Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, September 2023

Celebrating Grandparents on September 10

September is one of the best times in southwest Florida – temperatures are beginning to ease and the beaches and theme parks are noticeably less crowded.

Grandparent’s Day is September 10, so here are some great ways to celebrate:

• Grab your National Parks pass, because September is a great time to visit The Everglades National Park as the alligators are most active during this part of the wet season!

• Take your grandkids for a swim or a picnic on the beach. (Don’t forget the sunscreen.)

• Have a family portrait taken in a fun location, like the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

There’s so much to do in September, with something fun in every city. Check out the Around Town section for local listings, but if you’re willing to drive a bit and you’re feeling crafty, consider visiting Vintage Market Days at Lee Civic Center in Fort Myers on September 15-17 or the 25th Annual

Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival on September 16-17. Stroll through the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks Arts and Crafts Festival on September 22.

Need some medical advice? Try the St. Petersburg Medical Flair 4 Healthy Lifestyles Expo on September 16 at The Coliseum. If you believe laughter is the best medicine, be sure to get tickets to see Jerry Seinfeld at the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa on September 28!

This September is also the one-year anniversary of the devastation caused by Hurricane Ian. Charlotte County, Punta Gorda, Fort Myers and Lee County were among the hardest hit by 150-mile-per-hour winds and a 60-mile-wide eyewall. Despite massive damage, Floridians pulled together and are making progress. Fort Myers even has a new slogan - “Savor the Shore” - to remind us that no matter what, the coast will come back stronger than ever.

Whatever you do, take a moment to relax, give thanks, and enjoy your September in sunny Florida.

Until next time,

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

Lifestyles After 50 Volume 34, Issue 9 Published by Connected Community Media Group Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com

Editor Michele Baker Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com

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BOOK REVIEW

“Grandma Knows Everything,” by Amanda C. Ahlenius

My German grandmother once made a needlepoint pillow that read, “Ve get too soon oldt and too late schmart.” And how true that is! Medical nutritionist, wife and mother of two girls, Amanda Ahlenius from Purdue University asked herself the simple question: “How much could we learn from each other if we all shared the random things that the women in our lives taught us?” Collecting tidbits of practical advice from her own grandmother, she asked Tik Tok and got 80,000 responses. Thousands of women shared their wisdom, insights, and practical advice from their own grandmas – some funny, some useful, and some heartwarming. The book is meant to be shared, added to with lessons from your own grandmother and passed on to your daughters and friends. It celebrates the power of women, honors the bonds that tie us all together and shows just how “schmart” we old women become with age. Critics say the info is great but with only one tip per page, the book’s design could have been more efficient and could have been organized into sections such as kitchen/cooking, cleaning,

Grandma Knows Everything

- by Kathy A. Megyeri

organizing, beauty tips, relationships, etc. Some tips may be out of date, others are repetitious, and some are silly, but all are part of that golden advice from grandmothers. For example:

• Cut both ends of the tomato paste can and push one side all the way through so you don’t have to scrape it out.

• Put three bags in the trash can at once to minimize reloading the can every time.

• A dollar bill is 6” long, so if you have to measure something without a ruler, just use a dollar bill.

• Wash scratchy towels with vinegar to make them fluffy.

• Wrap rubber bands toward the narrow ends of hangers to prevent clothes from sliding off.

• Rub your hands on a stainless-steel sink to remove the onion smell after peeling them.

• Flip your hangers backward. Then put your clothes and laundry away normally. Every 6 months or so, go through your wardrobe to see which hangers haven’t been turned around. Donate those clothes.

Ahlenius admits that as a child, most of the advice she received was generally ignored but, in this book, she gathers the knowledge that’s become even more valued throughout her years. Ahlenius has created a modern day “Hints from Heloise” only this time, it’s mostly young people who appreciate her life hacks on X (formerly known as Twitter), Facebook and in this self-published book. Her next venture is a book of her greatgrandmother’s recipes including one for potato doughnuts (“spudnuts”) and buttery caramels and another volume offering advice from grandfathers because, as she says, “they deserve equal time.”

