oaringFOR ALL LIFE CAN BESMS

AGrowing Partnership with FSU

© Westcott Lakes®

OnNovember 18 and 19,Westcott Lakescollaborated with the FSUAlumni Association, theJacksonville Seminole Club andthe Brevard Seminole Club todeliver programs at twoEmeritus Luncheons -one at Epping ForestYacht Club inJacksonville and theother at the Kiwi TennisClub in Indian HarbourBeach. Our leadershipworked closely withStephanie Lamb,Assistant Director ofPrograms & EmeritusLiaison – FSU AlumniAssociation, to deliverprograms that were bothinformative andentertaining.In Jacksonville, thetopic was FSU’s LatestResearch & Development onAging Gracefully. The panel wascomprised of Dr. ChrisMulrooney, Westcott LakesCEO; Dr. Marie Cowart,Westcott Lakes Board Memberand FSU Dean Emerita; and Dr.

Ken Brummell-Smith, Chair ofthe Department of Geriatrics atFSU. Dr. Cowart gave ahistorical context for agingservices and long-term careand addressed how “gracefulaging” is hindered due to the

limitations of the medicalmodel of long-term caredelivery. Dr. Brummell-Smithprovided an overview of bestpractices in geriatric medicinetoday (especially on guardingpersonhood) and geriatric

medical education at FSU. Dr.Mulrooney completed thecircle of knowledge by sharinghow FSU is applying these bestpractices and turning aroundthe medical model through itsdevelopment of WestcottLakes.The second SeminoleClub Emeritus Luncheon inBrevard County was on thetopic of Brainercisesm: FSU’sFaculty & Practitioners onBrain Fitness for OlderAdults. For this panel, DickAmbrosius, Communica-tions Director at PRAXEIS,stepped in for ChrisMulrooney. Dick introducedWestcott Lakes’ BrainerciseProgram and shared dataon brain plasticity andsoftware programs availableto reverse memory loss. Healso focused on FSU’s commit-ment to supporting innovativeprograms like this at WestcottLakes. Dr. Brummell-Smiththen shared an overview ofbrain plasticity research anddescribed how he integratessimilar concepts into the

Guests and Presenters at the Brevard Event

Volume 1, Issue 2; December 2008

geriatric medical education atFSU. He further highlightedthe unique nature of FSU’smedical school andgeriatric program. MarieCowart completed thepanel presentation. Sheshared her personalexperience as a Brainer-cise Program participantand highlighted the per-sonal and professionalvalue of FSU extendingits research and applica-tion into areas importantto older adults.Upon evaluating theresults of this pilot programbetween Westcott Lakes and

FSU, Stephanie Lamb wasvery positive. She views West-cott Lakes as part of the FSU

family and is excited aboutother opportunities to work

together. “This was a positiveUirst experience,” said Ms.Lamb. “After the BrevardLuncheon, there was alot of excitement aboutthe program from theclub representativesand the Emeritusparticipants. Attendeesenthusiastically statedthe event was veryinformative and manystated that they reallylearned a lot!” At boththe Jacksonville andthe Brevard event,attendees expressedinterest in learning moreabout Westcott Lakes.

2 Soaring

Mark Grif3is speaking at the Brevard Event

It’s my pleasure to begin thisregular monthly column inSoaring. As your CEO, I countit a privilege – and see it asmy primary responsibility –to work on your behalf tohelp bring your vision of the

Westcott Lakes Eagles to life.This will be true, not only inthese next couple of years asa “community without walls,”but also long after that. Evenonce the walls go up – andperhaps especially once thewalls go up – I look forwardto the deeper, more long-lasting work that we willundertake together incontinually reinventing“retirement.” Buildingstructures is exciting, buttime-limited. Building a LifeFulUilling Community® will bethe stimulating, visionarywork that keeps us going.To this end, Eagle Visionwill provide a platform for meto share how the rest of thestaff and I are helping the

