Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, March 2016

Southwest March 2016 • Vol. 27

There’s plenty to love about a Florida spring Southwest Edition Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc President Richard Reeves richard@lifestylesafter50.com Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Amanda Smith editor@lifestylesafter50.com Office Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com Administrative Assistant Allie Shaw allie@lifestylesafter50.com Production Supervisor/Graphic Design 813-689-6104 Distribution Nancy Spencer: (941) 244-0500 nancy@lifestylesafter50.com

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 2

Dear Readers, If you’ve ever lived in a place with four definitive seasons, you may agree that greeting spring in Florida is a bit of Amanda Smith, Editor an acquired taste.

You get the picture. Major League Baseball’s Grapefruit League is one of the greatest parts about spring in Florida, and in this issue, we’ve got you covered with a guide to the best Spring Training facilities our state has to offer. After reading it, you’ll probably feel so bad for your grandkids stuck up there in New Jersey, you’ll fly them down for a game or two.

There’s something magical about March up north, when the snow starts to let up and the equinox ushers in the first day of spring.

Nature is just beginning to wake from her slumber, sprouts are starting to peek up from the brown, barren ground and stir-crazy humans are vowing never to take warm, sunny days for granted again. Some say part of the magic of spring is kissing a cold, dreary winter goodbye.

While I agree the light of spring is always brighter after a long, dark winter, there’s also something to be said for not having to shovel a driveway full of snow before work, possibly well into the month of April.

So for those of you, like me, who have a little pang of yearning for that natural high of the idyllic spring season, here are a few great reasons why I’ve come to truly love spring, Florida style.

1. Baseball While our friends up north are still dusting off their snowboots, we’re busy dusting off our catcher’s mitt so it can be signed by Brian McCann or Yadier Molina. Let’s be honest, New Englanders and New Yorkers are only dreaming of their fantasy league strategies while we’re sitting right behind the dugout at a Spring Training game, watching line drives and drinking an ice cold...lemonade?

What’s to love about spring in Florida?

Spring Training, sweet Spring Training.

2. Fresh...everything.

A major source of winter produce for most of the eastern U.S., Florida boasts a real diversity of some of the juiciest fruits you can find. As trees are barely showing signs of life in colder climates, we’re already cutting ripe tomatoes and picking out red gems at the Strawberry Festival in Plant City. That’s right, it’s not just citrus we enjoy, but countless other assorted fruits and veggies - and we guide you through much of our seasonal produce in this issue as well. We also debunk the myth that whatever you plant in a Florida spring will just die in the summer, so get ready to join the rest of the world in pining over Home Depot commercials. Don’t let anybody fool you, we may not grow the same things as up north in our tropical/sub-tropical climates, but we can definitely still enjoy a spring garden.

3. Festivals, festivals, festivals.

If you’re a party person in Florida, March is your time of year. We’ve got Bike Week in Orlando on the 7th, the Gasparilla Music Festival in Tampa on the 8th, and the start of one of my personal favorites (and a must-see in my book), the International Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot. For 90 days, the park becomes a magical rainbow of spring blossoms, while hosting leading gardening experts from around the nation. Oh, and the food’s pretty amazing too. You may be wondering why there’s so many great things to do in March... which brings us to my favorite part about spring in Florida...

4. It’s not that hot yet.

Let’s be honest. One of the best things about “spring” in Florida is relishing our last remaining days of walking to the mailbox without worrying about a heat stroke. I implore you, please join me as I soak up every day free of blistering heat and torrential downpours. March is when do my yoga on the beach, ride my bicycle and walk to Starbucks without carrying a towel. Basic stuff.

Floridians know - whatever it is you love to do outside midday, now’s your golden opportunity to do it without a fan and a fear of fainting.

They say without the darkness, you wouldn’t praise the light, but here in Florida we know it’s either hot - or hotter. We may not have that freshfaced look only gained by greeting Mother Nature after surviving a long winter, but we still know how to welcome our own kind of spring.

Here’s to a happy March in Florida, however it is you celebrate it.

Sincerely, Amanda Smith

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 3 R

Around Town Nav-A-Gator W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G M A R C H 2 0 1 6

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Where the Road Ends, the Adventure Begins!

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- 10. Outdoor Painters Group Show. The Fort Myers Beach Art Association presents their Outdoor Painters Group Show at Studio 2 at the Art Association. Free. Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Sun. 12 - 3 p.m. 3030 Shell Mound Blvd. 33931. Learn more online at chamber.fortmyersbeach.org - 13. Strawberry Festival. Enjoy all day entertainment at this classic Florida event with fun photo contests, great shopping and musical performances from your favorite stars.

Don't forget to enjoy a strawberry or two! 303 N. Lemon Street, Plant City 33563. For a complete entertainment schedule and to purchase tickets, go online to FLStrawberryFestival.com.

Rockin’ The Point - Billy Joel! Bring your lawn chairs and your pets for the Billy Joel edition of Rockin' the Point Concert Series.

This fabulous tribute concert happens at Coconut Point and it's free to all. 5 9 p.m. 23106 Fashion Dr. Estero, 33928. To learn more call (239) 3317371 or visit RockinThePoint.com.

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Celebration. Celebrate the green at Fisherman’s Village and be a part of our annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration! Live music from Lee County pipes and drums starts at 5:30 p.m., as they parade all throughout the Village. Enjoy traditional Irish Music from 6-8 pm. in the second section of Village, across from Village Fish The Nowhere Band: The Beatles Market Restaurant. 1200 W. Retta Tribute. Enjoy a timeless tribute Esplanade, Punta Gorda, 33950. To to the Beatles. Dinner/Seating: 5:30 - learn more, please call (941)639-8721.

6:30 p.m. Show: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m. Join the fun at 7050 Crystal Dr. Fort Myers, - 20. 28th Annual Downtown 33907. For tickets, call (239)344-6147.

Naples Festival of the Arts.

Artists, art enthusiasts and collectors BSECWC Bonita Spring’s alike gather for this annual festival of Estero Christian Women's the arts. Sat. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sun. 10 Connection Monthly Luncheon. a.m. - 5 p.m. 5th Ave. S., Downtown Featuring guest speakers, this luncheon Naples, 34102 Call (239) 692-8436. and purse auction requires reservations; must be made by Mar. 4. Mail your $25 Friends of the Arts Concert check to: BSECWC at P.O. Box 284, Series: Jazzmatics feat. Lynn Estero, 33929. To learn more, call Jan Richardson. Enjoy a great show and at (815)545-5056, but a check must be dance the night away, waterside. 7-9 received to reserve your spot. 11:30 p.m, 7225 Estero Blvd., Fort Myers a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Purse bidding begins Beach, 33931. $25 tickets are now at 11:00 a.m. The Club at Grandezza, available in-person at Fish Tale Marina 11481 Grande Oak Blvd, Estero, 33929 or online at FriendsoftheArtsfmb.com.

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ZOObilee. Enjoy delicious cuisine from over 20 Naples restaurants, experience encounters with some of our wildest friends, and join a live band to dance the night away all at the Naples Zoo! 7 p.m. Naples, 34102. For tickets, call (239) 262-5409.

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Cypress Cove Gala. Join us for a sparkling occasion.

Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at the Cypress Cove Community Advancement office. To learn more about the event, call the Community Advancement office at (239) 425-1639.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 4

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April. BBQ Bands & Brew Poker Run. After a beautiful ride around Fort Myers, bikers will enjoy poker, music and beverages and lunch, all for only $10. 9 a.m. start at Six Bends HD, Fort Myers, ending at Alliance for the Arts, 9501 Thunder Rd, Fort Myers 33919. (239) 938-0056.

Please send Around Town news to: News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax (813)651-1989 or email info@lifestylesafter50.com by the 10th of the month prior to the event (i.e. submit April events by 3/10/16).

