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COMING of AGEL I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E F O R S E N I O R S

FALL 2012

Rat PackReunion

2012

An Exclusive Interview

With

What isElder Abuse?

Make YourVote Count

Audio Newsfor the VisuallyImpaired

BruceBoxleitner

P resen t ed b y Counc i l on Ag i ng o f Wes t F l o r i da

TM

6 COMING OF AGE FALL 2012

I hope this issue of Coming of Age finds you enjoying the cooler falltemperatures. And speaking of cool, we at Council on Aging of West Florida areexcited about gathering the area’s coolest cats, or in this case “Rats,” for our annualfundraiser, the Rat Pack Reunion. Special thanks to DeeDee Davis, chair of ourboard of directors, event chair Caron Sjoberg and the entire event committee forplanning what will be the biggest party of the year. We also appreciate Lewis Bear,Jr., Corbett Davis, Jr., Richard McAlpin, Pete Moore and Frank Patti for allowing usthe privilege of honoring them for their business leadership and service to ourcommunity. For complete details, please see page 26 and also visitwww.ratpackreunion.com.

Of course, this fall also includes a major election. I encourage everyone to putpartisanship aside and educate themselves on senior issues. There is an old sayingthat “If you don’t toot your own horn, no one will.” The same applies for voting inour own best interest. To make sure you are aware of what to expect at the pollsand related deadlines, please see our advocacy article on page 10 by guestcontributor and Council on Aging of West Florida board member Sonya Daniel,training and outreach coordinator, Escambia County Supervisor of Elections Office.

Also, in regard to looking out for our own interest, Council on Aging of WestFlorida board member, author and trainer Kathleen Logan will be facilitating a seriesof Life After Fifty educational seminars to help people prepare themselvesfinancially, physically, mentally and practically so they can embrace their future withawareness and optimism. For details, please see page 20.

I would also like to welcome LeAnne Hamilton to our team as developmentdirector. Please see her article on page 13 for details on how we have transitionedour membership program in to a more inclusive Circle of Friends and created newways to make giving easier.

Of course no issue of Coming of Age would be complete without an exclusivecelebrity interview. Coming of Age caught up with Bruce Boxleitner, American actorand science fiction and suspense writer, to talk about his early acting days, his careeras an author and his interest in space exploration.

Hope to see you at the polls, our Life After Fifty seminars and the Rat PackReunion 2012.

Until next time, enjoy life – you’ve earned it!

Jeff Nall, APR, CPRCEditor-in-Chief

COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

SubscriptionsYour subscription to Coming of Agecomes automatically with yourmembership to Council on Aging ofWest Florida. If you have questionsabout your subscription, call JeffNall at (850) 432-1475 ext. 130 oremail [email protected]. Please donot hesitate to contact Jeff with anyquestions or comments about yourservice, and thank you! Change of AddressWhen calling or emailing us yourchange of address, please provideCouncil on Aging of West Floridawith both the old and new addressesto expedite the change. Back IssuesIs there an issue of one of ourmagazines that you just have tohave? Was your relative seen in arecent issue and you lost it? GiveBallinger Publishing a call at (850)433-1166 ext. 30, and they will findone for you. LettersCouncil on Aging of West Floridawelcomes your letters andcomments. Send letters to Councilon Aging c/o Jeff Nall at 875 RoyceSt., Pensacola, FL 32503, emails [email protected] or contact editorKelly Oden at Ballinger Publishing,P.O. Box 12665 Pensacola, FL 32591or [email protected] OpportunitiesWe are always willing to considerfreelance writers and article ideas.Please send queries and/orsuggestions to Kelly Oden or JeffNall at the above addresses.

Readers’ Services

..

FALL 2012 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SENIORS 7

Council on Aging of West Florida 2011-2012 Board of Directors

OfficersChair: DeeDee Davis

First Vice Chair: Caron SjöbergSecond Vice Chair: Gordon GoodinSecretary: Councilmember P.C. Wu

Treasurer: Ray E. MoodyImmediate Past Chair: Dona Usry

Board MembersMalcolm Ballinger • Ann Brown

Rodger Doyle • Meagan EndersonSonya M. Daniel • Father Jack Gray

Donna J. Jacobi, M.D.Thomas Lampone, M.D. • Kathleen Logan

Lumon May • Robert Mills Chaplain Larry Mosley

James M. "Mick" Novota John Peacock • Monica Sherman

Sue Straughn • Bettye Swanston • Edgar M. TurnerMary Taite-Williams • Denise Windham

Escambia County Commissioner Marie K. YoungGulf Breeze Mayor Beverly Zimmern

Members EmeritiJoe Black • Rosemary Bonifay

John Brick • Rita E. JonesKenneth Kelson • Zola Lett

Charles H. Overman, III • Malcolm ParkerMargaret Poppell • Ethel Tamburello

President/CEOJohn B. Clark

Vice President/Communication andDevelopment and Coming of Age Editor-in-Chief

Jeff Nall, APR, CPRC

Marketing Communications InternJustin Wescoat

Published for Council on Aging of West Florida byBallinger Publishing 41 N. Jefferson St.

Suite 402 • Pensacola, FL 32502 850/433-1166 • Fax 850/435-9174

PublisherMalcolm Ballinger

Executive EditorKelly Oden

EditorEmily Lullo

Art DirectorRita Laymon

Graphic Designer & Marketing CoordinatorKassie McLean

[email protected]

Editorial AssistantAmanda Kelly

Account ExecutivesSharyon Miller • [email protected] Martin • [email protected]

Disclaimer: Coming of Age magazine is published quarterly byBallinger Publishing for Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents hereinis prohibited. Comments and opinions expressed in thismagazine represent the personal views of the individuals towhom they are attributed and/or the person identified as theauthor of the article, and they are not necessarily those of thepublisher or Council of Aging of West Florida, Inc. Thismagazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. Thepublisher and Council on Aging of West Florida reserve the rightto edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is theresponsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in thismagazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of anyproducts or services by Ballinger Publishing or Council on Agingof West Florida. © 2012


Contents Fall

201

2

10. Advocacy

13. Giving

17. Safety

20. Education

23. Health

26. Rat Pack Reunion 2012

30. An Exclusive InterviewWith Bruce Boxleitner

DepartmentsFeatures

38/ News from Council on Aging of West Florida40/ Out & About 42/ Were You Seen? 44/ Members & Donors

In Every Issue

Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc, is compliant withthe Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance

Standards for Charity Accountability.

23.30.26.

Cover photo courtesy of www.disneyxdmedianet.com


it or not, the PresidentialElection is less than two months away. Recently,the Escambia and Santa Rosa County Supervisorsof Elections held a news conference stressing theimportance of voter preparations for theNovember Election. “We are preparing andvoters should too,” said David H. Stafford,Escambia County Supervisor of Elections. “Weare faced with the longest ballot EscambiaCounty has ever had.” Every voter in EscambiaCounty will be issued two sheets (three ballotpages) with contests and amendments. Thismeans it will take longer for the voting process-longer to issue the ballots, longer to markg theballots, and a longer tabulation time. If a votermakes a mistake and must be issued a new ballot,this time is multiplied again. Santa Rosa Countywill also have a lengthy ballot.

The 11 constitutional amendments reinforcethe importance that voters need to research thecandidates and understand the issues ahead oftime. Every voter will be mailed a sample ballotprior to the start of Early Voting. Voters shouldconsider marking the sample ballot and bring itwith them to vote.

If you are already registered to vote, pleasetake a few minutes to know where you vote andbe sure your information is current with the localSupervisor of Elections office. Voters can visiteach county’s website or call the local ElectionsOffice to verify that the most currentinformation is on file with the Elections Office.

Voters who wish to avoid long lines on ElectionDay can request a ballot by mail (absenteeballot) or take advantage of Early Voting.

Importance of Voter Preparationsfor the November Election

ADVOCACY

By Sonya M. Daniel, Training andOutreach Coordinator, EscambiaCounty Supervisor of ElectionsOffice and Council on Aging ofWest Florida Board Member

BELIEVE


Dates to remember:• September 22 is the deadlineto mail absentee ballots tomilitary and civilians stationedoverseas.• October 2 begins mailing ofnon-military absentee ballotslocally and in the continentalUnited States.• October 9 is the last day toregister to vote for the GeneralElection. • October 27 through November3 is Early Voting from 7 am to 7pm at multiple locations inEscambia and Santa Rosacounties. • Escambia County added a fifth

Early Voting site for theGeneral Election.

