February: traditionally, it’s the month of heartfelt Valentine’s Day cards, chocolate candies, bouquets of red roses, and decadent dinners topped off with strawberries and champagne.
When I was in school, it was also the time when students made impromptu “mailboxes” out of decorated brown paper lunch bags and, during recess, dropped boxes of chalky conversation hearts into those of the cutest boys in class (and girls, to be fair; although I was “in love with” Jack, the captain of the fifth-grade baseball team).
Later, when I was newly married, the hand-decorated brown paper bags of my youth gave way to golden boxes of cream-filled chocolate truffles and crimson gladiolas in tall crystal vases.
This year, February is simply chock full of wonderful things to see and do, with at least three major festivities all in a two-week span: the Super Bowl (Sunday, February 12), Valentine’s Day (Tuesday, February 14) and Mardi Gras (Tuesday, February 21).
Within these pages, you'll find great recipes for healthy takes on Super Bowl snacks, the interesting history of "vinegar valentines," some ways
to turn up the heat in your romance, and a new travel feature, "Armchair Adventures," about marching with penguins. Read about the Oak Ridge Boys' Richard Sterban, learn to eat for a powerful heart, and catch a film review of "80 for Brady."
Wherever you are across the beautiful state of Florida, I wish you a happy and hearty February. May your team win, may you receive only love-filled Valentines, and laissez les bon temps rouler!
With gratitude,
Lifestyles After 50 Volume 34, Issue 2
Published by Connected Community Media Group
Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com
Editor Michele Baker
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Credit my fifth-grade teacher who told her eager students about the faraway land of Antarctica inhabited by strange animals called penguins. I thought to myself: someday I will see and even play with these birds that wear black tuxedos.
Many moons later, my daughter and I boarded a Norwegian Ice Cutter to visit the “The White Continent” and the penguins’ playground. The ship’s staff provided special boots to slosh through an antiseptic solution, so we would not leave any human germs behind in the penguins’ habitat. We then climbed onto special PolarCirkel boats heading for Half Moon Island with strict orders not to touch or chase the birds.
Wow! Here we were trekking the cobbled beaches inhabited by a colony of chinstrap penguins with streaks of black feathers running from ear to ear. It was December 11, the beginning of summer in that place, and the colony was a flurry of activity. We marched along with one group as they waddled to the beach. Wings at 45-degree angles to their bodies and heads up in the air, they paid no attention to us, but moved with single purpose toward the water. As their torpedoshaped bodies sailed into the depths, they now looked now like graceful ballerinas, dancing and twisting and jumping. This chowtime dance would fill their bellies with fish; squid; and krill, a shrimp lookalike.
Tired of marching, we moved to a rocky crag to observe the organized chaos of the colony. Interestingly, the birds were just like people. Some were busily gathering stones to make the nest for their brood that will come a month later. A few penguin hooligans stole the stones from the working birds’ nests when they weren’t looking. Others were just standing around, seemingly doing nothing.
Perched ominously on the timbers of an abandoned building was a line of brown, evil-looking skua birds. Later, these birds of prey will pester penguins by stealing their eggs and grabbing their chicks. Today, they were looking for weaklings and older residents. As harsh as this sounds, predator/prey is a fact of life in a land where all is ice and there are only two species of flowering plants.
Later, in different locations, we saw three of the 17 other kinds of penguins: gentoos, Adelie, and the burrowing Magellanic penguins. All were beautiful in their own ways.
The penguins’ playground was full of unknowns, surprises and terrific memories. Best of all, we had encountered marvelous creatures whose lives, it turns out, are as complex and complicated as our own.
Encourage the children in your life to read, learn at home and play using their imagination with Kids Dinosaur of the Month Club.
Each monthly subscription box contains a personalized letter, gift shop-quality dinosaur toy and books including stickers, dinosaur facts and phonetic pronunciations.
Order the Dino Binder as well and give the child a personalized binder where they can organize their coloring pages and their personalized Membership Certificate, Member Card and collectible Dino Cards.
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Come on out for delicious food, family-friendly fun and rides, and grab seats to hear great musicians like Willie Nelson, Ludacris, the Gatlin Brothers, Chris Young, Josh Turner, CeCe Winans, Tanya Tucker, The Jacksons, Wayne Newton, the Isley Brothers, and Lynyrd Skynyrd, and more!
FLStrawberryFestival.com
Oak Ridge Boys, March 2 at 3:30 PM, Florida Strawberry Festival grounds, 303 Berryfest Pl., Plant City, FL
GA Tickets $52 and up.
The Oak Ridge Boys – the legendary group consisting of William Lee Golden, Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban – has been performing on stage together for over 50 years. But the fascinating and unique history of this iconic group started in the 1950s. We recently caught up with ORB’s Richard Sterban.
