Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, June 2023

Summer Grilling and Beer Holidays Galore

Summer is here – the weather is hot and so is the grill. Now is the perfect time for picnics and backyard barbecues, swimming and sunbathing. We celebrate dads and granddads everywhere, our nation’s 247th birthday, and eating well.

There is just something special about summer. The grandkids are out of school, all the fruits and vegetables are ripe on the vine, and there are many amazing holidays to enjoy. Because of the heat, summer is also a good time to slow down, sit in the shade, and drink a cold glass of lemonade. Rest your soul, spend time chatting with loved ones and friends, and then bring the whole neighborhood together for a meal in the open air.

For beer lovers, the summer months are rich with opportunity. Check out beer-themed holidays such as June 14 (National Bourbon Day, but beer lovers can enjoy barrel-aged beers today), June 15 (British Beer Day), June 17

(National Stewart's Root Beer Day), June 18 (Father’s Day), June 25 (Organic Beer Fest), July 3 (National Independent Beer Run Day), July 4 (Independence Day, a day to savor American beer!), July 12 (Michelada Day), and July 18 (St. Arnoldus Day, patron saint of Belgian brewers and hops pickers).

In this issue, you’ll find recipes that make good use of the abundant fruits and vegetables available from your garden or the local farmer’s market. You’ll also find a terrific (and easy) twoingredient pizza dough recipe, the perfect base for all those leftover grilled meats and veggies.

I wish you fair skies, hot coals, and long, happy summer days at the beach,

Editor Michele Baker

Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com

Website Editor

Allie Shaw

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Have a great month and we'll see you in July!

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Photo by James Patterson

Fathers’ Day Celebrated

By: Jan Larraine Cox

In the 1950s and 1960s we children didn’t see as much of dads as we did our moms. Dads traditionally worked outside the house, yet everyone’s dad experience is unique.

My sister and I won the dad jackpot; most notably, he was gregarious. He was well suited to his sales endeavors as he “talked to everyone” as Mom would say. He took any opportunity to talk sports; having been both a basketball and baseball player in high school and college he was excited to write a monthly sports column in school under his nickname “Ecks.”

Always aspiring to be a good sport himself, the competitiveness of the business world was an aspect we heard about at home around the dinner table. As an only child and a college graduate, the Army inducted him into the medical corps where he was trained as a surgical technician. With the 96th Evacuation Hospital, he followed General Eisenhower’s path through Europe in World War II treating the wounded, giving them the will to live through the night and recover. Dad wrote a self-published memoir of these experiences titled “It Seems Like Yesterday.”

When he finally came back to America after Victory in Europe Day, his stepfather introduced him a beautiful

strawberry blonde soprano in the family church. Soon afterwards they were engaged, married and off to a Niagara Falls honeymoon!

After the war, he was more than glad to start a career, have a family and buy a house in the suburbs, a Cape Cod style frame house one mile from Huntington Beach Park on Lake Erie. The house was reminiscent of his favorite vacation spot on the Cape in Massachusetts. We often enjoyed family visits to beaches and seafood restaurants.

When we move to the area, there were ten acres of undeveloped land at the end of our street with an abandoned orchard of grape vines, blackberry bushes and apple trees. Mom quickly caught on to the neighborhood penchant of sending the kids there to harvest the fruit, which she made into pies and jams. Delicious baking fragrance!

Dad liked to start the summer work days early, then change into swim attire and meet us at Huntington Beach. He was a dashing father figure, always dressed to the nines for work, and a fine complement to Mom wherever they went. His love of education was contagious, as the first in his family to attend and graduate from college. His dream was for his kids to follow in these footsteps, and we did!

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CUTEST PETs

ABOUT THE COVER: COCA-COLA OVEN BAKED BRISKET

SERVES 4

• 5 pounds fresh beef brisket

For the Coca-cola marinade:

• 4 cups regular Coca-Cola

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

• 3 Tablespoons vegetable oil

For the gravy:

• 2 cups reserved Coca-Cola marinade

• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix

Scooter & Sandy say Happy Daddy’s Day from Valrico

• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce

• 1/2 cup tomato ketchup

• 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings

• 2 bay leaves

Method:

1. Make the marinade. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the marinade ingredients.

2. Place the brisket in a large non-reactive bowl or baking dish. Pour the marinade over the top. Cover completely and marinate the brisket in the fridge for at least 14 hours, maximum 24. Halfway through marinating, flip the brisket so both sides can absorb the marinade.