◆ SOE Office – 213Palafox Place

◆ SOE Annex – 292Muscogee Road

◆ Tryon Library – 1200Langley Avenue

◆ Southwest Library –12248 Gulf BeachHighway

◆ Downtown Library –200 W. Gregory Street

• Santa Rosa County EarlyVoting sites

◆ SOE Office – 6495Caroline Street, Suite F

◆ South Service Center –5841 Gulf BreezeParkway

October 31 is the last day torequest an absentee ballot bemailed. The local ElectionsOffices can answer questions tomake sure every voter isprepared for the November 6thGeneral Election. • Escambia County: 850-595-

3900 or visitwww.EscambiaVotes.com

• Santa Rosa County: 850-983-1900 or visitwww.santarosa.fl.gov/elections.



to write this articlewith a blank page in front of me, I amreminded of a wonderful Eleanor Rooseveltquote that I once read, “Friends, you andme…you brought a friend…and then therewere three…we started our group…our circleof friends…and like that circle… there is nobeginning or end.” – Eleanor Roosevelt. Hergraceful words have inspired generations andseemed most apropos to help us kick off ournew Circle of Friends 2012 campaign.

For more than 20 years, Council on Aging ofWest Florida has been able to depend on ourgenerous members for financial supportthrough our annual membership campaigns.Their continued vote of confidence for our

dedicated staff and the programs we providefor the community is unparalleled. It is forthat support we will be eternally grateful.Without each and every one of you we wouldnot be the agency we are today. Thank you.

As we look forward to the future andprepare for our continued financial success, wesee the importance of growing our circle ofsupport to include more friends, moreinvestors and more clients served. We are alltoo aware of how aging and its effects touch usall. Whether it is you, a spouse or a parentthat needs your help, you know howimportant it is to have a support system byyour side – a circle if you will.

As I sit down

GIVING

Please Join our Circle of Friends

By LeAnne Hamilton, Development Director, Council on Aging of West Florida


Since 1972, we have doneour utmost to improve thequality of life for individualsand families coping with thechallenges of aging. Boardmember Kathleen Logan mayhave said it best when sheremarked, “There is no escapingaging issues. No one and nofamily is immune. If you oryour family have not beenaffected, you will.” Truer wordsmay have never been spoken.

It is for that reason thatCouncil on Aging of WestFlorida has decided to movefrom the membership drives ofthe past to a moreencompassing Circle of Friendscampaign. We want to reacheveryone in our community andinvite them to get involved withour mission and to help usspread the word about ourservices. I challenge all of ourpast members, and futuredonors alike, to help us spreadthe word to their friends andfamily, to help us extend ourcircle of influence in thecommunity and to make it theirmission to help us with ours.

Unfortunately, it takes morethan fired up volunteers andword of mouth to provide theresources that we provide ourcommunity. The harsh reality isthat it takes money - moneythat our clients don’t have.

I have often struggled to findthe one word that bestdescribes Council on Aging ofWest Florida and recently I sawa note that Gulf Breeze MayorBeverly Zimmern had writtenon a card sent to her friendsthat simply read, “Thiscompassionate organization


needs our help.” Compassion. Itreally is that simple. If we, as apeople, have real compassionfor each other we must getinvolved and try to help theseniors in need of help in ourcommunity.

“Although you and I willhopefully never need theassistance of Council on Agingof West Florida, there are manyseniors that depend on ourservices and programs for theirvery survival,” said Ed Turner, aboard member and longtimevolunteer. “I feel that it is myduty to help give back to thecommunity that has given us somuch.”

One new feature we are nowable to provide donors is ourmonthly recurring gift option.By signing up for a monthlycharge to your credit card, youwill not only benefit from theconvenience, you will behelping us reduce overheadcosts and devote moreresources to essential programs.Plus it's easy!

Monthly gifts of as little as$10 can make a huge differencein the lives of seniors in needthroughout our community.Fifty dollars a month adds up toas generous $600 at the end ofa year and you will barely feel itin your checkbook.

Our board members and Iwant to invite you to join us inmaking the Circle of Friendsfund campaign the mostsuccessful drive in our agency’shistory! Please join us today bymaking a contribution to, andinvestment in, Council on Agingof West Florida.



has enlightened many movie goers with his screen presenceand conviction in all of his roles over his long and successful career as an actor. Today,Rooney finds himself in another role, except this is no act. Rooney has filed a lawsuitalleging he was verbally, financially and emotionally abused by his stepchildren. Thereality is, elder abuse has become increasingly common over the past decade and hasbecome a widespread issue in our society. Looking at elder abuse from a national scale,it spreads pretty far and wide. Within Escambia County, the number of reported elderabuse cases has also seen a rise since the past year.

What Is Elder Abuse?

SAFETYBy Justin Wescoat

Mickey Rooney


According to chapter 415 ofthe Florida Statute, abuse refersto the act or threatened act ofimpairment to a person’sphysical, emotional or mentalhealth by a relative, caregiver orhousehold member. Elder abusealso includes cases of self-abuse,financial abuse and neglect. InFlorida, those who see, hear orwho have fallen victim to elderabuse can call a 24/7 hotline toleave a confidential report thatis investigated by theDepartment of Children andFamilies (DCF), which providesprotective supervision to thosein need. Carl Martin, DCFoperations programadministrator for Escambia,Santa Rosa, Walton andOkaloosa Counties, says themajority of people who call toreport abuse are what they call“mandatory reporters,” whichthe state defines as doctors,providers, caregivers and thosewho are witnesses. Martin saysthat pretty much includeseveryone.

A recent report showed anincrease in reported elder abusein Escambia County over thepast year. Martin believes thisnumber is more an indicationthat we are being proactive inour county and helping peoplereport cases. “I’d like to thinkwe are very good at reporting,”says Martin. “While it feels likea bigger increase in reports, itmay just be the efforts ofgetting the word out.” Whetherit is because there are morecases of abuse or an increase ofreported abuse is unknown. Thefact is elder abuse has becomemore visible to reporters andbystanders.


The Department of Childrenand Families held a seminar forWorld Elder Abuse AwarenessDay on June 15 to assistcaregivers and healthcareproviders with ways to spottypes of abuse and how to helpand protect those in need. Thedepartment’s banquet room,which can comfortably hold 85people per presentation, wasoverflowing. Caregivers andservice providers from all overthe county came to learn moreabout how to protect seniors byproviding the elderlycommunity with better safetyat their homes, in facilities oranywhere they might encounterabuse. Escambia County’sproactive approach may inflatenumbers a bit more betweenyears, but the reason behind itmay be for the better. In orderto be preventative, this countyhas addressed the problem headon instead of brushing it underthe rug.

Elder abuse is no longer ahuge secret or taboo fromwhich people shy away. Withthe teamwork of healthcareproviders and caregivers as wellas programs and servicesprovided by the Council onAging of West Florida, thebattle against elder abuse mightmeet its match for once. Forthose who may be abused, youare not alone. If you are avictim of elder abuse or see anytype of abuse discussed in thisarticle taking place, please donot hesitate to call the hotlineat 1-800–96ABUSE (1-800-962-2873).


As a group, those ofus over 50 will live longer than previousgenerations, but will we live better? In theirYounger Next Year books for men and women,Chris Crowley and Henry S. Lodge, M.D.,caution, “Americans have achieved suchstaggering longevity that the real problem isoutliving the quality of life, not running out ofquantity.”

In October, Council on Aging of West Floridais sponsoring four seminars to help peopleprepare themselves financially, physically,mentally and practically, and you’re invited toattend. These are educational sessions designedto help you embrace your future with awarenessand optimism.

Session 1: Tuesday, October 2 “FinancialHealth after Fifty”People are concerned about their future. Theyask: How much money do I need to retire?What’s the risk of outliving my money? How can

I grow the money I have now? What are some“safe” investments? At what age should I starttaking Social Security? These and other issueswill be addressed by financial experts JohnPeacock and Robert Mills.

