SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
F e at u r i n g
10 Cuttingedge care Local health care facilities are riding the wave of technological innovation Plus
2 A ‘super’ memory A Villager recalls his game-saving play for the undefeated 1972 Dolphins
6 On the move Violet Ray spins and twirls her way to better health
* MVESEtT yAlVeI L L A G E R
Pigskin glory Former NFL punter Larry Seiple gets a kick out of sharing his favorite football memory. STORY: JAMES COMBS
T
he position of punter receives little glory. Unless, of course, you’re Villages resident Larry Seiple, whose heroic play is forever etched in the memories of Miami Dolphins fans. In 1972, Larry’s Dolphins faced Pittsburgh and the “Steel Curtain” defense in the American Football Conference championship game. Trailing 7-0, the Dolphins faced a fourth down in the second quarter. Larry came out to punt. He made a split-second decision that is part of Dolphins’ lore. Rather than kick, he ran a fake punt for 37 yards, setting up a game-tying touchdown and helped Miami win 21-17. “On that play, Pittsburgh bunched players to one side so they could form a wall for the guy returning the punt,” he recalls. “That opened a huge gap, so I took off and ran. It was undoubtedly my biggest claim to fame. Coach Don Shula didn’t call the play; I made the decision on my own. Thank God it worked.” It did. It may have saved their playoff run and their Super Bowl dreams, and their undefeated season. Two weeks later, Miami beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII, capping a 17-0 season. It has been nearly 45 years since the fake punt, but many pigskin fanatics still remember that play. In fact, fans consistently mail Larry old football cards in hopes of getting an autograph. “I get about 10 cards in the mail each week,” says Larry, who played in the NFL from 1967 to 1978. “I’m more than happy to sign the cards and return them as long as the sender includes a self-addressed envelope. Sometimes, they even send me miniature football helmets to autograph.” Then again, it’s never easy to keep autograph hounds away from someone who played on the first and only NFL team to achieve a perfect season. He remains somewhat confident that Miami’s run to immortality will never be matched. “Today’s teams play two more regular season Coach Don Shula games than we did in 1972. That gives teams a didn’t call the play; chance to suffer more injuries to key players,” says. “Also, almost every team in the I made the decision Larry NFL has a roster full of players who are more on my own. Thank athletic, bigger, and stronger than we were.” But there’s one key ingredient current NFL God it worked. teams may lack: A punter who can go from zero — LARRY SEIPLE to hero in a matter of seconds.
2
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
Photo: Fred Lopez
*
RV SALES SERVICE COLLISION For A Better RV Experience After more than 25 years in the paint and body industry, Wildwood Collision Manager Victor Gonzalez has seen his share of scrapes, dents and disasters. And there’s not much his team of certified technicians can’t handle. “If you can smash it, we can fi x it.” From minor paint scratches to complete wall and roof replacement, our team works directly with your insurance company to expedite repairs and get you back on the road to adventure!
WHEN CLEAN JUST ISN’T CLEAN ENOUGH.
Our Mission: To Provide Superior Service Through
HONESTY INTEGRITY AFFORDABILITY
• • • • • • •
Full Service RV Dealer Paint & Collision Center Cabinet & Upholstery Shop Fiberglass & Metal Fabrication Chassis & Driveline Repairs Onsite Camping for Service Guests RV Consignments
352.330.3800
4505 Monaco Way Wildwood, Florida 34785
CALL TODAY 352.753.8653 COMMERCIAL CLEANING SERVICES FOR: BANKS DOCTOR’S OFFICES PROFESSIONAL BUSINESSES PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CLEANING
SERVICES ALSO INCLUDE: FLOOR MAINTENANCE CARPET CLEANING WINDOW CLEANING
CLEANING SUPPLIES: PAPER // CHEMICALS // EQUIPMENT
Free Estimates // Licensed & Insured UltimateContractCleaning.com danucc@aol.com PROUD MEMBER OF:
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
3
* IVNSTtHyE lV eI L L A G E S
How low can you go? It pays to ask questions about the price of prescriptions. STORY: JOE ANGIONE
S
ome of us have prescription drug plans with “co-pays” that allow buying drugs at lower prices. But many Villagers don’t have these plans and must pay for prescriptions at or near full retail price. As most of us know, retail, or pharmacy, prices for even the most basic, longestablished drugs may mean shelling out hundreds of dollars for a 30-day supply. A big part of the problem with high drug costs is pharmacy prices for prescription drugs are not regulated by the government. Pharmacies can literally charge whatever the market will bear—and they do. Here’s a little-known fact that may help you afford your prescriptions—if you have no discount plan: Prices for drugs vary greatly from drugstore to drugstore. A prescription that might cost $150 at one pharmacy may be $50 or even $75 less somewhere else. It pays in big savings to shop around, and here are three convenient ways to do it:
*
A prescription that might cost $150 at one pharmacy may be $50 or even $75 less somewhere else.