3. After 14-24 hours, remove the brisket from the marinade and place in a large roaster.

4. Reserve two cups of the marinade. Combine with the onion soup mix, tomato sauce, and ketchup to make the gravy.

5. Slowly pour the gravy over the brisket. Top with the sliced onions and bay leaves. Cover the roaster with aluminum foil.

6. Roast at 325 degrees for 4 hours (low and slow).

7. Halfway through, remove from the oven and use the gravy to baste the brisket. Continue cooking.

8. Allow the brisket to rest for 30 minutes before slicing. Slice the brisket against the grain. Serve with any accumulated gravy from the pan.

Delicious Two Ingredient Pizza Crust and Homemade Sauce

This delicious pizza dough recipe is inspired and adapted from one by Jessica Moore on ImpatientFoodie.com. Yes, two-ingredient pizza really does exist! And because it doesn’t require any kneading, yeast, or time to rise, homemade pizza just got easier! The result is an averagely thick pizza crust. Not too crispy and thin and not too doughy or thick, either – the perfect middle ground.

Ingredients for the pizza crust dough:

• 1-part Greek yogurt

• 1-part self-rising flour

1. For this recipe, you’ll need equal measurements of both these ingredients, plus extra flour for rolling and kneading. For an 8-slice pizza, use 1-1/4 cups of each. If you don’t have any scales, simply use equal amounts of both.

2. Put the ingredients into a bowl and mix them together to form a dough.

3. Turn the mixture onto a lightly floured surface and knead for around 5 minutes to achieve a smooth dough. (While this step isn’t entirely necessary, it helps to combine the ingredients.)

4. If the pizza dough is too sticky, add flour 1 Tablespoon at a time until it reaches the desired consistency. (This can happen from time to time and depends on how wet the yogurt is.)

5. Pat the dough with your fingers into the desired pizza shape.

Now comes the fun part: loading up the pizza crust with all of your favorite toppings! We find that the best ones will never be repeated, as they were all the leftover tidbits from the few days before. Here’s a classic Italian favorite to get you started.

Classic Pizza Margherita

• 1 batch of two-ingredient pizza dough

Ingredients for sauce:

• Pomi strained tomatoes

• 2 Tablespoon olive oil, divided

• 1 Tablespoon garlic, minced

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

• Mozzarella, sliced or shredded

• Fresh basil, chopped (for garnish, optional)

2. In a sauté pan over medium heat, cook the garlic in a tablespoon of olive oil until it becomes fragrant and slightly brown.

3. Add strained tomatoes (depending on how big your pizza is).

4. Reduce the heat and simmer, allowing the sauce to thicken for around 10-15 minutes.

5. Pat the dough into a pizza pan, pizza stone, or baking sheet (use a dusting of cornmeal to keep the dough from sticking).

6. Use the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to brush the dough. Spoon on the sauce, leaving a ½ inch border. Top with mozzarella cheese.

7. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

8. Remove from the oven and top with fresh basil. Cut into wedges and serve.

THE HEALTHY GEEZER

The Sense of Taste

Q. I’ve been very hungry recently. Someone told me that this is a symptom of diabetes. Is that true?

An intense hunger is one diabetes symptom. Here are others: frequent urination, strong thirst, fatigue, unintended weight loss, slow-healing sores, dry and itchy skin, numbness or tingling in your feet, and blurred vision. However, some people with diabetes do not have symptoms.

Diabetes mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high levels of blood sugar. Diabetes can create serious health problems, but diabetics can control the disease.

If you have diabetes, your body can’t produce insulin or use it properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps control the sugar in your blood. Insulin is made by the pancreas, a large organ behind the stomach.

Your body converts most of the food you eat into a form of sugar called glucose, which is our main source of energy. If your body does not make enough insulin or the insulin doesn’t work the way it should, glucose can’t get into your cells and remains in your blood, which can damage nerves and blood vessels. This can lead to complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, and lower-limb amputation.

