AI + Seniors: 3 Surprising Ways You’re Already Using It
Whether it is personalizing medical care, lessening social isolation, or helping with daily life, there are many ways which artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to improve the lives of older adults. In fact, you’re probably already using AI and didn’t know it!
AI + MEDICAL CARE
Medical and healthcare can be one of an older adult’s most important and challenging aspects of daily life. Regular in-person visits with medical professionals can be inconvenient and stressful, especially for those who need to arrange travel or make physical accommodations. But you probably already own a smartwatch that tracks your blood pressure, heart rate, and even exercise. These kinds of “wearables” employ AI remote technologies and allow healthcare providers to monitor and track the biodata of their patients without needing to see them in person.
AI + SOCIAL CONTACT
By Michele D. BakerAccording to Forbes.com, “social isolation is another common challenge faced by seniors, especially those living alone or in care facilities. Artificial intelligence can provide muchneeded support with these challenges as well. Companionship can be provided in the form of virtual assistants, chatbots, or even robots, and these companions can engage in conversations, play games or provide information, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness and boredom.” AI tools such as Amicus Brain’s caregiver app can also offer personalized recommendations and strategies to improve the quality of life of someone living with a challenging condition such as Alzheimer’s.
AI + DAILY LIFE
AI-enabled technology allows older adults to help them maintain independence. A simple AI-based tool like the Amazon Echo (with its AI called “Alexa”) or Google Assistant (“OK, Google…”) can turn the lights on or off, remind you to take your meds and specified times, create a grocery list, play your preferred music, or even call the paramedics if you fall.
These “smart home” systems use AI to help seniors feel safer at home with emergency monitoring technology in place. Some home systems leverage wearables and use AI to detect abnormalities, such as a fall, and can then alert caregivers and emergency services accordingly. Again, according to Forbes.com, “newer AI home systems are moving beyond the need for wearables, using wireless transmitters to send waveforms through a long-term care room or home to an AI engine that deciphers waves for monitoring purposes.”
The lives of both aging adults and their caregivers can be difficult. But AI products provide solutions and valuable support. As aging populations continue to grow, the integration of AI in senior care offers unparalleled opportunities and can play a vital role in promoting wellbeing and improving the quality of life for seniors.
P.S. Do you like this month’s Lifestyles After 50 cover? It was generated with AI technology using this instruction phrase: “35 year old man and his 75 year old father on a Florida beach at sunset with palm trees in the background.”
Honor Granddad With Hot Coals and Cold Beer
Summer is here – the weather is hot and so is the grill. Now is the perfect time for picnics and backyard barbecues, swimming and sunbathing. We celebrate dads and granddads everywhere, our nation’s 248th birthday, and eating well.
There is just something special about summer. The grandkids are out of school, all the fruits and vegetables are ripe on the vine, and there are many amazing holidays to enjoy. Because of the heat, summer is also a good time to slow down, sit in the shade, and read a book (see the book review on p. 19). Rest your soul, spend time chatting with loved ones and friends, and then bring the whole neighborhood together for a meal in the open air.
For beer lovers, the summer months are rich with opportunity. Check
out beer-themed holidays such as June 14 (National Bourbon Day, but beer lovers can enjoy barrel-aged beers today), June 15 (British Beer Day), June 16 (Father’s Day), June 17 (National Stewart’s Root Beer Day), June 25-27 (Organic Beer Fest), July 3 (National Independent Beer Run Day), July 4 (Independence Day, a day to savor American beer!), July 12 (Michelada Day), and July 18 (St. Arnoldus Day, patron saint of Belgian brewers and hops pickers).
In this issue, you’ll find recipes that make good use of the abundant fruits and vegetables available from your garden or the local farmer’s market. You’ll also find a terrific (and easy) quinoa recipe, the perfect base for all those leftover grilled meats and veggies.
I wish you fair skies, hot coals, and long, happy summer days at the beach,
Have a great month and we'll see you in July!
Lifestyles After 50 Volume 35, Issue 6
Published by Connected Community Media Group Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com
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Michele Baker
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Embracing Your Third Act: Recipe for Creating a Life You Love, at Any Age
by Mary Lou FalconeIngredients: passion, love, purpose, curiosity, and patience.
Step 1: Examine your passion and couple it with love and purpose.
Step 2: Ask the question, “What do I need to feel fulfilled?”
Step 3: Unleash your curiosity.
Step 4: Exercise patience.
Step 5: Mix together and you may have a recipe for embracing your third act.
In 2019, my healthy, brilliant, talented husband Nicky Zann was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia (LBD), and we both knew it was terminal. The journey that neither of us saw coming was fast – 16 months from diagnosis to death, four of which included the 2020 pandemic. During these months, we treasured our moments, the good and the bad. Each day counted… and then one day, my beloved was gone.
