Lifestyles After 50 • Southwest • May 2012

Lifestyles After 50 • May 2012 • page 2


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Dear Readers,

See those streamers on the cover? No,

it’s not New Year’s Eve. Rather, it’s a celebration of publishing the first copy of the new Lifestyles After 50 magazine. The magazine you’ve known as Senior Connection / Mature Lifestyles is making changes to better serve YOU, our readers. The change of name is all a part of our continuing effort to deliver the most up-to-date informational, educational and entertaining news items and stories. Since there isn’t just one way to live life after the age of 50, we’re adjusting and adapting to help you find ways to take advantage of the many options avail-able to you and to enrich your lives. Our west central Florida location offers an infinite variety of options in lifestyles: start a business of your own, go back to school, develop cultural and recreational talents and so much more. We are deeply committed to offering you new and fresh ideas for living the lifestyle you choose to the fullest. What you’ll find in Lifestyles After 50 will be suggestions for ways to cut to the chase and drop right into the next chapter of your life. Want to travel? We offer diverse

destination ideas. Looking for entertainment? Check our calendar each month. Looking for a good book? Watch for new book columns. And if you wonder how to turn on “that darn computer” or text the grand-kids or manage a Facebook account or how to use an iPhone, you’re in the company of many other readers. We will offer content that is clear, current and practical to help you navigate the waters of today’s technological world. We’ll be here to help you shape your days so you can live them to your greatest potential, whether in issues of health or exercise or creating tasty dishes in the kitchen. Thinking about volunteering more? We’ll tell you about where and how other people are giving back to their communities. Looking for options in housing? Wow! There are many and we’ll show you around. Our advertisers will find that our new Lifestyles After 50 will maximize the value of their advertising dollars through the introduction of our proprietary, web-based, lead genera-tion products found nowhere else. One thing you can count on not changing is the friendly, professional staff that you have come to know and count on over these many years; a staff that is optimistic about the future and dedicated to promoting

growth and diversity, both for the community and the individual reader. As Editor, my search for content will include finding ways you can enhance your life, whether you have just turned 50 and have that new AARP card in your wallet or whether you’ve just turned 90 and are in training for the Senior Games. And if you’re somewhere in between, I’ll be cheering you on no matter what lifestyle you’ve chosen. Kathy Beck is Publisher and Direc-tor of the many expos and events we sponsor. Watch for the next Senior Fun Fest or Senior Friendly Extravaganza in your area to find the very latest in products, services and information for your lifestyle. You’ll enjoy the entertainment, giveaways, prizes and fun at all of the events. Drop me an email ([email protected]). Give me your feedback and ideas on what new items you would like to see. Let me know how we can enhance your Lifestyles After 50 And I’m so glad you’re joining us for the journey forward.Bon Voyage,

We’ve Changed Our Name to Lifestyles After 50!

Tell us what you love about your lifestyle after 50 in 20 words or less. We will select our favorite writeup as the winner on May 25. The winner will receive a three-night summertime getaway at Gaylord Palms, Kissimmee. The winning

writeup will also be published in the June edition of Lifestyles After 50. Good luck!

Mail To: Attn./Lifestyles After 50 Contest

News Connection USA, Inc.P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583

Name:

City: State: Zip: Age:

Street Address:

Phone: Email:

Janice Doyle, Editor

I Love My Lifestyle After 50!Win!

A summertime getaway package to Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee. Includes a three-night stay for up to four people (one room), daily breakfast and resort fees and daily

parking for one vehicle. Reservations must be made and used between May 31 and Aug. 30, 2012. Good luck!

Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc

Lee, Collier & Charlotte Edition

General ManagerDave Tarantul

[email protected]/Director of Events & Marketing

Kathy J. [email protected]

EditorJanice Doyle

[email protected] ce Manager

Vicki [email protected] Assistant

Nancy [email protected]

Advertising SalesLee/Collier and Charlotte

Nancy Kuehne: (239) 822-6150

Distribution(941) 375-6260

News Connection USA, Inc.P.O. Box 638

Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

(813) 653-1988 • 1-888-670-0040Fax: (813) 651-1989

www.lifestylesafter50fl .com

(941) 375-6260 • (877) 535-3749Fax: (941) 375-8178

www.lifestylesafter50fl .com

Sarasota/ManateeJulie Simzak: (941) 685-1676

Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily refl ect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or dis-continue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the June 2012 issue is May 15, 2012. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Our other editions:

To learn more, call 1-888-670-0040

Production Supervisor/Graphic DesignKim Burrell

[email protected] Editor/Production Assistant

Tracie [email protected]

Customer Service(941) 375-6260

[email protected]

Sarasota Edition: Sarasota/ManateeHillsborough Edition: Hillsborough CountySuncoast Edition: Pinellas/Pasco Counties

Lake Edition: Lake/Marion Counties

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Fridays Laughter Yoga, Lynn Hall Park, Ft. Myers Beach. 8 a.m.

Simple exercises and laughter. Bring a beach towel. Parking is $2/hour. For details, see laughteryoga.orgor call (239) 229-7356.

Saturdays Pine Needle Weaving Workshop at Charlotte County

Historical Center. 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.Cost: class is $15; supplies are $10. Details at (941) 629-7278.

Through 13 Legally Blonde the Musical at Broadway Palm

Dinner Theatre, 1380 ColonialBlvd. Call (239) 278-4422 for tickets and information.

8 16, 22, 30 Informational meet-ings about options at Shell Point

Retirement Community. 10 a.m. In the Commons at The Woodlands neighborhood. Tours. Free. Reserva-tions required at (239) 466-1131.

12 Celebrate Mothers Tea for moms, grandmas, children

of all ages. 11:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m.Motivational speaker, lunch, specialty teas. $18/person. Lake Kennedy Center, Cape Coral. Information at (239) 574-0575.

13 Mets vs. Marlins Baseball Trip. Air conditioned baseball in

Miami’s Marlins Park. Tickets $64/ game ticket, round trip transportation, snacks and refreshments during the trip plus all tolls and parking fees. 9 a.m. departure from Tony Rotino Senior Center, Cape Coral. Return 7 p.m. Reservations at (239) 574-0807or email [email protected].

13 Mother’s Day Seminole Gulf Railway Train family dinner

special. Noon ($40/adults) or Murder Mystery Dinner ride at 5:30 p.m. (all tickets $66). Call (239) 275-8487for information and tickets.

18 Mangrove Gathering Eco Café, information session

and social gathering for people interested in environmental hap-penings. Coffee furnished, you

bring your mug. Eco Living Center, Rutenberg Park. Call John Kiseda at (239) 432-2163 for information.

18 – 20 Half Century SoftballTournament at Lee County

Sports Complex, Cape Coral. Games all day. Call Ludie at (239) 533-7407 for information.

18 Blues Brothers Soul Band tribute, outside stage at

Sidney & Berne Davis Art Centerduring the Music Walk. 7 – 11 p.m.Free (donations appreciated). Call (239) 333-1933 or visit sbdac.com.

19 Take the grandkids to “Dance Music Through the Centuries”

by Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra at Alliance for the Arts. For more information, call the Symphony Office at (239) 418-0996.

19 Sons of Norway, Gulf Coast Vikings of Estero meeting at

Breckenridge Golf & Tennis Club-house, 20091 Wimbledon Ct, Estero. $5. All Scandinavians welcome. Bring a pot luck dish to share. BYOB. 5 p.m. Gate info: Maxine at (239) 405-4026.

21 Kayak Alligator Creek in Punta Gorda with GAEA

Guides. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. CharlotteHarbor Estuary area. Florida Master Naturalist guide. $50 per person/all equipment included. Reservations at (239) 694-5513. Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; please fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. May 10 for June event.)

Around TownW H A T ’ S H A P P E N I N G M A Y 2 0 1 2

The Shell Point Golf Club offers special summer membership rates to golfers interested in joining the golf club from May 15 through Oct 15.