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 5

IT’S SPRING TRAINING SEASON

Your guide to Major League Baseball’s Grapefruit League in Florida

By Amanda Smith

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ew things are as quintessentially American as baseball. And while most Northerners are still enduring snowstorms and icy road conditions, Floridians are catching a relaxing game or two at one of Major League Baseball’s thirteen Spring Training facilities peppered throughout the state. At the beginning of March, professional baseball teams from around the nation can be watched up close in personal on both coasts and in the middle of the Sunshine State as the MLB’s Grapefruit League gets under way. Whether you choose to visit your favorite team from childhood, or the team that just happens to play in your city, Spring Training is a great time for all. One of the best parts of attending a pre-season game is your proximity to the players, thanks to most Spring Training stadiums’ small size. Most are merely a quarter the size of typical MLB parks, and with only one level of seating the Grapefruit League stadiums provide an intimate experience for every fan.

Much like the Major League stadiums, Spring Training facilities work hard to stand out from the crowd, so here are a few of our must-sees this season. Play ball!

The national fan favorite Charlotte Sports Park, Port Charlotte Tampa Bay Rays

The old meets the new JetBlue Stadium, Fort Myers Boston Red Sox

With a white, wavy roof covering the seating along the first and third base lines, the exterior of JetBlue Stadium appears strikingly modern as you approach the gates. While the outer architecture screams “shiny and new,” fans may be slightly shocked to see what’s inside: a playing field that’s a near exact replica of good old Fenway park, from the outfield down to the dugout design. This bold union of stadium design spanning the decades may just inspire countless fathers and grandfathers to wax poetic to their younger generations about the classic Fenway games of yesteryear, all while making new Boston Red Sox memories in the seats of JetBlue Stadium. Serving the same food they do at Fenway, attendees can look forward to a good meal and that classic Boston fanfare - the 10,000 seats are usually full of those die-hard Red Sox fans Boston is known for.

Complete JetBlue Stadium schedule and ticket prices are now available online at Boston.RedSox.mlb.com/.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 6

Home to the Tampa Bay Rays each Spring, Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte has routinely received top honors in the annual 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards column featured in USA Today. A nation of baseball fans agree after a $27 million renovation in 2009, Port Charlotte’s new and improved stadium offers more perks than any other, including a baseball boardwalk lining the outfield, a brand-new luxury suite hotel, a tiki bar, and even a play area for the kids. Only an hour and a half south of Tropicana Field (the Rays’ regular season stadium in Tampa), Charlotte Sports Park gets extra points from hometown fans for its geographical convenience, while out-of-towners may enjoy the stadium’s close proximity to Charlotte Harbor and the Broad Peace River, offering a multitude of water sports to enjoy before or after gameday.

To purchase tickets and view a complete Charlotte Sports Park Spring Training schedule, visit RaysBaseball.com

The MLB teams you’ll see in Florida’s Grapefruit League Team

Stadium

City

Atlanta Braves Baltimore Orioles Boston Red Sox Detroit Tigers Houston Astros Miami Marlins Minnesota Twins New York Mets New York Yankees Philadelphia Phillies Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Cardinals Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays Washington Nationals

Champion Stadium Ed Smith Stadium JetBlue Park Joker Marchant Stadium Osceola County Stadium Roger Dean Stadium Hammond Stadium Tradition Field Steinbrenner Field Bright House Field McKechnie Field Roger Dean Stadium Charlotte Sports Park FL Auto Exchange Stadium Space Coast Stadium

Lake Buena Vista Sarasota Fort Myers Lakeland Kissimmee Jupiter Fort Myers Port St. Lucie Tampa Clearwater Bradenton Jupiter Port Charlotte Dunedin Viera

The field that raises the bar Bright House Field, Clearwater Philadelphia Phillies

Bright House Field raised the bar for ballpark standards in the Grapefruit League; most notably, with a concourse that completely wraps around the stadium and is open to the playing field. Make a few new friends at the popular Frenchy’s Tiki Pavilion - complete with a full service bar - or check out some of the concession stands to enjoy an homage to the Phillies hometown, classic Philly cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. With a beautiful field and an attractive Spanish Mediterranean exterior, this stadium really has it all. View a complete schedule and buy tickets at Phillies.com.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 7

March’s “Share Your Story” Challenge: “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t - either way you’re right.”

-Henry Ford With the well-documented histories of martial arts, meditation and the placebo effect as its proof, the transcendental maxim “mind over matter” surely exists. Most commonly expressing the idea that our brain can control the perception of physical limitations or physical pain we experience, “mind over matter” has since evolved to encompass a more spiritual meaning.

The modern use of “mind over matter” proposes that humans can train themselves to overcome physical, mental and emotional hardships through a peace of mind gained from spiritual balance and/or strenuous mental training.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 8

While the “firewalking” parades of motivational speaker Tony Robbins are far from fake, I’m not rushing to tell those who are physically or mentally struggling that it’s all in their mind. Sure, our attitude influences our physical reality, but just how far does it really extend? In that spirit, we’d like to know if you’re a proponent of “mind over matter” and just how far the idea should be taken.

Do you believe in “mind over matter,” and why or why not? How does it affect your life? Do you have a personal story of experiencing “mind over matter,” and was it something you trained for or did it just occur spontaneously?

With “Mind Over Matter” as the subject line, email an essay or response to editor@lifestylesafter50. com for a chance to be published in April’s issue!

Celebrating the Centennial Series:

Best Park to Visit in March: Joshua Tree National Park

Honoring the National Parks Service’s 100th Anniversary

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riginally considered a radical idea - an idea some condemned as a hindrance to social progress - the conception of the “National Parks” and the unified system created to preserve them is now often touted as America’s Best Idea. Fearing the greatest natural wonders of the nation would soon be destroyed by developers or reserved solely for the priveleged, preservationists succeeded in granting all citizens the right to America’s stunning beauty by achieving federal support dedicated to preserving the land for future generations.

While the National Parks’ fascinating history dates back much further, it was in August of 1916 that President Woodrow Wilson signed into law an act creating the National Park Service (NPS), a single federal agency designed to provide uniform procedures and regulations for all sites deemed National Parks.

NPS employees have no small job, managing 58 parks with environments as varied as you can imagine. Still, those who envisioned the NPS issued an even taller order - a dual focus on managing the parks for the enjoyment of the Ameri-

Joshua Tree National Park, CA - The National Park Service helps conserve America’s unique ecosystems

can people, while at the same time keeping them “unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” An inherent contradiction openly acknowledged by the bill’s author Horace Albright, it could be accomplished, he believed, “with rational, careful and loving thought.”

100 years later, the National Park System is still examined, debated and unfolding, its curious evolution far from over - yet through it all, the parks have steadily provided precious memories, lessons from nature and deep shifts in perspective. Those who fought so hard to create this now century-old system would be proud of its success in preserving America’s great outdoors full of natural treasures as diverse as its citizens.

This is the first installment of Lifestyles After 50’s Celebrating the Centennial series, created to highlight the unique features of one National Park per month. Readers are encouraged to share personal National Park adventures - email your story to Editor@ LifestylesAfter50.com for your chance to be published in next month’s issue.

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stablished as a National Park by President Roosevelt in 1936, California’s Joshua Tree National Park functions almost as a museum for desert plant life. Home to more than 700 species of vascular plants, Joshua Tree powerfully defies stereotypical notions of the desert as a place where nothing can survive.

Nationally renowned for its diversity, this park in southeastern California is most loved for its wildflowers. Visitors in March often gaze at blooms of colorful sand verbena, canterbury bells and brown-eyed primrose, framed beautifully by the cream colored blooms of the Joshua Tree itself.

The Beautiful Impact of Music and Memory at Juniper Naples Music & Memory, an inspirational program developed by Dan Cohen, is all about bringing joy into the lives of people suffering from Alzheimer’s, other forms of dementia and a wide range of cognitive and physical impairments. Reconnecting elders with their favorite music can vastly improve quality of life regardless of their cognitive or physical status. But it is especially powerful for those with Alzheimer’s disease, where it can restore, temporarily but repeatedly, the sense of self often lost when memory fails.

Juniper Village at Naples implemented Music & Memory in mid 2015 and the results have been

remarkable. Frances is one of our residents who has benefitted from the Music & Memory program.