How did I cope? How did I honor him? How did I move on? Here’s where embracing the idea of a third act started. Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? Yes!
Acts I and II were rewarding. With Nicky, a world-renowned caricaturist, cartoonist, illustrator and painter by my side, everything was possible. Being a professional singer and teacher during Act I led to Act II, a 50-year run as a publicist and strategist for the classical music industry. Shortly before Nicky passed, he told me in a lucid moment (unlike Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia fluctuates: one minute you are 100% yourself, and the next, you don’t know the person standing next to you), “You have to write.”
My silent reaction was, “Write what?” After Nicky passed, I knew. I had to write about my journey as a caregiver – starting at age ten in caring for my 37-year-old father who had been incapacitated by a massive stroke and continuing with our LBD journey to help caregivers cope with the disease. The result was the book “I DIDN’T SEE IT COMING: Scenes of Love, Loss, and Lewy Body Dementia.”
Vulnerable but fortified with this book as my calling card, my Act III as an advocate and spokesperson for LBD awareness ticked all the recipe checkboxes.
Clear from the beginning were the passion and need to bring awareness to an often-misdiagnosed disease, LBD, and help answer the question: “Lewy what?” Also clear were the curiosity, need to learn about the disease, and the need to share the message “You are not alone.” Patience spilled over. The book, along with a new LBD documentary film, “Facing the Wind,” have become my tools to bring awareness and comfort to an estimated 1.4 million Americans with LBD, their families and friends. With the help of enlightened doctors and organizations, doors are opening.
At age 79, these calling cards have allowed me to embrace my Act III with a sense of renewed purpose and passion throughout America, bringing information and hope through my story.
Mary Lou Falcone is an internationally known classical music publicist/ strategist and author of the memoir “I DIDN’T SEE IT COMING: Scenes of Love, Loss and Lewy Body Dementia.” More at www.maryloufalcone. com
Making Vacation Together Extraordinary
Step into summer wonder with our glow-in-the-dark pool parties and a cutting-edge drone show illuminating the night sky on select dates. Embrace the extraordinary together here.
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The Emotional Catharsis of Telling Our Tales
By Alan D. BergmanLike a plumber unclogging a stuffed pipe, recalling our past by telling or writing our stories can release a floodgate of emotions that have long been blocked within us. In fact, Sigmund Freud called it Cathartic Emotional Release (CER).
As a professional biographer/personal historian, I have witnessed how summoning the details of our lives from our memory banks, or even learning missing information about our own or our ancestors’ lives, can bring us both joy and pain.
One biography client was Joan, a 90-yearold Holocaust survivor who hired me to capture and preserve her life story. She mentioned that one day during her childhood in Prague, the family’s beloved live-in nanny, Ida, announced that she could no longer work for the family because they were Jewish. Ida showed them the Nazi swastika pin attached to her shirt collar and disappeared from their lives forever. Thinking back to the enormity of that heart-wrenching moment, Joan let out a soft wail and wept.
I interviewed another client about his youth in 1950s Cleveland. While describing his high school fraternity and the age-appropriate hijinks he and his buddies pulled as frat members, his laughter was so hard that it turned to tears when unlocking that piece of his past. As the neuroscience of laughter has taught us, during this unexpectedly joyous experience his endorphins obviously flowed freely.
I somewhat nonchalantly mentioned to another client, Anthony, what I had learned about his dad's immigration to the U.S. His father had arrived at Ellis Island from Naples in July of 1922. I was shocked when the response was an audible gasp followed by sobbing. The revelation about his father’s journey must have been like finding a missing piece of himself. All his adult life, he had always wondered how, when, and exactly from where his dad came to this country.
During an interview with yet another client, I asked about her three adult children, having no idea she was completely estranged from them all. As she talked about the circumstances leading to each estrangement, the anguish on her face became increasingly apparent. It was a cold February day in New York yet sweat appeared on her brow. Her insistence on including this aspect of her life in her biography speaks volumes to her commitment to honesty and authenticity in capturing her whole story.
Moments like these highlight the profound trust and connection that can develop between a biographer and a client. Together, we take a path to create a legacy that reflects the entirety of their life, both the joys and the struggles. Bringing the past to the forefront can be a richly gratifying and rewarding experience. It is often a huge relief. Perhaps best of all, preserving these life stories for the next generations prevents them from being lost to history forever.
Alan D. Bergman is a personal historian-biographer. He is a baby boomer and the founder of Life Stories Preserved LLC. Alan can be reached via e-mail at AB@LifeStoriesPreserved.net or through the website www.LifeStoriesPreserved.net.
Golden Triangle Continues to Preserve Family Memories
In 1953, Samuel Sellers, Sr. opened Golden Triangle as a retail camera store and photo lab. In later years, he expanded to five locations in Tampa. Samuel (Sam) Sellers, Jr. bought the family business, broadened its scope to offering film/ video transfers, trial exhibit services, photo restorations and corporate headshots in his portrait studio. In 2017, Kelly Winterling, who was like a daughter to Sellers, joined the company and eventually purchased the business.
