Lifestyles After 50 Southwest edition

Dion

Frankie Avalon

Bobby Rydell

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 2

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Enjoy a Great American Staycation This Summer Dear Readers,

O

ur snowbird friends are gone. Summer heat is upon us, and we bless the inventor Janice Doyle, of air conditioning.

Editor Are you the only one left on your street?

It’s interesting where people go.

Your neighbors may have fled to their cabin in North Carolina, a cottage at the beach or the family’s lake camp in upstate New York. Maybe they’ve gone to a villa in France, a casita in Mexico, a pensione in Rome or a condo in Colorado. If they went back to their roots, they may be spending the summer on the family homestead or in a bungalow in small-town Indiana. Many of our neighbors are in motorhomes enjoying cooler climates.

Here are the rest of us, tending our Florida homes. If that describes you, consider taking one or more “staycations” this summer.

What’s a staycation? Staycation: a vacation in which the vacationer stays at or near home while creating the environment of a traditional vacation.

The term first became popular in 2008 when the financial crush caused everyone to take a second (and third) look at spending money. Oh, and gas soared to $3.75 per gallon.

People suddenly planned closeto-home vacations to spend less on fuel. Here we go again.

It’s a good idea. Let’s take a fresh look at Florida and how we can enjoy our own backyard area. I know it’s hot, but I also know it’s nice to sleep in my own bed at night. So how can we make this work?

Look at the definition again.

The secret seems to be this: “Create the environment of a traditional vacation.” Hmmm. I did some research and found a few tips for making that happen.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 4

Lee, Collier & Charlotte Edition Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc General Manager Dave Tarantul dave@lifestylesafter50.com

For a really sizzling staycation:

1. Plan ahead to unplug from your regular routine. Decide whether you want to stay local only or travel across the state for a few days.

2. Adopt the feeling of splurging even though you’re saving money when compared to a vacation to a distant place. It’s all about getting out of your rut. That means no cleaning out the garage.

Maybe it means eating at a more expensive restaurant than usual.

3. Enjoy the home environs, particularly local places you’ve never visited, ethnic restaurants you’ve never tried.

4. Plan only what you and your spouse/companion can handle without stress—remember it’s hot outside.

5. Think outside the box for ideas. That might mean a behind-the-scenes tour of Disney or a local TV studio, etc.

6. Play tourist in your own hometown. Think small community museums, area winery tastings, historic homes. Maybe stay in a local B&B. 7. Think simple. Go bowling; play miniature golf; explore the local and state parks.

So, don’t stalk your neighbors and suffer from vacation envy as they drive off for the mountains or airport. Pull out the Florida map—how long has it been since you visited Jacksonville? St. Augustine?

Tallahassee? Google your home town places of interest. Reserve a night at a resort on the beach you’ve heard about but never visited.

Getting ready for a vacation was never easier. No shutting off the water, cleaning out the fridge or finding a sitter for your plants. You’ll be home every night or two—or maybe three. Now, isn’t that easy.

Take out your iPhone or iPad and try some travel-related Apps:

• Urban Spoon is a restaurant guide for major cities in North America. Search by neighborhood, cuisine or price.

• Gas Buddy finds the cheapest gas on the go—for free! In one click, locate gas stations near you and see current gas prices.

• Sutro Media has travel apps for cities across the United States; You’ll be amazed at the destinations right within your neighborhood. (Sutro Media is a free app.

Within it are apps for Florida Gardens at $1.99, Florida State Parks at $1.99, etc.)

Have a great summer whatever you decide to do. I’ll be home following staycation advice with a week in the Adirondacks to cool off in July.

Congratulations To Our “Lifestyle After 50” Winner!

Last month, we asked readers to tell us what they love about their lifestyle after 50 in 20 words or less for a chance to win a summertime getaway package to Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee.

Here is the winning submission from Mrs. Carolyn V. Salzein of Ocala, FL! Thanks to all who entered—it was tough to pick just one winner. Look for more contests in upcoming issues!

“Kids are grown Home’s our own Time to kill Find new thrills Bed by ten Adventure again TOMORROW!”

Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing Kathy J. Beck kathy@lifestylesafter50.com Editor Janice Doyle janice@lifestylesafter50.com Office Manager Vicki Willis vicki@lifestylesafter50.com

Administrative Assistant Nancy Spencer nancy@lifestylesafter50.com Production Supervisor/Graphic Design Kim Burrell kim@lifestylesafter50.com Associate Editor/Production Assistant Tracie Schmidt tracie@lifestylesafter50.com Distribution (941) 375-6260

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Lee/Collier and Charlotte Nancy Kuehne: (239) 822-6150 Sarasota/Manatee Julie Simzak: (941) 685-1676 Customer Service (941) 375-6260 dave@lifestylesafter50.com

News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583-0638

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FCOA Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims.

Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the July 2012 issue is June 15, 2012. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

Around Town

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G J U N E 2 0 1 2

T

hrough 23 Take the grandkids to Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella performance at Broadway Palm Theatre. Tickets from $17 to $29 online at broadwaypalm. com or by calling (239) 278-4422.

6

Sunset Celebration on the Pier at Cape Coral Yacht Club, 5819 Driftwood Pkwy., Cape Coral. Live music, food and drink specials.

Free admission. 5 to 8 p.m. Free shuttle from Club Square every 15 minutes. (239) 574-0401.

7

Full Moon Paddle at Eco Preserve, SE. 23rd Terrace, Cape Coral. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. $25/ residents; $36/non residents. Info/ registration at (239) 549-4606.

13

How to use eBooks and audiobooks class at East County Library, 881 Gunnnery Rd., Lehigh Acres. 2 p.m. Call (239) 533-4207 for information.

16

Father’s Day trip to Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa with the Lake Kennedy Senior Center.

Round trip charter bus transit. Call to pre-register: (239) 574-0575.

17

Father’s Day Train trip on Seminole Gulf Railway. $40/adults, $25/children 2 to 12 on noon trip or $66 tickets on 5:30 p.m. trip. (239) 275-8487.

22

4th Friday ballroom dance at the Bell Tower Shops, 13499 U.S. 41, Fort Myers. Sponsored by SW Florida Chapter 6049, USA Dance. Info at (239) 369-8423 or online at usadance6049.org.

24

through Aug. 28 Grease at Broadway Palm Theatre, Fort Myers. Matinee and evening performances. Tickets: $17 to $51 online or at (239) 278-4422.

26

Bagels, Books & Banter discussion about books made

into movies. 9:30 a.m. at Cape Coral Library. (239) 533-4500.

J

uly 4 Red, White and Boom Parade and Fireworks in Cape Coral.

Participants come by land and sea.

Cape Coral Parkway. 4 to 10 p.m. celebration. Call (239) 574-0401.

J

uly 6 First Friday Art Walk featuring local and national artwork in downtown Fort Myers River District. Info: (239) 332-0161

Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc. P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; please fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. June 10 for July event.)

I

f you have visiting grandchildren this summer, check out the summer learning programs at Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel Island. The five free, fun programs require no pre-registration.

Wed., Fri., Sat at 1 p.m.: Natural Wonders

Mon. & Fri. 11 a.m. Reading at the Refuge (reading-and-crafts session) Tues. 10 a.m. Indigo Trail Hike Sat. 9:30 a.m. Refuge Caravan Tour on Wildlife Drive

Thurs. 9 a.m. Family Beach Walk.

