REUNIONS
Thomas Junior High reunion set for October 2021
An all-class reunion for the former George C. Thomas Junior High School will take place on Oct. 2, 2021, from 7 to 11 p.m. at Galdo’s, 20th Street and Moyamensing Avenue.
Thomas opened in 1920 at 9th and Johnston streets. It became Mastery Charter School in 2009.
Tickets for the reunion cost $75. Checks or money orders can be made payable to Karen Kelly-Mandl and sent to P.O. Box 87, Hainesport, NJ 08036.
For more information, email Karen Kelly-Mandl at [email protected] or visit facebook.com/events/753740381820658/?active_tab=about.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Abraham Lincoln, class of 1960. Oct. 10, 2021. Brookside Manor at Somerton Springs. DJ, open bar, buffet, cake, pastry table. Betty Harrison, [email protected].
Archbishop Ryan, class of 1970. Nov. 8. 1 to 5 p.m. Philadelphia Ballroom, 2014 Hornig Road. $70. Dinner, open bar, music. facebook.com/Archbishop-Ryan-High-School-50th-Reunion-May-30-2020-333574163989800/.
John W. Hallahan, class of 1970. Sunday, Oct. 25. 2 p.m. Swan Caterers, 2015 S. Water St. 215-563-8930.
St. Hubert, class of 1960. April 17, 2021. 1 to 5 p.m. Maltese Room, 2049 Bristol Pike, Bensalem. Lorraine Jent Hepp, 215-624-6764 or [email protected]. Charlene Ritchie, 215-624-6840 (Ext. 1531) or [email protected].
St. Joseph’s Prep, classes 1975, ‘80, ‘85, ‘90, ‘95, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015. Saturday, March 27, 2021, at the school, 1733 W. Girard Ave. 215-978-1950.
Phila. High Class of ‘68 meeting Oct. 2021
Members of the South Philadelphia High School Class of 1968 will meet on Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Waterfall Room, 2015 S. Water St.
Tickets cost $55 and include an open bar and buffet luncheon.
The luncheon is open to all classes of South Philadelphia High.
Checks can be made payable to SPHS Class of 1968 and mailed to Maria Leati, 26 Old Republic Lane, Marlton, NJ 08053.
For tickets and information, contact Stephen Michielli at 267-252-2740 or [email protected]. ••
OTHER REUNIONS
Navy Reunions
- Visit HullNumber.com for a listing of reunions. The site is a free service enabling Navy shipmates to renew old friendships. There are currently more than 8,700 Navy ship, submarine and air squadron personnel rosters listed. ••
Virtual class on Jerusalem
Join Rabbi Reuben Israel Abraham of Congregations of Shaare Shamayim when he resumes teaching his virtual Wednesday morning Sisterhood class. His first session begins on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The cost is $12 per person.
The event gets underway at 10 a.m., and Abraham will present the lesson on Jerusalem: Footsteps Through Time, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Call 215-677-1600 to make a reservation or for further information. ••
Fitzpatrick wants expanded Medicare telehealth
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Cindy Axne led 32 members in sending a letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Seema Verma urging her to expand Medicare telehealth coverage of audiology and speech-language pathology during the coronavirus pandemic.
“At a time when individuals with hearing, communication, and swallowing disorders face even higher risk for isolation and depression, Medicare beneficiaries must have access to appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic services via telehealth to slow transmission of COVID-19 and ensure they receive medically necessary treatment to meet their functional goals,” the members wrote. “We strongly encourage you to issue such guidance to add further audiology and speech-language pathology codes to the authorized telehealth services list.”
The letter was endorsed by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, Academy of Doctors of Audiology, American Academy of Audiology and the ALS Association. ••
St. Mary opens Family Caregiver Center
St. Mary Medical Center, through a partnership with Catholic Housing and Community Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, announced the opening of the St. Mary Family Caregiver Center to connect seniors to aging-in-place resources and services. St. Mary and CHCS recently held a ribbon cutting to celebrate the opening of the new center.
The St. Mary Family Caregiver Center, located in the Volunteer Services department on the St. Mary Medical Center campus in Langhorne, provides information and resources to support older adults and their caregivers. The cornerstone of this program is the geriatric assessment that helps determine how well seniors can manage their daily life and medical condition(s) in their home environment. The CHCS Caregiver Geriatric Care Managers and Staff will assist caregivers with coordinating the right network of services to help remove the stress of managing multiple priorities for their loved one.
“It was wonderful working with Catholic Housing and Community Services to bring the St. Mary Family Caregiver Center to life,” said Lisa Kelly, St. Mary director of community health & well-being and volunteer services. “We are so excited to help senior patients and their caregivers by providing resources they may not know they have available to them, as we continue to provide much-needed services for older adults in our community during this pandemic and beyond.”
