“Golden Bachelor of the Mercato” Makes Guest Appearance in Venice
Golden Bachelor of the Mercato Season 11 Karl Schmitz will be in Venice to celebrate Valentine’s Day month.
Karl lives in Venice and will deliver roses and smiles to more than 50 gals arriving on a 50-foot motor coach bus just to get a glimpse of this handsome bachelor, and he will ask each one of them, “Will you accept this rose?”
Schmitz, originally from Detroit, Michigan, has many accolades under his belt. He was a Paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division, holds a master’s degree in engineering from Wayne State in Detroit, taught master level classes at two universities, worked for General Motors for 41 years, and moved to Venice in 2001.
Schmitz was a substitute teacher at Pine View for 18 years, helped build sets at the Venice Theater for 23 years, belongs to the Italian American Club, made 500 shark tooth scuba dives off Venice beach, and bikes five miles a day. Karl, widowed after 43 years of marriage, has two boys and three grandchildren. Now he can add “Golden Bachelor of the Mercato” to his long list of accomplishments.
His ideal partner would be kind, considerate, loving, physically fit and close to his age range. We have heard that love only gets better with age. After all, it’s never too late to stop and smell the roses.
Keeping Your Heart
Healthy: Tips for Seniors
Your heart is the engine of your body, tirelessly pumping blood to keep you going strong. As we age, it’s especially important to pay attention to heart health to enjoy an active and fulfilling life. Fortunately, small, consistent steps can make a big difference in protecting your heart.
Eat Smart for Your Heart
A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats can lower cholesterol and blood pressure—two key factors in maintaining heart health. Limit processed foods, salt, and added sugars, which can strain your heart over time.
Stay Active
Engaging in regular physical activity, such as walking, swimming, or yoga, helps improve circulation, strengthen the heart muscle, and manage weight. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week, but always consult your doctor before starting a new fitness routine.
Manage Stress and Sleep
Chronic stress and poor sleep can take a toll on your heart. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation, and aim for seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night to give your heart the rest it needs.
Schedule Regular Check-Ups
Routine medical care is critical for catching potential heart issues early. Regular blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose checks can help you and your healthcare provider develop a proactive plan for your heart health.
At VIPcare, we’re here to help you take charge of your heart health. Our compassionate team provides personalized, seniorfocused care to ensure you get the attention you deserve. From preventative screenings to managing chronic conditions, we make healthcare easy and stress-free.
Your heart deserves the best care. Schedule an appointment with VIPcare today by calling 727-761-6867 and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you!
Roses, Chocolate, and Philautia
As a single woman in her fifties, February can be a... “challenging” month. My well-meaning friends and relatives cheerfully exchange Valentines, red roses, and huge boxes of chocolates. They kiss more often and hug a little longer. They must remember the days when they were dating, because they also smile a bit easier, and I caught my brother making “goo-goo eyes” at my sister-in-law at lunch the other day.
I also like Valentines (especially homemade cards), and flowers, and goodness knows I love chocolate! But somehow, this holiday seems to be reserved for those neatly paired off.
Although Valentine’s Day is traditionally associated with romantic love, I think there’s plenty of room for celebrating other kinds of love, too. For example, philia , the love found in deep friendships, characterized by mutual understanding and goodness. I’ve
had the same best friend for over 40 years – surely that qualifies in terms of chocolates and flowers?
I'm also fortunate to still have my mother and my favorite aunt (who’s also my godmother). I love them with storge , a familial, parent/child kind of love. That is also worthy of a lovely card and a rose or two, I'd say.
But perhaps the kind of love I should really be celebrating this February is philautia – the love of the self. I am careful with others in my life to remember their birthdays, anniversaries, major holidays, and even sometimes just random Tuesdays, but I rarely do anything loving for myself.
I read once that Aristotle believed that healthy self-love is a prerequisite for loving others. So this year, I believe I’ll buy myself a large bouquet of roses and a box of chocolates – the expensive ones – and wish myself a very Happy Valentine’s Day.
Lifestyles After 50
Volume 36, Issue 2
Published by Connected Community Media Group Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com
Editor
Michele Baker
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Photo by James Patterson
Romantic Greek Getaway to Tarpon Springs: No Passport Required
Story by Noreen Kompanik
The Greek Islands are a magical destination filled with a myriad of romance, enchanting experiences and delightful cuisine. But it does require a passport and a long plane ride to get there. But imagine if you could visit a charming Florida town with a strong Greek influence dating back to the early 1900s, explore its fascinating waterfront and historic downtown, stay at a cozy bed and breakfast and enjoy its amazing culinary treasures… all with no passport required?
The first time I visited Tarpon Springs on a day trip, I was enamored. Enough to realize it would make a wonderful romantic getaway. After all, it has all the essential elements.
Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida about 30 miles northwest of Tampa, Tarpon Springs gets its name from the tarpon fish abundant in these waters. But it’s most known for the thriving sponge diving industry brought by Greek immigrants in the early 20th century.