4
• Instead of having your prescription sent • Perhaps the most convenient way to shop for electronically to the pharmacy you’ve always used, prescriptions is using your computer to access ask to take the script home in hand. Then call or visit websites like goodrx.com and blinkhealth.com. nearby drugstores and inquire about prices of the Just click on these sites, type in the name of the prescription. It won’t take long to discover significant prescription drug, and they’ll provide a list of differences in what they charge. nearby pharmacies offering the lowest prices. • Find pharmacies that offer prescriptions free or at Goodrx even provides a coupon to print showing very low cost. This includes antibiotics, diabetes the lowest price and the retailer offering that drugs, vitamins, and hundreds of generic drugs. price. At blinkhealth.com, you pay a discounted Chains that do this include Costco, Publix, Walmart, price online and get a receipt to take to the and Sam’s Club. Inquire about these drug prices at druggist offering that price. You pay nothing when their stores near The Villages. you pick up your prescription. By shopping these sites, I sometimes find a drug price that’s even lower than the co-pay offered through my prescription drug plan. The Villages’ retirees have lots of time to shop around. Saving money is great fun. And remember the old saying: “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
Follow me into the forest for fantasy and fun Lake Idamere-Tavares, FL State Road 19 and C.R. 448, Tavares, FL 32778
Lady of the Lakes Nov 4-5 • Nov 10-11-12 10:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
AT GATE: $15 adult • $10 child Follow the weekly saga of The Photographers Tale facebook.com/ ladyofthelakesrenfaire EDUCATION DAY: November 10 9:30a.m. - 3:00p.m. $5 at gate for students 352.326.1265
SENIOR DAY (OVER 62): November 5 $8 at gate VETERANS DAY: November 11 $8 Military ID GROUP SALES FOR 15 OR MORE: cullen-battc@lake.k12.fl.us
es Skip the Lin at ine Order O N L .com e lakerenfair 6 5 .1 6 3 52.32 2 Proceeds benefit:
TAVARES
* LVI VSItNyG lHeE A L T H Y
Staying one step ahead of aging
Villager Violet Ray’s passion, dancing, makes her feel healthy and youthful. WRITER: CHRIS GERBASI // PHOTO: FRED LOPEZ
A
s a toddler growing up in Houston, Violet Ray was so pigeon-toed she kept tripping over her own feet. Her mother didn’t want her to wear corrective braces, however, so she put Violet in dance class at age 2½. A childhood hindrance, ironically, helped spur Violet’s lifelong passion for dancing. Not coincidentally, she also found a great way to stay fit, healthy, and vibrant well into her 60s. Violet, 65, leads the Aloha ‘O Ka Hula Dance Troupe and Shaka Crew jazz dance group in The Villages, and she’s also a member of Evolution Dance Company, another club that dabbles in several different dance styles. She lives with her husband, Bill, in the Village of Hadley. In the 55-plus community, of course, residents age 65 and older represent the majority, according to
6
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
census figures. Like most Villagers, Violet intends to stay active as long as possible. “Not everybody has the same interests, but being active, enjoying what you’re doing, and having fun is another key to being healthy,” she says. “And laughing a lot. I love to laugh.” Dancing also helps her feel younger, she says. Violet says she wouldn’t resort to surgery to look younger, but she takes a common-sense approach by using lotions and staying out of the sun to protect her skin, dieting to shed those few extra pounds, and always trying to look her best. “If you look good, you feel good, right?” she says. Dancing is the only exercise Violet has time for, and probably the only one she needs. She believes dance can add years to her life because “it’s so positive” and provides mental as well as physical benefits. “You have to remember your steps. Your mind has to really work; it’s not only your feet and body,” she says. After those initial baby steps in dance class in Texas, Violet continued to dance through grade school and in the modern dance club in high school, before graduating and marrying. Though she never danced professionally, Violet became more active on the dance floor in her early 40s, when she started competing in line dancing and country and western couples dancing. During a competition around 1997 in Las Vegas, one of the judges came over to Violet, now divorced from her first husband. “He said he couldn’t take his eyes off me,” Violet says. That judge was Bill, who would become her new husband. They later vacationed in Hawaii and decided to move there because
of the laid-back island vibe. Violet studied for six years under hula masters such as Johnny Lum Ho and choreographed performances. She and Bill also taught line dancing. The couple moved nine years ago to The Villages, where Violet immediately filled a void among the social clubs by starting her hula troupe. “I love all dances, but I really love hula and I didn’t want to lose that,” she says. She loves everything about hula: “The music and the movements. You dance to the words of the song, so each song is different. You’re interpreting the words of the song you’re dancing to. It’s calming. It’s soothing. It makes you feel good.” This summer, Violet returned to Maui on vacation. She travels regularly, and stays busy with four children and five grandchildren. Both the Aloha ‘O Ka Hula and Shaka Crew dance teams perform full-scale shows in The Villages, and Shaka Crew is in rehearsals for Halloween performances. Plantar fasciitis, or heel and foot pain, sidelined Bill from the dance floor, but he emcees Violet’s shows. As a choreographer, Violet is having a blast while working on “Young Frankenstein, the Musical,” scheduled for Oct. 15-17 at Savannah Center. Soon she will hit the basketball court for a fifth year as a dancer with the Orlando Magic Silver Stars during the NBA season. Obviously, she has no plans to leave the stage anytime soon. “I’ll keep dancing until either my mind gives out or my legs do,” she says. Those early dance classes must have helped. “I’m still pigeon-toed but not as much as I used to be,” she says, laughing. “I don’t trip over my feet anymore.”
