I don’t know about you, but October is my absolute favorite month. The weather is finally cool, the leaves are changing to beautiful scarlets, oranges and golds, and all the best food is on the menu!
In Florida, October means lots of outdoor dining with wine, beer and spirits galore. In the Lifestyles After 50 readership area along I-75, there are no fewer than eight celebrations of Oktoberfest, everywhere from Mount Dora to Cape Coral. See the article on what to wear to Oktoberfest on pages 8 and 9 and make note of the festival nearest you!
October is also the month of Halloween, which happens to be my favorite holiday. I think this stems from when I was a child in the 1970s. I was that child with hippie dippy parents who believed sugar was evil; we ate only free range, farm to table, organic foods. As you can tell, my parents were way ahead of the trend and now I consider myself lucky, but at the time I thought it was a horrible imposition because none of my classmates ate that way. I used to go over to a friend’s house each day after school because her mother had an entire cabinet full of Little Debbie snack cakes, potato chips, and PopTarts and the refrigerator always had 2-liter Cokes in it (and Diet Coke, Sprite, and Fanta
orange soda). For lunch at school, my brother and I ate freshly prepared chicken salad on whole grain bread with raisins as a snack – in recycled paper lunch bags, no less – but my friends had metal Superman lunchboxes from which they pulled bologna and Kraft cheese slices on Wonder bread with yellow mustard… and Pringles.
However, Halloween was the great equalizer. It was the one day a year when I was allowed to dress up like Princess Leia (my brother was Darth Vader) and go house to house begging for food like a street urchin from “Oliver.” I always came home with my plastic pumpkin bucket brimming with treats, and my brother and I would spread our hoard over the living room floor and spend hours swapping candy for what we liked best: we learned the art of negotiating in those sessions! I wanted anything chocolate, and he was more a Twizzlers and jellybeans kind of guy. (We also secretly made fun of the neighbors who bought cheap hard candies from the dollar store and praised those who gave out full size Snickers bars.)
This year, no matter how you spend your October – with friends at home, or at Oktoberfest or a Halloween party – I wish you a fabulous, healthy, and beautiful fall!
Until next time,
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Two years ago during the pandemic, TikTok user Rosie Grant discovered how many people left recipes on their tombstones – a way for some to share their love through food even after they pass away. After spotting “Kay’s Fudge” followed by the words, “Wherever she goes, there’s laughter,” Grant started photographing the recipes and learning about the authors. Most were dessert recipes on women’s tombstones.
Grant considers herself a “culinary archeologist” as she recreates the treats in her own kitchen. So far, she’s collected 22 recipes and finds it comforting that someone’s legacy might be their carrot cake recipe, so Grant started making and bringing snickerdoodles and guava cobbler to the graveyards to share with visitors and honor the cooks’ memories.
Grant’s passion for the project is obvious; one of her cemetery videos garnered over 7 million views. She now travels to cemeteries collecting recipes from gravestones. She never cooked before but now says, “I’m literally learning how to cook through the dead,” and wants her own tombstone to share a clam linguine or mac ‘n cheese recipe. “The two things we inevitably do in life are eat food and die someday,” Grant says, “so it’s a shared experience
and to many, it brings back memories of their grandparents.” Her 114,400 TikTok followers are begging her to compile a cookbook.
Corbin has done just that in “Recipes from the Grave, Wonderful Dishes for the Here and After,” collecting over 100 recipes and including brief biographies about the contributor, cooking suggestions, measurement substitutions and tips for baking bread, pies and cakes. He includes Ann Landers’ meatloaf recipe, and a recipe by Ruth Corbin Graves called “How to Preserve a Husband.”
“For a finished product, husband should be wrapped in a mantle of kindness, kept warm with the fire of devotion, and served with peaches and cream. Husbands prepared this way will keep for years.”
Corbin admits that most of these family recipes are probably 100 years old and were baked on stoves fueled by wood or coal or cow chips but “all are well crafted,” he says, “and all harken back to a time in America when the supper table was a place for the family to recharge, unwind, and enjoy each other’s company.”
Grant and Corbin remind us of the importance of food in our lives, as food for the body, food for the soul, and as memories that bind us across generations.
“Recipes from the Grave”
- by Kathy A. Megyeri
BY RANDAL C. HILL
“Ordinary Angels” is based on a true story of Sharon Steves (Hilary Swank), a recovering alcoholic hairdresser in smalltown Kentucky. When she is told, “Find a reason to be here that’s bigger than you are,” she discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she learns about Ed Schmidt (Alan Ritchson). He’s a local widower working hard to make ends meet for his two young daughters. Michelle, the younger, needs a liver transplant.
Sharon becomes an “ordinary angel” when she decides to help the family and take on seemingly impossible odds, among which is a $400,000 charge for the transplant. When Sharon asks for the entire $400,000 to be erased, a panel of hospital power folks offer collective smirks. “Was that funny?” Sharon asks defiantly.
The worst snowstorm in recent memory adds to the woes when Ed’s daughter Michelle needs to be flown to a hospital 700 miles away for her transplant.
At one point, Sharon is asked, “How did it become your responsibility to save her?”
Her response: “Because I’m here…because I can.”
Two-time Oscar winner Swank tells why she signed to do the film. “I was drawn to this beautiful true story because it’s such a powerful reminder that angels reside everywhere among us. And that faith, hope, grit and positivity are all powerful fuel for miracles. It’s also a story about the power of organ donation, something incredibly near and dear to my heart. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be a part of this story and message.”