Westcott Lakes Eaglesachieve their vision ofbuilding a community “for alllife can be.” Eagle Vision has adouble meaning, however.Eagles have a keen ability tosee small things from very faraway. I also consider it myresponsibility to act on yourbehalf to ensure that theadministrative details youneed the Westcott Lakes staffto carry out are accomplishedin a timely and efUicientmanner. In my prior position,I had a staff member whooften referred to my “eagleeye,” in that I liked to makesure attention to detail is notoverlooked. And for good orfor bad, I think the staff ofWestcott Lakes might be

Eagle Vision

Dr. Chris Mulrooney,Westcott Lakes CEO

starting to see that as well!Together we will work onbeing good stewards of yourvision – in terms ofperspective and in terms offocused detail. In EagleVision, I will report on both.As we end 2008, I amexcited about soaring withthe Eagles! Nevertheless, Ialso know that to achieve thevision, it will take all of usworking together to build asuccessful community.Growing up on the NewEngland coast, I remembermy parents chuckling when Iwas a small child, as I wouldpoint to a seagull and say,“look at the eagle!” Althoughthe names of these two birds

may sound alike to a pre-schooler, the hundreds ofseagulls I would see eachweek had little resemblanceto the majestic eagle. Inhindsight, though, I’venoticed at least one charac-teristic that they occasionallyhave in common. Althoughseagulls Ulock, they also haveno problem isolating them-selves from their brethren,such as when they stake outand lay claim – alone – to apost on a pier. In fact, seagullscan sometimes act standofUishatop their post, at least theNew England variety does.We humans from thatneck of the woods have alsobeen characterized as being a

bit stand-ofUish at times! As acontemplative sort, I canoften Uind myself wanting myown post with no one elseperching nearby. This is a ten-dency I know I have to watchin myself. And fortunatelyover time, I’ve become muchfonder of Uinding that balancebetween being independentand being “in community”with others of like mind andlike spirit. It is my hope thatin 2009 and beyond, theWestcott Lakes Eagles – andthose of us privileged to Ulybeside you – will soar to newheights…and yet true to ourdistinctiveness grow increas-ingly more excited to Ulocktogether.

3Soaring

The Florida State UniversityFaculty Torch Award HonoreesThe FSU Faculty Senaterecently honored twoWestcott Lakes Eagles -investment banker CliffordHinkle and quintessentialFlorida State ambassador

Betty Lou Joanos with TorchAwards for theircontributions to excellence at

the university. FSUestablished Torch Awards in1996 as a way for faculty tohonor friends of Florida Statewho have contributedsigniUicantly to FSU's abilityto fulUill its academic mission.The VIRES Torch Award,symbolizing moral, physicaland intellectual strength,went to Clifford R. Hinkle, theFounder, Chair and ChiefExecutive OfUicer of FlaglerHoldings Inc., a merchantbanking investment Uirm inTallahassee. Mr. Hinkle hasalso been the CEO orPresident of several othersuccessful companies and has

served on the boards of nu-merous national companies,foundations and otherorganizations.As the Executive Directorand Chief Investment OfUicer

for the Florida RetirementSystem Pension Funds from1987 to 1991, Mr. HinkleBetty Lou Joanosaccepting her award

Cliff Hinkleaccepting his award

4 Soaring

created and implemented a setof investment protectionprinciples, more than doublingthe funds under hismanagement. Those principleshave led to Florida's pensionfund becoming the fourthlargest retirement portfolio inthe country and to a strategy,which has largely insulated itfrom the major upheavals oftoday's Uinancial markets.He has served on theFlorida State UniversityFoundation Board of Trusteessince 1992 and as chair from1999 to 2001. He also haschaired the Foundation'sInvestment Committee and itsNominating Committee andserved on its ExecutiveCommittee for a decade, from1993 to 2003, helping developtwo major capital campaigns.Mr. Hinkle also served as aDirector of the Florida StateUniversity Research Founda-tion for more than 10 years. Heserved on the Board of