Session 2: Tuesday, October 9 “PhysicalHealth after Fifty”Nutritionist Dorothy Lee will talk about theimpact of eating habits on longevity and qualityof life. She’ll identify which foods to eat oravoid, and some ways to manage a healthyweight. Fitness expert Lorenzo Aguilar knowsthat the best anti-aging “medicine” is not a pill,but exercise. He’ll identify common injuries, howto prevent them, and ways to build bone density.He’ll also discuss effective exercise options andprograms.

Session 3: Tuesday, October 16 “Fulfillmentafter Fifty”So… you have money, eat well and exercise, but

EDUCATION By Kathleen V. Logan

Are You Ready?Four Keys to a Healthy and

Fulfilling Life after Fifty

Are you ready?


what are you going to do withyour life? Kathleen Logan, co-author of a book about growinga life that matters after 50, willdiscuss your opportunity for a“second life” by accepting thisstage of life and the joys itoffers. She’ll also coverattitude, dealing with change,“weeds” that can stunt yourgrowth, and how to developyour personal life purposestatement.

Session 4: Tuesday, October23 “Putting Things in Order”Being knowledgeable aboutlocal resources—whether for aloved one or potentially foryourself—reduces stress andcan help avoid or minimize acrisis. You’ll learn aboutprograms such as SeniorCompanions which lets seniorsremain in their homes, andother living options. You’ll learnwhy and when you need a willor trust, and develop your “todo” list.

Help ensure your quality of lifeby attending any or all of thesesessions. Attendance is limitedto 30 per session.

• Who should attend: Men orwomen over age 50(Reservations are required.)• When: Tuesdays evenings inOctober, 5:30 pm – 7 pm.• Where: Council on Aging ofWest Florida Adult Day CareCenter, 875 Royce, Pensacola• Cost: $10 per person persession

RSVP: Seating is limited. CallCouncil on Aging of WestFlorida today at 432-1475.


For many people, especially seniors, readingthe newspaper is as much a part of the morningroutine as eating breakfast. However, ifsuddenly you were unable to see well enough toenjoy the paper along with your coffee, wherewould you turn?

In September 2011, WUWF Public Mediastepped in to rescue a service that had beenprovided to the vision impaired in Pensacola by

WSRE -TV for nearly two decades. Cuts instate funding for all public broadcasting hadeliminated the grant that supported theSightLine program. WUWF’s leadership refusedto let the service - which provides daily readingof the local newspaper and regional magazinesfor listeners with vision impairment or otherdifficulty reading – disappear from ourcommunity.

HEALTH

By Lynne Marshall, Director of Promotions & Outreach, WUWF Public Media

SightLine Celebrates FirstYear at WUWF Public Media


A group of local attorneysfunded the $6,000 renovationof an office space at WUWF tomake a dedicated studio forSightLine and within six weeks,WUWF staff had organizedcommunity volunteers tocontinue the communityservice.

Some things changed andsome things remained the same.Listeners can still receive thesignal via WSRE’s SAP(secondary audio programming)channel through a partnershipbetween WUWF and WSRE todeliver SightLine to thecommunity. In addition,WUWF carries the signal on88.1 FM’s HD3 channel. Thiscan be picked up with an HD(hybrid digital) radio. SightLinecan also be found streamingonline at wuwf.org (underListen/Watch Now chooseHD3).

When the Pensacola NewsJournal printed that WUWFwould revive SightLine,numbers of listeners called priorto the first broadcast withthanks for continuing theservice. One appreciativeelderly gentleman remarkedthat SightLine had been his life-line since losing his vision tomacular degeneration. He wasable to continue his morninghabit of listening to thenewspaper even though he wasunable to read it for himself.

Forty plus communityvolunteers have contributedmore than 1,200 hours of timesince September 2011 to readthe Pensacola News Journal liveeach day – weekends andholidays, rain or shine – from 9-11 am. The News Journal is

never be bored

www.downtowncrowd.com


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rebroadcast noon – 2 pm, 9-11pm and midnight to 2 am. Thedaily audio files are alsoarchived for one week online atwuwf.org.

Other local programingincludes Sunday Selections(both fiction and non-fictionbooks) on Sundays at 2 - 3 pmand a SightLine Children’sHour on Saturdays at 2 pm.When locally producedprogramming is not beingbroadcast, SightLine carriesGatewave, a national servicewhich provides audio versionsof everything from OprahMagazine to Rolling Stone tothe New York Times. Aprogram grid is available onlineat wuwf.org/sightline or bycalling 474-2787.

Volunteer readers, many ofthem seniors themselves, arriveat the WUWF studios at 8 amand work in pairs or teams ofthree to number the articlesand organize the reading forthat day. They begin readinglive at 9 am. Normally,volunteers come the same dayeach week and work with aregular team. No experience isnecessary – just the ability toread aloud. If you think readingfor SightLine might be ofinterest to you, please contactLynne Marshall at850.473.7428 [email protected]. Just say you’dlike to come and observe onemorning to see if it’s a good fit.We’d love tohave you assistto keep thisvaluablecommunityservicegrowing.


Last year, the Council on Aging of West Florida brought the inaugural Rat PackReunion to New World Landing in Pensacola. The night paid tribute to the originalpack with a swanky evening of dinner, music and dancing. Attendees got the chance todress up in their finest Rat Pack attire and enjoy the night’s entertainment, all whilesupporting the ongoing mission of the Council on Aging of West Florida.

By Emily Lullo


This year’s Rat Pack Reunion will take placefrom 6 to 11 pm on October 26 at New WorldLanding in downtown Pensacola. It will still payhomage to Frank, Dean and the rest of the RatPack, but with just a few changes to the programfrom the inaugural event.

“The theme, dancing and entertainment willfollow the success of last year’s inaugural event,”says event co-chair Caron Sjoberg. “We justwant to try and improve on a fantastic andmemorable evening.”

Last year’s “Big Cheese” honoree, Fred Levin,will be the master of ceremonies at this year’sevent. Instead of a single guest of honor, the2012 Rat Pack Reunion will have five honoreesthat will be celebrated throughout the night.Those five people are Lewis Bear, Jr.,Corbett Davis, Jr., Richard McAlpin,Pete Moore, and Frank Patti. Thesefive individuals have not only achievedsuccess in business pursuits, but haveinvested repeatedly back into thegreater community of northwestFlorida.

Lewis Bear, Jr. has been the CEO ofthe Lewis Bear Company, a beveragedistributorship, since 1985 afterworking his way up from a salesposition and later to vice-president.He’s currently a member of severalboards focusing on economicdevelopment to the area; he’s vicechair of the economic developmentboard for the Greater PensacolaChamber, board chair of the PensacolaEscambia Development Commission,and on the executive committee ofFlorida’s Great Northwest, a 16county economic developmentorganization. Additionally, Bear is atrustee for the University of WestFlorida, vice president of Arts, Cultureand Entertainment, Inc. and a lifetimetrustee of the Pensacola Museum ofArt, among many other positions.

Bear has been married to Belle Bearfor 46 years and the father of threeand grandfather of four enjoys huntingand fishing when he isn’t working or

fulfilling other responsibilities with variousorganizations.

Many know Pete Moore’s name from the autodealerships he owns. Starting in 1981 with abrother and another business partner, Moorepurchased the oldest Chevrolet dealership in thecity, later relocating to New Warrington Road,buying out his partners, and purchasingVolkswagen and Mitsubishi franchises as well.

Pete Moore Automotive now employs morethan 150 people and his business supportsnumerous organizations and causes in thecommunity. The business and its team supportarea schools and youth sports teams as well asorganizations like Covenant Hospice, the USO,ARC Gateway, the American Cancer Society

..


and many others. Moore is married to AngelaEllis Moore and has four daughters and sevengrandchildren. He enjoys biking, powerboatingand exercising.

Honoree Corbett Davis Jr. is the presidentand co-owner, along with his son, of Jeweler’sTrade Shop, and is a certified gemologist withthe Gemological Institute of America. Apublished author many times over, Davis is alsoa member of several boards including theDowntown Improvement Board, the PensacolaMuseum of Art and a past board member of theGulf Breeze Zoo. He’s married to DeeDee Davisand has one son and two grandchildren. Heenjoys fly fishing, photography, writing andcooking, and has even published a cookbook.