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Meet Frankie Avalon and Other Greats on the Malt Shop Memories CruiseAfter the extraor-

dinary success of the first two Malt Shop Memories Cruises, the next annual cruise will expand to a seven-day trip with more ports of call and ad-ditional performanc-es by an incredible array of stars from the ‘50s and ‘60s. Departing on Oct. 27 (through Nov. 3) from Fort Lauderdale, the cruise will set sail on Holland America’s luxurious M.S. Eurodam for Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas and the private island of Half Moon Cay. As a full ship charter, the Eurodam will be transformed into a floating ‘50s and ‘60s entertainment complex, treating passengers to concerts and special events such as sock hops, hula hoop contests, prom night, beach par-ties, and, of course, interaction with their favorite singers and much more.

Inspired by Time Life’s popular Malt Shop Memo-ries CD series, the voyage will be highlighted by performances by some of

the biggest artists of the era, including Dion, Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Ronnie Spector, Darlene Love, The Original Drifters, The Duprees, Sonny Turner (former lead singer of the Platters), Carl Gardner’s Coasters, Kenny Vance and

the Planotones, The Chiffons, The Tymes, The Marvelettes, Al “Lil Fats” Jackson, John Kuse and the Excellents, The Dedications, The Encounters, The Acchords, Gino Monopoli/Dwight Icenhower and, returning as the cruise host, the wildly popular oldies DJ Jerry “The Geator with the Heater” Blavat. “You’ll see some of the best entertainment from that wonderful era,” says Bobby Rydell. “Mix and mingle with all of us and bring back those great memories while making fabulous new ones.”

In addition to the incredible line-up of concerts, The Malt Shop Memories cruise will offer non-stop events, parties and ‘50s and ‘60s-themed activities throughout the ship and the entire length of the cruise. Grab your blanket for the beach party, kick off your shoes for the sock hop, dress in your finest for Prom Night and get ready to meet the performers in person during specially designed meet and greets. In celebration of the memory of the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley, the Malt Shop Memories Cruise will host the richest Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in the World. The event will feature some of the most well-known and talented tribute artists in the world competing for a cash prize of $5,000. Notes the Executive Producer of Time Life’s Malt Shop Memories CD collection, Alan Rubens, “They say you can’t live in the past—but it sure is fun visiting for a few days!” “Our staff had so much fun on the 2011 Malt Shop Memories

Cruise!” offers Michael Lazaroff of Entertainment Cruise Productions. “It was a joy meeting the guests, engaging the artists and bringing Malt Shop Memories to life. By moving the cruise to 7 days and to Holland America, the cruise now becomes a ‘home game’ for us and we promise that it will run like clockwork and the upgrades in rooms, service, food and amenities will only add to the fantastic musical experience.” The Malt Shop Memories Cruise was developed in association with Entertainment Cruise Productions, LLC. Tickets for the cruise are available now. Visit MaltShopCruise.com or call (877) 700-6258 (MALT). Cabin prices start at $1550 per person including all meals, entertain-ment and onboard activities. The Time Life Malt Shop Memories CD collection, featuring a 10-CD box set, a 4-CD set and a holiday disc, has sold nearly 4 million CDs and remains one of Time Life’s most popular sellers.



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Diane Keaton Refl ects on Her Career and Life

BY EVELYN MACKEY

Iconic actress Diane Keaton is still blazing her own way. At 67

she’s the still-never-married mother of two adopted children, ages 17 and 12. She has 50 movies and TV shows under her belt. In the ‘70s, she started a fashion trend for unisex clothes. Indeed, Keaton can dress “like a bag lady, among a host of women in spectacular dresses, and look individual rather than ridicu-lous,” according to one writer. Keaton is best known for playing eccentric, free-spirited characters who speak in rushed, awkward sentences and who laugh easily at life’s cir-cumstances. It is those sentences and circumstances that make her endearing and charming to fans of all ages.

This month marks the release of her autobiography titled Then Again, in which she refl ects on the girl she was and the actress she became. As her mother was suffering with Alzheimer’s and having watched her father die of a brain tumor, Keaton took her mother’s 85 journals and began mixing her mother’s life story gently with her own life and feelings. One of the biggest revelations in Then Again is Keaton’s struggle with bulimia. “With bulimia, I never expected sympathy or for people to understand,” she said in an interview with AARP. “What I cared about was the secret I kept. It felt like a burden. I never told my mother. It’s amazing how the dark secrets inside us don’t matter much to the outside world.”

Her track to stardom Her breakout role was on Broadway in the ‘60s in Hair. As understudy to the lead, she gained attention by not removing any of her clothing. In 1971, Keaton won a part in The Godfather, holding her own opposite legends like Al Pacino and Marlon Brando. Two years later she reprised her role in The Godfather: Part II, and in 1990, she fi nished the trilogy in Godfather III. Keaton had a long relationship with Woody Allen and rose to fame in part through a series of his hit comedies. She would later say of that time: “When I fi rst got to know

Woody and I was going out with him, I noticed that people never wanted to hear anything that I had to say at all. They just wanted to be in the shadow of his light and I remember really having a hard time with that.” But it was Woody Allen whose 1977’s Annie Hall brought about her fi rst and only Oscar for Best Actress. After Woody, she was soon paired with Warren Beatty. He cast Diane in his sweeping historical epic Reds (1981), though the two broke up shortly following the release of the fi lm. Her comedy hits included co-starring with Steve Martin in Father of the Bride in 1991 and Father of the Bride, Part II in 1995 and with Goldie Hawn in The First Wives Club. Capitalizing on senior audiences to understand later-life love, Keaton co-starred with Jack Nicholson in 2003’s Something’s Gotta Give, which grossed $125 million in North Ameri-ca. Roger Ebert wrote that “Nicholson and Keaton bring so much experience, knowledge and humor to their char-acters that the fi lm works in ways the screenplay might not have even hoped for.” The following year, Keaton received her fourth Academy Award nomination for her role in the fi lm.

What next? In an exclusive interview with AARP the Magazine, Keaton revealed how she feels about reaching age 67. She said, “Let me tell you the best part about getting older. The best part is that I’m still here and, because the end is in sight, I treasure it all more. That’s why I don’t worry about crying

in a scene anymore. Now it comes easily. I know the emotion’s all there. You have to live life that way, you know? Take risks. Do things you can’t imagine. ’Cause hey, why not, right?” Would she have plastic surgery? She told the interviewer: “I haven’t had it, but never say never. Because when you do, you are defi nitely go-

ing to go there. . . I’ve done all kinds of things I said I wouldn’t do and, of course, now I’m glad. Thrilled.” And what does her future hold? What would she like to fi nd as an actor? “A really out-there role where I let it all hang out. Get totally enraged. Go to an extreme. I have not really had that op-portunity, and I hope it will happen.” You can view AARP the Magazine’s entire article at www.aarp.org/entertainment/movies-for-grownups/info-03-2012/age-defying-diane-keaton.html.

She and Woody Allen made a total of eight

movies together.

Her salary for making The Godfather in 1972 was $35,000. In 1990, her salaryfor making The Godfather,

Part III was $1,500,000.

1995: Chosen by Empire magazine as one of the “100 Sexiest Stars

in Film History” (#46).

2006: Her performance as Annie Hall in Annie Hall is ranked #60 on Premiere Magazine’s 100 Greatest Performances of All Time.

Next up, she stars in Darling Companion.

Diane Keaton wins an Oscar for Best Actress


Windows 8: Ready or Not?

Now that Windows 8 has been released, have you tried

it? If so, what do you think? Windows 8 has not been released commercially yet,

though the Consumer Preview Edition made its debut on February 29. As a card-carrying geek with chronically nerdy tendencies, I have been using it since that time. Windows 8 introduces many new features and constitutes a significant change from Windows 7. I have a few concerns, though overall I like it. My complete review can be read at http://bit.ly/yl3RBx.

I am thinking about buying a Kindle or Kindle Fire reader, in

part because I would like to read your eBooks, but I have a few questions first: What formats are supported by

eReaders? What is the typical battery life of an eReader? Does using an eReader hurt one’s eyesight? Thanks, Mr. M.

