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V PAGE 4 - PLAINDEALER - WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 22,1980 Past 65 by Carl Riblet Jr. Q. "I was clearing out the attic of our Victorian-style house near Boston when I found some old letters and papers and a check made payable to my mother and signed by my father Both are dead Guess what the amount of the check was: *15,000 kisses.' They were married in 1906 They really loved in those days. "The most interesting paper I found was a card in an evelope that contained what looks like dried-up crumbs. I think it must have been a 60-year-old crumbled- up slice of wedding cake because a verse on the card was inscribed like this: ' I wish thee live a thousand years And me just less one day, 'Cause I could ne'er en­ dure the earth When thee has passed away.' "I am certain that it was something my mother savfed after her wedding. They were very much in love all their lives, right up to the end. He went first by only a few days. How prophetic the verse was. "Can you find out where the verse came from and anything else about it that is interesting?" -- Imogene P. A. At first I could find no reference to such a verse. No books on my shelves or at the university or public libraries gave a clue Then, I read the verse once more and sensed that it had an Irish taste to it. So I telephoned a professional colleague in Dublin, Ireland, who had been a sub editor on the Irish Times He knew right off what it was. His answer was well worth the $12 cost of the overseas phone call The verse is a wedding toast once popular in Ireland, and which to this day is sometimes made by the bridegroom at a wedding feast when he lifts a glass in toast to his bride. Thanks to Malachi Dee in Dublin Q. "I wish you desk people would get out into the streets and find out what's going on. Criminals, sir, when they enter prison, should lose all benefits that the taxpayers enjoy "Criminals should not receive either Social Security or G.I. benefits or anything else. Money in the hands of prisoners has caused nothing but problems,'including nar­ cotics."-- Michael H. A. Money from SS checks or any other source is not handed to felons in prison, willy nilly to do with what they wish. Most prisons keep such money in individual accounts in the prisoner's name, and small amounts of the money are doled out by the warden's office when and if needed. , The warden of one state prison said that most SS checks received by married prisoners are sent to their families, which in most cases need the money desperately. A felon's wife and children should not have to go in need because some citizens don't want the imprisoned spouse to have benefits he is legally entitled to. Q. "Some time ago you wrote that there is a shoe exchange for people who have lost a leg or a foot and can use only one shoe Where can I write to them"" -- Joe V A. The shoe exchange is alive and well and doing a flourishing business at the hands of Mrs. Cahrles Berger in Gladstone, Oregon. Mrs. Berger receives requests for shoes and she accepts single, unused shoes for those who need them A shoe is then sent on request to those who write with full information of their needs. But first, inquire by letter to Mrs. Berger. Don't send a shoe until she asks for it. No charge is made for the service. Many well-wishers around the country and in Canada have written to thank Mrs. Berger at 363 West Clackamas Blvd., «Glad- stone, Oregon 97207 and enclosed small cash con­ tributions to help pay her expenses in operating the shoe exchange. She deposited the contributions in a special bank account which she dips into for postage, phone calls and other expenses incurred in handling the requests for odd shoes Mrs Berger is confined to a wheel chiar most of the time. Her left leg was am­ putated six years ago She is a delightful person. I love to talk with her on the long distance telephone When she says "goodbye!" she invariably adds this ad­ monition: "Behave your­ self!" I try, Mrs. Berger. Indeed I do. Q "I filed for Sup­ plemental Security Income and for Social Security two times, and now a third time SS gave me a hearing last April. I have not received the decision