Winterling explains how the store has evolved: “Our mission is to help families archive life’s memories to ensure they will be remembered and treasured over time. Memories are captured on many different mediums that change and evolve with time. We help families organize, consolidate and archive all their memories, from printed photos, to tapes, to slides, to film to digital photos and videos.”
In 2022, Golden Triangle moved from their South Tampa location to the Garcia Vega Cigar Factory (and office suites) on Armenia, where they have continued to serve customers for 70 years. Today, the company focuses on digitalization; creation of photo books and legacy videos; photo restoration, colorization, scanning and printing; corporate headshots and passport photos. www.goldentriangletampa.com
Beatles’ “Band on the Run”
BY: RANDAL C. HILLPaul McCartney, wife Linda and his Wings group were scheduled to fly to Nigeria to record “Band on the Run.” But some of the musicians never showed that day, so only Paul, Linda and Wings guitarist Denny Laine made the journey.
In the studio, McCartney sang lead and filled in on guitar, electric piano, bass and drums. (“I played a lot of stuff myself. It was almost a solo album. Almost.”) Not quite, Paul. Linda McCartney added synthesizers and electric piano to the tracks, and Denny Laine offered lead guitar. And both sang backup vocals.
“Band on the Run” became a five-minute-plus work that played out like a three-act mini-drama. There was the slow, meandering opening. A hard-rocking section kicked in next. Finally, a dynamic Eagles-like harmony drove the work to a powerful finale.
When the Fab Four began their own music label—Apple Records—in 1968, they “officially” entered the world of Big Business. Consequently,
the Beatles often had to endure boring meetings in stuffy boardrooms. At one such gathering, George Harrison unknowingly handed McCartney a part of “Band on the Run.” Paul remembered, “It started off with, ‘If I ever get out of here.’ That came from a remark George made at one of the Apple meetings. He was saying that we’re all prisoners in some way.”
McCartney later explained that his lyrics involved police hassles and drug problems: “We were being outlawed for pot.” (He preferred marijuana over booze.) “Our argument on ‘Band on the Run’ was that we’re not criminals…So I just made up a song about people breaking out of prison.”
Paul later said of his musical creation, “It’s a million things, all put together…a band on the run—escaping, freedom, criminals. You name it, it’s there.”
Movie Preview: “Horizon: An American Saga”
BY RANDAL C. HILLKevin Costner’s latest venture, “Horizon: An American Saga,” has been a four-film passion project since 1988.
Even among the box-office heroes in Tinseltown, getting financed can be frustrating when it comes to dealing with the studio bean counters. But Kevin’s “Horizon” is a self-financed enterprise that he has already pumped $20 million of his own money into. Consider that he recently sold 10 acres of prime California beachfront in fashionable Santa Barbara.
Filmed amidst spectacular scenery in southern Utah, “Horizon: An American Saga” is the well-researched narrative of a 15-year time span in the pre- and postCivil War era, and the later struggles to settle the new frontier.
While Costner has had a long and varied movie career, it was his awardwinning “Dances with Wolves” in 1993 that put him on track to his most recent involvement with “Yellowstone,” one of television’s biggest successes of the last decade. He recently left the highly rated series to
concentrate on “Horizon: An American Saga.”
He explains, “America’s expansion into the West was one that was fraught with peril and intrigue, from the natural elements to the interactions with the indigenous people who lived on the land, and the determination and—at many times—the ruthlessness of those who sought to settle on it.”
Warner Brothers seems fully on board with the undertaking. Their press release proclaims, “In the great tradition of Warner Brothers Pictures’ iconic Westerns, ‘Horizon: An American Saga’ explores the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many.”
Costner stars in and directs the episodes and has co-written and coproduced the project, as well. The first feature releases June 28, followed by the second on August 16. If the first two prove to be box-office winners, Costner plans to shoot two more full-length movies to bring his lofty goal to completion.
Armchair Adventures: Joy on Jekyll Island
By Evelyn Kelly, PhDThe Spanish moss on the old oak trees waved us to the Georgia coast and Jekyll Island, the former haunt of the rich and famous. Leaving the rumble of I-95, we float on a paved road on the savannahs of sawgrass on either side. A feral sow and ten piglets run along the side of the road.
TOLL GATE
There is a $10 fee to use the causeway to the island. Cars in the other two lanes are zipping on, and the gate goes up and down, but the one in front of us is jammed. The driver of a black truck tried to pay the toll with $1 bills and has jammed the machine. We sit for 30 minutes before someone comes to fix it.
We joyfully move across the causeway to one of the many hotels on Jekyll Island. We lavish in the aroma of the salt breezes and think about what General Oglethorpe must have felt when he had the idea of founding a colony to empty the debtors’ prisons and bring “the deserving poor” to a new land.
