Lifestyles After 50 Tampa Bay Edition, November 2023 by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine

TAMPA EDITION ~ NOVEMBER 2023 Florida’s Most Read 50+ Publication Since 1989

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LifestylesAfter50.com VOLUME 34 ISSUE 11

’S IMER NTH E H Z AL S MO ENES R A BER AW OVEM pg 6 N N I on IS ation form more

Let Your Light Shine, p. 4

Try an e-Wine Class, p. 8-9

Healthy Geezer, p. 20

Articles in each issue: • Local news • Health & events • Recipe • Humor • Book Review

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 2

Giving Thanks for Food, Family and Fall As regular readers of Lifestyles After 50 will already know, I’m a cool weather gal, so the arrival of autumn and all that it brings are sources of great Photo by James Patterson joy for me. I live in the (very) hot South, although I was born outside Chicago – and I guess the weather where you’re born must stay in the blood, because I’ve always preferred the cooler temps, changing leaves, and rainy weather that accompany fall in the Midwest and East Coast. A few years ago my older brother and I took a Thanksgiving trip to visit our dad and stepmother at their home in western Massachusetts. The leaves were nearly gone, and dad had built a nice fire in the living room with the big picture window. We took time each day to fill the 19 bird feeders – dad was a serious “birder” – and then we could enjoy watching them flock to the buffet we’d laid. His rural acreage must have been on a bird bulletin board, because we saw a flock of wild turkeys (they roosted in a big pine tree, creating a pocket of warmth with their combined body heat); chickadees; titmice, dozens of finches, sparrows and wrens; Downy woodpeckers; nuthatches galore; starlings;

juncos and even a few fire-engine-red cardinals. I didn’t fully realize it then, but I had a lot to be thankful for. My stepmother was a great cook, and she had purchased a fresh local turkey from a farm nearby. We also feasted on squash and potatoes dug fresh from dad’s garden, and my younger brother and sister made a macaroni and cheese casserole using a recipe of our grandmother’s. The pumpkin pie also came from the bounty from the garden! After dinner, we all went out and crunched through the leaves around a lake nearby, laughing and enjoying each other’s company, pointing out trees that looked promising as Christmas trees and telling stories about when we were young. I have fond memories of that trip, as I think it was the last time all of us were in the same room together – dad died in 2021 after battling cancer for two years. As Thanksgiving rolls around again, I am reminded to practice gratitude for those things that matter most to me: food, family and fall. May you do the same. Until the next time,

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

Lifestyles After 50 Volume 34, Issue 11 Published by Connected Community Media Group Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Michele Baker Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com Website Editor Allie Shaw Allie.Shaw@lifestylesafter50.com Distribution Distribution@lifestylesafter50.com 813-336-8247 Questions/Customer Service 813-336-8247 Press Releases Editor@lifestylesafter50.com Advertising Sales Sales: (813) 336-8247 Ext. 2 Sales@lifestylesafter50.com Nancy Cotto Nancy.Cotto@lifestylesafter50.com Aspen Hansen: (813) 336-8247 Ext. 2 Aspen.Hansen@lifestylesafter50.com Joe Gess: 813-817-9855 Joe.Gess@lifestylesafter50.com Mervyn Hollander Mervyn.Hollander@lifestylesafter50.com Jim Commiskey: Jim.Commiskey@lifestylesafter50.com

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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 3

Let Your Light Shine On BY JAN LARRAINE COX

In wartime it may seem we lack what we really want – peace. We feel something is not right when we turn on the news and again hear about atrocities happening in the Middle East. How could life have changed so drastically in a few short weeks, we wonder. Yes, war is happening half a world away yet it affects our sense of equilibrium. It is disturbing to be informed constantly of suffering caused once again by “man’s inhumanity to man.” Caught by surprise we look to our friends and family for comfort and reassurance. The right people somehow are there when we need them. And even if we aren’t aware of it, we are also the right person for others shaken up by current events.

These may seem like easy answers to complex questions. Maybe they are. But maybe that is the truth: there is simplicity in the whole situation and we should stop trying to make sense where no sense exists! War always was hell and always will continue to be hell. No amount of well-placed words will ever alter the fact that war is still hell. Instead of burying ourselves in endless television viewing, now may be the right time to branch out into more attendance in live theater and to more visits to neighborhood bookstores. Openness to others’ thoughts and ways of reacting to challenging situations that don’t seem to have solutions can possibly help us to both cope and move forward. Many deep breaths and long walks can aid our attempts at openness.

Reminded of the songs of our youth, “This Little Light of Mine…I’m Gonna Let it Shine” and “This Is My Story, This Resilient and persistent, we can emerge renewed, with is My Song,” we are led back to our calm centers. We gratitude for what we do have. have what we need: we can continue on, shining our lights.

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 4

“Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John BY: RANDAL C. HILL Due to a combination of iron and lime, yellow brick roads were fairly common at one time in parts of America. “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” became Elton John’s seventh MCA Records studio album. It sold 20 million copies, and his two-disc set is now considered his magnum opus with such iconic tracks as “Bennie and the Jets,” “Candle in the Wind,” and the title track, which reached #2 on Billboard. Just three years after Elton John and his lyric writer Bernie Taupin had found fame and fortune, Taupin was already tiring of the high-pressure celebrity madness. His early 1970s lyrics sometimes reflected the sentiments of someone who yearns to return to a simple past. Raised on a farm in northeastern England, he and his family lived without electricity until Taupin was five years old. Elton John has said, “Bernie was always the more thoughtful one… We both burned the candle at both ends, but I did it far more than he did… I was just the guy who wrote the melodies; that was my job.” Elton John then years added, of“I just loved writing to Bernie’s lyrics, [but] I really don’t analyze them much.”

Holiday Sparkle

Success earned Taupin incredible wealth, but the former farmhand has remained grateful that – unlike his professional partner – he has been able to stay relatively anonymous. “My name does still get recognized,” Bernie says with a sigh. “I go places…and someone will recognize me, and the gushing begins… But I couldn’t live Elton’s life.” Taupin continues, “There was a period when I was going through that whole ‘get back to my roots’ thing…I don’t believe I was ever turning my back on success or saying I didn’t want it; I think I was just hoping that maybe there was a happy medium, a way to exist successfully in a more tranquil setting.” Goodbye yellow brick road // Where the dogs of society howl You can’t plant me in your penthouse // I’m going back to my plow I finally decided my future lies // Beyond the yellow brick road Bernie realized his goal in 1992 when he bought a 30-acre ranch near trendy Santa Barbara, California, in the ultra-pricey Santa Ynez Valley. Here Taupin now enjoys painting and riding horses.

Holiday Sparkle years of

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 5

Emergency Preparedness Tips for Caregivers to Help Loved Ones with Dementia By Michele D. Baker With hurricane season still in full swing, during Alzheimer’s Awareness Month (November) the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (AFA) offers emergency preparedness information to Floridians caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or another dementiarelated illness:

restrictions, allergies, doctor contact info, and other medical information easily available. Get refills in advance of a storm. • Make sure the person’s medical history, medication list, and physician contact information is accessible to another trusted individual.