For more information, please call (239) 472-1100 or visit online at dingdarlingsociety.org

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 5

Get Ready for Sock Hops, Prom Night and Beach Parties “A

ll the singers on the Malt Shop Memories Cruise are not just going to be on the stage,” said Frankie Avalon. “You’re going to be rubbing elbows with them. It’s a very unique kind of cruise where you can talk to them and take photos with the performers out and about on the ship.”

Legendary singer Frankie Avalon will return for his second Malt Shop Memories cruise when the ship sets sail October 27.

The luxury liner, Holland America’s luxurious m/s Eurodam, will travel from Fort Lauderdale to Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas and Half Moon Cay before it returns on November 3. Avalon, along with many other icons from the ‘50s and ‘60s, will perform and make special appearances throughout the journey.

One of the talented members of the “Philadelphia school” of rock-n-rollers, Frankie Avalon was the reigning teen singing idol from 1958 through 1960. Devotees of American Bandstand hold affectionate memories of such Avalon top-tenners as “Gingerbread” and “Venus” and his later Beach Blanket movies.

In an interview with Cinestar’s Brittany Umar, Avalon said that what is so special about the cruise is that the theme—‘50s and ‘60s music—has to do with a part of his life and that of many others who want to “reminisce, have a good time and hear some great performers.”

Mention “Lifestyles After 50” when booking and receive $100 onboard credit!

He remembered the first Malt Shop Memories cruise as a time when people talked to him about their memories. “They came and told me when they saw the movies I was in or heard me sing,” he said. “It’s unique to work with some of the singers I started out with, like Bobby Rydell and Dion.” Avalon considers this cruise an extension of all those years gone by, a time for the singers “to get together and have fun.”

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 6

Inspired by Time Life’s popular Malt Shop Memories CD series, the voyage “The reviews are will be highlighted by performances in and MSMC (Malt by some of the biggest artists of the Shop Memories Cruise) era. Look for Ronnie Spector and 2011 was the “pick hit” of the Drifters Darlene Love, The Original Drifters, week and has gone platinum.”

The Duprees and many, many more.

—Yahoo Group: doowopcafe.com

“It was the

y l m ife...” f o k c a r t sound

“. . . Frankie Avalon made an appearance at the Sail Away Beach Party and the memories had begun to accumulate by the time the ship sailed under the bridge.”

— Linda Coffman, CruiseDiva.com This 2012 cruise will also celebrate the memory of the King of Rock ‘n Roll, Elvis Presley. The Malt Shop Memories Cruise will host the richest Elvis contest at sea featuring some of the most well-known and talented tribute artists in the world competing for a cash prize of $5,000.

So, ladies, get out the poodle skirt and crinoline and get ready for an incredi“The legendary ble line-up of concerts, parties and ‘50s era of the late 1950s to and ‘60s-themed activities throughout early 1960s boasts some of the ship for the entire length of the the most romantic lyrics and cruise. You’ll grab your blanket for engaging harmonies popular the beach party, kick off your shoes music has ever embraced.” for the sock hop, spin the hula hoop, —Lisa Torem, dress in your finest for Prom Night.

2010 cruise Tickets for the cruise are available at MaltShopCruise.com or call (877) 700-6258 (MALT). The cruise is nearly 80 percent sold but great verandah cabins are still available.

Florida residents who book between now and July 15 will enjoy free deluxe motorcoach transportation between the port in Fort Lauderdale Passenger photos by Rhonda Lane and seven Florida locations..

“No bonding required; we were all of the same mindset and were soulmates before the first doowop note rang out. The fun, the dancin’, singin’, strollin’, twistin’, hoppin’ and boppin’ never stopped.”

—Gay Nagle Myers for Travel Weekly, 2011 cruise

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 7

The Sounds of Freedom

BY PATRICK M. KENNEDY

B

am, bang, hiss, sizzle! “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Fireworks, parades, barbeques, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family and friends’ reunions—all celebrating the history and traditions of the U.S.A. What a day!

Make plans to enjoy the 4th of July.

Remember back when the family went together to the local amusement park, probably called Playland, and watched a fireworks display being shot over a small lake? That can happen again for us with a family of old friends gathering on a local hill, watching the sky light up with joyful celebration. We can be kids again by lighting a few sparklers and setting off a string or two of miniature or ladybug firecrackers in the backyard during the barbeque. Just do it outside because they can make the indoors a mess. Ooh!! Ahh!!

“Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better,” said Albert Camus, the French writer. “The basis of a democratic state is liberty,” said Aristotle the Greek philosopher. So you see, this thing called freedom is older than you and is international.

That’s what we celebrate—our peace of mind and the battles it took to get there here in the good old U.S.A. And Mr. Webster defines freedom as “the quality or state of being free as the absence of necessity, coercion or constraint in choice or action.” Now that doesn’t mean you can become that grumpy old person everyone dislikes and exercise your freedom of speech and say everything that comes to your mind just because you can. But it means you have the freedom to just think it.

And then there is the sitting around back home after the food or fireworks display. “Do you recall when? …

Remember where we used to? … Then there’s the time. … Did you know?

… Can you recall? … Do you think we’ll ever . . ?” The warm radiance of a slight beverage buzz—or it could be the ambiance of old friends calling to mind memories—fills the room along with the faded sun. Old friends who hadn’t gathered for a while, some for a year, slow down, take the weight off their feet and relax in a comfort zone built by years of experiences together. The distractions of the present are left at the door like muddy boots. The 4th of July is more than just about the past, it is enjoying the good times and friends of the present.

You probably aren’t going to spend the day talking about Paul Revere, Betsy Ross, John Adams or Thomas Jefferson, although they were a big part of the original festivity.

More than likely you will be talking about Pete the barber, or Joe the bartender, or even Gigi the checkout

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 8

lady at the market—people of your generation and an important part of the celebration of life all year long.

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T

he adult day services program at Senior Friendship Centers assists elder adults who have memory issues and/or physical impairments, and who may be home alone. The program provides stimulating activities, conversation amongst peers, a hot meal for lunch and snacks. In the afternoon, participants enjoy table games, musical entertainment, videos and movies.

Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County has 15 participants Monday through Friday. The census is comprised of a mixture of personalities and ethnic backgrounds. Friendships are formed with others who attend the program along with staff.

Dorothy Holobinko attended the program in 2011. Her son Mike, who is the vice-president of the Southwest Florida Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics, enrolled his mother to give her some socialization and get her out of the house. When Dorothy first started, she would always comment that “my son wants me to come here and that is why I am here.” It is a typical response from participants when they first come to the center.

Senior Friendship Centers’ staff takes pride in keeping the program light and lively. During coffee, the nurse would read everyone’s daily horoscope.

Dorothy would jokingly comment under her breath, “doesn’t she ever stop talking?” Through her tenure at Senior Friendship Centers, she and Germine shared a special bond.

After a few months, Dorothy looked forward to coming to the center.

Germine always greeted her with a warm smile. She thoroughly enjoyed the activities, socialized with other participants and even enjoyed hearing her daily horoscope. Dorothy’s memory brings a slight chuckle from staff, who remember her unique humor.

During enrollment, Mike asked if we are a non-profit organization—which Senior Friendship Centers is—and told me that the Fire Fighters contribute donations back to the community.

We provided him with information and received a generous donation last year from the Southwest Florida Professional Fire Fighters & Paramedics.

Mike Holobinko and Germaine Lawrence

Mike called me in April saying he had a check he wanted to drop off at the center. Senior Friendship Centers’ adult day services received an additional $1,000 from the Fire Fighters this year. Mike commented that he was aware of funding cuts and wanted others to have the opportunity to receive services like his mother did.