The charming town is also renowned for its stunning natural coastline, and with a little stretch of the imagination, I could almost be strolling the streets of Mykonos. After all, you’ll frequently experience the Greek language spoken here while savoring authentic Greek food. Fresh fish and bakery aromas waft from every corner of town, and the Greek flag flies proudly from boats moored on the waterfront.
So, what makes Tarpon Springs romantic?
It’s a town you’ll love to explore with someone special. Hold hands while promenading along the picturesque Sponge Docks waterfront. Less than a mile from the Sponge Docks, Tarpon Springs’ historic central district is a quaint, walkable area with a host of galleries and antique shops. I found myself enchanted with several antique pieces wondering how the heck to get them home.
Dining in Tarpon Springs is another unforgettable experience. The area is loaded with Greek restaurants, bakeries and coffee shops, their menu items representing strong ties to the Old World. There are so many dining options, it can seem overwhelming. A Tampa couple we met on the waterfront recommended Dimitri’s on the Water.
“Trust the locals” has long been my philosophy and it worked
well again this time. The restaurant, located on the Sponge Docks, offers local domestic seafood and steaks cut-to-order along with other flavorful Greek specialties. Its setting where the Anclote River meets the Gulf is spectacular, offering one of the most picturesque backdrops in town.
Though everything on the menu is outstanding, the Saganaki, a flaming Greek mild sheep cheese, flambéed with brandy is a must-order and elicits oohs and aahs from patrons. Add in a few other Greek delicacies and a bottle of Greek wine and you have a memorable dining experience.
If you’re blessed with sea legs, a Gulf Coast sunset cruise is the ideal way to end a perfect day. Boats depart from the Sponge Docks to Anclote State Preserve and you’re likely to be escorted by pods of playful dolphins along the way.
Photo by Debra Evans
Strawberry S’Mores
A simple twist on a classic favorite –just in time for Strawberry Fest and Valentine’s Day! Use fresh strawberries, chocolate covered strawberries, or even strawberry jam (in a pinch).
Ingredients:
• Graham crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate squares (dark or milk)
• Strawberries, sliced
Method:
Layer two graham crackers with squares of chocolate. Toast the marshmallows over an open flame until golden brown and slip onto the chocolate. Top with sliced strawberries. Enjoy immediately!
Social Security Q&A
Information from Social Security Administration
SSA TALKS PODCAST: SCAMS
Rebecca Rose, Senior Public Affairs Specialist in SSA’s Office of Inspector General’s Division of Communications, joined episode 5 of “SSA Talks” to discuss Social Security scams and how to recognize them. Recognizing the signs of a scam gives you the power to ignore criminals and report the scam.
In this episode Rebecca discusses the 4 basic signs of a scam. She reveals that scammers will usually:
• Pretend to be from an agency or organization you know to gain your trust.
• Claim that there is a problem or that they have a prize.
• Pressure you to act immediately.
• Tell you to pay in a specific way such as gift cards.
The episode also includes testimony from scam survivor, Kate Kleinert. She's a widow who shares her story of losing $39,000 to a romance scam and offers advice on recognizing and reporting scams.
Our blog titled “What You Can Do To Protect Your Personal Information” is located at blog.ssa.gov/whatyou-can-do-to-protect-your-personal-information and covers ways you can safeguard your personal information from scammers. To learn more about scams and how to report scams to our Office of the Inspector General, visit our Scams webpage at www.ssa.gov/scam.
You can listen to this episode on our SSA Talks webpage at www.ssa.gov/news/audio-series.html and subscribe to receive alerts about future episodes. If you prefer to read it, the SSA Talks webpage also contains a transcript for each episode.
stage is set!
Music Flashback: “Laughter in the Rain”
BY: RANDAL C. HILL
When you’re a celebrated recording star whose career suddenly goes south, there’s little chance that you’ll ever regain your place of prominence on the hit charts. But sometimes the benevolent winds of fate blow your way, and, unexpectedly, you find a whole new audience.
Neil Sedaka, born in Brooklyn in 1939, sold 25 million teen-oriented singles before the Beatles swept him from radio playlists in 1964. Six years later, Neil moved his family to England, where his popularity endured, and he recorded three hit albums. In 1972, he met long-time fan Elton John, who invited Sedaka to join John’s newly established Rocket Records label.
mid-1970s comeback: “Neil had a house in the Catskills. We got together one morning, and he played the melody to ‘Laughter in the Rain.’ I just sat there with a blank stare on my face. I had nothing. I had totally nothing.
“I excused myself and went out. We were in the country, so I just took a walk… a couple of hours later… I sat down, picked up a yellow pad of paper, and in five minutes I had most of the song done.”
Strolling along country roads with my baby
It starts to rain, it begins to pour // Without an umbrella we’re soaked to the skin
I feel a shiver run up my spine // I feel the warmth of her hand in mine
Ooh, I hear laughter in the rain // Walking hand in hand with the one I love
Ooh, how I love the rainy days // And the happy way I feel inside
Soon afterwards, Neil hooked up with New York lyricist Phil Cody. Later, Cody recalled helping with the former hitmaker’s
Neil recorded “Laughter in the Rain” in Los Angeles in 1974. A year later, he joyfully rode his new Rocket Records single to Number One on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
Movie Preview: “The Unbreakable Boy”
BY RANDAL C. HILL
Austin LeRette appears to be a normal adolescent boy. Well, normal except for such antics as running through crowded school halls on the first day of classes and shouting “Welcome back, everybody!” while wearing the dorkiest hat imaginable because, as he tells his dad, “The chicks love it.”