*
Not everybody has the same interests, but being active, enjoying what you’re doing, and having fun is another key to being healthy.
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
— VIOLET RAY
7
MAKE EVERY TRIP A Door-to-door service to Orlando International or Orlando Sanford Airport—and back! Saves on expensive airport parking fees, tolls, fighting traffic or bad weather. Since 2009 / Open 24/7/366
48
LE AV IN G
TRI
PS
AP PR OX
AD AY!
EV ER Y
30
M IN UT ES
VANTASTIC VOYAGE.
VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
Faster. Cheaper. Better.
BOOK NOW! villageairportvan.com or 352.241.2000
O
10
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
Health care facilities in The Villages keep pace with technology. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
S
tate-of-the-art technology is in the forefront of minimally invasive medical procedures, and high-tech tools are in The Villages— all intended to enhance patient experiences.
HEART OF THE VILLAGES Heart of the Villages, a full-service cardiology practice, uses the latest diagnostic equipment for patient evaluation and developing treatment plans. Dr. Georg Couturier, the founding cardiologist of the practice, leads the staff of physicians and technicians. Media screens are in all nine exam rooms at the practice. “The doctors use it as a tool,” says Deb Colacci, office manager. “The content is cardiacbased with a diagram of a heart.” Cardiologists display the lower chamber of the patient’s heart on the screen and often draw
arrows to specific areas of the heart for clarification. “They can show patients what a 55 percent blockage looks like versus a 75 percent blockage,” Deb says. “It’s one thing to tell a patient you have a blockage of 55 percent, but when they visualize it, it has more of an impact.” The media boards are also linked to individual tablets in each room. If a patient has atrial fibrillation, for example, there’s a video to explain what it is, she says. The American Heart Association notes atrial fibrillation (also called AFib or AF) is a quivering or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) that may lead to blood clots, stroke, heart failure, and other complications. Statistics show at least 2.7 million Americans are living with AFib. “The doctors say it makes a difference,” Deb says. “It is a good education tool for patients. I am a very visual person and if you show me, then I
know what you’re talking about and grasp it. It’s very abstract when it’s in front of you and when you can see it. I know it improves patients’ understanding.” She has found patients appreciate participating in their own health care. “Even though this is mainly a senior population, most of them
It’s one thing to tell a patient you have a blockage of 55 percent, but when they visualize it, it has more of an impact. —DEB COLACCI
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
11
are very tech-savvy and bring their iPads,” Deb says. “And while they are waiting for the doctor, they bring up a video and watch it.” In addition to new developments and treatments, Heart of The Villages participates in research trials of new pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
LIFESTYLE SOLUTIONS MED SPA
DR. MICHAEL HOLLOWAY
Dr. Michael Holloway believes a good patient experience begins with Lifestyle Solutions Med Spa’s tranquil setting. “Our location is important because we provide a nice ambience for our medical spa that is enjoyable from the moment people arrive,” he says. “In terms of our services, we are well known for our weight-loss programs, and as our name says, it is a ‘lifestyle solution’ and not a diet.” Due to the many entertainment activities in The Villages that involve food, he noted their goal is to help patients learn to achieve balance. “Our program focuses on a real-world approach to help people still enjoy their lifestyle but lose
weight at the same time,” Michael says. Lifestyle Solutions has helped those who want to lose 10 to 200 pounds, but most patients seek to shed 30 to 60 pounds. “We specialize in nonsurgical, minimally invasive, result-based treatments and services with very little downtime. This helps patients look and feel more youthful,” he says. He performs Botox and Restylane injections, and
Our program focuses on a real-world approach to help people still enjoy their lifestyle but lose weight at the same time. —DR. MICHAEL HOLLOWAY
laser therapy for sun spots or wrinkles. “We do hair removal for those with unwanted hair on their chin or lips, and we do Coolscultping and HydraFacials. Coolscultping is incredibly popular,” says Michael, adding it pairs well with weight loss due to stubborn areas of fat around belly, thighs or love handles. “One of the exciting developments is we can also get rid of that double chin,” he says. “It’s nonsurgical, no downtime, so people come in for a treatment and go out to dinner that night.” Video screens are in exam rooms and the lobby so patients can learn about the procedures, and there are after-hours information sessions.