GEORGIA
SEAFOOD
We cannot go to coastal Georgia without eating seafood, so we headed to Zachary’s Riverhouse, an old restaurant with an ambiance to match. Being Southerners, we are familiar with grits. We ordered shrimp and andouille cream sauce over cheese grits and blue crab cakes with remoulade sauce and hush puppies.
TOURING IN THE RAIN
It was misting, but it did not take the joy from Jekyll Island. We donned rain gear and headed to the Mosaic Museum which told the history of Native Americans, Spanish missionaries, English settlers, French
planters, millionaires, modern residents, and tourists. We rode the tram around the island, entranced by the stories told by the rangerhistorian of its many occupants.
The beauty and solitude appealed to a group of people who founded the Jekyll Island Cottage colony. The great industrial barons of the late 19th and early 20th centuries—the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, J.P. Morgan, the Pulitzers, and the Goulds—built cottages and a clubhouse between 1888 and 1928.
Mark Twain coined the term “the Gilded Age” in a novel. It meant everything was covered with gold on the outside but not much on the inside. This led to fanciful newspaper articles: the streets were paved with gold, houses were studded with pearls, door knockers were diamonds, and the people took baths in warm milk. Of course, these were tales. The cottages were not as elaborate or pretentious as the homes in Newport or the Hudson.
WE HIDE, YOU FIND
Jekyll has a treasure hunt every January and February. Volunteer “beach buddies” hide up to 200 plastic-colored balls in the park. If you find one, take it to the welcome center for a gorgeous glass ball made by local artists. We enjoyed talking with the ranger who “hid” the balls daily. People come from everywhere to participate in this treasure hunt.
THE HEALTHY GEEZER
Why Is My Mouth Dry?
Q. My mouth seems to be a bit dry most of the time. Does this mean anything?
Everyone experiences dry mouth occasionally. We get it when we are under stress. But if you have dry mouth all or most of the time, you need medical help. The medical term for this condition is xerostomia.
Symptoms of this problem are saliva that seems thick, sores or split skin at the corners of your mouth, difficulty speaking and swallowing, bad breath, a change in your sense of taste, increased plaque, tooth decay and gum disease.
Most xerostomia is related to the medications taken by older adults rather than to the effects of aging. More than 400 medicines can affect the salivary glands. These include drugs for urinary incontinence, allergies, high blood pressure, depression, diarrhea and Parkinson’s disease. Also, some over-the-counter medications often cause dry mouth.
Dry mouth can also be caused by cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation, nerve damage in the head or neck, the autoimmune disease Sjogren's syndrome, endocrine disorders, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, anxiety disorders and depression.
Sjögren’s syndrome can occur either by itself or with another autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus. Salivary and tear glands are the major targets of the syndrome. The result of the syndrome is a decrease in production of saliva and tears. The syndrome can occur at any age, but the average person with the disorder at the Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinic of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is in his or her late 50s. Women with the disorder outnumber men 9 to 1.
In addition, tobacco, alcohol (in beverages and mouthwash), drinks with caffeine, snoring and breathing with your mouth open can aggravate dry mouth.
If you think you have dry mouth, go to your doctor or dentist. Your doctor may adjust your medication that is suspected of causing the problem. Or, your doctor may prescribe a medication to stimulate saliva production.
There are other ways to improve saliva flow. Try sugar-free hard candy or chewing gum. Avoid lemon-flavored hard candy, because it makes saliva acidic, increasing the possibility of tooth decay. You can also sip water regularly, try over-the-counter saliva substitutes, avoid breathing through your mouth, and use a humidifier in your bedroom.
If you have dry mouth, you have to pay greater attention to your teeth. Brush your teeth with an extra-soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime. If brushing hurts, soften the bristles in warm water. Floss your teeth gently every day. Always use toothpaste with fluoride in it. If you have a sweet snack, brush right away.
All Rights Reserved © 2024 by Fred Cicetti
Send your general health questions to Healthy Geezer with Lifestyles After 50 in the subject line to fred@healthygeezer.com.
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HAPPY DALE A COMEDY BY DAN LANDON
June 13-15 and 20-22 at 7:30pm June 16 and 23 at 2pm
The Crossings at Siesta Key
3501 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 1130, Sarasota, FL 34239
Winner of the 2023 New Play Festival. Due to outlandish behavior following his wife’s death, retired English teacher Ben Lieberman is remanded to “Happy Dale”, an assisted living facility. Lieberman is a natural rebel, and he quickly upsets Happy Dale’s dull routines and staff, turning his new friends and frenemies into accomplices and confidants. Can Happy Dale provide Ben with the education he doesn’t think he wants?