Richard McAlpin boasts more than 30 years

experience in commercial real estatedevelopment, specializing in hotel andcondominium development. He has completeddevelopment projects from Pensacola to NewOrleans, Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beachand beyond. McAlpin was one of the originalorganizers and past chairman of the board ofdirectors for the Gulf Coast Kids House and iscurrently president of The Gulf Coast KidsHouse Future Fund. He was co-chair for the2004 Walk for Diabetes and the chair for the2005 Walk. He is a member of the PensacolaYacht Club, McGuire’s Irish Politician’s Club,and Delta Kappa Epsilon Club of New YorkCity.

McAlpin provides scholarships for the AthleticDepartment at University of West Florida, and

coaches kids at the Creative LearningAcademy and the Gulf Breeze SportsAssociation.

Frank Patti is the owner of Joe PattiSeafood Company, which his father Joestarted in 1933. Frank took over thecompany after his father's death in 1992, andhas since led the top tourist attraction andstandout fish market to record sales andexpanded visibility. A consumate professionaland a great Gulf Coast character, Frank isoften found working the fish counter, muchto the delight of his patrons. Frank has thesea in his heart and his great love of ships ledhim to open Patti Shipbuilding in 1979. PattiShipbuilding specializes in the qualityconstruction of the vessels, from the fishingindustry, the towing industry, the gaming &excursion industries, and the Corp. ofEngineers.

Mr. Patti regularly supports a variety ofcommunity organizations including highschool football teams, tee ball, veterans andmilitary groups, Girl Scouts, Brownies, theTeen Challenge program and the Knights ofColumbus.

Each of these honorees will be celebratedthroughout the night in a unique way for theenjoyment of guests.

The evening’s musical entertainment willbe renowned Frank Sinatra tribute artist TomTiratto. Guests might think they’re hearing


the original “Old Blue Eyes,”with Tiratto’s pitch-perfectSinatra-esque vocals. Tirattohas sung to live audiences allover the world, including TheTonight Show with Jay Leno.Tiratto will be joined by a fullorchestra that will performswing and pop hits fromSinatra’s collection. The eventis black tie or Rat Pack-stylewear, and will include agourmet Italian dinner alongwith the dancing andentertainment.

Join Council on Aging ofWest Florida for a lavish nightof dining and dancing whilehonoring five deservingindividuals from the localcommunity and supporting aworthy cause. Tickets are$100 per person.

The Council’s mission is tolead the community inadvocacy and services for theaging and those involved intheir lives, like caregivers andfamily members.

“Rat Pack is one hundredpercent entertainment—definitely not your run-of-the-mill fundraiser!” Sjobergsays. “The Rat Packcommittee is going to greatlengths to ensure that thiswill be an unforgettableexperience for everyone. Andat the end of the day, theevent will help to raise fundsto help our local seniors.”

For tickets and moreinformation visitratpackreunion.com or call432-1475 ext. 305.

An Exclusive Interview with

Bruce BoxleitnerKnown widely for his roles in The Scarecrow and Mrs. King, How the West Was Won and the

Disney Tron series, Bruce Boxleitner’s boyish charm and warm smile are instantly recognizable. Bornin Elgin, Illinois, Boxleitner discovered his talent for acting in his high school drama club. Encouragedby his drama teacher, Boxleitner applied and was accepted to the Goodman Theatre School ofDrama of the Art Institute of Chicago. Boxleitner worked in theatre in New York City beforedeciding to try his hand in television in Los Angeles. He landed his first role on The Mary TylerMoore Show in 1973. That appearance led to a number of small roles in classic shows like Gunsmokeand Barretta and to a recurring role in Hawaii Five-O. His breakout role came in the 1977-79 mini-series How the West Was Won, where he played Luke Macahan. Later, Boxleitner landed leadingroles in two very popular shows, The Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Babylon 5. Boxleitner hasappeared in more than 30 TV shows and over 40 movies, and he is the author of two scince fictionnovels, Frontier Earth and Searcher.


Bruce Boxleitner at the Tron: Legacy premiere.

By Kelly Oden


Boxleitner’s prolific resume and professionalismlanded him a seat on the National Board ofDirectors of the Screen Actors Guild, on which heserved for eight years. Additionally, his deep love ofthe space program led him to an appointment onthe National Space Society Board of Governors in1998.

In his personal life, he is well known for his 16-year marriage to Melissa Gilbert, which ended in2011. Boxleitner has two sons from his firstmarriage and one son and one stepson with MelissaGilbert.

Boxleitner resides in Los Angeles where heenjoys working, reading, hiking, travelling andwaking up.

COA had the distinct pleasure of speaking withMr. Boxleitner about his career, his passion and hisfuture plans.

COA: Hi, Bruce. Can you tell me a little bitabout your upbringing and what inspired you toget into acting? BB: I started because I was a big kid in highschool and I was looking for something to do. Ihad always been interested in movies andtelevision, but never that interested in theatrebecause I'd never had much exposure to it. Iwalked into an audition my sophomore year. I'dtried out for basketball and didn't make it. I likedplaying baseball and tried out for it. I didn't makethat either. I was very disheartened and I wantedto do something other than just school in highschool. So I walked into the audition—it's kind ofalmost a cliché, but there were a lot of girls indrama guild (laughs). It was Agatha Christie's TenLittle Indians and Then There Were None. I gotthe role of the young hero in it. I think that sortof started it. I had fun. It was a great group of kidsand a terrific drama teacher who would laterbecome very important in my life. At the end ofmy high school career, she encouraged me becauseshe saw I'd discovered that I loved acting. Youknow, I realized that "They like me." Anyway, Iwas bitten by the bug right there. I was in theMidwest, in Northern Illinois, outside of Chicago.There was no theatrical history in my family. Noone had ever done anything like that. It was allnew to me, but it was something I really enjoyeddoing and was intrigued by. It was something that

I had to do. How I was going to go about it, I hadno idea. So I went from there to just about everyplay we did.

COA: I understand that you were unpreparedfor your first musical performance. Someone gotsick, and you went on?BB: That was a little later. That was certainly a bigchallenge for a high school kid, though. I was a chorus line guy in that, and we had anactor in the drama guild that was a very goodsinger and that was mainly what he did. He wasmore of a musical actor, and I wasn't. But I wasthe only other sort of leading man they had. Iunderstudied the part of Harry Higgins in MyFair Lady only because there was nobody else,and I never thought fate would hand me this. Onopening night, our leading man got very ill, and Ihad to go on for him. I had rehearsed maybe onceand I watched him. I was a chorus guy. I had noreal responsibility in the show other than to be inthe crowd scenes and I was suddenly thrust intothe role of the male lead. I had about four hoursof rehearsal and I had the scripts strategicallyhidden all over the stage and I knew enough ofthe lines. So I talked-sang like Rex Harrison did inthe movies and I sort of talked those songsthrough and it kind of worked and it was a veryharrowing experience, but I got to woo the leadinglady and she became my girlfriend after that. Iwas a big hero there. I carried it off, and theaudience loved it. I was in shock and I was thehero of the drama guild at that point.

COA: Hearing you talk about it, I wonder whatyou think about shows like Glee where theymake high school drama clubs more popular.BB: Oh! I know! But it was nothing like that. Mydrama guild was nothing like what they portray inGlee. I wish we all were singers like that. Thatwas a very formative time for me. My teacher, shesaw something in me, and she said, "You need tocontinue with this." I had no idea how. My parentsdidn't know how. We did a lot of plays at school.This particular group was a very prolific group ofkids. Two went on to be screenwriters, somebecame actors, and one became a comedy writer.One later developed the shows Barney Miller andNight Court. We went on to win the State of


Illinois Drama Contest against every other schoolin the state. We did Robert Bolt’s Man for allSeasons. We did Shakespeare. We did everything.My teacher was a wonderful inspiration to me.She helped me go from high school to theGoodman School of Drama. I eventually became aprofessional actor after that. I was very young—18or 19. I joined the professional theatre after myschooling there. I did theatre in Chicago and Iended up going to New York to lead in aBroadway show. It all started from there.