Referrals are accepted for seniors residing in the St. Mary service area who have limited support. To learn more, call 215-710-4156. For referrals, call 267-638-7424.
Medicare open enrollment
The annual open enrollment period for Medicare beneficiaries runs through Monday, Dec. 7. Any new coverage selected takes effect Jan. 1.
During open enrollment, new Medicare beneficiaries can sign up for Medicare prescription drug coverage and health plans to complement Medicare, and current Medicare beneficiaries can review and join, switch or drop Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage so that it better meets their needs.
In order to help Medicare beneficiaries sort through their options, the Department of Aging offers free, objective health benefits counseling through the APPRISE Program, which is designed to counsel and encourage Medicare-eligible individuals, their families and caregivers to make informed healthcare coverage decisions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, counseling sessions will be conducted over the phone, virtually or, at the discretion of the Area Agencies on Aging, face-to-face with proper health and safety precautions in place.
With almost 800 trained counselors in the state, the APPRISE Program provides free, confidential, objective and easy-to-understand information about Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans and Medicare Supplement plans, and allows Medicare beneficiaries to compare plans and determine what best meets their needs.
Call 800-783-7067 for more information.
Virtual Chair Yoga for older adults
Bucks County Area Agency on Aging is offering Virtual Chair Yoga for older adults on Tuesdays, from 10 to 11 a.m. The free class is taught via Zoom by a certified yoga instructor. Internet and webcam will be necessary for the students and instructors to see each other.
Chair yoga is practiced sitting on a chair or standing using a chair for support. Yoga is a total mind-body workout combining stretching, deep breathing and movements to create ease in the body and calmness in the nervous system.
The class will allow older adults to reduce social isolation; reduce anxiety and depression through meditation; improve balance, flexibility, strength, posture and range of motion, all of which help to reduce the risk of falls; increase blood-flow; lower blood pressure; and decrease pain.
Space is limited. Call the agency to register at 267-880-5700 or email [email protected].
Tips to help older adults safely vote
The state Department of Aging encouraged older adults to be informed about their options for voting in the Nov. 3 general election if they are concerned about being able to vote safely amid COVID-19.
“The Department of Aging urges older Pennsylvanians to keep their health and well-being in mind however they choose to cast their ballot in November,” said Secretary of Aging Robert Torres. “The older adult population consistently votes more often than any other age group, and the turnout for the upcoming election may likely be no different. Therefore, it is important that they are able to vote without putting themselves at risk.”
Torres noted that if older adults are opting to vote by mail-in ballot, they should apply for one as soon as possible at votesPA.com.
Here are some guidelines for voting by mail-in ballot:
- Read the ballot and instructions carefully
- Pay attention to where you place your pen; don’t rest it on the ballot as it could potentially make an unintended mark somewhere and the tabulator will not read it correctly, or the pen could accidentally mark a candidate for whom you didn’t want to vote
- Return the ballot by mail or in-person to your county Board of Elections or officially designated drop-off site as soon as possible
- Be sure to place your ballot in the inner secrecy envelope and then put the secrecy envelope into the outer return envelope, which you must sign; county election officials will not count your ballot if it is returned without both envelopes; be sure to sign the declaration on the outer envelope so the ballot will be counted
In addition, Pennsylvania voters now have the option of voting in-person at their county election office before Election Day. Just go to your county election office, request a ballot, fill it out and submit it – all in the same visit.
For older Pennsylvanians who are looking to vote at their polling place on Election Day, the polls will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wear a mask, bring your own pen and follow social distancing guidelines. The Pennsylvania Department of State is supplying counties with masks, face shields, hand sanitizer, floor marking tape and other supplies for polling places so Pennsylvanians can safely exercise their right to vote during this COVID-19 emergency.
Older adults can check the status of their voter registration by visiting votespa.com or calling 877-VOTESPA (868-3772). Absentee and mail-in ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
KleinLife receives $10,000 for Home Delivered Meals Program
KleinLife, located at 10100 Jamison Ave. in Northeast Philadelphia, has received a $10,000 COVID-19 Response Grant from the Truist Foundation through Meals on Wheels America in Arlington, Virginia.
The funds will be used to purchase additional resources for the Home Delivered Meals Program, which KleinLife runs in coordination with RSVP Philadelphia. The program provides 70,000 meals annually to homebound seniors in Bucks, Philadelphia and Montgomery counties who cannot shop or cook for themselves.