Seminole Boosters, Inc., andthe FSU Alumni Associationhas recognized his service andachievements with its Circle ofGold Award.Also receiving a MORESTorch Award was Betty LouJoanos, Westcott LakesDirector of Alumni Relations.Over the past 50 years, Dr.Joanos has been many thingsto Florida State. In 1954, shecame to Tallahassee as astudent, and in 1957 became aproud alumna. After manyyears, she came back as a fac-ulty member and then movedon to become the associate di-rector of the Alumni Associa-tion. Today she continues to bea valued volunteer and an all-around friend to Florida State.She has never forgottenthat Florida State's foundationis based upon its predecessorinstitutions, especially theFlorida State College forWomen and the values thatthose women stood for. She is a

walking encyclopedia ofstories about the history of theschool.Dr. Joanos has dedicatedyears of service to keeping theFlorida State College forWomen alumnae connected tothe university and has beeninstrumental in keeping theirtraditions and values alive.Over the years, she hascontinued to connect withthese women and draw themback to a newer version of theuniversity they once knew.Dr. Joanos also has beenvery active in organizationsand on boards throughout theuniversity community andTallahassee. With her love anddedication for Florida State, aswell as her knowledge aboutFSU, she is one of its biggestambassadors for its customs,character and traditions. Herfriends and colleagues are fondof saying they learned fromher "what it really means to bea Seminole."Social Committee Chair Elected

to International BoardThe Board of Directors of theAssociation of RetirementOrganizations in HigherEducation (AROHE) will nowbeneUit from the leadership ofour own Dr. Fanchon “Fancy”Funk. She recently returnedfrom the annual meeting in LosAngeles and is now lookingforward to the next gatheringat Wesleyan College, CT,

October 22-24, 2010 in thebeautiful Susan B. and WilliamK. Wasch Center for RetiredFaculty.The theme of this year’sAnnual AROHE meeting,partially sponsored by PRAX-EIS, LLC, was Retiree Organiza-tions in Higher Education:VALUES AND OPPORTUNITIES.Among the many featuredDr. Fanchon “Fancy” FunkSocial Committee Chair

5Soaring

speakers, there were two that“Fancy” thought would be ofinterest to Members.1. MindAlert - BeneUits ofMemory Priming: Effects ofGuided Autobiography and Rem-iniscence with Dr. James Birren,who is an icon in the aging Uield.James E. Birren, Ph.D., DSc,serves as associate director forthe Center on Aging at the Uni-versity of California, Los Angeles(UCLA). He is also adjunct pro-fessor of medicine/gerontology,

psychiatry, and biobehavioralsciences in the UCLA School ofMedicine, as well as professoremeritus of gerontology andpsychology at USC. In 1965, Dr.Birren founded the program ingerontology at USC and becamedirector of the Ethel PercyAndrus Gerontology Center andDean of the Leonard DavisSchool of Gerontology (fromwhich our own Chris Mulrooneyreceived his undergraduate de-gree during Dr. Birren’s tenure!)

2. University AfUiliatedRetirement Housing and otherservices - Rees Associates, Inc.(CCRC) and Belmont Villageinformation. This was arequested topic for the 2008conference, growingnational/international interest.These are just a sampling ofthe program topics. “Fancy” ishoping to lead a delegation ofFSU Members of the Associationof Retired Faculty (ARF) to the2009 Conference.

The Social Committee ispleased to be a part ofSoaring and looks forward tokeeping Westcott LakesMembers informed about themonth's events and futureevents. In the summer of 2006,The Westcott Lakes SocialCommittee became the UirstMember committee for our newcommunity. It is a pleasure tointroduce the Members of thishard working and high-energycommittee - as from time to timeeach will help with the writingof this column. CommitteeMembers are: June Alford(Bridge Club), Kitty Ball, Barbara& Billy Beggs (Travel), FredBoska, Bridget Chandler, MarieCowart, Barbara Foster, RayFoster, Fanchon Funk (Chair),Betty Lou Joanos, Jessie Lovano-Kerr, Judy Goodwin (Chair,Events & Travel), CarolynShackelford, Benson Skelton.An Events Calendar will bepart of each edition of Soaring,