Sterban was in the right place at the right time. “I was on backup with Elvis, performing with the Stamps Quartet. I was in my 20s singing on stage with the greatest star in the world,” he recalls. “I have fabulous memories of those days with Elvis, but I received an unexpected opportunity to join the Oak Ridge Boys and I took it. I’ve never looked back.”
“We feel like we’ve never worked a day in our lives, because we love doing what we do,” says bass singer Sterban. “I don’t think there’s a group in the business that has a history like the Oak Ridge Boys. It goes back to the second World War with a performing group originally known as the Georgia Clodhoppers.” The group frequently traveled to Oak Ridge, Tennessee to entertain people working on the development of the nuclear Manhattan Project.
In the 1950s, the “Oak Ridge Quartet” were regular performers at the Ryman Auditorium, the original home of the Grand Ole Opry. After the addition of some younger performers, the group became known as the Oak Ridge Boys. William Lee Golden joined the group in 1965, followed by Duane Allen in 1966. Richard Sterban arrived in 1972 and Joe Bonsall one year later.
Playing the historic Grand Ole Opry must be a thrill!
As inducted members, the group never takes for granted seeing their names on the wall along with other stellar performers. Sterban relates that “on the stage, there is a circle of wood that’s from the old Ryman Auditorium. We make it a point that every time we step on that stage, we touch that circle, for in doing so, we are touching history.”
Sterban also says that when the group goes on stage, fan feedback is what motivates them. They want to do the best job possible, every night, every performance, because their fans deserve it and they love performing for them.
“A special relationship exists between the four of us,” explains Sterban. “We each bring something different to the table. We recognize we are different and we respect that. But we need each other and always pull together as a team. Truth be told, we are true brethren and the best of friends.”
And he adds with a wry chuckle, “Now that we’re older, we get along better than we did when we were younger. We’re too old to let the little things bother us.” Golden is 84, Allen and Sterban are 79, and Bonsall, the baby of the group, is 74.
Is retirement on the horizon?
Living a good life is finding balance and being able to execute that balance between career and family. “Anything that’s worthwhile is worth working for,” says Sterban. “Family is important to the Oak Ridge Boys and we make sure that when we arrange our schedules, that we plan for quality time off with our families.”
Despite their ages and their demanding travel schedules, the group looks and feels healthy and fit. They watch their diets, exercise when they can, and try to get enough rest. Sterban says, if possible, he tries to take a nap before each show as it’s important to go on stage completely rested.
Though the group has dabbled in other ventures – Duane Allen in producing, and Sterban writing a book “From Elvis to Elvira: My Life on Stage” – what’s most important to the group is being the Oak Ridge Boys. And that will never change.
And the group dynamics? Especially after so long together?
Sterban adds: “Let me tell you right here, right now. We do not plan to retire. Yes, we have to be realistic as we’re not kids any longer. But as long as the good Lord above allows us to have good health, we’re going to keep on. When it’s time to hang it up, the good Lord will let us know. But that day’s not here yet. We love what we do and we love doing it.”
“The first thing you need to decide is your calling,” says Sterban. “Find out what it is you’re blessed with, talent wise and that you enjoy, then pursue that. Work at your craft. Do the best that you can every time. This works whether you want to be in the music industry, a carpenter or a ball player. There’s no substitute for hard work. Decide what you want to do,” he adds. Then go for it. Don’t let anything deter you from achieving your goal.”
“Oh yes,” concludes Sterban, with a deep bass laugh. “Come on in, the water’s fine.”
See the Oak Ridge Boys on March 2 at the Strawberry Festival in Plant City. Tickets start at $52. FLStrawberryFestival.com
Florida Blue SENIOR DAYS
Mar. 2 & Mar. 9
Seniors 60+ get $2 Off At Gate
O’Reilly Auto Parts
Ride-A-Thon Days
Mar. 2 & Mar. 9
with $5 Off voucher from participating stores
Rotary Club of Plant City
Special Smiles Day for Special Needs
Ride All Day $20 Mar. 3, 9am - Noon
See Website for Details
Food & Fun Friday
Mar. 3
$5 Off Wristband w/any Publix or GreenWise non-perishable item
MIDFLORIDA CU Free Kids Day
Mar. 4
Kids thru High School Free Admission
Super Saturdays
Mar. 4 & Mar. 11
$5 Off Wristband with a Circle K register receipt
Ride All Day $30
Coca-Cola Family Days
Mar. 5 & Mar. 12
Ride All Day $25 w/any Coke brand can or plastic bottle
It may seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, nearly half of all Valentine’s Day messages sent contained grotesque caricatures of the intended recipient and meanspirited, hurtful notices intended to drive in the knife.
By the 1840s, people in both England and America were creating Valentine’s Day missives of heartfelt poetry, often illustrated by elaborate flourishes and mailed in quilted-paper cards bound in festive ribbons. Improvements in the printing process and paper production heralded a boom in the sale of mass-produced valentines.