TXT and .PDF files are supported by all eReaders, as are basic im-

age files such as .GIF and .JPG. Beyond these fundamental formats, supported formats vary depending on the eReader. As far as the typical battery, displaying pages of a book in an eReader uses very little power. The most power is used when turning pages. Battery life is normally listed as 7,000 to 8,000 page turns, which would constitute several weeks of heavy reading, or about 36 minutes if you’re Evelyn Wood. Regarding any harm to one’s eyesight, according to my ophthalmologist, Dr. Jerry “Squinty” Anderson, absolutely not. In fact, compared to a computer screen, there is less eyestrain with an eBook reader because it will generally have a higher resolution and refresh rate, resulting in the absence of screen flicker.

I receive the following security warning when I open my Gmail:

“Do you want to view only the Web page content that was delivered to you securely?” How can I prevent this from appearing? I’m using Internet Explorer, if that makes any difference.

That type of warning is not emanating from Gmail, but

rather from your browser. Gmail itself has no strong feelings about what you view. It will be happy to display anything you click. You didn’t mention what version of Internet Explorer you’re using, so try this—and if the wording isn’t precise for your version, it should be close enough that you can locate the appropriate settings: Go to Tools > Internet Options > Security > Secu-rity tab > Custom Level button. In the Miscellaneous section, change Display Mixed Content to Enable, then save and exit. That should take care of it.

The status bar on my screen is about an inch and a quarter

wide, and I do not know how to make it smaller. Can you help?

By “status bar,” I’m assuming that you mean the Taskbar—the large

bar that appears across the bottom of the screen. If so, that is designed to expand or contract, which can come in handy. I have a very large monitor, for example, so I keep my Taskbar about three times the normal size so I can see a multitude of open programs and windows. To adjust the size of the Taskbar. First, right-click it and make sure it shows that it is Unlocked. Then place your cursor on the top horizontal edge of the Taskbar until it (your cursor, not the Taskbar) turns into a double-headed arrow. While pressing the left mouse button, slowly drag the bar down toward the bottom of the screen and it will “collapse” incrementally, in steps or tiers, to the size you want it to be. When you’re done, right-click and lock the Taskbar so it won’t move or change in the future.

For answers to your questions by e-mail, or to subscribe to Mr. Modem’s award-winning weekly newsletter, visit www.MrModem.com.

Mr.Modemby Richard Sherman

&

Stay Connected!

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BY GINNY GRIMSLEY

Some say the ‘60s hippies are going back to the commune.

Others call the growing number of female baby boomers rooming togeth-er “The Golden Girls phenomenon.” Author Martha Nelson, who at 65 is on the leading edge of a tsunami of retiring boomers, says it’s really all about choosing the company of friends. “As a group, we’ve been empowered more than past generations of women,” says Nelson, whose debut novel, Black Chokeberry (BlackChokeberryTheBook.com), is the story of three disparate older women who unexpectedly end up shar-ing a home. “We’re more worldly, stron-ger, financially savvy and healthier than our ancestors—through no fault of their own—and we know what we want.”

Increasingly, what they want is to actively age with the camaraderie, laughter, understanding and support of other women who share their ideas of healthy lifestyles, good food from their own gardens, green living and myriad activities on a moment’s notice. In 2010, 480,000 baby boom women lived with a least one unrelated female, according to an AARP analysis. The growing number of U.S. HomeShare programs, which help connect people interested in sharing a house, say their numbers have been steadily rising since the economy belly-flopped. Nelson notes that there are several reasons why women more than men

are gravitating to communal livingas an alternative lifestyle. “Women typically live longer than men, and men are more likely to remarry quickly after a divorce or the death of a spouse,” she says. “And fundamentally I think it’s as much about the special bonds women share. We form these wonderful, supportive, ‘tell the truth’ friendships, which survive the demands of hus-bands, children and careers. Whether living alone or with a spouse or partner, women cling to their friendships. When a woman considers living alone as she ages, it’s a natural progression to seek the company of her best friends.” That’s what happened to Nelson, a former journalist and educator, whose long marriage ended in divorce when she was in her 50s. In regainingher balance as a single woman, she sought time alone to heal, then turned to her trusted friends as she stepped back into life. Her happiest moments came from long conversationsover coffee, laughter over meals

and movies and, occasionally, indulgent tears she felt safe to shed. The movement for cohousing—where residents have private living spaces but share common areas and tasks such as cooking—started in Denmark and is catching on in the United States. Practical considerations of creating close living communities include health and safety, care in times of an accident or medical emergency, and saving money, Nelson says. But boomers are renowned for demanding more than creature comforts from life, she adds. “We want to be happy; we’re healthy, active and we want to enjoy ourselves as we age. We want to travel, go to a movie with a neighbor or housemate, cook a meal, share a garden, and feel that we are contributing to our communities. “What started with Rosie the Riveter has brought us to this,” says Nelson who is happily marriedagain, but fascinated by the new movement of cohousing.

Communal Living Attracting More 60-Something Women

Mothers Day Dictionary of MeaningsIn honor of all the

years our readers spent as mothers and grandmothers, we give you a new, revised dictionary of terms: Dumbwaiter: One who asks if the kids would care to order dessert.Feedback: The inevitable result when the baby doesn’t appreciate the strained carrots.Full Name: What you call your child when you’re mad at him.Grandparents: The people who think your children are wonderfuleven though they’re sure you’re not raising them right.Hearsay: What toddlers do when anyone mutters a dirty word.Independent: How we want ourchildren to be for as long as theydo everything we say.

Puddle: A small body of water that draws other

small bodies wearing dry shoes into it.

Show Off: A child who is

more talented than yours.

Sterilize: What you do to your first baby’s

pacifier by boiling it, and to your last baby’s pacifier by blow-ing on it and wiping it with saliva.

Top Bunk: Where you should never put a child wearing Superman jammies.Two-Minute Warning: When the baby’s face turns red and she begins to make those familiar grunting noises.Whodunit: None of the kids that live in your house. Share with anyone who has been a mother! They’ll understand it all.

If Today Was Your Last Day…If today was

your last day, would you die with no regrets? The Top 5 Regrets of the Dying began as a blog post, quickly garnering thousands of views and shares and becoming one of the most popular blog posts of 2012. With three million followers, Bronnie Ware collected years of insight into a new bestselling book that focuses on how we, the living, can make the most out of our lives right now. After switching from a career in finance to palliative care, Bronnie realized that almost every person she cared for shared at least one of five common regrets:

1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself.

2. I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.

3. I wish I’d been brave enough to express my feelings.

4. I wish I’d stayed in touch with my friends.

5. I wish I’d let myself be happier.

These sound like simple wishes, but as she traveled through her cli-ents’ despair, Bronnie was able to engage with the retroactive inten-tions of the departing to improve

her own life, removing layers of personal doubt and sadness in order to live more freely and consciously choose happiness. Squaring off with death is a universalreality that touches us all. The book’sinsights urge readers to live actively inthe here and now. So, if today was your last day, would you be dying with any regrets? “The Top Five Regrets of the Dying,”by Bronnie Ware.


Veterans Corner

BY RALPH MCCLURG

Honor Guard units from numer-ous veterans groups across the

country perform military funeral honors for fallen comrades. However, the groups provide “the colors” for many other ceremonial events. Veterans who join a group such as an American Legion all agree that providing funeral honors is an honor.” Mourners at these funerals often assume the military coordinates the ceremony, but in reality, the military is only required to send two active duty personnel to fold and present the flag. Other than that, the family or funeral home will request the presence of the Honor Guard. Joan Arcand was a Navy nurse during the Korean War. Today she serves as chaplain of Suncoast Chapter of the Korean War Veterans, Chapter 14, Pinellas Park. “We provide military funerals,”she said. “It doesn’t matter what war they served in, we will acceptan assignment wherever a veteranhas a service.” Her group is one of several in the area that provide this important service for veterans. “It’s a final thank you for their service. All veterans have stories to tell.” The honor guards represent those stories to the families. Chapter 14 has a dozen or more men Arcand can call upon to help her. “Providing Honor Guard service is something we’ve taken on as what

we want to do in our retirement. We don’t usually know the men we do funerals for personally, but we do know them in another way because we all served overseas, or in battle.” Arcand said she has prayers for various religious denominations which have been sanctioned for use. Three riflemen and someone to play Taps are with her as well. “I do a eulogy,” said Arcand, “and give a synopsis of their military life. Ministers who come take care of the vet’s soul; I take care of their military service. When I close, then we play Taps.” Arcand considers it “an honor to be serving people and doing this. I seldom have a difficult time getting people to serve with me at a funeral.” Besides participating in funerals, Chapter 14 also participates in other occasions when the “colors” require official presentation at ceremonies.