COA: How did you get into television? I knowyou had some early appearances on The MaryTyler Moore Show.BB: Yes, that was literally my first job inHollywood. I only had a few lines. I guess youcould go online and find it, too. I was haunted bythat (laughs). I was in New York, I had taken thispart in a play that I starred in and it died. It hadbeen popular in Chicago and in Washington D.C.When we got to Broadway, it was another whole

experience. I worked for a guy named TedDanson. I don't know whatever happened to him(laughs). The show didn't have quite the successthat it had had in Chicago and D.C, but it got meseen by a big agency. That was one of the biggeststruggles for an up and comer was getting anagent—someone that believes in you. They sawme in this thing and eventually I realized that inNew York at that time—well, I would never havemade it in Glee. I wasn't a singer or dancer. I wasan actor. You needed singing skills to make it onBroadway. I did some summer stock and metsome Hollywood people and they all said, 'Youought to go to Los Angeles.' So, they planted thisseed in my head. I was pounding the pavementfrom audition to audition in New York and I keptgoing up for movies with a very famous agency—Marion Dougherty Associates. I went up for kidparts, young guy parts, and almost got just abouteverything. They would eventually cast the leadout in Los Angeles. I was always the second guy

they wanted. I realized I was in thewrong place. I always lovedtelevision. I liked movies, buttelevision was where I wanted togo. So I did. I can actually say thatI achieved that. They gave me anagent to look up in Los Angeles.So, luckily, I had an agent when Icame out here. I was persistent. Iwas a new face and I had nothingon film. The only thing they careabout is what you look like on film.They don't care if you did RichardIII on Broadway. If you didn't haveany movie film or television filmon you, they were not interested.So I had to get that footage. I wentup for everything. Eventually Ilanded this part on Mary TylerMoore. What a thrill that was. Thiswas a very popular show. Toactually be on it was thrilling.There was a live audience andthree cameras. I was kind of usedto that with my theatreexperience, being in front of that. Igot my SAG card with that. It took

Bruce Boxleitner and Jerry Doyle from Babylon 5.


my entire paycheck. You had to break insomewhere. Someone had to give you a chance.And that was my first. I did Gunsmoke after that.I was sort of a CBS kid there. I did Hawaii-Five-O and I eventually started doing small parts. Icame up that way. Finally, the show How the WestWas Won at ABC, about two years later, gave memy big break. I was very fortunate and I came onat a time when the adults were the stars and thekids and family are supporting cast. Now, it'sreversed, the kids are the stars and the adults arethe support.

COA: You mentioned your SAG card. You wereon the SAG board of directors, correct?BB: I was for eight years, but no longer. You canonly serve so long on those things.

COA: I always wonder how actors feel about thepopularity of reality TV and how it's changingyour profession.BB: This actor? I'm not a fan of reality TV. It's notreality. You put a camera in front of someone andsay it's unscripted. But it is scripted. It has to be.You can't put the camera in front of someone andmake a television show. It has to be scripted. Ilove that facade that they put on originally, butI'm not a fan of it. It's put my generation mostlyout of work. I am a television actor, and I've beenin many feature films. It's very disparaging,particularly to my age group. It's harder anywaysbecause of ageism in television. We have to fightfor the scraps. I don't want to sound bitter, but it'sthe truth. I see the same group of guys for everyaudition. I have hundreds of hours of film on me.They want to see what I look like now, becausethey are too young to remember. I used to hearabout these things when I was a young actor; thisis what I had to look forward to. I'd sit with someolder actor on the set. It's the logical progressionof things; I'm fortunate to keep working. RealityTV has changed television. These so-calledcelebrities—the Kardashians make me puke. Idon't understand celebrities who are famous forjust being famous. What is their talent? Whatbrought them to this? I don't mind variety shows,which have been a staple of television. These aretalent shows. I don't mind those at all, because

there is truly something about talent. So far asnetwork television that I came up on, it's verydisheartening. I understand that that is themarket, and that they have to be in it or they die.

COA: It's interesting with the Kardashians.Nobody seems to like them, but they seem tohave staying power.BB: I despise them. I don't mind openly saying it. Idon't understand them. These people and theJersey Shore, this is the dumbing down of America.It's just my opinion and people can like me or hateme for it. It's the dumbing down of our culture.It's so bad. On a little side note--when I was onthe board of the Screen Actors Guild, I chairedthis committee on which, if you were a SAGmember you would be brought before us for somesort of infraction of the rules. I remember ParisHilton, at the height of her 'celebritante' wasbrought in because someone had laid chargesagainst her that were completely false. It wasobvious that someone was just looking for money.The case was completely unfounded. I remembermeeting Paris Hilton. She was the personrepresenting the reality TV genre--the "who arethese people?" I found her to be a very charmingand sweet person. I felt sort of sorry for her. Thisis the risk of being in the public eye. We dismissedthe whole bloody thing. She was very polite andthankful. I'm not trying to say all of these peopleare venal or terrible people. It's just the way oursociety has gone, I guess. Where private life isportrayed openly on Twitter and Facebook and TVshows. It's not my generation.

COA: Let's talk about Tron a little bit. Almostthirty years between the films?BB: Yes. Almost 30 years. Now I'm doing thenewest incarnation of this. Tron: Uprisinganimated series.

COA: I wanted to ask about working with JeffBridges. How was that?BB: Well, in the second one, I didn't get to doanything with him, but it was an absolute thrill tosee him again. He's a great guy. He's playing thegreat roles for guys our age. I worked with hisfather when he was around my age now. Weworked together on How the West was Won. That


was a huge thrill. I know Beau and his family, andJeff. I feel like one of the Bridges' boys thatnobody talks about (laughs). I feel like a brotherto them, I do. Tron was a great experience and hewas part of the reason I accepted the role in theoriginal. He was a contemporary and I loved whathe was doing. It was thrilling to get theopportunity to work with him. He was a youngmovie star at the time. I didn't do many movies,so when I got the opportunity, I knew he wasalready tied to the project and that was definitelya selling thing—I get to work with Jeff Bridges.I've always been a fan, and I'll always be a friend.

COA: You seem to have a big interest in sciencefiction. You write some as well?BB: I did. I'm a published author.

COA: What is your attraction to that genre?BB: Well, the genre is limitless in its imaginationand for the imagination. I'm so glad to see thatwith our generation it has finally grown up andbeen accepted. It wasn't before. It was consideredkind of geekish. Look at pop culture now. It's beenaccepted. Here in Hollywood, science fiction is ahuge mainstay of our viewing and our pop culture.It wasn't always so. In the past it was somethingon the fringe and childish. Steven Spielberg'sgeneration of filmmakers brought it to the forum.It's a huge staple of our viewing and reading. I'vealways enjoyed it. I like Westerns even more.That's just a genre that I grew up with. It was veryprominent when I was a young boy. It formed myimagination. It gave free reign to it. In sciencefiction there were no limits either. I am a littleleery of the vampire and zombie thing. I wish wewould get back to the science fiction. Using ourimagination to consider the future and how it'sgoing to be. I grew up with Star Trek. I considermy roles in Tron and Babylon 5 very important.

COA: You are also involved in the NationalSpace Society.BB: I was. I'm not so much anymore. I was whenI was doing Babylon 5. They were tremendousfans of our show because we were doing somegroundbreaking things on television by portrayingthe actual science of space. I got to know peopleat NASA. It was very thrilling.

COA: Did they give you any insight?BB: They were always fascinated by how weportrayed things. We were always fascinated byhow they would actually do things. We exchangeda lot of ideas and personalities.COA: What do you see as the future of spacetravel?BB: I'm disappointed. I think we should be a lotfurther along. I think that what is exciting is thefuture of privatizing space. I don't want to seeNASA gone. I'm disappointed in how the currentadministration is not space friendly. I don't wantto get into politics. I hate to see how NASA wasat the forefront of it. I grew up with the spacerace. I'm that age group. We watched the Mercuryastronauts. I see young kids who believe thishogwash about how we never really went to themoon. I know Buzz Aldrin personally and he's atremendous hero to me, and the world. I nevergot to meet Neil Armstrong. These guys werededicated and they sacrificed and they went onprobably the greatest adventure man has everdone. The future of mankind is out there. Oneday we will have to leave this rock. People don'trealize it. You and I won't live to see that. Maybeyounger generations will. This place could turninto what Mars is today. I think it's in us. We areexplorers. We explored this entire planet. Weneed to take care of this planet, I believe that, butI also think that we need to get out there.Privatizing space is the future. Using the old westmetaphor—it wasn't the army that expanded, itwas people loading up in wagons to start new liveselsewhere. Then the army and the governmentfollowed. It was the people who expanded. Neverrely on government, they can mess things upworse than anything. I truly believe that.