Austin’s stirring tale is based on the true-life book, “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, A Sense of Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love,” by Scott Michael LeRette. The movie script, written and directed by John Gunn, stars Zachary Levi (“Chuck,” “Shazam!”) as Scott, the boy’s dad, with Jacob Laval (“The Plot Against America,” “John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch”) giving a stunning portrayal of young Austin.
disorder characterized by inflexible patterns of behavior and deficits in social interaction. (Three out of four people with autism are boys.)
School administrators want to place Austin in a class for students with special needs—to remove the often-hyper lad from the “regular” school population. “He does better when he’s around kids of all kinds,” argues Austin’s frustrated father. “He learns from them, and I think they learn from him, too.”
Scott is having a harder time negotiating life than Austin, spending much of his energy trying not to see his child as a symbol of something broken, but rather as the triumph of an indestructible spirit. It’s a frustrating and often painful journey for the elder LaRette; he tells his wife, “I feel like I’m failing… I wish I could enjoy anything as much as my son enjoys everything.”
The irrepressible lad has osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare brittle bone disease, and he’s also autistic, which means he has a neurodevelopmental
See it. Love it. “The Unbreakable Boy” opens in AMC theaters on March 17.
Armchair Adventures: A Love and Friendship Story from Georgia’s St. Simons Island
The Georgia coast boasts an array of barrier islands celebrated for their pristine beaches, world-class golf courses, charter fishing, luxurious spas, and vibrant dining scenes. Among these jewels, the Golden Isles – Sea, Jekyll, Little St. Simons, and St. Simons – stand out as a treasure trove of history and natural beauty.
St. Simons Island in particular charms visitors with its historic lighthouse and a profound story of love and friendship that continues to resonate through the years.
1831: ST. SIMONS ISLAND—A PLACE OF ISOLATION
Story by Evelyn Kelly, PhD
Anna King inherited the Retreat Plantation, one of Georgia’s prominent estates renowned for its cotton. Together with her husband, a congressman, she managed the plantation, which relied on the labor of enslaved individuals to cultivate its fields.
In such isolated places, children often had few playmates. We were told that it was customary to pair young plantation heirs with enslaved children as companions. Henry Lord Page King (“Lordy”) was matched with Neptune Small, an enslaved boy of similar age. Despite the constraints of their circumstances, the two became inseparable, exploring the swamps, fishing, and hunting together. Anna King even taught both boys to read and write, forging a bond that transcended the barriers of their era.
1861: THE SHADOW OF WAR
When the Civil War erupted in 1861, coastal Georgia was at the heart of the conflict. Lordy enlisted in the Confederate Army, and Neptune accompanied him, steadfastly by his side. Together, they endured the harsh realities of war, marching through battlefields and facing relentless challenges. Their journey took them to the Peninsula Campaign, Richmond, Sharpsburg in Maryland, and Harpers Ferry in West Virginia.
On December 13, 1862, during the Battle of Fredericksburg in Virginia, Lordy volunteered for a perilous mission and was fatally shot. Neptune, refusing to abandon his friend, searched the battlefield carnage until he found Lordy’s body. Determined to honor his companion, Neptune crafted a pine coffin and carried Lordy’s remains
A FREE MAN’S CHOICE
With the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862, Neptune was declared a free man. Despite his newfound freedom, he chose to return to the Confederate front, this time to care for Tip, the youngest King son. After the war ended, Neptune returned to Savannah to retrieve Lordy’s body, ensuring his final resting place would be the family plot at Christ Church on St. Simons Island.
As a tribute to Neptune’s unwavering loyalty, the King family granted Neptune a plot of land where he built a home. This land later became a park bearing his name. Neptune Small lived a long life, passing away in 1907 at age 75.
TODAY: REMEMBERING NEPTUNE’S LEGACY
Neptune Small is buried in the enslaved persons’ cemetery on the Retreat Plantation grounds. Today, this graveyard lies beside the ninth hole of the prestigious Sea Island Golf Course, among some of the most valuable real estate in the United States.
The enduring tale of loyalty and friendship between Neptune and Lordy is immortalized in St. Simons Island’s history. A bronze statue of Neptune Small stands in Neptune Park, a poignant reminder of the love and devotion that united two individuals despite the vast divide of their circumstances.
from Virginia to Savannah, Georgia, for a temporary burial.
Creekside Manor I & II
are federally subsidized apartments for persons 62 and older or 18 and older with a mobility impaired disability. ADA units, Studio & 1 bedroom apartments. Rent is based on income. Located in a quiet Clearwater neighborhood
For appointment Call (727) 441-8400
TDD: 727-447-3018
Please note there is a waitlist. Please call for more information.