More than 18 million Americans have diabetes. About 11 million people 65 years or older suffer from the disease. A small percentage of diabetics have type 1

diabetes, which usually occurs in people under age 30. Diabetics with this form of the disease cannot produce insulin. About 90 percent of Americans with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. It is most common in adults over age 40, and the risk of getting it increases with age. With this form of diabetes, the body does not always produce enough insulin or does not use insulin efficiently. Being overweight and inactive increases the chances of developing type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes can be prevented in people who are at an increased risk or have prediabetes, a condition in which glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for a diagnosis of diabetes. People with pre-diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes within 10 years and are also more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.

A recent study showed that people with pre-diabetes can sharply lower their chances of developing the disease through modest weight loss with diet and exercise, and that it was especially effective in curbing the development of diabetes in older people. In fact, the development of diabetes dropped by 71 percent in adults 60 and older who were enrolled in the study.

Because type 2 diabetes is more common in older people, especially in people who are overweight, doctors recommend that anyone 45 years of age or older be tested for diabetes.

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

To subscribe, simply email us at info@lifestylesafter50.com.

Or mail this coupon along with your payment of $21 for 1 yr/$38 for 2 yrs.

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Or call our o ce at 813-336-8247 to pay with a debit/credit card.

Father’s Day Quiz

BY RANDAL C. HILL

For Sonora Smart Dodd, attending one particular Methodist church service in Spokane, Washington, proved to be life changing. On that particular Sunday in 1909, the minister based his sermon on the newly established Mother’s Day. But Sonora felt that dads, too, should have a special day set aside in their honor. (Her father, a widowed Civil War veteran, had singlehandedly raised six children, with Sonora being the only girl.)

Dodd spent the next year petitioning her local community and, later, her state government. Washington State celebrated its first official Father’s Day on June 19, 1910. Over the years, the celebration spread from state to state until President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance for America’s fathers in 1972.

How much do you know about Father’s Day?

1. Over the years, the most popular Father’s Day gift has been

A. candy.

B. a necktie.

C. flowers.

D. golf balls.

2. The official Father’s Day flower is the

A. orchid.

B. carnation.

C. hibiscus.

D. rose.

3. What percentage of Americans celebrate Father’s Day?

A. 58

B. 65

C. 76

D. 81

4. Today’s average age of first-time fathers is

A. 24.

B. 26.

C. 28.

D. 30.

5. One in _____ American homes has no father there.

A. three

B. four

C. five

D. six

6. In India, a man became the world’s oldest first-time dad at

A. eighty-three.

B. eighty-eight.

C. ninety-four.

D. ninety-six.

7. Americans spend ____ less on Father’s Day than they do on Mother’s Day.

A. 25%

B. 29%

C. 32%

D. 38%

8. How many American dads are single?

A. 1 million

B. 2 million

C. 3 million

D. 4 million

9. In Let’s Make Love (1960), Marilyn Monroe sings “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.” What is unusual about this?

A. She never knew who her father was.

B. She always hated the song.

C. Her mother forced her to sing it.

D. A professional singer’s voice was used instead.

10. The Guinness Book of Records claims that a Moroccan sultan fathered how many children?

A. 492

B. 687

C. 833

D. 1,042

CENTRAL FLORIDA STUDENT WINS NASA STEM COMPETITION

From News 6/clickorlando.com

After coming up with a space exploration mission, a Sumter County 15-yearold won NASA’s Power to Explore student challenge.

Fifteen-year-old Audrielle Esma has had a passion for science since she was a 5-yearold living in the Philippines. “It’s still my favorite subject now that I’m in high school,” Esma said.

Esma attends the Astra Nova School. The online school started with Elon Musk and has now blossomed into an international program where students can pick what courses they take.

“So, he asked his friend I guess, Joshua Dahn, to make a new school with only one objective: make it great,” Esma said.

