December 2014

G R I E F MA A N AG G E M E NT | C O M M U N I T Y C A L E N D A R | C R O S S W O R D P U Z Z L E

Ana Varela Bridging Art and Function Through Ceramics

DECEMBER 2014

seniortimesmagazine.com

INSIDE

REVISITING SANIBEL

VOLUNTEER FROM HOME

A delightful destination in Old Florida

Ways to lend a helping hand

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December 2014

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Where do you find the value of our research in heart care?

Right here.

UF HEALTH HEART AND VASCULAR CARE Our breakthroughs may happen in labs, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s at home where you see their results. At UF Health Heart and Vascular Care, every advance is looked at not for what it can do, but for who it can help.

And how it can get them back home, sharing life with the people they care about. From managing blood pressure to treating heart attacks to performing aortic surgery, weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re moving medicine forward with every patient we serve.

To make an appointment, call 352.265.0820 or visit UFHealth.org/heart.

December 2014

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CONTENTS DECEMBER 2014 • VOL. 14 ISSUE 12

ON THE COVER – Artist Ana Varela poses inside of her art studio in Micanopy where she creates one-of-a-kind ceramic pieces. Learn about the intense process by which each piece of art is made and where she finds her inspiration.

PHOTO BY ERICKA WINTERROWD

departments 8 12 20

Tapas Community Page Charity of the Month

columns 40 46 49

Calendar of Events Theatre Listings Crossword Puzzle

Healthy Edge

21

by Kendra Siler-Marsiglio

Tinseltown Talks

28

by Nick Thomas

14 22

Travel

by Ellis Amburn

30

Ana Varela

Revisiting Sanibel Island

The Cat’s Meow

BY CLIFF TERRY

BY ERICKA WINTERROWD

The Importance of Grieving Tips To Get You Through The Holidays

BY WANDA CURTIS

Enjoying Act Three

38

features

34

50

Reading Corner Review by Terri Schlichenmeyer

Volunteering How to Help Without Leaving Home

BY DARLA KINNEY SCOLES

WINNER! Congratulations to the winner from our NOVEMBER 2014 issue…

Carol Schoneman from Gainesville, Florida

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December 2014

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World-class stroke care right here at home.

Highest level of stroke care in North Central Florida.

We recently received comprehensive certification from The Joint Commission, which demonstrates our commitment to offering a wider range of treatments, providing better care for you and always aiming for the best possible outcomes.

To learn more about stroke and the UF Health difference, visit stroke.UFHealth.org.

UF HEALTH SHANDS COMPREHENSIVE STROKE CENTER

Nationally certified by The Joint Commission, the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association.

December 2014

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FROM THE EDITOR œ ALBERT ISAAC

Happy Holidays!

“Somehow not only for Christmas, but all the long year through, the joy that you give to others is the joy that comes back to you.”

— JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER

I do believe this is a quote by John Greenleaf Whittier — but I could be wrong, as I’ve also seen it attributed to E. B. White. If any of you know for sure, please feel free to send me a note!

So, I know I say this every year, but I’m going to have to ask again: “Where did the year go?” 2015 is knocking on the door and I haven’t even started my Christmas shopping. But I’ll get to it.

I always do. Nothing like last-minute shopping to get your adrenaline flowing.

We kick off this issue with a travel

piece about Sanibel Island. Our writer visited in February so although it may be cold in some parts of the country, in Florida it’s beach weather for a good part of the year. Gotta love our mild winters.

We also offer some info and advice for dealing with grief in general — especially during the holidays. If you or a loved one are feeling down please take some time to read our story about the importance of recognizing — and experiencing — grief.

In November, Darla wrapped up her series describing her on-site volunteering experiences, but in conclusion she brings you one final story of how you can help others from the comfort of your home. Helping others benefits not only those in need but also those offering their services.

Also in this issue we recently visited with Ana Varela and therefore offer you a story about the artist and her art, as well as information about her upcoming holiday celebration.

It’s been a good (if not fast!) year for Tower Publications. We have enjoyed bringing you the wide variety of stories and profiles, ranging from musicians and athletes to real American Heroes.