Before the storm: • Gather small, familiar comfort items such as family photos, books or a mobile device that plays favorite songs. Keep them accessible during the storm. • Maintain the person’s normal routine; eat, sleep, and take meds at the regular times. • Evacuation plans should take into account the kind and amount of travel that will create the least anxiety. Have a plan for wheelchairs, walkers, portable oxygen and pets. • Ask home care providers about backup or contingency plans to deliver services. • If the person is in a care setting, know the company’s evacuation plan. • If traveling via mass transit or staying in a hotel or shelter, tell them you are traveling with someone who has dementia. • Prepare an ID or contact card in case you become separated. Include a local emergency contact for first responders, and someone outside the area in case local communications become disabled. • Make copies of important health, legal and insurance documents. Store documents and medications in waterproof bags ready to go. • Have medications, a list of medications, doses, dietary

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 6

• Download Medicare’s “Getting Medical Care and Prescription Drugs in a Disaster or Emergency Area” brochure. • Stock up on non-perishable food and water. Fully charge cell phones and tablets and have flashlights and batteries (not candles) easily accessible in case of power failure. During the storm: • Limit stimulation as much as possible; try to stay in a quiet place. • Pay attention to cues that the person may be overwhelmed, scared, or upset. • Do what you can to keep them calm. Gently touch their hands and reassure them that everything will be ok and that they are safe. • Utilize favorite comfort items to redirect the person’s attention to something positive. • Pay close attention to the instructions issued by first responders, local governments and emergency management offices. AFA’s Helpline is staffed entirely by licensed social workers and is available to provide information, assistance, and support to caregivers. Call 866-232-8484, send a text message to 646-5865283 or web chat in one of over 90 languages. www.alzfdn.org

BOOK REVIEW

Chanel in 55 Objects: A Gift to Women Everywhere - by Kathy A. Megyeri

“Chanel in 55 Objects: The Iconic Designer Through Her Finest Creations” by Emma Baxter-Wright This little gem of a book is an exquisite collection of illustrations and summaries of Coco Chanel’s gifts to us all: the little black dress; extravagant costume jewelry; the best-selling perfume ever; Chanel’s iconic innovations in fashion, fragrance, jewelry and accessories; and the places, motifs, and people that inspired her. The book details Chanel’s humble beginnings and her rise to become one of the most successful women in the world. She took us from a male-dominated couture to physical freedom and understated elegance and she believed passionately that a newfound shift in simplicity would help women evolve in our changing world. She reshaped fashion so the House of Chanel established a global legacy built on must-have items that we still purchase today. Even without marriage or family, she left a legacy that impacts our daily lives and liberated the female body. The book features many interesting stories about her that will fascinate the reader, including: At 18, she became a vaudeville performer known as “la petite Coco” and thus her nickname endured along with the double C logo. Her lifelong passion for horses inspired the metal strap interfaced with leather on her handbags. Wealthy clients at the fashionable seaside resort of Deauville, France were among the first to wear Chanel’s “nautical chic” striped jersey sweaters, wide-legged loose trousers, belted cardigans and fluid skirts.

Over 100 years ago, she produced knee-length shorts, striped bathing suits, tank-top vests and popularized sun-bathing to promote a healthy skin glow. She also cut her hair in a boyish bob because long hair “annoyed her.” Her astrological sign of Leo is embossed onto gilt buttons and brooches to symbolize the courage Chanel needed to continue in the fashion business. She believed jewelry should not be saved only for glamorous occasions, and freely mixed affordable paste pieces with valuable gemstones because “a very white earring on the lobe of a well-tanned ear delights me.” Chanel used her acute sense of smell and belief that a “woman who doesn’t wear perfume has no future,” to make the most expensive perfume in the world. (When movie star Marilyn Monroe said that she wore nothing to bed but Chanel N° 5, worldwide sales skyrocketed.) Chanel has secured her position as the most influential designer of the 20th century. From glass beading, crystals, and sequins on flapper dresses; to her trademark red lipstick; to the radically simple black sheath dress; to decorative bows; to chunky cuff bracelets and gilt chains; to quilted and chained handbags; to the pink Chanel suit and pillbox hat worn by First Lady Jackie Kennedy on that fateful day in 1963 – all these are widely recognized hallmarks of the House of Chanel. Chanel wrote in her book of aphorisms, “May my legend gain ground—I wish it a long and happy life,” and this small book of “Chanel in 55 Objects” is a delightful way to honor her legacy.

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 7

Love Your Cabernet but Want to Know More? Try an e-Wine Class! By Michele D. Baker

If you’re like me, you’ve been dabbling in wine all your life. You drink a glass with dinner, and know the basics of “red with meat, white with fish,” but perhaps not much else. If you find yourself at a loss when presented with the 40-page wine menu at a high-end steakhouse, don’t despair. You are exactly who David Glancy has been looking for! An Online School… for Wine! Available through the San Francisco Wine School is the Glancy e-Wine school, created by Master Sommelier David Glancy. With classes ranging from 2-hour specialty tastings (French wines or Italian wines, for example) to “How to be a Sommelier,” to a complete “Certified Specialist of

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 8

Wine” credential, each wine program in the e-Wine School collection includes a university-style online curriculum with personalized instruction, engaging student interaction, and creative wine tasting assignments created to bring the classroom to you. Glancy is a Master Sommelier and Certified Wine Educator, one of only twelve people in the world to hold both credentials. He is a certified French Wine Scholar, Italian Wine Professional, and Certified Specialist of Spirits. In 2011, Glancy founded San Francisco Wine School to create an wine education setting to open the wide world of wine to students everywhere, at any level. “Classes are open to wine lovers at any level from absolute beginner to passionate

collector,” says Glancy. “I love seeing students’ eyes light up and I feed off the energy of their increased passion for wine.”

network of wine professionals and serious enthusiasts from all over the world! Weekly discussions are known to get very lively and because there are no set classroom hours, and students engage much more than they would during a Weekly Lectures & Interaction traditional class. Some classes even decide to come together There are Virtual Lectures, supplemental reading materials from far and wide just to meet in person at the end of the to enjoy at your own pace, lively chat board discussions with program. Glancy and fellow classmates, and knowledge quizzes and Yes, You Get to Drink Wine! in-depth tasting assignments. You’ll also receive instructor feedback to hone your skills and knowledge of wine. Each tasting assignment is designed to complement the learning objectives for each region of study and has flexible Self-Paced Learning parameters to allow for differences in wine availability in Virtual classes are designed to accommodate all different your area. Get to know your local wine shop, tasting bar, learning styles and schedules. Read the slides and articles, your own cellar, or hit the road to see the region in person! listen to lectures, watch the videos, view the maps – pause, Locating wines that meet the assignment criteria is half the skip ahead, go back, jump to a different section – all with fun and enriches the learning experience. (Some classes the click of a mouse. Challenge your learning with weekly offer the option to receive your “homework wines” through quizzes designed to prepare you for the final exam. the mail.) Connect with Fellow Students These e-Wine programs are also designed to promote engagement with other members of the class – you’ll gain a

Learn more and sign up for classes at www.SanFranciscoWineSchool.com.

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 9

Make Memories Together This Christmas at Gaylord Palms Holidays are for family, friends, and making memories. Whether it’s bundling up and spending a day walking through a winter wonderland, zipping down an icy hill, or singing Christmas carols while enjoying cookies and milk, you’ll find it at Gaylord Palms Resort. Amid millions of holiday lights, elaborately decorated trees, seasonal cuisine, and a sleigh-full of Christmas cheer, you and your loved ones will experience a Christmas to remember. CLOSE TO HOME, BUT WORLDS APART Located in Central Florida, just minutes from Orlando’s famous theme parks, Gaylord Palms is a perfect choice for families looking for a holiday getaway. From Nov. 17 through Jan. 3, 2024, the resort transforms into a wondrous holiday haven with acres of décor, live entertainment, and immersive activities for all ages.