Then things began to change. It started quietly, a ripple that gradually swelled into a tidal wave. Some pranksters had enjoyed mailing valentines that involved gentle teasing—a little joke here, a little poke there—meant to produce a smile. But, over time, the mood of such messages soured and slowly turned increasingly crass. Sent anonymously, such vitriol could easily sting with insults that would normally never be spoken to another’s face.
These “vinegar valentines” were the popular evil twin of the traditional, positive gesture. Printers, of course, were delighted with the extra revenue, and produced the penny-a-piece cards on cheap, flimsy sheets of paper, folded, and sealed with a dab of wax. Cards could be mailed without a stamp, which meant that someone receiving such cruelty would also have to pay the postage (also one penny) before reading the snarky contents.
Anybody, it seemed, could be considered fair game—neighbors, relatives, employers, friends and colleagues, people from all walks of life and placement on the social hierarchy. Sometimes the cards targeted unwanted suitors, but many others made fun of one’s age, weight, looks, occupation, or marital status, as well as any number of human foibles.
One often-maligned group was the suffragettes, women attempting to secure voting rights:
Your vote from me you will not get I don’t want a preaching suffragette.
But sometimes the mailers (assuming that the original sender could be identified) got their comeuppance, as a popular retort might simply be a terse but powerful threat:
So take that, fella!
In time, people tired of the relentless negativity, and vinegar valentines slowly disappeared, giving way to “normal” February 14th cards that featured positive communication. Today, collectors of 19th century ephemera have little trouble in locating traditional Valentine’s Day cards, but finding surviving vinegar valentines is much more difficult, as resentful recipients usually burned them after reading.
Adapted from 12 Tips for Keeping Love Alive in Your Senior Years, by
As Valentine’s Day cards and candies fill the stores, it’s a great time to rekindle those relationship flames. Here are three fun ways to keep the romance alive:
Older people focus tend to most of their energy on children, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren. But your partnership is just as important, says author Jennifer FitzPatrick. “This can be a problem for second marriages or newer relationships because there are so many family members to tend to.” Plan for – and keep – regular date nights for just the two of you.
A study of men and women over 70 conducted by researchers at Indiana University’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion found that 43% of men and 22% of women engage in sexual intercourse. Yet, many couples get into sexual routines without even knowing it, such as scheduled sex in a dark bedroom on birthdays. “Try new places, rooms and positions,” says David Bennett, relationship counselor and self-help author. “Nothing is stopping an older couple from exploring sexual kinks and
Mia Taylor (Cheapism.com)making things more exciting.”
Speaker and author Silvana Clark isn’t a relationship expert, but she and her husband have been happily married for 40 years. Clark, 65, says one of the secrets to keeping their romance alive is trying new things together. “Every few weeks, one of us announces ‘Tomorrow at 4 p.m. we are going on an educational experience,’” she says. “The rules are that it must be inexpensive and something we’ve never done before, and nobody can complain. It is a surprise for the other person, and it forces us to check out local events and be creative.”
QUESTION
I have received calls claiming there’s a problem with my Social Security or account. What should I do? (L.
ANSWER
Peterson, Aventura)If there is a problem, we will mail you a letter. Generally, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will only contact you if you have requested a call or have ongoing business with us. The latest scam trick of using robocalls or live callers has increased. Fraudsters pretend to be government employees and claim there is identity theft or another problem with your Social Security number (SSN), account, or benefits.
Scammers may threaten arrest or other legal action, or may offer to increase benefits, protect assets, or resolve identity theft. They often demand payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or mailing cash.
SSA employees will never threaten you for information or promise a benefit in exchange for personal information or money. We may call you in some situations, but will never:
• Threaten you.
• Suspend your SSN.
• Demand immediate payment from you.
• Require payment by cash, gift card, pre-paid debit card, internet currency, or wire transfer.
• Ask for gift card numbers over the phone or to wire or mail cash.
• Ask for personal details or banking information to give you a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA).
Don’t be fooled! Watch out for:
• A call saying there is a problem with your SSN or account.
• A call asking you to pay a fine or debt with retail gift cards, wire transfers, pre-paid debit cards, internet currency, or by mailing cash.
• Scammers pretending they’re from a government agency (caller ID or documents sent by email may look official, but they are not).
How to protect yourself and your family:
• If you receive a questionable call, hang up, and report the call to our Office of the Inspector General (OIG).
• Don’t return unknown calls.
• Ask someone you trust for advice before making any large purchase or financial decision.
• Don’t be embarrassed to report if you shared personal financial information or suffered a financial loss.
• Learn more at OIG.SSA.gov/scam.
It seems to me that arthritis is a catch-all term for all kinds of aches and pains. What exactly is arthritis?
Each of the 100+ forms of arthritis is inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout are the three most common forms among seniors –osteoarthritis is the most prevalent. None is contagious.