Producer Kevin Downs finishes, “I hope this film inspires many to not just talk about how we can love our neighbor but actually show how we can love our neighbor in ways that put others in front. I’m hoping that this gives an example of what one community did in the face of extraordinary circumstances and how they rallied together and lifted each other up. We could use a lot more of that, I think.”
“Ordinary Angels” opens nationwide from Lionsgate on October 13.
Hansel the Yorkie says Happy Oktoberfest from Englewood
This tangy salad is a fun take on the classic Vietnamese banh mi sandwich.
• ½ cup rice vinegar
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• ½ cup water
• 10 oz. shredded carrots
• 1 small radish, peeled and cut into matchsticks
Ingredients for the Salad:
• 1 lb. rotini pasta
• 1 rotisserie chicken
• 1 cucumber, peeled and diced
• 1 cup chopped mint
• 1 cup chopped cilantro
Ingredients for the Dressing:
• 1-¼ cups mayonnaise
• 3 Tablespoons sriracha sauce
• Juice of 1 lime (about ¼ cup)
• 1 teaspoon soy sauce
Method:
Make the pickled vegetables: combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, water, carrots and radish in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer, then remove from the heat and transfer to a glass jar. Cover and refrigerate at least 15 minutes while prepping the rest of the salad.
Make the dressing by whisking together the dressing ingredients; set aside.
This vegetarian pasta is easy to make, refreshing and delicious. Feel free to substitute your favorite spices, or to add leftovers such as corn, green beans, tomatoes, peas, or cooked carrots. For a hearty omnivore’s meal, add chicken or poached salmon.
Ingredients:
• 8 oz. bowtie pasta
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2-3 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1 can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), reserve the liquid
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Method:
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Juice of 1 lemon (about ¼ cup)
• 1 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup basil leaves, washed and chopped
• 1 cup chopped parsley
• 2 Tablespoons capers (optional)
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until slightly soft, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water; set aside to finish cooling.
Coarsely chop the rotisserie chicken and place in a bowl. Add the drained pickled vegetables.
Toss pasta, chicken, dressing and pickled vegetables. Add cucumbers, mint and cilantro, toss to combine.
Chill at least 1 hour before serving to allow pasta to absorb the dressing and become firm. Refrigerate leftovers.
Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 12-15 minutes until done. Drain, rinse, and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, heat a skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and garlic; cook 1 minute. Add garbanzo beans and spices. Cook 3 minutes, stirring gently. Add capers (if using), chickpea liquid, and cooked pasta. Bring to
a simmer and cook 2 more minutes.
Remove from heat; add lemon juice, parmesan, basil and parsley. Serve warm, garnished with more parmesan. Refrigerate leftovers.
If you’re a beer lover, you already know that the traditional German Oktoberfest – the world’s oldest festival celebrating that delicious beverage – occurs mostly in September. Here in the US, we celebrate throughout October, instead. But no matter when you celebrate and no matter what your favorite beer is, it will taste better if you’re wearing traditional clothing to set the mood. That means dirndl for women and lederhosen for men.
Taken directly from Oktoberfest.de, the official site of the 188th annual beer fest, come these unusual facts and tidbits about the costumes:
In the 19th century, the typical work attire of farm maids in Bavaria and Austria was a long, sleeveless dress over a shirt and an apron made of bed linens. Around 1930, city folks traveling to relax in the Alps took a liking to these traditional outfits. Around the same time, an Alpine-guesthouse
themed operetta caused a sensation in the USA, where “The White Horse Inn” was a box office hit on Broadway and was performed 223 times. Suddenly the traditional outfits seen in the play were chic and anyone who wanted to be at the forefront of fashion wore dresses with traditional costume elements.
The world’s most expensive dirndl
Dirndl are available at any price range. The brightly colored
mini dirndl is relatively cheap, and you can buy a knockoff version on Amazon for about $50. Real dirndl with silk aprons and lace blouses will run you $400 or so. But the world’s most expensive dirndl is made of pure wild silk and embroidered with 150,000 Swarovski crystals. That dress will cost you around $100,000!
Far removed from wild silk and Swarovski are the rogue dirndl that appear year after year. These include “dresses” made of thermoplastic in the navy and white colors of Germany’s Schalke 04 soccer team, skintight red leather or even peacock-style dresses. In 2006, Columbian dressmaker
Miguel Caballero went a bit too far when he designed a bulletproof dirndl. (He later declared it a marketing gag.)
When we think of lederhosen (literally “leather pants”) we inevitably picture Bavaria. It’s true that they are customary for Germany’s largest state — but it’s not only there. Other Alpine peoples such as Austrians, the Swiss and the inhabitants of South Tyrol happily slip on a pair.
Maybe it’s a bit excessive to call lederhosen functional, but they are capable of more than you’d believe. Deerskin is soft and pleasant, robust and durable. It protects you from the elements, keeps you warm in cold weather, and cools you on sunny days. It also adapts particularly well to liquids such as rain (or spilled beer).
Like the kilt, this question reflects one of the great mysteries: with or without underwear? Lederhosen should fit snugly and sometimes there really isn’t enough room for underwear, especially not boxers. Today it’s a matter of personal preference, but the story was very different prior to the 1940s, when all men went commando in their lederhosen
Buy in store at Hollerbach’s Outfitters
(111 Magnolia Ave., Sanford, Seminole County). Visit www.hollerbachsoutfitters.com or call 407-321-2204, ext. 1.
Or, order online at www.Lederhosenstore.com or www.Germanimporthaus.com.