ICE! FEATURING “A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS” The coolest attraction of all is ICE! featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” This holiday spectacle, kept at a frosty 9 degrees, is hand-carved by skilled artisans from 2 million pounds of brightly colored ice. In this one-of-a-kind retelling of the Christmas classic, guests will see Charlie

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 10

Brown, Snoopy, Sally, Linus, Lucy, Schroeder, Peppermint Patty, and all their friends come to life in scenes from the animated television special. See Snoopy’s doghouse, Lucy’s psychiatric booth, Charlie Brown’s Christmas tree, and Linus reciting from the Bible, all carved from ice. And there’s no need to pack your coats (although scarves, gloves, and extra apparel are suggested for those who tend to get cold)! Even though it’s chilly inside, Gaylord Palms provides parkas to keep you toasty while marveling at larger-thanlife displays, taking cherished photos, and wandering through the one-of-a-kind, arctic attraction.

FUN FOR ALL With signature events like ICE! and the Broadway-style Cirque: Spirit of Christmas show, holiday activities including photos with Santa, ice tubing down Snow Flow Mountain, and making and throwing real snowballs in Snowball Build & Blast, there’s something for everyone.

SO. MUCH. CHRISTMAS. After a festive day of memory making, unwind with a meal at MOOR or Villa de Flora before seeing the holidays light up the night at the #LIT light show. This dynamic, celebratory light show brings the fun of decorating the tree to life through thousands of dancing lights, culminating in a delightful and memorable tree lighting experience. This season, get away and make memories that will last forever at Gaylord Palms Resort.

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Join us for the beloved Gaylord Hotels tradition – ICE!. Step into an extraordinary winter wonderland and see “A Charlie Brown Christmas” brought to life in ice, zoom down epic frozen slides, and explore our extraordinary resort and endless Christmas activities. Book a room night or package and receive exclusive benefits for overnight guests. NOV. 17 - JAN. 3 ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.com © 2023 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 11

Super Simple Pumpkin Pie Dip This simple and amazing dip recipe is perfect for a holiday party or a night in front of the TV. Go for the healthy option – serve with fruit. For a decadent “pie inspired” taste, use gingerbread cookies. Recipe by Anna Howard, Baton Rouge

Ingredients for the Dressing: • 1 (15 oz.) can pumpkin puree • 8 oz. (1 brick) cream cheese (can be light), softened • 2 cups powdered sugar • 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon • 1 teaspoon ground ginger Method: 1. Beat all ingredients until soft and smooth.

3. Serve with pear and apple slices and ginger snap cookies.

2. Pour into serving bowl and cover tightly. Chill up to 8 hours to thicken.

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Ju st Fl orida Thin gs - Snake s an d Toads By Lu ke Vira mo nt e s, DVM Living in Florida, we’re accustomed to the crazy stories that come from this state. Your local Florida man, iguanas falling from trees, monstrous alligators ending up in pools or golf courses, the invasive pythons that can devour humans (or said Florida man) - but what about the smaller guys, like venomous snakes and bufo toads? Unfortunately for dogs and cats, their inquisitive nature and innocent sniffers can lead them to under bushes, shrubs, or other areas where some of these guys can be hiding. Coral snakes mimic the color pattern of the less dangerous King snake - think of the cliche “Red touches yellow, you’re a dead fellow. Red touches black, you’re okay jack.” Coral snakes (red touches yellow) can inflict a venomous bite that can rapidly depress the victim’s neurological functions and cause severe blood clotting dysfunction. Several rattlesnake species can inflict similar disease, but are also associated with tissue necrosis, leading to severe, open wounds. In many cases, the best chance for survival is by starting aggressive supportive care and hospitalization, where having antivenin and a respiratory ventilator on standby is imperative. Bufo toads are large toads that can be recognized by their prominent, circular parotid glands on the sides of their face. When animals interact with the toad, bufo toads may secrete and spray a poison from their glands as a defense mechanism that, when it comes into contact with mucous membranes, like the eyes or mouth, may cause seizures and fatal electrical disturbances of the heart, called arrhythmias. If this interaction is witnessed, you should aggressively flush your companion’s mouth or eyes with water (use a hose with decent water pressure) and immediately seek emergency veterinary care. It is strongly advised to go directly to a 24 hour emergency/referral hospital for proper care and treatment, as many smaller private cli nics may not have the supplies and advanced training required for these intoxications. If able, you can safely bring the suspected perpetrator into the clinic for identification - the snake or toad will need to be killed for you to safely do this. Boyette Animal Hospital is proud to provide your pets with the highest quality of treatment and care from twelve veterinarians and a devoted staff. To make an appointment, please call (813) 671-3400.

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BayCare makes it easier for our Medicare community to access high-quality health care, and we’re helping you save money at the same time. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to take advantage of some of these exciting changes in 2024! NEW BayCarePlus® Value (HMO) plan pays part of your Part B premium AND includes extra benefits, like an over-the-counter (OTC) allowance NEW grocery benefit gives you money for groceries on certain plans* ENHANCED $0 premium dental on all plans, includes up to $2,000 in comprehensive dental benefits

Eileen E., BayCarePlus member

SEE ANY DENTIST YOU WANT** with our upgraded optional comprehensive dental INCREASED eyewear allowance on all our plans AND MORE! Benefits vary by plan. See the Summary of Benefits.

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BayCare.org/Join

If you’re ready to learn more, attend a small group meeting‡ led by a local health care advisor. Friday, November 3 | 10am International House of Pancakes 4736 U.S. Highway 19 New Port Richey

Friday, November 3 | 2pm Mease Dunedin Hospital 601 Main St. Meeting Room 103 Dunedin

Saturday, November 4 | 10am Hampton Inn & Suites 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd. Executive Boardroom Wesley Chapel

Thursday, November 9 | 10am Mease Countryside Hospital 3231 McMullen Booth Road Meeting Room 3 Safety Harbor

Must meet health criteria to receive this benefit. See the Evidence of Coverage for a list of applicable health conditions.

The Delta Dental plan will pay benefits for covered services provided by a non-participating provider. However, a non-participating provider may charge you more than the maximum plan allowance payable under this Medicare Advantage plan and you will be responsible for all cost-sharing charges. See the Evidence of Coverage for full details.

You may reach a messaging service on weekends from April 1 through September 30 and holidays. Please leave a message, and your call will be returned the next business day.

†

‡

For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call (833) 742-7299 (TTY: 711).

BayCare Select Health Plans is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in BayCare Select Health Plans depends on contract renewal. BayCare Select Health Plans complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. H2235_24-034_M

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 16

23-3048133-1023

Tampa Bay Watch Celebrates Official Launch of Shells for Shorelines Program to Restore Critical Oyster Reef Habitats

Save your energy Save your energy and focus on the and focus on in the important things life. important things in life.

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. You’ll also learn about our energy-saving programs Let the experts at other Tampa Electric show including Energy Planner, Ductwork and more. you how to save on energy costs. Visit tampaelectric.com/save to schedule your free Home Energy Audit today 813-275-3909. When you participate in or ourcall free home energy audit, oneatofour ourtable energy analysts will visit11th your2020 homeat and Stop on Thursday, June the identify areas where you can save valuable energy. Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest to be held at the:

N’ Country Center programs You’ll alsoTown learn about other Senior energy-saving 7606 Paula Dr. Tampa, FLand more. including Energy Planner, Ductwork,

9AM-1PM Visit tampaelectric.com/save call 813-275-3909 to Bring this ad and receive a freeorenergy-saving kit, made schedule your Tampa free home energyEnergy audit today. available through Electric’s Education Outreach program.