Movie Preview: “The Outlaw Johnny Black”

BY RANDAL C. HILL

Blaxploitation movies – the term is a blending of the words “black” and “exploitation” –emerged in the early 1970s. They followed Hollywood’s rethinking of race relations in films, with black characters (finally) being offered as protagonists rather than sidekicks, antagonists or victims. “Shaft” is a good early example of this nascent genre.

Now Hollywood is offering a blaxploitation movie far beyond a traditional shoot-‘em-up Western, and this laugh-filled romp just may be the film that mainstream audiences will head to see while getting to know its versatile star Michael Jai White.

In “The Outlaw Johnny Black,” young Johnny (Jalyn Hall) witnesses his preacher father being gunned down by the evil Brett Clayton (Chris Browning). The adult Black (Jai White) seems to have a singular goal in life: to track down and kill Clayton, using a bullet that Johnny has carved Clayton’s name onto.

Black gets paired with Reverend Percival Fairman (Byron Minns), who’s headed for Hope Springs, a town in need of a preacher. The Reverend also entertains the prospect of marrying a comely woman there named Jessie Lee (Anika Noni Rose), who has been writing to Fairman for two years.

CUTEST PETs

Black swaps places with Fairman after the two are attacked by Indians. Black assumes that the preacher is dead, unaware that his Bible has absorbed a potentially fatal blow from a well-shot arrow. Johnny assumes Fairman’s identity and arrives at Hope Springs. As the fake preacher, Black sermonizes— ironically — “If you have unforgiveness in your heart, then you are shackled to your past.”

Later, the real reverend shows up to reassume the mantle that Black has stripped from him. And this is when the fun goes into overdrive.

“The Outlaw Johnny Black” spotlights the talented actor Jai White. (He looks much like a mustachioed Richard Pryor.) Some of Jai White’s lightning-speed martial-arts moves with pistols and kicks will have you thinking that there’s computerized trickery going on here, but that’s not the case.

The script pays homage to a pair of classic 1970s Westerns, melding the over-the-top machoism of “Billy Jack” with the inventive goofiness of “Blazing Saddles,” the latter featuring a horse being sucker-punched, a questionable act also repeated in Jai White’s creation.

Jai White wrote and directed “The Outlaw Johnny Black” and was one of four producers of the Samuel Goldwyn Films release, which opens September 15.

Prepare Yourself for Cold and Flu Season: Wisdom from “The Nourish Me Kitchen”

By Erika Siegel, ND

Before we had lab-made medication in little plastic bottles, we relied on what came from the earth to soothe us. We looked to plants, sunshine, fresh air and salt water in therapeutic ways. We checked in with our natural rhythms and corrected them if we lost our way. We were in tune with the seasons and the sun cycles, letting nature guide us toward the right seasons to eat various foods, the right times to sleep and wake, the right times to produce and to rest.

With the advance of modern medicine, many of us have lost some agency over our own bodies; we’ve begun to trust the “medical system” more than we trust ourselves. Maybe we have become comfortable with immediately looking to doctors or the pharmacy to calm our ailments – essentially saying, “Hey, fix me.” We may forget how much healing potential is within us if we just pay attention to what our bodies are asking for. We may overlook the medicine available in our own kitchens and gardens. And we may have lost confidence in our own ability to listen to and take care of ourselves.

We know, however, that education can make us feel more empowered to care for ourselves, to gain authority and selfgovernance in our own health care. Here are some concrete steps to promote health and well-being during cold and flu season:

To combat an ailment quickly and effectively, it is best to attack it right away, full-strength. When you have the first whispers of an imbalance, that is the time for action.