LEGACY CLINIC OF CHIROPRACTIC Legacy Clinic of Chiropractic uses virtual programs and condition sheets to keep patients informed and educated about their health. “We believe we have succeeded because of our passion, patient education, and training,” Dr. John Theeck says. The clinic often hosts disease-prevention seminars on Monday nights. “We are also linked with all local imaging companies to be able to access patients’ images on our 65-inch monitor,” he says. “This allows us to show the patients how the damage occurred, and We are also linked with all local imaging patients can interact with the virtual programs.” The clinic focuses on treating the cause of a patient’s companies to be able to access patients’ ills, not just the symptom. He says the use of stateimages on our 65-inch monitor. of-the-art equipment and food plans designed to fit the needs of the individual are part of noninvasive —DR. JOHN THEECK
12
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
treatment to bring the body to its highest functional level. Once patients learn the benefits of proper nutrition at the cellular level, John says, they often experience less fatigue, increased stamina, and improvements to overall health. “When your body is functioning optimally and you’re eating real food, your cells get the appropriate nutrients, and you are preventing disease in the future,” says John.
TRI-COUNTY FOOT & ANKLE The podiatrists at Tri-County Foot & Ankle provide medical and surgical treatments for patients in need of diabetic foot care and those who experience foot and ankle ailments, including bunions, hammertoes, fractures, heel pain, Achilles tendinitis, ingrown nails, fungus/nail discoloration, wounds, pain or swelling, cracked heels, corns and calluses, neuropathy, leg camps, and pain in legs with activity or rest. “Our physicians do front foot and rear foot surgeries, so we are a onestop shop for podiatry,” says Jenine Frazier, practice manager. “And we do offer physical therapy.” Providing physical therapy in-house is ideal for patients, and patients also appreciate being able to get medical tests they need at the office, too, including those to see if they have blood flow issues in legs or feet. “It makes us unique,” Jenine says. “Patients love the convenience and they know the quality of care they are receiving. They’re getting the same efficient care from physicians and
physical therapist. They do not have to go to multiple places to receive this.” The decision of offering physical therapy came up shortly after the practice opened in 2009. Jenine adds, “We felt it was best for us to bring physical therapy in-house.” Though podiatry is very different from cardiology or other fields that discover new procedures every year, there are still developments every year that make a difference in patient care.
Our physicians do front foot and rear foot surgeries, so we are a one-stop shop for podiatry. —JENINE FRAZIER
Tri-County Foot & Ankle’s staff provides patients with detailed information, even on the practice’s Facebook page where educational foot-related postings include the hindering effects of hammertoes and why it’s best to avoid sandals and flip-flops. “Proper footwear is always important, and
DR. JOHN THEECK
we encourage people to wear the right shoes and have their feet checked, especially diabetics,” Jenine says. “We encourage all diabetics to see a podiatrist.” Diabetics are at a greater risk for amputations and infections, so the need for proper diabetic foot care is vital, as well as regular visits with a podiatrist. Patients should inspect their feet daily, and diabetics who suspect they may have a wound should call their doctor immediately. Developing gangrene— dead body tissue from lack of blood flow—is a risk for diabetics. It can lead to sepsis and amputation. Tri-County Foot & Ankle notes on its website that early treatment and daily inspection of diabetic feet are essential to stay healthy. Tri-County Foot & Ankle offers the newest diagnostic and treatment technologies for all your foot and ankle needs.
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
13
* BVOSOtK yR lE VeI E W
“The Longevity Plan: Seven Life-Changing Lessons from Ancient China” By Dr. John D. Day and Jane Ann Day. Centenarians in a remote village become role models for how to thrive and embrace life. STORY: THERESA CAMPBELL
*
Luckily for readers, we are treated to the incredible life stories of the remarkable Bapan centenarians and learn the seven principles that have been the “secrets” to their amazing health.