Once you’ve got your Trachten (traditional clothing, head to an Oktoberfest celebration near you:
September 29-30, October 6-7: German American Society Oktoberfest
8098 66th St. N, Pinellas Park. www.GermanTampa.com
October 7: Oktoberfest Mount Dora in downtown Mount Dora
www.mountdora.com
October 13-15: Oktoberfest Tampa at Curtis Hixon Park
www.oktoberfesttampa.com
October 13-15: Sarasota Rocktoberfest at JD Halem Park
www.destinationdowntownsarasota.com
October 14: Oktoberfest on the Beach at Kolb Park, Indian Rocks Beach
www.IRBAction2000.com
October 20-22: Upper Tampa Bay Oktoberfest at Tampa Bay Downs
www.business.UTBChamber.com
October 20-22 and 27-29: Cape Coral Oktoberfest at the German American Social Club of Cape Coral
www.GASC-CapeCoral.com
October 28: Central Florida Oktoberfest at the German American Society in Casselberry
www.OrlandoGermanClub.com
The clinical definition of constipation is any two of the following symptoms for at least 12 weeks (not necessarily consecutive) in the previous year: straining during bowel movements, lumpy or hard stool, a sensation of obstruction or incomplete evacuation, and/or fewer than three bowel movements per week.
Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints in the United States; it most often affects women and adults age 65 and over. Common causes of constipation include insufficient intake of fiber and liquids, lack of exercise, medications, older age and abuse of laxatives.
The most common cause of constipation is a diet low in fiber and high in fats. The bulk and soft texture of fiber help prevent hard, dry stools that are difficult to pass. Fiber is the part of fruits, vegetables, and grains that the body cannot digest. (Keep in mind that many refined and processed foods we eat have the natural fiber removed.)
Many seniors eat a low-fiber diet that causes constipation. Some lose interest in eating and choose convenience foods low in fiber – others have difficulties chewing or swallowing and this leads them to eat soft processed foods low in fiber.
Liquids add bulk to stools making bowel movements softer and easier to pass. People who are constipated should drink about eight 8-ounce glasses of liquids a day. Avoid drinks with caffeine and alcohol because they dehydrate.
Not enough exercise can lead to constipation, although doctors do not know why. If you want to move your bowels, move your body.
Some medications can cause constipation: pain medications (especially narcotics), antacids that contain aluminum and calcium,
month.
blood pressure medications (calcium channel blockers), anti-Parkinson’s drugs, antispasmodics, antidepressants, iron supplements, diuretics and anticonvulsants.
Aging may affect bowel regularity because a slower metabolism results in less intestinal activity and muscle tone.
Laxatives usually are not necessary to treat constipation and can be habit-forming, as the colon begins to rely on laxatives to bring on bowel movements. Over time, laxatives can damage nerve cells in the colon and interfere with the colon’s natural ability to contract. For the same reason, regular use of enemas can also lead to a loss of normal bowel function.
Most people with constipation can be treated with changes in diet and exercise. A diet with 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day is recommended. Other changes that can help include drinking enough liquids, engaging in daily exercise, and reserving enough time to have a bowel movement. In addition, the urge to have a bowel movement should not be ignored.
All Rights Reserved © 2023 by Fred Cicetti
Send your general health questions to Healthy Geezer with Lifestyles After 50 in the subject line to fred@healthygeezer.com
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ICE! is a dazzling, immersive, story-driven holiday showplace complete with larger-than-life ice sculptures, thrilling frozen slides, and awe-inspiring tunnels. Come experience the splendor of the holiday season at Gaylord Palms. Tickets and packages are on sale now. Book a room night or package and receive exclusive benefits for overnight guests.
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The important conversations about how you can take control of your breast health are happening now. Hear the stories and learn how taking control of our breast health is in our hands.
To watch and to schedule your mammogram: ItsInOurHands.org
Our breasts. Our health. Our care.
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Avoid Probate Over your House, Condo or Rental Property the Easy Way
813-685-3133
• Florida “Lady Bird” deed
• $500.00 plus costs, if any.
• Fee consultation
by William R. Mumbauer - Attorney - www.flwillstrustsprobate.com
The beneficiary named in a Lady Bird deed enjoys the same beneficial capital gain tax treatment as a beneficiary named in a Will, but without the necessity of probate. Just like with a Will, under current law; specifically Section 2036 of the IRS Code, a beneficiary named in a Lady Bird deed receives the so-called “stepped up” basis for determining capital gain tax liability.
This means that if the beneficiary named in a Lady Bird deed decides to sell the property after the death of the maker of the deed, then capital gain tax liability is calculated by using the difference between the date of death value of the property and the selling price, not the difference between the value of the property when originally acquired by the maker of the deed (which is, presumably, much lower) and the selling price, thereby reducing the gain, if there is any, on the sale. Using a Lady Bird deed to take advantage of this particularly generous provision of the tax law often results in very little or even no capital gain tax liability for the beneficiary named in the Lady Bird deed if the property is later sold.
Mr. Mumbauer, a 5th generation Floridian, has maintained a law practice in Brandon, Florida since 1980 with emphasis on estate planning. Mr. Mumbauer takes special pride in representing the senior community by maintaining a sensitive and practical approach to problem solving. Mr. Mumbauer is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and the Elder Law Section of the Florida Bar. Mr. Mumbauer is also a Mentor in probate law and has been qualified by the Second District Court of Appeal in Florida as an expert witness in matters involving the drafting of Wills. Mr. Mumbauer’s Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating among judges and lawyers for Legal Ability is High to Very High and his General Recommendation Rating is Very High. His articles are based on general principles of law and are not intended to apply to individual circumstances.
Best Little Cat House in Riverview, FL for 25 Years!
Unique Vacation Hotel For Cats Only!