And now, for 2015, we are all looking forward to continuing to provide you with great stories about the interesting people, resources, and things to do in our community.

From our Tower Family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! s

:: Correction Notice :: We’d like to thank the observant reader who caught our error in the TAPAS section of the November Senior Times. Billie Jean King was not born in October. She was born November 22, 1943 and just turned 71 years old.

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December 2014

Published monthly by Tower Publications, Inc.

www.seniortimesmagazine.com PUBLISHER

Charlie Delatorre charlie@towerpublications.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Albert Isaac editor@towerpublications.com Fax: 352-416-0175 MANAGING EDITOR

Ericka Winterrowd ericka@towerpublications.com ART DIRECTOR

Hank McAfee hank@towerpublications.com GRAPHIC DESIGN

Neil McKinney neil@towerpublications.com EDITORIAL INTERNS

EMILY BEHRENS ADVERTISING SALES

Melissa Morris melissa@towerpublications.com direct: 352-416-0212 For more advertising information including rates, coverage area, distribution and more – contact Melissa Morris or visit our website at: www.seniortimesmagazine.com ADVERTISING OFFICE

4400 NW 36th Avenue Gainesville, FL 32606 352-372-5468 352-373-9178 fax The articles printed in Senior Times Magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Tower Publications, Inc. or their editorial staff. Senior Times Magazine endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we can not be held responsible by the public for advertising claims.

Senior Times Magazine reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. If you would like to discontinue receiving Senior Times Magazine please call 352-372-5468 for assistance. © 2013 Tower Publications, Inc. All rights reserved.

If you would like us to publicize an event in Alachua or Marion counties, send information by the 13th day of the month prior.

All submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available.

352-416-0175 (fax) or email: editor@towerpublications.com

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STAFF œ CONTRIBUTORS

JUNIOR LEAGUE OF GAINESVILLE

OUR PARTNERS clockwise from top left DARLA KINNEY SCOLES remembers taking a high school journalism class and falling in love with the process. Oodles of years, one husband, three daughters and multitudinous stories later, she’s still in love with it all. That, and dark chocolate. darlakinneyscoles@gmail.com CLIFF TERRY is a Chicago-based freelancer and former movie critic, TV critic, feature writer and associate Sunday Magazine editor for the Chicago Tribune. He was also awarded a Nieman Fellowship in journalism at Harvard University. terrycomm@aol.com ERICKA WINTERROWD received her master’s in multimedia journalism from UF, where she also earned her BFA in theatre performance.

When she isn’t scribbling down her thoughts she enjoys gardening and fawning over a Malti-Pom named Doodle. ericka@towerpublications.com WANDA CURTIS is a Master’s-prepared nurse and journalist who specializes in health and family-related articles. She’s married and has four children. Her favorite place to visit is the ocean. wandacurtis730@gmail.com

R

Floating Lotus • Trader Joe’s • Fresh Market • Bagel Bakery • Bike Works Ralph and Mary Barrish • Gator Domino’s • GNV Running and Walking Dampier Septic • Natalie Jasinski with Premier Jewelry • 2 College Brothers Swift Cycle • The Super Cool Bike Shop • Zumba by Cindy Lewis • Zoe’s Kitchen Swamp Head Brewery • A-Nu-U • Santa Hugh Residence Inn by Marriott Gainesville I-75

BIKE DONORS Sharon Manger • Lisa Kanarek • Amanda Trotter • Karen Pearson Ashley Finnegan • Allyson Zant • Jennifer Garrett • Megan Jansen • Carol Dungan Julie Sablik • Mackenzie Boyer • Susan Crowley • Karen Bradford • Sarah Cain Olga Desol • Margie Deardourff • Mary Ann Williams • Garrett Bell • Lori McGriff Dustin Cash - Homewood Suites • Carrie Duncan- Hilton Garden Inn Realtors at Trend Realty • Marilyn Deas

December 2014

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TAPAS œ DECEMBER

Christmas

anta Claus is based on a real person, St. Nikolas of Myra (also known as v, Bishop Saint Nicholas of Smyrna, and Nikolaos of Bari), who lived during the fourth century. Born in Patara (in modern-day Turkey), he is the world’s most popular non-Biblical saint, and artists have portrayed him more often than any other saint except Mary. He is the Patron Saint of banking, pawnbroking, pirating, butchery, sailing, thievery, orphans, royalty, and New York City.