Nonprofit Tampa Bay Watch is proud to celebrate the official launch of the “Shells for Shorelines” program, a collaborative initiative with the Gulf Region Oyster Network. This program is generously funded by Duke Energy, Neptune Flood, and a $1.1 million grant through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Restore America’s Estuaries. The program is already making waves in the community by recycling oyster shells from local restaurants to restore critical oyster reef habitats in Tampa Bay. Since launching in February 2022, Shells for Shorelines has partnered with seven restaurant test sites and has recycled over 102,000 pounds of oyster shells. The restaurants save used oyster shells which are collected by Tampa Bay Watch and taken to a specialized cleaning and curing station. Then the shells are used to create shell bags and vertical oyster gardens distributed throughout the Tampa Bay estuary. The oyster reefs are a sanctuary for various marine species, serve as a vital food source for larger aquatic life, naturally mitigate coastal erosion and contribute to water filtration, promoting clearer water and flourishing seagrasses. Participating restaurants – OysterCatchers, Crabby Bill’s (St. Pete Beach & Indian Rocks Beach), The Helm Coastal Fare and Provisions, CoCo’s Crush Bar and Grill North Clearwater Beach, The Oyster Bar, and The Island Grille and Raw Bar – benefit, too. Shucked oyster shells transform from food waste into an eco-friendly recyclable. The shells are given purpose and potential and restaurants are given the opportunity to lower their ecological footprint simply by opting to throw their oyster shells in a bucket for pick-up instead of the trash. “The Shells for Shorelines program is a monumental stride in our ongoing efforts to restore and protect Tampa Bay’s marine environment,” says Oyster Shell Program Manager Rick Radigan. “We are deeply grateful for the enthusiastic support and partnership from local restaurants... Together, we’re turning what would be waste into a resource that revitalizes our bay, proving that every small action can contribute to a larger, transformative change.” www.TampaBayWatch.org

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 17

TOP FESTIVALS IN NOVEMBER The team at Vitabella Magazine has curated a list of fun events for November. They include events for cities like Bradenton, Sarasota, Venice, Fort Myers, and Naples and also nearby popular destinations that may give you a great excuse to take a road trip! Sign up for VitaBella’s e-newsletter if you want this kind of information delivered directly to your inbox. VitabellaMagazine.com NOV. 10-13: CRYSTAL CLASSIC SAND SCULPTING FESTIVAL

NOVEMBER 17-19: SUNCOAST JAZZ FESTIVAL

Experience Siesta Key’s Sand Sculpting Festival: 24 talented artists, solo and team sculptures, experience sculptures illuminated for Saturday viewing. Vote for the People’s Choice. Explore The Learning Curve, enjoy live bands, Quick Sand competition, and Saturday’s Amateur Contest. Learn more at SiestaKeyCrystalClassic. com.

Live music all day and night... all weekend! Join us on the shores of beautiful Sand Key for some of the best live performers in the USA including Grammynominated Diego Figueiredo, Jason Marsalis, Ona Kirei, Nate Najar, The Legendary John Lamb, Theo Valentin, La Lucha, Cynthia Sayer, Dave Bennett, and more! Sheraton Resort and Marriott Suites, Clearwater

Siesta Beach NOV. 11-12: STONE CRAB AND MUSIC FEST Crack into the 11th Annual Cortez Stone Crab & Music Festival in Cortez Village. Enjoy fresh seafood, live music, local art, and a Kid’s Zone at this family friendly Sarasota event. Find out what fresh food means! There’s a shaded seating area, and parking is available at the FISH Preserve for $5 per car. More info at CortezStoneCrabFestival.com. 4628 119th Street West, Cortez Village

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 18

NOV. 24-26: SARASOTA FOOD TRUCK RALLY & MUSIC FESTIVAL Spice up your November at the Sarasota Food Truck Rally & Music Festival. Food trucks serve local favorites and exotic cuisine, local musicians play rock, jazz, pop and county, and local artisans display their arts and crafts. Join us for a weekend of culinary delights and entertainment! Free. J.D. Hamel Park, Downtown Sarasota

What you need to know... BEFORE October 15 Are you ready for the upcoming Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), October 15–December 7? Get prepared for 2024 by reviewing your current coverage to see if it still meets your needs. Has your health changed in the last year? Do you have new prescriptions or new doctors? I can help you ask the right questions, so you can get the answers you need to make the best choice for you.

Call me today! I am a licensed Florida Blue Medicare Agent here in your area who can help with your benefits checkup.

1-877-532-0312 Roxanne Stribling VIP@abifg.com A&B Insurance and Financial

Roxanne Stribling is an authorized, independent agent for Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare. Florida Blue is a PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Florida Blue Medicare is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Florida Blue or Florida Blue Medicare depends on contract renewal. Health coverage is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Florida Blue Medicare, Inc., DBA Florida Blue Medicare. These companies are afﬁliates of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., and Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Visit ﬂoridablue.com/ndnotice for information on our free language assistance services. © 2023 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved. Y0011_FBM1422 2023_C 110450R1-0723

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 19

THE HEALTHY GEEZER The Troubling Truth About Elder Abuse

DELIVERED

Q. How common is elder abuse? The U.S. Administration on Aging found that more than 500,000 people over the age of 60 are abused or neglected each year. But how do we define “elder abuse”? It can take a variety of forms: physical, sexual, emotional and financial. Neglect of an older person also is within the umbrella of elder abuse. One of the most common types of elder abuse is self-neglect. Self-neglect often occurs in older adults who have declining health, are isolated or depressed, or who abuse drugs or alcohol. These are some symptoms to look for:

to your mailbox every month. three times more likely to suffer abuse and neglect than the general senior population.

Florida’s Most~Read 50+ Publication LAKE EDITION OCTOBER 2020 Since 1989 Florida’s Most Read 50+ Publication Since 1989

LifestylesAfter50.com VOLUME 34 ISSUE 10 LifestylesAfter50.com

SARASOTA EDITION

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~ NOVEMBER 2020

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VOLUME 32 ISSUE 7 LifestylesAfter50.com

Publication Since 1989

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VOLUME 31 ISSUE 10

All 50 states have elder-abuse prevention laws and reporting systems. Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies investigate reports of suspected elder abuse.