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• Private Aquarium Views
• Huge Windows Overlooking Tropical Gardens with Fountains & Koi Fish Ponds (for lizard & bird watching)
• Reasonable Rates
• Vet on Call
• Soft Music, lots of loving & petting
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Most people are aware that their dogs can get dental disease, but what about cats? Our furry feline friends are often overlooked when it comes to dental care. According to Cornell University Feline Health Center, “Between 50 and 90% of cats older than four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease”.
Some of the most common forms of dental disease in cats include periodontal disease and resorptive lesions. Periodontal disease starts as inflammation in the gums which progresses to infection and eventually can result in loss of a tooth. Resorptive lesions are holes that can form in teeth which can damage the roots and cause potential fractures and severe pain. Some cats develop a very painful condition called stomatitis which is a much more severe form of oral inflammation often requiring dental surgical intervention.
Common symptoms that can cue you into whether your cat may have dental disease include drooling, difficulty eating (usually with hard food), weight loss and loss of appetite, bad breath, and potentially swelling of the face or lymph nodes.
Brushing your cats’ teeth may be helpful in preventing dental disease if they allow you to do it. There are also dental diets and treats that may be beneficial.
Your vet may recommend doing a dental cleaning under general anesthesia and dental x-rays to screen for any issues below the gumline. It can be difficult to do a complete dental exam in many cats without anesthesia, so this also allows for a more thorough oral exam to identify if there are any growths or lesions not related to the teeth. Ultimately, if any teeth are compromised, the best treatment may be extraction. Bringing your cat to your local veterinarian annually is the best way to identify an treat dental disease early.
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Glaucoma is a disease caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) resulting either from a malformation or malfunction of the eye’s drainage structures.
Glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” because there is often no pain or symptoms present until noticeable, irreversible vision loss occurs. At St. Luke’s, we have a team of experts to take care of your medical and surgical needs.
Table Tennis, or Ping Pong, is a sport that is thought of for the youthful and athletic. But it also holds benefits for seniors both physically and mentally.
Hand-to-eye coordination, quickness of reflexes and quick physical movement are some of the benefits that Table Tennis offers to seniors. This active game can give aid to physical fitness and general health.
Table Tennis is a low-impact sport. It is easier on the body, overall. Thus, making this sport an option for seniors that want to be active but, at the same time, keeping careful of their limitations. This low impact sport can help in improving balance and coordination which can help in preventing falls.
It can also be good for socializing and making friends.
Strategy, fast thinking and concentration are required for this game. This trio has the ability of helping seniors with mental stimulation and cognitive thinking.
Jigsaw puzzles can be fun, interesting and entertaining for all ages including seniors. Jigsaw puzzles are thought to be one of the best ways to keep minds sharp and can be a way to help keep the brain active.
They are known for helping with mental speed and being a mental escape according to Professor Marcel Danesi. He is a professor at the University of Toronto in semiotics, the study of signs and symbols and their use or interpretation. Puzzles in general are a good way to improve cognitive skills. The participant needs to concentrate on remembering the pieces and assembling the pieces in a certain order.
Seniors may need to choose a puzzle according to their limitations. If you have poor vision or arthritis a puzzle with larger pieces may be easier to handle.
One hundred piece or less puzzles may be better for those with impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.
If you have questions about how to choose the right Florida Blue Medicare plan for you, I’m only a phone call away. They have plans that include benefits*, like:
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October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Except for skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. According to the National Cancer Institute, one in eight American females will develop breast cancer during their lifetime. The United States Preventive Services Task Force recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years.
Breast Cancer Risks
• Getting older -- most breast cancers are diagnosed after age 50
• Genetic mutations -- such as BRCA1 and BRCA2
• Early menstrual period – starting before age 12
• Late or no pregnancy – first pregnancy after age 30
• Starting menopause after age 55
• Not being physically active
• Being overweight or obese after menopause
• Having dense breasts
• Using combination hormone therapy --estrogen and progestin
• Personal or family history of breast cancer
• Personal history of certain non-cancerous breast diseases
• Previous treatment using radiation therapy
• Women who took the drug diethylstilbestrol (DES)
• Drinking alcohol -- risk increases the larger the amount consumed
Symptoms of Breast Cancer
• New lump in the breast or underarm (armpit)
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin
• Redness or flaky skin in the nipple area or the breast
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area
• Nipple discharge other than breast milk, including blood
• Any change in the size or the shape of the breast
• Pain in breast
For more information, visit: www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast
Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention
I have really been looking forward to October. When it arrives, we are immediately one week into Fall. It portends to be a nice, pleasant month, “not too hot, not too cold, but just right,” according to Goldilocks. It’s the time of year when everything, including the porridge, is pumpkin spice flavored! The main reason I look forward to the month these days is Samuel Adams’ seasonal Oktoberfest Beer, which is one of the few times I indulge.
DOWN
1. Heavenly Mlles.
2. Nag
3. Not just tacit 4. Mom, dad, or madam 5. Take place 6. Friend at the école
Sometimes I take my beer out by the pool, but I haven’t been in the pool this year at all, having gotten basal cell carcinoma on my nose from being in the pool last year. Plus, I’ve only just this week been released to get into the pool by my cardiologist, as I’m now 4 months out from open-heart surgery. I am now a CABG Patched Kid.
or Pompeo 18. Spain s Juan Carlos I 19. Ms. Lee 20. Felt indignant about
Change direction
Spring
Bit of cereal
Take advantage of
German article
High schooler
My brain is also patchy, because logically, October should be the eighth month (as “octo” = 8). I guess no one was willing to argue with Julius Caesar at the time. The good news is, there are only two months remaining for hurricane season. But then, there’s always that one, rebellious hurricane out there who can’t read a calendar. October is also known for Oktoberfest. Is that when German children put on their lederhosen and go from door to door, begging for candy?