She enjoys many types of music. We put on her headphones, press play, and she hears the customized music that is downloaded onto her iPod. Immediately her toes start tapping to her music from the 40s and 50s. We’ve even witnessed her “swivel” when Elvis starts singing. The Music & Memory program brings great joy, relaxation and fond memories to all our residents with dementia.

1155 Encore Way, Naples 34110

239-598-1368

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 9

AGING: THE BIGGER PICTURE

International photography challenge asks us to view aging through a different lens

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hen conceptualizing aging, a complex process influenced by countless factors and dimensions, it’s all too easy to revert to clichés. Yet those with seven or eight decades behind them will tell you, getting older happens to the best of us - and it’s never quite how we imagined it.

With the complexities of growing older in mind, the British Society of Gerontology recently sponsored a photography contest challenging photographers from all over the world to create provocative images designed to evolve our concept of aging. Participants were asked to take a contemplative approach to the subject by revealing the nuances of aging and presenting portraits that were far more than skin deep.

With thousands of British pounds in prizes, over 1,200 images of aging were submitted to the global online photography community Photocrowd, and two sets of winners were chosen - one by Photocrowd members

themselves and the other by an expert panel including the Photocrowd co-founder Liam Bailey and Julia Twigg, a professor of social policy in the UK. The stunning images honored by both the online community and the experts carry energies guaranteed to make you ponder everything from inner beauty to mortality, while one winning photo epitomizes the courage required to face the aging process with grace.

Agnes, the subject of Karoline Hjorth and Riita Ikonen’s winning image, certainly has no shortage of courage - she made her first parachute jump at 85, jumping a second time to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Awarded first place from the expert panel, judges commended the image’s ability to convey playfulness and understated intelligence, while feeling soulful and conveying Anges’s inner joy and inner strength.

While the expert panel awarded Agnes for her strength, Photocrowd members opted for

Capturing a great grandfather embracing a new generation, Guarav’s image was the crowd favorite. tenderness. A precious family moment captured by a stranger, Hardik Gaurav’s image titled Circle of Life was shot in a small village of Udaipur, India.

Judges said Agnes’s fearlessness had unanimous appeal, earning Hjorth & Riitta’s image top honors.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 10

Gaurav says he was completing his anthropological fieldwork when he happened upon the warm embrace of an old man and his great-grandson, the great grandfather rejoicing in the beauty of new life and the birth of a new generation. Crowd members praised the image as touching and full of emotion, as well as noting its great compositional contrast between old and young.

Perhaps the genius of Gaurav’s shot is its ability to show that the beauty of a great grandfather is just as profound as that of an infant - yet so entirely different. While the untouched beauty of a baby is born of innocence, the deep, layered beauty of aging is revealed with time.

As the decades pile up, there’s no avoiding the physical manifestations of a lifetime of decisions. When observing Agnes and Gaurav’s anonymous man from Udaipar, we see how every face of the aging tells a story. A warmth radiates from Agnes’s eyes as

the great grandfather’s expression tells of unconditional love.

What could be more beautiful than that? Perhaps someday the view of aging will emphasize that a brave and loving approach to life carves an indisputable beauty that transcends superficiality.

To view more winning images from the British Society of Gerontology and Photocrowd’s online photography contest, visit www.LifestylesAfter50.com.

How do you envision aging?

Do you have a photograph capturing aging in a new light? Submit your image, address & phone to editor@ lifestylesafter50.com or mail to Lifestyles After 50, PO Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583 by April 1st for a chance to be published in an upcoming issue maybe even on the cover!

Butterfly gardens welcome spring

This spring, create a special habitat designed to attract all kinds of butterflies, like the iconically handsome Monarch.

CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR

MEMORY?

Take an online memory test to see if you may qualify for a research study on memory loss.

By Carlene Cobb

180 species of butterflies, their natural habitats are vanishing due to rapid urhen welcoming spring, there’s ban development and climate change. nothing like a party of flora, fau- The iconically handsome Monarch sufna and fluttering butterflies that evolve fers from population decline due to the from planting a butterfly garden. As loss of its Milkweed habitat, so planting small as a container garden or as big as a Milkweed is the best known plan for prelarge plot of land, a butterfly garden can serving Monarchs as they pass through be any size, is low maintenance, and full Florida while migrating between Michiof plants native to your area. Providing gan and Mexico. The elegant Longwing a sensory feast with showy, fragrant, Zebra is also attracted to Milkweed as nectar-rich blossoms enticing butterflies well as Pentas, Blue Porterweed, Lanto dance among blooms, watching these tana, Salvia and other easy-care plants.

If you’re happy to just attract visiting plant pollinators may nurture your soul butterflies, planting nectar flowers will while they nurture the environment.

The key to a successful butterfly suffice. The butterfly’s proboscis funcgarden is to keep it simple with a little tions as a straw for sipping liquid necpreliminary planning. Discover which tar from flowers. If your goal is a habibutterfly species live in your area, which tat for butterflies to make their home, ones you wish to attract, and which you’ll need to plant host plants to give plants those species prefer. Some plants, shelter for courtship, mating and laying like the passionflower vine attract but- eggs. Host plants also provide leaves for terflies and have a calming effect on hu- hungry little caterpillars to munch while mans. Its blooms are magnificent, and its training for metamorphosis. Host plants name is irresistible. Many butterfly gar- must be free of chemical pesticides and den plants are native, ensuring they will placed with nectar flowers and some distance from your vegetable garden. grow well in Florida’s sun-baked soil.

While Florida’s blazing summer may Butterflies also need a water source, seem like it’s right around the corner, which can be as simple as a little wet experts say it’s not too late to begin ex- sand - or as fancy as a garden fountain.

Once you decide your garden’s diperimenting with butterfly gardening.

“March is a good month for planting. mensions - and the right plants to attract Frost danger is over and the days are the butterflies you desire - plant the gargetting longer,” says Robert Mertens, den where you can maintain it easily horticulture program specialist with the and see it clearly from a garden bench or University of Florida and the Institute of window. Breathe in the sweet fragrance, Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) feel the spring breeze, observe the butjoint program. Mertens works specifi- terfly dance - and enjoy. cally with the IFAS Extension in Saraso- The UF/IFAS website can help you find ta County, but says all Florida counties’ an Extension near you, where its helpful IFAS Extension offices are a great re- staff can aid you in choosing the right source for all things green and growing. butterfly plants, specific to your region.

While Florida is home to more than Visit them online at: www.ifas.ufl.edu.

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Visit www.researchformemoryloss.com

to get started.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 11

Congress and the Vatican Agree:

Stem Cell Therapy Shows Promise in Curing Diseases

By Maren Auxier Staff Writer

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tem cell therapy is gaining worldwide support from international policymakers, including the U.S. Congress and the Roman Catholic Church.

Congress passed the Stem Cell Therapeutic and Research Reauthorization Act on Dec. 16, 2015, securing stem cell industry funding for at least five more years. The Vatican followed suit, showing their support for stem cell therapy by announcing The Third International Conference on the Progress of Regenerative Medicine and its Cultural Impact, scheduled to be held within the Vatican on Apr. 28-30, 2016.

“It remains one of the best kept secrets in America that umbilical cord blood stem cells and adult stem cells in general are curing a myriad of terrible conditions and diseases in adults as well as children,” said U.S. Representative Chris Smith (R-Hamilton, NJ).1 The Vatican released a similar statement on the benefits of regenerative medicine.

“The new field of regenerative medicine holds great promise to alleviate the pain and suffering for hundreds of millions of people around the world.

We must unite to discover and advance such new

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 12

therapies, and find ways to bring them to all those in need,” said Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture.2 Regenerative medicine offers patients alternatives to traditional invasive or chemical treatments, helping people with multiple sclerosis, blindness, rheumatoid arthritis and lung disease.

Lung disease is the third-leading cause of death in America, yet traditional treatment options have not changed in 30 years. The advent of stem cell therapy represents the greatest advancement in decades for those suffering from degenerative lung disease.