The APS agency keeps calls confidential. If the agency decides there may be a law violation, it assigns a caseworker to investigate. If the victim needs crisis • Physical injury such as a bruise, cut, intervention, services are available. If elder burn, rope mark, sprain or broken bone. abuse cannot be substantiated, most APS • Refusal of the caregiver to allow you to agencies will work with other community agencies to get necessary social and health visit the older person alone. services. Seniors have the right to refuse • Indications of dehydration, services offered by APS. The APS agency malnourishment, weight loss and poor provides services only if the senior agrees hygiene. or has been declared incapacitated by the court and a guardian has been appointed. • Negative behavior such as agitation, withdrawal, expressions of fear or Find the telephone numbers at the website apathy. operated by the National Adult Protective Services Association at https://www. • Unexplained changes in finances. NAPSA-now.org/. For every new incident of abuse, neglect, All Rights Reserved © 2023 by Fred Cicetti and/or self-neglect reported and substantiated by public authorities, it is Send your general health questions to estimated that four go unreported. This Healthy Geezer with Lifestyles After 50 in could be related to the fact that about the subject line to fred@healthygeezer. 90% of abusers are related to the victims. com People older than 80 years are two to

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 20

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LAKE EDITION ~ OCTOBER 2023 LAKEFlorida’s EDITION JULY 2021 Most~Read 50+ Publication Since 1989

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Wel come Back S nowbirds

Breast Cancer Awareness

Medicare Open Enrollment

Are you signed up for Medicare? If not, learn about how Bookdisease—learn Review: Recipes Wear to Traveler: ƌƟĐůĞƐ ŝŶ ĞĂĐŚ ŝƐƐƵĞ͗ Articles in each issue: how to What preventtoand recognize breastArmchair cancer. you can enroll this season. Parents’ Day Dog Days of Summer from the Grave, p. 4 Oktoberfest, p. 8 & 9 Sleepy Hollow, p. 25 • Humor • Pop Culture History

Celebrate the parents in your life Volunteer with Neighborly/Meals on ǁŝƚŚ ŐƌĞĂƚ ŐŝŌƐ Žƌ Ă ĐŽŽů ĚĞƐƐĞƌƚ Wheels this season to brighten up Snowbird s’ Guide to Fun your summer Not sure

• Local news

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• Health • Music Flashback & events • Recipe • Local news & events

how to spend this winter? Veterans’ Day•Travel Book Review Learn about what you • Humor can do for fun this season. Want to honor veterans and educate yourself? Read

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#5139 CROSSWORD PUZZLE Power Puzzle #5177 CROSSWORD PUZZLE #5129 CROSSWORD PUZZLE

Last Month’s Answers

Thirty Days Hast November…

Enter To Win!

We’ve now entered the realm of November. Halloween is behind us. The living and the dead are on their respective sides of “the veil,” which has been thickened and sealed with Fibrin surgical glue.

Last Month’s Winner is Cherryn Ross, Matlacha

CongratuLations!

We’ve taken down the “Halloween tree” and put all the decorations in the attic to collect dust for another year. We were not blinded since Florida was not in the path of last month’s solar eclipse. The next eclipse we also won’t be able to see will be on April 8, 2024.

37 38

What will we be looking forward to this month? November 26 is National Entrepreneur Day. My favorite definition of “entrepreneur” is one I learned from a favorite female comic, #5129 #5177 CROSSWORD PUZZLE CROSSWORD PUZZLE #5139 Elaine Boosler, as she shared a conversation with a previous CROSSWORD PUZZLE date. 1. 1.Work 1. Wash Make40__;40 clench 1. State

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Saucy to a dermatologist 62. 64. Tack 67. Flower 58. Disencumbers “Phooey!” 58. Hot Permit 55. spot Gladden City State63. 65. Zip 68. Schnozzola 59. Brat’s talk verb Letters 59. __ Common 56. PM; 2100 hours 64. 66. “__ Wonderful Life” 69. Meadow covering 62. Lennon’s lady 67. Bowling alley button 61. Woman’s name 57. Did in 65. Slave of old Age Phone 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 66. Chihuahua children 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 858. 9 Item in10a desk 11 12drawer 13 13 59. Mr. Whitney 67. Late actor Bert 14 15 14 15 16 16 60. Girl’s nickname 68. Worry E-mail 41 41

Elaine: “So! What do you do for a living?”

Date: “I’m an entrepreneur!” Elaine: “Oh! So you’re in-between jobs?” 27 I’ve gone the multi-level marketing route myself a few times, Amway among others. They work for some people, but not for me. The people who’ve been successful generally A. Got in on the ground floor, and B. Eat, live and breathe their product, almost to the point of making a religion out of it.

FILL IN ANSWERS & WIN GREAT PRIZES

So I won’t be part of the celebration on November 26. 57 I don’t live, eat or breathe being a veteran either, but I will be joining my comrades on November 11 for a complimentary meal, this time being very careful to avoid again losing my USS Cony ballcap.

A number of United States presidents were born this month. President number 11 – James K. Polk who gave Polk Co. Florida its name, President number 12 – Zachary Taylor, who gave Taylor Swift her name, Present number 20 – James A. Garfield, who gave the cartoon cat his name, and lastly President number 46 – Joe Biden, who gave us the expression “I’m just Biden my time.”

2 20

173

187

22 35

23 37

21 34

18 27

19 10

24 38

If you have any particular events you’ll be engaged in this month or any personal presidential experiences, please share them with Mike at micwrighthamo@gmail.com

25 40

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 21

Seniors getting Together WOMEN SEEKING SEEKING MEN WOMEN MEN 5587 – PUERTO RICAN, 84, wants to

4907 - SWF. 59 yo, 5’9”, 160 lbs, smoker, be friends male,I 78 90 formovlunch, blonde hair, with blue eyes. liketo fishing, fleatraveling, marketsdancing, in Venice Florida. ies, good food.I still Seeks SWM likesare theSpanish same. or not, get in workwho – if you

touch with me now.

5409 - WRETCHED old hagg seeking 5590 – RETIRED – SINGLE. miserable old troll.– IfPETITE U respond U obviously have a sense of humor R adventurFun female, blonde, 5 foot &tall, avg. ous. I’mISO 76, blonde, petite, earthy, easy build, single, happy, stable man, to B with. Love singing, dancing, biking, who loves the outdoors & animals. No cooking, vintage cars & vintage men. Must smokers. have a little class & a lot of character.

5595 – I AM YOUNG SPIRITED. 74, ND,

5422 - VERY PRETTY WWF ISO FF. Long NS, NDrgs. Christian lady in search of blonde hair, youthful 60’s, 5’4”, slim, ND, lifeFine partner. Friends first. Am very active, NS. dining, dancing, theatre, travel. love dancing, laughter and working Looking for retired W gentleman, 5’9”, 6575, HWP, SOH. Will speak soon.Please Send photo out. Looking for the same. send &aphone. recent photo.

5599- TAMPA – SEARCHING FOR SOMEONE. 5436 VETERAN NEEDS COM- I PANION QUICKLY. SW, 60, looking forhair, am SWF, 80 yy, NS, ND, Blond/Gray healthy, W, 45-65 for LTR. Need compuer 5’2”. ISO SWM for eating out, listening to operations, applications expert and handy country, western, gospel music, travel, homemaker. Quiet music, parks, swimsports. THIS COULD BE YOU! ming, local touring. Veteran literary a plus. Tampa. 5600 – HEALTHY, ACTIVE, RETIRED, WDHF, 5’5”, 130 lbs, physically fit,

5427 - SEEKING SINCERE, HONEST secure, good I’m SOH, 70’s. Enjoys travel, GENTLEMAN. 70s, HWP, NS, ND, like beaches, dance. ND. ISO, WSM, to meet SWM withNS, same interest for LTR. Laid drama. Like animals. Hills70’sback, who no likes the same. Let’s have fun. borough & Pasco. Clearwater/Dunedin area.

5601- SINCERE – R U THECHRISTIAN 1? Want gentleman 5425 WOMAN desires C-man who really loves Godthe and is who touches the heart & tickles active, lives a healthy life, helps his neighsoul! I’m 79, W, J, WW, NS, 5’, 135 lbs, bor, enjoys nature (including picnics), caplatinum pleasant personality & noeing andhair, a friend to all animals. I’m all looks. Love music, theatre, restaurants, of the above. I’m a W ,etite lady with long hair and chearful. Age 60’s, AgeSun preferred: fishing, pets & board games. City. Mid 50’s and up. I live in Hillsborough 5602 – Please SWF, 5’4”,120 hair, County. write me,lbs, tellauburn me about blue eyes, retired paralegal. I enjoy the yourself.