No, I’m sorry, that’s Halloween, which, depending on your perspective, began as a “Christian” celebration when in 835 AD, Pope Gregory IV moved the celebration for all the martyrs (later all saints) from May 13 to November 1. The night before became known as All Hallow’s Eve, later shortened to Hallowe’en. There are also purported ties with Samhain, which was first observed by Celtic Pagans. On this day the Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was especially thin.
Since I now live in a gated retirement community rather than a regular subdivision, I no longer have the option of gimbal-mounting a cauldron of boiling oil atop my roof to thwart trick or treaters. Sadly, the HOA made me take it down.
That’s OK, though, because the last time I celebrated Halloween, I was as a teen. I entered a costume contest dressed as a #2 Pencil. I lost (and got weird looks). My Dad, who in real life is a priest, dressed as the Devil. (He won.)
If October has special memories for you, share them with Mike at micwrighthamo@gmail.com.
4907 - SWF. 59 yo, 5’9”, 160 lbs, smoker, blonde hair, blue eyes. I like shing, movies, traveling, dancing, good food. Seeks SWM who likes the same.
5576 – LIFE IS SHORT. Blessed to be here after Ian. I am W, WW, 5’5”, 125, HWP. ISO honest, kind gentleman in mid-80’s for friendship. SOH, NS, HWP, Lt SD. S. Ft. Myers.
5409 - WRETCHED old hagg seeking miserable old troll. If U respond U obviously have a sense of humor & R adventurous. I’m 76, blonde, petite, earthy, easy to B with. Love singing, dancing, biking, cooking, vintage cars & vintage men. Must have a little class & a lot of character.
5587 – PUERTO RICAN, 84, wants to be friends with male, 78 to 90 for lunch, flea markets in Venice Florida. I still work – if you are Spanish or not, get in touch with me now.
5590 – RETIRED – PETITE – SINGLE. Fun female, blonde, 5 foot tall, avg. build, ISO single, happy, stable man, who loves the outdoors & animals. No smokers.
5422 - VERY PRETTY WWF ISO FF. Long blonde hair, youthful 60’s, 5’4”, slim, ND, NS. Fine dining, dancing, theatre, travel. Looking for retired W gentleman, 5’9”, 6575, HWP, SOH. Will speak soon. Send photo & phone.
5595 – I AM YOUNG SPIRITED. 74, ND, NS, NDrgs. Christian lady in search of life partner. Friends first. Am very active, love dancing, laughter and working out. Looking for the same. Please send a recent photo.
5436 - TAMPA VETERAN NEEDS COMPANION QUICKLY. SW, 60, looking for healthy, W, 45-65 for LTR. Need compuer operations, applications expert and handy homemaker. Quiet music, parks, swimming, local touring. Veteran literary a plus. Tampa.
5599 – SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE. I am SWF, 80 yy, NS, ND, Blond/Gray hair, 5’2”. ISO SWM for eating out, listening to country, western, gospel music, travel, sports. THIS COULD BE YOU!
5427 - SEEKING SINCERE, HONEST GENTLEMAN. I’m 70s, HWP, NS, ND, like to meet SWM with same interest for LTR. Laid back, no drama. Like animals. Hillsborough & Pasco.
5600 – HEALTHY, ACTIVE, RETIRED, WDHF, 5’5”, 130 lbs, physically fit, secure, good SOH, 70’s. Enjoys travel, beaches, dance. NS, ND. ISO, WSM, 70’s who likes the same. Let’s have fun. Clearwater/Dunedin area.
5425 - SINCERE CHRISTIAN WOMAN desires C-man who really loves God and is active, lives a healthy life, helps his neighbor, enjoys nature (including picnics), canoeing and a friend to all animals. I’m all of the above. I’m a W ,etite lady with long hair and chearful. Age 60’s, Age preferred: Mid 50’s and up. I live in Hillsborough County. Please write me, tell me about yourself.
5601 – R U THE 1? Want gentleman who touches the heart & tickles the soul! I’m 79, W, J, WW, NS, 5’, 135 lbs, platinum hair, pleasant personality & looks. Love music, theatre, restaurants, fishing, pets & board games. Sun City.
5431 – LONELY WWF, looking for love & companion. Man should be 70 to 80 yrs old. I am nancially secure, have a car & condo. I live in N. St. Pete.
5602 – SWF, 5’4”,120 lbs, auburn hair, blue eyes, retired paralegal. I enjoy the outdoors, dancing, movies, and dinner out. I enjoy attending church and cooking. I am from a large family.
5429 - HERE, DURING COVID-19 IN S. FT. MYERS. ISO friendship only with W, widower in early 80’s. SOH, honest, NS. I am W, WW, HWP, attractive & intellgent. Please respond with phone/email. Be safe & well.
5604 – LOOKING FOR SOULMATE. I’m 80 y young, 5’5”, 120#, blonde. Like dancing, Elks, beach, state parks, reading, short trips, museums, picniks in the park, movies. SWCF. Write OK. Largo & Seminole
5413 - WW ISO BUDDY, FRIEND to pal around with who’s about my age, 80’s, gal or guy with SOH. Good health, nancially secure to have fun & enjoy life. No Trumpers or religious zealots please. Let the good times roll.
5573 – HI, I’M MARVIN. Looking for companion, I am 85YY, WM, WW, C, NS, 5’9”, 165 lbs., SOH. Excellent health and very active. Southern country gentleman. This is my first experience with this. Homeowner with pool, semi-retired, own truck dealership. Please send phone number. Let’s talk. Let’s have fun.