There is no need to suffer valiantly with your symptoms to prove how hardy you are or to see how it will play out; you’ll defeat your illness quickly only if you treat it quickly, and early intervention and treatment are key. Plants and supplements are potent, but they need to be taken in therapeutic amounts to do the trick, which usually means every few (waking) hours if symptoms are acute (meaning symptoms are noticeable and active). As soon as you cough, have a sore throat, or feel that exhaustion creeping in, follow these guidelines:

Stop all dairy and sugar. Dairy is a big mucous maker. Sugar suppresses white blood cells. Keep natural sugars (fruit juice, maple syrup) low as well, but do use honey.

Don’t force food. Take it easy with eating in general.

Digestion takes so much energy that it’s often best to eat lightly — mostly cooked, simple foods — while healing. Think porridge, soup, and stew, and just follow the appetite. Put on a pot of soup. Just like our grandparents did, start with some ginger, garlic, onion, and turmeric. Add any other veggies you wish, like carrots, zucchini, and celery, as they are alkaline and rich in electrolytes. A soup with a lot of broth is a great food for times of illness.

Bring on the ginger. Ginger is perhaps the most versatile plant for immunity and healing a multitude of ailments. When in doubt, grate some fresh ginger and steep to drink in a tea. You can use ginger to fight colds and flus, drain a sinus infection, and calm a belly ache or sore muscles and joints.

Stay hydrated. Especially with diarrhea, vomiting and/or fever. Take note of this: dehydration causes some of the most uncomfortable symptoms that we associate with fever,

like headaches. If someone is having trouble keeping anything down, have them drink small sips of electrolytefilled liquids and suck on popsicles.

Rest. Sleep is the greatest healer. If someone is unable to sleep because of pain or fever, then consider an over-the-counter medicine like ibuprofen. But it’s OK to be lazy, lounge around, and sleep if that is what your body wants.

Fire up immunity with herbs and vitamins. For respiratory viruses, try vitamin A, D, C, zinc, quercetin, echinacea, elderberry, and mushroom complexes. Propolis (a spray for sore throats) stimulates anti-viral immunity in mucous membranes. From your kitchen: juice ginger and turmeric (or grate and make tea) and mix with honey and lemon. Take your chosen immune support every few hours and start at the first sign of feeling unwell.

Being in nature brings in-the-moment healing and fresh air is important. You probably thought you shouldn’t go outside “because you are sick.” On the contrary, it’s beneficial to get some fresh air in your lungs. If it’s warm out, sunbathe — with as much skin showing as possible — and soak up that immune-boosting vitamin D (20 minutes is ideal). In fact, in 1840, the first of the European sanitoriums were developed to treat tuberculosis with fresh cool air (and good nutrition). Doctors observed that people with pulmonary problems did much better if they had fresh clean air to breathe.

For more integrative medical tips on building the immune system and aging gracefully, as well as cooking wholesome food for the whole family, check out “The Nourish Me Kitchen,” a functional medicine field guide and cookbook by Dr. Erika Siegel. www.nourishme.com.

1 Year After Ian: Fort Myers Is Coming Back

As the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Ian approaches, it provides an opportunity to reflect on the devastating impacts of the storm and the remarkable resilience exhibited by the communities affected. It also provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress achieved towards recovery. From rebuilding homes and businesses to restoring vital infrastructure, communities have shown remarkable resilience and unity in their pursuit of recovery. Neighbors supported neighbors, strangers became friends, and together, they faced the hardships as one cohesive unit. The tireless efforts made by individuals, volunteers, and organizations to rise above the devastation and rebuild stronger than before cannot be overlooked. With a strong determination to bounce back, businesses are reemerging, offering a glimmer of hope and economic rejuvenation. Local entrepreneurs have seized the opportunity to open their doors, bringing a fresh wave of energy to the area.

Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau announced they are running a new campaign called “Savor the Shore” to help return visitors to support local businesses that are open again. “The heart of Fort Myers Beach has always been its people and its local businesses,” said Jacki Liszak, president of Fort Myers Beach Chamber of

Commerce. “This campaign is a testament to our resilience, community spirit, and determination to bounce back stronger than ever.”

The Sanibel Causeway is toll-free on Sundays until September 10 and a toll-free weekend September 23-24 as the island encourages people to come and visit. On the island there are roughly 34 restaurants that have reopened, 22 shops and of course, the beach. It is a great way to spend the day and help support the community.

We can also look forward to the farmers market returning to Times Square beginning in September. In addition, the familyowned Lani Kai Resort just recently opened up its beach access, along with furniture rentals, one of its bars, parasailing and water recreation vehicle rentals. The new and highly anticipated Margaritaville Beach Resort – which will be right at the entrance to Fort Myers Beach – is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

Although there is still a long way to go, each day brings progress, excitement and hope for what is to come. For more information on “Savor the Shore” and to learn how you can be a part of this campaign, visit https://www. visitfortmyers.com/savor-the-shore.

SEPTEMBER 2: CRAIG MORGAN

Mosaic Rodeo Arena, Arcadia

SEPTEMBER 12: MAJESTY OF ROCK: THE MUSIC OF JOURNEY @ VISANI

Visani Italian Steakhouse and Comedy Theater, 2400 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte

SEPTEMBER 13: CALDER CASINO BUS TRIP

A fun day out! Bus leaves at 8:00 AM. Cost $45. Reservations required. Call Debbie Nelson, 239-247-0869

SEPTEMBER 15: DOWNTOWN FORT MYERS MUSIC WALK!

1400 Jackson St., Fort Myers

SEPTEMBER 16: INTOCABLE CONCERT

Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda

SEPTEMBER 16: SPIRIT FEST

Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center, 75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda

SEPTEMBER 16: FIVE GUYS MONTHLY CAR SHOW

Five Guys, 1900 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte

SEPTEMBER 21: MERCYME & MATTHEW WEST CONCERT

Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy., Estero

SEPTEMBER 22: FORT MYERS LATIN MUSIC FESTIVAL

Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers

SEPTEMBER 23: HOME AND GARDEN SHOWS FORT MYERS

Caloosa Sound Convention Center, 1375 Monroe St., Fort Myers

SEPTEMBER 23: AQUA BALL FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT

FLORIDA DROWNING PREVENTION FOUNDATION

Info call 239-919-2001. Vineyards Country Club, 400 Vineyards Blvd., Naples

SEPTEMBER 30: ISLAND HOPPER SONGWRITER FESTIVAL

Mound House, 451 Connecticut St., Fort Myers

SEPTEMBER 30: JAZZ PICNIC ON A FARM

I Will Mentorship Foundation, 3903 Dr. MLK, Jr. Pkwy, Fort Myers

Coping After a Disaster

We expect to be stressed and anxious in the days leading up to a hurricane. However, impacts and reactions after the disaster can happen immediately or appear over time. Feelings of distress, confusion, fear, depression, and hopelessness are very common following a disaster.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help care for yourself and your family following a disaster.

We all have different coping methods. After a disaster, it’s easy to withdraw and keep to ourselves. We may even feel sorry for ourselves and think no one else understands our feelings. The main thing to remember is that you’re not alone. You have a support group. Don’t be afraid to reach out. And if it’s a family member or friend having difficulty moving forward, be their support.

Other steps you can take to help cope with the aftermath of a disaster include:

Take care of your body – Ensure you’re eating healthy, hydrating, and exercising. This helps to manage stress and depression.

Avoid or limit alcohol/tobacco use –These substances are commonly used to help cope with stress and anxiety; however, they usually only cause more problems.

Have fun – Engage in fun activities to take your mind off things. Take time to enjoy

hobbies like reading, exercising, and going out with friends.

Find ways to relax – Easier said than done, but try breathing exercises or meditations to relax your mind and body.