Honor Guards Represent Military WellAt a recent Senior Fun Fest,

Honor Guard from American Legion Chapter 14,

St. Petersburg, folded an antique 48-star American flag. It was presented to

the oldest veteran present, 97-year-old Alexander E. Forbes, Army Air Corps

(below). He piloted C-47s, mostly paratroop carriers in the European theater of war.


Playing Around at Shell PointWhen it comes

to retirement living in Southwest Florida, senior adults often find themselves with time to explore new opportunities for hobbies and recre-ation that they were not able to enjoy while working full-time and raising their families. Such is the case for those living at Shell Point Retire-ment Community. According to Mary Franklin, resort services manager for Shell Point, there are more than 50 activities to choose from every day, and many of the new activities that are introduced every year are actually started by new residents.

Model Yacht Racing Such was the case with Shell Point’s Model Yacht Club, which was started in 2008 by Charlie Picek, an avid model sailboat builder. In the begin-ning, Charlie and another Shell Point resident, Wes Allison, collaborated on the organization of the group and each time the group gets together for a race, a crowd of spectators gathers to cheer on their favorite sailors. The group is always accepting new sailors. Charlie added with a smile, “We are just a club for fun. We only have a few simple rules, and we don’t do too much ramming.”

Bocce Ball Meet Erna Hennick, a 94-year old bocce enthu-siast and leader of the Shell Point Bocce Group. “When you were a baby, the fi rst thing you learned to do was roll a ball. Anyone can do it,” said Erna. “It’s simple and it’s fun!” Bocce has become such a popular sport that Shell Point now offers indoor and outdoor bocce games to accom-modate the number of residents participating.

Getting Crafty Shell Point makes sure that residents who have hobbies or passions are able to continue to fulfi ll those by helping to organize various clubs and groups. Take the Activity Tunnel, where residents can access a pottery studio, fully equipped woodshop, train room, art studio, computer labs, stained glass studio, dark room and more. June Lockhart is a resident in her nineties who has taken full advantage of these opportunities by teaching others how

to make beautiful pottery. June remarks that, “It took only one look at Shell Point’s Pottery Studio, and we signed up right away!” The studio is well-equipped with two kilns, three potters’ wheels, a slab roller, spray booth, and all the hand tools imaginable. In fact, June’s pottery goblets are even utilized during each service at her church, Iona-Hope Episcopal Church in Fort Myers.

Train Room Boys also have their toys here with the Shell Point Train Room, led by resident Phil Steen who is in his late eighties. The Gulfcoast Model Railroad is a 40 x 40 platform in the shape of the state of Florida, with all the major landmarks noted, based in the 1950s. The entire train display is handmade by resident volunteers. Phil has enjoyed working with this group for many years,

and spends a lot of time making sure that all the trains are running on track.

Tennis is Served Jack Dryer loves to be active in the game of tennis! When he and his wife moved to Shell Point in 2000, not only did he continue to play his favorite sport of tennis, he took on the role of tennis coor-dinator and helped the resident group to grow each year. “I was looking for an activity that would keep me active and in shape

during retirement!” said Dryer.

Drama Queen Resident Ruth Deuber is the volunteer director behind SPOT (Shell Point’s Own Theater), which offers theatrical performances in a dramatic reading format. The group meets twice a month with other residents who love theater and enjoy the drama of reading plays with one another. The group has grown quite a bit and for several years, and Ruth handles the organizational legwork needed to continue the reading sessions while also directing live performances for audiences of 500 to 800 people once or twice a year. “Being a part of SPOT just brings joy and so much fun,” said Ruth. “You really become a family, and it’s especially reward-ing when our audience laughs.”

Erna Hennick Jack Dryer

June Lockhart

Celebrate Older Americans MonthMay is Older Americans

Month. Since 1963, communities across the nation have joined in the annual commemoration of Older Americans Month—a proud tradition that shows our nation’s commitment to celebrating the contribu-tions and achievements of older Americans.

The theme for Older Americans Month this year is Never Too Old to Play! With baby-boomers reaching retirement age, many com-munities have increased their efforts to provide meaningful opportunities for older adults. Current trends show that people over age 60 account for an ever-growing percentage

of participants in community service positions, faith-based organizations, online social networking as well as arts and recreational groups. Lifelong participation in social, creative and physical activities has proven many health benefits as we age. Older Americans also strengthen our communities

by encouraging others to stay active. Young people who have significant relationships with a grandparent or elder report that these relationships helped shape their values, goals and life choices. We Salute our Older Americans this month and every month. Thanks for setting a great example for all of us.


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else. It had four different digital displays, about a dozenbuttons, was waterproof toabout a thousand feet, and Ithink it could even tell me theweather. I’ll never know, though,because, like I said, it’s in thetrash. Turns out it couldn’t dothe one thing I want a watch todo … tell me the correct time. Italways ran a little slow, whichwas bad enough, but therewere so many displays andthey were so small that I couldn’ttell the time even if it was accurate.When I tried to reset it, I pushed thewrong button and set it on military time,and I couldn’t figure out how to switch itback. That was the last straw. Now, I’vegot a great watch. It’s super-accurate,easy-to-read, and it will even tell … yestell … me the time. Best of all, I’ll neverhave to set it! This is the watch I’vebeen waiting for.

Whether you travel or not… this watch isa necessity. This Talking Atomic Watchfrom firstSTREET maintains its phenomenal accuracy because it is designed to receive a signal from the US Atomic Clock in Fort Collins,Colorado. This clock is the standard for time measurement worldwide… itcan go 20 million years without gainingor losing a second! It never needs to be set, because it automatically adjustsitself for daylight savings time and leap years.

Easy to read, even easier to hear.The most accurate watch in the world is of no use if you can’t read it. Thistimepiece is designed to tell you thecorrect time… anytime. It features aclear, uncluttered analog display thatyou won’t need reading glasses to see.Best of all, you can press a button and it will tell you the time in a clear,

easy-to-understand voice. So whetheryou’re driving to an appointment or dining in a candlelit restaurant … youare sure to know the exact time. Pressthe button again and it will even tell youthe day and date if you want. There’seven an automatic hourly chime.

Try it for yourself… it’s risk-free.The US Atomic Clock cost billions tobuild and maintain, but you can havethe next best thing for less than onehundred dollars. Thanks to a specialarrangement with the manufacturer,we can offer you this watch at a special price with our exclusive home trial. If you are not completelyamazed by the accuracy and qualityof this product, simply return it within90 days for a “No Questions Asked” refund of the product purchase price.Call now.

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The Healthy GeezerBY FRED CICETTI

Q. What are the benefits of vitamins?

A: It’s very important to talk with your doctor before you take any vitamin and mineral pills, especially if you take prescription medicines, have any health problems or are elderly. Taking too much of a vitamin or mineral can cause problems with some medical tests or interfere with drugs you’re taking. Vitamins and minerals are “micronutrients” your body needs in small but steady amounts. Your body can’t make most micronutrients, so you must get them elsewhere. Vitamins are natural substances found in plants and animals. There are two types of vitamins: water-soluble and fat-soluble. Water-soluble vitamins are easily absorbed by your body. Unlike fat-soluble vitamins, they don’t have to be absorbed using bile acids (fluids used to digest fats). Your body doesn’t store large amounts of water-soluble vitamins. The water-soluble vitamins you don’t need are removed by your kidneys and come out in your urine Your body has to use bile acids to absorb fat-soluble vitamins. Once these vitamins are absorbed, your body stores them in body fat. When you need them, your body takes them out of storage to be used. Here are some water-soluble vitamins: Vitamin C, biotin and the seven B vitamins—thiamin (B-1), riboflavin (B-2), niacin (B-3), pantothenic acid (B-5), pyridoxine (B-6), folic acid (B-9) and cobalamin (B-12). Here are some fat-soluble vitamins: A, D, E or K. Minerals come from the earth or from water. Plants and animals absorb them to get nutrients. The “major minerals” are calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, sulfur and chloride. They are considered major minerals be-cause adults need them in large amounts. The “trace minerals” are chro-mium, copper, fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and zinc. Your body needs them in smaller amounts.