The Lung Institute helps treat lung disease by harvesting stem cells from a patient’s own body in a minimally invasive outpatient procedure. While current stem cell treatments are not considered a cure for lung disease, they have been shown to improve quality of life. A white paper recently released by the Lung Institute reports 84% 3 of COPD patients who received stem cell therapy saw an improvement in quality of life, and many saw improved pulmonary function.

While the field of regenerative medicine is relatively new, it has made great strides in a short period of time and shows great potential to revolutionize the healthcare industry.

International policymakers like the Vatican & U.S. Congress are calling for advancements in regenerative medicine after seeing positive outcomes.

The Lung Institute is an innovative leader of regenerative medicine dedicated to providing stem cell therapies and other regenerative treatments for lung diseases. To learn more about this state-of-the-art facility and its internationally recognized physicians, call (855) 313-1150 or visit the Lung Institute online at www.LungInstitute.com/lifestyles.

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http://chrissmith.house.gov/news/documentsingle. aspx?DocumentID=398635 2 http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vatican-announcesthird-regenerative-medicine-conference/ 3 https:/lunginstitute.com/resources

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 13

Honor and Evolve Irish Soda Bread Try this humble vegan twist on a traditional Irish favorite

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f you’re hosting St. Patrick’s Day dinner this year and you want to add a little festive flair, few things are more Irish than soda bread. With a history spanning over two centuries, this traditional specialty was born of the ingenuity of the Irish with only minimal ingredients, equipment and experience at their disposal. In fact, the first loaf of soda bread - believed to have debuted in the mid-1800s - consisted of little more than flour, salt, milk and of course, baking soda. Providing a quick, convenient, and reliable leavener, baking soda was simple to work with and easy to store, producing a better-tasting bread that quickly became a staple of the Irish diet.

Over the next two centuries, soda bread spread throughout the world, with its ingredients undergoing an evolution.

What was once a major 19th century bread upgrade turned classic Irish standard is now made with everything from dried fruits, herbs and seeds of all kinds.

One popular version is made with sugar, raisins and caraway seeds - resembling a dessert far more than a basic bread -

while some purists still swear by the original ingredients only.

In an effort to honor the Irish tradition, we opted for a (mostly) traditional version of the bread - except that it’s vegan friendly. With so many different diet restrictions to accomodate, this vegan version stays true to the small number of ingredients and allows all your guests to indulge, regardless of dietary need. Besides, with the addition of spinach turning this Irish soda bread green, who can resist such a guaranteed conversation starter?

Vegan Green Irish Soda Bread • 1½ cups all purpose flour • 1½ cups whole wheat flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • ¾ teaspoon baking powder • 1 teaspoon sea salt • 1 cup nondairy milk • 4 teaspoons apple cider vinegar • 125 grams fresh spinach (approx. two cups, packed) • caraway seeds (to sprinkle on top)

Instructions: • Preheat oven to 425°F. Combine flours, baking soda, baking powder, & salt in large bowl; set aside.

• Blend nondairy milk, vinegar, and spinach leaves in a blender until completely smooth. Pour all but about 1 tbsp. of blended mix into flour. Stir into the flour using a spatula - just until combined.

• Divide the dough into thirds, making small, six-inch loaves.

Toss extra flour on the dough, then transfer uncooked loaves to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

• Flatten them slightly so they bake evenly, then slash an “X” onto the tops with a knife - just a surface slash. Brush remaining tbsp. of blended mixture on the loaves, then sprinkle caraway seeds on top. Bake for 30 min. (until bottoms are slightly brown and tops feel crusty).

• Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool. Keep the loaves tender by throwing a clean dish towel over them so they cool. Enjoy w/ vegan butter, preserves, or olive oil.

Notes: • If you’d rather bake one large loaf, make the bake time a bit longer. Just watch them after 30 min. and bake until slightly browned on top & bottom.

• Because this bread lacks any added fats, it’s best served the day it’s made.

• If you can’t find caraway seeds to sprinkle on top of the loaves, rolled oats or sunflower seeds are great alternatives.

• If you aren’t crazy about the spinach, it’s totally fine to skip it - just add a ¼ cup of nondairy milk in its place.

Recipe source: LandsAndFlavors.com

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Get Tech Savvy: 2016 Guide to Technology March: Can You Train Your Brain?

Y

ou spend hours in the gym, maintaining your physique and warding off illness, doing your part to strengthen your muscles and prevent physical decline. As research reveals that the brain acts like a muscle - in that it gets stronger with practice - scientists have been able to show just how the brain grows and gets stronger with educational activity. Much like physical activity, when we engage in intellectually challenging exercises, our brains really do change and grow - and the research shows our brains are capable of forming new neural pathways well into our 80s.

For this month’s technology feature, we searched for products with sound scientific research confirming any product claims of cognitive benefit. What we found was certainly intriguing - and begs the question - can we really outsmart aging with a little technology? Here’s to finding out...

Improve the visual processing skills needed for safe driving with DriveSharp software.

Think faster on the road DriveSharp, by Posit Science Backed by the AAA foundation, DriveSharp is a software program that claims to be clinically proven in helping drivers see more, react faster, and cut crash risk by improving visual processing speed and accuracy through simple games. After completing a “current crash risk” assessment, you are prescribed a pair of visual memory games and assessment tests that evolve just as you begin to master them, evidently making you a safer and better driver on the real road. (DriveSharp; $139; $99 for AAA Members).

Let new hearing aid restore brain function by lowering cognitive load BrainHearing Technology, Oticon Ironically, the point of BrainHearing is to circumvent training your brain. When a regular hearing aid passes input to your brain, it’s not recognized as human speech, requiring you to exert significant cognitive resources to essentially relearn how to hear. New BrainHearing technology maintains the known quality of human speech by modifying only the parts of the signal you don’t hear well, so it is recognized as normal auditory input. The result is better hearing with less effort, freeing up cognitive resources to be used for other tasks. Reputable studies report better memory recall and faster speech processing after three weeks of BrainHearing use. (www.OticonUSA.com).

Navigate the brain fitness market SharpBrains.com The emerging cognitive fitness market can be a bit overwhelming. It can be extremely difficult for an everyday consumer to make sense of phrases like “scientifically proven to increase memory recall” and when Lumosity, one of the biggest names in the business gets hit with a $2 million lawsuit for making false claims about its benefits, it’s easy to want to nix the industry entirely. Insert SharpBrains, an independent market research firm tracking all of the brain fitness industry. With product reviews and consumer guides explaining the latest in brain fitness research, SharpBrains will help you find a product you can actually believe in. As a bonus, they actually have awesome free puzzles on their site too! .

Frantz EyeCare offers Total Eye Care ...for a lifetime of better vision

By Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS Medical Director, Frantz Eye Care

a Medical and Surgical Retina specialist, focus on treating people with macular degeneration, diaam one of the top five betic eye disease and other Bladeless Laser Catadiseases of the retina and ract surgeons in the counvitreous. try and have the privilege Dr. William Ehrlich has exof heading up an incredible tensive experience in eyelid team of multidisciplinary, and cosmetic surgery, derfellowship-trained spemal fillers,true tumescent licialists at Frantz EyeCposuction, fat grafting, natuare who are committed to ral breast augmentation and your total eye care needs. Dr. Jonathan M. Frantz laser skin resurfacing.

Dr. Jeffrey Robin, our LASIK and Our seven optometrists are experts Dry Eye Specialist, is one of our at routine eye exams, eyeglass and country’s top 1% of LASIK surgeons. contact lens prescriptions, and postDr. George Corrent specializes in the operative care of our patients. To treatment and diagnosis of corneal dis- schedule an appointment at Frantz eases, eye infections and cataracts and is EyeCare, visit www.BetterVision.net listed in Castle Connolly Top Doctors. or call (239)418-0999.

Dr. Shawn Khan completed a Glaucoma Fellowship at the world-renowned Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, is Wills Eye Hospital and specializes in named in The Guide to America’s Top advanced medical, laser and surgical Ophthalmologists. He and his team of management of glaucoma. doctors at Frantz EyeCare treat paDr. Robert Sherman, a Medical Ret- tients in Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, Punina specialist, and Dr. Oren Plous, ta Gorda, Lehigh Acres, and Naples.