It is generous support like the Professional Fire Fighters provide that helps support our services. It is with gratitude that we thank them and others who give selflessly to help our area seniors.

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They hover: Parents Weigh in on Children’s Job Hunt oomer helicopter parents’ intrusions in their children’s outside-the-home lives now extend to the workplace, according to a Michigan State University survey of employers who were hiringbrecent college graduates.

Almost a third of the employers said that parents had handed in their children’s resumes, sometimes without their children’s knowledge. A quarter of the employers said that parents had been in touch with them to plead their children’s cause. In some cases, parents sat in on their children’s job interviews.

Enterprise, the car rental company, has adapted to the trend by mailing parents the same recruitment materials it sends their children and inviting parents to hear their children present their final projects as Enterprise interns.

—Jennifer Ludden, “Helicopter Parents Hover in the Workplace” NPR, March 1, 2012

B

They support: Many boomers are helping to financially support both their parents and their adult children. Almost a third (31 percent) of relatively wealthy Americans are supporting older and younger immediate family members at the same time, according to a new Merrill Lynch Wealth Management survey of 1,000 people with investable assets of $250,000 or more.

They question: “As boomers we raised our kids to have the things we didn’t. Our parents came from the World War era and they wanted us to have the life they didn’t have. We in turn gave just about everything to our children and I think this made a lot of them lazy and added

to the “entitled” generation we see today. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule. Is it our job to keep supporting our adult children no matter where the economy is? Every family has to decide this question.

—From the blog sweetiesreviews.com “Supporting their Adult Children.”

They spend: According to a Vibrant Nation survey, a dramatic 84 percent of boomer women are paying more of their over-18-year-old children’s expenses than their parents did for them: • 59 percent pay for an adult child’s cell phone.

• 53 percent pay for insurance • Over 1/3 are paying for everyday expenses like rent, clothes, cars and computers.

And these expenses add up quickly.

56 percent of boomer women respondents report that they pay more than $5,000 in annual expenses, not including tuition/education expenses, for each adult child, and 17 percent spend more than $10,000.

They advise: Over 40 percent of boomer mom respondents report that their children consult them about financial services (including loans and banking relationships) and insurance.

Over 1/3 influence their children’s purchase decision for car buying, small/large appliances and food.

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Capture the Olympic Spirit Here at Home

2012 Summer

Concert Series

BY JANICE DOYLE

A

Entire Series

35

The 3 Divas $ & The Dons

Friday, June 15, 2012

Grand Floridian Society Orchestra

Monday, July 30, 2012

Crossroads Quartet Saturday, August 18, 2012

$15

Get your tickets today! visit shellpoint.org/concerts or call (239) 454-2067

Shell Point is located in Fort Myers, 2 miles before the Sanibel Causeway.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 12

©2012 Shell Point. All rights reserved. ACT-617-12

Individual Concerts

paintings, along with art by 14 other Olympians, was the beginning of the Ft. Myers Museum and Gallery.

s the 2012 Summer Olympics begin, you can capture some of the spirit of the games right here in southwest Florida at a local museum and gallery.

Art and Olympics? Yes. Olympians participating in artistic endeavors really goes back to the basic ideas of the original Greek competitions, says Carla Ulakovic, Communications Director for the Art of the Olympians Museum and Gallery. “Art was a part of the original competitions,” See art by other Olympians on the second floor. she says, since the Olympics What you’ll find were based on the blending of body, Museum visitors find an expansive mind and spirit of the individual. view of the river from the renovated The Art of the Olympians Museum white stucco building. Inside are and Gallery is located on the banks two floors of exhibits. On the first of the Caloosahatchee River in level are displays of equipment and downtown Fort Myers. Its intent is memorabilia of various Olympians. to inspire individuals to discover Visitors might see track shoes, speed and explore the power of their skating suits, Olympic medals or a creative potential through arts, skating program depending on the sports and educational programs featured sport at the time of the visit. based on the Olympic values.

The second floor houses artwork by Olympians. “Their artwork illustrates the transition, the connection, of art and sport. There’s a definite overlapping of talent,” says Ulakovic. Seventy Olympic artists have work here.

A current rotating exhibit is

by Olympian Kader Klouchi, long jump participant for Algeria. A Spirit Unleashed captures his personal passion for sport “Kayak” by long jump Olympian Kader Klouchi. and draws on his appreciation of the body’s movement as a Four-time Olympic gold medalist work of art in all its grace and beauty, in discus and founder of Art of the and it’s all done in bright, bold colors.

Olympians, Al Oerter, once said, “Art Legends of ’68 is a group exhibition and athletics are quite the same, except that features the artwork and personal art is a lot easier on the shoulders and stories of Rink Babka, Bob Beamon, knees.” It’s true, says Ulakovic. Both Peggy Fleming and Al Oerter.

Art of the Olympians Museum and art and athletics require a passion Gallery is open Tues. through Sat. that leads to intense dedication and Call (239) 332-5055 for more info. training. Oerter’s own collection of

The Healthy Pleasure of Their Company—the Pets Among Us

BY JANICE DOYLE

J

udy Elliott spends her afternoons at the Pinellas County Animal Services facility matching senior pets (over age 6) with senior citizens who want to adopt a pet. She says most of the seniors who adopt senior pets have had pets before and know the benefits of pets in the house.

Life occurs in stages, and as we move from infancy to adulthood—and eventually into our senior years—our needs and wants change.

A 50-year-old may choose a different breed of dog than he got when his children were small. An 88-year-old woman won’t want to worry with having to step carefully because of a Labrador dog that flops down in the middle of the floor or a kitten darting out from behind the chair.

Why get a pet in the first place?

While the primary benefits to animals are obvious—to place them in loving homes and keep them from being destroyed—the benefits to seniors of all ages are ten-fold (versus non-pet owners).

A person who has a pet usually has: • Lower blood pressure and pulse rate • 21 percent fewer visits to the doctor • Less depression • Enhanced ease in making friends • More active lifestyle with something to nurture and care for • Affection and unconditional love • Ease in the loss of a loved one • Less feeling of loneliness • Higher level of taking care of themselves • Sense of security

Why get an older pet?

Puppies and kittens may be cute, but they also have high energy levels and can require almost constant attention. Adopting an older pet may be the best idea.

Think about an older pet because: • Older animals love to sleep and cuddle. They are happy for you to join them in a nap.

What to consider before getting a pet Beware of making a decision based on “going down memory lane.” Just because you once loved a German shepherd doesn’t mean that breed is best for you at this point in life. If well trained, of course, it might be, but it might be too big for your surroundings or for the care you are able to give it.

Go for your present comfort level so it’s a good fit for both you and the pet.

Maybe, instead of adopting a pet, yours would make a good foster home for a pet. Sometimes animals need transition time and space (such as when they’re taking a round of heart worm medicine) and rescue facilities need temporary spaces.

You might also work with pet therapy dogs which are specially trained to be taken into nursing homes and schools.

Many financial accommodations can be made if having a pet is beyond your means. Most local agencies have ways to help. (For example, Purina®Pets for People in Sarasota County qualifies anyone 60 years and over for reimbursement of adoption fees.)

Besides county-run facilities, also look for smaller groups that adopt out pets.

Adopting a senior pet can often open a new world for seniors. To find out how to adopt senior animals in our area, contact your local animal shelter.

Adoption information by county: Charlotte (941) 833-5690 Hillsborough (813) 744-5660 Lee County (239) 533-7387 Lake County (352) 343-9688 Manatee County (941) 742-5933 Pasco (813) 929-1212 Pinellas (727) 595-5822 Sarasota (941) 955-4131

• Adult dogs have learned many life lessons. They know “shoes are for walking and bones are for chewing.”