It would be hard to “overdose” on vitamins or minerals that you get from the foods you eat. But if you take supplements, you can easily take too much. This is even more of a risk if you take fat-soluble vitamins. Whole foods are your best sources of vitamins and minerals. They offer three main benefits over supplements;1. They contain a variety of the micronutrients your body needs. An orange, for example, provides vitamin C but also beta carotene, calcium and other nutrients. A vitamin C supple-ment lacks these other micronutrients. 2. They provide dietary fiber, which is important for digestion and can help pre-vent certain diseases such as cancer, dia-betes and heart disease. Adequate fiber intake can also help prevent constipation. 3. They contain other substances such as antioxidants which slow down the natural process that leads to cell and tissue damage. If you depend on supplements rather than eating a variety of whole foods, you miss the potential benefits of these substances. For some people, including those on restrictive diets, multivitamin-mineral supplements can provide vitamins and minerals that their diets often don’t. Older people and pregnant women have altered nutrient needs and may also benefit from a supplement. If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How To Be A Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2012 by Fred Cicetti.


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239-368-8277

Team physicians for the Everblades, Miracle baseball, Minnesota Twins and several local high school football teams.

John Kagan, M.D. Michael Jugan, D.O. Pedro Monserrate, M.D. Peter Curcione, D.O. David Sudderth, M.D. Peter Walimire, D.P.M. John Kagan, M.D. Michael Jugan, D.O. Pedro Monserrate, M.D. Peter Curcione, D.O. David Sudderth, M.D. Peter Walimire, D.P.M.

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• Neurology• Podiatry• Spine Care• Sports Injuries

ATHLETIC ORTHOPEDIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE CENTER offers a full spectrum of sports medicine and reconstructive orthopedic care including the surgical and non-surgical treatment of sports and work-related injuries and orthopedic conditions caused by age, heredity and disease.


Planning for Long-Term Care is so important. Learn all you can about something that can jeopardize the

financial future of your entire family.

Rosemarie Hurley, CSA, has 18 years experience as a Long-Term Care Specialist. She brokers with many fine insurance companies and can find the right company to suit your needs.

For a FREE packet of information call today...

The Long Term Care Crisis in America BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSALong-Term Care Insurance Specialist

The baby boomer generation: 77,000,000 people are living even

longer than their parents. Families live further apart than before due to job constraints and the housing markets. Preparing to keep our older generation safe is more important than ever. The latest published out of pocket costs for Long-Term Care for 2010-2011 have been released:• Skilled Nursing Facility Care:

$83,585 annually• Assisted living Facility Care:

$39,516 annually• Alzheimer’s/Memory Care Units:

$85,045 annually• Home Health Care:

$43,065+ annually The current economic troubles could not have come as a worse time for seniors. Many individuals who chose the “self-funding” approach to Long-Term Care future needs now realize that it is fi nancially challenging. With a depressed real estate market and historically low CD and money market rates, the ability to self-insure has come under extreme pressure. If parents are in relatively good health, the time to consider Long-Term Care insurance is NOW. If it is unaffordable for your parents, family members are realizing that the premiums are far more affordable than the actual costs. Many families have come to me to work out an arrangement where the premiums are split between the children. This is a very doable solution.

There are many ways to accomplish this. There are plans that refund all premiums back to the benefi ciaries if a person dies without using the LTC plan. There are shared plans—one policy to be shared by two people which helps with affordability. There are even plans for people who still own life insurance, who can “exchange” it for Long-Term Care benefi ts. The creative plans now available help to rectify the situation for those who failed to plan. And for the children, the baby boomers themselves, the time to create your own planning strategies is here. You will pay your premiums longer, however, your premiums, compared to those you might pay for parents, are drastically less. Be-gin the process while you are healthy to take advantage of the best possible rates. Planning ahead is smart and necessary to secure a happy, relaxed retirement. Shift the risk away from you and onto the insurance company. It makes good sense. For a free consultation about the various ways to accomplish this fi nancial protec-tion, please send me an email, visit my website, or pick up the phone and call me.

Rosemarie Hurley, President of Senior Insurance Solutions, has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for over 18 years, brokers with only the fi nest insurance companies in the industry and is contracted with EVERY company offering a product. She is a Certifi ed Senior Advisor and Past President of the local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is a member of the Bonita and the Estero Chambers, and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Estero. She can be reached at (239) 274-6678 or at her website: longtermcareinsurance-online.com.

Safety Improves the Bathroom

It is a fact of life that as we age safety is the most important thing

to keep in mind when considering a bathroom remodel. Statistically, more accidents occur in the bathroom than in any other place in the home. So by planning your bathroom space prop-erly you can reduce the chance of slips or falls and create an area that is easy to use for people of all abilities. Most homes in America have bathtubs that are not accessible. This presents a very big safety issue for people who wish to age in place. For a standard tub, there are several things you can do to make it safer for an elderly person. Installing grab bars, shower seats and applying an anti-slip coating to the tub floor are three rea-sonably priced options. It’s still diffi-cult to maneuver around the tub sides. A best-practice idea is to install a bathtub which offers a safer way to enter the tub. There are also a wide

variety of walk-in tubs on the market that can replace your existing tub.

Adjustable Shower Heads An adjustable shower head (which moves to suit the height and position most comfortable for a user) is a great way to add accessibility to a bath-room. Combining it with a hand-held shower head creates an even more functional experience. Using these two in conjunction with a shower seat will make it much easier to bathe while providing an increased level of safety.

Volunteer OpportunityFlorida’s Long-Term

Care Ombudsman Pro-gram needs volunteers to join its corps of dedicated advocates who protect the rights of elders who live in nursing homes, assisted living facili-ties and adult family care homes. The program’s local councils are seeking additional volunteers to identify, investigate and resolve residents’

concerns. Special training and certification is provided. All interested individuals who care about protecting the health, safety, welfare and rights of long-term

care facility residents—who often have no one else to advocate for them—are encouraged to call toll-free 1-888-831-0404 or visit the program’s website at ombudsman.myflorida.com.


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Senior Volunteers Recognized

RSVP of Lee County is joining the nationwide celebration of the 3rd

Annual Senior Corps Week: “Making a Difference for Generations,” May 11 – 17, spotlighting the extraordinary work done by Senior Corps members in communities across Florida. RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program) is a national program locally sponsored by Senior Friend-ship Centers and supported by the United Way of Lee County. “Communities across America are seeing the benefits from the talent and skill older Americans offer through volunteering,” said Robert Velasco II, acting CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. “During Senior Corps Week we celebrate the powerful impact of the more than 450,000 Senior Corps volunteers who are helping to solve problems ranging from poverty and illiteracy to helping seniors con-tinue to live independently.” “Along with delivering enormous social and economic benefit to communities nationwide, volunteer service also allows older Americans to remain active and healthy, an outcome that is critical as our nation strives to lower health care costs in times of budget constraints,” said Dr. Tan. “More than two decades of research establishes a strong relationship between volunteering and health, and we are seeing that those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of

depression and disease later in life than those who do not volunteer.” Senior Corps works through existing organizations and helps them reach more people and better achieve their mission. For more than four decades, the three Senior Corps programs—RSVP, Foster Grandparents, and Se-nior Companions—have engaged age 55-plus volunteers in service to meet critical needs. Last year, over 337,000 Senior Corps volunteers provided 96.2 million hours of service estimated to be worth more than $2 billion. In 2011, 1,000 Senior Corps members in RSVP of Lee County performed 173,514 hours of service estimated to be worth $3,706,259. The volunteers served in over 30 agencies such as food banks, soup kitchens, disaster and emergency services, elementary schools, senior service agencies, environmental agencies and more. We would like to thank all those 55-plus volunteers who are giving their time and talents to make Lee County a better place for all. We would be remiss if we did not take this time to express how valuable your service is to all the citizens of Lee County. For more information on Senior Corps and its programs please visit www.seniorcorps.gov. If you would like to be a part of the RSVP of Lee County, please call 275-1881 ext. 203. Submitted by Margaret Baugher, Director, RSVP of Lee County.

