Growing Bolder Magazine Fall 2020

The Healing Power Of Animal Interaction Larry McCool And ‘Caesar The No Drama Llama’ A Tale Of Two Futures Grandparenting During Distance Learning ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING E X TR AORDINARY LIVE S

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dreams launched here

When the first Canyon Ranch resort opened in 1979, it was the beginning of something new. Something big. Sparked by a revolutionary vision of uniting mind, body and spirit. It has influenced the world, and inspired thousands of guests over 40 years. Begin your own lifelong journey to wellness with Canyon Ranch as we embark on our next 40 years – and beyond.

800.742.9000 | canyonranch.com/40years

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CONTENTS

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features

FALL 2020

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CAN WE TALK TO ANIMALS?

How to understand your furry family members

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SECOND CHANCE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Jim Bronzo and his 350 animal menagerie

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LEADERS FACE NEW CHALLENGES

Tampa and Miami Mayors Navigate COVID-19 uncertainy

in every issue

defy

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NOTE FROM THE CEO

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ACTING YOUR AGE

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CONTRIBUTORS

Hollywood casts first time actress for TV role

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GROWING BOLDER WITH

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THE PROBLEM WITH EXERCISE

Big names, bold lives

Rediscover the playful joy of movement

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TRANSLATING TECH

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NEW ADVENTURES OF AN ARMCHAIR TRAVELER

Simplify with smart home systems

Finding novelty and culture without leaving town

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ORDINARY PEOPLE

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AN ATHLETE’S JOURNEY OF RESILIENCE

Living Extraordinary Lives

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FALL INTO FLAVOR

Record-holding javelin athlete returns to competition

Healthier versions of seasonal comfort food

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5 QUESTIONS

Bruce Feiler believes life is in the transitions

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THE TAKEAWAY

Thelma Houston believes in the power of love

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ONLINE ACCESS FOR OLDER ADULTS

Non-profit OATS provides assistance with connectivity

connect

special section: book excerpt

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GRANDPARENTING DURING DISTANCE LEARNING

GROWING BOLDER: DEFY THE CULT OF YOUTH, LIVE WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE

How to support your grandchildren during this difficult time

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A TALE OF TWO FUTURES

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THE ENDURING POWER OF TRUST

Longevity and quality of life

How a stranger helps a father and son bridge generations

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FEELING ISOLATED?

Hidden health risks for older adults

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SOCIALLY DISTANCED SHARED EXPERIENCE

The renaissance of drive-in theaters

ON THE COVER LARRY MCCOOL AND ‘CAESAR THE NO DRAMA LLAMA’

How an affectionate llama and his owner are giving back to Portland G R O W I N G B O L D E R / VO L . 4 2

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NOTE FROM THE CEO

Resilience and Adaptation Everyone gets to be young. Growing older is one of life’s greatest blessings — even in a pandemic. Or maybe especially in a pandemic because growing older, even with never-ending challenges, is a blessing that many aren’t fortunate enough to experience.

So how do we find our way forward when our lives have been turned upside down? We do that by adapting to and accommodating the changing times so that we can continue making a difference in the lives of others and pursuing the many passions that make our lives worth living.

In truth, resilience and adaptation are two of the most important keys to successful aging, pandemic or not. Our world, our families, our bodies, our abilities, our jobs, our everything gradually changes as we age. What doesn’t have to change is our ability to create and celebrate moments of joy.

I love this issue of Growing Bolder Magazine because it reflects many of the adjustments that people of passion are making. They’re creating old-school ways for social distanced shared experience like drive-in movies, finding companionship and purpose through our relationships with pets and wild animals, and adjusting to the rapidly changing world of exercise. These stories and so much more are all designed to help you adapt, adjust, and accommodate not just to these changing times but to those in the years ahead.

There is still a great deal of uncertainty in all of our lives. It’s impossible to know what the future holds. But again, that’s life. So, let’s all keep chasing moments of joy. Let’s all keep recognizing and appreciating the beauty in every day, even those filled with frustration. As we are fond of saying at Growing Bolder, this is not the beginning of the end. It’s the beginning of what’s next.

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IN TRUTH, RESILIENCE AND A DA P TAT I O N A R E T WO O F T H E M O S T I M P O R TA N T K E Y S TO S U C C E S S F U L AG I N G , PA N D E M I C O R N OT.

Flashpop via Getty Images

“ Let’s all keep recognizing and appreciating the beauty in every day, even those filled with frustration.

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Volume 42 PUBLISHER Jackie Carlin EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Emily Thompson CREATIVE DIRECTOR Ashley Heafy GRAPHIC DESIGNER Katie Styles EXECUTIVE EDITOR Doris Bloodsworth FEATURES DIRECTOR Bill Shafer PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Jill Middleton EDITORIAL SPECIAL FEATURES

George Diaz Mary Lou Janson VIDEO + PHOTOGRAPHY

Jason Morrow, Michael Nanus, Jacob Langston CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

George Diaz Nick Gandy Mary Lou Janson Del Moon Joy Perry

Leslie Poole Amy Sweezey Jonathan Taylor Bobby Wesley

GROWING BOLDER PRESS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Marc Middleton PRESIDENT Robert Thompson

SUBSCRIPTIONS

GROWING BOLDER IS PUBLISHED BY GROWING BOLDER PRESS

For subscriber information or address changes, visit GrowingBolder.com/subscribe or email subscriptions@growingbolder.com

Editorial Content ©GrowingBolder. Growing Bolder is a registered trademark of Bolder Broadcasting Inc. Reproduction or use in whole or in part of the contents of this magazine without written permission for the Publisher is prohibited. Growing Bolder Publishing makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all published content. Neither the publisher nor advertisers will be held responsible for any errors found herein and the publisher accepts no liability for the accuracy of statements made by advertisers in ad and/or paid promotional features.

NEWSLETTERS

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Contact us via social media @GrowingBolder or email us at feedback@GrowingBolder.com ADVERTISING AND MEDIA SALES

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To switch to a digital subscription or unsubscribe, please send an email with your name and address to unsubscribe@growingbolder. com. You can also call us at 407-406-5910, or mail your request to Growing Bolder 429 S. Keller Rd. Suite 300 Maitland, FL 32810.

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The views and opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of Growing Bolder Publishing. Growing Bolder Publishing does not endorse or recommend any article, product, service or information found within the articles. All content is presented for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional, legal, financial or medical advice. Growing Bolder Publishing expressly disclaims and denies any liability for any decisions made based upon the information presented.

CONTRIBUTORS Mary Lou Janson

After working as a full-time reporter for Florida newspapers and in public relations promoting Tampa as a travel destination, Mary Lou Janson moved cross-country to Berkeley, CA to pursue freelance travel writing and contribute to newspapers, magazines, travel guides, books and online sites. Back in the Tampa Bay area, she continues to work as a freelancer and, occasionally, as a publicist representing hotels, restaurants and, for many years, Central Florida tours of Cirque du Soleil productions.

She is always on the lookout for that next fascinating story to share or new travel destination to explore.

Jonathan Taylor

Jonathan is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist, Movement Coach, and Personal Trainer. With over 14 years of experience, Taylor uses his expertise to train the lives of athletes, adults, kids, and those coming back from injury. Health is his obsession and movement is his practice. Follow him on Instagram @taylormadetomove.

George Diaz

Born in Cuba and raised in South Florida, George Diaz became inspired to be a journalist while working for his school newspaper at Coral Gables High School. He is a 1978 graduate of the University of Florida’s College of Journalism. Diaz worked at the “Miami Herald” and “The Cincinnati Post” before joining the “Orlando Sentinel” sports department in 1989.

He went on to serve in a number of roles, including columnist and member of the editorial board. He took a severance package in November, 2018, and is proud of his 29-year legacy at the paper but is now looking forward to writing new chapters in his life.

Leslie Kemp Poole

Leslie Kemp Poole is an author and assistant professor of environmental studies at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida. Her work reflects her interest in how women, who historically had little political power, rallied together in grassroots efforts to protect the environment and preserve natural resources.

Megan McGugan

Megan grew up all over the United States of America and finally landed in Portland, Oregon. She has lived there since 2007 and now considers herself an Oregonian. She lives with her partner and their four dogs. As an animal lover she was thrilled at the opportunity to work with Larry and Caesar the No Drama Llama. She considers herself a Jill of all trades. In her day job, she works as a color designer for a local apparel company. Photography is the job she does to fulfill her heart, capturing memories and moments that are everlasting.

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GROWING BOLDER WITH

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Paul Reiser

Arlinda McIntosh

His has been a dream career. Paul Reiser created and starred in the acclaimed NBC series, “Mad About You,” which garnered him Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations during the show’s initial run in the 1990s. The hit series was so beloved that he and his co-star, Helen Hunt, brought it back as a limited series in 2019.

Arlinda McIntosh never considered a career in fashion.

As she toiled for years as a receptionist, her only creative outlet was doodling sketches.

Reiser also has starred in film classics, such as “Diner” and “Aliens,” and in hit TV shows, such as “Stranger Things” and “The Kominsky Method.” He’s the author of several books, including “Couplehood,” which sold more than 2 million copies and reached No. 1 on the “New York Times” bestseller list.

Despite a career most actors would never dare dream of, Reiser never forgot his first love: stand-up comedy. In recent years, he’s hit the road again and feels like he’s finally come home.

“I put stand-up comedy on the back burner after ‘Mad About You’ got started,” Reiser said. “However, now that I’m back on stage, I see it’s what I’ve needed and what I’ve been missing, only I didn’t realize it all these years.”

He said the lesson is to never stop finding a way to do what you were meant to do.

“We’re all lucky if we find the right vocation for our brains; and for me, it’s stand-up.”

Jon Kopaloff / Stringer via Getty Images

Then, her husband left her; and McIntosh became a single mom. With the rent due and money running low, one of her friends had an idea: Since McIntosh knew how to sew, why didn’t she make some clothes and sell them to her friends?

