated itself several

more times until, just before noon, Bailey and Kaylee came in with an offer: “We’re going to make lunch so you can work!” announced in the high pitch that only excited little girls can reach.

Taking The Order

I agreed, thinking it would buy me a few uninterrupted minutes.

“What can we make?”“How about sandwiches?” I sug-

gested, thinking that would be sim-ple enough for their 4- and 5-year-old hands to handle. “There’s salami, bologna, cheese and jelly in the fridge and peanut butter in the cupboard.”

Their eyes lit up. They looked at each other. They squealed.

I panicked. Maybe I should have just suggested cheese. Or bologna.

Bailey grabbed the notepad I keep next to the computer. In true waitress fashion, she scribbled down the lunch orders. Mine was:

“Do you want your sandwich whole or cut in half?” Bailey asked, pencil poised above the notepad.

“Half,” I mumbled absent-mindedly.

They disappeared down the hall.“I’ll make the salami and bolo-

gna,” Bailey decided.“I’ll make Eloise a peanut butter

and jelly,” Kaylee said.I tried to concentrate as I heard

chairs scrape across the kitchen floor, drawers pulled open, utensils rattling and the refrigerator door open and close. And open and close.

And open and close.Not wanting to spoil the surprise,

I stayed in the office.About 20 minutes later the girls

charged in. “Lunch!”

Lunch Is Served

My prized hand-knit afghan, stitches stretched to the breaking point, lay across one end of the liv-ing room floor. Heavy dinner plates, adorned with an array of misshapen sandwiches, anchored each corner. Forks, spoons, napkins and opened bags of pretzels and party mix were piled in the middle.

I spied what must have been my sandwich.

“It’s hard to rip salami,” Bailey said.

Without the benefit of a sharp knife, she had torn the salami in half. Thick mustard oozed out every side of the tattered bread. When I saw the mangled mess, complete with embedded fingerprints, I prayed that she had remembered to wash her hands first.

After I settled on my corner of the afghan, the girls bounded into

their respective places.They watched in rapt attention

as I picked up half of the smashed salami and, with a weak smile, began eating. Thoughts raced through my mind….

Had any part of my sandwich been on the floor?

Had the girls coughed or sneezed on it?

What was that lump I just chewed?

Two-year-old Eloise, normally confined to a high chair at meal-time, loved the freedom to forage. She held the pretzel bag upside down, dumping sticks and salt all over the afghan that I had never used on the floor. Her trail of sticky breadcrumbs stretched across the room. She saun-tered to the tele-vision and pressed jelly-covered fin-gers against the screen.

After lunch I ventured into the kitchen

with my plate—and saw the real mess. The girls had pawed through the bread bag looking for perfect slices. Hunks of bread, cheese wrap-pers, butter smears, jelly globs and pieces of bologna—riddled with bite marks—littered the table. On the floor, smashed party mix mingled with chunks of cheese.

More Than A Meal

While I cleaned up the kitchen, the girls lingered over their lunches, their voices filling the living room with happy chatter.

Back in the living room, I picked up the pretzel sticks that Eloise hadn’t yet ground into oblivion.

Twenty years earlier, when I was the mother of two girls, the floor picnic—and its king-sized mess from pint-sized princesses—would have sent me into a tizzy.

No longer.“Nice lunch,” I told my grand-

daughters, as I hauled out the vacuum.

“Thank you,” they chorused.“Thank you for making it,” I

said, without the least hint of sar-casm, overwhelmed with the feeling of being loved.

Judyann Ackerman Grant is the author of CHICKEN SAID, “CLUCK,” a Dr. Seuss Honor Book. This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of GRAND Magazine. Reprinted with permission of GRAND Media, LLC, copyright © 2010. All rights reserved.

Spirit Of Jane Austen Imbues Charm To Modern Tale Of California Readers

Love Is MessyHold The Mustard

by Judyann Ackerman Grant

Page 7November 2011 The Lenbrook Ledgers

Paper Books Face Challenge From Electronic Devices, E-booksexpanded offerings at lower costs. Currently, publishers are selling cost-effective electronic packages, which can be made available to the library branches, at a savings of three to one. So the library can purchase three times the e-book materials for the same dollar amount. And since a virtually unlimited number of patrons can access an e-book simultaneously and around the clock, usage will be increased. Libraries will also save on salaries (physical handling, cata-loguing, maintenance, etc.) and shelving require-ments. In the academic world, e-books also offer easier access to finding specific materials and the integration of research periodicals.

Advantages Of Paper

How does this translate to the typical reader’s world? Some subjects, such as art, may always be more appealing as a physical book. Addition-ally, as reported by Lauren Indvik of Mashable,

a Nielsen survey found that e-books take longer to read than print, and the study participants disliked both the Kindle’s weak contrast and the iPad’s weight.