COA: I'm not sure if you are familiar with us inPensacola. We have Naval Air Station Pensacolaand we just opened a flight academy for kids.It's affiliated with the base. It teaches kidsabout flight and space exploration and thescience of it all. BB: Good, Good, Good.

COA: How important do you feel it is for us toteach children these skills?


BB: I truly believe in it. We needto keep this going, especially forthe younger generation. They arethe future pioneers that I amtalking about—and their childrenand grandchildren. We have thesehiccups now—war and theeconomy. I don't want to see thespace program cut because ofthese things. I would love to seeour population, once again, focuson the future. It has affectedeverything on Earth today. Thecommunications and computers allcame from the space program.These things in our lives that weconsider modern conveniences gottheir start there. If you have aniPhone, you have more on theiPhone than was on the entireApollo program. Buzz and Neildidn't have any of this when theylanded on the moon and the entireworld was watching. It may behard for you to believe, but thatday that man walked on the moon,the world stopped. Every humanbeing had the realization thatsomeone was landing. We did it.The Russians were right behind us.Every country has space programsnow. The Chinese are way aheadof us right now. I just hate to seeus fall from where we were in the world'scommunity. We all need to be participating inthis. We are all human beings. This is importantfor mankind. You know that plaque on the moonthat Buzz and Neil planted? We were involved inVietnam and the world was worried about themilitarization of space. It says, "We men of Earthcome here in the name of peace." That's whyNeil Armstrong was the first man to touch themoon because he was not a military man. Aldrinwas a colonel. Armstrong was a civilian. We wentto great lengths to make sure that peoplewouldn't consider America as trying to bemilitant about the moon landing.

COA: You played a naval officer on NCIS?BB: I played all sorts of military officers. InBabylon 5, I play a military officer. We hadmilitarized space on that show (laughs). It wascalled Earth Force.

COA: Pensacola is a Navy town. I waswondering if you learned anything about theduties and attributes of Naval officers from theroles you've played.BB: In 2000, I landed on the USS AbrahamLincoln at sea, as a guest of the USN. I flew inan F-16 as a guest of the USAF. I'm a bigproponent of our military and our militarypeople and I bless them for everything they dofor us and for the sacrifices they make. Naval

Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner from Scarecrow and Mrs. King


Aviation? I saw it right up close and personal—about 100 miles of the coast of Baja, California. Istayed two nights on the USS Abraham Lincoln.It was an amazing experience. I was thrilled andI also had to catapult off of that thing to gohome.

COA: You've done so many different roles andhave so many acting credits. Is there one role thatwas particularly challenging for you?BB: In terms of hard work, maybe it wasScarecrow and Mrs. King. Kate Jackson and I hadto carry that show. The workload was thechallenge. We did 21 episodes a season, and triedto keep it fresh. Unfortunately, Katie became ill in1987 and we had to quit the show. She had breastcancer, which in the 80s was something that youdid not mention. We had to go off the air. But itwas very hard work. People don't realize how longthe hours you spend doing that. I was with herlonger than my wife and kids those days. I wouldsay it was challenging in that way. The success orfailure was on our backs. The writers as well,obviously. That was tough, but it was a fun show.

It was probably my most famousshow. Dealing with that was drainingas well.

COA: The fame?BB: Tron had just come out.Television was still my mostsuccessful medium. Dealing withthat, having to go out on theweekends and promote the film--thepress stuff. There was tons of that. Ididn't have a big series before that,only 17 episodes. I had to carry that.Those two things were my hardest. Iwas much younger and I had theenergy for it. I had to hit the grounda lot. Fight scenes. Physical roles,those were challenges.

COA: I know you did some workABC’s GCB. There were somefunny ladies on that show. BB: It was terrific. I'm sorry that it

didn't get picked up. Leslie Bibb, KristenChenoweth, Annie Potts, Miriam Shor, all of themwere just terrific. I was only in five episodes. Iplayed Uncle Burl. I had a great part. I'm justsorry they didn't get to continue. And Annie Potts,who I'd never met before, I love her work. And Iworked with her a great deal. She's a greatcomedic actress.

COA: You've worked with a lot of folks. Do youhave a favorite female co-star?BB: I can't answer that! They would get jealous!They could read this! Everyone is going to getinsulted!

COA: Oh, come on!BB: I had the great fortune of working with someabsolutely lovely television stars. Jane Seymour,Linda Evans, Kate Jackson, oh my. I've beenfortunate. I'll put my ex-wife in there, too,Melissa Gilbert. I'm not some bitter old divorcedguy. We did a couple movies together, TV movies.Her first job back from having our son, Michael,

James Arness, Fionnula Flanagan and Bruce Boxleitner fromHow The West Was Won.


was on Babylon 5. I've been very fortunate. I lovethem all.

COA: The upcoming Tron: Uprising isanimated, so you are a voice actor. How did youfeel about this?BB: I loved it a lot. I want to do more of it. I thinkwith the Disney folks, I couldn't be in a betterplace. They do so many animated films. I enjoythat work. I enjoy it a great deal. I don't have toget all dressed up to do it. It's still a challenge, it'sacting. Believe me it is, trying to play differentcharacters. With the Tron character, I've got theolder, more battle-weary and seasoned Tron. I'mworking with Elijah Wood, Lance Henrikson, PaulRudd, a huge cast of people on this thing. Greatpeople. Everybody brings great quality to thiswork. It's very exciting. We don't call themcartoons anymore. This is like an animated featurefilm. They are very serious about it.

COA: You mentioned your children earlier. Haveany of your children gone into show business?BB: All of them have. My three sons are all in thebusiness. My stepson is not. My youngest son,Michael, is already an actor in the theatre. He waswith his mother on a national tour of a musical foralmost a year. He's going to finish high school andthen concentrate on the business. As the son of anactor and actress, I think it's in his genes already.My oldest son, Sam, is an actor; he was in themusic business for many years. My son, Lee, is atechnical engineer. He's done 25 movies already—television movies for the Hallmark Channel. Heworks for them in the sound department. Hedirects his own features as well. You can find theirwork on Youtube, they are called the “Sons ofTron.” It's not easy. They did grow up on TV andmovie sets.

COA: We are a magazine for mature adults. Youare in your 60s and you look great. Do you haveany secrets for aging well?BB: Everything in moderation. I try to eat well. Iget a lot of exercise. Being an actor, you do have alot of time, so I keep working out. I do an hourevery other day on my rowing machine. I'm anavid hiker and biker, although mountain biking is

becoming very treacherous. I love to hike andpower-walk and swim. I believe in getting off thecouch. It's too easy. You get to be sedentary. I'm inmy sixties now, I feel vibrant and alive. I'd neverwant to go back.

COA: Besides physical activities, what are someof your other hobbies?BB: I'm an avid reader. I collect antiques. I used tohave horses. I had horses for 20 years. I kind oflike that, in this time of my life, I'm unloadingstuff rather than collecting. I've been a packrat forso long, this is a good time to get free of materialstuff. I want to be able to go out my door and notcome back for weeks on end. I don't have petsanymore. I don't own a house anymore. Well, I'mtrying to sell a house as a matter of fact. I'm verycomfortable. I did all that. I raised children. I hada lot of responsibilities. I had a ranch, and I'd loveto go back to that. But the responsibilities workedyou into the ground so much so that I don't wantto have to keep that up. I fed everybody. I clothedmy loved ones. I did it. I've done it. Everyone is allgrown up. I love them all. They are all healthy,good people. I love to travel. I've been a monthhome from Italy. I'd never seen Rome. I lovehistory, and there is no better place than Rome. Iwant to travel more.