“I had $28 and went to a cheap fabric store,” McIntosh said. “I used that fabric to make five dress jumpers.

My friends paid me $25 each!”

Soon, more friends and friends of friends were clamoring for her clothes. A company was born: Sofistafunk.

Now, she designs pieces for everyone from Sean Combs to Mary J. Blige.

McIntosh wasn’t done reinventing herself. As she kept designing, she wanted to show off new pieces to her growing social media fans and didn’t always have the money to hire models. On a whim, she posted photos of herself on Instagram (@funkingafter50) wearing her designs, and her sales skyrocketed.

“I can tell my story better than anyone,” she said. “Why do I have to look young? Why can’t I just be?”

Now, she’s one of the top 50+ influencers on social media.

Her lesson? Believe in yourself.

Photo: Tewelde Medhin/Medhin Production

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George Wallace

Joyce Carpati

For decades, stand-up legend George Wallace has been making us all laugh. He’s the comedian most comics cite as their favorite, including his best pal Jerry Seinfeld.

Joyce Carpati has been an opera singer, marketing director for “Cosmopolitan” magazine, a wife, mother and grandmother. She’s glamorous, witty and wise; and well into her 80s, she continued working as a beauty consultant.

It’s a long way from his childhood in Atlanta, Georgia.

By the time Wallace was 18, both of his parents had died, so he headed north to pursue his dreams.

“My parents instilled me with the idea that I should enjoy my life, and just do the right things and stay away from people and things that are bad for you,” he said.

Carpati says she believes in the power and strength of aging and wishes more women would embrace growing older.

“I don’t believe in all of this anti-aging everything,” she said.

“Of course, I wear some makeup and some creams that will give me some moisturizer; but I don’t believe in all these anti-aging products. I just like being how I am.”

After honing his skills in New York, he headed to Los Angeles. Acting roles and tours with the likes of Diana Ross and Smokey Robinson followed. Then lightning struck. He headlined a record-setting, 10-year stint at the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas.

The way she is, is inspirational — so much so that photographer Ari Seth Cohen featured her prominently in his documentary, “Advanced Style,” which focuses on fashionable older women.

Wallace continues to find new ways to reach new audiences.

He’s regularly included on Funniest People on Twitter lists.

Wallace says he’s just enjoying the ride.

“I wish people wouldn’t try so hard to look so young,” Carpati said. “It usually backfires. I think what you need is the right attitude, and the right hat can’t hurt!”

“We come into this world with a birth certificate, but we don’t have an expiration date,” he said. “If you keep living, you’re going to die. That’s why you have to live every day, have fun and laugh it off. If you try to live a good life and work toward your goals, you’ll be a success, no matter what you do.”

She added, “I love gray hair, and I think it suits most women. Of course, if you want to use hair color, that’s your prerogative. You have to embrace aging, ladies. Be happy with who you are. Every day, get up, get dressed, look at yourself and say, ‘I look good.’”

Photo Courtesy of George Wallace

Carpati is living proof that confidence is the best accessory.

Photo: Ari Seth Cohen

IN E VERY IS SUE : GROWING BOLDER WITH

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TRANSLATING TECH Smart home systems Robert L. Thompson

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Venture into the tech department at Target or any Best Buy, and you’ll quickly be bombarded with signs, displays and screens promoting the latest in smart home automation. As with most tech purchases, the list of features can quickly overwhelm; and a sentiment of “Nevermind, this is too difficult,” can set in. Don’t give up! In this article, Growing Bolder will highlight the top reasons to take the leap and buy a smart home system (or if you’re feeling generous, maybe gift one) and how those features can positively impact your life.

Staying connected

Human connection and socialization have been proven time and again to be one of the most important factors in our overall health and wellbeing. Many of the latest smart home technologies include video conferencing capabilities that allow you to reach out seamlessly to family and friends to see their smiles even from hundreds of miles away.

Note: Many of the smart home systems require an additional product to allow for video calling. Amazon’s Echo Show has video calling capabilities integrated, while a Google Home system requires the purchase of their Nest Hub for this feature.

Safety and security

Increasingly more people are living alone, and technologies, such as smart home systems, can give them and their families extra peace of mind. Products, such as Amazon’s Echo, allow you to call emergency services by simply calling out to your device and giving a verbal instruction, creating an extra layer of safety when a phone is out of reach. Many of these smart home systems also offer full integration into security systems, cameras and lights throughout your home, inside and out. Most offer features that will alert you to motion detection and doors or windows opening. Additional features include controlling your lights when you are, or are not, home.

“Google Home, turn on the lights in the backyard.”

Quick answers

Ever find yourself in the middle of cooking a meal trying to figure out how many tablespoons are in an eighth of a cup? Well, all you have to do is ask! Smart home technology, such as Alexa and Google Home, come fully integrated with voice recognition software that allows you to ask any question out loud without putting down the spatula! This feature also allows you to ask about recent news stories, trivia questions, history or even lyrics to a song — and nearly anything else you can imagine.

You: “Hey Alexa! How many tablespoons are in an eighth of a cup?”

Alexa: “1/8 cups is 2 tablespoons”

Reminders

In today’s busy world, we all have trouble keeping track of our schedules, remembering important dates, keeping our shopping lists in order and just generally organizing our lives. You can now put down that piece of paper, or throw away last year’s calendar, and turn no further than your smart home hub. All of the major tech brands offer solutions for adding items to your calendar, setting reminders or keeping track of lists. Simply by calling out your request, “Siri, please remind me of Aunt Mary’s birthday on January 19,” your system will make note and remind you. Most smart home systems integrate with an app on your smartphone, which allows you to add items to shopping lists, your calendar or set reminders verbally.

This feature is also a great tool to help ensure you’re taking your medications on time.

Music, music, music

Listening to some of your favorite songs from years past has been proven to be one of the strongest memory recall devices ever. Hearing a lyric can make you feel like you’re standing back in that gymnasium dancing with your first love, driving down the highway with the windows down or laughing with a best friend as you watch the sun set. Smart home systems can make those memories as close as a simple command, “Google, play ‘Satisfaction.’” With a subscription to Apple Music, Spotify or many other music services, you can create endless hours of dancing in your kitchen listening to the soundtrack of your life and sharing those great memories with friends and family.

“Siri, play Fleetwood Mac.”

Illustrations: pressureUA via Getty Images Photo: Luis Alvarez via Getty Images

I N E V E R Y I S S U E : T R A N S L AT I N G T EC H

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ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES ®

Martha Cole IT’S ALL ABOUT BAL ANCE

One way to live life to the fullest is through travel. Nothing is healthier for the mind than searching for new experiences. They can be anything from small day trips nearby to visiting exotic places around the world.

Martha Cole, 80, loves to travel but the people she meets are often surprised that she travels alone. “They ask as if they think I’m too old,” she explains. “I tell them they need to think again!”

Cole’s experiences include a train ride across Russia, a visit to the Great Wall of China, an African Safari, and braving the elements in the Arctic and Antarctica. “Life is uncertain so if you want something out of life go for it,” she says. “Live it to the max, do all you can do and you’ll never be sorry.”

Cole does more than sightsee. At the age of 70 she entered and completed an Ironman Triathlon and was the oldest woman to take part that year. “I was very slow but did not quit,” she remembers. “And making it across the finish line was one of the major accomplishments of my life.”

Something else Cole enjoys is volunteering which she has done since 1992, now for Habitat for Humanity of Lake-Sumter, FL. “I live in one of the largest retirement communities in the country, she says. “The Villages is the most active place I’ve ever been which makes me more determined to keep busy.”

It is not unusual to find her in the hot sun nailing shingles on the roof of a house under construction. “The way I see it, life is all about balance,” she explains. “And I wouldn’t feel very good just crossing things off my bucket list if I didn’t balance it with spending time helping others.”

She hopes to encourage others to be more adventurous. “Age is not an excuse,” explains Cole. “Oh, things can take longer to do sometimes but if we try we find out we’re just as capable as ever.”

Cole pushes herself to say yes to opportunities. “Even though there are many times I’ve felt like saying no, I’ve never regretted saying yes.”

At 80, Martha Cole is looking forward and anxious for her next adventure, “Oh, I’m having the time of my life. I never thought I would truly love my age!”

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Gloria Struck 9 5 -Y E A R - O L D M OTO R C YC L E M AT R I A R C H

Gloria Struck first climbed on a motorcycle at age 16, and it quickly became her passion. She was not prepared for the reaction from others.

“It was considered something women just didn’t do,” she said. “In those years, I was refused gas, refused service and they called me all kinds of bad names.”

Yet, Struck persisted. She figures she’s logged over 650,000 miles on two wheels — every one of them with Struck at the handlebars.

“Sorry, but I will not ride on the back holding onto some guy,” she said.

“The fun comes from being at the controls.”

When she shows up at motorcycle rallies, Struck is treated like a rock star, as bikers crowd around, eager to learn the 95-year-old’s secrets to successful aging.

“So many people tell me they want to do things but don’t because of their age,” Struck explained. “You’re never too old — that’s my philosophy. Keep on going and ride like there’s no tomorrow!”

Pat Boone FO R M E R T E E N I D O L

“I can still play basketball, and my kids and grandkids are astonished!” said Pat Boone.

Now 86, Boone is active, involved and occasionally in the news.

The former teen idol stepped forward when it was suggested his success came from appropriating the music of Black artists, a charge that Little Richard and Fats Domino are on the record denying.

“Both stated in interviews that they made more money from my versions,” he explained to “Variety” magazine. “And my records opened the doors for them to become the stars they so richly deserved to become.”

These days, despite being grounded by the pandemic, Boone is still recording, staying in shape and thinking about updating his autobiography.