According to columnist Julianne Pepitone of CNNMoney.com, “consumers have been somewhat slow to adopt the fast-moving e-book technology. Amazon has never released its total Kindle device sales, and while it said that its e-book sales recently have outpaced hardcover sales, that’s still a small drop compared to its overall book sales, including paperback and used books. Data ... show only 9% of American adults bought at least one e-book [in 2009], a small increase from 8% in 2008.”

Nevertheless, public libraries will incorporate more e-books into their collections for the same reasons as institutions of higher learning plan to within the next five years: cost savings and increased electronic user demand.

Just as lower costs may sway libraries to pur-chase e-books, monetary con-siderations may influence consumers to purchase a virtual book

for personal use. Eventually, there may come a critical tipping point where it no longer makes sound business sense to print a traditional book. As long as baby boomers constitute an important segment of the market, it is unlikely that tradi-tional printing will become entirely extinct.

Growing Up Digital

However, recent studies show children prefer to read a digital book over a physical specimen. The New York Times recently reported that Scholastic, Inc. found children experience greater enjoyment reading for pleasure on a digital device, but most also want to keep physical books. Parents worry their kids are too distracted by texting and videos to develop a passion for reading. In the end, elec-tronic books may dominate.

“E-books are, in effect, flying off the shelves,” says Paul LeClerc, president and CEO of the New York Public Library, accord-ing to CNNMoney.com. “We now circulate more e-books than any library in America, some 350,000 last year, and that number is grow-ing dramatically year to year. If you care about people reading, should you be picky about what sort of a format they read it in? I don’t think so.”

Hopefully there will always be the classics in hardcover!frequent eye exams after photodynamic

therapy or laser surgery to check for recurrences of leaking blood vessels. Daily home testing with an Amsler grid from an ophthalmologist can alert the patient to any changes, and should be followed up with an eye doctor. Avail-

able low-vision optical aids include: high-power reading glasses; a pocket telescope to read street signs, etc.; a mounted telescope for eyeglasses; and a closed-circuit television hookup that enlarges print up to 60 times, display-ing the image on a television screen. According to researchers at Johns Hopkins up to a third of people with eye disease are unaware of it, proba-bly because they had not seen an oph-thalmologist in over a year. That held true for the 65 to 84 age group. Early detection is crucial to getting effective treatment, so be sure to make your annual eye exam.Sources:National Eye Institute: http://www.

nei.nih.gov/health/maculardegen/armd_facts.asp

Johns Hopkins: http://www.johnshop-kinshealthalerts.com/marketing_emails/vision_welcome.html

ANSWERS

Will you be flying this Thanks-giving? Has it been a while since you’ve traveled by plane?

You might want to remember that there are quite a few items which the Transportation Secu-rity Administration (TSA) does not permit you to carry on board. These include:

Most sharp objects, with the fol-lowing permitted exceptions: Plastic knives, round bladed butter knives, disposable razors and their cartridges, scissors with blades less than four inches.

Most sporting goods that could be wielded like a club (baseball

bats, pool cues, etc.), bow and arrows.

Guns, firearms, and ammunition.

Tools longer than seven inches. (Some tools shorter than seven inches are permitted.)

Martial arts & self defense items (brass knuckles, nunchakus, self defense sprays, etc.).

Explosive or flammable items. One book of safety matches and common lighters are permitted.

Disabling chemicals and other dangerous items, except up to two compressed gas cartridges (such as those used to fill tires,

etc.).

Snow globes and similar items.Many (but not all) of the

above items are permitted in checked baggage; please visit the TSA website or contact your airline for information about those restrictions.

The TSA provides the follow-ing instructions regarding other aspects of carry-ons and pre-boarding security procedures:

While packing:

Pack liquids/gels in your checked baggage. For a short trip you are permitted to carry-on 1 quart-size, clear plastic, zip-top bag holding 3 ounce or smaller containers of liquids or gels. Limited to one bag per traveler.

Medications and breast milk/baby formula are allowed in reason-able quantities exceeding 3 ounces and are not required to be in a zip-top bag. These items must be declared to a security officer at the checkpoint.

All footwear must be removed for x-ray screening. Wearing footwear that can be easily removed is helpful.

Pack valuables such as jewelry, cash and electronics, as well as fragile items, in your carry-on.

Avoid wearing accessories that contain metal, which will set off the metal detector.

Put all undeveloped film in your carryon bag. Checked bag-gage screening equipment may damage film.

If carrying a firearm, please check with your airline for appropriate procedures.

At the airport:

Take your 3-1-1 bag out of your carry-on and place separately in bin.

Declare all permitted liquid exceptions to a security officer in front of the checkpoint.

Take your laptop and video cam-eras with cassettes out of their cases for screening.