I

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 15

Season’s Peak: A simple guide to Florida’s fresh spring produce E

verybody knows Florida is famous for its citrus - and rightly so - but believe it or not, plenty of other delicious produce grows in the Sunshine State. With a tropical climate that stretches the growing season to year-round, Florida is not only a major source of winter produce for much of the eastern U.S., locals find it endlessly ripe for the picking. From tomatoes to watermelons, here are our tips on how to pick what, and when, helping you make the most of Florida’s fresh produce this spring.

MARCH

APRIL

MAY

Tomatoes. Nothing beats the first ripe tomato of the year. Besides being juicy and delicious, tomatoes help regulate bllod sugar thanks to high levels of chromium.

Tips when you pick: Select fragrant, firm, blemish-free fruit that feels heavy for its size. To maintain maximum flavor, don’t store your tomatoes below 55º.

Watermelon. They say it’s a fruit and a vegetable, but with powerful levels of the cancer-fighting antioxidant lycopene, we love this sweet treat no matter what it is.

Tips when you pick: Select a well-shaped, smooth, neither dull nor shiny-skinned melon with a creamy yellow underbelly - those without a yellow patch may have been picked too early. Keep at room temperature to raise lycopene levels by 20%.

Mango. One of the most internationallyloved fruits, the mango is a great addition to any salad, and works magic as a marinade.

Tips when you pick: To determine ripeness, give it a squeeze - it should give a little. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Blueberries. Powerful heart protectors, blueberries’ potassium, folate and vitamin C and B6 all support heart health, and the fruit’s fiber helps lower cholesterol.

Tips when you pick: Select berries that are completely blue, without any tinge of red and avoid any that are soft, watery or moldy. Store in the fridge, but they taste best when served at room temperature.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 16

Carrot. Besides containing more beta-carotene than any other vegetable, carrots are also considered one of the best for healthy minerals.

Tips when you pick: Look for crisp leaves and no mold; avoiding those with cracks, nicks or soft spots. Keep refrigerated.

Grapefruit. You know we had to include a citrus. This tangy Florida favorite is packed with potassium and even a little fiber.

Tips when you pick: A good one is heavy for its size and has a smooth, firm, glossy peel. A thinner rind means sweeter contents.

Find more great tips on 70 varieties of produce in Teri Pizza’s new book Simplicity of Fresh Produce, available at www.Amazon.com. Teri resides in Ocala.

The Female Face of Florida Don’t Drain Women’s History Month honors the often forgotten A

mericans have always loved a good hero. From Lewis and Clark to Martin Luther King Jr., the inspiring stories of those who dared to dream have motivated countless successive achievements born of a desire to keep “dreaming” alive. While the feats of our nation’s male heroes are legendary, women’s contributions are often shortchanged - if not overlooked completely. To help fill that void, and offer beacons of hope for young girls seeking relatable heroines, Congress sought to highlight the missing pieces of American history by declaring March as National Women’s History Month in 1987. In Florida, females contributed much to the state’s history, from important advocacy efforts to saving a culture existing long before the European conquest. Here are a few defining female faces of Florida’s unique and colored history.

Addie Billie, 1989. Seminole Addie Billie sat for this portrait in old age, after decades of working to improve the Mikasuki-Seminoles’ quality of life. Her predecessors were firmly established in Florida during the 1800s when the newly created United States desired total removal of them from the territory. Although the Seminoles resisted the forced removal - even fighting multiple wars in an attempt to stand their ground - thousands were forced West and only a small population remained in Florida by migrating to southernmost part of the territory. In the century that followed, Seminole culture all but disappeared, until people like Billie campaigned for better reservation conditions and made the difficult choice to revive Seminole culture by adapting to and partcipating in the Florida tourism industry. Seen here wearing traditional Seminole jewelry, lifelong advocate Addie Billie reminds us of the rich history that existed long before the state of Florida.

Your Estate

By Steven J. Gibbs

Hello Friends & Colleagues! Long term medical care costs can drain your estate faster than a Florida sinkhole. Even if you’ve taken the admirable step of setting up a complete estate plan, you may not have adequate protection.

Probably the most common “estate distribution” is “everything goes to my spouse.” But in the world of long term medical care planning, this simplistic approach could lead to a disastrous result for the following reasons.

For couples, if one spouse needs long-term medical care, the marital assets can be transferred to the “well spouse” and a few other steps can be taken to qualify the “ill spouse” for Medicaid. If the well spouse passes away, this entire process can be “undone” without proper planning.

Worse yet, spouses in Florida cannot be “disinherited” so even if the well spouse attempts to disinherit the ill spouse in order to keep them quali-

fied, this may be challenged under the state’s “elective share” laws.

Spousal planning through proper use of the “elective share” and a “special needs trust” can eliminate the uncertainty and provide an effective approach to allow the ill spouse ongoing qualification for benefits.

In a nutshell, the “elective share” can be placed in a “special needs trust” for the ill spouse allowing the ill spouse to remain qualified for long term medical care benefits. This proactive approach is only one of many potential options to be considered with your elder law attorney.

Gibbs Law Office focuses on estate planning issues, including Elder Law, Medicaid and Special Needs planning with offices in Ft. Myers, Cape Coral, & Estero areas. To learn more, call (239) 415-7495 or visit www.GibbsLawFL.com/blog.

May Mann Jennings, 1901. Proof we learn from our mistakes, May Mann Jennings was nothing short of prolific in her activism efforts, participating in everything from the preservation initiatives concerning the Everglades National Park to improving the educational and living conditions of the Seminole Indian reservations.

The wife of William Sherman Jennings, Mrs. Jennings utilized her position to make incredible contributions to Florida’s social and political history as well - she cofounded the Florida League of Women Voters, campaigned for women’s suffrage, and supported countless other progressive causes, such as better treatment of children and prisoners, education funding, historic preservation and even highway beautification efforts.

Mary McLeod Bethune, 1915. Equal parts educator, politician and social visionary, Bethune was so committed to improving the lives of AfricanAmericans, she was often referred to as “The First Lady of the Struggle.” Devoting her entire career to African-American empowerment, her big accomplishment in Florida was founding a school in Daytona Beach that has since evolved into BethuneCookman College. As her career advanced, she greeted the national stage as president of the National Council of Negro Women, was appointed as a top official of the National Youth Administration

by President Roosevelt and then as a delegate of the founding conference of the United Nations by President Truman. It’s not hard to see why in 1982, she was inducted to the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame.

8695 College Parkway, Suite #2330 Fort Myers, FL 33919 www.GibbsLawFL.com Phone: 239-415-7495 E-mail: info@gibbslawFl.com Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 17

Softball Over 60: Still Going Strong Thanks to one snowbird’s vision, softball-loving seniors have a league all their own.

By Bill Levy

A

t 90 years old, Ray Tibbs knows a thing or two about softball. Over a decade ago, when this Ohio native turned snowbird began wintering in Fort Myers, he was quite excited to join a 60+ softball league in his new seasonal hometown, but he quickly discovered a gaping void in the local softball community. Sure, Fort Myers has an over 50 league, but Tibbs wanted a place where older players of any age would feel welcome.

“There was no place to play,” Tibbs lamented, referring to the complete lack of 60+ leagues in Fort Myers and Cape Coral back then. A decade may not seem like a lot in many aspects of life, but as Tibbs so plainly explains, “Ten years makes a big difference in softball.”

Never one to give up, Tibbs decided if there wasn’t already a 60+ league, he’d just have to make one.

12 years later, the Ray Tibbs 60+ Senior Softball League is still going strong, with a full schedule of play in the winter months. The league currently has six teams that play at Shady Oaks Park in Fort Myers on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during the months of January, February and March. With many of its players from Florida, the league is also comprised of seasonal residents from as many as 16 different states and Canada, according to Tibbs. As far as the professionalism and organization of the league, Tibbs did plenty of leg work

to get all of his bases covered - each team in the league has a manager, he ensures all teams have a pitcher and a catcher before the rest of the roster is filled, and he schedules the players to act as umpires for each other’s games. The league rents the field from the city of Fort Myers, and there is a $55.00 fee per player. Tibbs says compared to golf, it’s still very small, but it’s a great time for all - and very inclusive.