FREE INFORMATION SERVICELifestyles After 50

for information please return completed form to:News Connection USA, Inc. • P.O. Box 278 • Laurel FL 34272-0278

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The Best ofCharlotte County

Lifestyles After 50 Is Your Connection To The Seniors Of Charlotte County

May 2012

Charlotte County!

12 Florida Cajun music with The

Yard Dogs, 5 – 9 p.m., Center Stage.

16 Country Line Dance Lessons,

7 – 9 p.m., Center Court, $3/person.

19 Fremont John performs live on

center stage, 5 – 9 p.m.

26 The Doo Wop Crew performs live music from 5 – 9 p.m., Center Stage.

Fishermen’s Village is on the waterfront in Punta Gorda. Call (941) 575-3007 for details.

5 Cinco De Mayo Dinner Theater. Dinner: 5:30

p.m., show: 7 p.m. $25.

17 Day trip to see “Under The

Streetlamp” at Barbara B. Mann Theater. $82. (941) 625-4175 ext. 204.

21 CC Big Band USO: London. 7 p.m. $9.

24 Come by for lunch and get a ticket

to watch a movie on the big screen! Movie info: (941) 625-4175 ext. 261.

All events at Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. Tickets, times and info: (941) 625-4175.

13 Mother’s Day Dinner. Seatings

at noon and 2 p.m. Adults $13.95, children 10 and under $9.95. Prime rib, baked ham, roasted turkey, fixins, desserts. Cultural Center of Char-lotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. (941) 625-4175.

28 Memorial Day Ceremony. Music

at 11 a.m., Ceremony at noon. Fishermen’s Village Center Court, followed by a reception in Military Museum. Details: (941) 575-9002.

Join Us For Our June 2012 Edition!

888-670-0040

Call for Special Rates and Marketing Packages for the Best of Charlotte County!

• Country Fest, May 6. Featured performer: Craig Morgan. Come for arts and crafts, merchandise, BBQ, burgers, corn on the cob, ice cream, lemonade and beer. Kids’ activities. Bring blanket and lawn chair. Charlotte County Fairgrounds, 2333

El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte. Details: (941) 206-1188

• Emancipation Day Celebration, May 19. Noon to 3 p.m. at Blanchard House Museum, 406 Martin Luther King Blvd.,

Punta Gorda. The program will include re-enactments of slave narratives, and everyone is invited to tour the museum. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and take a trip back to the early 1900s.

Refreshments will be served. Free to the public. (941) 575-7518

• Hibiscus Festival May 19 and 20. Saturday night: Music Fest. Both days: hibiscus flower and tropical plant vendors, live entertainment, food and refreshments. 9 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Laishley Park, 100 Nesbit Street, Punta Gorda. (941) 639-0760

Helping Hands• R.S.V.P. (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program): (941) 613-2299.

• Meals on Wheels/Friendship Cafe Dining Sites: (941) 255-0723.• Elder Helpline of Southwest Florida: 1-800-398-4233.

Senior Centers and Resources• Senior Friendship Centers: (941) 255-0723 or friendshipcenters.org.

• Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida: (239) 652-6901 or aaaswfl.org.• O.C.E.A.N. (Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network): (941) 235-4500 or ocean-fl.org.

• Charlotte County Council On Aging: (941) 627-2177 or charlottecoa.org.

FEATURED EVENTS

Fun Events In Charlotte County

HappyMemorial Day!

May28

AllAbout

Dad


Charlotte Senior Fun Fest Had “A Little Bit of Everything”Last month we

celebrated our 17th annual Senior Fun Fest at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County. The event was packed with senior friendly exhibitors, fun stuff and entertainment. Over 2,300 people attended throughout the day and enjoyed bingo, dancing, tasty muffins from Perkins and samples of the new nutritional drink from Boost. There was also important information on health, local services, finance and lifestyles. Says Kathy Beck, event promoter,” We try to balance a little bit of everything into this event so everyone finds something of interest to them.”

The highlight of the day was Fritzy the One Man Circus, who towered over a lobby full of people on his especially high unicycle! AAA and their Traffic Safety Foundation provided an area inside for education on Safe

Driving throughout the day. Of course, the Veteran Motor Car Club

of America’s SW Florida chapter did a great job displaying their cars and sharing their owners’ personal stories. Thanks to every-one for making the event another success! Go online

to learn more about our events at www.seniorconnectionfl.com.

Word Search Answers

From April 2012

Juliette Izso is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Word Search May 2012In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally,

vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to:

NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC. P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on May 21 will win.

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

(Puzzles must be received by May 21, 2012.)

MYSTERY PRIZE!

MYSTERY PRIZE!


The Hudson River Valley: “A Rich and Pleasant Land”BY JANICE DOYLE

More than 400 years ago, Henry Hudson said of the Hudson

River Valley, “Nowhere have I ever beheld such a rich and pleas-ant land.” That remains a fitting description and tribute today. Remember Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman? How about Rip Van Winkle? These three Hudson River Valley literary characters were from the fi rst literature defi ned as American. In fact, the fi rst purely American art style began here as well—the Hudson River school of art.

History is at every turn along the Hudson River, and the area has remained vital with a major presence by a variety of research/development, high tech and manufacturing fi rms. Just 90 minutes from New York City, Dutchess County, with Poughkeepsie at its center, my husband and I settled in for a few days to explore. Seven ‘don’t miss’ things to experience in Dutchess County:

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt homes and presidential library in Hyde Park: The family home (Springwood), Eleanor’s cottage (Val-Kil) and the FDR Presidential Library make history come alive through excellent displays and stories by the docents. There are impressive Depression and WWII exhibits. My three favorite parts of the FDR complex included sections about FDR’s privileged childhood, his battles with the crippling effects of polio and the section telling the story of Eleanor Roosevelt as “fi rst lady of the world” following WWII.

The Vanderbilt mansion: Next door to the FDR complex, you see “how the other half lived.” Tour the mansion, hear the stories, see the Roman statues and the rose garden; then fi nd a place to sit and enjoy the view over the Hudson River to feel the elegance of a bygone era.

Vassar College campus—You can get your exercise with a walk around campus to enjoy the trees and archi-tecture; then tour the free world class Francis Loebman Art Gallery, one of the best small galleries in America. Vassar’s original 1861 charter included having an art museum, so the collection begins with early American works and continues with impressive additions from around the world. This is a good place to see paintings by Hudson River school painters such as Thomas Cole and Frederic Church. Also take advantage of the college’s Powerhouse Theater for top-notch stage works.

Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park with a breathtaking hilltop view of the Hudson River. The grounds are beautiful; student-led tours take you past windows to watch classes in action as students of all ages master baking and blending. Dining here is very popular. Reservations are recommended at the restaurants, including Caterina de Medici, American Bounty and Escoffi er.

The Hudson River school of art was a mid-19th century art movement embodied by a group of landscape painters. Its earliest landscapes de-picted the Hudson River, the Catskill and the Adirondack Mountains using light in new ways. The movement fl ourished for 40 years, until the mid-1870s. Many of the artists’ homes

and studios are open to visitors.

The Walkway Over the Hudson is an old wooden railroad bridge across the Hudson rebuilt into a popular walkway. Spectacular views 212 feet above the Hudson await walkers, bikers, skateboarders and joggers from 7 a.m.until sunset, with

informational / historical signs along the way. (The bridge is higher above the water than ordinary because the original bridge had to accommodate the tall masts of sailing vessels.)