S

All the gifts gif in the Twelve Days of Christma Christmas would equal 364 gifts.

A Yule log is an enormous log that is typically burned during the Twelve Days of Christmas (December 25-January 6).

Some scholars suggest that the word yule means “revolution” or “wheel,” which symbolizes the cyclical return of the sun. A burning log or its charred remains is said to offer health, fertility, and luck as well as the ability to ward off evil spirits.

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December 2014

Norwegian scientists have hypothesized that Rudolph’s red nose is probably the result of a parasitic infection of his respiratory system.

seniortimesmagazine.com

A m p

Benefiting the

THANK YOU TO OUR NOCHE DE GALA 2014 SPONSORS DIAMOND PRESENTING SPONSORS

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CRYSTAL SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

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HOME Magazine Business in the Heart of Florida

SILVER SPONSORS

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Citizens State Bank • UF Health • The Village Journal • What’s Happening Publications Giggle Magazine • Good Life Community Magazine

MARBLE SPONSORS

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North Central Florida Business Report • Ocala Magazine • Footstone Photography Saboré • neutral7 design group • InterMed Biologics / Tyler’s Hope • Tower Hill Insurance Group Wells Fargo • Coleen DeGroff, Realtor at RE/MAX Professionals • Holland & Knight • Optym Yvette Godet, DMD • Dr. Mark and Jennifer Bleiweis • Neuberger Berman • Ingrid Rockefeller Live Oak Stud • Rountree-Moore Auto Group

BRONZE SPONSORS

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Sleep Inn & Suites • Lang Jewelers • 1st Credit of Union of Gainesville • Kids Doc Pediatrics Signature Brands • Front Street Commercial Real Estate Group • Nancy E. Decker Pool Cleaning Harold and Bonnie-Jean Lyons • Dr. Doug and Macky Barrett • Richard Allen and Susan Mastin/Maytree Foundation • CAMPUS USA Credit Union • Gilbert and Becky Levy/Consultants and Analysts, LLC • Ocala Hilton

GLASS SPONSORS

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Richard and Pam Astrom • Dr. Arlan and Edith Rosenbloom • Blue Highway, a pizzeria • Scarborough Insurance Michael and Penny Wilkes-Mauk • WCA of Florida • Greene-Hazel Foundation • Charlie and Linda Wells Drs. Bill and Shelley Collins • Rodney Fischer • Tom and Linda Donaldson LIBERTYAIR Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. • Dr. Amit and Melissa Rawal • Dr. Donald and Mary Lou Eitzman Dr. Ira and Gerri Gessner • Ocala Poker and Jai Alai • Lem and Dana Purcell • Ajax Building Corporation Steve Perez • Rembert Family Foundation • Gradell Farm • The Family of Bev Millard • ToneRow Stonecliff Farm • Dr. Jason and Denise Rosenberg

Proceeds benefit UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. www.SebastianFerrero.org December 2014

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TAPAS œ DECEMBER

Ben Kingsley DECEMBER 31, 1943

71

Years Old

Ben Kingsley is a British actor who has won an Academy Award, Grammy, B BAFTA, two Golden Globes and Screen Actors awards. His career spans more than 40 years and he is most known for his role as Mohandas ‘Mahatma’ Gandhi in the 1982 film “Gandhi,” for which he won an Oscar for Best Actor. He is also known for his performances in the films “Schindler’s List,” “Hugo,” “Shutter Island,” and “Iron Man 3,” to name a few. Kingsley was born Krishna Pandit Bhanji in Snainton, North Riding of Yorkshire in Great Britain to his mother Anna Lyna Mary, an actress and model and father Harji Bhanji, a medical doctor. He studied at the University of Salford f and at Pendleton College. Kingsley made his London West End theatre debut at the Aldwych Theatre in 1967 and eventually joined the Royal Shakespeare Company, where he would make his Broadway debut in 1971. He transitioned to film roles after devoting himself almost exclusively to the stage for 15 years and is set to voice Bagheera in Disney’s reboot of “The Jungle Book.” Kingsley was named Commander of the order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2000 and was made a Knight Bachelor in the 2002 New Years Honours. He has been married four times and has four children. He and wife Daniela lavender, a Brazilian actress tied the knot on September 3rd, 2007.