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One person $22,400 • Two persons $25,600 YOUR MONTHLY RENT IS NO MORE THAN 30% OF YOUR ADJUSTED GROSS INCOME. 1318 Franklin Street • Clearwater, Fla. Office Hrs. Mon.–Fri. 8–12 & 1–4
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Closed Saturday & Sunday
THE HEALTHY GEEZER
The Causes of Back Pain (Part 1)
Q. I hear an awful lot of geezers complain about their backs. How common is back pain?
The first attack of low back pain usually happens to people between the ages of 30 and 40. Back pain becomes more common with age.
Back pain is very common. It affects about 8 out of 10 people. This affliction incapacitates so many people, and the subject is so extensive that I’m doing a three-part series on back pain. This first one is about causes.
Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit. Weak back and abdominal muscles may not properly support the spine. If you’re sedentary most of the time and then exert yourself on rare occasions, you are more likely to injure your back than someone who exercises daily.
If you’re carrying a big belly, you put added stress on the muscles in your low back and are a candidate for agony.
Some back pain, including disc disease, may spring from your genes. Race can have an influence, too. African American women, for example, are two to three times more likely than white women to develop spondylolisthesis, a condition in which a vertebra in the lower spine slips out of place.
Your job can be a major influence on back health. If your work requires heavy lifting or sitting all day, you risk hurting your back. Many sanitation men and writers suffer from back troubles.
Mechanical problems can cause back pain. Perhaps the most common mechanical cause of back pain is disc degeneration. The
cushioning discs between the vertebrae of the spine break down with age. If there is stress on these compromised discs, they press against spinal nerves and you may experience what feels like a toothache in a buttock. At almost any age, an injury can force these discs to bulge or rupture causing the same kind of pain.
Spine injuries such as sprains and fractures can cause either short-lived or chronic pain. Fractured vertebrae are often the result of osteoporosis, a condition that causes weak, porous bones.
Many medical problems can cause back pain. They include scoliosis, which causes curvature of the spine; various forms of arthritis, and spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal column that puts pressure on the spinal cord and nerves.
Your emotions have a major impact upon back pain. Never underestimate how they can tighten muscles and elevate your awareness of pain. I recall vividly being free of sciatica when I received some troubling news. Within minutes, I couldn’t put my left foot down because the pain in my leg was so intense.
All Rights Reserved © 2025 by Fred Cicetti
Send your general health questions to Healthy Geezer with Lifestyles After 50 in the subject line to fred@healthygeezer.com.
Cauliflower Cheese Bites
February 20 is Cheese Lover’s Day, so how better to celebrate than these simple, delicious cauliflower cheese bites? You can use fresh cauliflower if desired, but using a bag of frozen riced cauliflower makes for a quick and easy treat. Recipe adapted from and image courtesy of Taste of Home (tasteofhome.com).
Ingredients:
• 10-oz. bag Green Giant frozen riced cauliflower
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Method:
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Marinara sauce (optional)
Beat the egg. Add the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and the spices. Mix well. Stir in thawed cauliflower.
On a baking sheet lined with parchment, shape cauliflower mixture into an 11” x 9” rectangle.
Bake until edges are golden brown, 20-25 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese; bake until melted and bubbly, 10-12 minutes. Cut into 12 sticks.
If desired, serve with marinara sauce.
MARRIED TO A PARTY POOPER
BY BARBARA TAYLOR SANDERS
Do I really have to go?” groaned my husband, not looking up from his computer. I sighed before appealing. I had expected resistance from him. After all, the Saturday late afternoon wedding reception was for a friend’s son whom he had never met.
“We don’t have to stay that long, but we really do need to go,” I gently coaxed.
From that point on my husband began to sulk, which gradually grew into an all-out stew.
Although I chose to ignore his sullen mood, his curt remarks to me during the next few hours stung. Was I expecting too much? This subtle form of animosity used to ignite sparks between us, but after 30-plus years of marriage, I no longer give in.
insight, and I appreciated his candor. My dear husband was born with a melancholy temperament. I have learned to respect his reserve in social situations, knowing he’d rather be alone on an island reading a spy novel.
At social gatherings, he’ll always be found in a corner making idle conversation with another loner, looking ill at ease and anxious to escape. I have learned to avoid getting “the eye” toward the door when I am having fun talking with friends. During the holidays with our extended family,
Uncle Daryl will likely be found on the sideline playing cards in semi-silence in a sullen foursome with similar dispositions.
“I wonder what makes me detest going to these things so much?” asked Daryl pensively. He slowly drove down the street as if he were facing the guillotine.
“Yeah, I wonder, too. Why do you think?” I gently probed, hoping for some healthy dialogue about this age-old dilemma. Throughout the years, we would usually be so angry on the way to a social engagement, we’d drive along in hostile silence.
“I don’t know,” He shrugged, with an air of indifference. “Maybe it’s because I don’t know what I could possibly give to or get from these situations, but this of course, is not necessarily true.”