Stay connected – Keep your friends and family close and lean on them when needed.

Contact your provider – Don’t be afraid to discuss your feelings with your primary care provider. They can help you create a plan of action to get you feeling better. Call 941-6135727 to find a VIPcare provider near you. Your health and wellbeing are their priority. Call today!

LABOR DAY SALE

Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida (DASF) to Exhibit at Cape Coral Library Through Halloween

A wide array of beautiful two and three-dimensional works by members of The Dedicated Artists of Southwest Florida Inc. (DASF) will fill the gallery walls and display cases of the Cape Coral Library (921 SW 39th Terrace) through October 30. This marks the 7th time that the local club of artists will be featured at the Library. DASF members have been working on new pieces of art to display, and the variety of their designs and the surfaces on which they paint is extensive.

The DASF is a local club of 60 members who are full or part-time residents of the local tri-county area. People of all ages and levels of ability – from those with no experience up to accomplished artists – are welcome to join. DASF members attend monthly meetings that feature different painting projects in acrylic, oil, watercolor or colored pencil and are conducted by talented instructors.

While learning and teaching the art of painting is integral to the club, they also perform an impressive amount of community outreach.

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, DASF philanthropic projects support the Harry Chapin Food Bank, an annual scholarship for a graduating Lee County student who wants to pursue the visual arts, donation of wall art for youngsters leaving the foster system at age 18, a Suitcase Project that provides decorated cases for the Children’s Network of SW Florida, and a Memory Box Project that donates hand-painted keepsake boxes to various hospitals around the state for grieving families to hold remembrances of a child lost.

Changing art exhibits in the Library’s gallery are sponsored by the Friends of the Cape Coral Library and are designed to afford local artists the opportunity to share their work in this public forum. For information visit www.capefriends.org.

What to do After 50

By Dale Bliss

Chess: An Added Vitamin for Seniors

According to an article entitled “7 Benefits of Playing Chess for Seniors: Why the Game Is So Important,” chess is almost like a vitamin for seniors. Chess makes you think, and it can help in the cognition process. It doesn’t take a lot to play (equipment-wise) and it can be a social outlet. Seniors can get together and have fun at the same time.

According to U.S. Chess Federation, current research supports social and mental activities is important to seniors. Playing chess has the brain participate. It is exercise for the mind. Chess also fortifies the brain in reasoning and in retaining information in older adults. It’s also a great stress reliever and has been shown to lessen dementia.

Pickleball

This new sport, Pickleball, seems to be rising in popularity quickly. According to Pickleballafter50.com and Pickleball for Seniors, it has become especially popular for the over fifty set. It is reported more than half of those engaged in Pickleball are at least fifty-five. The 65-year-olds make up almost a third of those that indulge in this growing sport.

Pickleball is a friendly and low-impact sport. It is said to contribute to health and social functions among the senior set, easy to learn, and is played on a smaller court thus requiring less running and not as much strain on the body. Less active adults may want to take this into consideration. It’s so much fun, experts warn that “playing continuous hours in a day can lead to overuse injuries.”

Ready to start? Find a Pickleball court near you at www.Pickleheads.com.

Armchair Adventures: Is Mona Lisa Still Smiling?

By Evelyn Kelly, PhD

My daughter Natalie and I had our first overseas adventure in 1993; I remember how green we were. (I can say that now, having visited 86 countries and all the states except Vermont.) We were with an overland group traveling for three weeks and our second stop was Paris. We were in a hotel away from everything, but we were determined to see the Mona Lisa and the Louvre although our schedule did not include it.

We braved the Paris subway to the Louvre, asked for directions to the Mona Lisa, and were directed to a hall. A few people were looking at other paintings, and there were three or four people gathered in front of Leonardo’s masterpiece. She was a lot smaller than we thought, but we were able to look, talk, and enjoy.