A FEW OTHER NOTABLE

Birthdays this Month Woody Allen

Emerson Fittipaldi

December 1, 1935 (79)

December 12, 1946 (68)

Jim Messina

Christopher Plummer

December 5, 1947 (67)

December 13, 1929 (85)

Ellen Burstyn

Hal Williams

December 7, 1932 (82)

December 14, 1938 (76)

“As long as algebra is taught in school, there will be prayer in school.” –COKIE ROBERTS Born December 27, 1943, Cokie Roberts is an American journalist and author, a regular roundtable analyst for the current “This Week With George Stephanopoulos” and a contributing senior analyst for National Public radio. Roberts also works as a political commentator for ABC News, where she serves as an on-air analyst for the network.

She was born Mary Martha Corinne Morrison Claiborne Roberts in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her mother is the late ambassador and long-tine Democratic Congressman from Louisiana Lindy Boggs and her father is the late Hale Boggs, also a Democratic Congressman from Louisiana.

She received her nickname “Cokie” from her brother Tommy, who could not pronounce “Corinne.” Roberts attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart and graduated from Wellesley College, receiving her BA in Political Science. She currently resides in Bethesda, Maryland with her husband Steven V. Roberts, a professor and fellow journalist. The two have been married since 1966 and have two two children and six grandchildren together.

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December 2014

71

Years Old

seniortimesmagazine.com

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COMMUNITY œ HELPING OTHERS

LOCAL GROUPS PROVIDING FOOD AND CLOTHING TO THOSE IN NEED

Season for Giving

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December 2014

Most of us know where we’ll be sleeping this holiday season — and that there will be food on the table. But there are many less fortunate. Read about ways you can help those less fortunate in Gainesville and Ocala.

GAINESVILLE WOMAN’S CLUB WARM CLOTHING DRIVE The Gainesville Woman’s Club and partner Belk at the Oaks Mall are collecting as much warm clothing for children as possible and then making the clothing available to area Alachua County Schools for distribution to those in need.

The Club will have a collection box at the north entrance (facing Newberry Road) of Belk, at the Oaks Mall, 6323 Newberry Road. You may bring new or gently used coats and sweaters to the collection box at the north entrance (facing Newberry Road) of Belk in the Oaks Mall from now until December 23rd during store hours. For more information, please call the Gainesville Woman’s Club at 352-376-3901 or e-mail gwcwomansclub@att.net.

DONATE CANNED GOODS AND HELP Countywide effort to culminate with December 12 Holiday Food Drive on the Square Marion County is encouraging citizens and businesses to help those in greater need this holiday season by participating in the third installment

of the “Bring the Harvest Home” campaign. The month-long effort to collect canned food and toiletry donations will culminate on Friday, Dec. 12, with a Holiday Food Drive from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Square in downtown Ocala. Donated goods will help fill area pantries, such as Brother’s Keeper, Interfaith and the Salvation Army.

Citizens and businesses may assist the efforts by collecting and donating items as follows: • Dry foods and complementary goods (rice, pasta, pasta sauce, cereal, crackers, peanut butter and jelly).

• Canned meats (corned beef, corned beef hash, ham and tuna).

• Canned vegetables and fruit.

• Baby items (baby cereal, diapers and lotion).

• Toiletries (soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste and toilet paper).

Donations may be dropped off at the Square on Dec. 12 or at several other locations throughout the campaign. For a full list of drop-off locations (including public libraries and Marion County Fire Rescue career fire stations) or more information, visit www.bringtheharvesthome. com or “like” www.facebook.com/ MarionCountyFlorida on Facebook. s seniortimesmagazine.com

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December 2014

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TRAVEL

REVISITING

by Cliff Terry

A

Sa

while back, in a seashell cleaning hut at a Sanibel Island motel on the Gulf of Mexico, a man was heard telling a woman, “It’s all about the shells, isn’t it? That’s why we come here.”