Do all party poopers feel this way? I wondered. It was keen
I am at least thankful that my reluctant, but amiable, husband still goes out with me as a loving companion. He will never change, so I cannot cajole him into being the life-of-the-party. He has too many other wonderful qualities for me to be hung up on his lack of social graces. Besides, I enjoy being the life of the party.
On the way home from the dreaded wedding reception, I looked over at him and lovingly patted his arm. “Well, Mr. Social Butterfly, how’d you do back there?”
“I survived,” he said, sighing. “It was pure torture, exactly as I expected it to be.”
I smiled and shook my head. I had to ask, didn’t I?
3 SIMPLE YET ELEGANT VALENTINE’S DINNER IDEAS
Courtesy of Food Tips by Angie
Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether your celebration is with your special loved one, a good friend, or your amazing child, just make it special for both of you.
Here are three easy but elegant Valentine dinner ideas. Pick one that appeals to you or be adventurous and mix it up with a combination.
TASTE OF ITALY
• Pepperoni or prosciutto – layered or rolled
• Baked goat cheese drizzled with honey or a fruit preserve
• Crostini or your favorite crackers
• Melon with yogurt dip – plain or fruit yogurt mixed with honey or lime juice
FROM THE SEA
• Cheese and crackers
• Sliced fresh fruit and assorted nuts
• Shrimp cocktail
• Strawberries dipped in dark chocolate MEDITERRANEAN FEAST
• Tray with assorted olives, peppers, artichokes and a dip or two
• Baked mini meatballs in sauce
• Sliced baguette
• Fresh grapes – beautiful plain, or kick them up a notch by drizzling with water or wine, rolling in sugar and freezing overnight
You can find more great recipe ideas at www.foodtipsbyangie. com. Follow me on Facebook or Instagram for even more fun food tips!
Concerto
Concerto No. 1
Wicked, Les Misérables & more Sun, Mar 23, 2 pm, Straz Center Hough Family Foundation Masterworks mahler’s symphony no. 3
Featuring The Master Chorale of Tampa Bay Sun, May 23, 2 pm, Mahaffey Theater
Soundwaves Chamber Orchestra Series a soldier’s tale
A groundbreaking work by Stravinsky Sat, Apr 12, 2 pm, Palladium Theater
Raymond James Pops blockbuster broadway
42. Fencing swords
43. In the past
44. Three in a row
45. Snobbishness
FEBRUARY
46. Auction participant
48. Lincoln or Ford: abbr.
49. Acceptable
50. White poplar
cROSSWORD puzzle
53. Indication
54. Outer edge
57. Reckless one
Fill in the answers and win great prizes! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win. Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number and email to:
60. Make ecstatic
62. Huge land expanse
63. Exist
Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
64. “I __ Promised You a Rose Garden”
65. Restitch
66. Charges
67. Cardinals and
LAST MONTH'S WINNER: Judy Neal, Apollo Beach
Mowing Old Together
As most of us have learned over time, balance is key to the success of any endeavor, project or relationship. The Joy of my Life and I have achieved this balance. I do the dishes, and she mows the lawn.
We often take turns. Our previous house had a relatively small yard, so we started off maintaining it with a traditional, old-school lawnmower with the blades being powered by the two rubber-tired wheels. This was sufficient until one mowed the steep sides of the drainage ditch which ran the full width of the front yard. This could bring either of us to a near-death dehydrating experience on hot, Florida summer days.
CROSSWORD PUZZLE
PUZZLE
Following one of her turns, my exhausted bride suggested that we get a power mower. She wanted an unmanly, yet easy-to-use, electric mower just in case I kicked, because she didn’t want to struggle tugging on a starter rope. I agreed.
One day during my turn, I experienced sudden neuropathy in my feet which ended just as abruptly with the stopping of the mower. (Actually, I had run over the extension cord.) She took over the mowing since she’s more careful than I am. I went back to my sudsy duties.
Along with inheriting my appreciation for art, music and certain sports, I learned during a trip to visit my Virginia family that my dad also had no qualms about doing dishes: he actually enjoyed it. The ladies would cook together, Dad would wash, and I would dry, occasionally switching roles.
I find it relaxing. It allows me time to think, letting my mind wander. I’ve prepared many a presentation, written many a song, and thought of many a story plot while washing dishes. I once conveyed this to my Joy. She interpreted it as, “It’s a stupid, mindless activity,” causing her to announce, “I’m through doing this stupid, mindless activity! It’s all yours, Babe!” I tried explaining – to no avail – that it’s been found that doing left-brain activities frees up the mind to do creative, right-brain activities.
Since then, we’ve moved to a place with a lawn service which takes care of mowing and trimming once a week. But I still do the dishes.
Mike Wright can often be found at Walmart stocking up on dog food, cat litter and Dawn detergent. If you know where these items can be purchased cheaper, let him know at micwrighthamo@gmail.com.