5610 – RETIRED ASIAN LOOKING COMPANION ISO life partner between 705419 A NICE DAY. SWF, 75 gentleman. yo, 5’5”, 85 yrs- HAVE old. NS, ND, honest, kind slender, brunette, green eyes, adventurous, I am 5 foot tall, avg build. Loves to travel love walks, parks, outdoors, healthy food. Am & am physically fit.LTR, Send photo &Have phone happy, loving, kind. intimacy? photo. please. Tampa. MEN-SEEKING WOMEN 4119 Seeking Honest gentleman. Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”,5’7”, 104 5591 – NEW TO ME. Secure SWM, lbs., slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. 150#, NS, ND, seeks romantic, relocatable Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. female for life lover. Likes sports andpartner, animals.best WW. friend, Loves the Lord. Share my home. Save that rent for good Florida. things. Please send description, photo,

MEN SEEKING WOMEN phone.

5593- –BM HIseeks LADIES! 61,50-65 160 lbs, 5’7” hgt., 5411 LTRI’m with yr old woman of character. I am 6’0”, 180 lbs, physically fit, enjoy swimming pool &60beach, year old. NS. Children are adults. to travel. art fest’s, going out having fun,Free sense of I am a one woman man. Race is not an issue humor, doing new things. Looking for same character is! ages 57-65. Venice.

ISO SWF or Asian. SOH. Fun easy going,

5603 – NEVER SETTLED FOR LESS. That

5424 Lonely guy, WM,perfect. 5’8”, 160 lbs, a was a- HI, mistake. Nobody’s Neither young mid-seventies, NS, NS, fi t, active and are you OR ME. Searching for white caring adventuresome. Seeks lady, mid-sixties to early woman, under five foot possible seven, any age. seventies, HWP, exercises, romance, Risk takers only please. Reachable from LTR. Let’s be happy and celebrate life.

anywhere!

5393 - SWM, 69, 5’11”, AVG. Hair black, thin5605DAV, – YOU & ME TOGETHER. ISOHudson. White or ning, honest, sincere, relocated Asian F. Fun, easy going, smiles, enjoys Retired Leo. ISO WHF, widow preferred, at- life. tractive, sm. 5’6”, butt,SOH, NS, ND, homemaker, SWM, 70’s, ND,handy NS, SD, condo. Like intimacy yes, no baggage, drama. happy hour, restaurants, the Elks, TV, movies,

shopping, kissing, holding hands. Let’s talk.

I’m 80 y young, 5’5”, 120#, blonde.

5426 - EASY GOING MAN. I’m 69, 140 lbs, 5’7”, guy wants younger gal withother spunkiness left. widower, lives alone. Seeking gentlemen NS, ND, loves all neighbors even enemies. for friendship, to get together and enjoy each other’s company. Will answer alll. Adventurist.

5611 – SUPER SENIOR, active, C, W, WW, -HWP, NS, BUDDY, SD, NDrg, HWP, well5413 WW ISO FRIEND to pal around with who’s about my age, 80’s, gal adjusted, energetic, uncomplicated. or guy with SOH.nature, Good health, finanEnjoys music, short trips, cially secure to have fun & enjoy life. No animals, dancing, camping, fishing. ISO Trumpers or religious zealots please. Let straight-forward, the good times roll.honest communicator. FF

5608 – TENNESSEE SOUTHERN GENTLEMAN. Venice. Accomplished, 73, W, D, R, P, NS, NDrg, SD, HWP, well dressed, spoken, C, gospel, 70’s, music dancer. ISO active lifestyle, mature passionate F, desiring princess treatment. Send a letter and photo. Guaranteed return response. No disappointments.

5415 - M, WW, NS, smiles, enjoys life.SD, HWP, P, FF, likes cards, walks, cooking, travel, fun.

outdoors, dancing, movies, and dinner

5429 - HERE, DURING COVID-19 IN S. Like dancing, Elks, beach, state parks, FT. MYERS. ISO friendship only with W, reading,inshort picniks widower earlytrips, 80’s. museums, SOH, honest, NS. I in the park, movies. SWCF. Write OK. am W, WW, HWP, attractive & intellgent. Please with phone/email. Be safe Largorespond & Seminole & well.

silver hair. Let’s enjoy life’s pleasures.

5609 – LOOKING FOR A FEMALE Dunedin. COMPANION in the Tampa Bay area. I am 5417 PINELLAS FUN LOVING 86 YY,-WM, WW, C,PARK, NS, 5’9”, 165 lbs., SOH. SWM, seeking SWW to active. enjoy sports activiExcellent health, very Southern ties, bridge, dominoes, pinochle and swimcountry gentleman. This is my first ming at Mainlands. I’m 88 and very active. experience with this. with Looking for SWW overHomeowner 70. I’m 6’3”, 235 lbs pool, own truck dealership. and asemi-retired, dancer. Pinellas Park. Send your number. Let’s talk. Marvin

5407 BF,&50+, build who likes5’6”, to 5598- –ISO YOU ME slender – TOGETHER. SWM, read, go out to eat, movies, laid back, enjoys 175 lbs, 70’s, SD, NS, SOH, NDrgs. Condo. laughter & is drama free. Look forward to hearLikes: happy restaurants, TV, ing from you. Ihour, am a WM, 5’11”, 155the lbs,Elks, NS and movies, shopping, kissing, holding hands. drama free.

5428 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, R, TLC, 70’s. Pinellas Park.many activities together, quiet Likes sharing evenings; be adventurous. 5606 – TRIED THIS BEFORE. It worked

5431 LONELY WWF, looking love & out. I–enjoy attending churchfor and companion. Man should be 70 to 80 yrs cooking. I am from a large family. old. I am financially secure, have a car & condo. in N. St. FOR Pete. SOULMATE. 5604 –I live LOOKING

semi-retired, own truck dealership. Write to seeking fit, attractive, female. Very handsome, very fit senior. me, let’s have fun. 5’11”, 175, blue eyes,

To PLACe An AD: Send your ad, stating what edition(s) you would like it placed in, along with a $6 8 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.

Seniors Getting Together

Personal Ad Placement only $68 per month! Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month prior to placement. MArk The ediTiOn(S) YOu WOuLd Like TO run YOur Ad in: ❍ Tampa Bay & Suncoast (Hillsborough/Pinellas/Pasco) ❍ Lake/Marion/Sumter ❍ Southwest & Sarasota (Lee, Charlotte/Manatee)

Ad Copy ••• PLeASe PrinT neATLY ••• 30 Word Limit TITLE:

(First 4 Words)

great. 9 years but she passed on. 78 yr old

5607––Looking SEXY SIX TWORetired EYES New OF 5369 ForFOOT Ms Right. BLUE. 200 pound athletic boy who looks York Attorney, former New York Police Officer,a looking for loving and lot younger thanrelationship 62 wants a with fun, kind youthful sincere, self-caring lady. 65 – 75. Widow precompanion to explore the world with. Come ferred. Clearwater area. with me! PG, PC, NFM, NP.