Learn more here >>>>> https://theplayers.org/eventscalendar/happy-dale/
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Greek-Inspired Chopped Salad with Avocado
Nothing says satisfying and refreshing quite like Mediterranean flavors. This Greek-inspired salad features a variety of super fresh ingredients and ultra-savory herbs that make a great lunch or even light dinner. With a homemade dressing and whole ingredients, this is also a great makeahead recipe to have as a main or side dish.
For the dressing:
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic (or garlic powder, if preferred)
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano (plus extra to serve)
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon fresh cracked pepper
• Whisk all ingredients together, or place in a glass jar and shake well. Set aside.
For the salad:
• 1 large English cucumber, sliced
• 4 vine ripened tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1 green pepper, deseeded and sliced
• ½ red onion, sliced thinly
• 7 ounces feta cheese, cubed or crumbled
• ½ cup pitted Kalamata olives
• 1 large avocado, diced
Method:
1. Toss together all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Drizzle with dressing and toss again. Season with extra salt if needed.
2. Sprinkle over extra oregano. Serve with chicken, fish, lamb or any other protein you prefer.
Kiwi Quinoa: A Taste of New Zealand's Finest
Founded in 2016, Dan and Jacqui transformed their passion for healthy eating and diverse farming into New Zealand's first home-grown quinoa brand, Kiwi Quinoa. Inspired by the quinoa fields of Peru, which remarkably resembled their own lush landscapes, they envisioned making New Zealand a notable contender in the global quinoa market.
Today, Kiwi Quinoa is a testament to their dream, offering a range of superior, saponin-free quinoa varieties that boast a sweeter, more robust flavor profile than their South American counterparts. Their products, including the wholegrain and red wholegrain quinoa, are devoid of the bitter aftertaste typically associated with traditional quinoa, making them a unique player in the American market.
Kiwi Quinoa stands out not just for its taste but also for its nutritional benefits. It’s a gluten-free, nonGMO superfood, low in glycemic index, and packed with all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent alternative to rice or pasta. Each 16 oz. pack comes with easy-to-
follow cooking instructions for both stovetop and rice cooker, ensuring perfect results every time.
With a commitment to quality and a love for what they grow, Kiwi Quinoa is supported by a network of like-minded growers who share a dedication to producing nourishing, tasty food. As a brand, they embody distinctiveness, bravery, and a nourishing spirit, championing a healthy lifestyle with fun and exciting recipes—from vibrant breakfasts to delightful desserts—that showcase quinoa’s versatility.
Taste the difference with Kiwi Quinoa, where every grain tells a story of innovation, quality, and exceptional flavor. For more info visit www. kiwiquinoa.co.nz.
CREATIVE CORNER CREATIVE CORNER
Are you an aspiring writer, poet or artist? Or maybe you want to try your hand at any of the above? We want to share your art! Read directions on how to submit your work below:
For submissions:
Send your short story or poem (150 words or less) or a photo of your artwork to Michele.Baker@ lifestylesafter50.com with the words “Creative Corner” in the subject line, or through our Facebook at www.facebook.com/LifestylesAfter50. Please include which Florida city you currently live in and your name. Artwork must be before the 15th of every month, otherwise it will be held as potential news for the following issue’s publication. Artwork is published on a basis of what space is available.
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Subscribe now for the best seats at the best price at Florida’s premier orchestra, at home in Tampa Bay.
KLINE TOURS
BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI-$50 FREE SLOT PLAY-$32 FOOD VOUCHERS
4 days/3 nights Monday-Thursday September 23-26. $399.00 per person (double occupancy),) includes 3 nights at IP Resort Casino Spa in Biloxi, $50 Slot Play ($25 from IP Casino, $25 from Beau Rivage) $32 in food vouchers ), Departures from the Sarasota-Bradenton area and St. Petersburg-Largo area.
HARRAH’S CASINO
Sunday, August 11: Bus trip to the new Harrah's Casino in Pompano Beach: $79 per person, $15 Bonus with departures from the St. Petersburg-Largo area and Sarasota-Bradenton area.
NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE TOUR
Monday-Friday, September 30-October4 $1649 per person (double occupancy), roundtrip air, 4 nights lodging in Tilton, NH, 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners including a Lobster Bake with entertainment, one boxed lunch Ride on the Cog Railroad to the Summit of Mt Washington and back Cruise on the MS Mt Washington from Weirs to Wolfeboro, Visit to Kennebunkport, Stonewall Kitchen and Nubble Lighthouse, Wine Tasting at Seven Birches Winery.
BRANSON SHOW TOUR
5 days/4nights Sunday, October 13- Thursday, October 17 $1879 per person (double occupancy, Round trip air to St. Louis, motorcoach from St. Louis to Branson, four nights lodging at Hotel Grand Victorian in Branson, nine meals, seven shows including Yakov Smirnoff. Neil Diamond Tribute, Clay Cooper, Pierce Arrow presents Decades, The Haygoods, Six, Showboat Branson Belle, Dogwood Canyon, Branson Craft Mall, and Local Branson guide.