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage—the cushioning tissue within the joints—wears down, producing stiffness and pain. The disease affects both men and women. By age 65, more than 50% of us have osteoarthritis in at least one joint. While you can have it in any joint, it usually strikes those that support weight. Common signs include joint pain, swelling, and tenderness. However, only a third of people whose x-rays show osteoarthritis report any symptoms.
Treatments include exercise, joint care, dieting, medicines and surgery. For pain relief, doctors usually start with acetaminophen (Tylenol), because the side effects are minimal. If acetaminophen does not relieve pain, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be used. The dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are used by many who say the supplements can relieve osteoarthritis symptoms.
Rheumatoid arthritis, characterized by inflammation of the joint lining, is very different from osteoarthritis. It occurs when the immune system turns against the body,
and it not only affects the joints, but may also attack other parts of the body such as the lungs and eyes. People with rheumatoid arthritis may also feel sick.
There’s a symmetry to rheumatoid arthritis. For example, if the right knee is affected, it’s likely the left knee will suffer, too. Women are much more likely than men to get rheumatoid arthritis.
Treatments for rheumatoid arthritis include exercise, medication and surgery. Reducing stress is also important, as with other autoimmune conditions. Some drugs for rheumatoid arthritis relieve pain; others reduce inflammation. Then there are the disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs), which can often slow the disease.
Gout
Gout usually attacks at night. Stress, alcohol, drugs or an illness can trigger gout. It’s caused by a build-up of crystals of uric acid in a joint. Uric acid is in all human tissue and is found in foods.
Often, gout affects joints in the lower part of the body such as the ankles, heels, knees, and especially the big toes. The disease is more common in men. Early attacks usually subside within 3 to 10 days, even without treatment, and the next attack may not occur for months or even years.
Most people with gout can control their symptoms with treatment. The most common are high doses of oral non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (corticosteroids), which are taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint. Patients often begin to improve within a few hours of treatment.
All Rights Reserved © 2022 by Fred Cicetti Send your general health questions to Healthy Geezer with Lifestyles After 50 in the subject line to fred@healthygeezer.com
BY RANDAL C. HILL
A quartet of giggly teenage girls swoon over the latest adolescent dreamboat pouring out his heart on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.
Fast-forward to 2017. The giggly teenagers (Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Sally Field) are now in their 80s, still gathered in front of a TV set, and clad in blue and red football jerseys, still swooning. This time, it’s Tom Brady, the powerhouse New England Patriots quarterback, who will soon be taking his team to the Super Bowl.
It suddenly dawns on the ladies that their hero is turning 40 this year, a number normally anathema for a pro athlete. “That’s like eighty in people years!” one offers.
It’s then the quartet decides to jet to New Orleans to see the game—and their hero—in person. “The Super Bowl is no place for old women,” says one, but the majority overrides the wet-blanket naysayer for the trip of a
lifetime.
It’s only when they reach the Big Easy that the ladies discover that Super Bowl tickets are (surprise!) prohibitively expensive. They try to attend by other means, attempting to win tickets via a hot-wing-eating contest (hosted by Guy Fieri) and trying to pass themselves off as half-time show dancers.
“It has been so cool to see this film come together,” Tom Brady enthuses. “To everyone who has helped us get here, THANK YOU. This is an incredible story.” Brady, who executive-produced the film (based on true events), also brings along a trio of teammates from his Patriots days for cameo roles.
“I think there are opportunities for me to tell stories that are near and dear to my heart,” he concludes. “And to be able to produce it with amazing actresses was very exciting for me…I can’t wait for people to watch them bring this story to life.”
“80 for Brady” opens February 3.
When a new restaurant opened in December in Estero, it also raised money for kids who are battling cancer at Golisano Children’s Hospital.
Scott Pace and Kendal Potesta, the owners of Chicken Salad Chick, invited friends, family and first responders to the new location in Estero Town Commons Place for a free event where guests could sample the menu.
There was also an opportunity to donate to Golisano Children’s Hospital, with 100% of the proceeds going there. They ended up raising more than $2,700.
“For them to be as generous as they’ve been to help the hospital — to help the children was beyond expectation. It was absolutely
wonderful,” Pace said. Pace and Potesta presented the check to Barbara’s Friends, the childhood cancer fund for Golisano.
Donations to Barbara’s Friends help children with cancer, and gifts assist with the needs of patients, clinical trials, counseling, equipment, facilities, staffing and family assistance. For example, a donation of $25 provides families with gas cards to get to and from treatment and doctor appointments for 2 weeks. A $75 donation funds an “End of Chemo Party” and $100 buys a month of home chemotherapy for patients with leukemia. Larger gifts do even more: $1,000 will send a child to a week-long camp. Make donations at LeeHealthFoundation.org.
Meet new friends who share a desire for an active lifestyle at
maintain
maintenance-free! • One-story villa residences with screened lanai and optional attached garage • Spacious floorplans • Resort-style pool and clubhouse
Your heart doctor may ask if you’re avoiding saturated fat or what you’re doing to control your weight. But doctors seldom ask, are you taking care of your muscles?