• They are mostly housebroken or litter box trained.

• Adult pets require less time than a puppy or kitten.

• What you see is what you get; senior pets tend to settle into the household more easily.

In Sarasota County, Kristi Dorman, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Sarasota County, says a staff behaviorist assesses all incoming dogs “for temperament, likes and dislikes, how the animal responds to children.

Do they play well with others? Are they aggressive or not?” Volunteers also walk the dogs and note behaviors, making matchmaking easier when a senior comes looking for a pet.

Macy Lives to be Petted B

ig dogs are hardest to find homes for. John Diehl walks his Great Danes Macy, 8, and Simon, 3, through his neighborhood. He and his wife, Michelle, found both dogs through Big Dog Rescue Ranch (BDRR) two years ago. John says, “Having the two of them is amazing. They are very affectionate dogs. Macy lives to be petted.”

They “foster” Macy, which means BDRR covers all her medical bills including routine care. John and Michelle adopted Simon, who is still somewhat skittish from previous abuse, and fully expect to have him around for many years to come. BDRR is at (561) 791-6465 or online at bdrr.org.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 13

An Amsler Grid Can Provide Early Detection For Eye Diseases

A

n Amsler grid is a tool that eye doctors use to detect vision problems resulting from damage to the macula (the central part of the retina) or the optic nerve. The damage may be caused by macular degeneration, glaucoma or other eye diseases, so the Amsler grid is useful in detecting these problems.

An early diagnosis means early treatment, so it may help to limit or at least slow the vision loss you experience.

If you are at risk for macular degeneration or other eye diseases, you should use this chart at home to monitor your vision. But using the chart doesn’t mean you should skip regular visits to your eye doctor, because you can easily miss signs that only a trained eye care practitioner will find.

How to Test Yourself with the Amsler Grid If you need reading glasses, please wear them while you use the Amsler grid. The grid should be at about the same distance from your eyes that any other reading material would be.

Cover one eye, and then focus on the dot in the center.

• Do any of the lines look wavy, blurred or distorted? (All lines should be straight, all intersections should form right angles and all the squares should be the same size.)

• Are there any missing areas or dark areas in the grid?

• Can you see all corners and sides of the grid?

• Don’t forget to test both eyes.

It’s very important to report any irregularity to your eye doctor immediately.

Normal View

Distorted View

Sunil M. Malkani M.D., a fellowship trained retina specialist is now treating patients at Malkani Retina Center with three locations throughout Southwest Florida. During your appointment, he will take into consideration your age, medical history, lifestyle and overall retinal health so he can provide you with the best possible treatment options.

Dr. Malkani a renowned vitreoretinal specialist is a graduate of Wake Forest School of Medicine and a former Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology at the Sunil M. Malkani M.D. University of Florida. His surgical expertise includes treating Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Retinal Detachments, Macular Holes, Epiretinal Membranes and other diseases of the retina.

He is currently involved in Macular Degeneration and Diabetic Retinopathy Research and has had his work published in many Ophthalmic Journals and presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology as well as other national conferences.

Malkani Retina Center’s Fort Myers’ office is located at 9201 Cypress Lake Drive. Their Naples office is at 875 105th Avenue North and the Punta Gorda office is located at 2825 Tamiami Trail, Building B, Suite #1. For additional information or to schedule an appointment, please call (239) 324-4888 (Lee and Collier Counties) or (941) 404-4606 (Charlotte County), or visit them online at www.MalkaniRetina@aol.com.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 14

CAMEO of Lee County Holds Fundraiser to Support Seniors

T

he first weekend in May is traditionally a horse race lover’s dream time. Cooperative Associates Marketing Elderly Options (CAMEO) of Lee County is a professional networking group dedicated to enhancing the professional network base in Lee County of those who serve older adults and raise money for their bi-annual grants program.

On Friday, May 3, 2012, they hosted their 2nd Annual Night at the Races “Virtual Horse Race.” 240 attendees wagered funny money, participated in a hat contest and Chinese auction, all to benefit programs that serve older adults in Lee County. $10,355.15 was raised and will go directly to the grants program.

To learn more about CAMEO of Lee County, visit their website at cameocares.com or attend the next meeting, which will be held on June 21 at 9 a.m. at Shell Point Village, 15101 Shell Point Boulevard, Fort Myers.

The June Meeting is “CAMEO Care Month.” The proceeds from the fundraisers held will be granted out to organizations who applied for a Spring Grant through

CAMEO. $15,000 will be donated to Lee County organizations who work to make life better for seniors.

To RSVP, please call Shellie Ferrara at (239) 872-8418, or email shellieferra@aol.com. Guests are $10 at the door, cash or check.

A continental breakfast will be served. Sponsors are Senior Living Guide and Keiser University..

Boomers Set to Inherit Trillions of Dollars

B

aby boomers stand to inherit $10 trillion in the next few years and women will get the bulk of it, according to a Cornell University study, because they outlive men an average of seven years.

“Women already control 60 percent of the nation’s personal wealth. They outnumber men and they are traditionally the shoppers,” says financial expert Scott T. Schultz, author of Scott Schultz’s Guide to Closed-End Funds.

“It’s sad that, despite the fact that nearly a third make more money than their husbands and they’re starting businesses at twice the rate men are, 38 percent of women ages 30 to 55 worry they’ll eventually live in poverty because they can’t adequately save for retirement,” he says.

With boomers hitting 65 at a steady pace, the nation will see an even greater number of retirement-aged women holding the country’s purse strings.

“Many will inherit money and property from their parents and/or their husbands, and many will live another 30 to 40 years,” Schultz says, citing the Cornell study. “They’ll need to invest their money to ensure they have enough to avoid that impoverished retirement they fear.”

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 15

Veterans Corner

Veterans Benefits Questions and Answers

T

he following questions and answers may help readers in dealing with veterans benefits.

Q: How much are a VA widow’s survivors benefits reduced by any earned income?

A: Widow’s dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) benefits are not reduced by any other income. Widow’s pension, however, is need-based, so it is reduced dollar-for-dollar against any

Social Security or other income.

Q: My mother is experiencing some early cognitive issues that make her unable to live on her own. She is now living with me in another state. My question is this: Does she have veteran military benefits from my dad being in the military for over 30 years (he is now deceased but she is receiving his Army pension.) If so, who would I contact to confirm or process?

Also, would benefits vary by state?

A: VA Benefits do not vary based on

state residence. However, each state has an office of Veterans Services that may provide benefits separately. If your father was receiving or entitled to VA Benefits, dependent on his status, your mother may be eligible for DIC.

Q: How can I force the VA to give

me a disability rating? The VA has been delaying my claim for asinine excuses for more than 454 days.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 16

A: You cannot “force” the VA to give

you a disability rating, like it’s your right to have one! They have people that review your medical records to determine if you should have any disability rating; then, if you’re found to be disabled, they will assign a percentage rating to your disability.

Once you have the percent that you’re disabled, then your payment is according to that percentage rating. Tables of such disability benefit payments can be found at the VA website.

You might talk with a veteran service office or call/write the regional office to find out what the delay is. Have they told you they were going to schedule you for exams?

However, I would NOT, if I were you, cop an attitude with the VA.

Q: My dad was a veteran and passed away 10 years ago. My mom has never filed a claim for veterans benefits. Now she needs surgery and after care. Might she be qualified for some benefits?

A: Anyone at the VA helping your

mother will need more information.