5419 - HAVE A NICE DAY. SWF, 75 yo, 5’5”, slender, brunette, green eyes, adventurous, love walks, parks, outdoors, healthy food. Am happy, loving, kind. LTR, intimacy? Have photo. Tampa.
4119 - Seeking Honest gentleman. Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. WW. Loves the Lord. Florida.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
5588 – SWM, 78, recently widowed, seeks SWF in 60’s, SW Florida resident who is affectionate, energetic, active gal for LTR. NS, ND. I enjoy oldies music/shows, beaches, pools, BQ’s. Send phone number. We will talk.
5411 - BM seeks LTR with 50-65 yr old woman of character. I am 6’0”, 180 lbs, 60 year old. NS. Children are adults. Free to travel. I am a one woman man. Race is not an issuecharacter is!
5591 – NEW TO ME. Secure SWM, 5’7”, 150#, NS, ND, seeks romantic, relocatable female for life partner, best friend, lover. Share my home. Save that rent for good things. Please send description, photo, phone.
5407 - ISO BF, 50+, slender build who likes to read, go out to eat, movies, laid back, enjoys laughter & is drama free. Look forward to hearing from you. I am a WM, 5’11”, 155 lbs, NS and drama free.
5415 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, P, FF, likes cards, walks, cooking, travel, fun.
5593 – HI LADIES! I’m 61, 160 lbs, 5’7” hgt., physically fit, enjoy swimming pool & beach, art fest’s, going out having fun, sense of humor, doing new things. Looking for same ages 57-65. Venice.
5592 – WISH YOU WERE HERE. I’m a SWM, 5’6”, 180 lb, SOH, NS, ND, SD, CONDO who likes happy hour, restaurants, shopping, TV, the Elks, going places, kissing, holding hands. ISO SF, white or asian, fun, easy going, smiles, overweight OK, enjoys life – then contact me. Thank you. Pinellas Park.
5424 - HI, Lonely guy, WM, 5’8”, 160 lbs, a young mid-seventies, NS, NS, t, active and adventuresome. Seeks lady, mid-sixties to early seventies, HWP, exercises, possible romance, LTR. Let’s be happy and celebrate life.
5393 - SWM, 69, 5’11”, AVG. Hair black, thinning, DAV, honest, sincere, relocated Hudson. Retired Leo. ISO WHF, widow preferred, attractive, sm. butt, NS, ND, handy homemaker, intimacy yes, no baggage, drama.
5428 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, R, TLC, 70’s. Likes sharing many activities together, quiet evenings; be adventurous.
5594 – I’M LOOKING FOR A FEMALE COMPANION in the Tampa Bay area. I am 86 YY, WM, WW, C, NS, 5’9”, 165 lbs, SOH. Excellent health, very active. Southern country gentleman. This is my first experience with this. Homeowner with pool, semi-retired, own truck dealership. Write to me, let’s have fun.
5426 - EASY GOING MAN. I’m 69, 140 lbs, 5’7”, widower, lives alone. Seeking other gentlemen for friendship, to get together and enjoy each other’s company. Will answer alll.
5598 – YOU & ME – TOGETHER. SWM, 5’6”, 175 lbs, 70’s, SD, NS, SOH, NDrgs. Condo. Likes: happy hour, restaurants, the Elks, TV, movies, shopping, kissing, holding hands. ISO SWF or Asian. SOH. Fun easy going, smiles, enjoys life.
5369 – Looking For Ms Right. Retired New York Attorney, former New York Police O cer, looking for loving relationship with kind and sincere, self-caring lady. 65 – 75. Widow preferred. Clearwater area.
5603 – NEVER SETTLED FOR LESS. That was a mistake. Nobody’s perfect. Neither are you OR ME. Searching for white caring woman, under five foot seven, any age. Risk takers only please. Reachable from anywhere!
5412 - LOOKING FOR ADVENTEROUS WOMAN. SWM, NS, healthy, retired, enjoys country music, home cooking, day trips to scenic attractions, sun rises, sunsets, movies, walks in the park. For more info, write me. Pinellas County.
5416 - LOOKING FOR COMPANION. SWM
seeking t, attractive, female. Very handsome, very t senior. 5’11”, 175, blue eyes, silver hair. Let’s enjoy life’s pleasures. Dunedin.
5417 - PINELLAS PARK, FUN LOVING
5605 – YOU & ME TOGETHER. ISO White or Asian F. Fun, easy going, smiles, enjoys life. SWM, 70’s, 5’6”, SOH, ND, NS, SD, condo. Like happy hour, restaurants, the Elks, TV, movies, shopping, kissing, holding hands. Let’s talk. Pinellas Park.
SWM, seeking SWW to enjoy sports activities, bridge, dominoes, pinochle and swimming at Mainlands. I’m 88 and very active. Looking for SWW over 70. I’m 6’3”, 235 lbs and a dancer. Pinellas Park.
5606 – TRIED THIS BEFORE. It worked great. 9 years but she passed on. 78 yr old guy wants younger gal with spunkiness left. NS, ND, loves all neighbors even enemies. Adventurist.
5607 – SEXY SIX FOOT TWO EYES OF BLUE. 200 pound athletic boy who looks a lot younger than 62 wants a fun, youthful companion to explore the world with. Come with me! PG, PC, NFM, NP.
To PLACe An AD: Send your ad, stating what edition(s) you would like it placed in, along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the Lifestyles After 50 address listed below. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue.
To ReSPonD To An AD: Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad # on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: Lifestyles After 50 Seniors Getting Together P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583
CommonLY USeD ABBReViATionS: F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WWWidow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NSNon Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.