We lose about 5% of our total muscle mass every decade after age 30. But science shows those who retain muscle as they age lower their risk of metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, all risk factors for heart disease.
AARP developed “The Whole Body Reset,” a program designed to stop and reverse age-related muscle loss and weight gain.
The primary cause of age-related muscle loss is anabolic resistance –essentially, we can’t turn the protein we eat into muscle as efficiently as we used to. Older people need higher doses of protein at every meal, 25 grams for women or 30 grams for men. Anything less, and your body remains in muscle-loss mode. Fat starts to win out, and heart health suffers.
In addition to protein, we need a mix of high fiber grains, high nutrient fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats to keep heartharming, fat-promoting inflammation under control. Here’s your plan.
EAT 25 TO 30 GRAMS OF PROTEIN AT EACH MEAL: BREAKFAST, LUNCH, AND DINNER.
Make sure every snack has some protein: cheese on a cracker, peanut butter and apple. Women should aim for at least 75-100 grams of total protein every day, while men should shoot for 90120 grams.
In one study following 2,735 people, those who ate the least amount of fiber were 2.9 times as likely to die from inflammatory diseases such as heart disease. Research has found that for every additional 10 grams of fiber you eat per day, you reduce your risk of stroke by 12%.
EAT MORE COLORFUL FRUITS AND VEGETABLES.
Aim for eight-10 small servings a day. Fruits and vegetables provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and thousands of micronutrients called phytochemicals. As we age, our ability to extract these nutrients from food diminishes, another reason why inflammation increases.
ENJOY HEALTHY FATS AND OILS FROM SEAFOOD, NUTS, SEEDS, OLIVES AND AVOCADOS.
Two servings a day will help keep you lean and sharp, whether you’re enjoying a serving of salmon, a spoonful of peanut butter, some chips and guacamole, or toasty bread dipped in extra virgin olive oil.
Eat calcium rich dairy (low fat or not). One study found that three servings of whole fat dairy helped lower risks of heart disease and stroke. Dairy also delivers muscle building protein.
You’re not doing yourself a favor drinking diet soda, which has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, dementia, and stroke. Keep it simple with filtered water, sparkling water, tea and coffee (it’s fine to add a little milk).
Superbowl LVII is coming up February 12. These recipes are healthy, festive, easy to make, and are sure to please any football fan!
Ingredient:
• 4 zucchinis (about 6-8” long)
• Italian sausage
• Jar of marinara sauce
• mozzarella
• mini pepperoni slices
1. Cook the sausage until browned, drain the fat, and stir in the marinara sauce.
Ingredients:
• 3 ripe avocados
• 1 cup romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
• 10 grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered
• ¼ cup crumbled bacon
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 2 Tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• ½ teaspoon salt
• juice of 1 lime
Remove the skin and pit the avocados – mash in a large mixing bowl with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve with tortilla chips or veggie sticks.
2. Slice the zucchini in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds to create a channel for toppings. Fill each with sausage mixture, sprinkle with mozzarella, and top with mini pepperoni. Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil. Makes 8 servings.
Ingredient:
• 2 large avocados, chilled
• 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk (not coconut cream)
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Peel and remove the pit from the chilled avocados. Place all ingredients in a blender or food processor and pulse until smooth. Garnish with chopped hazelnuts and a sprinkle of sea salt. (NOTE: if you still taste avocado, add more cocoa powder or an extra ½ teaspoon of vanilla)
Recipes and photos courtesy of Lisa Bryan, Downshiftology.com
After Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-highest eating day for Americans, who consume over 8 million pounds of guacamole!
Each player on the competing teams gets a fancy loaner car - such as a Cadillac Escalade - to drive around in the week of the Super Bowl.
The NFL doesn’t pay the singers, musicians, or other artists who perform during the halftime show. (But their streaming sales usually go up by 300% or more!)
Each team in the Super Bowl gets 108 footballs: 54 for practice and 54 for the actual game. On average, 120 footballs are used during regulation play.
The Miami Dolphins have competed five times and won twice (1973, 1974). The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played in the Super Bowl twice (2003, 2021) and won both times.
As of late 2022, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Tom Brady is the oldest player currently active in the NFL. Brady has seven Super Bowl rings, more than any player in history. (He won six of those rings with the New England Patriots.) He turned 45 last August, so he is five years away from being eligible to read this magazine (haha).
These apartment homes for those 62+ is located off S. Falkenburg Road and just minutes to U.S. Route 301 and Interstate 75. Enjoy excursions and outdoor activities at Busch Gardens Tampa and Downtown Tampa, and shopping at Westfield Brandon Mall.
These uniquely designed apartments feature one-, two-, and three-bedroom homes with fabulous chef-style kitchens with granite countertops and stainless-steel energy efficient appliances along with an open floor plan. Small pets welcome.