Remove your footwear and outer coat, suit coat, jacket or blazer to place in the bin for X-ray.

Place the following items in your carry-on before enter-ing the screening checkpoint: cell phones and personal data assistants, keys, loose change, jewelry and large metal items.Source: TSA’s “3-1-1 For Carry-

ons” brochure.

Flying Away For Thanksgiving? Remember The New Carry On Rules

Obesity, Smoking, Fish-less Diet All Risk Factors For Deteriorating Eyesight

FROM “EYES” ON P. 3

FROM “E-BOOKS” ON P. 1

The Lenbrook LedgersPage 8 November 2011

EQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNIT YEQUAL HOUSING OPPORTUNIT Y

Mother Nature gave us a surprisingly frosty winter

last year. The Farmer’s Almanac predicts we’ll be seeing lots of precipitation this winter as well … though temperatures will stay much milder and produce lots of cold, rainy days.

But whether or not the Almanac’s predictions are right on the money, for residents at Lenbrook, the forecast stays the same: cozy, warm, and dry … with a 100 percent chance of enjoying Atlanta’s best retire-ment lifestyle! When last year’s nasty ice storm threw a wrench in so many people’s plans, our residents didn’t miss a beat.

Residents Joyce and Chuck Jensen note that, “With almost everything in Atlanta shut down

but Lenbrook, we were the lucky ones to be able to enjoy a lovely after-noon … The new-comers’ social took place and was well attended. Wine, appetizers and a roaring fire in the lobby helped us realize how fortunate we were to be warm, fed and happy!”

At Lenbrook, your gym, pool, restaurants, and favorite activi-ties are all just a comfortable indoor stroll away. So whether Mother Nature produces another surprise ice storm, a summer scorcher, or a spring downpour, you can still take your walk or get around the community and stay dry, com-fortable and unbothered by the elements.

There will be no more wor-ries about the roof or the gut-ters for you, because all main-tenance is handled by your friendly Lenbrook staff. And if you need to get somewhere but would rather not drive, your complimentary shuttle will take you around town

to do your errands.

Easy Access Amenities This extraordinary not-for-

profit community puts an amaz-ing range of amenities right at your fingertips: a large all-season heated swimming pool, exercise studio, library, salon, resident business center, movie theatre, billiards room, medita-tion room, putting green, and so much more!

Four excellent restaurants will suit whatever you’re in the mood for, whether it’s a casual lunch or a formal dinner. Your award-winning chefs incorpo-

rate the best organic and locally grown produce for the fresh-est flavors and excel-lent nutrition.

No Hassle Lifestyle Avoiding spring

allergies, summer heat, and winter’s chill might turn you

into a hermit living in a tradi-tional home. At Lenbrook, you can comfortably enjoy all of the charms of seasonal changes without the worry. So relax and admire winter’s glistening ice storms, spring’s reawaken-ing, summer’s sunshine, and autumn’s colorful foliage.

Lead an active lifestyle with-out worrying about nature’s nuisances. At Lenbrook, you’ll have plenty of time to play and relax, because we take care of the drudgery!

Call 404-264-3386 today to find out if this exceptional retirement lifestyle is right for you!

How To Stay Warm & Dry This WinterCome To Lenbrook & Leave The Hassles Behind

“One of the main reasons why Lenbrook is Atlanta’s best retirement option is the many choices we offer our residents,” says Lenbrook Vice President of Marketing Felecia Sveda. “Whether it’s choices in dining or the many ways we can help residents customize their living spaces, we know our residents are happiest when they can pick what’s right for them.

“We can show people some of the finest and most exquisite living areas they’ll find anywhere,” she con-tinues. “But we also offer elegant and comfortable options that can suit many people’s budgets.

“I know some people who would love to live here think we’re out of reach,” she says. “I would love the opportunity to show them that Lenbrook can be right for them.”

A Few ‘Choice’ Words From Lenbrook

Lenbrook is a Not-For-Profit community.

The Retirement Community.Inspirement

Mr. & Mrs. Mr. Mrs. Ms.Name ____________________________________________________

Address __________________________________________________

City _____________________________ State ______ Zip _______

Phone ____________________________________________________

E-mail ________________________________________ AdCode Ldgr-2

� Yes, please send me my free retirement information kit.Cut this coupon out and send to:

L e n b r o o k3747 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319

www. Lenbrook-Atlanta.org

Atlanta’s leader in active retirement living offers a range of options from the elegantly com-fortable to the truly spectacular. To find out more, fill out and send in the cou-pon below, or call today to receive your free, comprehensive retirement package: (404) 410-0481

Find Out How Close You Are To Atlanta’s Best Retirement

Nestled in Atlanta’s renowned Buckhead neighborhood, Lenbrook’s comprehensive amenities make it easy to stay active all year round.