One of the courses Esma takes is solely dedicated to entering STEM competitions. The competitions can be anything from poetry to essays to art – they just have to be centered around STEM. Esma has entered several competitions this term alone. The Wildwood teen was recently named a finalist in NASA’s Power to Explore student challenge before winning it all, her family told News 6 on Tuesday. Students needed to plan a Radioisotope Power System powered mission all in 200 words or less. An RPS turns heat into energy and has been used on several missions like the Mars rovers. Esma’s mission would be to find out how the dwarf planet, Haumea got its unique egg-like shape.

“The mission I designed was sending a rover on to Haumea to kind of collect samples on its ground composition,” Esma said. “And then another orbital craft to go like closer to its rings study the rings and then see if we can find any connections between the two and confirm the theory of how it became like egg shaped pretty much.”

Esma said she entered the Power to Explore challenge on a whim a week before the deadline. Her advice to other kids looking to showcase their skills? Just do it. “The worst that could happen is that you could lose,” Esma said. “Just going and participating is also infinitely worth it even if you don’t win.”

According to NASA’s website, Esma will receive a NASA prize pack and a trip to NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio this summer.

Senior living vs. assisted living: What’s the difference?

By Randy Thibaut

Senior living is a broad and sometimes confusing term. Perhaps the biggest confusion is mistaking “senior living” for assisted living. The two are not the same.

Assisted living provides 24-hour on-site supervision, meal preparation, medication management, hygiene assistance and some rehabilitation services. Residents thrive independently in condominium-style apartments, cook in their own kitchens and enjoy a robust social calendar.

Because home ownership is growing increasingly more expensive, many seniors are choosing not to tie up their retirement capital in real estate and deal with the ups and downs of home values, including all of the associated costs.

Senior living communities with maintenance-free programs offer something homeowners cannot find in a house – a lifestyle where maintenance issues are someone else’s responsibility. Senior living communities also bring convenience. Pet-friendly

RENTAL

dog parks are just outside the clubhouse, an on-site fitness room allows health-focused residents to exercise and a multi-purpose room is available for special occasions. Some communities are being built as single-story buildings, eliminating the need for stairs or elevators while allowing residents to age in place.

Advances in health care could give us 15, 20 or even 25 years of active retirement before needing an assisted living setting. The time to think about how we’ll spend those active retirement years is now.

About the Author

Randy Thibaut is founder of LSI Companies and founder, owner and CEO of Sage Communities, a developer of active adult rental communities in Southwest Florida. Learn more at SageCommunities.com.

Fabulously Fresh Ripe Tomato Tart

This recipe is adapted from “Come On In: Recipes from the Junior League of Jackson” (Junior League of Jackson, MS, 1991)

The temperatures have already been in the low 90s, and the abundant sunshine has made for happy tomatoes even in early June. With your first crop of the red beauties in mind, why not try this easy, delicious tart? It’s perfect for brunch, an upscale breakfast, or even a side dish.

Ingredients:

• Basic pastry dough (such as refrigerated pie dough)

• 8 oz. mozzarella cheese

• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2. Line a 10” loose bottomed tart tin with pastry dough, pressing well to get into all the nooks and crannies.

• 4-5 ripe tomatoes, washed and sliced into ½” rounds

• 1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

3. Sprinkle the bottom with cheese and basil, then cover with tomato slices, arranging to cover as evenly as possible.

4. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with olive oil.

Lemon Garlic Kale Salad with Pine Nuts and Parmesan

Adapted from a recipe by Julie Moskin from The New York Times.

This lemony, superfood kale salad has tang and crunch. The simple dressing has a base of lemon juice, olive oil and spices blended together for the perfect light summer side dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pine nuts

• 10-12 oz whole kale leaves, washed and dried, with stems removed (weight after trimming)

• 1-1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan (optional)

• ½ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (2-4 lemons)

Method:

1. In a dry skillet, spread the pine nuts and toast until light golden brown and fragrant (about 3-5 minutes).

• 1-1/2 cups extra virgin olive oil

• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (about 2 cloves)

• 1-2 teaspoons mayonnaise

• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

• Kosher salt & freshly ground pepper

5. Bake 30-40 minutes or until golden brown and the bottom is no longer soggy.

6. Garnish with more fresh basil.

7. Serve in wedges warm or at room temperature.

Did You Know?