These apartment homes for ages 62+ feature 9’ ceilings, vinyl plank flooring in the main living spaces, carpeted bedrooms, modern cabinetry, granite counters, paneled doors and ample closet space.
Beautiful indoor and outdoor community spaces, including a 2-story community clubhouse with library, full kitchen, theater room and fitness center, large outdoor courtyard space and more! Every feature is designed with you in mind. One-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments available, including units that offer audio/visual and wheelchair accessibility. Pets welcome!
Green, energy-efficient building design is close to downtown Bradenton’s Riverwalk, on-site fitness center & beauty salon; community library & movie theater room; bocce ball, cornhole court & putting green; fenced-in dog park.
Take advantage of the resident activities offered and community amenities with resort-style pool with sundeck and heart healthy cardio & fitness studio, putting green, sparkling swimming pool, computer room, and walking paths leading to the cabana with outdoor fireplace and lakeside gazebo.
Adults 62 and better are invited to Lexington Club, where our spacious two-bedroom apartment homes add style, elegance, and affordability to your life. This gated community boasts a pool, barber/beauty salon, 6 elevators, fitness center, water aerobics, planned resident activities, and a busy resident lounge with free coffee.
Fine interior appointments include indoor private entrances, breakfast bar countertops, vinyl flooring and washer/dryer hook-ups in all apartments. Bring your furry family members to our pet-friendly community!
Conveniently located within minutes of Clearwater Beach, historical downtown Clearwater, Westfield Countryside Mall, Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Clearwater Memorial Causeway.
Do you think you’ve got the cutest pet? Show him or her off in the next issue of Lifestyles! We’re looking for the best dressed and most festive companions that our audience has to offer. See information on how to submit your fur baby for publication below.
Send us a little bit about your pet (100 words or less) along with the best photo in their modeling portfolio and what city you live in to Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com with the words “Cutest Pet” in the subject line, or through our Facebook at www.facebook.com/LifestylesAfter50. Submissions must be before the 15th of every month, otherwise it will be held for a potential feature in the following issue’s publication. Include your name, phone number and Florida city. Submissions are published on a basis of what space is available.
FEB. 10-12: GEM, JEWELRY, BEAD SHOW
This arts & crafts event has vendors, live music, food trucks and more! FREE.
100 Nesbit St., Punta Gorda
FEB. 10: THE HIT MEN OF COUNTRY: THE ULTIMATE COUNTRY CONCERT
This country music mashup features five of the finest musicians who have performed, toured or recorded with country’s greatest artists. Hear fan-favorites and backstage stories. Tickets start at $53.
Center for the Performing Arts, 10150 Bonita Springs Beach Rd. SE, Bonita Springs
FEB. 12: BRAVE NEW POPS 2 – BOWIE AND GLASS: A SYMPHONIC TRIBUTE
The Southwest Florida Symphony and the Voltron Collective team up to bring you Glass’ Symphony No. 4 Heroes juxtaposed with the Bowie songs that inspired it (and all of us!). Tickets start at $78
Center for Performing Arts, 701 Carmalita St., Punta Gorda
FEB. 14-19: FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
A classic tale of reliance on tradition and faith in times of change and turbulence. “Without tradition, our lives would be as shaky as a fiddler on the roof,” says Tevye in the opening number. Tickets start at $76.
Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, 13350 Edison Pkwy., Fort Myers
FEB. 17-19: 2ND ANNUAL PORT CHARLOTTE SEAFOOD & MUSIC FESTIVAL
The event combines arts & crafts, seafood, and live music in a 3-day fun-filled event. FREE. ParagonFestivals.com
Port Charlotte Fairgrounds, 2333 El Jobean Rd., Port Charlotte
FEB. 18-19: 17TH ANNUAL COCONUT POINT ART FESTIVAL
Coconut Point transforms into an artists’ mecca: life-size sculptures, spectacular paintings, one-of-a-kind jewels, photography, ceramics and more from the 200+ exhibitors. FREE. ArtFestival.com
23106 Fashion Dr., Estero
FEB. 24-26: PORT CHARLOTTE GREEK FEST
Be Greek for a day! Food, dancing, grape stomping, and shopping. Fun for all ages! HolyTrinityPC.org
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 24411 Rampart Blvd., Port Charlotte
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by Laura Schaefer
Personals are a great source of entertainment and they’ve been around since the 18th century. In 1727, a brave young woman in Manchester, England took out the first notice for a husband, and by the end of the 19th century, such ads were common. Whole publications were devoted to romantic and marriage-minded classifieds. Now personal ads are one of the most profitable web applications and ads are mainstream.
Laura Schaefer, also author of “The Teashop Girls,” “The Secret Ingredient,” and “Notes To Self For Young Adults,” collected 200 examples of personal ads from English and American publications including historical newspapers and modern websites. Schaefer divides the ads into 11 chapters by type: selfdeprecating or desperate, poetic, bizarre, truly sweet, awfully picky or just plain strange. For example:
• A hippie doing time in San Quentin seeks “chicks that aren’t hung up on middle-class American type life.”