14
A
merican cardiologist Dr. John Day was 44, overweight, and battling insomnia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and degenerative joint disease when he and his wife first visited Bapan. The remote village in Bama County, China, is billed as “Longevity Village” because its residents typically live past 100. The doctor wanted to learn their secrets. Why were the centenarians so healthy? How was it possible that there were no cases of heart disease, diabetes, obesity? Why were they were not on any medications or never had surgeries? In 2012, during the first of several trips to Bapan, the doctor was stunned by the agility, stamina, amazing healthy lifestyles, and upbeat attitude of seven centenarians he met in the village: Boxin, 114; Maku, 108; Makang, 104; Maxue, 103; and Masongmou, Magan, and Mawen, each 107. He was flabbergasted to see the 114-year-old in action. “He moves like our 9-year-old!” he wrote, comparing his son to Boxin. The doctor also noticed the centenarians and other villagers in
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
Fiction Bestsellers As of August 22
1 Y Is for
Yesterday
their 80s and 90s displayed optimism about aging; they didn’t see it as a prison sentence. It was a stark contrast to his medical training and the patients he treated back home in the United States. In doing genetic studies on the Bapan residents, he was stunned to discover they had the same predictors for heart disease and obesity as other cultures, yet the villagers did not have health problems. “They have the same genes we have in the West but their healthy lifestyle has turned off those harmful genes,” he wrote. What made the villagers different from average Americans is that they did not have access to processed or junk foods; their diets were rich in garden vegetables, wild fruits, nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, and fish. They also were in constant movement around their homes with daily chores and doing the things they enjoyed. Dr. Day began applying the lessons he learned from the centenarians to his own
life. In six months, he lost 35 pounds, his total cholesterol dropped from 211 to 118, and his blood pressure was 25 points lower. He no longer had acid reflux or insomnia. Luckily for readers, we are treated to the incredible life stories of the remarkable Bapan centenarians and learn the following seven principles have been the “secrets” to their amazing health: • • • • • • •
Eat good food. Master your mind-set. Build your place in a positive community. Be in motion. Find your rhythm. Make the most of your environment. Proceed with purpose.
“The Longevity Plan” is an inspiring read that can be life-changing on how to thrive physically and emotionally, and to embrace each day as a blessing.
BY SUE GRAFTON
2 The Store BY JAMES PATTERSON
3 Seeing Red BY SANDRA BROWN
4 The Late
Show
BY MICHAEL CONNELLY
5 Camino
Island
BY JOHN GRISHAM
6 Exposed BY LISA SCOTTOLINE
7 The Lying
Game
BY RUTH WARE
8 Any Dream
Will Do
BY DEBBIE MACOMBER
About the Author Dr. John D. Day is a cardiologist and medical director of heart rhythm specialists at Intermountain Medical Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received his medical degree from Johns Hopkins University and completed cardiology training at Stanford University. Dr. Day has published more than 100 medical studies and gives lectures throughout the world on various health topics. His is the former president of Heart Rhythm Society and currently serves as the Utah governor of the American College of Cardiology. Jane Ann Day, MA, received her master’s degree from the Georgetown School of Foreign Service and University of California, Santa Cruz. Her work, documented in international academic journals, has taken her throughout Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, where she aided communities in need, teaching self-reliance and entrepreneurial skills. Currently, she facilitates executive strategy sessions and seminars. Above all, Jane is mother of four children who provide her daily opportunities to practice and teach the seven principles.
9 The Last
Tudor
BY PHILIPPA GREGORY
10 Milk and
SPONSORED BY VILLAGE AIRPORT VAN
Honey
BY RUPI KAUR
15
Compassionate care for your companions
• NEW PUPPY AND KITTEN EXAMS
CENTRAL FLORIDA PET CREMATORY HAS BEEN SERVING LAKE AND MARION COUNTIES SINCE 2002. IT IS OUR GOAL TO HELP YOU SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR SPECIAL FRIEND IN THE MOST CARING AND UNDERSTANDING WAY.
352.307.2256 // 10725 SE 36th Ave www.cflpetcrematory.com “A way to provide the respect and loyalty after death that your pet freely gave in life”
• YEARLY WELLNESS EXAMS • FLEA AND HEARTWORM PREVENTION • YEARLY BLOOD SCREENING • MAINTAINING A HEALTHY GERIATRIC PET • COLD LASER THERAPY • REGENERATIVE STEM CELL THERAPY
352.347.3900 // 10725 SE 36th Ave www.BelleviewVeterinaryHospital.com