Her dress was embroidered with tiny, intricate loops I have never noticed in pictures; her hands were relaxed. We had heard Leonardo loved rocky landscapes, but these were different. The painting of the horizon on the right is higher, offering a bird’s eye view of the rocks; the one on the left is much lower, with flowing water. There is no way these two horizons could meet; could this have something to do with the mysterious smile? The left background appears to pull the eye down; the right seems to push it up. Are we

imagining that she is about to really break into a smile? This small painting has inspired poetry, songs, paintings, sculptures, novels, movies, myths, forgeries and theft. “Are you warm, are you real, Mona Lisa; or just a cold and lonely work of art?”

Our second tour of Paris in 2015 included the Louvre. Mona Lisa had moved to a room of her own and hundreds of excited bodies were stuffed into the room she shared with the Italian master painter Caravaggio. Few cared for Caravaggio – they were all excited about Mona Lisa and holding cell phones and cameras over their heads for photos. We were pushed and pulled, but never made up it to the painting this time. Can she endure all the flashes and adoration for over 500 years and keep her smile? I hope she can, because we didn’t get to see her again.

ANSWER TO #5138

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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Spring

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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.

DAYTONA 500

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) .

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

NEW ENGLAND FALL FOILAGE TOUR

Monday – Friday October2-6 5 days/4 nights $1599 per person (double occupancy) . Round trip transportation to Tampa airport, round trip air from Sarasota to Manchester, NH, motorcoach transportation throughout tour. 4 nights lodging in Tilton, NH, nine 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 Kennybunkport , Walkers Point, Stonewall Kitchen, Scenic train ride  with boxed lunch, fully escorted with local tour guide.

NASHVILLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS at GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT

Take Flight

Music inspired by birds. Featuring Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Respighi’s The Birds and more. Sarah Ioannides conducts. Free PreConcert Conversations with musicians and conductors start 1 hour before the performance.

Wed, Oct 4, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall Thur, Oct 5, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater

Friday-Monday December 15-18 Nashville Country Christmas $1979 per person (double occupancy). includes roundtrip airfare, roundtrip bus to Tampa Airport, 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.

KLINE TOURS

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Presented by The Helen Torres Foundation

Sarah Ioannides, Conductor

Sudoku #304

Solution #303

Last Month’s Answers Sudoku

SUDOKU

SUDOKU

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.

Last Month’s Winner is Carol Sands, Port Charlotte Congr atuL ations !

Last Month’s Winner:

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.

Cindy Housley, Dunedin

Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Good Luck!

Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Good Luck!

Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Win Great Prizes!

Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits1through9inanyorder. Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

New winner selected each month

Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.

September

APRIL Sudoku

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win. Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number & email to:

Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

WIN GREAT PRIZES! Sudoku mu ST b E RE c EI v E d by T h E 20T h of T h E mo NT h.

837249615

542398761

ANSWERS TO

AUGUST’S SEARCH

AUGUST’S SEARCH

APRIL W ord Sea rch

WORD SEARCH

September Word Search

September Word Search

WORD SEARCH

WORD SEARCH

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions –forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

Today's Category: Dances

Today's Category: State Capitals of the USA

Send your answers along with your name, address, email and telephone number to: LIFESTYLES AFTER 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

Good Luck!

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th of the month will win. WIN! WIN! WIN!

GREAT PRIZES!

(Puzzles must be received by the 20th of the month)

Trivia Palooza!

Play & WIN!

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"

QuestIoN: NAtIoNAL grANdPAreNts dAy Is sePtember 13. WhAt Is the offIcIAL soNg ANd offIcIAL fLoWer for thIs NAtIoNAL dAy of observANce?

"Do one thing everyday that scares you"

"Spread love everywhere you go"

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THE HEALTHY GEEZER

Q. Is a TIA dangerous?

TIA stands for “transient ischemic attack.” A TIA is an interruption in the flow of blood to a part of your brain. Its symptoms are the same as for a stroke. A TIA lasts anywhere from minutes to many hours. It goes away and leaves no apparent permanent effects.