and my attorney isn't doing much to speed it up. I want to know if I am disabled or not disabled according to SS. Why can't I find out? "I am getting disability from my former employer but you know that won't last forever. When I first asked for help from SS they said no. Yet millions of illegal aliens come into this coutnry and get full benefits which they are not entitled to. It is one hell of a mess and I'm damned sick of it. Why can't somebody help me?" - Albert O S. A. Read on, please. Q. "Because I worked for my daughter and was paid m«iti:itKY Itomc *m»i tin 0'f PRE-SERSON oUday Home "USE OUR LAYAWAY PLAN" I 1 ! Large Selection TABLE LAMPS Buy one at our Regular Low Price. Receive 2nd FREE 3 PC. BEDROOM SET WITH TWO MIRRORS REG. $1395.00 $89995 ROUND 7 PC. DINETTE SET Solid wood, maple/ pine •able, six chairs, two leaves VALUE $599.00 ALL SOLID OAK DINING ROOM SET BY AMERICAN DREW ONLY 2495 ALL WOOD CURIO CABINETS REG. $449.00 r|$299 95 & Up Suggested Price $3500 EVERY THING'S REDUCED Look For Our Red Tag Specials •BEDROOM SETS 'DINING ROOM SETS •LIVING ROOM SETS *CHAIRS -SOFAS •CURIO CABINETS *HIDE-A-BEDS *LOVESEATS •BOOK CASES *RECLINERS -LAMPS •BEDDING 'DESKS *ROCKERS 399 95 fpFiM QUEEN SIZE SLEEPER VALUE $699.00 A $ 4 4 0 9 5 ALL WOOD REGULAR AND ROLLTOP DESKS AT SPECIAL PURCHASE EARLY AMERICAN SOFA & LOVESEAT HERCULON RETAIL $1295 STRATO LOUNGER RECLINER AND UP CONTEMPORARY SOFA & LOVESEAT VALUE $1195 *795 NATIONALLY ADVERTISED BRAND 10 YR. WARRANTY BEDDING v.v? TWIN SIZE Mattress & Box Spring REG. $219.95 NOW $129*5 FULL SIZE Mattress & Box Spring REG. $289.95 NOW $ 1 7 9 9 5 QUEEN SIZE Mattress & Box Spring REG. $329.95 NOW 209 95 WOOD ROCKERS FROM LARGE SELECTION OF PICTURES AVAILABLE! i ALL OUR FURNITURE ft WOOD. NO PLASTICS OR SiMUlATtONS. FRaSET* 38542® 4818 W.RTL 120 McHENRY, HI Kan N*, Tia, Awl FrL ***** W*IS«L am MM SMYNmtpSNI M OUR • * » ft &•$* ' The Store Thot Cores To Save Yew Mon^y by her, the Social Security office won't certify me for benefits. In 1977, they con­ firmed that I had 27 quar­ ters. At my age (not given) I needed 28 quarters. So in order to earn the extra quarter I painted and finished all the cabinets in my daughter's new house. I worked long enough to earn the extra quarter. I paid income tax on it. The local SS office wouldn't give me credit because, they said, I was not in a regular business and did not make my work available to anybody but my daughter. I appealed the decision and lost. What can I do now?" -- Alex A.L. A. Please read on. The answer will come up at the close of the next letter. Q. "I get too many dif­ ferent answers when I telephone Social Security to find out what I will get as a widow at age 65. One answer was $339. Another was ap­ proximately $500. What I actually get now is $189. What can a person like me do?" -- Fannie M.H. A. Fannie, Albert and Alex, and all others who may be having difficulty getting what they believe to be benefits they are entitled to, including both SS and SSI, can inquire about getting help by calling the toll-free number - 800-431-2804 -- of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives. No charges are made to the SS claimant, if help is forthcoming, by the group's lawyers. Their fees come out of money they litigate from SS. Q. "Am I entitled to 100 percent of my husband's SS allotment since he died? When I reached 62 I applied for my own allotment. Then, when I was widowed, I received 80 percent of his. After I became 65 I still got the same amount, except for cost-of-living increases. Is that right for someone like me?" - Estella B. A. Estella will have to ask SS for the answer. There may be an error in SS ac­ counting. Only SS would know or could find out. Q. "Since I have had to ask for Medicaid to help pay my doctor, can Medicaid take my life insurance? My daughter is the beneficiary so she can pay for my burial when I die." - Isabel A. A. Nobody can take away from anybody the rights in an insurance policy except the insurance company and then only for non-payment of premium or because a clause in the policy calls for cancellation or termination. I don't think Isabel has to worry. Q. "You wrote that un­ skilled elder citizens could