Hailing from Asia –India, Pakistan, Iran, Thailand, and other countries –basil is a member of the mint family with a sweet and spicy flavor that lies somewhere between licorice and clove. It’s a natural complement to tomatoes and the key ingredient in pesto. Although normally a summer herb, you can easily grow basil in a pot on a sunny windowsill during the winter months. In Italy, a pot of this so-called “king of herbs” on a woman’s balcony means she is waiting for her suitor to arrive!

2. Make the dressing by combining the fresh lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, mayonnaise and mustard in a blender or food processor.

Process on high for 2 minutes to completely emulsify. Add salt and pepper to taste.

3. Cut the leafy green part of the kale away from the woody stem. Discard stems. Loosely chop the leaves (or tear with your hands) into bite size pieces. “Massage” the kale until all pieces have been “broken.”

4. Just before serving, place kale in a large salad bowl, top with pine nuts and cheese, and pour over dressing. Toss well to coat. Serve within one hour.

5. Store any remaining kale salad in the refrigerator and use within 1 day.

Q&As about Supplemental Security Income Information from Social Security Administration

Q: What is the Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program? (M. Olson, Weston)

A: The Ticket Program offers Social Security beneficiaries with disabilities the choices, opportunities and supports needed to find and keep employment, increase their earnings, and reduce their dependence on benefit payments. It is free and voluntary for eligible individuals (Ticketholders) ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and/or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits due to a disability. The program’s goal is to ensure that Ticketholders have access to vocational rehabilitation, employment, and other support services from public and private providers and other organizations. Ticketholders may obtain services from employment service providers including State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) agencies and approved Employment Networks (EN). The primary goal of the program is for Ticketholders to become economically self-sufficient and reduce their reliance on public benefits.

Q: If I have additional question on my Medicare coverage, who do I call? (Beitra, South Miami)

A: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or TTY/TDD: 1-877-4862048 for the hearing and speech impaired)

Q: What is SSDI? (X. Gonzalez, Hialeah)

A: Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled or blind individuals who are “insured” by workers’ contributions to the Social Security trust fund. These contributions are the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) social security tax paid on their earnings or those of their spouses or parents.

AROUND TOWN

JUNE 2 - 4: PEACE RIVER JAM MUSIC FESTIVAL

Peace River Jam Bluegrass Festival with over 20 acts including major national headliners each day. Tickets: $35 and up.

Laishley Park, Punta Gorda

JUNE 5: MOTOWN MONDAY WITH COLLABORATION BAND

The Collaboration Band has 100 combined years of experience specializing in Motown, R&B, classic soul, hip hop, funk and more. We’ve played on some of the biggest and smallest stages in the world - for thousands, and for handfuls. We know what works and what doesn’t. We also know how to get the party started and to keep it going.

Nauti Parrot Oasis, 17200 S. Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers

JUNE 10: BOWLAND PORT CHARLOTTE CAR SHOW

Trophies, 50/50 door prizes, music by Tom’s Traveling Tunes, food for purchase, benefits local charities. Tickets: $10 Donation/ Registration.

3192 Harbor Blvd., Port Charlotte

JUNE 12: STEEL DRUMS WITH PAN DAVE

Dave is a veteran musician that began playing during the 1980’s. His sounds are very soothing and relaxing and go well with a Caribbean cocktail and conversations with friends and family.

Rumrunners, 5848 Cape Harbor Dr., Cape Coral

JUNE 15: TERP SOLO AT HARBOR SOCIAL PG

Chris Terp returns for another night of great music. Acoustic solo (or duo) guitarist with classic rock and pop song list. live loops to create full sound. Tickets: Call for information.

Harbor Social PG, 212 W. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda

JUNE 16 - 18: SISTERS BY THE SEA 2023

An informative weekend of fun and fellowship for AA & Al-Anon Women A Journey Thru the Steps...The Stairway to Serenity. Tickets: $50 and up.

Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail, Naples

Armchair Adventures: Banff, Ice Fields, and a $20 Cup of Chili

By Evelyn Kelly, PhD

You must go to Banff! Really? I wasn’t very excited and didn’t want to see another tourist trap. I displayed my ignorance of an area that few people know about: western Canada and the people who made this area magnificent. I was wrong.