and we encourage you to refer toit often. One Member shares thathe keeps his on the "fridge." Oneof our most successful eventsthis year was the Summer Picnic.There was a tremendous turnoutby Members, family and guestsat the SouthWood CommunityCenter. Members have alreadyrequested a repeat performance.Another very successfulevent was hosting 20 guestsfrom Oak Hammock onSeptember 24 at the WestcottLakes Welcome Center andModel. Staff joined ourCommittee in welcoming ourfellow Life FulUillingCommunity® Members fromGainesville. We had a wonderfultime enjoying a delicious lunch,sharing information about ourtwo communities and providingtours of our Model residence. Weprovided our guests withWestcott Lakes' visors as akeepsake, and all were wearingthem when they left for their

return to Gainesville.Our committee is now busilydecorating the Welcome Centerand Model for the Holidays. Theparties that we host inDecember will be for Members,guests and prospectiveMembers. On January 27, theSocial Committees from TheGlenridge in Sarasota, OakHammock in Gainesville, andWestcott Lakes will have aninteractive video conference onBest Practices implemented bythe Social Committees inoperating communities.Your Social Committee iseager to meet the desires offellow Westcott LakesCommunity Members andinvites your feedback andsuggestions for special eventsat any time. As we approach thisHoliday Season, please acceptour warm wishes to you andyours from your SocialCommittee. We look forwardto an exciting 2009.

Socially SpeakingBy Fanchon “Fancy” Funk and Judy Goodwin

6 Soaring

The Life College of Westcott Lakes held aplanning meeting on November 11 tobegin planning courses for the Uirst quarter of2009. For the immediate future, we willcontinue to offer classes from 2 to 4 p.m. onthe 2nd Tuesday of eachmonth.Is the Population

Explosion Over? OnDecember 9, Dr. CharlesNam reviewed this topicin depth. Dr. Charles B.Nam taught demographyat FSU for 31 years andcontinues to conductdemographic research.He is a past President ofthe PopulationAssociation of America(national organization of demographers).Since 1960, when the population growth ratehad reached its highest point, there has beendebate about when that growth rate willsubside. This class covered - a brief history ofworld population growth, how populationschange, an examination the countries that arestill growing very rapidly, the countrieswhose population is declining, and where theU.S. Uits in the big picture. Dr. Nam alsodiscussed the aging of the world’s populationand the future of population growth.Telling Stories, Enhancing Lives, and

Creating Legacies. On March 10 and 11, BethSanders of LifeBio will review a special newbeneUit for all Westcott Lakes Members andlaunch a reminiscence program that will beongoing. In the last decade, researchers haveconducted over 100 studies to prove thatreminiscing is an important part of healthyaging and wellness. Beth is the President ofLife Bio. During the Life College class, Bethwill review the beneUits of telling your story

and highlight the tools that will be availableto all Members as Westcott Lakes becomes aCertiUied Life Bio Community. We all knowpeople in our families who have lived throughvery difUicult and complicated times. TheDepression, wars, the civilrights movement, and justthe everyday trials ofbuilding a life haveaffected them. It is helpfuland inspiring to knowthat, despite difUiculties,they persevered andmade it through. Theirstories can provide futuregenerations with a sourceof strength andinspiration by telling theirstories…and yours. As Bethsays, “It is really about wanting to be surethat children, grandchildren, andgreat-grandchildren know what reallymatters most.”BrainerciseSM. In February, we areplanning a graduation ceremony for thosewho have completed the Brain Fitnessprogram, which launched Life College inSeptember. As most of you know, thisprogram assists us in improving the speedand accuracy of information processing inauditory and receptive language systems. Onaverage, those completing the exercisesreverse cognitive effects of aging by 10 years,double the brain’s processing speed, andshow a 10 to 15 year improvement inmemory. The February course will also fea-ture the InSight software, which we will makeavailable to all interested Members followingthe February class. (See story on next page.)In the near future, the Committee will beannouncing additional courses. We are nowinvestigating the possibility of speakers such

News from Life College℠℠By Life College Dean - Don Alford, M.D.