NASHVILLE COUNTRY CHRISTMAS at GAYLORD OPRYLAND RESORT
Sunday-Wednesday December 15-18 $2019 per person (double occupancy). includes roundtrip airfare, 3 nights lodging at Gaylord Opryland Resort., 6 Meals, four shows including a Christmas Dinner show in the ballroom at Gaylord Opryland (Entertainer TBD) 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.
NEW ORLEANS PRE-MARDI GRAS 2025
Monday February 24- Friday February 28, 2025 $2099 per person (double occupancy) Roundtrip airfare to New Orleans, 5 days, 4 nights accommodations in French Quarter 7 Meals New Orleans School of Cooking, comprehensive city tour of New Orleans, Mardi Gras World Museum, National World War II Museum (including 4D film), Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise, Louisiana Swamp Boat tour, and reserved parade bleacher seating for four parades in New Orleans
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BOOK REVIEW by Kathy A. Megyeri
Books for Every Dad on Father’s Day
We’ve compiled a handy list of gift books for any dad. Any of the great selections below is sure to please.
IS DAD A MILITARY VETERAN?
He might enjoy these two books by writer Doug James: “Flights of Angels,” a tale of a WWII Navy pilot, or “Military Trivia, Fascinating Facts from the World of Warfare.” James has gathered military facts on martial music, notable nicknames, famous people who’ve served, GI jargon, and history of monuments and uniforms.
There are also tidbits like the youngest serviceman in WWII (he was 12), the fact that Gen. George Patton was an Olympian, that Audrey Hepburn was a spy, the fact that colorblind soldiers were used as camouflage spotters, or that moviemaker Cecil B. DeMille designed the Air Force Academy’s uniform.
IF DAD WATCHES OLD JOHN WAYNE WESTERNS AND WAR MOVIES…
1969, Wayne said, “I should have put on that eye patch 35 years earlier. I’m an American movie actor, so I work with my clothes on. I have to. Horses are rough on your legs and on your elsewheres.”
Then he’ll relish the “Official John Wayne Big Book of Dad Jokes, Good Clean Fun for the Whole Family, Pilgrim” by Jeremy K. Brown. This delightful compendium is packed with over 400 puns, riddles, jokes, and quips that will prove Dad’s status as the ultimate John Wayne fan. In-depth essays on the star’s films and scenes, rare on-set photos, anecdotes, and exclusive quotes from his family are included, especially those written by son Ethan.
When he won the Best Actor Academy Award for “True Grit” in
DOES DAD ENJOY HIS RETIREMENT?
If he’s driving your mother nuts, buy him “The Ultimate Bucket List, 150 Hilarious, Unexpected Adventures, Activities, and Discoveries to Fill Your Golden Years” by Gary Wanderwell. These handpicked, offbeat, and fun activities offer a chance for personal growth, suggestions to rediscover a passion, conquer a fear, and create some priceless memories.
Author Wanderwell encourages retirees to break free and cultivate deeper connections to family and friends, ignite curiosity and invest in happiness to help create an unforgettable legacy. Included are unexpected ideas like organizing a thrift store fashion show, glamping (luxury camping), becoming an urban gardener, enjoying a mystery vacation, joining an impro theater group, attending a mixology class, taking a digital photography or video editing class, creating a memory wall, and volunteering abroad.
One of the most interesting is having him write a letter to his future self. Connect with inner wisdom, share thoughts on his current life, his hopes for the future, and advice he’d like to leave to others. He could create a written snapshot of his life today, seal it and store it in a safe place, and when he or his family opens it, all will be amazed at the wisdom, insight, and memories that he’s shared... it’ll be one of the greatest gifts he’ll leave behind.
Last Month’s Answers
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills. The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.
Last Month’s Winner is
APRIL W ord Sea rch
WORD SEARCH
Each row of 9 numbers must include all
Each column of 9 numbers must include
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. all include 9 square digits through 9.
APRIL
Sudoku
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win.
Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number & email to:
Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
WIN GREAT PRIZES! Sudoku mu ST b E RE c EI v E d by T h E 20T h of T h E mo NT h.
MAY WORD SEARCH
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the
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
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions –forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?
Send your answers along with your name, address, email and telephone number to: LIFESTYLES AFTER 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
Good Luck!
The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th of the month will win. WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES! (Puzzles must be received by the 20th of the month)
QuestIoN: NAtIoNAL grANdPAreNts dAy Is sePtember 13. WhAt Is the offIcIAL soNg ANd offIcIAL fLoWer for thIs NAtIoNAL dAy of observANce?