Sprout Creek Farm is a community of people, plants and animals. Like hundreds of school children every year, we admired the chickens and goats as well as watching cheesemak-ing and gardening in action. Be sure to buy some of their cheese and produce for a tasty snack.

Pick up a local paper and fi nd seasonal festivals, fairs and special events. We were in the area over July 4 weekend last year and joined thousands at the county fairgrounds for an outdoor concert and fi reworks. And just take time to stop in the area’s small towns and villages—places like Millbrook. Spend some time. Shop the shops. Read some history. Have lunch. Attend church. Enjoy!

If you go: We stayed at the centrally located Courtyard Marriott on Route 9 in Poughkeepsie. The nearest large airport is Albany.

Travel

The Vanderbilt Mansion, Hyde Park

The Walkway over the Hudson

Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park

Springwood, FDR’s family home


Fun Tips for Solo TravelersSolo travel can be frightening at

any age. Here are their tips for having fun while traveling solo:

1. Be Spontaneous One of the best parts about traveling solo is that you get to set the pace, pick the locations and decide how long to spend doing something. So, seize the day and take advantage of the freedom you have as a solo traveler to make it a trip worth remembering.

2. Who Said Safety is Only in Numbers? The number one thing solo travelers worry about before embarking on their trip is safety. Be aware of the risks of your travel des-tinations before-hand so you know what to expect. If you ever feel like you are in a precarious situation try to get out of it by saying you are meeting up with someone at another location.

3. Join a Group Tour Making your own itinerary every day can get tiring, so why not take a day off

and join a group tour to regain some mental traveling energy. Tours allow you to avoid the sometimes compli-cated public transit and get a chance to really sit back and enjoy the sites.

4. Be Street Smart Looking like a solo tourist can leave a red target on your back, so take the necessary precau-tions to blend in and look like you know what you’re doing. Look at your map only in a private area where you feel safe. Be aware of your belongings. Wipe the clueless look off of your face when you have no idea where you are and play it cool until you get your bearings.

5. Practice Your Photography Skills Not only does taking photos give you a visual memoir of your adventures, but taking someone’s picture is a great conversation starter. You’ll find that in some countries people will flock to the camera spotlight and even ask for you to take their photo. Taking photos is also a great way to ease some initial awkwardness you might feel when roaming the streets alone.Tips furnished by Tours4Fun.

Lee County Turning 125Honor Lee County’s 125th

anniversary at the Northwest Regional Library, 519 Chiquita Blvd., Cape Coral during the month of May. They will host exhibits and a schedule of daily presentations from 2 to 3 p.m. They include:

10 Sustainable Floridians.

15 Florida Reptiles.

20, 21 Volunteering with LCPR.

22 Bed Bugs.

24 Nature as Your Neighbor (3 – 4 p.m.)

27, 28, 29 Six-Mile Cypress Slough.

Sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Extension Service. Info at (239) 533-4700.

Oh, The Places I’ve Been!I have been in many places, but

I’ve never been in Cahoots. Apparently, you can’t go alone. You have to be in Cahoots with someone.

I’ve also never been in Cognito. I hear no one recognizes you there.

I have, however, been in Sane. They don’t have an airport; you have to be driven there. I have made several trips there.

I would like to go to Conclusions,but you have to jump, and I’m not too much on physical activityanymore.

I have also been in Doubt. That isa sad place to go, and I try not tovisit there too often.

I’ve been in Flexible, but only when it was very important to stand firm.

Sometimes I’m in Capable, and I go there more often as I’m getting older. One of my favorite places to be is in Suspense! It really gets the adrenalin flowing and pumps up the old heart! At my age I need all the stimuli I can get! I have not yet been in Continent. It’s apparently an age thing.An Internet forward.

Humor


MEET OTHER SENIORS Over 2,000 seniors have met

through Seniors Getting Together. Send in your ad today!

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space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN4120 WANTED SLIM ROMANTIC FEMALE nonsmoker who’s tired of being alone to relocate to new home, share new life, love, companionship, each other. I’m 68, 5’8”, 150 lbs. Send photo with description.

Attention SGTers!Screen respondents carefully. Always

meet in public places and have your own transportation. Don’t divulge your home

address. Be sure to provide a way for your correspondent to respond to you – phone number, e-mail address or Post Office Box address. Contact the authorities if you feel

threatened or harassed by an individual. Be patient and careful – a good relationship and

your personal safety are worth the wait!

WOMEN SEEKING MEN4119 SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord. Florida.4127 WIDOW, 69, SLIM, ATTRAC-TIVE, financially secure, non smoker. Many diversified interests, enjoys dining, dancing, travel, seeking companionship. Port Charlotte, North Port, Venice, Ft. Myers, Sarasota.

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Pick the Right Running ShoesHaving the proper footwear is

important to protect feet and prevent injuries for runners and walk-ers, according to Kate Schimka, DPM, at Loyola University Health System. Shop later in the day. Feet swell throughout the day, so they are larger in the evening.Bring or wear your old gym shoes. The sales associate will look for ex-cessive wear in different areas of the shoe. Wear on the inside of the shoe indicates overpronation or a flat foot. Excessive wear on the outside of the shoe indicates underpronation. Uniform wear across the sole of the shoe reflects normal wear. Don’t forget your inserts. If you own orthotics, bring them with you to test in the shoes.Make sure both feet are measured. One foot may be larger than the other, so purchase your shoes according to the larger size.

Wear the socks you plan to use while running. Avoid 100 percent cotton socks. Opt for those with wicking capabilities that remove moisture from the feet.Don’t get caught up in the appear-ance of the shoe. Avoid buying a pair based solely on the brand or style.Check the fit. The most important step to finding the right shoe is to check the toe box for adequate room. Your thumbnail should fit between the end of the big toe and the tip of the shoe. The shoe also should fit snugly across the widest part of the foot, and the heel should not slide around as you walk.

Take a test drive. Run or jog in the shoes on a treadmill or

on a running path in the store to make sure they

fit comfortably. (Newswise)

Is Online Dating For You?Wondering about online

dating sites? Here are some factors to consider:

The good side: • There are lots of choices

of singles.• It’s relatively inexpensive.• It’s fun to read what peo-

ple say on their profiles.• The process makes it

easy to connect with people and get to know each other slowly.

But, remember these points always:• People and pictures can lie. Use a current photo. There are nice ways to ask someone you meet online if theirs is a current photo; if it’s not, ask them to post a current photo.• Do some research on how to write a profile so you don’t tell too much or too little.

• Know your expectationsby doing some self-study. You don’t look or act 38 any more, and neither will the people you meet. Give people some slack as you get to know them. • Determine your “deal breakers” or the things you simply cannot move forward with. This may be excessive weight, being dishonest, braggadocio

personality, financial status, etc.• Take your time! You really are not going to be better off by rushing into telling your entire life story in one e-mail. • As much as you may want someone to call you, be sure you follow all the safety rules before giving out your number. People have lied before and they will lie again.


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Senior Connection • June 2005 • page 36

LEARN HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR PETS IN AN EMERGENCY

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Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. The first correct answers selected from the drawing on May 21 will win. Good luck!

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Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC.

P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!(Sudoku must be received by May 21, 2012.)

May Sudoku

Last Month’s Answers April Sudoku

Martha Francis is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Win Great Prizes!New winner

selected each month Good Luck!

Letter Carrier Food DriveThe 20th Letter Car-

rier Food Drive is the nation’s largest one-day food drive. With the food insecure population grow-ing everywhere, the Satur-day, May 12, food drive is extremely important. Citizens can participate by leaving nonper-ishable food by their mailboxes prior to their regular letter carrier’s delivery

that day for proper distribu-tion to agencies. All food collected will be distributed to the food bank’s participat-ing agencies at no charge. Monetary donations are also

accepted. Additional informa-tion about or to contribute

financially to the Harry Chapin Food Bank, contact (239) 334-7007 or go to harrychapinfoodbank.org.


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turn into your insurance company to receive your discount for a three year period.