“We have players of all abilities,” he shares. “Some good and some not so good. It’s a chance for enjoyment and exercise, and you’re meeting people who like the game like you do. It’s a friendly competition. When playing you may forget about any problems you have.”

Seasonal Fort Myers resident Mike Ecker, 66, agrees with Tibbs about the social benefits of the league.

“It is a good group of guys,” says Ecker, who lives half the year in Wisconsin. “You meet different people.”

Creating opportunities for socializing was definitely part of Tibbs vision for the league, an aspect he ensured by adding a rotation so players don’t stay on the same team forever.

Neil Fountain says this is one of his favorite parts of the league. “I like the rotation,” he said. “You have different players on your team every year. You’re never stuck with the same teammates.”

In addition to the league’s friendliness and professionalism, it also boasts a welcoming spirit that makes

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 18

it easy for any man over 60 to join - in fact, all you have to do is ask.

“I was just driving around,” says Steve Johnson, who moved to southwest Florida from Canada. “It looked like fun. I asked if I could join and they said ‘sure.’”

Longtime league members say there’s one main reason the league has been so successful - the devotion and kindness of its dedicated founder.

“Ray Tibbs is such a positive, enthusiastic, caring person,” says yet another league member, Dick Dodge.

“I am proud to call him my friend.”

For those on the fence about joining, Dodge encourages them to take the leap, revealing the league’s best part of all - it makes you feel like a kid again.

For more information on the Ray Tibbs 60+ Softball League, call Ray Tibbs at (239) 246-2632.

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A garden of healing Why (and which) herbs deserve your gardening time and space

S

ince the dawn of our species, humans have looked to plants for healing. Belief in the medicinal properties of foods have surfaced in many early writings of man, and Hippocrates is frequently quoted as having said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”

With inarguable assets to the cooking process, herbs have long been revered for culinary reasons, sought after by chefs looking to enhance and enliven the flavor of an intricate dish.

Plants offering both culinary enrichment and quantifiable health benefits belong in any garden, says Certified Nutritionist Specialist Alisha Chasey.

“Herbs are so good for your health because they are loaded with antioxidants and phytochemicals,” she explains.

“These properties help with everything from fighting wrinkles to preventing chronic diseases, and you can use them in countless ways; from creating natural skin creams to medicinal teas. Upon a deeper investigation of herbs, you’ll

find they aren’t an obselete health treatment either - over 100 of them are used in modern pharmaceuticals. When it comes to herbs, the nutritional benefits really are huge.”

Obviously, thinking of “herbs” in general terms is not as helpful as knowing which herb heals which ailment, and which herbs will flourish in Florida’s unique climate. Here are a few picks for herbs that are easy to grow in Florida and heavy on the healing properties.

Coriander: helps regulate blood sugar This healing herb stimulates the endocrine glands, naturally increasing insulin secretion at a slow, steady pace. This helps decrease blood sugar levels safely by prompting better assimilation and absorption of sugar. For those with diabetes, coriander is very beneficial because it helps stave off the dangerous spikes and drops in blood sugar levels diabetes is known for, while helping ensure other normal metabolic functions as well.

Ginger: the ultimate digestive aid With unrivaled digestive healing properties, ginger can not only knock out nausea, prevent bloating and decrease gas, it also combats both morning sickness and motion sickness. The secret of this pungent herb is ginger’s ability to calm the intestinal tract, thereby actually stimulating digestion. By relaxing the muscles of your digestive system, ginger effectively allows them to return to work.

Mint: eases respiratory problems With its unmistakable aroma, mint is very effective in clearing up congestion of the nose, throat and lungs, giving great relief for respiratory disorders that often result from asthma and the common cold. As mint cools and soothes the respiratory channels, it relieves the irritation responsible for chronic coughing and discomfort. Word of caution: One of the easiest herbs to grow, be sure to plant it in a confined space to avoid letting it take over your whole garden.

Grow your own medicine with an herb garden.

Alisha Chasey earned her Masters in Nutrition, is a Registered Dietitian, Certified Nutrition Specialist and owner of Innocent Indulgence in Naples. Her passion is coaching you to experience radiant living through optimal wellness by making “healthy” daily, delicious & doable - and by revealing that true health encompasses the spirit, mind and body. Learn more at Innocentindulgence.net.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 19

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 20

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Tee off to wellness by keeping your swing strong in spring G

olf has often been considered a low-impact physical activity without great risk for injury - but damage to the ankle, knee, hip and wrist are often caused by the sport. While injuries are common, they’re also avoidable if you play it safe. Take the proper measures to keep your swing strong this spring by incorporating exercises that help build your muscles and reduce the likelihood of injury.

Golfer’s elbow, known as medical epicondylitis, is among the leading injuries for golfers. An inflammation of the tendons that attach your forearm muscles to the end of the arm bone in the elbow area, the injury is caused by a tight grip on the golf club and frequent repetitive motions that result in tendon damage from overuse, leaving you with a painful and tender elbow.

You can combat the development of golfer’s elbow by incorporating a few precautionary steps into your golf routine. First and foremost, stretching is essential - focus on shoulders, back and legs. Stretching before tee time will best help your body to promote a fluid and full range of motion for your golf swing, and once you have warmed up and stretched, hit the driving range to practice your drive.

One of the most successful ways to prevent golfer’s elbow is to strengthen the muscles in your forearm and slow your golf swing so that your arm absorbs less shock upon hitting the golf ball. For best results, try the following exercises from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: • Squeeze a tennis ball. Squeezing an old tennis ball for five minutes is a simple, effective exercise that will strengthen your forearm muscles.

• Wrist curls. Use a lightweight dumbbell. Lower the weight to the end of your fingers, and then curl the weight back into your palm, followed by curling up your wrist to lift the weight an inch or two higher.

Perform 10 repetitions with one arm, and then repeat with the other arm.

• Reverse wrist curls. Use a lightweight dumbbell. Place your hands in front of you, palm side down. Using your wrist, lift the weight up and down. Hold the arm that you are exercising above your elbow with your other hand to limit any forearm motion. Perform 10 repetitions using each arm.

Incorporating these exercises into your regular routine will ensure your body is prepared to tee off this spring.

A habit of warming up and strengthening your muscles before your next golf game will not only give you an edge on the course, it will also help keep your body happy, healthy and hopefully injury-free.

Many common sports injuries offer warning signs like swelling, reduced range of motion, numbness, tingling, muscle tenderness and joint pain. When caught early, simple treatments such as resting, applying hot or cold compresses and taking over-thecounter pain relievers are often enough to improve symptoms. If pain persists, more intensive therapies, such as antiinflammatory medications, injections or physical therapy may be required.

Other more serious problems require arthroscopic diagnosis and surgical options may be considered.

Athletic Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center (AORC) orthopedic specialists are well-versed in treating pain from golf or other sports-related injuries. With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, AORC is devoted to providing quality care and treatment of the musculoskeletal system which includes your bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. AORC specializes in total joint replacement, fracture care, sports medicine, hand surgery, neurology, podiatry and general orthopedics. To learn more, call (239)936-6778 or visit Bone-Fix.com.

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Four Tips to Get Your Biggest Refund Yet

I

t’s that time again...time to start filing your taxes. One of life’s few unavoidable events, taxes are notorious for not being much fun, often prompting a cringe and a small headache at the mere mention of them. With all the rules and regulations, deductions and credits, its easy to let tax-filing get you down, but since we all have to file, there’s nothing sweeter than getting a big fat refund check from the government. If you’re wondering how to max out that refund - within the limits of the law of course here are our tips for collecting your biggest tax return yet.