5412 FOR ADVENTEROUS WOM5594- –LOOKING I’M LOOKING FOR A FEMALE AN. SWM, NS, healthy, retired, enjoys country COMPANION in the Tampa Bay area. I am music, home cooking, day trips to scenic attrac86 YY, WM, WW, C, NS, 5’9”, 165 lbs, SOH. tions, sun rises, sunsets, movies, walks in the Excellent health, Southern park. For more info,very writeactive. me. Pinellas County.

country gentleman. This is my first 5416 - LOOKING SWMpool, experience withFOR this.COMPANION. Homeowner with

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 22

CITY:

(No Charge)

If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with $68 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: Address: City: Phone:

State:

Zip:

Email: Make checks payable to: Lifestyles After 50 Mail to: PO Box 638, Seffner, Fl 33583

Morning Matinees Presented by The Helen Torres Foundation

KLINE TOURS MEMPHIS ADVENTURE Monday-Thursday April 15-18 $2199 per person (double occupancy) three nights lodging at Guest House at Graceland, Elvis Experience Tour to include Graceland, Sun Studio, Rock n Soul Museum, Duck March at the Peabody Hotel, Beale Street, National Civil Rights Museum, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sightseeing cruise with Memphis Riverboats tour of Memphis, six meals, round trip air from Tampa to Memphis, round trip airport transportation from St. Petersburg-Clearwater area. DAYTONA 500

Chi Lee, Viola

Exclusive early bird ticket and motorcoach transportation offer to the Daytona 500 Sunday February 18. 3:00 p.m. with departures from the Sarasota-Bradenton 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) NASHVILLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS AT GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT 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.

Mythic Masterpieces Featuring Beethoven’s Creatures of Prometheus, Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld and more.

Wed, Nov 29, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall Thur, Nov 30, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater

From the Beginning The origin story of the symphony. Featuring Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler and more.

Wed, Jan 10, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall Thur, Jan 11, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater

Center Stage Music for the theater. Featuring Beethoven, Grieg, Wagner and more.

Wed, Feb 7, 11 am, Ruth Eckerd Hall Thur, Feb 8, 11 am, Mahaffey Theater

Support your Florida Orchestra today

FloridaOrchestra.org/donate

KEY WEST, FLORIDA 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 ORLEANS PRE MARDI GRAS 2024 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 KLINE TOURS (727)-439-5520 | www. klinetours.net/floridadepartures Fla. Seller of Travel Ref. No ST43118 Serving the Florida Gulf Coast

Making Waves in Tampa Bay FloridaOrchestra.org | 727.892.3337 |

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 23

Sudoku #352 Sudoku #314 Sudoku #304 Solution #351 #313 Solution Solution #303

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Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number & email to:

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

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: Josephine Jimenez, N. Ft. Clare Davis, Sarasota. Myers

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Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 24

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Phone

Zip

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Mary Port Charlotte was was lastour months winner! ColleenTursellino, Lachnicht Pimentel, St Petersburg, October winner! Last month’s answer: NORAD, Col. Harry Shoup.

Last month's answers:Ireland, The Devil, Mary Shelley

Please enjoy The playing Crossword, Sudoku and Word Search Puzzles BECAUSE moreour you play the better chance you have to win! The more puzzles you play & submit, the better chance you have to win! Go to LifestylesAfter50.com and click on the Trivia Palooza icon to play each week.

BEHIND THE WALLS OF DRACULA’S CASTLE BY EVELYN B. KELLY, PHD Bran is a castle, an atmosphere, a home, a place of horror, and the setting that Bram Stoker’s novel “Dracula.” It is also the destination of thousands of tourists each year, thanks to Hollywood.

iron cabinet with a hinged door fitted with spikes on the inside and the Cradle of Judah, a pyramid-like chair designed to create tremendous pain. Displayed are all kinds of tools of barbarism with explanations of how they worked.

Our guide Sophia sets the atmosphere, as we traverse the dark Carpathian Mountains where dense spruce forests are the hometown of brown bears, wolves, and folklore. We see the white mists rising from the forest supposedly spirits that come out to dance and play. “If you are seduced by them, you may disappear forever without a trace,” she warns.

Folklore long before Bram Stoker spawned tales of bloodsucking creatures called Strigoi, who nightly roamed the shadowy halls. Stoker modeled his predator after a real-life person: Vlad III, son of Dracul, prince of Wallachia. He is also known as “Vlad the Impaler” and “Vlad Tepes.” He was a mighty hero who fought to protect the area against the invaders from the Ottoman Empire. And yes, he did impale enemies, positioning them along the roads to show what would happen to you. (He learned the technique when he was imprisoned by the Ottoman Turks).

Perched precariously on a high rock is massive Bran Castle, a mass of caramelcolored stones. The thick limestone fortress walls are pock-marked from many battles and capped by round towers called donjons. We are breathless. It is as awesome as the first sight of the Acropolis, Red Square in Moscow, or the Egyptian pyramids. To get into the first floor, we must climb 100 steps. To move up, we navigate a secret passage that is so narrow and twisting that only one person can pass. A strong rope is connected to the sides to pull ourselves up with – not an easy thing task on uneven steps. We reach a lookout that enables us to see miles of the surrounding country. It has a large opening. We could pour hot oil on attackers who are scaling the wall. These were not warm and fuzzy times; in fact, cruelty to enemies was the game of the day. Have a passion for the morbid and grotesque? The torture room is full of inventive instruments. There is the Iron Maiden, a solid

Bran Castle’s walls could tell many tales. It has many battle scars. The royal Romanian Hapsburgs bought and lived in it. The Germans used it as a hospital during World War II. Ceausescu, the Romanian dictator, seized it from the Hapsburg family, who later got it back. Now it is a museum dedicated to Queen Marie of Romania and displays her art and Gothic furniture. Some historians do not think Vlad lived in this castle but might have been imprisoned here; others disagreed and believe this is his castle. On the way back, my daughter Sophia asked, “Do you think it really was Dracula’s castle?” We pondered the question as we returned to Bucharest that night and ate in the Count Dracula Restaurant. Ultimately, I think it’s up to us to decide.

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 25

Fraudsters Never Go on Vacation Information from Social Security Administration Fraudsters will never take a break. While you are enjoying food and family this fall, they are working hard to find new ways to scam you. Seniors and younger people are particularly vulnerable to scammers who pretend to represent Social Security. To protect you and your loved ones, you can: • Visit our “Protect Yourself from Social Security Scams” webpage at www.SSA.gov/scam for information on what tactics scammers use and how to report them.

AROUND TOWN NOVEMBER 4-5: TAMPA BAY HOME SHOW The Coliseum, 535 4th Ave. N., St. Petersburg NOVEMBER 5: FREE POPS IN THE PARK River Tower Park, 401 E. Bird St., Tampa NOVEMBER 7: B-I-N-G-O The Joinery, 640 E. Main St., Lakeland NOVEMBER 9: TAMPA BAY FALL RV SHOW Fairgrounds, 4800 US-31, Tampa NOVEMBER 9: CANDLELIGHT ORCHESTRA – A TRIBUTE TO QUEEN IN TAMPA

• Check out the Federal Trade Commission’s page at consumer.ftc.gov/scams for additional scam-related information.

Centro Asturiano de Tampa, 1913 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa

Here are some tips to follow when you identify a potential scammer:

NOVEMBER 11: THE CHOIR OF MAN

NOVEMBER 11: FALL BAMBOO MUSICAL CONCERT Friday Morning Musicale, 809 W. Horatio St. Tampa Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N. Macinnes Pl., Tampa

• Hang up right away or ignore the message.