Be prepared to furnish the following: What were the dates of your father’s service, branch and type of discharge.

Did your father ever apply for Benefits from the Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs?

Q: I am receiving DIC (dependency and indemnity compensation) payments right now. Will it continue after I file for social security? Do I pay taxes on this?

A: DIC should not affect your

SSI. VA benefits are non-taxable, and your DIC will continue unless you re-marry. It also should not be affected by any other SS income you may be eligible for.

Questions and answers taken from lawguru.com/answers and caring.com

Should All Men Have the PSA Test? does the PSA Q What test do? :

A: It measures the blood levels of

a protein called prostate-specific antigen, or PSA. A level of less than 4 nanograms per milliliter is generally considered normal.

Q: Does an elevated PSA level mean prostate cancer?

A: Not necessarily. PSA levels can fluctuate. High PSA levels can also be due to an enlarged prostate or an infection of the gland. Levels often increase naturally as men age.

Q: Should all men have the PSA test?

A: If a man chooses to be tested after consulting with his doctor, the PSA is most often done every year to screen: • Men ages 40 – 75 • Men with a family history of prostate cancer (especially a brother

or father) and African-American men, who should think about starting around age 40 – 45.

This is because they have a higher chance of developing prostate cancer.

Last year, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (which advises the government on disease prevention measures) recommended against doctors administering the test to healthy men 75 or older during routine physicals because of a risk of false positives that can lead to unnecessary treatments.

For more information, check with: American Urological Assoc., National Comprehensive Cancer Network, The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (do not recommend routine PSA testing). Information from Mayo.com and NIH.

June Is Safety Month: Help Prevent Falls Y

ou want your elderly loved one to live a meaningful and independent life. And you especially don’t want something like a trip-and-fall to take this away from them. Even if the fall doesn’t cause a physical injury, your loved one’s confidence in his or her ability to live independently will likely suffer.

One out of three adults aged 65 and older falls each year, but the unfortunate fact is that less than half tell their healthcare providers about it or seek information to prevent future falls. Make sure your loved one doesn’t fall into this category.

Note: There is some debate over whether brittle bones break as a result of the fall, or if the break is what causes the fall. Regardless, the decrease in bone density and strength directly contributes to falls and their resulting injuries.

One preventative measure is to make sure your loved one eats or drinks enough calcium. This is especially important for women, who need 1,500mg a day post-menopause.

Foods high in calcium include:

• Dairy, like milk, yogurt and cheese • Fish and shellfish

• Certain vegetables, like broccoli, collards and turnip greens • Protein sources like soybeans, tofu and almonds.

It’s also important that your loved one get sufficient vitamin D to promote the absorption of calcium. Most older adults need a supplement because ample exposure to natural sunlight, which causes the body to naturally form vitamin D, may not be an option.

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239-368-8277 Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 17

Long-Term Care Protection—Three Different Ideas

BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSA Long-Term Care Specialist

Planning for Long-Term Care is so important.

Learn all you can about something that can jeopardize the financial future of your entire family.

Rosemarie Hurley, CSA, has 18 years experience as a Long-Term Care Specialist.

She brokers with many fine insurance companies and can find the right company to suit your needs.

For a FREE packet of information call today...

Cheap Wills Cost a Lot

BY JOE PIPPIN, Ask an Attorney A Cheap Will or an Expensive Trust?

Q

. Why do trusts cost more than wills, and why are wills so inexpensive?

A. Thank you for asking! I often

joke with my colleagues that I am going to start advertising wills for $10 each and give away a free toaster if I’m assured the probate fee.

Fees charged for wills are low in lieu of anticipated probate fees which an attorney hopes to receive in the future.

But a client needs to know his options.

If a client chooses a will, he should be informed of the probate costs and time delays of administration. A guardianship plan should be discussed since wills only deal with death.

If the client chooses a living trust, he should be given instructions on how to maximize the use of the trust by registering assets to the trust.

Trusts are more expensive than wills initially, but not nearly as expensive

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 18

as probate. Registration of assets is very important in the trust process, and problems will be prevented if the client follows the attorney’s instructions. Trusts are simple to comprehend if the attorney communicates to the client in an easy-to-understand format.

In my opinion, the advantages of the living trust far outweigh planning your estate with a will. According to recent statistics, the average probate fee is four percent of a person’s gross estate.

Recommendation: Review your estate plan and discuss with your attorney what is best for you and your current situation.

T

raditional Long-Term Care products are more flexible than ever. But in addition to the traditional products, there are other products in the marketplace that accomplish the same goal—future asset protection—in a unique way.

These products have also been around for a long time and they, too, have evolved.

Because people are different, so too are their needs and interests. Sometimes people approach their future asset protection differently as well. Rather than commit to a monthly or annual premium for Long-Term Care insurance without knowing how much you will eventually pay into the policy before you access benefits by going on claim, it is possible to make a lump sum payment and purchase a paid up policy. Same goal, accomplished a different way.

And oftentimes when I am contacted to explain the “ins and outs” of LongTerm Care insurance, people ask: “But what if I am not in the percentage of those people who will eventually go on claim, and I don’t use my policy?

What then?” My answer is always the same…consider yourself blessed.

There are lots of types of insurance that protect but do not benefit you unless you go on claim. That’s traditional.

The lump sum payment type plans have many very attractive features.

One of them is a death benefit. That means that when you die, if you haven’t used up your Long-Term Care benefits, a sum larger than the deposit you made goes to your beneficiary, and it is income tax FREE. Another interesting feature is that anytime, your money can be returned

to you should you choose to cancel the policy. No questions asked and no complicated forms to complete.

These policies operate the same as traditional LTC in that they offer Home Health Care, Assisted Living and Nursing Home Benefits. The pay a daily benefit as usual for these services, and can have inflation protection, or not, as your choice. One of the main reasons this configuration is more popular is that your children will receive a larger sum than the original deposit as a death benefit if you never used the policy.

Children understand the value of that.

But remember, it is still necessary to qualify for the policy. There are very similar health parameters used to determine eligibility as with other forms of LTC insurance. And this article is meant to educate you a bit about the concept.

There is more to learn. As always, I offer a complimentary consultation to help you to decide if this is right for you.

Our meeting is at your convenience and can be in your home. To be educated is freeing and benefits you and your family. Questions? Please contact me.

Rosemarie Hurley, President of Senior Insurance Solutions, has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for over 18 years, brokers with only the finest insurance companies in the industry and is contracted with EVERY company offering a product.

She is a Certified Senior Advisor and Past President of the local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is a member of the Bonita and the Estero Chambers, and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Estero. She can be reached at (239) 274-6678 or at her website: longtermcareinsurance-online.com.

Social Security Numbers Down

T

hree-quarters of eligible adults 62+ postponed Social Security in 2011. The Social Security retirement benefit take-up rate was lower in 2011 than any year since 1976. It has declined to 26.9 percent in 2011, from 30.8 percent in 2009,

according to a 2012 Urban Institute analysis of Social Security data.

The take-up rate is defined as the number of new retirement awards in the year divided by the number of adults age 62 and older who had not yet begun collecting benefits at the start of the year.

The Healthy Geezer

BY FRED CICETTI

Q

. I live with my 40-year-old

son and he smokes like the proverbial chimney around the house. I’m afraid of what it’s doing to his health. What can I do to get him to quit?

A: Tell him he may be killing you

with his secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke—also called environmental tobacco smoke (ETS)—is made up of the “sidestream” smoke from the end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar, and the “mainstream” smoke that is exhaled.