BOOK REVIEW by
Kathy A. Megyeri
“You Smell Like Love” (A Loving, Lasting Valentine to Treasure)
“Upworthy – Good People: Stories from the Best of Humanity” by Gabriel Reilich and Lucia Knell, National Geographic, 2024
“When I called to file for short-term disability for breast cancer treatments, the man I talked to ended the call by saying, ‘You’ve got it.’ At such a scary time to have a complete stranger offer that kind of support to me over the phone was so impactful. Kind words mean so much.” Melody H.
“A staff member at a railway station drove me to the next town as the train had broken down. I was on the way to see my mom. I had no idea that was to be the last time I ever saw her alive. That stranger has no idea just how much her kindness meant to me.” Judie B.
Need proof that people are fundamentally good?
Upworthy, a social media platform organization that exists to share the best of humanity and prove that we have more in common than not, was founded in 2012. Its social streams reach 100 million people a month and prove that people stand up for what’s right, lift each other up, reflect love and see the best in humankind.
force for good. Lucia Knell, a mental health advocate who combats negativity online, is vice-president. They posed the question of “What’s the kindest thing a stranger has ever done for you?” and were rewarded with thousands of replies and stories that offered a glimpse into people’s hearts, minds, and lives.
UC Berkley grad Gabriel Reilich has been Upworthy’s head of content since 2014 and believes the Internet is a
The duo gathered 101 of the replies into this book to lift readers’ spirits and provide them with examples of the best of humanity. The themes that emerged became the six chapters of the book and serve as a source of comfort and reassurance that people – more often than not – are good at heart.
The chapters are “The Kindness of Strangers,” “Learn by Heart,” “It’s the Little Things,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “When I Needed it Most,” and “Away from Home.”
The stories are funny, moving, heartbreaking, inspiring and best of all, real. This book’s goal, to leave even the most unlikely reader feeling better about the world, proves undeniably that decency surrounds all of us.
The book provides emotional nourishment and is probably the best valentine you’ll ever give or receive. I will always remember one particular entry offered by Angela D.: “My son told me I smell like love.”
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.
The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.
FEBRUARY SUDOKU
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.
The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.
Each row 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.
Each row 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. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.
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 much 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 and email to:
Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.
Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for this month. Circle each answer you find and list it in the space provided. Answers can be found in all directions–forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. An example is given to get you started.
Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number and email to:
Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
LAST MONTH'S
WINNER:
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in
Sherri Green, Zephyrhills
THIS MONTHS' CATEGORY: IVY LEAGUE SCHOOLS & ZODIAC SIGNS
LAST MONTH'S WINNER: Fred McFree, Clearwater
Trivia Palooza
Valentines Day Around the World
If you're from Wales, the best Valentine you can get is?
If you're in Germany, what is all the rage in Valentines gifts?
In Japan, who are traditionally the suitors on Valentines Day?
WORD
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?
Category:
WORD
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?
Maryanne Bratchell, Punta Gorda was our January winner!
January answers: Federal Hall, NYC George Washington, Article 2 Section 1
Please enjoy playing our Crossword, Sudoku and Word Search Puzzles. The more puzzles you play & submit, the better chance you have to win!
Chocolate, Groundhogs and St. Valentine
By Patricia Finn
I’ve heard it said that “February is the longest, shortest month.” What does happen in February? Obviously, Valentine’s Day is the month’s highlight but let’s not forget Groundhog Day and President’s Day. On February 2, Groundhog Day kicks off February with a fizzle. A rodent sees or does not see its shadow and winter weather hangs in the balance. This has mild excitement and some commercial potential.
Competing with Valentine’s Day would be a difficult task for any rival but why miss an opportunity to captivate our imaginations with little toy groundhogs?
Groundhog Day T-shirts would be nice; perhaps a cute furry face with a large shadow looming in the background. With the addition of a coffee flavor, Groundhog Day has a real chance to take the February holiday lead.
named Valentine. We’ve said goodbye to ancient Rome but kept St. Valentine. (Nobody will admit to being anti-love.) And as for chocolate…
Always willing to show off my DIY skills, I make my own Valentine’s Day candy. I melt chocolate in a microwave and then pour it into mini heart molds. Does it get any easier? Using a paper lace doily, I present my chocolate hearts for the world to admire. “Oooh, you made these?” I respond with a modest smile, thinking, “Well, yeah, it is one step beyond opening a bag and dumping candy into a bowl.”
As for elevating President’s Day to the level of Valentine’s Day – there are complications. President’s Day is a sensitive issue. Which Presidents are still on the “good guy” list, and which are not? Controversy and confusion knock President’s Day out of the competition.
The history behind Valentine’s Day is a little sketchy. I searched the internet to find answers to important questions such as: “Was there really a St. Valentine,” “Where’s the chocolate,” and “Who can be against love?” All this affection began in the third century when Roman Emperor Claudis II assassinated two men
Valentine’s Day is also a wonderful opportunity to be very retro and send real paper cards. Remember cards? They are sent through the mail with an envelope and a stamp. I sent my Valentine’s Day cards early this year. Real cards, especially Valentine’s Day cards, are one of life’s simple pleasures. They enable us to demonstrate our true loving dispositions. (Just try to take my Valentine cards from me.)