get jobs by applying for work at temporary help agencies and you listed two of them. My mother, aged 72, took your advice and went to both the agencies where she was told at each plaCe that they didn't know a thing about a job for sitters in homes up for sale. Where did you get that information? Did you research it before you raised people's hopes?" -- Aletha K. A. I was informed by one of the agencies listed that they would be pleased to accept application for temporary work by elders. Executives in the main of­ fice assure me that they welcome applications from elders. However, I did not -- repeat NOT - say that jobs were available for house sitters. What I did say was that among many jobs filled by elders, one agency had in times past filled such a job. Various temporary help agencies in the U.S. and Canada do have temporary jobs from time to time that could interest older people. Aletha could ask her mother to try again and this time ask for any job at all that would be desirable for her. Q. "Would you please send me the name of a good plastic surgeon near where I live?" --1 Margarette H. A. The place to inquire is the County Medical Association Physician's Referral service. They can give Margarette the names of three or four reputable plastic surgeons. The telephone number in her city is 482-6122. Q. "My estate is mostly cash in firm savings, Canada Savings bonds and the like. How does my executor go about having my will probated without going to a lawyer?" -- Mrs. F.M.B. A. The people who can answer Mrs. F.M.B. with accuracy are a good lawyer, officials at her bank or probate authorities. When a substantial sum of moeny or bonds is involved it is best not to try any do-it-yourself maneuvers with an estate. Write to Carl Riblet Jr. w i t h s e l f - a d d r e s s e d , stamped envelope for advice and information on questions you may have as an elder citizen. All questions will be answered, if possible No identities will be revealed. His address is P.O. Box 40757, Tucson, Ariz. 85717. FUND RAISER In cooperation with the Wildcats Booster club, and newly formed Band Booster club, students of Johnsburg Junior high school, will be in the area Oct. 21-Oct. 27, selling cheese and sausage. This is a fund-raiser to s e c u r e u n i f o r m s f o r t h e band. The school asks for the support of those who can help. EDUCWjWMAt C.ollegeHonors Richmond Girl In Off-Campus Study Program Twenty-one Wartburg college students, one from this area, are spending the 1980-81 academic year studying off-campus as part of cooperative programs, exchange programs and the foreign language program Three are involved in medical technology study, one in physical therapy study, one in an engineering program, four in exchange programs abroad and the remainder in foreign language study in Europe. The local student is Rita Bauspies, daughter of Dorothy Bauspies of Rich­ mond, in foreign language study. True Words Marriages may be made in heaven, but the maintenance work has to be done on earth. -The Grit. With Directions It's hard to miss your station in life. Someone is sure to tell you where to get off. t •/ C h r o n i c l e , T o l e ' d ' o . 0ooof*t*l SaveOnTh® flrathot Winter TO* Change°ver47 N%2m "*"13 TSIfc The "^5wff£T \"TO®- $71 P22S/7»*^87FET ; AS SEEN ON TV! 5 Point Winterize Inspection Additional parts and services extra if needed WE WILL INSPECT ALL RADIATOR HOSES • ALL BELTS • BATTERY AND TERMINALS • ANTI FREEZE PROTECTION • TIRE AIR PRESSURE AND TREAD DEPTH Rod*0** ,ot m«eage October MAINTAIN STOPPING DISTANCE BRAKE SERVICE - YOUR CHOICE '79** 2-WHEEL FRONT DISC: Insmi new Iront brake pads are aeue seals • Resurface Horn rotors • Repack Iront »hee beafmos • Inspect caliper and hydraulic system • Adt tluid (does not include rear wheels) •WHEEL ONUM: Install new Drake Imng. all 4 wheels •New front grease seals • Resurface drums • Repack trow hearings ' Inspect hydraulic system • Add fluid • Most U S can mow 0«m Toyota VW |PROLONG THE LIFE. BOOST MPGI WONT-END ALIGNMENT $1788HH Pats and additional service extra Wtevettes extra ^m»22C.,.S!,.,ou/tires • Set caster, toe <o proper alignment ®S»<^«"S«SSS!8 Mawmowifni WCHON0* i OWKO AND OPE RATED BY: M 4400 W.