• The parents of a sickly 21-year-old want a benevolent doctor for their daughter.
• A 70-year-old German baron who owns a castle wants a 1620 year-old girl.
• A man with a glass eye is looking for a woman “who also has a glass eye or some other deformity not more severe.”
• One woman wrote, “Please have all or most of your teeth; hair is optional.”
Still, my favorite ad supplied author Schaefer with the title of her book, and it actually did appear in the March 5, 1957, Indiana Evening Gazette: “Bachelor with 40 acres of excellent land would like to make acquaintance of lady with tractor, matrimony in mind. Please send picture of tractor.”
by Kathy A. MegyeriMost people write (or read) personal ads because they’re looking for a date or because they’re curious to know what people around them are looking for. Most ads are a rich source of social history that reflect their times and reveal the social mores of the era.
One reader admitted to ordering multiple copies of this book because visitors to her home flipped through her copy and read so many entries out loud. The diverse selections are mostly humorous, bittersweet, and romantic, which make the book a perfect Valentine’s Day gift. Match.com says, “This book will give you plenty of fun tidbits to throw into a conversation during your next online date.”
Some things change and others stay the same throughout the years. Personal ads and the media have evolved, and the terminology has changed, but the basic underlying idea that everyone is looking for ultimate happiness with “The One” remains the same. As Shaefer concludes, “Perhaps we can’t yet buy love, but good ad space is probably the next best thing.”
Going to see your doctor is probably never on your list of things to do for fun; however, it’s important in maintaining your health, especially for adults 65 and older. Patients who have an ongoing relationship with their primary care physician have fewer health incidences and unnecessary ER visits. That’s why you need a doctor that you’re comfortable with and who you trust. One you can turn to 24/7.
It can be hard to find that doctor with whom you truly connect. Healthcare has become so rushed. It’s like doctors compete to see the most patients. Sadly, that doesn’t leave much time for one-on-one time.
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By taking the time to know you and your health history, your primary care physician can provide you with the unique care you need and deserve. No more running around from doctor to doctor for answers. Your doctor is your direct link to comprehensive care. ....
“The whole office, they follow up,” Tina said about her VIPcare experience. “The next day, they’re on the phone with you. It’s great.”
Real health care is getting you healthy and keeping you healthy. Find a trusted partner in your health and get the care and attention you deserve.
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Stop at our table on Thursday, June 11th 2020 at the Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest to be held at the: Town N’ Country Senior Center 7606 Paula Dr. Tampa, FL 9AM-1PM
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For quite a while now, I’ve been tackling the dilemma of whether my wife and I are cat people who love dogs or are we dog people who love cats.
The best I can come up with is that we are dog and cat people who love all animals: birds, hedgehogs, rabbits, chinchillas, etc. (with the exception of 8-legged critters). The Joy of my life will never learn to like spiders, although she has started sending me pictures of “cute” spiders, like the Peacock spider, and baby Jumping Spiders.
DOWN
1. Unconscious state
2. Miners’ discoveries
1. Heavenly Mlles.
3. “Fiddlesticks!”
2. Nag
4. Former First Lady
s Juan Carlos I
19. Ms. Lee 20. Felt indignant about
Change direction
5. Piece of paper 6. Grasp 7. __ Gardner 8. Shooting star
3. Not just tacit 4. Mom, dad, or madam 5. Take place 6. Friend at the école 7. Greek letter
case item
Beauty s movie partner
Article of faith
Today, Joy asked me to help her remember the names of our cats who have died. I remembered a few she’d forgotten, like the beautiful black stray, “Miles,” whom we adopted (or vice-versa) and “Bleu,” our first hurricane rescue cat. Miles, Bleu, Elizabeth, Monkey Boy, Little Bit, Fiona, Inga (“with the extra finga”), a Hemingway (who talked incidentally), Cleo, Tia, Sebastian, Zachary. Oops! Zachary is disqualified. He was a Great Dane.
The yards of our former Tampa homes are all cemeteries. It’s difficult to find adequate yard space in a gated community such as where we currently live, plus I’m told it’s illegal… technically.
The prankster in me would like to learn if there are any kids living in those former homes so that I can mail them maps with an “X” indicating where the “secret pirates’ treasure chest” is buried.
47. Existing on a flat surface 50. Fourth page of a wall hanging
Insignificant amount
Complaint to a dermatologist
Hot spot
__ PM; 2100 hours
Item in a desk drawer
Mr. Whitney
Girl’s nickname
All-in-all, I’d say we are just “animal people” with a strong leaning towards cats, and anyone who has visited Joy’s Facebook page knows she’s the epitome of the “crazy cat lady.” In fact, when there’s nothing on TV to watch and she’s bored, all I have to do is toss a bottle cap onto the floor, and that’ll keep her busy for hours, or at least until it goes under the refrigerator.