February may be the longest (shortest) month but thanks to chocolate and Saint Valentine we can enjoy a delicious and hardto-beat celebration. Last year, 36 million heart shaped boxes of chocolate were sold. With its popular chocolate / love theme, Valentine’s Day easily trumps both rodent weather forecasting and Roman heritage. Am I being redundant when I say, “I love Valentine’s Day”?
Seniors g etting Together
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
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.
5618 – VENICE SENIORS SINGING TOGETHER. Wanna sing? Men and ladies welcome to sing four-part harmony with the Venice Gondolier Singers Chorus. No previous musical experience required. Just having fun. 941-953-3752.
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.
5626 – SHW LOOKING FOR COMPANIONSHIP I am new to Florida, 59 years young. Looking for a FF SOH male. Likes, relaxing on the beach, music, fishing, camping, flea markets. NS - No drugs - TLC. I am 5.1 and 155 lbs. - Parrish
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.
5651 FS 70YY HWP – Greenlight. Spirit filled woman. Medical career. Retired. Enjoys friends, planting flowers, music, movies, reading and fishing. Peace. Send me a note. Tampa.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
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.
5618 – VENICE SENIORS SINGING
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.
TOGETHER. Wanna sing? Men and ladies welcome to sing four-part harmony with the Venice Gondolier Singers Chorus. No previous musical experience required. Just having fun. 941-953-3752.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
5620 – ELDERLY, AFFLUENT, nice looking professional WWM seeking 40-50 trim SWF. Enjoys theater, travel, dinner with wine + conversation in condo overlooking Sarasota Bay. Send photo(s) + resume.
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!
seeking t, attractive, female. Very handsome, very t senior. 5’11”, 175, blue eyes, silver hair. Let’s enjoy life’s pleasures. Dunedin.
Looking for someone to share it all with. Age and looks are not important. Will answer all. Palmetto
5642 SWM – Y 71 SOH, open-minded. ISO fun HWP F for ST LT. 33701, W, NS, ND. I'm fun, enjoy dancing, cuddling, affection. Outdoors, walking , holding hands, karaoke, romantic movies, much more. Not into sports.
5417 - PINELLAS PARK, FUN LOVING 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.
5647 SEARCHING FOR A NICE WOMAN – Optimistic, 5’8” NS, ND into health and longevity. Like smiles, especially from the heart. Giving contempt the boot! Practicing love is easier. Join me. New Port Richey area.
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
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.
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.
5635 – SWF RETIRED, SECURE, 80YY ISO trustworthy, honest man NS-ND. Enjoy quiet times, pleasant conversation, dining out, social gatherings and listening to music. I share piano music as a pianist. Friendly and fun. Sarasota area. 5628 – NEW TO FL Looking to fall in love one more time. R-63 YY. 5’2” 160 lbs. blonde hair, blue eyes SF. Enjoys walks, sunsets, dining out, traveling SOH, NS, SD, NDRG. Looking for WM, SD, NDRG. Must know how to treat a lady. Age doesn’t matter. Let’s give it a try!
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.
5622 – HI – A VERY MATURE W, M, 140 lb., white hair, brown eyes, of reasonable looks, 5’8”. In Tampa. NS, SD only. Shall we meet for coffee, and see? Yes, my parents are of Italian descent, but born in the USA. Seeking H, W, P, lady who is mobile and likes life, but wants more. Trump can offer a better life. Now you know how I think.
5415 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, P, FF, likes cards, walks, cooking, travel, fun.
5648 SBM, 73. – Happy holidays! Enjoy Florida and all it has to offer. Would luv to meet single lady, (race unimportant) to have a great time with. “Old skool” kind of guy. Riverview.
5650 WANNA SING – Meet new friends while singing with the Venice, Florida Gondolier – singers and four-part Harmony. Men and ladies' welcome. Lee 941–953–3752.
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.
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.
5640 82 YEARS OLD – Looking 40, feeling 30. Very active. Dance, exercise and travel. Seeking a younger man 45 to 65. Athletic fit and willing to take care of all my needs. Tampa
5643 SWCF. VERY LONELY. – ISO N/S man who can slow dance. I go to Elks, Moose and Eagles. I have a condo near Bay Pines. I’m 85 years old 5’6” tall and enjoys day trips. Leave a message. St Pete.
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.
5644 PLANT CITY WIDOW – A Plant City widow who misses her longtime husband and best friend. Searching for a white easy-going male in his 70s to meet and start a friendship with and perhaps lead to a longtime companion to share my life with. Plant City
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.
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.
5649 SWF ISO SOH MAN – I am from a city. Want to see more in Florida. No drama, no smokers but REAL! HWP is myself. 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.
5630 – LOOKING FOR FEMALE COMPANION I’m 80, YY, SD, SM, LTR, FF, TLC. I like fishing, golf, going to the beach, spending time with family, watching TV, watching movies cuddling on sofa. Romantic. She should like the same, plus some of her own. Lehigh Acres
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.