TITLE:
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Exclusive early bird ticket and motorcoach transportation offer to the Daytona 500 Sunday February 18. 3:00 p.m. with departures from the SarasotaBradenton Clearwater-Dunedin, Largo, Seminole and St. Petersburg areas. Just $179 per person includes a race ticket with the ticket value alone of $220. Our package includes your ticket and bus transportation for just $179. A portion of ticket proceeds is being donated to the American Legion to benefit Veterans programs.. Option to add UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race Access for just $86 (a $110 Value)
5 Days/ 4 Nights, Monday –Friday November 6-10 $995 per person (double occupancy) Includes: Round-Trip Motorcoach to Tampa Airport, Round-trip non-stop air to Las Vegas, Round-trip Airport to Hotel Transfers, 4nights accommodations at the fabulous Excalibur Hotel & Casino.
Friday-Monday December 15-18 Nashville Country Christmas $1979 per person (double occupancy). includes roundtrip airfare, roundtrip bus to Sarasota Airport from St. Petersburg area, 3 nights lodging at Gaylord Opryland Resort., 6 Meals, four shows including Christmas Dinner show in ballroom at Gaylord Opryland Resort with Darryl Worley and friends, 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.
Monday-Thursday January 22-25, 2024- $1789 per person (double occupancy) round trip air from Tampa to Key West, round trip transportation to Tampa Airport, round trip trolley transportation to and from hotel. 3 nights in Key West at Florida Keys and Key West Lodging Association’s “Property of the Year”, the Doubletree Grand Key Resort located a mile from the airport. Complimentary transportation from hotel to Duval Street and the beaches.
NEW
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Monday February 5- Friday February 9, 2024 $1999 per person (double occupancy) Roundtrip airfare from Tampa to New Orleans, 5 days , 4 nights accommodations in French Quarter 7 Meals New Orleans School of Cooking, comprehensive city tour of New Orleans, Mardi Gras World Museum, National World War II Museum (including 4D film), Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise, Louisiana Swamp Boat tour, and reserved parade bleacher seating for four parades in New Orleans
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(727)-439-5520 | www. klinetours.net/florida-departures
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BY EVELYN B. KELLY, PHD
October in Sleepy Hollow is “the most wonderful time of the year.” There are blazing Jack-o-lanterns, exciting street fairs, and yards decorated with a kaleidoscope of reds, greens, and yellows. We are approaching Sleepy Hollow from Tarrytown, NY along Route 9. Buried under the black asphalt is the dirt road supposedly traversed by Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, made famous by the writer Washington Irving in the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow.”
I creep along as part of the crowd, haunted by my thoughts of the headless horseman riding past this ghostly oak tree; all of New York must have emptied into this small valley. Despite the mob, I want to find the past in the present and concentrate on the spirit and history of this interesting Dutch colony.
It all began in 1609 when the Dutch East India Company hired explorer Henry Hudson, who found and named a magnificent river and made way for colonies of Dutch people to lay down family roots in 1658. The settlers were energetic trappers and farmers who pioneered free trade and tolerance. They also brought a wealth of tales – including their ghost stories – with them. In fact, the area is considered one of the most haunted places in the U.S.
Washington Irving inspired the renaming of the village of Sleepy Hollow (until 1996, it was called North Tarrytown). He moved to the area in 1798 to avoid the outbreaks of yellow fever. He was introduced to local ghost stories, including a tale of a Hessian soldier, a mercenary for the British, whose head was shot off by a Continental Army cannon. The moral of his story: Do not let superstition guide your actions and overwhelm your reason.
From the crowds here, it does appear that his intent is hidden in the hoopla.
When I was a kid, someone once told me that whenever you pass a cemetery, hold your breath so you will not breathe in evil spirits. My maxim is tested as our guide led us to the old Dutch church and its churchyard prominently mentioned in the legend. The ghost rides in a nightly quest of his head, hurrying to get back to his grave before daybreak. The two-acre churchyard is the resting place of settlers like those that inspired Katrina Van Tassel and Brom Bones.
The 90-acre Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, on the other hand, has unique headstones, magnificent mausoleums, twisting narrow roads, and over 45,000 gravesites.
Washington Irving himself is buried here along with Andrew Carnegie, Walter Chrysler, Elizabeth Arden, Brooke Astor, and William Rockefeller. It is heavily wooded with cedars, sycamores, and oaks.
Ghosts are not only on land, but in the water. An area where the river widens is called Tappan Zee: “Tappan” for the native tribe that lived in the region and “Zee,” the Dutch word for sea. The glowing ghost ship – The Flying Dutchman – has been sighted in the Hudson; it appears during a turbulent storm and then disappears.
Even with the crowds I was alone in my own thoughts, reflecting on the names on the tombstones and periodically reminded of these great people. However, it was satisfying seeing the crowds having fun and enjoying themselves. I realized that this was not only a sleepy tourist destination but was a wide-awake land of history and peace, a place of celebration of life and joy.
OCTOBER 5, 6, 8, 18, 22, 28: THE CHOIR OF MAN
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa
OCTOBER 6: SPOOKALA
Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US-301, Tampa
OCTOBER 7: OUTLAW MUSIC FEST: WILLIE NELSON, AVETT BROTHERS...