“Well, actually,” the woman replied, somewhat sheepishly, “we came here to get away from the kids.”

Whatever the motive, Sanibel and its adjacent barrier island Captiva have long been delightful destinations for tired-of-shoveling Northerners, as well as Floridians who love the sun, surf and laid-back pace of life. My wife, Pat, and I first visited Sanibel/Captiva when our two boys were quite young, then returned with them in their teen years and came back again as empty-nesters a while back.

“Leave nothing on beach but footprints.”

Part of the appeal is that a decades-long struggle to maintain these islands as the “old Florida” — as opposed to the “new” Marco Island-like condos — has been largely been successful. Even the islands’ scattered “starter mansions” are shielded by native foliage. Plus, the beaches and shells are as lovely as ever.

“If you’re looking for high-rises and fast-paced Miami Beach vacations or PHOTO BY PAT TERRY Sanibel lodging runs the gamut in price and amenities, from “old Sanibel” housekeeping cottages like Tropical Winds and Periwinkle Cottages at the far end of the island near Ding Darling Wildlife Refuge to the charmingly refurbished, upscale Casa Ybel with gourmet restaurant and pool. This photo overlooks a vast stretch of beach outside Tropical Winds.

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December 2014

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anibel December 2014

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PHOTOS BY PAT TERRY Positioned on a slant in the Gulf of Mexico, Sanibel Island is known for the beaches and shelling created by its unusual geography. And that unusual posture marking the shelling enthusiast, who’s constantly checking the ground, is affectionately dubbed the “Sanibel Stoop.”

Disney, this is not the place,” said Judith Ann Zimomra, Sanibel’s city manager. “But if you want world-class beaches, with great shelling, it is.”

Sanibel — 145 miles south of Tampa and connected by a three-mile-long causeway to the mainland’s Ft. Myers — is roughly 12 miles long and five miles across. Captiva, connected by bridge across a thin slice of water known as Blind Pass, is less than five miles long and half a mile wide. With the islands situated in the Gulf on a geographical slant, they become an ideal catching grounds for all kinds of fantastic shells.

The islands boast 15 miles of beaches; six public ones are on Sanibel, which shares Turner Beach at Blind Pass with Captiva, home to Captiva Beach at its far end.

The showcase on Sanibel is Bowman’s Beach, a wide stretch beautifully kept up and, in places, not all that crowded. Bowman’s has classy restrooms, and even the spacious parking lot is landscaped with native vegetation. Like the other beaches, there are no shacks selling junk food or tacky souvenirs. At the entrance are large displays describing dune vegetation (sea oats,

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December 2014

passion vine, bay cedar) and, of course, the lineup of seashells.

More than 400 species of multi-colored shells, from the commonplace lightning whelk and Florida fighting conch to the rare junonia, can be found along the coast.

The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, 3075 Sanibel-Captiva (San-Cap) Road, is reportedly the only North American museum devoted exclusively to seashells. It features an introductory video on mollusks, answering such questions as how they reproduce (very slowly), along with displays of shells from around the world, a children’s learning lab, and answers to other such questions as, “Do giant clams eat man?” (No, they’re vegetarian.)

On a clear-sky February morning, a woman speaking German was clacking along the substantial boardwalk in her high heels; other women were conversing in French on the beach while an American guy was doing business over his cell phone.

At Tarpon Bay Beach, midway on Sanibel, a sign read “Leave nothing on beach but footprints.” Not many ventured into the water (the air temperature was in the low 70s) and seniortimesmagazine.com

a man was sitting in a beach chair, quietly practicing guitar.

Down the way, at Gulfside City Park beach, “quiet” is probably not the operative word, as its shallow waters attract families with young children. Farther east is Sanibel Lighthouse Beach, known for its treasure of “miniatures” — microscopic versions of shells. And at the island’s west end at smallish Turner Beach, surf fishermen standing on rock pilings try their luck.