Nonsmokers exposed to secondhand smoke absorb the same 4,000 chemical compounds that smokers do. More than 60 of these compounds are known or suspected to cause cancer.

About one in a hundred deaths worldwide is caused by secondhand smoke, which kills an estimated 600,000 people a year, according to World Health Organization (WHO) researchers. Each year, in the United States alone, secondhand smoke is responsible for about 40,000 deaths from heart disease, and about 3,000 lung-cancer deaths.

Secondhand smoke causes increased cardiovascular risks by damaging blood vessels, decreasing your ability to exercise and altering blood cholesterol levels.

Some research indicates that people exposed to a spouse’s cigarette smoke for several decades are about 20 percent more likely to have lung cancer.

Those who are exposed long-term to secondhand smoke in the workplace or social settings may increase their risk of lung cancer by about 25 percent.

Some of the components found in tobacco smoke that are known to cause cancer or are suspected to be carcinogenic include: formaldehyde, arsenic, cadmium, benzene and ethylene oxide.

Here are a few other chemicals in tobacco smoke along with their effects: ammonia (irritates lungs), carbon monoxide (hampers breathing), methanol (toxic when inhaled) and hydrogen cyanide (interferes with respiration).

Throughout the world, governments are taking action against smoking in public places, both indoors and outdoors. Smoking is either banned or restricted in public transportation. Several local communities have enacted nonsmokers’ rights laws, most of which are stricter than state laws.

Although air-conditioning may remove the visible smoke in your home, it can’t remove the particles that continue to circulate and are hazardous to your health, so don’t delude yourself that running the AC is the answer to secondhand smoke dangers.

To solve your problem, you should try to get your son to seek help in fighting his addiction to nicotine. There are many programs available. Call your doctor for some recommendations. Meanwhile, for your own health, you should insist that he not smoke in your house.

If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How To Be A Healthy Geezer” at www.healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2012 by Fred Cicetti.

Green Tea for Aging Bones G

reen tea contains antioxidants, which scientists suspect may help hold off the cell damage that brings on age-related disability and disease. For three years, Yasutake Tomata and his colleagues at Japan’s Tohoku University followed almost 14,000 men and women ages 65 and older, monitoring

their health and their green tea intake. Those who drank at least five cups a day were 33 percent less likely to develop disabilities compared to those drinking less than a cup a day. Green tea does contain caffeine and small quantities of vitamin K, which can interfere with anti-blood-clotting medicines.

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EMERGENCY SERVICE AVAILABLE Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 19

Ready for Swimsuit Season—Shopping Tips and Styles that Flatter Your Curves

S

ummer’s here again, ladies, and you know what that means—new swimsuits! Don’t hide your curves this year, flaunt them. Jeanne Grasso from Always For Me, an online retailer that designs swimwear, active wear and lingerie exclusively for plussized ladies, shares her swimsuit knowledge and offers shopping tips to help you find the suit that’s perfect for you.

acceptance in the 1960s and continues today. The ‘70s brought improvements in fabrics and manufacturing that introduced nylon and lycra.

These allowed fabrics to contour more easily to a women’s body.

Today, swimwear manufacturers use the latest trends in fabrics, stretch control tummy panels and better bust designs combined with clever cutting to create a figure flattering silhouette.

Q: How have bathing The Miraclesuit suit styles changed Ambassadress in over the years?

Fuschia Grasso: The 1920s and Q. What should a savvy shopper look 30s gave rise to bathing beauties for when buying a bathing suit? like Dorothy Lamour and Esther Williams in alluring but modest Grasso: The right swimsuit is one that one piece swimsuits—a style that is comfortable, flatters your body and continues to be trendy today. accentuates your positive features.

The modern bikini came into fashion The most important thing to keep in in the 1940s. Once a racy and conmind when choosing a swimsuit is troversial fashion choice, the bikini fit. Don’t be a slave to the size on revolution gained much popularity and the tag. The most flattering swimsuit

One of Always For Me’s most requested plus-size swimsuits is the Illusion suit in black, brown, turquoise, lilac, plum or red. Sexy and supportive, it features a drop waist skirt, shirred fabric, V-neck, gold ring bodice detail and criss-crossable lingerie style support straps.

Grasso adds: Through the years, most women who have enjoyed swimsuits Q. What types of bathin their youth soon dread ing suits does Always The Illusion suit the thought of wearing for Me offer, and what is in Plum a swimsuit and are now your most popular style? wishing to hide particular Grasso: Always For Me has body parts. We would love to banish something for everyone. Almost all this thought and bring back the joy of our swimwear has hidden features to summer. We want people to find styles support, slim and ensure that women that they feel beautiful and confident look their best and feel confident. in—to enjoy the water and all of the From one piece bathing suits and comfort and refreshment it offers. swim dresses to tankinis and mix-andAlways For Me sells swimsuits match swimsuit separates, Always For online year round. To shop or learn Me has you covered when it comes more, visit alwaysforme.com. to plus size swimsuit collections.

style depends on your body shape. Always For Me has a wonderful Shop by Body Type feature that lets you pick the most flattering styles to enhance your curves with the perfect swimsuit. You can find this online at alwaysforme.com/swimshopbybodytype.html.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 20

Twenty Ways to Go A

ttention Earthlings: Its never too late to help save our natural resources, time and money. Start here: 1. Sign up for the “no solicitation” registry.

2. Shop online to reduce your carbon footprint and save money.

3. Get out of the gym and exercise outdoors.

4. Save on utility bills – close blinds on hot days.

5. Send an e-gift certificate for special occasions.

6. Eliminate paper invites and digitize your event announcement.

7. Use an irrigation controller to manage watering.

8. Swap your stuff on Swap.com.

9. Walk or bike to save on fuel.

10. Wash clothes with cold water if possible.

Word Search

Green

11. Use mobile coupons to cut paper clutter (Coupon Sherpa app).

12. Go paperless wherever possible.

13. Hang-dry your clothes.

14. Shop garage and estate sales for clothes and home goods.

Last Month’s Answers

May Sudoku

Charlotte Paollo is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Win Great Prizes!

New winner selected each month

Good Luck!

June Sudoku

15. Put the blow dryer down.

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 June 21 will win.

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC. P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

16. Take short showers.

17. Wash dishes the old fashioned way in a sink full of water instead of with the tap on. .

18. Get a water filter and reusable water bottle.

19. Plant native shrubs and plants.

20. Use an eco-friendly shower head. (For example, an Oxygenics PowerMassage Handheld Shower Head can save up to 70 percent in water and energy consumption.)

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

SUDOKU MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 21, 2012

Word Search June 2012

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?

Answers From

May 2012

Marion McClain is last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC. P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on June 21 will win.

MYSTERY PRIZE!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

MYSTERY PRIZE!

(Puzzles must be received by June 21, 2012.)

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 21

June 2012

4

– July 14 General Classes at the Learning Place. 6 -week term. Art, music, dance, more. Register by phone at (941) 6254175 ext. 223. Full class list at theculturalcenter. com/the_learning_place.

Joanie Awards – Banquet honoring the spirit of volunteerism.

Details at (941) 625-4175.

Night at the Opry: “America’s Own Music!” Talented singer pays tribute to your favorite country stars. 2 p.m. $18.

All events at Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. Tickets, times and info: (941) 625-4175.