“I’ve already written it twice, at 50 and 75; and my plan is to continue to write new chapters for as long as I can.”

I N E V E R Y I S S U E : O R D I N A R Y P EO P L E L I V I N G E X T R AO R D I N A R Y L I V E S

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Grandparenting During Distance Learning Amy Sweezey

According to U.S. census data, 2.4 million grandparents are responsible for raising their grandchildren.

And now in this new era, with the coronavirus shutting down in-person schooling, many grandparents are shouldering extra duties, including feeding, caregiving and educating their grandkids.

This has become especially difficult because adults over the age of 65 have been told to self-isolate and quarantine against younger people who could be carriers of the virus. At the same time, many schools have gone virtual, expecting children to learn at home while their parents are still going to work. How are grandparents supposed to help with schooling or childcare when they also need to keep themselves isolated and safe?

Illustration: ma_rish via Getty Images

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Even if schools are open, many grandparents take care of the kids before or after school, with some transporting the children to and from the bus stop.

Some grandparents provide all-day childcare to those too young for school or those who are doing 100% virtual/online school.

The best apps for video chatting with your grandchildren Facebook Messenger

You need a Facebook account before you can use Messenger. If you’re not on Facebook, skip ahead to the next section. If you have a Facebook account, (even if you don’t use it very often), download Messenger to your device. (It’s a separate app from the Facebook app). When you open Messenger and login with your Facebook account, you will see your whole list of friends. A green dot appears next to their photo if they are online and active.

Tap on the photo to see the options of sending a text message, making a voice call or starting a video chat.

FaceTime

You can only use FaceTime with an Apple Product (iPhone, iPad, iPod or MAC desktop). If you or your grandchildren have another type of phone or tablet, skip to the next section. FaceTime is simple to use, because the app is already built into Apple devices, so there’s no need to download anything separately. But both parties need to have an Apple device for it to work.

Some help keep the grandchildren entertained while their work-from-home parents are at their computers or participating in virtual meetings.

Zoom

Zoom became popular when schools and businesses closed due to COVID-19. It’s a great option for group calls or one-on-one video chats. You can share your computer screen with others in the call which makes it popular for working from home or school projects. This is also a great way to have family members living in different places join together in one video call.

Google Hangouts

This one is an option that works if you have a Gmail account with Google. If not, skip ahead to the next section or create a Google account. (It’s easy at Google.com.) Once you have Gmail, download the Hangouts app on your smart device and find your grandchildren, who will also need a Gmail account. You can text, share photos, make voice calls or video chat with multiple people at once.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp isn’t as common in the United States as it is in other countries. It’s wildly popular in Latin American countries, however. It’s a great option if your grandchildren live or travel abroad. You can text or make voice calls, and the video chats are open for up to eight people.

Download to a smartphone or tablet.

CONNECT

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Larry McCool And ‘Caesar The No Drama Llama’ Together they help cooler heads prevail Emily Thompson

As if his business success wasn’t unique enough, an unexpected hero emerged from McCool’s herd of llamas. From humble beginnings, one loving llama has become known across the United States as “Caesar the No Drama Llama.” And for Mystic Llama Farm owner Larry McCool it wasn’t — at first. But he loved his llamas and their soft, fluffy fiber. So, he found a creative way to make the business viable while helping others in his cottage industry.

McCool created a llama fiber cooperative to help producers pool their fiber.

Now it is the largest llama fiber cooperative in North America. Starting with 15 farms in Oregon, the co-op has grown to 140 farms in 23 states and Canada.

Caesar’s affectionate personality isn’t the usual temperament for llamas. McCool discovered Caesar’s gift and interest in interacting with large groups of people by chance at a state fair. Caesar loved the attention from people who couldn’t help but notice him and his fluffy stature. He brings joy to so many people just by being himself, letting people hug him, fawn over him and take pictures with him.

McCool and Caesar are a warm and fuzzy duo sharing that joy with their community. They regularly visit nursing homes and interact with the residents, similar to the way service dogs are welcomed to brighten residents’ spirits.

When tensions rose during protests in Oregon, McCool saw an opportunity for Caesar to bring joy and calm to the situation, just by being himself. McCool and Caesar walked through the crowd, offering a chance for both sides to put their differences aside to share a moment of joy and get a selfie hugging the newly nicknamed, “No Drama Llama.” Caesar is a beacon of joy and wonder in a sea of high emotions.

“He has just taken over my world. So, he and I have just done everything together. We’re just really, really happy. I retired about three years ago. So I get to give back,” said McCool.

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CONNECT

Photos: Megan McGugan

This guy here, he and I, we get mistaken identity all the time. He’s kind of the better looking of the two, but I appreciate just him being with me.

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CAESAR IS T H E R E TO AMPLIF Y THE E V E N T, N OT TO D E T R AC T F R O M I T.

HE HAS JUST TA K E N OV E R M Y WO R L D . S O , H E A N D I H AV E J U S T D O N E E V E RY T H I N G TO G E T H E R . W E ’ R E J U S T R E A L LY, R E A L LY H A P P Y.

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Photos: Megan McGugan

Well, as you can tell right now he is being very affectionate, but this is what he does with people and he brings to people. All he has to do is to show up, and I understand that there’s dogs and different animals like that, but let me tell you, when a big white 300 pound fluffy lover like this shows up, it really takes the air out of the sails of anybody who is just feeling aggressive, and angry, and stressful.

And I know we have a lot of that going on in the world right now, but Caesar just is able to diffuse that. When you see somebody in full riot gear, in camo, with a gas mask on and they’re all of a sudden, they just stop, and they can come up, and also they want to hug Caesar. You just know you’ve done something right with him and he’s done the right thing. So we really are very thankful that that’s what we’re able to do. And no, llamas generally do not have this temperament, to be this way. They tend to be a little bit standoffish, but Caesar is truly one of a kind.

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Fall Into Flavor Chef Collette Haw

Fall is my favorite time of year. There is just something about the warm, savory flavors of fall that inspire me to cook up cozy new dishes for friends and family.

This vegan chili is perfect for cooler days. It packs a powerful protein-packed punch of flavor. I also love to set up a topping bar to make it really decadent.

Experiment with your favorites!

And I can’t let autumn pass without paying tribute to the true star of the season — pumpkin! These pumpkin donuts are the pinnacle of fall desserts. And for those who are watching their sugar intake, they’re made with monk fruit, which is low on the glycemic index.

H A P P Y FA L L F E A S T I N G !

Chef Collette Haw is a classically trained Culinary Institute of America graduate.

Chef Haw operates the Nourish Coffee Bar + Kitchen inside the Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park, Florida, and approaches the Nourish menu with a unique hybrid of her comfort-food-gone-healthy and food-as-medicine philosophies. She also instructs cooking programs at the Center and online at WellbeingNetwork.org.

Want more tips? Visit WellbeingNetwork.org to watch me make some of my favorite recipes.

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Vegan Chili

DIREC TIONS

8 servings

Open all the cans of beans and the can of hominy; strain and rinse with water. Set to the side. Heat a medium pot and add the avocado oil. Once the oil is hot, add the onion, red pepper, green pepper and garlic. Saute until translucent, then add the chili powder, cumin, paprika, cayenne powder, diced green chilies, the beans and hominy, tomatoes and vegetable stock.Simmer for 30 minutes, then enjoy!

INGREDIENTS 16 ounce can pinto beans 16 ounce can red beans 15.5 ounce can white hominy 16 ounce can butter beans 16 ounce can navy beans 16 ounce can black beans 16 ounce can cannellini beans 2 tablespoons avocado oil 1 large onion, medium-diced 1 large green bell pepper, medium-diced 1 large red bell pepper, medium-diced 2/3 cup chopped garlic 1 can mild diced green chilies ½ cup chili powder 4 teaspoons cumin 4 teaspoons paprika ½ teaspoon cayenne powder 28 ounce can diced tomatoes 4 cups vegetable stock

Pumpkin Donuts 12 servings INGREDIENTS ½ cup coconut oil (melted) 3 large eggs 1 cup monk fruit granules 1 ½ cups canned pumpkin 1 ½ teaspoons pumpkin pie spice ½ teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder 2 cups all-purpose flour

Donut Coating

2 tablespoons monk fruit granules 2 teaspoons cinnamon

Calories 771, Total Fat 5.1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 539 mg, Total Carbohydrate 41 g, Dietary Fiber 42.7 g, Protein 47.5 g

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted coconut oil, eggs, monk fruit granules, canned pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.

Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients; fold together until batter forms. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a donut-baking mold with cooking spray. Bake for 15 minutes or until a toothpick comes out dry. After the donuts are done baking, let them rest in the mold for 5 minutes, then remove them from the mold and sprinkle with the cinnamon and monk fruit mixture.

Calories 184, Fat 10.6 g, Sodium 43 mg, Carbs 18.9 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Sugar 1.2 g, Protein 4.2g Photos: Jacob Langston

C R E AT E

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Leaders Face New Challenges Tampa and Miami mayors navigate COVID-19 uncertainty George Diaz

Look for more interviews with Florida leaders from around the state in upcoming issues of Growing Bolder magazine.

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F E AT U R E S

Francis Suarez and Jane Castor wear their historic benchmarks well, carrying them as a source of pride in the communities they serve.

As the son of former Miami Mayor Xavier Suarez – the first Cuban-American mayor of a city in the United States – Francis Suarez builds on the family name to shape his own legacy in the City of Miami.

Castor became Tampa’s first openly gay mayor and only the eighth openly gay mayor in Florida in 2019.

But those moments in history only reveal part of the story. Suarez and Castor could have gone to faraway places and set a different course in their lives. Instead, they chose to stay home.

Castor graduated from George D. Chamberlain High School in 1977 and then attended the University of Tampa, where she became a notable athlete, emerging as a star in the women’s basketball and volleyball teams.

