For nearly 13 years, Highmark Inc.'s People Able to Lend Support (PALS) program has provided a wide array of programs and services to help seniors stay healthy and independent in their own homes, stimulate their minds and reduce isolation.
On Wednesday, Aug. 18, PALS will host a book club author reception in Hershey, its first in the midstate, and will feature novelist and former labor journalist John Hoerr, who has published three nonfiction books about labor, industry and politics. Residents of local Country Meadows retirement communities who participate in PALS book clubs and community members have been invited to participate in the author's presentation and book signing.
"Programs like Wednesday's author reception bring seniors together to help them develop relationships and maintain their independence while enjoying the discussion and intellectual stimulation a gathering like this provides," said Randy Detweiler, Highmark's PALS coordinator.
Highmark has 54 organized book clubs in 15 counties throughout its service area, including local clubs in Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Berks, Lebanon and York counties. Participants in PALS books clubs collectively read more than 7,500 books each year.
The author event will be held at Country Meadows at 451 Sand Hill Road in Hershey from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.