West-facing Captiva attracts late-afternoon visitors hoping to catch the moment when, as novelist Richard Ford has written, “the sun turns the sea to sequined fires.” A dutiful attendant from the tony South Seas Plantation resort provided umbrellas and beach chairs for the resort’s guests in a ropedoff area. The beach is composed of finely crushed shells, unlike the more sandy composition on Sanibel. Brown pelicans were floating out on the water, while a heron was standing in the shallows, seemingly oblivious to the nearby human activity.

Undoubtedly, the crown jewel of the islands is Sanibel’s J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and named after a pioneer conservationist who was also, of all things, a Pulitzer Prize-winning political cartoonist. Over 800,000 people visit it annually, many never getting out of their cars as they traverse the five-mile Wildlife Drive. More than 220 bird species have been spotted there, and we saw pied-billed grebes, ibis, white and brown pelicans, anhingas, ospreys in their nests, willets, a variety of herons, brilliant roseate spoonbills and the dancing reddish egrets.

Another way to see the wildlife is to bike around or take the refuge’s excellent 90-minute guided tram tour. Or you might want to sign on with the “Canoe Adventures” headed by outspoken, iconoclastic Mark “Bird” Westall, a former Sanibel mayor.

Other activities include biking the 27 miles of paths on Sanibel alone — and it’s all flat! — and visiting C.R.O.W (Clinic for the

WATER

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PHOTO BY PAT TERRY Kayaking, for novices and the experienced alike, is one of a multitude of outdoor activities available on Sanibel Island. A good spot to start out is Tween Waters, a charming resort lying between Sanibel and Captiva islands. Like Tarpon Bay, Tween Waters offers solo kayak rentals or guided tours, for a close-up look at the birds, small crabs and fish.

Rehabilitation of Wildlife, 3883 San-Cap Road) and the SanibelCaptiva Conservation Foundation’s Nature Center, 3333 San-Cap Road, or taking a dolphin-spotting cruise on San Carlos Bay. Sanibel incorporated as a city in 1974, while Captiva is unincorporated in Lee County. In 1976, a report on land use laid out concerns with such issues as wetlands and mangrove protection, beach-erosion control and wildlife conservation.

It was the first U.S. city to base its land-development code on the preservation of natural resources. With few exceptions, the city’s buildings are restricted to a height of three stories, and on both islands, from May through October — the nesting season for sea turtles — residents must keep lights near the beaches off or shielded.

About 72 percent of Sanibel land is on conservation status, which means it can’t be developed, through acquisitions by the city, the nonprofit Conservation Foundation and the “Ding” Darling wildlife preserve. The Foundation, incorporated in 1967, has fought such development proposals as a huge trailer park and golf and tennis club, thus preserving 300-plus acres of wetlands, and campaigned for measures ranging from protection for alligators to eliminating junked cars.

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December 2014

Captiva has considerably fewer curbs on development, and there’s a lot more of it there. Islanders, it appears, have been longtime battlers. One elderly Sanibel couple in the ‘60s fought putting a road through their property, standing off a bulldozer with a crossbow.

Not everything, of course, is blue skies and roseate spoonbills. There is the numbing bumper-to-bumper traffic, which is why some vacationers shun these islands. The traffic jam is usually between 3 and 6 p.m., when workers and day-tripping tourists head back to the mainland along Periwinkle Way, Sanibel’s main thoroughfare.

Zimomra said the two biggest challenges are water quality, which is affected by water pathways from areas north of the islands (“If someone pours a can of oil into a sewer basin at Disney World, it eventually will go down the Kissimmee River into Lake Okeechobee, down the Caloosahatchee River and then on to Sanibel”), and pressures from off-island growth.

“We’re protecting OUR areas, but if [nearby] Cape Coral goes from a town of 10,000 to 100,000, and they have no beaches of their own, and every time their cousin comes down from Pittsburgh and they want to take him to the beach, that’s 10 times as many people trying to get to our beaches every day.” s seniortimesmagazine.com

lthough Sanibel often is thought of as a haven for big spenders, there are more affordable lodging and dining choices, which treats our budget a lot more kindly. We’ve also te “splurges.” splurges. included our favorite

A

Island Sleeping Looking for no-nonsense, “old island” lodging, we wentt el Capon the Web, Googled “Sanibel tiva Chamber of Commerce,” hit “Where to Stay,” then “Small Inns, Cottages and Motels” and came up with the charmingly quaint Periwinkle Cottages of Sanibel (1959 vintage) at 1431 Jamaica Drive, advertising “affordable island charm and Old Florida comfort.”