Suarez attended Belen Jesuit, an all-boys preparatory school, in Miami, and would eventually rise to the top 10 of his class at Florida International University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in finance in 1996.

They remain on the local front lines today, only with stronger resumes. They lead two vibrant and diverse cities in a time of crisis, facing the daily challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Growing Bolder caught up with both to allow them to reflect on those experiences, and how they draw from those 25 experiences in theirG everyday R O W I N G challenges.

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Jane Castor

“Let’s make kindness contagious,” Jane Castor often tells her constituents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The words aren’t fluff or political theater. They are necessary. Four words that will help define your day, how you move forward, and how you treat others.

“We want kindness to be more contagious than this virus,” she said.

Reality often gets in the way. The virus has been an allconsuming thing for just about everyone, including the person who has held that title as Mayor of Tampa since April 23, 2019, when she won a runoff election against David Straz.

Castor won with 73 percent of the vote.

The people’s strong faith in Castor is reflected in glowing reviews. CNN praised her as a “political star” when she was elected. Castor was recently featured in The Hill – an influential political website – as one of “six mayors making a difference.”

The article praised Castor’s commitment to increase student engagement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, especially among young girls.

Castor, now 59, can relate to much of that experience in her life. She didn’t settle for traditional roles after graduating from college.

Degree in hand, Castor joined the Tampa Police Department, where she served 31 years and eventually became the city’s first female Chief of Police. After leaving the police force, she found other challenges serving the public.

“I never had any intentions of being a politician or running for office, just the way that circumstances arose,” she said. “My two predecessors were incredible leaders of our city and also good personal friends, so it was really in conversations with them that led me to consider running for Mayor of Tampa.”

Like every other mayor in the country, Castor didn’t have “international pandemic” on the list of challenges she expected to face. She used her background in law enforcement to deal with the daily challenges.

“In law enforcement, I always say you have plan A, plan B, plan C and then you have what really happens,” she said.

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“That unexpected, you’re used to dealing with that. That I think is very important.”

“It’s been tested in a number of ways, but I have always throughout my life especially in service to our community, I’ve always tried to make decisions that are in the best interests of our entire community. That’s going to make a lot of people happy and it’s going to make a lot of people unhappy. But at the end of the day, I try to do what’s in the best interests of the community.”

Every community isn’t monolithic. Some folks are strict about masks and social distancing. Others not so much.

Castor has tried to stay above the fray, sticking to science, facts, and common sense.

In law enforcement, I always say you have plan A, plan B, plan C and then you have what really happens. That unexpected, you’re used to dealing with that.

That I think is very important.

“The science tells us clearly that the best way to avoid transmission of this virus is to practice social distancing, wear a mask, wash your hands,” she said. “The pushback on the mask has really confounded me. I don’t understand how such a simple thing like wearing a mask could not only protect you but protect others. It shouldn’t be a negative issue.”

Leadership requires a delicate balance of push and pull.

Castor has added levity to a purpose by engaging in online dance parties, TikTok videos in hopes of reaching a younger audience, and showing off a Tampa flavor with her masks.

“Mayor Jane’s Karaoke Dance Party” began in April airing on iHeartMedia radio stations. First song on the playlist: “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.

She is also part of a “homemade mask brigade” and wears a series of personalized masks that people have made for her. Many are Tampa-centric, including one with a skyline of Tampa. Another is reversible with “TPA” on one side, and an image of Wonder Woman on the other.

“I’m just a veritable message board of masks,” she said.

There’s another message Castor wants to get across, more important than a fashion statement to her 393,000 constituents.

“Those initiatives we took were just to remind people of the basics of kindness, the sense of community,” she said. “and although we are facing difficult times, we still have fun.”

Francis Suarez isn’t just an informed spectator with a front-row seat to the COVID crisis. He also happens to be the second confirmed case in Miami-Dade County. In midMarch, his image popped up on a video on a big screen at City Hall, announcing that he was placing himself in isolation in case he had contracted the Coronavirus. It was confirmed the next day.

He would then go into isolation for 18 days, away from his wife and two children, but still accessible to a city of 480,000 residents. The experience proved invaluable from a leadership standpoint.

“I was able to put a lot of people at ease as to what would happen if they did get sick, so that was one thing,” he said.

“The second thing I realized was how important it is to get quick turnaround time on testing. Because I was able to get the information quickly, I was able to avoid my wife getting sick, then my family getting sick, and that’s something that I think we need to do a much better job of going forward. Our turnaround time for results is way too long still.

“I think the other thing was I was very asymptomatic.

And so, it led me to believe that you can be asymptomatic and still be a transmitter.”

Suarez, 42, has mined that information to lead his community with a proactive approach. On July 17, the City of Miami issued an emergency order, making masks mandatory while in public.

The pandemic has obviously been the biggest challenge for Suarez, who was first elected on November 7, 2017 with 86 percent of the vote. Suarez is the first Miami-born mayor, although duty to public service runs through the core of his family roots. Through his father’s eyes, Suarez got a firsthand look of the balance between public life and civic service.

“When he first ran for office, I was two years old, and I think my first political commercial I did was on his lap. Vota por papi por favor. (Vote for my dad please).

“And certainly, seeing his career was incredibly inspiring. It allowed me to put a premium on helping people as opposed to making money, being wealthy, which is a choice that we must make.

“I wasn’t one of these kids who grew up always wanting to be in politics. I’d seen the good and the bad of it when my dad was in office. I sort of backed into it, if you will. I got married, I bought a house, I got involved, like my homeowner’s association.”

He polished his political chops as a commissioner before running for mayor, earning respect along the way.

Suarez served as a City Commissioner of District 4 for eight years and was also as Vice-Chair of the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization and was once President of the Miami-Dade County League of Cities.

Photos Courtesy of the City of Tampa and Miami

I wasn’t one of these kids who grew up always wanting to be in politics. I’d seen the good and the bad of it when my dad was in office. I sort of backed into it, if you will. I got married, I bought a house, I got involved, like my homeowner’s association.

In other words, he isn’t riding on papi’s coattails.

“There’s little sense of dynastic entitlement, a refreshing pivot from other city of Miami races,” The Miami Herald wrote in its endorsement of Suarez. “Rather, it’s the next logical step. He has a record to run on — and it’s a solid one.”

That record grows exponentially, even through the prism of a pandemic.

Francis Suarez

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Being able to breathe, is a feeling that you want to rejoice instantly.

At 70, Ed Henry lived through a double lung transplant. Today he’s back to work, in the gym, and looks forward to his morning walk at sunrise — a daily reminder of a new beginning. He thanks his donor, his surgeons, and his Florida Blue Nurse Care Manager, who helped get him liquid oxygen when he didn’t know where to turn, which kept him alive until he could get the double lung transplant.

“Florida Blue has carried me through the last year and I know they have my back.”

See more stories at floridablue.com/ storiesofstrength

— Ed Henry

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The Creator of the ‘Council of Dads’ Believes Life is in the Transitions Bill Shafer

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Photo: Jonica Moore

QUESTIONS WITH

Bruce Feiler is the author of six, consecutive “New York Times” bestsellers and was the inspiration for the drama series “Council of Dads” on NBC. His online TED Talks have been viewed over 2 million times. His new book, “Life Is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age,” describes his journey across America collecting hundreds of life stories, exploring how we can navigate life’s growing number of lifequakes and live with more meaning, purpose and joy.

Your book, written just before the pandemic, is all about how to deal with lifequakes. What is a lifequake?

Are all lifequakes bad? Didn’t you have a big one when your book, “Council of Dads” became a hit TV series?

We’re dealing with one right now! A lifequake is an unexpected event that’s high on the Richter scale of consequences and has aftershocks that last for years.

I had just gone through several myself: I was diagnosed with cancer, I nearly went bankrupt and my dad, who has Parkinson’s, tried to take his own life. There was nowhere to turn for help in dealing with so many things at once. So, I headed out across the country, collecting wisdom from others who’ve gone through challenges, people who have lost limbs, lost homes and pushed through.Then low and behold, my book, “Life Is in the Transitions,” comes out when the entire planet happens to be going through a lifequake.

Oh, It was amazing! It all began when I got cancer in 2008.

I was a new dad, and you’re not supposed to get cancer at 43. I did not know if I would survive, so I asked a group of men to form this council of dads to look after my kids. And as you mentioned, NBC turned it into a primetime series.

That’s an example of an involuntary transition. It was out of my control. Most lifequakes tend to be involuntary, things like losing your job, getting sick, getting cheated on.

But they can also be voluntary: cheating on your spouse, changing your religion or moving to a new city. So, yes, lifequakes can be good as well as bad, but the way we transition is what makes all the difference.

It seems like once we hit 50, lifequakes become more seismic. Is life more difficult as we get older? Are there ways to get through it?

Can you leave us with a takeaway? Is there some point that you really want us to go home with?

Well, I think as we age changes do hit us harder; but that’s because our thinking can get too rigid and too linear. We tend to believe we need a different set of tools, depending on whether our crisis is medical, personal or work related.

I thought that, too; but I was wrong. It turns out no matter what you’re dealing with, the tools offered in “Life Is in the Transitions” will apply.

People try to be encouraging and say, “Oh, you’ll be so much stronger in the long run because of this challenge that you’re going through.” Are you that guy? Is that your message?

No, I’m saying it’s going to be very difficult, but I’m going to help you figure it out. Here’s what I discovered: life transitions come in three phases. There’s the long goodbye, where you have to say goodbye to the old you.

Then, there’s the messy middle, where you have to shed old habits. And finally, there’s a new beginning, where you unveil the new you. All of us are good at some of the phases and not so good at others. It’s not going to be easy, so the key is to begin with what you’re good at, build up some confidence and then tackle the more difficult phases.