Mike is currently researching cloning and arachnids, hoping to create an eight-legged cat for Joy. If you have done this successfully, please contact him at micwrighthamo@gmail.com.
$2,100 spending card for select groceries, utilities, rent, personal care, pet care, and more.1
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$0 dental copay for dentures with extractions.2
Never pay for covered prescription drugs! $0 copay for all tiers and stages if you receive Extra Help.3
Free unlimited rides to approved locations.
PLUS MUCH MORE!
I have Medicare and Medicaid. I heard CarePlus can help me pay my rent and grocery bills! Amy Linda CareOne Plus (HMO), CareOne Platinum (HMO), CareOne Platinum (HMO-POS)
Amy CareNeeds Plus (HMO D-SNP)
1$175 per month, up to $2,100 yearly. 2One set of complete or partial dentures every 5 years. Unlimited extractions for dentures. 3From participating retail and mail order cost-sharing pharmacies
Paul CareSalute
West and Central Florida. CarePlus is an HMO SNP plan with a Medicare contract and a contract with the Florida Medicaid Program. Enrollment in CarePlus depends on contract renewal. This plan is available to anyone receiving both Medicare and Medicaid: Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries (QMB/QMB+), Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries (SLMB/SLMB+), Qualifying Individuals (QI), Qualified Disabled and Working Individuals (QDWI) and other Full Benefit Dual Eligibles (FBDE). No amounts on the CareEssentials Card can be used to purchase Medicare-covered prescriptions or services, nor can it be converted to cash. Important: At CarePlus, it is important you are treated fairly. CarePlus Health Plans, Inc. complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, disability, age, marital status, religion, or language in their programs and activities, including in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, their programs and activities. The following department has been designated to handle inquiries regarding CarePlus’ non-discrimination policies: Member Services, PO Box 277810, Miramar, FL 33027, 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). Auxiliary aids and services, free of charge, are available to you. 1-800-794-5907 (TTY: 711). CarePlus provides free auxiliary aids and services, such as qualified sign language interpreters, video remote interpretation, and written information in other formats to people with disabilities when such auxiliary aids and services are necessary to ensure an equal opportunity to participate. This information is available for free in other languages. Please call our Member Services number at 1-800-794-5907. Hours of operation: October 1 - March 31, 7 days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. April 1 - September 30, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. You may leave a voicemail after hours, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays and we will return your call within one business day. Español (Spanish): Esta información está disponible de forma gratuita en otros idiomas. Favor de llamar a Servicios para Afiliados al número que aparece anteriormente. Kreyòl Ayisyen (French Creole): Enfòmasyon sa a disponib gratis nan lòt lang. Tanpri rele nimewo Sèvis pou Manm nou yo ki nan lis anwo an. H1019_MKBNDMFNPRcareneedsplus2023_M
In the early months of 1973, Top 10 recording artists included Carly Simon, Elton John, War, Steely Dan and Roberta Flack. In their midst, though, appeared the unlikely duo of Eric Weissberg and Steve Mandell, a powerhouse instrumental duo behind the million-seller “Dueling Banjos.”
Eric and Steve were session musicians until a request arrived for the pair to record a track for the Burt Reynolds movie Deliverance Indeed, five minutes into the film, at a dilapidated backwoods Georgia gas station, we experience a spontaneous jam session between city slicker Drew (Ronny Cox) and a provincial lad named Lonnie (Billy Redden).
“Dueling Banjos” unfolds between the pair as a musical conversation. Lonnie, initially reticent, slowly picks up the tune, tosses in a bit of “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” then, much to Drew’s delight, shifts into high gear, and the music builds to a high-octane finish.
Cox was a good guitarist but Redden couldn’t play a note. During the filming, Redden had to wear a customized shirt that allowed
a local musician named Mike Addis to play the banjo while hiding his own arms in Redden’s sleeves.
Weissberg and Mandell didn’t write “Dueling Banjos.” In 1954, ace instrumentalist Arthur Smith composed “Feudin’ Banjos,” which he recorded with fellow banjoist Don Reno, as an argument of sorts between two banjos. (The 1973 hit single featured a banjo and a guitar.)
“Dueling Banjos” rose next to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the country charts. Weissberg and Mandell garnered a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance the following year. But Arthur Smith had not given permission for the usage of his creation nor the credit for writing it (Weissberg was listed as the sole creator). Smith filed a lawsuit, which was settled in his favor when he received the abundant royalties he was due, enough to buy a 42-foot yacht.
See darkness in a whole new light. Engage your senses as you envision life from a new perspective. Step into the shoes of someone living in the shadows of blindness. Walk into the world of a veteran surviving memories of combat. And see for yourself how some of the most intelligent, talented dogs on this planet help people journey beyond the dark.
Discover why everyone is raving about this acclaimed multisensory experience. Reserve your seat today.
GuideDogs.org/Dark
GuideDogs.org/Dark