7Soaring

as Timm Lovins, who directsthe Fitness and Wellness pro-grams for our sister Life FulUilling Community, OakHammock at the University ofFlorida; and Susan Weber,who directs the Uitness programs at The Glenridge inSarasota. We are also working

with Dr. Ken Brummell-Smith,Chair of FSU’s Department ofGeriatrics. We are also planning to offer a series ofclasses lead by Dr. Brummell-Smith, and will be sharing thespeciUics in future issues ofSoaring.We are looking forward to

a fun and informative 2009 aswe continue to exercise ourbrains and continue learning.If you are interested in becoming a Member of ourCommittee, please email me,chief@nettally.com, or call theWelcome Center and leave mea message.InSight® Added to Brainercise ProgramAs hearing and vision systems decline, it be-comes hard for the brain tocreate clear representations ofsounds and experiences – ofthe input from the senses. Thefuzzier the representationsare, the harder it is for thebrain to record and storethem. It is then harder toUind, retrieve and manipulatethem. Although cognitive decline is a normal part ofaging, science has shown thatusing the right kind of cognitive exercises can im-prove memory and cognitiveprocessing speed.Those attending the UirstBrain Fitness course areaware that 93% of the healthyadults age 60 to 87 usingbrain Uitness exercises signiUicantly increased their auditory processing speedwith 10 years or more improvement on average, according to a National Academy of Science Study. InFebruary, Members will beable to beneUit from InSight,the latest brain Uitness software from Posit Science®.This new software program focuses on

improving visual system func-tions in older brains. Thegoals of this program are toimprove visual speed of processing, visual memoryand visual attention by:

1. Improving the speed and accuracy of infor-mation processing in the visual system, as the brain Uitness pro-gram did with auditorysystems;2. Enhancing the visual attention system’s abil-ity to rapidly identify and discriminate salient objects across the visual Uield; and3. Reinvigorating neu-ron-modulatory sys-tems important for the control of visual learn-ing and memory.Although some initial

processing occurs in the eye,the majority of visual processing occurs in the cerebral cortex, and Posit Science designed this programto improve that cortical pro-cessing. Respondents report a300% increase improvementin visual processing speed; a200% average increase inuseful Uield of view; and a38% reduction in dangerousdriving maneuvers.How fast is your brain? If you are the competitivetype, you might want to takethe brain speed test athttp://bfc.positscience.com/eval/. This test shows a meas-ure of what age your brain iswhen compared to others whohave taken the test.

8 Soaring

Nothing is more excitingthan participating in FallSemester activities on thecampus of a major university.That has been the case theselast few months. Footballgames and Monday Bowdenluncheons have been greatfun. In addition, there havebeen women's volleyball andsoccer matches and now wehave enjoyable men’s andwomen's basketball games.For those more interested inthe arts, there have been con-

certs, opera, and theatre. Oneof the more entertaining playsby the Florida State UniversityTheatre Department was anoutstanding production ofThoroughly Modern Millie. It was a privilege to attend theFSU Annual Fall Meeting ofthe Faculty Senate held in theauditorium of the MedicalSchool and hear WestcottLakes Member and Universitypresident Dr. T.K. Wetherellgive the State of the Universityaddress. Afterwards therewas a tour of the beautifulLegacy Walk and the unveilingof bronze busts of FloridaState University's Nobel Laureates.Homecoming on campus isalways exciting. Rain did notdeter the parade and WestcottLakes had a presence as Member Barbara Holt droveher sporty convertible for PCAPresident Bridgette Chandlerand Alumni Director Betty

Lou Joanos. The annualHomecoming Breakfast wasoutstanding as three “GradsMade Good” were recognized,one being columnist KathleenParker.Westcott Lakes has againpartnered with the Alumni As-sociation in two recent Emeri-tus luncheons in Jacksonvilleand Brevard County. Theevening between the events,alumnus Dr. Frank and JoAnnFain of Indialantic entertainedthe traveling Westcott Lakesgroup at their Yacht Club.Both program panels of Dr.Ken Brummel-Smith, Dick Am-brosius, Dr. Chris Mulrooney,Mark GrifUis, and Member Dr.Marie Cowart were excellentand well received.As Fall moves into the holiday season, we too moveinto another exciting time onthe Florida State Universitycampus with our WestcottLakes community.On November 11, Members gathered in the Welcome Center to paytribute to America’s Veterans and pay tribute to Westcott Lakes’own. Judge Jim Joanos, a Korean War Veteran, led those attendingin the Pledge of Allegiance and then recognized fellow veteransJohn Maultsby, Mel Pope, Jim Ball, and Don Alford. Vietnam WarVeteran Dick Ambrosius shared a poetic tribute to those who gavetheir lives in the name of freedom and liberty.A surprise addition to the recognition ceremonies was Estate Attorney, Tim J. Warfel. After speaking brieUly on estate planning, Tim related stories and a history of the Flying Tigers inWorld War II.