COA: What is your idea of a perfect day?BB: Waking up. My idea of a perfect day isshowing up on a set anywhere and working. I'vebeen dong this for about 40 years. I enjoy it now,more than ever. When I do get a job, I love it.

COA: Will you retire someday?BB: If I'm up and healthy, I'll work. There isalways a need for some old geezer. I'll play a goodgrandfather or what have you. I am reliable andI'm in good health. As long as you have yourhealth.

COA: If you love what you are doing...BB: Exactly. I don't feel like stopping now. In mybusiness, I mean, look at Betty White. She's aninspiration for all of us. I can point to any numberof actors my age that are still working. I think I'vegot something to give yet.


News from Council On Aging of West Florida

Volunteer and Staff RecognitionAdult Day Health Care Volunteer Pati Bryan wasrecently selected for the 2012 Volunteer Award bythe National Adult Day Services Association(NADSA). Pati has volunteered at our Adult Day

Health Care Center twodays a week for the last 10years. Pati is a hands onvolunteer and can befound caring for clients,leading activities, plantingflowers, helping in thekitchen and much, muchmore. Pati is such an asset

to our agency and an example of committed, selflessvolunteering. Pati will be accepting the award atNADSA’s annual conference in Pittsburg this month.

The Home Builders Association of West Florida(HBA) was recognized at the recent FloridaConference on Aging for its work to expand ourAdult Day Health Care Center. The HBA waspresented with the Service to Seniors by an

Organization Award,one of four awardspresented as part of theFlorida Council onAging/Florida Power &Light Quality SeniorLiving Awards program.The Service to Seniorsby an OrganizationAward is presentedannually to a business,

private or public organization that does not haveservice to older adults in Florida as its primary focus.The purpose of the program is to recognize individualsand organizations whose efforts have improved thequality of life of older Floridians. The award wasaccepted by HBA board member Shelby Johnson onbehalf of the association.

President & CEO John B. Clark was recentlyinstalled as the president of the Florida Associationof Aging Services Providers (FASP) at the FloridaConference on Aging. FASP is the statewide

organization that specificallyrepresents the full array of directservice providers in aging, includingcase management, nutrition, seniorcenters, adult day care andvolunteers. Its mission is to supportand advocate for public and non-profit organizations engaged in theprovision of community-based

services to Florida's elders to improve their quality of

life. Clark served as FASP president from 1992-94.Clark is also a past president of the Florida Council onAging, which is committed to serving Florida's diverseaging interests through education, information-sharingand advocacy.

Jeff Nall, vice president of communication anddevelopment, was recently installed as state presidentof the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA) atits recent annual conference. Its nearly 1,300

members represent a variety ofdifferent organizations includingprivate and public corporations,government entities, not-for-profits,counseling firms and independentpractitioners. As a statewideassociation, FPRA provides a varietyof services, benefits andopportunities dedicated to the

success of its public relations professionals fromcontinuing education, professional accreditation,monthly professional development programs,professional recognition and annual conference. FPRA,the nation’s oldest public relations organization, willcelebrate its 75th anniversary under Nall’s leadership.

Council on Aging of West Florida recently earnedthree awards in the 21st annual National MatureMedia Awards Program. The program, presented by

the Mature Market ResourceCenter, a national clearinghousefor the senior market, recognizesthe nation’s finest marketing,communications, educationalmaterials, and programs

designed and produced for older adults. Awards wonwere a Silver Award for the 2011 Rat Pack Reunionin the special event marketing category, a MeritAward for the Winter 2011 issue of Coming of Agein the publications/editorial category and a MeritAward for its YouTube channel,www.youtube.com/coawfla, in the social mediacategory. Council on Aging of West Florida hasreceived National Mature Media Awards annuallysince 2007. Nearly 1,000 entries are judged annuallyby a distinguished panel of mature market expertsfrom across the United States for overall excellence ofdesign, content, creativity and relevance the seniormarket.

Council on Aging of West Florida andIdeawörks won an Award of Distinctionin the Florida Public RelationsAssociation’s state Golden ImageAwards in the Printed Tools Division for

John Clark, Pati Bryan and RosaSakalarios

Bill Aycriggi, FCOA; Shelby Johnson,HBA; and Dave Lynn, FP & L


the Rat Pack Reunion 2011 Sponsorship Package.The competition is conducted annually to recognizeoutstanding public relations programs in Florida andto encourage and promote the development of publicrelations professionalism in our state. The GoldenImage Awards have become a standard of publicrelations excellence in the state of Florida.

New FacesLeAnne Hamilton recently joined our team asdevelopment director. Hamilton is responsible forincreasing philanthropic gifts, special event

sponsorships and awareness ofprivate-pay services. Hamilton hasover 15 years of successful non-profit fundraising experience as wellas experience in specialtypharmaceutical sales. Hamilton is agraduate of Lambuth University inJackson, Tennessee and an activemember of the West Florida

Chapter of the Association of FundraisingProfessionals.

Lisa Schachle recently joined our team as SeniorCompanion/Foster Grandparent/R.E.L.I.E.F.Director. Schachle is responsible for the overall

administration of the programs inaccordance with establishedfederal/state guidelines. Her dutiesalso include monitoring and assistingwith participant recruitment andplacement as well as developingrelationship and coordinating effortswith participating stations. Schachle

is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans,Louisiana. Most recently, Schachle worked for theEscambia County Board of County Commissioners.

Giving Just Got Easier!To be more inclusive and provide more giving options,we are transitioning from an annual membership-typestructure to a Circle of Friends. One new option is theonline ability to set up automatic monthly recurringpledge-type gifts by credit card at www.coawfla.org.

Donations may still be made by mail or phone.Additional ways you can help throughout the yearinclude tribute gifts such as memorials orhonorariums, including us in obituaries as an "in lieu offlowers” memorial alterative, attending special events,end-of-year gifts, planned giving and bequests, andfacilitating company matching gifts. For moreinformation on giving options, please contact LeAnneHamilton at [email protected] or 850-266-2513.

Thanks to the Plein Air Painters of PensacolaWe would like to once again thank the members ofthe Plein Air Painters of Pensacola who have loanedtheir artwork to create a soothing, home-likeatmosphere at our adult day health care center. Thegroup rotates out loaned artwork on a quarterly basis,keeping the facility fresh and fostering stimulatingconversations among our participants. Thanks to all ofthe artists who have shared their talent and theirhearts with us.

Caregiver Support GroupsOur monthly support groups are provided to supportall caregivers.These support group are designed toreduce stress, increase coping skills, provide strategiesfor effective management of care giving tasks andenable caregivers to provide high quality care in thehome. Attendance is free and new members arewelcome to join at any time.

Milton1st Thursday - 6 pmSt. Rose of Lima Catholic Church 6451 Park Avenue

Century3rd Thursday - 6 pmCentury Care Center6020 Industrial Boulevard.

PensacolaLast Thursday - 6 pmCouncil on Aging of West Florida875 Royce Street

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and OtherRelatives Support GroupsAn increasing number of seniors and other relativesare taking on primary childrearing responsibilities. InFlorida, 7.1 percent of children in the state live ingrandparent-headed households. There are another86,000 plus Florida children living in householdsheaded by other relatives.

Pensacola2nd Thursday 6 pmHomewood Suites 5049 Corporate Woods DriveDinner is provided through Homewood Suites’evening Manager’s Reception.

Gulf Breeze 4th Tuesday - 6 pmOriole Beach Elementary School, 1260 Oriole Beach RoadA light dinner is provided at 5:30 pm.


OUT & ABOUTAre You Ready? - Four Keys to a Healthy andFulfilling Life after FiftyTuesday evenings in October5:30 – 7 pm.Council on Aging of West Florida Adult Day CareCenter, 875 Royce, Pensacola. $10 per person persessionCouncil on Aging of West Florida is sponsoring fourseminars to help people prepare themselvesfinancially, physically, mentally, and practically, andyou’re invited to attend. These are educationalsessions designed to help you embrace your futurewith awareness and optimism

• Oct. 2 “Financial Health”• Oct. 9 “Physical Health”• Oct. 16 “Fulfillment after Fifty”• Oct. 23 “Putting Things in Order”

Seating is limited. Please call 432-1475 ext. 305for advance payment and reservation.