ANsWer:
What
Play each month to be entered in a drawing to win a prize! Deadline for entries: September 25th Mary Tursellino, Port Charlotte was last months winner! Last month’s answer: NORAD, Col. Harry Shoup. The more you play the better chance you have to win! Go to LifestylesAfter50.com
Quick & Delicious Quinoa Salad
Recipe and image courtesy of www.cookieandkate.com
This quinoa salad is refreshing, crisp and delicious. It’s made simply with fresh cucumber, red bell pepper, red onion, chickpeas, fresh parsley and a garlicky olive oil and lemon dressing. The salad sort of reminds me of tabouleh, an herbed Lebanese salad with tomatoes and bulgur.
Ingredients:
• 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed in a fine-mesh colander
• 2 cups water
• 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained, or 1 ½ cups cooked chickpeas
• 1 medium cucumber, seeded and chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 large bunch flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup lemon juice (from 2 to 3 lemons)
• 1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste
Method:
1. Cook the quinoa: Combine the rinsed quinoa and the water in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat, then decrease the heat to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered until the quinoa has absorbed all of the water (about 15 minutes), reducing heat as needed to maintain a gentle simmer. Remove from heat, cover, and let the quinoa rest for 5 minutes.
2. In a large serving bowl, combine the chickpeas, cucumber, bell pepper, onion and parsley. Set aside.
3. In a small bowl, whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and salt until blended. Set aside.
4. Once the quinoa is cool, add it to the serving bowl, and drizzle the dressing on top. Toss until the mixture is thoroughly combined.
5. Season with black pepper to taste. For best flavor, let the salad rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
6. This salad keeps well in the refrigerator, covered, for about 4 days. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Seniors getting Together
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
5625 – NEED LOVING 5609? Contact me, Marvin. NEED A COMPANION 5607? Contact me. Riverview, Fl
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.
5624 – SOUTHERN SENIOR searching for my soulmate. Please be M, W, NS, ND, NDrg. Average height & weight, but especially will communicate, be caring, honest, fair. Likes church, dancing.
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.
5613 – NEW TO THE AREA. Fun female, petite, S, C, 70’s, NS, FF, enjoy Happy Hours, short trips, dancing, theatre. Looking for companion, Send letter with phone # and photo.
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.
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.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
5607 – SEXY SIX FOOT TWO EYES OF BLUE. 200 pound athletic boy who looks a lot younger than 62 wants a fun, youthful companion to explore the world with. Come with me! PG, PC, NFM, NP.
5419 - HAVE A NICE DAY. SWF, 75 yo, 5’5”, slender, brunette, green eyes, adventurous, love walks, parks, outdoors, healthy food. Am happy, loving, kind. LTR, intimacy? Have photo. Tampa.
4119 - Seeking Honest gentleman. Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. WW. Loves the Lord. Florida.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
5609 – LOOKING FOR A FEMALE COMPANION in the Tampa Bay area. I am 86 YY, WM, WW, C, NS, 5’9”, 165 lbs., SOH. Excellent health, very active. Southern country gentleman. This is my first experience with this. Homeowner with pool, semi-retired, own truck dealership. Send your number. Let’s talk. Marvin
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.
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.
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.
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.
To PLACe An AD: Send your ad, stating what edition(s) you would like it placed in, along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the Lifestyles After 50 address listed below. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue.
To ReSPonD To An AD: Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad # on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: Lifestyles After 50 Seniors Getting Together P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583
CommonLY USeD ABBReViATionS:
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.
5619 – INDIAN SINGLE ISLAND
WOMAN seeking single W, M, Asian or Hispanic. ND, NS, Long partner 60 plus. Tall & fit. Tampa only. No FB or email. Phone only. Please serious partner.
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.
5617 – SWF LOOKING FOR COMPANIONSHIP. I’m 70, 5’3”, 120 lbs, brown/auburn hair, blue eyes. Retired paralegal. Enjoy dancing, karaoke, restaurants, cooking, beach, flea markets, theatre and traveling.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5621 – CWF, 80 yrs, NS, SD, HWP, R, P, FF, TLC. Loves theater, dancing, swimming, walks, especially ocean walks, people, my toy poodle, and teaching Tai Chi. Looking forward to spending time with you. N Ft Myers.
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.
5623 – CHICAGO ARTIST RELOCATED to find soulmate. Spontaneity, substance, special, sentiment’s, spacious, scenery, spirituality, spectacular, sunsets. Please contact me.
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.
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, SD, HWP, P, FF, likes cards, walks, cooking, travel, fun.
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.
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.
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.
5612 – YOU + ME = TOGETHER. SWM, SD, NS, SOH, ND, 5’6”, 180 lbs. CONDO – New carpeting + king bedroom. Likes happy hour, restaurants, the Elks, TV, movies, shopping, kissing, holding hands. ISO SWF or Asian. Fun. SOH, easy going, smiles, enjoys life. Pinellas Park. Please be local.
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.