Seniors Getting Together
5629 – WANT TO TAKE A TRIP TO ALASKA? Fly there and back, motorhome camping & Jeep waiting for us there, sightseeing & fishing. I am 86 YY, WM,WW, C,NS, 5’9” 165 lbs, SOH. Excellent health, very active. Southern country gentleman. I'm looking for a long-term companion to finish our life's journey. I've been a home & business owner in Tampa for over 60 yrs . I am an active and healthy person looking for similar qualities in a partner. I have all my own teeth and hair too. Give me a call and maybe we can have some fun. Marvin
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.
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.
(First 4 Words) CITY: (No Charge)
If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with $6 for each ad per month (add $4 for each additional edition/market in the same month). We cannot accept your ad without it. This information is confidential.
Name:
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.
5638 – HELLO. SWM SEEKING petite relocatable gal to be my companion, best friend, life partner and lover. I’m secure, easy going, loving and romantic. NS, ND. 5’7” 150lbs. Share my life and home. Save that rent. Send photo and phone number please. No pets.
5624 SEARCHING FOR LTR – N/S. I enjoyed the simple pleasures in life.
5416 - LOOKING FOR COMPANION. SWM
MAYO CLINIC DIET AND WEIGHT LOSS
By Tara Schmidt
Lifestyle changes are the foundation of weight management. They have been shown to be effective in both the prevention and treatment of obesity, which is linked to multiple disease states. But many dieters find themselves caught in a cycle of yo-yo dieting or weight-cycling, both of which have negative health implications. One important key to success is finding what works for you. This may include a specific eating style, accountability, self-monitoring tools, or an enjoyable exercise routine.
The Mayo Clinic Diet is a weight management program designed by experts, offering both in-person and digitalonly offerings. The program, designed to promote longterm health and well-being, emphasizes a balanced, sustainable approach to weight loss, focusing on longer term lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes or extreme dietary changes.
The diet is grounded in healthy eating, portion regulation, regular physical activity, and behavior change techniques. Ongoing support is available: written nutrition content, weekly emails, regular webinars, recipes, a habit tracker for the “Lose It” phase, food tracker with keyword search and barcode functionality, activity tracker, weight tracker with the ability to link with a wireless weight scale, and support from a private Facebook group.
You can choose from six different meal plans: Simple, Original, Mediterranean, Higher Protein, Healthy Keto, and Vegetarian. Meals are designed around a template of standard servings, which ensures optimal nutrition and energy intake to promote healthy weight loss. The Mayo Clinic Diet is recommended by doctors to improve health conditions linked with excess weight such as cardiovascular disease, inflammation, and type II diabetes.
Digital tools can help you achieve meaningful weight loss and improved health outcomes by increasing their access to elements of education, meal planning, exercise, lifestyle improvement, and community and expert support.
AROUND TOWN
FEBRUARY 5, 12, 19, 26: VIRTUAL ENGLISH CONVERSATION GROUP
South Holiday Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Dr., Holiday
FEBRUARY 6: JURASSIC GIANT FESTIVAL POLOKWANE
11265 Marco St., New Port Richey
FEBRUARY 8, 21: DOWNTOWN MARKET
John R. Lawrence Pioneer Park, 420 Main St., Dunedin
FEBRUARY 9: ETERNAL VISION
Oak Ridge Wesleyan Church, 11000 110th Ave. N, #1, Largo
FEBRUARY 10: THE HYSSONGS
Indian Rocks Baptist Church, 12685 Ulmerton Rd., Largo
FEBRUARY 11: TASTY TUESDAYS ORGANIC MARKET
Public Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey
FEBRUARY 12, 19: LIVE MUSIC
Dunedin Smokehouse, 471 Main St., Dunedin
FEBRUARY 13: ST. PETE DEAD FEST
Cage Brewing, 2001 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg
FEBRUARY 16: FESTIVALS OF SPEED
Vinoy Park, 701 Bayshore Dr. NE., St. Petersburg
FEBRUARY 16: PRESIDENT’S DAY WEEKEND CAR & TRUCK SHOW
Tires Plus, 2610 Countryside Blvd., Clearwater
FEBRUARY 16, 23: LIVE MUSIC
Sonder Social Club, 966 Douglas Ave., Dunedin
FEBRUARY 17-18: BROMELIADS
Centennial Park Library, 5740 Moog Rd., Holiday
FEBRUARY 18: BASIC HYDROPONICS
Public Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey
FEBRUARY 21: CONCERTS ON THE BREEZEWAY
Largo Golf Course, 12500 Vonn Rd., Largo
FEBRUARY 22: SAKA
The BayCare Sound, 255 Drew St., Clearwater
FEBRUARY 22: LARGO EVENING MARKET
Ulmer Park, 301 W. Bay Dr., Largo
FEBRUARY 23: KARAOKE
Niagara Tap, 11950 Seminole Blvd., Largo
FEBRUARY 23: WALLOWS
The BayCare Sound, 255 Drew St., Clearwater
FEBRUARY 25: PAUL ANKA
Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater
FEBRUARY 28: FOURTH FRIDAY BAZAAR EVENING MARKET
Downtown, 5763 Nebraska Ave., New Port Richey