IN E VERY IS SUE : 5 QUE S TIONS

Yes, two words: transitions work. Life gets us stuck, transitions get us unstuck. 90% of the people I spoke to said they made it through their life transition. So, that means whatever you’re going through right now, whether it’s work, family, spiritual or physical, you can get through it. I know, because I actually met the people who did.

I listened to their stories and learned from their experiences. They gave me hope, but they also gave me practical steps that I could take to get through my transition and in turn help you get through yours. So, whatever you’re struggling with, in this book you’re going to find people, just like you, who’ve gone through even worse and who offer solid, practical steps to take starting right now, tomorrow and next week. Whatever you’re struggling with, whatever transition you’re in, you can get through anything.

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Klaus Vedfelt via Getty Images

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Can we Talk to Animals?

How to understand your furry family members Laura Savini

Dr. Dolittle provided a familiarity with the concept of talking to animals. But this is not a crazy Hollywood idea. We CAN talk to the animals. Animal Communicators are trained to uncover the reason why your dog is barking so much or why your cat is not using the litter box — or what they desire as a member of your family.

It deepens your relationship.

In animal communication, telepathy is used to transmit emotions, images and sensations with the animal. Animal Communicator and respected instructor Kristin Hadley explains, “Telepathy is being aware of what is available to perceive.

This is not a skill we are taught to develop or rely on.”

Animal Communicator Stacey McMullan confirms, “I’ve always had a deep connection with animals. I could hear them as a child until I was told it was nonsense. I trusted the adults around me to know. Years later and with daily meditations I became more in tune with the subtleties in my awareness.

I instinctively felt my two large dogs wanting to convey information to me.”

Communicators send and receive vibrations with the animals. Tam Hunt deftly explains the science in his Scientific American article, “The Hippies Were Right: It’s All about Vibrations, Man!”. He writes, “An interesting phenomenon occurs when different vibrating things come into proximity: they will often vibrate together at the same frequency: they ‘sync up’... Vibrations, resonance, are the key mechanism behind human consciousness, as well as animal consciousness.”

Karen Silverstein has documented McMullan’s work. “When Stacey connects with an animal, they both change, whether it’s a dog, bear, alpaca or horse. She gets a sensory reaction from the animal — if it is in pain, unhappy, or trying to warn its pet guardian of something — Stacey senses it and conveys the message.”

“I know I am communicating with an animal,” McMullan adds, “when I feel their energy blending with mine. Sitting in quiet helps us to listen in other ways besides our minds. Once I am communicating with permission from the animal and their guardian, I ask them what they have to say. Some animals are very shy while others are ready to be heard. I ask for evidence from them to give to their guardians so they know I am communicating with them.”

F E AT U R E S

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I consulted with McMullan on my cat Chai. Stacey told me Chai didn’t like hot tuna — I had been heating it up. McMullan was speaking with Chai! She helped us understand how Chai was coping with losing his eye and shared extraordinary experiences he was having with the backyard wildlife. “The most poignant communication I have had, was with Chai,” McMullan says, “He taught me that animals can see the world from perspectives of which we only dream of.”

Chai also told her he prefers that I don’t share his secrets, so we will leave it here!

Hadley was once asked to warn a group of chipmunks that there was going to be construction and that their tunnels and nests would be dug up. She repeatedly conveyed images of heavy machinery and their homes being demolished. She explains that it was like “sending a compressed movie file.” The chipmunks got the message and moved to other yards.

There was a cat who was urinating on its owner’s bed while she was away.

McMullan made an uncomfortable discovery when she connected with the cat– the pet sitter was looking through the personal items in the bedroom. The pet sitter was let go and the cat returned to her litter box.

Hadley said that some come to the work more naturally than others but good listening skills, the belief that animals are sentient beings, and experience with meditation are a strong starting place. And “you cannot let your own agenda get in the way.” When you are doing it right, “it feels light and effortless, a complete sense of knowing,” says Hadley.

What does Hadley say to nonbelievers of this skill? “I am not trying to convince anyone. It is not an exact science but all of it is explainable and measurable through science.”

Communicating with a horse getting a new trainer, telling a dog there is a baby joining the family, calming an animal approaching death, or just understanding what your pet is thinking — these are reasons to engage with an animal communicator. Select yours carefully. Animaltalk.net hosts a directory with trained, certified communicators.

Hadley explains her mission in teaching women to become animal communicators; it creates more opportunities for women to become financially independent. It also grooms them to be better listeners and communicators with humans, more in tune with the natural world. Then they can make community decisions about animals, nature and our planet, making it a better world for all of us.

I am not trying to convince anyone.

It is not an exact science but all of it is explainable and measurable through science.

KRISTIN HADLEY Laura Savini is an Emmy-winning producer and host for PBS. She produced five seasons of the public TV music series “THE KATE” before Covid 19 put that series on hiatus. Now she is developing and producing lifestyle and music programming. She works closely with her husband, Grammy-winning composer Jimmy Webb, to share his music, words and stories with the world. She is often seen riding her bike while wearing a skirt, and she can’t wait to get on a plane again to visit friends and granddaughters.

Leoniek Van Der Vliet / EyeEm via Getty Images

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Check Out Our New Online Shop For All Things Growing Bolder!

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The Enduring Power of Trust Mike Leonard

In the waning days of summer, prior to the start of my senior year in college, I bought a Super 8 movie camera.

Nine years later, movies shot with that camera and projected onto the office wall of a TV executive led to my first job as a news reporter. I was a 31-year-old, married father of three with no journalism experience. How that camera came to be mine is a miracle of sorts.

August, 1969 It was late afternoon after my last day of summer employment on a Chicago construction crew. I had rented a room at a suburban YMCA for the bargain price of $14 a week. The money saved was earmarked for an $800 engagement ring I intended to purchase the next morning.

Sitting in the cramped lobby phone booth, I fed quarters into a slot and spun the rotary dial.

My dad answered in his usual, cheerful manner. He had relocated to Phoenix a few years earlier with my mom, my two younger brothers and my grandmother, who had lived with us for years.

Long-distance phone calls were expensive, so I got right down to business, telling my father that I was going to propose to Cathy on Sunday with a planned wedding date in June of the following year -- if she accepted.

My delighted dad then handed the phone to my grandmother, who told me -- out of the blue -- that she had been saving her mother’s ring for this occasion. Her words caught me by surprise. I had worked all summer to save enough money for an engagement ring, and now my grandmother was offering to give me a ring -- a ring from her mother, Bridget O’Halloran from County Cork, Ireland. When my father got back on the phone, I told him how appreciative I was and then explained the problem with the gift.

It was late Friday afternoon, and I was going to buy the ring on Saturday, propose to Cathy on Sunday, then leave

for school on Monday. How could I get the ring in time?

There was no FedEx in 1969. My dad said he would try to think of something and told me to stay near a phone. The next morning, he called me at Cathy’s house with instructions to go to O’Hare Airport that afternoon. A plane from Phoenix would be arriving at 4 p.m. I was to wait in the arrival lounge. The ring would be delivered.

What my father did couldn’t be done today. He took Bridget O’Halloran’s ring to Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix; and because there were no security checkpoints in those days, he simply walked to the departure lounge of a Chicagobound flight and waited for the flight attendants to show up. When they did, my dad approached one of the women and asked, “Could you deliver this ring to my son?” When she agreed, my dad handed her the diamond ring, explained that I would be waiting at the arrival gate in Chicago and left. He never asked the flight attendant for her name.

The plane landed on time. The passengers dispersed, leaving me standing there alone. A flight attendant peered from the jet bridge, then walked over to me slowly and said, “You must be the boy.” I nodded my head. Out of her pocket came a folded up napkin, and out of that napkin came a diamond ring. She placed the ring in my hand, gave me a hug, and said, “Have a wonderful life.” Then she walked away.

I never got her name.

A diamond ring once worn by an Irish immigrant who trusted fate by sailing off to an unknown land had just sailed across America in the trusted hands of an unknown woman.

A day later, I gave that same diamond ring to a pretty girl who believed me when I said that I would find my place in the world. And after nine, long years of struggle, I did find my place by showing home movies on the wall of a news director’s office. Those movies came from a camera that I bought in Chicago on the weekend of my engagement. The movie camera cost $800 - the amount left in my bank account thanks to the gift of Bridget O’Halloran’s ring.

CSA Images via Getty Images

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CONNECT

I may be old, but I got to see all the cool bands.

FOR MORE DAILY MEM E S :

@GrowingBolder Jason Hetherington via Getty Images

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Feeling Isolated?

Hidden health risk for older adults Amy Sweezey

For months, people have been following the advice of medical professionals and state leaders to “stay home” and “stay safe.” Knowing the coronavirus can be lifethreatening, especially to older adults, everyone has been encouraged to reduce the risk of exposure to themselves and to others. But sheltering at home can mean isolation from family, friends and activities that keep humans engaged in life.

Directors at the Texas A&M Center for Population Health and Aging are studying social connectedness in older adults and the detrimental effects of social isolation and loneliness on physical and mental health. The study shows that the safety guidelines to self-isolate from the pandemic have inadvertently created new health risks for older adults by leaving them more isolated and inactive than ever before.

Even before the pandemic began, studies showed that nearly a quarter of older Americans felt socially isolated, and about a third of middle-aged and older adults experienced loneliness.

That isolation often leads to other health issues: chronic disease, psychiatric disorders, declining cognitive function, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, even premature death. Of course, staying at home also makes living a healthy lifestyle more difficult, including the challenge of trying to eat well and exercise.

Without exercise, muscles can weaken. Inactivity can lead to weight gain, declining heart function and decreased lung capacity.

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The Texas A&M directors recommend the following steps for older adults to stay active and engaged despite social isolation:

Stay physically active.

Plan your day.

FInd exercises that can be done at home or around your house.

Keeping a routine adds value and meaning to your day.

Know your risk.

Assess whether or not you are at risk for negative impacts from isolation.

Stay connected.

Don’t live in fear.