1

File early. As soon as you’ve received all your tax forms in the mail, make it a priority to file online right away. The sooner you e-file with direct deposit the sooner you receive your refund check, allowing you to put it to good use. For instance, if you racked some hefty holiday debt buying too many Christmas gifts, use your refund to pay off your balance and halt the accruing of interest charges. Filing early is also a great way to protect yourself against identity theft, because once you file, it’s far more difficult for someone to try to steal your identity with a false return. If you file late and your identity is compromised, even if you sort it out with the IRS it could take months to resolve the issue, leaving you out in the cold with no refund check for far longer than you ever expected.

2

Don’t be afraid to claim a dependent. In these stressful economic times, it’s becoming more and more common for children (and their children) to return to the nest - often depending on Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 22

you for a large part of their livelihood.

Your best chance of receiving a dependent exemption of $4,000, which is deducted from your income, is if you’ve been supporting a relative, especially since they don’t even need to live with you to qualify. If it’s a non-relative, you can still get a deduction if he/she lived with you for an entire year, provides less than half his/her own support and doesn’t earn over $4,000 in income.

3

Explore the potential benefit of itemizing your deductions. Tax season pressure may tempt you to opt for the standard deduction set by the IRS ($6,300 for singles and $12,600 for married couples - with thousands more set for those over 65, blind or widowed) without a second thought, there are many instances where itemizing makes far more sense. With countless deductions like home ownership, charitable donations, unreimbursed business expenses, and medical expenses may push you far beyond the standard set deduction, entitling you to a larger refund.

4

Maximize your IRA contributions.

Many people think by the time January 1 rolls around, it’s too late to influence last year’s tax situation. In most cases this is true, but not with an IRA - you have until April 15th to open a traditional IRA for the previous tax year. Since traditional IRA contributions reduce your taxable income, take advantage of the maximum contribution. Also, if you contributed to a Roth IRA, you may be able to claim the retirement savings contribution credit, further lowering your taxable income...which could result in your largest refund check to date.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 23

Making a Connection In a digital age, Gulfport’s “Senior Chat Room” proves the timeless benefits of socializing in person.

W

hile plenty of people enjoy their solitude, nobody likes to feel lonely. Social creatures by nature, loneliness goes against our very biology and the comfort of a social group may literally save lives.

After years of owning a home care business where she would routinely check up on single and widowed aging adults, Carol Ehrenkranz witnessed the realities of loneliness - and says its effects are all too real.

“I would see endless seniors who were nearly homebound because they had no one to experience life with,” she recalls. “I kept dreaming of giving them something to do to get out of the house something to let them know they didn’t have to feel alone.”

With nothing but a plan and a prayer, Carol says she approached the Gulfport Senior Center and asked for support in hosting what she calls a Senior Chat Room. A play on the idea that modern society is evolving away from the face-toface communication that defined social-

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 24

izing for previous generations, the Senior Chat Room was devised as a way to get people connected in person again.

“My goal was just to get people engaged, really,” she explains. “Every week we meet for an hour or so and I bring a topic or an article to discuss, an or we just open the floor if someone needs support or advice.” Free to attend, the Senior Chat Room hosts about 15 people every Friday from 2 - 3:15 p.m., and the only requirement is an open mind.

“Every week is different and exciting,” Carol shares. “We tell jokes, we share stories, we solve riddles, we even host birthday parties. It’s really just an hour to have fun and meet people you may have never met.”

Chat room attendee Eva Morison says she loves the intellectual stimulation the meeting offers. “Carol gives us brain teasers that really make us think, and we recently had Gulfport’s first Poet laureate speak at the group. It’s exciting to be challenged again,” she says.

Eva says she loves the face-to-face

Arda and Arlene fell in love at the Senior Chat Room

communication, and as a widow, the opportunity to make so many new friends.

“It has definitely helped me get back out there because I really have fun when I go. I always leave feeling uplifted.” she shares. “It’s like having a whole room full of people who care about you.”

For a lucky few, the Senior Chat Room has led to more than just a friendship; but one final romance.

“Arda and Arlene’s love story was so precious,” Carol recalls. “Arda was 97 when he met 94 year old Arlene at the Chat Room. They really did fall in love, and spent every living moment together

until he passed at 101. It’s amazing to think they met right here in our group.”

What originally seemed like a small way for Carol to help her little slice of the world has turned out to be so much more, as the chat room celebrates its sixth anniversary of bringing seniors together and creating community.

“It’s pretty amazing how far we’ve come,” says Carol.

Join the Senior Chat Room every Friday at 2 p.m., at the Gulfport Senior Center, located at 5501 27 Ave. S., in Gulfport. To learn more, email Carol Ehrenkranz at rentahand@yahoo.com.

Seniors Getting Together WOMEN SEEKING MEN

4509 SWEET W.W. ISO W gentleman, attractive, Italian, American or Jewish.

4119 SEEKING CHRISTIAN SOH, NS, ND, NDrg, HMP, R, FF, P, TLC. GENTLEMAN Former airline Ages 75 – 79. I am 5’3”, 150 lbs, red hair, stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., blue eyes, compassionate, romantic, widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in likes to travel. Please send recent photo. healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats Port Charlotte area. healthy and exercises. Likes sports and 4515 WF, WW, 65, NS, SD, NDrg, animals. Loves the Lord. Florida.

SOH, enjoys local events, flea markets, 4486 FORMER NATIONAL MODEL, backyard BBG, etc. ISO WM with similar healthy W, F, 62, 5’6”, 140 lbs, long interests for LTR, FF. Let’s get together. blonde hair, blue eyes, great figure, Cape Coral/Fort Myers. many interests, can relocate. ISO w, 4520 H, F, looking to start a Golden s, m, NS, SD, NDrg, compassionate, Girls house in Cape Coral. I am 65, still romantic, intelligent “one woman man.” working full time but would like the LTR, marriage, serious only, letter/photo. company. Must like pets. Please NS, SD, Madeira Beach area.

SOH, females only.

4497 SEEKING FRIENDSHIP Are you an MEN SEEKING WOMEN honest, caring, W, widower, early 80’s? 4452 MAN, 71, NS, SD Likes music, I am WW, R, P, SD, attractive, SOH, 5’5”, movies, books, plants, animals, evening HWP, enjoy walking, music, art, sports classes. ISO woman, 55 – 72, NS, NDrg, fan, dancing, iPad games and family. SD for FF, who looks good in shorts or a Reply with telephone number. Estero/ skirt, likes bicycle riding, kissing, touching, Bonita Springs area. hugging, going out to a pub for a bite & 4521 W, widow, 5’5”, 132 lbs., late light social drinking. Port Charlotte area.

70’s. Wants to meet W, widower, late 4499 THE WHOLE NINE YARDS. ISO 70’s – early 80’s. I am R, P, intelligent, LTR, non judgmental, SOH, free spirit, yes attractive, great SOH, NS, SD. Enjoy literate, enjoys water, kayak, canoe, music, sports, reading, walking. Please sailing, swimming. Likes to walk, ride respond with telephone number. bicycle, explore the inner and outer

worlds, toned, yoga, into foreign films, theatre, concert, art, ballet, someone to talk to, organic, non GMO, gluten free.

4498 NEW TO FLORIDA. W, M, 70 YO, enjoys sports, movies, dinners, music and having fun. Honest, NS, SD, NDrg. ISO lady, fun-loving with similar interests. Fort Myers area.

4526 – W, M, WW, C, NS, SD, NDrg, SOH, 73 young, 5’11”, 190 lbs, good condition, daily workout, brown hair, blue eyes, easy going. ISO lady, enjoys travels, movies, sports, dining, reading, talks, walks, 60 – 70 LTR. Letter/Photo.Cape Coral area.

4532 – MAN, NS, SD. Active 91, too healthy to qualify for assisted living community. Living alone in a big house.

Seeking lady, NS, SD, 65 – 75 to live rent and board free in return for cooking and housekeeping.Private BR, bath, den Commonly Used Abbreviations: F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WW-Widow, 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, SMSmokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrgNo Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.

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Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed below. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 25

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 28

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

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

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

March Sudoku

Question: Which two states do not observe Daylight Saving Time?

Your Answer: Send in the correct answer to be entered in a drawing to win a prize each month!

Deadline for entries: Mar. 16, 2016. Drawing held Mar. 20, 2016.