Banff was indeed quaint. We stayed at the historic King Edward Hotel built by George Stephen, pioneer developer of the Canadian Pacific Railway. He named this small village after his hometown of Banff, Scotland.

It was July 1, the celebration of the 150th birthday of Canada. We enjoyed watching performances by First Nations (Canadian name for Native people), Ukrainian folk dancers, and the Falun Dafa, a group banned in China for their ancient religious beliefs. Best of all, the food was free.

Leaving Banff, we traveled along the Trans-Canadian Highway, the scenic highway that runs through the Canadian Rockies and is considered one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Along this stretch of highway are stunning views of towering peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and abundant wildlife.

The scenic drive from Banff to Jasper took three and a half hours and was spectacular although it was cold and drizzly. About halfway, we pulled into the Crossing Restaurant. “This is the only place to eat,” said the guide. “There’s a buffet is in the back, but it is rather expensive.” I settled for a cup of chili. Some people thought the food was terrible, but mine was hot and tasted like chili. Then I looked at the bill: $20!

Later, as I enjoyed the scenery, I pondered the history of the region and those who could possibly survive in such an inhospitable land. One was Pennsylvania art student Mary Sharples Shaffer, who in 1889 made her way to the Rockies to paint the flora. She fell in love with area and on her journeys back east promoted travel to the Canadian Rockies.

Our last stop was one night in Jasper before our most memorable adventure, a visit to the Columbia ice fields. A special bus called an Ice Explorer – I called it a “moon buggy” – took us to the fields. It had tires as tall as I am and many gears. The terrain here is rough with narrow passes; some areas were straight up, while others were straight down. Once on the ice fields, I stayed in the vehicle and watched as everyone else slipped, slid, and fell. (They had a good time, though, they said.)

This trip to the Canadian Rockies was a once-in-alifetime experience: from the scenery, to the people, to the ice fields; even the $20 bowl of chili. I’m so glad I visited this magnificent area.

Made lots of tiny explosive sounds

ANSWER TO #5138

Last Month’s Answers Enter To Win!

Mike Rizzo, Rotonda West.

Myers

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

ACROSS

1. Evil one

6. Acting group

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14. Remain

15. Singing voice

16. “__ Mia”

17. Pronunciation mark 18. Made lots of tiny explosive sounds

Wonderful Watermelon Cake

Here’s another idea for summer picnics and get-togethers. Made entirely of fresh, seasonal fruit, this watermelon “cake” is a lovely addition to any party or picnic. Feel free to substitute any fruits you prefer or try a two-tier cake using a small “personal” watermelon for the second layer.

Ingredients:

• Large watermelon (about 6-8” through the middle)

• Whole strawberries

• Black and red raspberries

• Green grapes

• Black grapes

• Currants or lingonberries

• Fresh mint leaves

• Wooden toothpicks or cocktail sticks

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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DOWN

1. Heavenly Mlles.

2. Nag

3. Not just tacit

#5172

Method:

1. Wash and pat dry all the fruit.

or Pompeo

FILL IN ANSWERS & WIN GREAT PRIZES

4. Mom, dad, or madam

5. Take place

6. Friend at the école

7. Greek letter 8. Expunge

Spring

Bit of cereal

Take advantage of

German article

2. With a long, serrated knife (like a bread knife), carefully cut off the tapering ends of the watermelon, leaving the fat middle section. Set the watermelon on a cut edge.

3. Use long strokes to cut away the green and white skin and shape the edges of the watermelon, leaving a tall, smooth red cylinder in a cake shape.

4. Using toothpicks or cocktail sticks, create a spiral from the bottom edge near the cake stand and continuing up and around the “cake.”

5. Cut the green tops off several strawberries and seat them on the toothpick “anchors” to create a spiral of strawberries up the side of the “cake.”