Since the center ceased its daily operation for seniors in March, which included its congregant meals program, due to COVID-19, it has experienced a substantial increase in demand for home delivered meals.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have added hundreds of area seniors to our Home Delivered Meals Program,” said Andre Krug, president and CEO of KleinLife. “We are most grateful and truly appreciative of this generous donation from Meals on Wheels America to help continue to fund our vital food program needed by our seniors.”
Meals on Wheels America has distributed $18.3 million in emergency funding to local senior nutrition providers actively responding to the evolving COVID-19 crisis across the country.
For more information, contact KleinLife at kleinlife.org or 215-698-7300.
Driver’s education course
Distracted driving kills 4,000 teens a year. John’s Driving School’s 30-hour online driver’s education course is approved by the state Department of Education and provides new drivers with the principles of driving, covering every aspect of the road new drivers need to know.
This program is open to students, ages 15-18, and a driver’s permit is not required to register. The program is online and self paced. After registration, John’s Driving School will send class access information to students directly.
Fee is $50.
Visit parksandrec.middletownbucks.org/live/ParksRec/portal/Home to register, or call 215-750-3890. Call the phone number or email Patrick at [email protected] with questions.
TMA Bucks offers fall driving safety tips
The fall season has officially arrived, and TMA Bucks is reminding commuters to be prepared as wet leaves, fog, sun glare and even frost are a few driving hazards they will likely encounter in Bucks County.
As leaves begin to drop from trees and hit roadways, they can be as slippery as ice when wet. They can also obscure traffic lines and other pavement markings, making driving in unfamiliar areas particularly difficult. Motorists should slow down and use extra caution on leaf-covered roadways.
“Weather conditions in Bucks County can be very unpredictable in the fall,” said TMA Bucks executive director Stephen Noll. “With such uncertainty and the chance for weather this time of year to change quickly, being educated, prepared and knowing what to look for when behind the wheel can help you avoid weather-related car crashes.”
Other fall hazards for motorists can be fog and sun glare. When driving in fog, motorists should use low beam headlights since the high beam setting creates glare and reduces visibility. Not only will headlights enhance visibility of the vehicle, state law requires headlights to be on when wipers are in use.
Sun glare can be most problematic during sunrise and sunset, which often coincide with morning and evening rush hours. The intense glare from the sun on the horizon can blind a driver, causing an unexpected traffic slowdown. Drivers can prepare for the glare by keeping a set of sunglasses handy, removing clutter from sun visors and keeping the inside of their vehicle’s windshield clean.
Morning frost and icy spots on the road can also cause problems as overnight temperatures drop toward freezing. Motorists should pay particular attention to bridges, overpasses and shaded areas on roadways where icy spots can form on the pavement. Motorists should always completely clear their vehicle windows of frost before travel.
The fall season also brings an increase in deer activity in Bucks County, and drivers are reminded to watch carefully for deer darting across and along roadways. By following a few safety tips, motorists and outdoor enthusiasts can help reduce the possibility of being involved in a crash with a deer. Remember to slow down and use caution, particularly where deer crossing signs are posted, and increase following distance between vehicles. Also remember to be especially watchful during morning and evening hours when wildlife is most active and exercise caution when one deer crosses a roadway, since deer often travel in small herds. One deer will usually be followed by others.
Visit tmabucks.com for more information.
PennDOT highlights winter service preparations
With the winter season approaching, the state Department of Transportation is highlighting winter service preparations and how the public should also get ready for the season.
“We’ve been preparing for this winter since the last one ended, and we need the public’s help to make the season a safe one,” said Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Preparation before you travel is key, but driver responsibility is important on the road, too.”
The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at 511PA.com, and during the winter they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. The information is made possible by PennDOT’s automated Vehicle Location technology, which uses units in each of the roughly 2,200 department-owned and rented plow trucks to send a cellular signal showing where a truck is located.
To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources at penndot.gov/winter. In addition to vehicle preparation tips and other personal resources, the site has a complete winter guide with detailed information about services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts.
With $223 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 700,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter.
PennDOT is actively seeking more than 700 temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements, such as possession of a commercial driver’s license, as well as application information, are available at employment.pa.gov. Through the same website, job seekers can apply for other types of non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders and clerks.
If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 151 crashes resulting in three fatalities and 81 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors.
Motorists should prepare for potential bad weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies.
For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional winter driving resources for motorists, visit PennDOT.gov/winter. The public can subscribe to statewide PennDOT alerts at penndot.gov under “News,” and subscribe to alerts for their region under “Regional Offices.”
Motorists can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles, including color-coded winter conditions on 2,900 miles, by visiting 511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a free smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1 or by following regional Twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website.