Some of the other “oldie” Sanibel places that caught our attention included Shalimar Cottages and Motel, 2823 West Gulf Drive; Blue Dolphin Cottages, 4227 West Gulf; and the 50-yearold Tropical Winds Beachfront Motel and Cottages, 4819 Trade Winds Drive, prime sunset-watching territory. On Captiva, Jensen’s On the Gulf, 15300 Captiva Drive, looked intriguing.

Other, but pricier vintage places include the renovated ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort, 15951 Captiva Drive, Captiva; The Castaways at Blind Pass, 6460 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel; the oldest of them all (born 1895), the charming Island Inn, 3111 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel, complete with, yes, a shuffleboard court; the charming West Wind Inn, 3345 West Gulf Drive; and the fancy-schmancy Casa Ybel Resort (est. 1915), 2255 West Gulf Drive, Sanibel.

Island Eating THE MUCKY DUCK - 11546 6 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva Island A favorite with locals and tourists alike, the Duck has wonderful views of the Gulf, and if you ask for a “window table,” a waitress brings over a window mounted on rollers — always good for a laugh. Selections range from boiled shrimp and fish cakes to black bean burgers, and specials include the exquisite tilapia.

SANIBEL BEAN - 2240 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island Known as simply “The Bean,” this always-humming place serves up straightforward good coffee (with the expected variations), bagels, fruit platters, salads and hot grilled Italian panini and deli sandwiches.

OVER EASY CAFÉ - 630-1 Tarpon Bay Road, Sanibel Island A pleasant, airy place that’s highly popular with the breakfast crowd. Some outdoor seating. Try the French toast with wonderful fresh strawberries or the pedestrian but tasty “Ho Hum” (eggs and bacon or sausage).

GEORGE AND WENDY’S SEAFOOD GRILLE - 2499 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel Island Founded by George and Wendy Schnapp — he’s been in the restaurants business for over 30 years, she is also part owner and manager of Tarpon Bay Explorers — this is a great place for lunch, offerings of which range from a grouper reuben sandwich and classic Caesar salad to the wonderful Aunt Kathy’s New England Clam Chowdah (OK). The (not cheap) dinner menu includes a wide array of imaginative seafood dishes, from sweet bourbon marinated salmon to pina colada snapper and Togarashi tuna.

December 2014

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CHARITY OF THE MONTH

Newberry High School Band of Pride OCTOBER 2014 WINNER – 1976 VOTES

The Newberry High School Band of Pride is wrapping up marching season, preparing for their holiday concert, and looking toward the spring concert that will be here before they know it.

TO NOMINATE A CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE OR TO VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES, VISIT:

A

nd in the midst of all that, band members are working hard to raise more than $20,000 for a trip to Washington D.C. The band, which is comprised of about 30 to 35 members, was nominated by U.S. Rep. Ted Yoho to be in the 2015 Memorial Day Parade in the nation’s capital. They submitted an application, and Band Director James DeRemer got news that they’d been selected to march in the prestigious parade to honor fallen military heroes.

DeRemer said they will drive, and the plan is to leave the Saturday before Memorial Day and do some sightseeing and historical tours before their performance on Memorial Day. They should then return home Tuesday or Wednesday after their performance.

DeRemer said they’ve raised about a third of the funds they need to make the trip, including the money they got from winning the SunState Federal Credit Union’s Charity of the Month contest in October. Ginny McKoy, one of the people working to raise funds, nominated the band through the SunState Facebook contest, and the band was presented with the check

20

at the last football game of the season. Other fundraising efforts included a yard sale and a textiles fundraiser to help raise funds. And all the proceeds from the Newberry Watermelon Festival were donated to the band.

They also plan to make a banner for the parade, and as an additional fundraiser people can donate money and have the name of a war veteran put on the banner to be proudly displayed as they march through Washington.