6. Continue decorating with grapes, raspberries and blueberries, using toothpicks if necessary.

7. Top the watermelon “cake” with a mound of fresh fruit and fresh mint leaves.

8. Store in the refrigerator loosely covered with plastic wrap until ready to use.

KLINE TOURS Morning Matinees

SMOKY MOUNTAIN ADVENTURE

Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg Sunday –Thursday September 16-22 $1379 per person (double occupancy). Includes: 8 Meals,. 5 Shows: Hatfield & McCoy Dinner Feud, Comedy Barn, Country Tonight, Soul of Motown and Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage dinner show. Tour of Smoky Mountains, Titanic, Dollywood Admission

NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE TOUR

Monday-Friday October 2-6, 2023 5 days/4 nights $1599 per person

Roundtrip air from Tampa, motorcoach transportation throughout tour), 4 nights lodging in Tilton, NH, eight meals including a Lobster Bake with entertainment, Ride on the Cog Railroad to the Summit of Mt Washington and back, Cruise on MS Mt. Washington, Guided Tour of Kennebunkport, Walkers Point, Stonewall Kitchen, Scenic train ride  with boxed lunch.

HOMESTEAD MIAMI SPEEDWAY

Sunday October 22 for the NASCAR Cup Series 400 . Race time 2:30 p.m. with departures from the Sarasota-Bradenton area and Largo. $249 per person includes grandstand seat in Turn 4, pit pass and roundtrip motorcoach transportation. A portion of ticket proceeds is being donated to the American Legion to benefit Veterans programs. This trip is open to everyone. to purchase.

SAN ANTONIO & DALLAS

Sunday September 24- Friday September 29. 6 days/ 5 nights includes 3 nights on Riverwalk and 2 nights in Dallas. $2249 per person (double occupancy includes: roundtrip airfare roundtrip airport transportation, five nights lodging including three on the Riverwalk ,nine meals, Tours of San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth. Alamo, Imax film “The Price of Freedom”, El Mercardo, private canal barge, Southfork Ranch, George W. Bush Library, Sixth Floor Museum, Cowboys Stadium Tour, Billy Bob’s Texas, free time on the Riverwalk

NASHVILLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND

RESORT

Friday-Monday December 15-18 Nashville Country Christmas $1979 per person (double occupancy). includes roundtrip airfare from Tampa, roundtrip bus to airport, 3 nights lodging at Gaylord Opryland Resort., 6 Meals, four shows including Christmas Dinner show in ballroom at Gaylord Opryland Resort (entertainer to be determined), Amy Grant & Vince Gill at the Ryman, General Jackson Showboat Luncheon Cruise with entertainment., Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, guided city tour of Nashville, Delta Flatboat ride, Treasures for the Holidays, Ice.

KLINE TOURS

(727)-439-5520 | www. klinetours.net/floridadepartures

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Serving the Florida Gulf Coast

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Season Tickets On Sale

What to do After 50

By Dale Bliss

Croquet – Out of the Backyard and into the Country Club

Croquet used to be thought of as an inexpensive game you could pick up at a toy store. With its light wicker stakes and brightly colored plastic mallets, it was considered an afternoon of outdoor fun.

This is a growing sport, and the equipment has changed. Croquet courts are popping up all over. Where there once was a time when there might be a court at one country club in the area, now there are several at multiple clubs. Tournaments are played locally and internationally.

Participants are as young as in their twenties and as mature as almost 90. Money is very rarely an incentive for competing.

Danny Hunnycut and his wife Danna have been playing for decades. Even though he has become an instructor for the sport he still plays as a hobbyist. Hunnycut said, “Some people play for competition and some play for the social aspect.”

Sewing Can Be an Escape

At ten years old Linda Kaye Coleman learned how to sew from making clothes for her doll on her mother’s sewing machine.

“Sewing is sort of an escape. It is rewarding to start with a piece of fabric and end up with something to wear or use in other ways,” Coleman said.

“She taught me the basics and I was able to use the machine to improve my skills,” Coleman explained. “Nothing fancy, most likely a straight stich Singer,” she added.

When the Strawberry Patch dolls became popular, she took classes to learn how to make them. “Not sure how many of those I made,” she explained with amusement. Her next venture was making clothes for newborns.

Coleman’s grandmother wore aprons. After she learned to make aprons in Home Economics class, it became a tradition that she make her grandmother a new apron every Christmas.