8

10

The Best of Charlotte County

15

FEATURED EVENTS • Charlotte Harbor Nature Fest & Outdoor Recreation Expo, June 9. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Organizations will be available throughout Fishermen’s Village with info about the environment and the natural habitat of Charlotte Harbor and Peace River. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. (941) 639-8721

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– 24 Watermelon Festival. Seed spitting and speed eating contests, community showcase, shopper and scavenger hunt. Live music, kids activities and sweet Florida watermelon. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fleamasters Fleamarket, 4135 Dr. MLK Blvd, Ft. Myers. (239) 334-7001.

• Charlotte County Big Band presents USO Summer Series: New Orleans, June 18. USO Tour Tribute to New Orleans including a Mardi Gras parade and an authentic Dixieland band. The big band will provide a variety of swing, ballads, vocals, and traditional literature made famous by Duke Ellington, Count Basie, and Benny Goodman. 7 p.m., Charlotte Cultural Center, 2280 Aaron St., Port Charlotte. Tickets: $9 (941) 625-4175 • Fishermen’s Village Annual July 4th Celebration. July 4, 5 to 9 p.m. Annual Freedom Swim, Live music, restaurant specials.

Fireworks display over Charlotte Harbor at 9 p.m. Free. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Center Court, Punta Gorda. (941) 639-8721

Join Us For Our July 2012 Edition!

• R.S.V.P. (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program): (941) 613-2299.

• Meals on Wheels/Friendship Cafe Dining Sites: (941) 255-0723.

• Elder Helpline of Southwest Florida: 1-800-398-4233.

9

11

Celebrate Your Independence!

Senior Centers and Resources • Senior Friendship Centers: (941) 255-0723 or friendshipcenters.org.

• Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida: (239) 652-6901 or aaaswfl.org.

• O.C.E.A.N. (Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network): (941) 235-4500 or ocean-fl.org.

Open Mic Night, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Center Stage. Come read, sing, listen and enjoy!

Presented by The Peace River Center for Writers.

Call (941) 637-3514 for more information!

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June Fun Events In 17 Charlotte County – 17 Dads Cruise Free with King Fisher Fleet! Fishermen’s Village, 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda.

Call (941) 639-0969 for details!

Helping Hands National Marina Day, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free admission. Visit with leaders in the marine industry, take tours of the marina, enjoy water recreation activities, shop and dine!

Happy Father’s Day!

The Doo Wop Crew performs live music from 5 – 9 p.m., Center Stage.

Fishermen’s Village is on the waterfront in Punta Gorda. Call (941) 575-3007 for details.

Charlotte County!

Call for Special Rates and Marketing Packages for the Best of Charlotte County!

888-670-0040

Lifestyles After 50 Is Your Connection To The Seniors Of Charlotte County Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 22

New Attractions at Universal Orlando Celebrate 100 Years of Movie Memories

U

niversal’s Superstar Parade and Cinematic Spectacular—100 Years of Movie Memories are now open at Universal Orlando Resort— bringing two brand-new kinds of entertainment experiences to Universal’s guests.

The new experiences are the latest in Universal Orlando’s “Year to be Here”—during which Universal is creating more new entertainment experiences across its entire destination than any other year in its history.

“We are creating special moments for the entire family,” said Jim Timon, Senior Vice President of Entertainment for Universal Orlando Resort. “You can laugh and dance with your children and their favorite characters and then be completely moved as you watch the most powerful tribute to film you could imagine—all in the same day.”

Universal’s Superstar Parade The streets of Universal Studios will transform into a theme-park-wide performance stage as today’s most beloved stories and characters bring new adventure and excitement to guests everywhere. It will feature elaborately themed floats that tower above guests, hundreds of energetic street performers and spectacular music and dance performances.

Unforgettable moments include Gru, his daughters and Vector from the blockbuster animated adventure Despicable Me dancing to “Boogie Fever,” Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob arriving in his pineapple home from under the sea with his friends from Bikini Bottom, E.B. from the hit comedy Hop playing the drums and acrobatic performances by characters from

Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and Go, Diego, Go! Throughout the day, guests will be able to sing and dance with their favorite characters from the parade during special performances at select locations.

Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular —100 Years of Movie Memories The new show is a tribute to Universal’s 100 years of film-making history, highlighting some of the most fun, dramatic, awe-inspiring moments from Universal Pictures’ most iconic films. These moments are shown in crystal-clear clarity on huge waterfall screens within the Universal Studios Lagoon, surrounded by colorful fountains and pyrotechnics, all against an incredible musical score and a powerful narration by Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman. The show will take guests on a journey of epic cinematic moments filled with heroes, horror, laughter, good versus evil and triumph—all against a backdrop of light, sound and special effects.

Everyone can remember powerful film moments such as Elliott and E.T. riding across the moon in E.T: The Extra Terrestrial, the heroic struggle of the crew from Apollo 13 or the terror of watching the famed shower scene in Psycho. Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular captures these moments—and so many more.

Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular —100 Years of Movie Memories and Universal’s Superstar Parade will run year-round except during annual and special events. For more information about both experiences, visit www.universalorlando.com.

Make this the anniversary to remember.

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*First paid night rates vary, select weekends through September 3, 2012. Subject to resort fee, Osceola County Assessment fee and parking for all occupied nights. Proof of anniversary date required upon arrival. Not retroactive or valid with other offers or group. See website for other restrictions.

Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 23

FREE INFORMATION SERVICE Lifestyles After 50

BRIDGE BITES

From The American Contract Bridge League

for information please return completed form to:

News Connection USA, Inc. • P.O. Box 278 • Laurel FL 34272-0278

Name:

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

Address: City:

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T

his deal continues the theme of counting the opponents’ HCP.

E-mail: o Single o Married o Are you a Group Leader?

Please contact me by: o Mail o Phone o E-mail SEND INFORMATION ON AREA(S) CHECKED BELOW AUTOMOBILES: TRAVEL: o Automobile Sales o Cruises o Land Tours o Maintenance and Repairs o Hotels/ Resorts o Recreational Vehicles o Local Attractions o Getaway Packages RESIDENTIAL LIVING: o Assisted Living HOUSING OPTIONS o RV Resort o Independent o Apartments o Assisted Living o Villa/Condo/Single Family o Senior Apartment o Golf Community o Continuing Care/LifeCare PERSONAL HEALTH: FINANCIAL/ LAW: o Physicians o Reverse Mortgages o Dentists o Retirement planning o Eye Care o Trusts o Alternative Health o Estate planning o Weight Loss o Guardianships o Pharmacies o Elder Law o Home Health LEISURE TIME: o Prescription Drugs o Golf o Hearing o Biking o Spas/Gym o Shopping o Medical Supplies o Theater INSURANCE: o Jewelry o Medicare HOME IMPROVEMENTS: o Health o Sunrooms o Long-term care o Pools/spas o Auto o Contractor o Life o Home Modifications o Home OTHER: SW

Entries will be collected by News Connection U.S.A. for future promotions, special offers, and marketing.

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When you complete this form and mail it back, your name will be entered to win a $25 gift certficate to Home Depot.

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P Michael Mannossos — Congratulations! P Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 24

This is not the most swashbuckling auction ever to appear in Bridge Bites but the deal does provide a test for Declarer’s powers of deduction.

Cover up the E-W hands if you would like to test your own powers.

West leads the ♣J won by East’s Ace and it takes half a nano-second for East to find the ♥Q shift. You could duck Hearts twice, hoping that West has the doubleton ♥A, but that would give East 5 Hearts and he would be unlikely to sell out to 1♠ in that case. So, you hopefully play the ♥K, taken by West’s Ace. Two more

The Power of Deduction

Hearts are won by East’s ♥JT, then a Club which you win. The ♠A and ♠K are cashed, followed by the ♠J to East’s Queen (West following).