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To Register go to:www.seniordriverclass.comor call 1-800-771-2255

Dick Clark Remembered

Dick Clark, the ever-youthful television host who, more than

any other personality, brought rock ‘n roll into the life and times of American culture has died. He was 82. His American Bandstand went from a local Philadelphia show to a national phenomenon by being very simple. He once said, “I played records, the kids danced and America watched.” The show was on ABC’s daytime lineup from 1957 to 1987.

Clark produced many game shows and was known for the year-end countdown from Times Square. For a time in the 1980s, the talk and game show icon had shows on all three networks. As an iconic leader in integration issues, he give black artists their due by playing original R&B recordings instead of cover versions by white performers. Clark endeared himself to fans across the country in 2004 when he continued performing even after he suffered a stroke that affected his abil-ity to speak and walk. Yes, “the world’s oldest teenager” has died. He will be missed.

Our publication family remembered Dick Clark: Senior events entertainer Ken Brady, of the original Casinos group, singer of “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye”: “He was the icon of music for everyone. Everyone who was anyone was on his show. He was kind and gentle. There is no way anyone will ever come close to him. I

watched him every day. I watched the dancers do ‘the Stroll’ for the first time on his show.”

Richie Merritt, formerly with the Marcels and a regular entertainer at our events, said, “I am so sorry to hear of Dick Clark’s passing. He was an American Institution. Dick was there before there was a Motown. He was a visionary and a major force in changing pop culture

and ultimately influencing integration. American Bandstand was a platform for all artists like myself. Also special to me is the fact he was from Pennsyl-vania, like myself. He will be missed.” Vicki Willis of Tampa was a teenager in the ‘60s and says, “Every Saturday I would hurry to finish my chores and run to my girlfriend’s house to watch American Bandstand. It was always fun to see the newest styles and dances.”

From local singer James Marvel: It was 1969 and I was with the band Mercy. Dick Clark had me on the phone as his audience on American Bandstand was rating our song ‘Love Can Make You Happy.’ Dick Clark said, ‘the kids love your song!’ The rest was history. Mercy

went on to make the Top 10, second only to The Beatles’ ‘Get Back.’”

Ken Brady

Ritchie Merritt

James Marvel with the band

“Mercy,” late ‘60s


Pirates of the Caribbean

BY MARK PILARSKI

Dear Mark: I am going on a cruise and was wondering,

should I expect the same payoffs on slots that I receive here in Biloxi? Also, how are casinos regulated on a cruise ship, and what if a dis-pute was to happen? —Emile D.

When sailing the high seas, Emile, your floating hotel casino offers the only game in town. Competition is what raises slot payoffs, but on open water, cruise ships have none, just a captive audience whose only escape is jumping over the rail.

They also know their patronage: you are one-timers, on vacation, with dis-posable income burning a hole in your pocket. The casino within doesn’t give one iota about repeat business because you’re probably never coming back. So, what can a one-time player expect in terms of paybacks from these luxury liners? Take out a diction-ary and look up words like horrific, horrendous, horrid, hideous or hellish. Possibly, a slightly higher payback would be pistol dueling Captain Blackbeard and claiming his treasure. Yo ho ho, and a pirate’s life for you. As for regulation and oversight, Emile, there is an organization called the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL) that offers some regulatory controls, but it’s nowhere near the same level as the control agencies in Nevada, Atlantic City, Detroit, Biloxi or any other major U.S. land-based casino market.

Cruise ships operate in international waters and are not bound by stateside regulations, and as for getting hold of the ICCL at sea, good luck to ya. As for a gaming dispute, if you feel you have an issue that cannot be resolved by the casino manager, climb the ladder and bring it to the attention of the hotel manager. That’s pretty much it. The only gaming control agent you’ll find on a cruise ship is topside, basking in the glow of the Ca-ribbean sunshine on a deck chair, Mo-jito in hand, on vacation just like you. Gambling aboard cruise ships is something that knowledgeable Deal Me In readers should avoid.

Besides, Emile, cruise ships offer plenty of other diversion-ary activities besides yanking handles on penny slots. Bon voyage and happy buffeting!

Dear Mark: Someone told me you could tease both sides of the same sporting event. Is that true? —Johnny R. A teaser is a bet on two or more teams where the bettor can add or subtract points (typically

seven) from the spread in return for reduced odds. Like a parlay bet, all results must win for you to be paid. Although not widely offered, what you are asking about is called an “In and Out Teaser,” where you pick both the favorite and the underdog of the same game. Using last Thanksgiving Day’s game of Detroit versus Green Bay as an example, the current line while writing this is GB -6. An In and Out Teaser would have you teasing both Detroit and Green Bay and getting an addi-tional 7 points to increase your odds of winning, giving you DET +13 and GB +1. As long as the spread covers both wagers, your two-team bet is a winner. Update: Final GB 27 -- DET 15, which would have given you a win on an In and Out Teaser. Gambling Wisdom of the Week: “Everything in life is luck.” —Donald Trump. (SENIOR WIRE)

BRIDGE BITESFrom The

American ContractBridge League

Stuff That Doesn’t Happen

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

Last month, our astute Declarer remembered that his opponent

had opened the bidding, sensibly deduced that said opponent must have the missing high cards, and then played the hand accordingly. This week’s deal is a bit more dif-ficult, as Declarer must be alert to something which did not happen!

N-S stumble into 4♠ after a Stayman auction and West leads the ♣J. It looks like a simple enough hand, and so it is. Declarer loses two trumps and must avoid also losing two Heart tricks. How would you play the hand? You win the first trick with the ♣K and lead the ♠Q. East wins that, then cashes his second high Spade, and exits a Spade. You can cash some minor suit winners if you like but you already have all the information that you need to make the contract a virtual certainty. What was it which “did not happen”? That’s right, East did not open the bidding! He has already shown up with the ♠AK … and West’s lead of the ♣J denied the Queen. That gives East 9 HCP, so surely he cannot also hold the ♥K, that would be 12 HCP, and

enough to open. So, you cash the ♥A and lead low towards the board. West is an expert and nonchalantly plays low, perhaps while stifling a yawn. But you are having none of that malarkey! You confident-ly call for the Queen and it’s 10 tricks for the good guys! Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email [email protected]. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org/D9Clubsmap.htm.Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club:stpetebridge.org.

Grandmothers Are Interesting!A grandmother was telling her little

granddaughter what her own childhood was like. “We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.” The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, “I sure wish I’d gotten to know you sooner!”

Happy

May 23

Antibiotic Overuse: Risks Outweigh BenefitsThe overuse of antibiotics

is “slowly killing us,” said Shane Ellison, author of Over-the-Counter Natural Cures. “My daughter was three years old when she had her first emergency room visit. Suffering from high fever and chest pain, every muscle in her fragile body tensed for air. Her lungs were being attacked by pneumonia. The antibiotic penicillin saved her life,” said Ellison, who is known as “The People’s Chemist.” “Today, antibiotics are a luxury that previous generations didn’t have. But antibiotic overuse is slowly killing us. Igniting massive amounts of side effects, they’re also training bacteria how to evade our most potent medicines,” said Ellison. He notes that if current use of antibiotics continues, antibiotic resistance will soon yield all current medications useless according to the World Health Organization (WHO). And that means we have no more defenses against biological nasties—our longevity would go back to the Stone Age, where every infection was life threatening. Antibiotic medications should nev-er be used as a first line of defense against common illness, according to the author. We need to start rely-ing on our own immune system—innate and adaptive immunity.

Ellison said prescription antibioticsshould not be used for:• Ear infection • Strep throat • Flu • Bee Stings • Common cold • Urinary tract infection • Preventive medicine during

or after birth in hospital

Ellison said four of the safestantibiotics are: 1. Penicillin 2. Amoxicillin 3. Cephalexin 4. Erythromycin

To further increase the safety profile of these medications, consume with purified water, milk thistle and probiotics, which help rebuild the ‘good’ bacteria in your gut that is destroyed by antibiotics. And never consume alcohol while taking meds.

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Lifestyles After 50 • Southwest • May 2012