BOOK REVIEW

Fashion is important because it’s used for self-expression, to make a political statement, or simply to attract attention. In this stunning collection compiled by the Design Museum in London, the world’s leading museum devoted to contemporary design in every form from architecture and fashion to graphics, it celebrates the richness and importance of all forms of creativity. Here, 50 trendsetters are profiled because they’ve used fashion to assert their position in the world and become iconic.

Lauren Cochrane, Assistant Fashion Editor at the Guardian and writer for Vogue and the Financial Times, compiled these stunning photographs and bios of each of the fashion icons including Twiggy, Wallis Simpson, Josephine Baker, Marilyn Monroe, Twiggy, Audrey & Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, Tilda Swinton, Michelle Obama, Queen Victoria, Brigitte Bardot, Diana Vreeland, Courtney Love, Madonna, Amy Winehouse, Grace Jones – who graces the book’s cover – and others. All have a flair for fashion and a sense of style that is admirable.

And of course, Princess Diana, the Princess of Wales, is credited with bringing about hair bands, ruffled white shirts, and loafers to the masses following her engagement to Prince Charles on Feb., 1981, but her title “The People’s

Fashion Icons that Changed the World

- by Kathy A. Megyeri

Princess” showed that her influence on the clothes worn by the general public extended beyond one look. Her ivory silk wedding dress that she wore to marry Prince Charles on July of 1981 with its 25-foot train and puff sleeves dominated bridal trends for a decade, and the midnight-blue gown she wore to dance with John Travolta at the White House in 1985 was sold at auction for $240,000. Even when she separated from Prince Charles in 1992, she wore an off-the-shoulder black design called “the revenge dress” to an event the night after the Prince admitted his infidelity to the media in 1994 which demonstrated that she knew the power of fashion.

And no collection would be complete without Anna Wintour, editor-in-chief of Vogue and editorial director of Conde Nast who’s known as the most powerful woman in fashion. Since 1988 and with an uncanny attention to detail, foresight and ability to make the right decision quickly, her personal formula consists of shift dresses, bright colors, strappy mules, a bob haircut and her large dark sunglasses as she sits in the front row of most fashion shows. She’s also become a full-fledged brand with her own image on ornaments, handbags, phone cases and t-shirts. In addition to showcasing these fashion mavens, this book hopes to motivate us to follow the lead of these icons, to wear something different and develop our own sense of style.

GREY OAKS COUNTRY CLUB NAMES MARTY DEANGELO SENIOR GOLF DIRECTOR

Grey Oaks Country Club, the premier private club for active, healthy, resortstyle living in Southwest Florida, has appointed Marty DeAngelo as senior director of golf. “We are thrilled to welcome Marty to the Club,” said Don Emery, general manager of Grey Oaks Country Club. “He brings a wealth of experience and knowledge…and will certainly elevate our offerings.”

With 35 years of experience in the golf industry, DeAngelo, a Class A member of the PGA of America, holds numerous professional affiliations and memberships, as well as specialty club fitting certifications with Titleist, USGA, Callaway and others. “I look forward to working closely with the Grey Oaks Country Club team to enhance the golf experience for members,” said DeAngelo.

Grey Oaks Country Club recently launched a renovation of its Pine Course led by renowned architect Andrew Green that will elevate the overall golf experience. In 2022, the Club completed enhancements to its short game area to provide more practice simulation for shot-making, instruction and simultaneous practice use, including Inrange® technology.

Grey Oaks Country Club serves the Grey Oaks and Estuary communities, members from Moorings Park at Grey Oaks and non-resident club members. It has been designated a Platinum Club® by Club Leaders Forum, Florida Golf Course of the Year by the National Golf Course Association, and a Top 100 Golf Community by Travel + Leisure magazine. Amenities include three championship golf courses, a 30,000-square-foot stateof-the-art wellness center, two clubhouses, tennis, pickleball, bocce, and a resort-style pool. Visit GreyOaksCC.com for more information or call Mira Hale Crigler at Grey Oaks Country Club: 239-262-5550.

We didn’t invent summer, but we wouldn’t blame you for thinking so. The vacation you’ve been dreaming of is just a reservation away with Gaylord Palms plush guest rooms, enchanting indoor gardens, splashing water attractions, soothing spa, bold flavors, kids’ activities, and more.

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