Back comes East’s last trump, and decision time has arrived! You’ve already lost 5 tricks, and must avoid the loss of two Diamonds if you are to make your contract. A Diamond to the Jack? Or a Diamond to the King?

Do you have your guessing shoes on?

Guess? What guess? Let’s reflect upon East’s bidding. Oh, that’s right, he didn’t bid—which is the whole point of this hand. So far East has shown up with ♣A, ♥QJ, and ♠Q. That’s 9 High Card Points (HCP). Can East also have the ♦A? Absolutely not! He passed originally, that ♦A would give him 13 HCP and too much for said Pass. So, you lead a Diamond towards the board, West smoothly plays low, and you rise majestically with the ♦K. Making 7 tricks thanks to a little deduction.

Post Script: Upon winning the ♥A, West would have done better to shift fiendishly to a low Diamond, putting Declarer to the test in that suit before all the clues had been collected!

Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org.

To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org/D9Clubsmap.htm.

Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: www.stpetebridge.org.

War of 1812 Remembered J

une is a good month to visit Baltimore and the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. It was the war that brought “The Star-Spangled Banner.” They’re hosting Star-Spangled Sailabration June 13 – 19 to celebrate. Experience these:

Tall and U.S. Navy ships, patriotic fireworks, memorial ceremonies, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert, commemorative coins. There’ll be reenactments, home and fort tours.

Experience history!

Information at starspangled200.com.

Seniors Getting Together Attention SGTers!

Screen respondents carefully. Always meet in public places and have your own transportation. Don’t divulge your home address. Be sure to provide a way for your correspondent to respond to you – phone number, e-mail address or Post Office Box address. Contact the authorities if you feel threatened or harassed by an individual. Be patient and careful – a good relationship and your personal safety are worth the wait!

WOMEN SEEKING MEN 4119 SEEKING CHRISTIAN GENTLEMAN Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., widow, slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. Loves the Lord. Florida.

4143 WOMAN SEEKING CHRISTIAN MEN I am retired but do volunteer work for a senior place. 5’9”, 170

lbs., divorced, AS, BIK, exercise two days a week, love the beach and eating out. Looking for a companion in Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral, Lehigh. I am 66.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN 4120 WANTED SLIM ROMANTIC FEMALE nonsmoker who’s tired of being alone to relocate to new home, share new life, love, companionship, each other. I’m 68, 5’8”, 150 lbs.

Send photo with description.

Commonly Used Abbreviations: F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WWWidow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOHSense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non 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.

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Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad number 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: News Connection USA, Inc. Seniors Getting Together 1602 S. Parsons Ave.,Seffner, FL. 33584

RUN YOUR AD FOR ONLY $6 A MONTH Personal Ad Placement

Hot! Hot!

ee Elder Abuse Prevention Partnership (LEAPP) is presenting a special event for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On Fri., June 15, a public gathering will bring awareness to the global issue of elder abuse. Join them in Centennial Park near the fountain from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. LEAPP members will discuss ways they are working in the community. Info: (239) 433-3900.

At Age 88, Another Mountain?

F

red Beckey calls himself an alpinist/ author/media presenter/environmental specialist. At age 88, he’s still mountaineering, always looking for routes to the top that no one else has found—he’s discovered more of them than anyone in the history of the ascensionist sport.

He has also written several books about it—the most recent lists his 100 favorite climbs.

Age, Beckey allows, has slowed his speed up a mountain, but he sees no reason why it should keep him, or anyone, at sea level.

—“The Old Man, His Mountains” The Wall Street Journal, November 2011 Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 25

Last Month’s Answers

Enter

Last Month’s to Win! Winner Is Alma Sellers Congratulations!

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Myron L. Guisewite Congratulations !!!

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Please send me the following information Lifestyles Best Friends Better brochures AfterDeserve 50 • June 2012Plans • page 26 Pet Alert Wallet Card In-Case-Of-Emergency Window Decal

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Shell Point’s Newest Assisted Living Facility Welcomes First Resident

T

he newest assisted living facility (ALF) at Shell Point Retirement Community has officially opened its doors for new residents, and Virginia Moore was the first person to move in. On Wednesday, April 11, Moore moved into her studio apartment to enjoy the services and lifestyle offered at Shell Point.

“About a year ago, I made the move from living independently to moving in with my daughter Judy and son-inlaw Stu. They took amazing care of me but I couldn’t help but feel I was depriving them of spending time with their own children. My daughter and son-in-law would often stay home with me instead of taking long trips to see their kids as desired. I am so “On the day that I moved in, I was met happy to be at The Springs where I by all The Springs staff welcoming me to can receive assistance with tasks that my new home; it is something that I will used to be difficult for me to manage never forget. I was overwhelmed with alone. The help I receive here with emotions and was so excited to move in.” these simple tasks allows me the op“I first heard about The Springs conportunity to spend time doing things struction and renovation plan from good that I love, such as reading. At 94, it friends of mine that are Shell Point is all about energy management!” residents,” said Moore. “I had always The Springs is the third ALF at Shell dreamed of coming to Shell Point RePoint. The community opened the tirement Community, but never thought King’s Crown on The Island at Shell it would be possible. On the day that I Point in 1987, and added The Arbor in moved in, I was met by all The Springs The Woodlands at Shell Point in 2005. staff welcoming me to my new home; New to the Shell Point lifecare tradiATW_50069_44230_10x4.75:ATW-50069_10x4.75 5/21/12 3:32 PM Page 1 it is something that I will never forget. tion, The Springs offers assisted living I was overwhelmed with emotions services to the public on a month-toand was so excited to move in.” month private pay basis. The Springs

assisted living services are available at an economical rate while maintaining the high quality care that Shell Point is well known for. Providing assisted living services on a monthly basis allows residents a higher degree of flexibility and provides us with the ability to offer seasonal and respite stays.

“It has been so satisfying to watch our first several residents move in.

The caring relationships have started to develop between our new residents and staff,” said Rita Southern, Director of Assisted Living and Resident Support Services. “We all are very honored that both the residents and their families trust us and place their needs and care in our hands.”

The location of The Springs at the entrance to Shell Point is less than two miles from the Sanibel Island causeway. This location, in addition to Shell Point’s comprehensive resident activities and healthcare services, is just one of the many benefits that residents of the facility enjoy. The Springs all-inclusive monthly rate,

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excluding personal laundry, helps residents and their families plan for the most effective use of their resources. This new assisted living option provides the added security of access to the network of quality health care services provided by the Shell Point health care team, when and if those services are needed.

The facility’s amenities and services include a heated swimming pool, exercise facilities, transportation, dining, 24-hour healthcare staffing and a professional activities leader who coordinates high-quality events and activities, educational and entertainment programs, and opportunities for socialization and personal growth.

Representatives of The Springs are available to assist individuals or families through the steps involved in making the transition as smooth and simple as possible. For info about The Springs at Shell Point or to request a brochure, call (239) 454-2077, email thesprings@shellpoint.org, or visit www.shellpoint.org/assistedliving.

“Ten-ten AM, Thursday, May 31st, 2012”

You never have to set this watch… in fact you never even have to look at it

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analog display that you won’t need reading glasses to see. Best of all, you can press a button and it will tell you the time in a clear, easy-to-understand voice. So whether you’re driving to an appointment or dining in a candlelit restaurant… you are sure to know the exact time. Press the button again and it will even tell you the day and date if you want. There’s even an automatic hourly chime.

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Lifestyles After 50 • June 2012 • page 27