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4802 US-301, Tampa
OCTOBER 7: CHICAGO AT THE SOUND
The Sound, 255 Drew St., Clearwater
OCTOBER 11: AEROSMITH: PEACE OUT THE FAREWELL TOUR WITH THE BLACK CROWES
Amelie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
OCTOBER 12: THE JONAS BROTHERS
Amelie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
OCTOBER 13, 15, 21, 28: GOOSEBUMPS FESTIVAL 2023
14811 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
OCTOBER 18: SHANIA TWAIN QUEEN OF ME TOUR
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd., Tampa
OCTOBER 20: TAMPA R&B MUSIC EXPERIENCE 2023
Amelie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
OCTOBER 21: TAMPA PIG JIG
Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park, 1001 N Blvd., Tampa
OCTOBER 21: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: KOOZA
Under the Big White Top, 4800 US-301, Tampa
OCTOBER 21: BROADWAY BALL 2023
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N Macinnes Pl., Tampa
OCTOBER 24: TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING VS. CAROLINA HURRICANES
Amelie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
OCTOBER 27: TAMPA BAY AUTO SHOW
Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa
OCTOBER 28: JASON ALDEAN: HIGHWAY DESPERADO TOUR 2023
MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre, 4802 US-301, Tampa
OCTOBER 29: RAPRAGER FAMILY FARM’S FALL PUMPKIN FESTIVAL AND HAUNTED FARM
Raprager Family Farms, 16907 Boy Scout Rd., Odessa
OCTOBER 29: SNEAKERS AND CARS TAMPA
Florida State Fairgrounds, 4800 US-301, Tampa
Let the energy experts at Tampa Electric show you how to save on energy costs.
When you participate in our free Home Energy Audit, one of our energy analysts will visit your home and identify areas where you can save valuable energy.
Tampa author Jeni DeGregorio has a new book out which has a message of inclusivity. Her son Hayden gets really excited about reading the new book. “Because it’s for me, because it’s for me,” Hayden said about “Wild and Free and Uniquely Me.”
“Once you can understand how they’re experiencing the world and embrace them, just help them to understand themselves as well, you’ll see them grow and blossom,” said DeGregorio who authored the book for her son, who has autism. Her hopes are to bring awareness to autism and make families feel good.
Let the experts at Tampa Electric show you how to save on energy costs.
You’ll also learn about our other energy-saving programs including Energy Planner, Ductwork and more.
Visit tampaelectric.com/save to schedule your free Home Energy Audit today or call 813-275-3909.
When you participate in our free home energy audit, one of our energy analysts will visit your home and identify areas where you can save valuable energy.
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
You’ll also learn about other energy-saving programs including Energy Planner, Ductwork, and more.
7606 Paula Dr. Tampa, FL
9AM-1PM
The book is a “love-letter” to her son, but she hopes to help other families. The book is a parent’s letter to her children with encouragement. “My beautiful child, wild and free, you are not alone,” is a passage printed in the book. “You are autistic and while every autistic brain is different, you will find others with brains a lot like yours.”
“This is a love letter of sorts to my son to remind him that he’s perfect just the way he is,” DeGregorio said.
Visit tampaelectric.com/save or call 813-275-3909 to schedule your free home energy audit today.
Bring this ad and receive a free energy-saving kit, made available through Tampa Electric ’s Energy Education Outreach program.
The family recently went on a routine Saturday morning library visit which took on a special meaning. Among the books they checked out at the Platt Library in Tampa, DeGregorio also brought her second recently published title.
She researched the writings of other individuals with autism and is dedicating her book to them. “So, hold your head high and say it proudly, I am perfectly designed with a beautiful mind,” is another transcription of the book. “I am wild and free and uniquely me.”
Save your energy and focus on the important things in life.
Save your energy and focus on the important things in life.
“WILD AND FREE AND UNIQUELY ME” BOOK IS A LOVE LETTER TO AUTISTIC SONBy Dr. Derek Hiltz; Optum
Sometimes our bodies send us signals to tell us something is not quite right. While it might be tempting to dismiss certain symptoms as insignificant, they have the potential to evolve into more serious conditions if left untreated.
Here are 10 red-flag symptoms that should never be ignored:
1. Severe headaches: Do not dismiss sudden and severe headaches as they could be a sign of life-threatening conditions like an aneurysm or a burst blood vessel in the brain.
2. Chest pain: It’s not always a heart problem. It could be a sign of a blood clot, collapsed lung, ruptured esophagus or other complications. Pay attention for alternate symptoms such as faintness, vomiting and cold sweat.
3. Changes in vision: Losing vision in one eye could be a stroke, caused by a lack of oxygen supply to the brain, often resulting in problems on one side of the body.
4. Shortness of breath: Unexpected
shortness of breath might indicate an anxiety attack, a blood clot in a lung or artery, or certain cardiovascular issues.
5. Constant fatigue: Feeling excessively tired all the time, beyond normal exhaustion, could be an early signal of a heart attack.
6. Sudden weight loss or gain: Unexplained weight loss could be linked to cancer, an overactive thyroid gland or liver diseases. On the other hand, sudden weight gain without a known cause may also require medical attention.
7. Nausea or vomiting: Frequent vomiting immediately after meals could be a sign of stomach cancer, gallbladder disease or severe food poisoning.
8. Coughing: Coughing up blood could indicate an underlying infection that requires medical attention.
9. Fever: A fever is the body’s response to infection. If your temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit or if you have a low-
grade fever that lasts for more than seven days, it is critical to seek medical attention.
10. Unusual bleeding: If you notice blood in your urine or stools, or if you cough or vomit blood, it is important to take it seriously. Blood in the urine can indicate conditions like bladder cancer, kidney disease, infections or injuries. Blood in the stools may be a sign of trauma, hemorrhoids, or more serious issues like colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Vomiting blood could indicate an ulcer or esophageal tear, while coughing up blood could be linked to lung cancer.
By being proactive and seeking timely medical attention, we can promote early diagnosis, proper treatment and overall well-being. Your doctor is your partner in maintaining good health and they can guide you through any concerns or fears you may have. Together, we can keep you feeling your best.