Think of others.

Reach out to friends; volunteer.

Accept help.

Don’t be afraid to leave home, but do so wisely.

Follow CDC guidelines.

Remain open to accepting kindness and support from family, friends, health care providers or social service agencies.

Staying connected is key despite the pandemic’s need for social distancing.

Here are a few ideas: 1.

2.

3.

4.

CONNECT

Phone calls Online platforms and social media Online learning Internet-based volunteering

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Acting Your Age Hollywood is calling!

Joy Perry

Dreams have no expiration date.

Casting call: Acting experience is strongly preferred, but amateurs will be considered. You should be a 55+ female for consideration. The character is a female, 60s, funny, sharp and full of life.

When Joy Perry read the casting call for the Hallmark movie, “The Christmas Bow,” she thought, “I’m a 57-year-old, funny, sharp, full-of-life amateur. I fit all the criteria!”

Hallmark said the character, Tess, also suffered from a neuropathological disease, and Perry fit that description, too.

Proving that dreams have no expiration date, here is Joy Perry’s inspiring story of how a 57-year-old Winter Springs, Florida, woman, with an untreatable, incurable diagnosis, performed the role of a lifetime. ***** 40

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Photos Courtesy of Crown Media

Have you ever been engaged in a conversation and hear something so unexpected and so stunning that you didn’t hear anything else after that moment?

That happened to me twice. The first time was in February, 2010, when a doctor at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville told me that I had a neuromuscular disease called Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT). He told me that the condition was “non-treatable, non-curable and progressive.”

I don’t remember anything else about the appointment. I was overwhelmed by anxiety and fear.

Fast forward a decade later to July 30, 2020. MacLain Nelson, executive producer of “Little Women (2018),” called me — a person with no acting experience — to say I had been chosen to play the part of Tess in an upcoming Hallmark Christmas movie. I don’t remember anything else either of us said — I was overflowing with excitement and disbelief.

What followed was a whirlwind of activity. Just three days later, I flew to Utah and spent three weeks performing the role of Tess, the mother of the main character, Patrick, played by Michael Rady. In the film, Patrick is a physical therapist. I’m a physical therapist assistant in real life, so an unexpected bonus was providing technical assistance in some of the scenes.

Filming days were long, but the cast and crew were encouraging and helpful. The director, Clare Niederpruem,

DEFY

was patient and kind. Michael Rady, my screen son, who is perhaps best known for his role in “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants,” gave freely of his time and expertise, often role-playing with me and offering suggestions to boost my confidence.

The hair and makeup staff were amazing and made me look beautiful, even after being on set all day.

I was fascinated by the props specialists and lighting staff who transformed sets into those beautifully decorated, magical backgrounds that are signature features of Hallmark holiday movies. Even on days when I was not filming, I would go to the set just to watch and listen to other actors and to learn more about what goes into making a movie.

After a few days, I began to feel more comfortable and allowed my personality to shine through my character.

Tess and I really are a lot alike. Both of us have a strong support system of family and friends, and both of us don’t let CMT hold us back.

My family took turns visiting me while I was filming, including my son, Maxwell. During off hours, we explored the Provo area, hiking and biking through the beautiful trails and canyons. I fell in love with the state and hope to return in the fall or spring.

At this point, you may be wondering, “What about CMT and the dire diagnosis you received?”

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It is often said that CMT is the most common disease that people have never heard of. CMT affects 1 out of 2,500 people. Since receiving the news in 2010, many things have changed. While CMT is still untreatable and incurable, there has been progress, due in part to the efforts of Allison Moore, founder of the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF).

The nonprofit foundation’s mission is to increase awareness and accurate diagnosis of CMT, to support patients and families with information that improves their quality of life and to fund research for treatments and cures.

While CMT is still progressive, I have learned to make adjustments. CMT affects the extremities first. Nerves die causing muscles to waste away. My feet and lower legs are the most affected. I don’t have the strength to run anymore, so I walk slowly with an odd gait. My balance is affected since I no longer have full feeling in my feet.

What most observers see, however, is an avid cyclist, logging about 100 miles a week. I love to ride my mountain bike through the Ocala National Forest trails. Despite some weakening in my hands and forearms I am a passionate swimmer and swim regularly with a group of friends and neighbors. We call ourselves “the mermaids.” In July, I completed a 3-mile ocean swim.

I’m grateful that my progression has proven to be slow.

Yet, I can’t ignore the growing fatigue, cramping in my legs and hands and increasing loss of balance.

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Although my CMT has advanced, so has my resolve to advance in other areas of my life. So, when an email arrived with the Hallmark casting call, I went for it. With the help of my sister, Adria Clark, I rehearsed scenes, practiced with a walker and wheelchair and taped my audition. Two weeks later, I was performing scenes on Zoom for the producer and director. Two days later, I received a call from Hallmark offering me the part.

People have told me they would never have taken the chance and responded to the casting call. They are surprised that I dropped everything and went to Utah for three weeks to film a movie.

I mean, who gets a major role in a movie at 57? With NO previous acting experience? ME -- someone who is Growing Bolder!

“The Christmas Bow,” starring Lucia Micarelli and Michael Rady, will air this fall on the Hallmark Channel.

Check your local listings.

For more about the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, visit www.hnf-cure.org.

To watch “The Christmas Bow” on the Hallmark Channel, check your local listings.

Florida’s Aging Connection Since 1955

ADVOCACY The Florida Council on Aging (FCOA) supports various policy and funding issues that allow older adults to age with dignity in a safe environment.

EDUCATION FCOA provides the general public with information and resources for : + older adults + caregivers + people who work with elders FCOA connects experts and peers to share new research and best practices. Together we serve Florida’s diverse aging interests.

COMMUNICATION FCOA provides timely, educational updates on issues that affect caregivers, decision makers, professional service providers and older adults.

Members receive this information through our e-newsletter, social media and health messaging posters and flyers for senior centers.

MEMBERSHIP FCOA has been Florida’s Aging Connection for 65 years, with diverse members in all 67 counties.

We help members with a wide range of business and community initiatives such as: + pilot project consultation and hosting + employment announcements + grant opportunities + forming of a task force + volunteer opportunities

JOIN THE FLORIDA COUNCIL ON AGING Share your wisdom.

Learn innovative best practices.

Make a difference.

Become a member at FCOA.org or by calling 850-222-8877.

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A Tale of Two Futures The best of times and the worst of times

Excerpt from “Growing Bolder: Defy the Cult of Youth, Live With Passion and Purpose,” by Marc Middleton.

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In the opening paragraph of “A Tale of Two Cities,” Charles Dickens wrote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times... it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us...”

Aging is very much a tale of two cities. The 50-plus demographic is the most diverse group of all time, containing extreme wealth and abject poverty; vibrant health as well as chronic illness and disability.

On one hand, this is the greatest time in the history of humankind to be over 50, 80 and even 100. We’ve all won the Mega-life Lottery. Humankind has been on the planet for 300,000 years; and for 99% of that time, the average life expectancy was 18. In 1900, the average life expectancy in the U.S. was just 49, and there were only 122,000 people 85 or older. It’s projected that there’ll be nearly 20 million 85 or older by 2050, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Of the 117 billion people born since the beginning of time, fewer than 3 billion have lived with a life expectancy greater than 50 and with a daily income greater than $2.50. We’re all in that group! Few in the history of humankind have ever made it to our age with an opportunity for continued adventure and significance.

Ray Kurzweil, Google’s director of engineering and one of the world’s foremost futurists, says we’ve lost perspective when it comes to appreciating what we have.

“Read about what human life was like two centuries ago,” he told me. “Read Thomas Hobbes. Read Charles Dickens. Life expectancy was 37. Franz Schubert died at 31.

Mozart died at 35. There were widespread bacterial infections. There were no antibiotics. Life was extremely harsh, filled with hard labor. It took six to eight hours just to prepare the evening meal. The poor today have amenities that kings and queens didn’t have a century ago. We very quickly forget what life was like not long ago.”

Thanks to advances in medicine, healthcare, technology and genetic research — as well as improved personal lifestyle choices — there now exists an entirely new life stage. We have a two–, three– or even fourdecade opportunity for meaningful, fulfilling life beyond what had been considered normal retirement age. This new life stage offers nearly limitless opportunities to reinvent yourself, pursue your passions, return to school, start a business, repair old relationships, build new relationships, give back to your community and leave a meaningful legacy.

We’re no longer constrained to living linear lives, in which our activities must reflect our ages. We can go to college at 50, get married at 60, start a business at 70, begin running at 80, take up acting at 90 and write a book at 100. There are no longer any arbitrary, age-related rules as to what’s possible and acceptable at any stage of our lives. These extra decades can be filled with passion, purpose and possibility.

The odds of living to an active 100 are increasing every day. Of course, hitting the century mark is worthwhile only if we can get there in a physical, mental and emotional state that allows us to enjoy it. Without quality of life, longevity is more punishment than opportunity. No one wants to become a centenarian if all it means is living an additional 20 years in lonely isolation: bedridden, drugged and being attended to by strangers who might care for you but don’t really care about you.

But what if we can remain active into our 100s?

What if we can continue growing, laughing, learning, loving, sharing and giving back into our 100s? What if the growing number of scientists and researchers who predict that living to 120 and enjoying it will soon be commonplace are right? What if tomorrow’s 100-yearolds aren’t warehoused like many 80-year-olds are today? What if they’re not a financial drain on their families and society as a whole? What if they need far less healthcare than the average 40-year-old now requires?

What if they’re working, dancing, swimming, volunteering, living alone and enjoying amazing meals and fabulous vacations? Longevity can be a great thing.

Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got.