If you have a TIA, your chances of having a stroke are increased nine times. Treat a TIA like an early warning and get to your doctor immediately for a check-up.

A stroke, which is also called a “brain attack,” is caused by a blood problem in the brain. An “ischemic stroke” is caused by too little blood in the brain. A “hemorrhagic stroke” is caused by too much blood.

About 80% of strokes are ischemic strokes; they occur when blood clots or other particles block arteries to your brain. A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in your brain leaks or ruptures. During a stroke, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and nutrients and begin to die. The earlier a stroke is treated, the better the results. In the USA, stroke is the third-leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer. It is the leading cause of adult disability.

The most common stroke symptoms include: sudden numbness, weakness, or paralysis of the face, arm or leg — usually on one side of the body; trouble talking or understanding; sudden blurred, double or decreased vision; dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; a sudden headache with a stiff neck, facial pain, pain between the eyes, vomiting or altered consciousness; confusion, or problems with

memory, spatial orientation or perception.

The following can increase your risk of a stroke: a family history of stroke or TIA, aging, race (African- Americans are at greater risk), high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, previous stroke or TIA, heavy alcohol drinking and uncontrolled stress.

Your doctor has many diagnostic tools for stroke. Among these are: physical exam, blood tests, carotid ultrasonography to check the carotid arteries in your neck, arteriography to view arteries in your brain, a computerized tomography (CT) scan of the neck and brain, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, among others.

Treatments are varied and include drugs to fight clots, and medical procedures to keep blood vessels open.

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Q&As about Supplemental Security Income

Information from Social Security Administration

Q: Will my disability benefits be reduced if I get workers’ compensation or other public disability benefits? (D. Mendoza, Hialeah Gardens)

If you get either workers’ compensation or public disability benefit payments, we may reduce Social Security benefits for you and your family.

Workers get workers’ compensation benefit payments because of job-related injuries or illnesses. Federal or state workers’ compensation agencies, employers or insurance companies pay workers’ compensation on behalf of employers.

Public disability benefit payments paid under a federal, state or local government law may affect your Social Security benefit. This includes civil service disability benefits, temporary state disability benefits, and state or local government retirement benefits based on disability. Disability payments from private sources, such as a private pension or insurance benefits, do not affect your Social Security disability benefits.

We reduce the Social Security disability benefits you and your family get if the combined total amount, plus your workers’ compensation payment, plus any public disability payment you get, exceeds 80 percent of your average earnings before you became injured or ill.

Za’atar Chicken and Veggie Kebabs

Za’atar spice is a Middle Eastern blend of oregano, marjoram or thyme, cumin and coriander, with sesame seeds, salt and sumac. (Like curry, each region has its own unique combination.) Try it as a rub for chicken, beef, lamb or fish, or sprinkle it over hummus, or baba ghanoush or pita bread.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 1 lemon, zested and juiced (about ¼ cup) + lemon wedges for serving

• 1 Tablespoon za’atar blend seasoning

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Method:

• 1.5 – 2 lbs. boneless chicken breast or thighs, cut into 1” chunks

• 8 wooden skewers

• 2 medium red, orange, or yellow bell peppers, cut into 1” pieces

• 1 medium red onion, cut into 1” chunks

• 1 package cherry tomatoes

1. In a gallon resealable bag, combine the oil, lemon zest and juice, and spices. Add the chicken pieces, seal the bag, and work the chicken and marinade together to evenly distribute. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.

2. Soak the wooden skewers in water for 10-20 minutes.

3. Thread each skewer with chicken, bell pepper, onion, and tomato.

4. Heat grill or grill pan to high heat. Grill skewers for 10 minutes, rotating every few minutes to ensure even cooking, until chicken reaches safe internal temperature of 165 F and veggies have charred and softened. Serve with lemon wedges.