A Salute to Veterans

Dr. Betty Lou JoanosDirector of Alumni Relations

Seminole Patchwork

9Soaring

Avery engaging and well attended Life College classfocusing on the economy washeld on Veterans Day. Due tomy banking experience andtraining as a CertiUied Financial Planner, I joinedMembers Benson L. Skeltonand Melvin L. Pope, Jr. for alively discussion on basic estate planning. Mr. Skelton isa C.P.A. and Mr. Pope is a CertiUied Life Underwriter(CLU). Their combined experience of over 100 years

resulted in a lively and informative discussion. The panel Uielded a varietyof questions and stressed thatjust as the Members determined a plan for their future in choosing WestcottLakes, likewise a well draftedand implemented estate planis critical for tax planning and,even more importantly, legacyplanning.Tim J. Warfel, a guest Es-tate Attorney, addressed agroup and Uielded questionsduring the 2nd Tuesday event.Mr. Warfel reiterated the im-portance of this being yourplan, not the IRS’ plan. Addi-tionally, he commented on the uncertainty of 2011. The Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of2001 (the Act) was adoptedby Congress in 2001. The Actincluded tax cuts and majorchanges in estate taxes. One ofthe Act’s provisions calls for a

repeal of estate taxes for oneyear, 2010, with resumptionin 2011 under lower exemptions. Given the importance of these funds tothe overall budget, it is highlyprobable that new legislationwill repeal the zero estate taxsituations for 2010, and makeadditional changes for 2011and beyond (which makes thisa perfect time to review yourplan). The scope of this subject isso broad that the panel of experts barely scratched thesurface. I absolutely encourage all of our Membersto review their plans. If it hasbeen 5-7 years since you enacted your plan or if therehave been signiUicant changesin your Uinancial or family situation, it is a good time toschedule a review with yourattorney, CPA or FinancialPlanner.

2011: What Does it Mean to You andYour Financial Future?

In response to the recent events in the economy and housing markets, PRAXEIS has done every-thing possible to ensure your investment in Westcott Lakes and your future care remains safeand secure. However, we also understand that you still may have speciUic questions you wouldlike answered, and your concerns are of utmost importance to us during these unstable times.That is why Jim Cater, PRAXEIS’ CEO and President, has established the “President’s Forum Hot-line” – a 24-hour hotline solely for questions from LFC Members. “We Uix the highest possiblevaluation on the worth of our Members, and their opinions, so this new hotline is just one moreway we can access the wisdom of their experiences,” said Jim Cater. To contact the President, callthe President’s Forum Hotline at 1-866-639-1455 or email presidentsforum@praxeis.com.

The President’s Forum Hotline

Mark Grif3isWestcott Lakes Vice President

10 Soaring

The Westcott Lakes Library VisionWe recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Charles Nam, and ask himabout his vision for the Westcott Lakes Library. Here’s what we found out:

Soaring: What is your overallvision for the Westcott Lakeslibrary? Dr. Nam: The current architectural plan for WestcottLakes has a three-room suiteplanned for the Library. Thematerial in the Library wouldbe available to all Members toborrow or read on the premises. Borrowing wouldbe on the honor system andborrowers would sign outbooks.Soaring: Have you receivedany interest in the librarysince it was featured in Connections?