Megan Smolenyak Genealogical SeminarSaturday, November 39 am-4 pm with registration/check-in at 8 amWashington High School, 6000 College Parkway, Pensacola. Early registration: cost $35 for West FloridaGenealogical Society members and $40 for nonmembers before October 20. $45 after October 20 and at the door.The West Florida Genealogical Society will present its Fall Seminar on November 3, 2012 featuring thepopular author, speaker and genealogist, Megan Smolenyak. Topics of the four lectures are “Right Annie,Wrong Annie”; “Trace Your Roots with DNA”; in the morning sessions and “Find that Obituary! OnlineNewspaper Research” and “Honoring Our Ancestors” in the afternoon. Mrs. Smolenyak is a well-knownauthor and speaker on genealogy.

Creating a Better Place to Live: How to Organizefor Environmental & Community Change Saturday, October 2010 am – 3:00 pm. Registration begins at 9:30 am Wright Place, 6 East Wright Street, PensacolaEarth Ethics, Inc. in partnership with SustainableTown Concepts will host “Creating a Better Placeto Live.” The workshop will feature instruction bylocal and regional leaders who have led successfulcampaigns on various environmental andcommunity issues. Some of the topics coveredinclude: how to inspire your community to action,effective public speaking, how to organize acampaign for change, communicating with electedofficials, and much more. Registration Fees(includes lunch) Early: Now through Oct. 15 - $10per person. Please make checks payable to EarthEthics, Inc. and mail to Earth Ethics, Inc. P.O. Box37006 Pensacola, FL 32526. Late: After Oct. 6and at the door - $15 per person (Cash,debit/credit only at the door. No ChecksAccepted.) For more information, visitwww.earthethics.us or call 549-7472.

Rat Pack Reunion 2012Friday, October 26New World Landing, 6-11 pmTickets: $100 per personTickets are now on sale for thebiggest party of the year! It’s thattime of year again when we gatherto have a retro-fabulous time while raising much-needed funds to help the elderly in our localcommunity. This year we plan to dazzle and entertainyou while celebrating five of our area’s mostoutstanding individuals—who not only lead the way inbusiness, but who also show tremendous leadershipwith their service to our local community. Please join us in honoring our very own 2012 Rat Pack:Lewis Bear, Jr. • Corbett Davis, Jr. • Richard McAlpin •Pete Moore • Frank PattiFor tickets, sponsorship information and up to theminute Rat Pack Reunion 2012 news and trivia, visitwww.RatPackReunion.com. Tickets may also bepurchased by phone by calling 850-432-1475 ext 305.

2012 Greek Festival of PensacolaOctober 12, 13 and 14thFriday from 11 am-

10 pm, Saturday from11am- 10 pm, andSunday from 12 noon - 6 pm.Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Pensacola,1720 West Garden Street, PensacolaAdmission to the festival is free of charge. ThePensacola Greek Festival has become one of thearea’s signature fall festivals. The three-day culturalevent provides an opportunity for the PensacolaGreeks to share their heritage, culture and faith withthe local community. Like a visit to Greece, thePensacola Greek Festival offers a rich, multi-sensoryexperience of Greek hospitality and culture. Savorycuisine, soulful music, lively dancing, and educationaltours transform the church grounds into a three day“glendi” (celebration). A portion of this year’sproceeds benefit Council on Aging of West Florida.Thanks Greek Festival!


WERE YOU SEEN?

...at Gallery Night downtown Pensacola

Corbett Davis, Jr. John and Doris Opdyke

Kevin Watts, Greg St. Laurent Angela Delisle, Bob Delisle, Anneand Dave Hickerson

Cindy and Sam Wells, Hazel andMike Whitacre.

Neil Caspersen and Tom Smith


Gosport NAS officialnewspaper winner of the 2011Thomas Jefferson Award for

“Metro Format News”

Thank You

Council on Aging of West Florida is a not-for-profit organization and 100% of your donation is retained by this organization. Council onAging of West Florida is a 501(c)(3) organization, tax-exempt number 59-1373939. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent allowedby law. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OFCONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE 1-800-435-7352, IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, REGISTRATION NUMBER CH201.REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.

for supporting Council on Aging of West FloridaMany thanks to our generous donors. May 19 - September 10, 2012We appreciate your support.LaVonne AgertonDr. and Mrs. David AronsonEleanor AsplidenAudrey BaldwinBarbara BarfieldDick and Bonnie BedicsMrs. Emily BellMrs. Joy BorelandJoe Brazile and Ruth PorterCaptain and Mrs. John BrickJack and Ann BrownDr. Joanne BujnoskiUrsula and Bill CarneyWayne and Alice CarteeCharity ChapelJohn B. ClarkCorry Station ChapelDiana CotitaSonya DanielElaine DavisNorma C. DavisMorris and Norma EaddyEmily H. EddinsJames EdwardsRenee EilenFirst United Methodist ChurchDavid and Vicki FairleighRobert P. GainesCynthia A. Gibbs-OlneyGilmore Services, Inc.Audrey GrillLeAnne HamiltonMylene HendersonRovena HillsmanMr. and Mrs. William Hofferbert, Jr.Art and Mary Hufford

Dawn D. JohnJuanita JohnsonJim and Norma JohnsonBill and Jo JonesCharles and Janet KahnGenevieve KaiserJune KassahnJames and Vicki KittrellJim and Susan LeathGuy and Ann LivingstonFlack and Kathleen LoganMr. and Mrs. Matthew MazeikaMargaret McGrawEd and Kitty MeadowsRobert and Angela MillsLarry and Sarah MosleyJeff NallNaval Aviation Memorial ChapelProtestant CommunityTanya and Lauren NelsonTed and Betty NickinsonJoyce NoblesOur Lady of Loreto Catholic

Community, NASJohn and Doris OpdykeJulie Tippins ParkerWayne and Sharon PeacockMr. and Mrs. John PeacockRobert and Susan PenfoldMarie PercyEdythe PersingDr. and Mrs. Dennis PetersWilliam and Charlotte ReddingSydney and Rose RichardMr. and Mrs. Bobby RiggsReed and Jane Rollins

Gene Rosenbaum / Southern Scrap, Inc.

Dan and Marie RoweRosa SakalariosMr. and Mrs. Charles SherrillWylda SparrowCrystal SpencerShane StatonSue StinsonMargaret and Harry StoppMr. and Mrs. Gordon StoreyMr. and Mrs. Tommy TaitEthel TamburelloMr. and Mrs. Warren TateKathy ThorntonBarthalia ThurmanPaul and Lynn TobinGeorge and Barbara TouartMr. and Mrs. Ed TurnerSaul and Nancy UllmanMilton and Dona UsryDr. and Mrs. F. Norman VickersMr. and Mrs. Jim VickeryHannah Ruth WhiteGertrude WilsonKen and Elizabeth WoolfCouncilman P.C. WuBarbara J. YohananDr. and Mrs. Steven ZiemanGulf Breeze Mayor Beverly

Zimmern

In Memory of Joyce ArdBy: Mildred Anderson

In Memory of Bradley BullardBy: Mr. andMrs. Ed Turner

In Memory of Sara Grace Cooley Crews

By: Elizabeth Cooley and Justin Nelson

In Memory of Christine DeuellBy: James and Vicki KittrellBy: Lee and Wanda Garrett

In Memory of Lois HawleyAaron Hawley and LeAnne

Hamilton

In Memory of Herb HulbertBy: Larry and Sarah Mosley

In Memory of Bill McGintyBy: Brandell FloresBy: Mr. and Mrs. Donald HandBy: The Daisy Garden ClubBy: The Milestone Aquatic Club

In Memory of Mr. and Mrs. Byron Nall and Mr. and Mrs. Royce Hall

By: Jeff Nall and Kelle Lovelace

In Memory of Jesse NicholsonBy: Mrs. Virginia NicholsonBy: Mr. and Mrs. Wesley ChaversBy: Bruce and Frances TiddBy: Mr. and Mrs. Ray WertzBy: Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Phillips

In Honor of LeAnne HamiltonBy: Gulf Breeze Mayor Beverly

Zimmern


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Documents

COMING AGE - coawfla.org