Name Address City

State

Email

Phone Mail to: Lifestyles After 50, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL, 33583

Betty Vandemark from North Port is last month’s winner!

The answer was: Mars (and/or Venus)

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D N T O S W O S F U E O Fern Riley is last month’s A E D D T H J D P S V R winner!

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WORD SEARCHMarch Word Search

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

Click on the Trivia Palooza button and answer a Trivia question each week for a chance to win a prize at the end of each month.

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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.

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

Good luck!

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The first correct answers selected from the drawing on March 20 will win.

MYSTERY PRIZE!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

MYSTERY PRIZE!

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

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 27

3 1 4 5 8 9 6 2 7

2 5 7 6 4 1 3 8 9

Grow Like a Pro: Your Monthly Guide to Florida Gardening

By Amanda Smith

F

or gardeners in the northeastern U.S., March is a time of earnest preparation.

Still shoveling snow, they anxiously await the equinox, when spring officially begins and the renewal of plant life whispers in the wind. Meanwhile, with lush trees already in bloom, and the heat of the tropics casting off any last chance for frost, garden life for Floridians runs on quite a different calendar.

With a far longer growing season and a much warmer climate, Florida greets its new gardeners with unique growing conditions, while also yeilding unique treasures from its soil. To make things even more complicated, the University of Florida actually divides the state of Florida into three separate gardening climate zones: North Florida, Central Florida and South Florida (for our guide’s purposes, we’ve decided to focus on the zones’ similarities). If you’d really like to maximize

your growing potential specific to your Florida home’s region, your best bet is to keep a record of the temperatures all year and install a rain gauge to measure weekly, monthly and annual rainfall. Over time, the journal will help you become intimately acquainted with your new climate, making you a master at selecting just what to plant - and when.

While many Floridians plant most of their seeds in the fall, there’s really plenty to do in the garden year-round. From planting your figs in January to pruning your tropical fruit trees in July, making the most of a garden in the Sunshine State is quite an art form. To help you perfect your craft, we’ve put together a secret weapon for your green thumb - our 2016 Florida Gardening Guide. Designed in calendar form for new and seasoned gardeners alike, it contains a few solid suggestions of gardening tasks for each month - helping you celebrate all that makes gardening in Florida so special. For an in-depth take on the tips below, visit www.LifestylesAfter50.com

Packing the box itself is such a task that the ScanMyPhotos website provides photos of the right and wrong ways to pack up the pictures.

PLANT edible, Middle Eastern figs

WATER your lawn an inch weekly

CHANGE your mower’s oil & air filter

ORDER fall garden vegetable seeds

TRIM raspberry canes to ground level after fruiting

FINISH planting potatoes in raised beds w/ well-drained soil

EXPERIMENT w/ quick maturing varieties of cucumbers & zucchini

START seeds of warm season plants like papaya, spinach & okra

SHARPEN pruning tools for summer

PURCHASE hurricanes tracking charts

REPOT cramped plants in large pots

ORDER your fertilizer now for fall

CHECK the lawn for bad patches indicating insect problems

AVOID overheating by hydrating & gardening early in the day

MOVE your birdhouses’ locations to attract new visitors

START planting heat-tolerant veggies like cabbage & carrots

TEST your soil for vital nutrients

PREPARE your beds for rosebushes

SCOUT for pest problems regularly

CHECK frost-protection supplies

PLANT bushes, small perennials & cool-season annual flowers

WATER your soil every 2-3 days for newly planted strawberries

REPLACE warm-season annuals with poppies & carnations

SOW seeds of peas when days cool down to the 70’s

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 28

The Voices of Lifestyles After 50: “Share Your Story” winner Adele-Ida Walter

Recently we asked readers to share personal stories about life’s turning points, reflecting on their lessons and profound implications. The compelling story sent in by Adele-Ida Walter is an incredible tale of gaining a paradigm shift from the unexpected. Thank you to all readers who participated - we hope you will continue to “Share Your Story.” - Amanda Smith, Editor

By Adele Ida Walter

A

huge turning point in my life came one morning as I was rushing to work in New York City. I came upon a very inebriated homeless person, begging me to help him. I was already late to the office, and close to a Catholic church, so I told the man to go there for assistance. At lunchtime, I decided to walk to the church and see what had happened. Then I saw a crowd as well as the police gathered around the body of a man who had been killed trying to cross the street. It was him! As I looked down at what remained of a human being that I perhaps could have saved, all of my priorities changed. Was being on time for a job I did not even like more important than helping another human being in need? The answer was obvious.

That event was well over 50 years ago, and I have never walked by a street person since. Later, when I worker as

an administrative secretary to a United States Judge in Foley Square, I took at least one lunch hour each week to walk the Bowery and offer help and suggestions to street people living there, most of whom were merely on alcohol then but, admittedly, with drugs as they are now, would be more dangerous to approach.

About one out of twenty listened and actually applied for help or signed in at Bellevue Psychiatric Hospital where I volunteered one evening a week; several of them even let me know how their lives were going, stopped drinking, and actually began living productive lives again.

A mistake in judgment made me a better person. I am now 81 and still do a lot of volunteering, especially with the Parkinson’s group as the person I love best in the world is afflicted with it and very ill.

It is a great gift to be 81 and still be able to do things to make the lives of other people better. As I do whatever deeds I do, I often think of a man I never really knew.

March Horoscope: Pisces and Aries Pisces: Two Fish (Feb. 23 - Mar. 20) April is all about balance.

Find the link between mind and body - recognize how much your mental attitude impacts your health. A stronger mental attitude may be what you need to work on rather than focusing solely on your body. Obsessing over one element, i.e. fitness or diet or medicating at the expense of others leads to major imbalance. Be more balanced in minding body, mind and soul..

Aries: The Ram (Mar. 21 - Apr. 22) This is a great time to get a grip on your financial affairs. Be more aware of how your money works. It is a good month to invest, but focus more on managing outflows better. Find find better deals for services you pay for in business or at home. If you earnestly evaluate how you manage your time you could be more productive. For more horoscopes visit LifestylesAfter50.com.

Love and renewal had by all at Lifestyles After 50’s February Fun Fest L

ast month in Bradenton, Lifestyles After 50 hosted a very special Fun Fest celebrating all of the wonders of love. A grand success for both attendees and exhibitors, the event was a day filled with music, fun and romance.

Guests enjoyed many of the greatest love songs of all time as Denise Looney, the DJ with a Twist, played a full set of romantic favorites. Fun Fest attendees even enjoyed a live performance by our favorite crooner, Jimmy Mazz.

Our vendors enjoyed welcoming customers, known and new, with valuable products, services and great giveaways.

By far, the most magical part of the day was the “Renewal of Love” ceremony, beautifully led by Reverend Georgeann Butler. This uplifting nondenominational ceremony celebrated lasting love as couples of all kinds renewed their wedding vows. Fun Fest guests stood in awe as couples includ-

ing Sharon and Henry Rhyno (pictured), married 45 years, gazed into each others eyes and said “I Do” all over again.

In addition the romance, the event also provided health screenings, games and prizes, including a Grand Prize Giveaway for two to a fabulous Gaylord resort. Attendees left with a warm heart and a smile, as well as knowing they’d helped out their community, as part of the Fun Fest’s proceeds went event host Renaissance on 9th, to help benefit local services for seniors and the hungry.

To learn more about Lifestyles After 50’s Fun Fests, call (888)670-0040. View Fun Fest photos, enter exciting contests, play free games & more at LifestylesAfter50. com. Photo credit: Jenna Reeves.

Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 29

Last Month’s Answers

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ANSWER TO #5084 M S T A G E A E H A D E S L T A P O R T I E N D S M E R G R O E B A R O N E T F U N S E D J A R S E D D E T E C T S R E T A D S T E T D U E M I D E L E S P O P A R E T S E A S C E A S E S T T R I A N T E S S L O T S R

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This month’s Last Month’s Winner Is Maryanne Bratchell winner is Congratulations!

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Lifestyles After 50 • March 2016 • page 31

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