Dr. Nam: Many Membershave expressed a desire tohave a Library at WestcottLakes, but there are so manyaspects to planning for thecommunity that the Libraryhas not yet risen to the top ofthe list.Soaring: How many bookswill the library be able tohouse? Dr. Nam: If the Library roomshave built-in book shelving,there would be space for alarge number of books andmagazines. Soaring: Has a Library Committee already beenformed? Dr. Nam: I am the lead ponyat the moment. We do havetwo other Members with library experience and a sub-stantial number who enjoyreading, and I hope to enlistsome of them very soon.Soaring: Do you envision theLibrary Committee becominginvolved with local charitiesassociated with literacy?Dr. Nam: Perhaps in due

time. Our initial goal shouldbe to establish and stock theLibrary and make sure thesystem of usage is workingwell and of beneUit to WestcottLakes Members. Soaring: Will all the books bedonations from Members, orwill the Library Committeework with the university andother local sources for donations?Dr. Nam: Several Membershave indicated to me their interest in contributing theirown collections to the Library.The Library Committee at oursister institution at Oak Hammock in Gainesville depends on Members’ dona-tions and must deal with dis-posing of duplicates. Soaring: Will the library havea book club where Memberscan suggest and reviewbooks?Dr. Nam: This has not yetbeen discussed, but it is a natural outgrowth of having aLibrary.Soaring: You mentioned thatyou were planning to donate

Dr. Charles NamFounders Club Member

11Soaring

over 170 of your personalbooks to the library. Whattypes of books are included inyour collection?Dr. Nam: My collection covers a wide range of nonUic-tion, Uiction and reference material. I have a selection ofnovels, oversized photographic books aboutcountries and places, American and European history, biographies, literaryclassics, books on various religions, dictionaries andguides to foreign languagesand many other varieties. Soaring: Why have you

chosen to become so involvedin the development of theWestcott Lakes Library?Dr. Nam: Reading for knowledge or pure delight hasto be a critical part of becoming better informed andenjoying our later years. As aformer teacher, I see a libraryas the fountain of knowledgeand self-development.Soaring: Who would you encourage to become involvedwith the Westcott Lakes Library Committee?Dr. Nam: Anyone who likes toread and help others Uind

books of interest. Soaring: What do you thinkis the most important beneUitof having a library at WestcottLakes?Dr. Nam: Westcott Lakes emphasizes invigorating themind as well as the body inorder to extend one’s life. Ourrelationship with Posit Science provides software exercises to stimulate thebrain. Having a library on theWestcott Lakes premises willenable Members to use theirbrains to see more of theworld.

Every American generationhas a character of its own.We even give them appropri-ate names. Carlson, a Professor at Florida State University, discovered a generation that’s been over-looked. After the cohort ofmen and women who servedduring World War II and before those who were part ofthe “Baby Boom” lies a gener-ation who previously had nospeciUic identity. Carlson callsthem The Lucky Few becausethey were fewer in numberthan generations before and

after them, owing to fertilitydeclines during the Depres-sion and early WWII years,and they enjoyed more bene-Uits than other generations.We are talking about persons born between 1929and 1945. This cohort includes Neil Armstrong, San-dra Day O’Connor, Elvis Pres-ley, Martin Luther King, Jr.,Carl Sagan, Colin Powell, TedTurner, John McCain and DickCheney, among others. Carlson compares thisgeneration with all othersfrom 1871 to now in terms of

their education, marriage,economic status, militaryservice, social and political attitudes, and other character-istics and Uinds the Lucky Fewto be “the most fortunate generation of Americans inthe twentieth century.”This book is easy readingand can be purchased throughany bookstore or your favoriteonline bookseller. If you are aMember of the Lucky Few, youwill be enchanted by whatCarlson has to tell you. If you are not, you will still beengrossed by the story.

Recommended Reading...Dr. Charles Nam reviews The Lucky Few. Elwood Carlson. The Lucky Few; Between the Greatest Generation and the Baby Boom.216 pgs. Springer, 2008. $26.95 (softcover).

Soaring is a publication of the members of Westcott Lakes at SouthWood, 3800 Esplanade Way, Suite 180, Tallahassee, FL 32311. To submit questions or articles, email ambrosius@praxeis.com. © PRAXEIS, 2008

®

3800 Esplanade WaySuite 180Tallahassee, FL 323111-866-510-1515 (Toll Free)www.westcottlakes.org

Have a blessed season and a healthy, happy new year!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at

Westcott Lakes