— A R T B U C H WA L D

Growing Bolder: Defy the Cult of Youth, Live With Passion and Purpose Available now on amazon.com

Special Section: Book Excerpt 45

The Problem with Exercise Jonathan Taylor

When we were kids, our lives were defined by play, movement, activity and exploration. We never thought about scheduling a training session to work on our abs, glutes or upper body. We just lived eagerly and inquisitively, developing as human beings, (neurologically and physically, mind you), through the experience of constant and varied movement.

However, as we passed into adulthood, our childlike freedom and movement spontaneity began to severely diminish, replaced with sedentarism, stressful days and little time for meaningful activity. Yet, with this innate understanding that the body requires movement to survive, we have tried as adults to supplement this loss with so-called exercise, confining the body’s movement to couple-hour sessions in a given week. And don’t get me wrong, exercise has tremendous benefits on cardiovascular health, the prevention of many diseases and overall cognitive clarity. However, the concept of exercise can also pose a real problem.

And what is that problem?

Think about it: The idea behind exercise can actually become an excuse not to move the rest of the day! We check it off our to-do list and then go on back to our chairs. We have 24 hours in one day, totaling 168 in the week. Out of that, we try to devote 45 minutes to 1 hour of exercise two to four times a week. Being generous, let’s say that exercise consumes four hours of our week. But what about the other 164 hours? See my point?

We must first begin to change our perception of what living well is. And living well is providing what our bodies need: constant and varied movement, just like children. Ever notice how kids never have joint or muscle issues? That’s because they move more!

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Orbon Alija via Getty Images

MOVE MORE And when I say, “move more,” I am not just referring to moderate or vigorous exercise. Movement can be comprised of many things, such as, but not limited to the following:

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Trying to sit on the floor in varied positions rather than sitting on the couch.

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Parking farther away from the store to encourage more daily steps.

3

Taking frequent movement snacks or stretch breaks throughout the day, devoting 10 to 15 minutes just to reinforce the body’s mobility and joint lubrication.

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Practicing diaphragmatic breathing (belly breathing) daily, as opposed to chest breathing, which creates more or a stressful and panicked state.

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Practicing skills that promote cognitive and neural stimulation, such as juggling, balancing on one leg, performing certain movements with eyes closed and learning a new dance or Tai Chi routine.

Don’t just exercise, move more! Did you know that when you move often you increase levels of oxygen to your cells; curb joint and muscle inflammation; help flush cellular waste and build up; reinforce supple, loose, and mobile joints as well as stimulate the release of dopamine, a feel good hormone to the brain?All these benefits are what a life devoted to movement can offer.

How do you distinguish between something that is living and something that is not? Movement! For movement is the very expression of life. So, live your best life now and fight against the current of sedentarism.

Move more, move well, move often!

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Photos: Jacob Langston

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Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary Jim Bronzo and his 350 animal menagerie George Diaz

Noah built an ark to save the world’s animals from a world-engulfing flood. Jim Bronzo has built a wildlife sanctuary in Central Florida to rescue thousands of animals with nowhere else to go.

Bronzo and his creatures have seen fire and rain and weathered the storms.

Nearing 62, Bronzo bears the joy and the pain of a heart that has unconditional love for animals. It’s been a calling of his since his days as a wildlife trapper, which eventually morphed into establishing the Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary, a nonprofit refuge in Orlando, in 1985.

It began innocently enough. As a trapper, Bronzo sometimes took his “work” home with him, finding a more humane alternative to euthanizing the animals he was called to remove.

Bronzo’s menagerie starter-set grew exponentially. There are now about 350 animals living with him in a 3-acre property, along the Big Econ River in East Orlando on acres of wetlands.

“You heard of the crazy cat lady?” he said. “This is like the crazy animal person.

You have no life. You have to be dedicated to these animals.”

Whooper swans. River turtles. Goats. Emus. Sulcata tortoises from Africa.

Peacocks. Muscovy ducks. Iguanas. Geese. Cockatiels. Parakeets. Snakes. Dogs. Cats.

They create their own chaotic soundtrack, with birds chirping incessantly, a handful of emus scampering about and an earthy odor permeating the air from the pigs and other creatures rolling around in the dirt and mud.

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There’s a fine line between becoming a hoarder and not being fair to the rest of the animals.

Photos: Jacob Langston

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Bronzo wakes up every morning at 3:30 a.m. By 4 a.m., he is at a local Publix picking up donated produce and other food items, which he serves for breakfast, along with a hundred or so scrambled eggs.

But paradise has also seen its share of hell.

The sanctuary has weathered hurricanes that have damaged and flooded the property. Then came the fire.

Around 1:30 a.m., on Feb. 4, 2019, a screaming peacock awoke Bronzo to a terrifying scene: Flames were enveloping his home at the sanctuary. He screamed at his four dogs to run.

Not used to the sound of that loud tone, the dogs instead went for cover in the house.

“I looked out the window and saw the orange flames...I had no clothes on. I had no phone,” he said. “I screamed out, ‘Somebody help me! Somebody please help me!’”

Three of his dogs would be among the 41 animals who perished.

“Saddest day of my life,” Bronzo said.

Thanks to the generosity of friends and strangers, who raised $190,000, Bronzo was able to keep his sanctuary and rebuild from the ashes.

But everyday remains a struggle. It costs about $100 a day to feed the creatures, notwithstanding the donations from Publix.

“If it wasn’t for Publix, I couldn’t even have this place,” he said.

Bronzo relies on donations and selling artwork, mostly images of celebrities or pet portraits from customers.

COVID-19 has brought additional challenges, because some people can’t afford to keep their exotic animals; or with more time on their hands, during walks and such, they stumble onto creatures in need.

Meanwhile, the clock keeps ticking. Except for a paid, part-time caretaker, and occasional volunteers, Bronzo is a one-man operation. And he is cognizant of his age and eventual limitations.

“I have to know when to say when,” he said. “There’s a fine line between becoming a hoarder and not being fair to the rest of the animals.”

Jim Bronzo isn’t a hoarder. He is a savior. If animals could talk, they would echo the same sentiment. Through it all – together -- they have withstood death and destruction, defiant in their purpose.

“The animals need the help,” he said. “And if there’s nobody who will take them, I’m there for them.”

Exponential kindness and unconditional love are Jim Bronzo’s most admirable qualities. They also are his greatest weaknesses. Each day he strives to find a balance that won’t break his heart.

Please visit SecondChanceWildlifeSanctuary.org to learn more or make a donation.

You heard of the crazy cat lady? This is like the crazy animal person.

You have no life. You have to be dedicated to these animals.

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A Bolder Look Find inspiration. Explore your potential. Join our tribe. At Growing Bolder, we walk the walk. Our new website reflects exciting changes in our company, as we grow and contribute to the field of active aging.

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SOCIALLY DISTANCED SHARED EXPERIENCE Mary Lou Janson

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“[drive-in theaters] are back in vogue due to social distancing, the need to be outside and a love of movies.”

Drive-in movie theaters seemed to be on the brink of extinction. The once popular night out for families, friends and couples saw their ranks thin from more than 4,000 theaters nationwide to just above 300 in 2020. As fewer cars angled for optimal views of the big screens, and investors increasingly eyed the large land parcels for commercial development, drive-ins began to dismantle and disappear.

In an unforeseen plot twist, drive-ins became the perfect entertainment escape during a global pandemic.

Now, it looks like they will live to play more movies for many more days ahead.

A New Jersey entrepreneur patented the outdoor theater concept in 1933. By simply placing a projector on the hood of his car, tying a screen to trees and designating where to park cars, a new way to watch movies was born.

Eventually, more sophisticated movie houses became bigger box office draws than drive-ins. The convenience of popping in a DVD, downloading a link or watching a firstrun movie on-demand made it easier than ever to enjoy films without leaving home.

Then COVID-19 appeared on the scene and quickly made drive-ins an attractive alternative to being safe but stuck at home. With enclosed theaters temporarily shuttered during the pandemic, loading up the family van with loved ones to catch a film, and remaining safely encased within the car, where masks were not mandatory, was just the ticket to freedom and fun.

Chris Sawyer, president of Sun South Theaters, oversees two Central Florida drive-ins: the Silver Moon Drive-In Theatre in Lakeland and the Joy-Lan Drive-In Theatre in Dade City. He’s definitely witnessed an increase in carloads of newcomers pulling into both drive-ins this summer.

“It’s a fun, different experience and something new for a lot of people,” he said.

Beloved children’s films and blockbusters from the 80s have helped attract movie fans of all ages and fill the film gap created by delays in the release of first-run films.

In Eustis, Florida, a native Floridian and movie industry insider has acquired land to build what will likely be the world’s largest drive-in movie complex, complete with five screens, restaurants, shops and accommodations for RV parking and overnight camping. Construction on the more than 70-acre site where Lighthouse 5 will be built is expected to begin this year.

Spencer Folmar, a filmmaker, producer, director and CEO of Veritas, Inc., hopes the project will attract film buffs who still enjoy the novelty of drive-in theaters, as well as encourage visitors to enjoy extended stays in Eustis and contribute to what he anticipates will be an economic and tourism boon to that community.

“I grew up going to drive-in theaters,” Formar said.

“And now they are back in vogue due to social distancing, the need to be outside and a love of movies.”

Photos: shaunl via Getty Images/ VisitFlorida ScottAudette

CONNECT

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TM

Where Wholeness, Fitness, and Medicine Come Together in Winter Park, Florida

A first of its kind, the Center for Health & Wellbeing is a state-of-the-art healthy living center developed and owned by the Winter Park Health Foundation in partnership with AdventHealth.

Learn. Engage. Be Inspired.

The digital destination for curated health and wellbeing content providing tools, resources and inspiration to people in all stages of their lives and wellbeing journeys.

For around-the-clock access to free health and wellbeing video and blog content, visit WellbeingNetwork.org.

From its studio at the Center, the Wellbeing Network focuses on Seven Dimensions of Wellbeing:

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New Adventures of an Armchair Traveler Bobby Wesley

Westend61 via Getty Images

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We shall not cease from exploring. And the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.