5614 – FIRST AD – RETIRED, SECURE. SWM, spry, easy going, NS, ND, No pets. Seeking small to medium loving, romantic female companion to share my home, RENT FREE. Quiet, peaceful area. Please send phone, photo, description.
5428 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, R, TLC, 70’s. Likes sharing many activities together, quiet evenings; be adventurous.
5615 – MAN LOOKING for man. Single, widower in Ft. Myers. Age 70’s with open mind. Write to me and say with senior’s lifestyles ad.
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.
5616 – LOOKING – LOOKING – LOOKING. ISO SWF or Asian, SOH, NS, ND, SD, fun and easy going, 55-75yy, 4’10”-5’3”, plump ok, for SWM, 70’s, 180lb, NS, ND, SD, SOH, condo w/ new carpeting & king bedroom. Likes most everything including spending money on you. St. Petersburg – Tyrone Mall area. Please be local or willing to relocate.
5412 - LOOKING FOR ADVENTEROUS WOMAN. SWM, NS, healthy, retired, enjoys country music, home cooking, day trips to scenic attractions, sun rises, sunsets, movies, walks in the park. For more info, write me. Pinellas County.
5416 - LOOKING FOR COMPANION. SWM
(First 4 Words)
Seniors Getting Together
(No Charge)
Email: 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.
Social Security Q&A
Information from Social Security Administration
Question: I am 66 years old and have stopped working. What factors affect my retirement benefit amount?
Answer: You’re eligible to get Medicare at age 65 and the signup process for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) is completed through us. If you decide to sign up for Part B, the cost will be taken out of your monthly benefit amount. Be sure to plan ahead for that reduction.
AROUND TOWN
JUNE 1-23: SARASOTA MUSIC FESTIVAL
Sarasota Orchestra, 5701 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota
JUNE 4: LUIS MIGUEL
Amaile Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa
JUNE 7: LIVE COUNTRY MUSIC
Gulf Cove Moose Lodge, 4212 N Access Rd. C, Englewood
JUNE 7-9: BRADENTON BOAT SHOW
Anna Maria Island Longboat Key, Bradenton
JUNE 8: TIKI
Pop’s Sunset Grill, 112 Circuit Rd., Nokomis
JUNE 10: EDDIE DODD TRIO
Question: How can I pay withholding taxes from benefit payments?
Answer: You may pay federal income taxes on your benefits if your combined income (50% of your benefit amount plus any other earned income) exceeds $25,000/year filing individually or $32,000/year filing jointly. You can pay the IRS directly or have taxes withheld from your payment. The form is called W-4V: Voluntary Withholding Request from the IRS’s website.
Question: Am I able to receive the maximum amount of benefits due a current or former spouse’s work?
Answer: If you’re eligible because of a spouse’s work, the amount is at its highest at your “Full Retirement Age" (between 66 and 67). It doesn’t increase if you wait and apply after that time. If your spouse has passed away, you may be eligible for Survivor benefits starting at age 60, or at age 50 if you are disabled.
Question: I receive a pension from a previous government job and also worked in a foreign country, can my benefit amount may be reduced?
Answer: If your pension is from a government job or a job worked in a foreign country, and you have not paid Social Security taxes for at least 30 years of Substantial Earnings, your benefit may be reduced. We refer to this reduction as the Windfall Elimination Provision, or WEP.
The End Zone Sports Grille, 2440 S. McCall Rd., Englewood
JUNE 13 -15: GULF COAST CORNHOLE ORGANIZATION TOURNAMENT
Four Points, Punta Gorda Harborside, 33 Tamiami Trail, Punta Gorda
JUNE 13: FREE SEAGRASS WADING TRIP
Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Rd., Englewood
JUNE 15 & 28: LIVE MUSIC
Caddy’s, 801 Riverside Dr. E., Bradenton
JUNE 15: VENICE CRAFT FESTIVAL
Sunkissed Realty, 219 W. Venice Ave., Venice
JUNE 15: REPTIDAY
Sarasota Sahib Shrine Event Center, 600 N. Beneva Rd., Sarasota
JUNE 21 - JULY 4: FLORIDA IN JUNE
Kathy Binner Academy, 2061 Canal Dr., Bradenton
JUNE 22: JACOB ENGELKING
Brewburgers Back Porch, 545 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
JUNE 23: LIVE BLUES BRUNCH
Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille, 452 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton
JUNE 23: MATT FROST BAND
Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill, 5253 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota
JUNE 24: LEADFOOTGREY DUO
The End Zone Sports Grille, 2440 S. McCall Rd., Englewood
JUNE 25: BRI RIVERA
Marina Jack, 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota
JUNE 27: DEVEN STARR
Brewburgers Back Porch, 545 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
JUNE 28: KEITH ALBERSTADT
McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, 1923 Ocean Blvd., Sarasota