NOVEMBER 11: RIVER TOWER FESTIVAL

• Never give personal information or money over the phone or via email.

River Tower Park, 401 E. Bird St., Tampa

Report the scam immediately to our Office of the Inspector General at https://oig.ssa.gov/report/. If you owe money to Social Security, we’ll mail you a letter with payment options and appeal rights. We only accept payments electronically through Pay.gov or Online Bill Pay, or physically by check or money order in person through our offices. We will never do the following: • Threaten you with arrest or legal action because you don’t agree to pay us money immediately. • Promise a benefit increase in exchange for money.

NOVEMBER 12: TAMPA BAY SYMPHONY PASSION & POWER Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg NOVEMBER 17-19: FREEDOM FEST Pier 60 Park, Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach NOVEMBER 18: BREWS & BLUES Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa NOVEMBER 18: DWIGHT YOAKAM The Sound at Coachman Park, 14 Drew St., Clearwater NOVEMBER 18: SOUTH TAMPA UKULELE JAM Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa NOVEMBER 19: FLEETWOOD GOLD Sun City Center, Sun City Center NOVEMBER 24 -26: ZAPPA FESTIVAL FRANKSGIVING

• Ask you to send us gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, internet currency, cryptocurrency, or cash through the U.S. mail.

Cage Brewing,2001 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg

There are no vacations for fraudsters, so you need to stay informed of the latest Social Security-related scams. For more information, please visit our blog at www.blog.ssa.gov.

NOVEMBER 30: MYTHIC MASTERPIECES

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 26

NOVEMBER 25: TIMELY TREASURES ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR United Methodist Church, 1971 Haverford Ave., Sun City Center Duke Energy Center for the Arts – Mahaffey Theater, 400 1st St. S., St. Petersburg

Movie Preview: “All the Light We Cannot See” BY RANDAL C. HILL

Mark November 2 in red ink on your calendar. That’s when Netflix begins its four-hour epic “All the Light We Cannot See,” a wartime thriller from Idaho writer Anthony Doerr, whose Pulitzer Prize winning book has sold 15 million copies and been translated into 18 languages. The Netflix saga captures both the heat and the heart of Doerr’s book, which explores the extraordinary powers of human connection and hope—both concepts difficult to achieve and maintain in World War II Europe. Over the course of a decade, the story spotlight falls primarily on the lives of two young people whose disparate paths through life inexorably collide. Aria Mia Loberti makes her film debut as Marie-Laure LaBlanc, a blind French girl. Loberti, legally blind herself, says “It is her experience as a blind girl navigating love and loss in a time of war.” In Doerr’s chronicle, Marie-Laure and her father Etienne LeBlanc (well played by veteran “House” actor Hugh Laurie) flee Paris with a valuable

CUTEST PET Do you think you’ve got the cutest pet? Show him or her off in the next issue of Lifestyles! We’re looking for the best dressed and most festive companions that our audience has to offer. See information on how to submit your fur baby for publication below.

gem after the Nazis invade their hometown. Eventually the pair takes refuge with Marie-Laure’s reclusive uncle, who transmits clandestine radio broadcasts as his contribution to the resistance. Werner Pfennig (Louis Hoffmann) is a brilliant, sensitive German teenage orphan with a self-taught expertise in radio repair. “What he most connects with,” says Hoffman, “are beautiful things and the truth, and this show provides a huge amount of intimacy.” Pfennig has joined Hitler’s regime under character-crushing pressure and has been sent to locate illegal radio broadcasts and silence those who are sending them. Says Director Shawn Levy, “The character of Werner adds this pure soul being indoctrinated into an evil to which he does not subscribe.” Director Levy concludes, “This story is both timeless and timely – unabashedly human and emotional. It captures a certain epic scale that we’ve been truly privileged to bring to life.”

U C

T S PE T E T

For submissions:

Send us a little bit about your pet (100 words or less) along with the best photo in their modeling portfolio and what city you live in to Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com with the words “Cutest Pet” in the subject line, or through our Facebook at www.facebook.com/LifestylesAfter50. Submissions must be before the 15th of every month, otherwise it will be held for a potential feature in the following issue’s publication. Include your name, phone number and Florida city. Submissions are published on a basis of what space is available.

Charlie & Roo from Bradenton Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 27

Unlocking the secrets

By Dr. Chris Rao; WellMed

ow long would you like to live? Some dream of living forever, while others wish to enjoy their days as long as they are feeling well. The desire to extend our lives and improve our quality of life is a question that has fascinated people for generations. Understanding aging and its signs As time goes by, our bodies naturally age. This process brings about various changes such as wrinkles, gray hair, decreased energy levels and reduced mobility. Although aging is a part of life, there are strategies to slow it down and reverse some effects. The impact of lifestyle on aging While good genetics offer an advantage, the choices we make during our younger and middle years significantly influence how well we age.

to a longer, happier life potential for age-related health challenges. Men and women of all ages should prioritize their health, aiming for better fitness to lead more satisfying lives. Natural approaches to fighting aging You can explore natural methods to slow down aging, primarily through healthy eating choices. Here are dietary suggestions for combating aging: • Eat foods rich in antioxidants like blueberries, kale and beans to fight aging caused by free radicals and inflammation. • Consider adopting a Mediterranean-style diet focused on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats. • Steer clear of heavily processed foods to help maintain balanced hormones and overall well-being. Engaging in regular physical activity is also a powerful way to slow down the aging process.

A growing number of people are living into their 90s and beyond. While improvements in health care are helping us live longer, we must focus on having a good quality of life, as well as a long one.

Some goals should include: • Get at least 150 minutes of moderateintensity aerobic activity, like brisk walking, cycling or swimming per week. This boosts cardiovascular health and energy levels.

However, with increased longevity comes the

• Include muscle-strength activities on two or more

Because Your Health Matters

days per week. These exercises help maintain muscle mass, bone density and overall strength. • Incorporate stretching and yoga to enhance flexibility, joint mobility and posture. This reduces the risk of injury and improves overall movement. • Avoid prolonged periods of sitting. Stand up, stretch or take regular, short walks. • Drink enough water before, during and after exercise to support your body’s functions. The path ahead for health My research and experience highlight the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle to gracefully age and maintain a high quality of life. Through mindful decisions regarding diet, exercise and overall wellness, we can increase our likelihood of enjoying longer, healthier lives. Embracing these tips sets us on a path toward a brighter, healthier future. Dr. Christopher Rao is a physician at WellMed at South Stuart in Stuart, Florida.

Primary care for Medicare patients. It matters who takes care of you, regardless of your age. At WellMed and Optum, our doctors and care teams focus on prevention to help you live healthier because to us, your health matters.

Learn more now. Call 1-813-544-2733 today* or visit OurDocsCare.com Calling this number will direct you to a licensed insurance agent. The company does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability in health programs and activities. We provide free services to help you communicate with us such as letters in other languages or large print. Or, you can ask for an interpreter. To ask for help, please call 888-781-9355. ATENCIÓN: Si habla español (Spanish), hay servicios de asistencia de idiomas, sin cargo, a su disposición. Llame al 888-781-9355. 請注意：如果您說中文 (Chinese)，我們免費為您提供語言協助服務。請致電：888-781-WELL (9355)。 23_11919343_WMOPT_AD_AdvertAd_10.25x10.98_080323

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2023 • 28