— T. S . E L I OT

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting sick of hanging out at home.

Travel is, in a word, great. It broadens you. It’s fulfilling. It’s inspiring. To see and do (and eat and drink) things out of your routine and comfort zone is good for you. It’s good for your mind.

Heck, as a writer, I’m just more creative when I travel, filling my ever-present, pocket-size notepad with details and observations that I might do something with one day. (Note: I won’t.)

But we’ve been staying home a lot.

It’s been a change for all of us, whether you’re used to traveling the world or just jetting down to a local shop.

I like to get out. I aim for a “big trip” each year – two if I can manage it — to some long-desired location, but I love the quick trip just as much. Whether it’s a weekender to the Big City, a beachside brewery or a walk through the historic streets of St. Augustine, it’s good to get out there. See the things. Do some living.

But lately, I’ve been baking a lot of sourdough. OK, not really; but it seems like everyone else has, right? Sure, I’ve tried new recipes, read books, binged a few shows. If you’re looking, I highly recommend “Nailed It” on Netflix for laughable baking fails that remind you that even if you don’t succeed, hey, at least you tried. And two years after his passing, I was finally able to start watching “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown” reruns again – RIP, Tony. You’re still missed.

Actually, a “Parts Unknown” episode recently gave me a little global inspiration, if from my living room couch. Bourdain traveled to the north of Spain with his friend and genuine gem of a human being, Chef José Andrés. It was Andrés’ homecoming of sorts; and the episode was full of laughter, rich foods and the sharp conversation that made the show so popular.

It made me a bit sad. And hungry. My lady friend felt the same. And then an idea hit me.

I quickly masked up and slipped down to our local “nice grocery store.” There I gathered an array of pre-cut Spanish meats from the deli section, weighty chunks of cheese ranging from Basque Country to Andalusia and enough wine to keep even Chef Andrés in good spirits.

It was a small thing. And our afternoon charcuterie and Rioja weren’t exactly the trip to the Spanish coast I had been dreaming about. But it was a beautiful day filled with good food and good company. And that’s something you can take with you wherever you go.

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AGING IS INEVITABLE.

HOW YOU AGE IS UP TO YOU.

With grace and elegance, “ Bolder reveals the unexpected beauty of growing older. ” —READER’S DIGEST

AVAILABLE IN ALL FORMATS, WHEREVER GREAT BOOKS ARE SOLD.

Record-Holding Athlete’s Journey of Resilience Del Moon And Nick Gandy

At the age of 50, Michael Brown achieved something that athletes of any age yearn for — a record. The former Jacksonville, Florida, high school teacher and track and field coach threw his javelin a whopping 226 feet at the 2004 Florida Senior Games; and then he repeated the same distance at the 2005 National Senior Games in Pittsburgh.

No senior athlete has made a javelin throw over 200 feet, in either event, since.

Brown also holds the Masters Track and Field World Record in the 55-59 age group with a throw of 216 feet 10 inches, established in 2010. No one is more surprised with his lasting records, but the true tale of the tape for him is measured in years, not yards.

“My comeback and the journey since is every bit as important,” he said.

Following his 2010 performance, Brown went surfing and experienced pain in his throwing shoulder. An MRI led to three shoulder surgeries, a rotator cuff surgery and finally a nerve-transfer surgery from his elbow to shoulder.

“The first surgery didn’t go well and neither did the second,” he said. “Looking back, I wish I would have just done rehab. I took a chance, and it didn’t work.”

His doctors said he would never throw again, and he briefly thought about hanging it up. Instead, Brown decided to prove them wrong, going to the gym three to four days a week and doing rehab every day without fail for almost three years.

“It hurt just to hold onto the pull-up bar; but after six months, it stopped hurting,” he explained. “After another six months I could do half a pullup. After three years, I got to where I could do one solid pull up. It’s been six years since then, and now I can do three sets of 20 good pullups.”

Brown didn’t pick up a javelin for five years, but the hard work paid off when he returned to the 2018 Florida Senior Games and proved to be best in the 65-69 age group.

At the 2019 National Senior Games in Albuquerque, Brown won the gold medal with a throw of 150 feet, 8 inches — 13 feet farther than the silver medalist.

Beyond his redemptive performance, the comeback journey reinforced Brown’s pure love of enjoying sports with others.

To be the best fan, you have to be an athlete. That way, you get to see everything!

“There’s just something about the camaraderie of the Games and the people,” he said. “Sure, I can go fishing or play golf; but it doesn’t get the juices flowing like being at a meet.”

The easygoing thrower enjoys seeing people of all abilities in Senior Games.

“You don’t have to perform at a certain level to start in local games,” he advised. “Don’t be embarrassed; just try, and you’re part of the fraternity. Who knows, maybe you do get good at something.”

After a moment, Brown concluded, “To be the best fan, you have to be an athlete. That way, you get to see everything!”

For more information about getting involved in Senior Games, please visit NSGA.com

Photo Courtesy of Greg Wagner/Florida Senior Games

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navigators wanted

In Greater Fort Lauderdale, we welcome everyone who shares our spirit of adventure. Discover a vibrant collection of cultures and activities, along with many ways to stay and play. Start planning at sunny.org

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Online Access For Older Adults Nonprofit OATS is increasing online access for older adults

Are you defying stereotypes and living life boldly, yet offline? Or are you online but not “aging with attitude?”

Do you know an older adult who fits either statement?

Nonprofit Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) is thrilled to announce the launch of “Aging Connected,” an initiative to help older adults get online and thrive in the digital world. “Aging Connected” will create pathways for at least 1 million offline seniors to get online, access critical digital health tools and maintain social connectedness through OATS’ national technology program for older adults, “Senior Planet.”

According to the most recent U.S. Census American Community Survey, only 67% of Americans over the age of 65 have broadband internet at home, compared to 86% of the overall population. This 19% connectivity gap for older adults translates to more than 9 million older people. As the COVID-19 pandemic sweeps across the country, nearly 50 million older people face an ongoing and indefinite period of confinement in their homes. Lower levels of internet connectivity and access to internet-enabled devices have encouraged conditions of deep isolation and distress, making it difficult for older adults to access health care and supportive health resources.

“Older Americans are experiencing a hidden crisis in connectivity,” said Thomas Kamber, founder and executive director of OATS, a nonprofit that works at the intersection of design, aging and technology. “Since 2004, OATS has fostered collaborations to build best-in-class models for supporting seniors and producing social and health outcomes. Now is a critical time to build even stronger connections among older adults and the institutions that support them.”

OATS’ program, “Senior Planet,” helps thousands of Americans aged 60 and older thrive in the digital world and use technology to improve their social engagement, financial security, civic participation, health and creativity. “Senior Planet’s” “Aging Connected” events, content and classes will offer newly connected older adults transformative technology training that improves quality of life.

Access to and use of internet-based technology allows for improved health outcomes during the pandemic and beyond. This has given people necessary skills for a range of activities, including accessing telehealth services, managing online medical record portals and creating greater social connections by reaching out to family and friends via technology.

Learn more about “Aging Connected” at AgingConnected.org or get involved by emailing info@agingconnected.org

Luis Alvarez via Getty Images

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Age at Home with an Independent, Active Lifestyle Seniors or families looking for a dignified aging experience turn to Home Care Assistance for our empowering approach to home care.

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Thelma Houston: “Live and let live, love and be loved.�

Bill Shafer

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Todd Oren via Getty Images

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THE TAKEAWAY Thelma Houston is an American singer and actress who scored a No. 1 hit in 1977 with her recording of “Don’t Leave Me This Way,” which also won the Grammy for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Now 74, she has reunited with legendary songwriter Jimmy Webb and created a new version of the song “Someone Is Standing Outside” from her debut album, “Sunshower.” Written in 1969, she chose to update and re-release it after recent racial protests took her back to the troubled 1960s when her singing career was just beginning.

She explained to Growing Bolder that it rekindled some of the hopes and dreams that have followed her from her youth. On a recent episode of Growing Bolder’s What’s Next (streaming live each Friday on the Growing Bolder Facebook page), Houston explained to GB’s Marc Middleton, Bill Shafer and Laura Savini that it rekindled some fo the hopes and dreams that have followed her from her youth.

I grew up in Mississippi where my grandparents and my mom were all sharecroppers. It was their livelihood. I remember in my town, places where you could only go in the “colored” entrance; and even the doctor’s office had a seperate colored waiting room. It made me aware very early on that you could be judged based on the color of your skin.

Over the decades, we have made great progress; but there are still underlying issues that need to be addressed.

I’ll give you an example. My son used to volunteer at my grandson’s school; and almost every single day, while waiting to catch the train, they’d be questioned and hassled by the police — and not just them. I’ve had to have conversations with my great grandsons about how to handle police interactions. I don’t have any Caucasian friends who have had to have that talk.

Prior to this COVID-19 thing, there had been so much meanness brewing in the country, so much meanness that permeated everything. Then the pandemic kind of isolated us all and allowed the meanness to grow. And the lyrics to one of my songs, “Someone is Standing Outside,” kept going through my mind: “live and let live, love and be loved.”

I mean, isn’t that what we need to understand now more than ever? So, I called the great Jimmy Webb, who wrote the original, and we got together to record and release an updated version, even more relevant than ever.

It’s a song that calls for love. Isn’t love the greatest gift of all? And I truly believe in the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I truly believe if people would just follow that one rule we will have accomplished so much. And that’s what “Someone is Standing Outside” means to me. I hope it reaches a lot of people, makes them think and then brings us all together.

And that is my Growing Bolder Takeaway. I do believe that when people start to feel love, real love, the kind that comes from true compassion, that’s when there will be an understanding. Once there is an understanding, that is when the opportunity presents itself to move forward and make meaningful change, and I am a big believer that the opportunity is very near.

Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

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