DeRemer said they’re still picking songs for the band to play during the parade, but he’s thinking about an Armed Forces medley that includes songs from all the branches of the military. Each branch of the military will have a small excerpt of their song played followed by a drum cadence that segues into the next branch’s song.

The parade is three hours long, and it passes the National Mall on Constitution Avenue. It will feature patriotic floats, balloons, veteran units as well as outstanding marching bands from around the country. It will be streamed live online at www.military.com starting at 2 p.m. s

December 2014

www.facebook.com/SunStateFCU and click on “Charity of the Month”.

seniortimesmagazine.com

COLUMN œ KENDRA SILER-MARSIGLIO

Healthy Edge Cut Your Sugar, Sugar!

T

he holidays are upon us again.

Every way we turn, we’ll be faced with sweets. Here’s how you can cut your sugar over the holidays — and every day thereafter.

Sugar is a double-edged sword; it tastes great, but unfortunately science is showing that it can damage our bodies.

Earlier this year, researchers from Harvard and the CDC found that added sugar increases your risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease. According to this study, the risk of death from heart disease more than doubles for the one in 10 of Americans who receive 25 percent of their daily calories from added sugar. (On average, added sugars typically make up about 15 percent of Americans’ daily caloric intake.)

Another Harvard-led analysis of 11 studies showed that added sugar in beverages is associated with increased type 2 diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. According to the NIH, metabolic syndrome may overtake smoking as the leading risk factor for heart disease.

A person is believed to have “metabolic syndrome” when his or her healthcare professional finds three or more of the following five metabolic risk factors: 1. Large waistline (aka abdominal obesity). Excess fat in the abdomen increases your risk for heart disease (excess fat in the hips of other body

2.

3.

4.

5.

parts don’t increase that risk as much).

High triglyceride levels (or on medicines to control high triglycerides).

Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood.

Low HDL cholesterol level (or on medicines to control HDL cholesterol). Low HDL cholesterol levels raise your heart disease risk.

High blood pressure (or on medicines to control high blood pressure). If your blood pressure stays high over time, it can damage your heart and lead to plaque buildup in arteries.

High fasting blood sugar (or on medicine to treat high blood sugar).

Mildly high blood sugar may be an early sign of diabetes.

Experts used to recommend that no more than 10 percent of your calories come from added sugar. However, this year, the World Health Organization announced that it now recommends that, at most, 5 percent of your daily calories come from added sugar (about 100 calories —or six teaspoons — for the average person).

The following five tips from Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD (Health’s contributing nutrition editor), are great ways to help you reduce your sugar intake, keep your healthy edge, and slim down:

2.

3.

4.

5.

precent of the added sugar in the American diet comes from using beverages as a “sugar vehicle.” Just one 12-ounce can of regular soda contains about nine teaspoons of sugar. Serve guests and yourself water infused with interesting and elegant add-ins like lime, fresh mint, cucumber, or sliced fruit. For some ideas, check out the less sugary beverages on this webpage: www. buzzfeed.com/melissaharrison/fruitinfused-waters.

Steer clear of foods with hidden sugar sources. Added sugar is in all sorts of deceptively healthy-looking foods. Unfortunately, you can’t tell which foods have added sugars from the Nutrition Facts label because it doesn’t differentiate between added sugar versus naturally occurring sugar. To find hidden sugars, check out the ingredients list. Look for words like “brown sugar,” “corn syrup,” “maltose,” “fructose,” “dextrose,” “molasses,” “agave,” “brown rice syrup,” “cane sugar,” “cane syrup,” and “evaporated cane juice.”

Buy plain foods and sweeten them yourself. You can now find “unsweetened” goods on the grocery shelf. If you need a little sweetness, add it to your liking.

Trade sweetened foods for naturally sweet fruit. Replace foods with added sugar with real fruit. For example, in place of strawberry jam on PB&Js, Cynthia uses warmed up frozen strawberries.

Limit sugary treats to once or twice a week. Pick a day or two a week to enjoy some sweets. Just knowing that you have a pre-planned treat to look forward to can help you avoid giving into temptation. s

Kendra Siler-Marsiglio, Ph.D. is the Director of Rural Health Partnership at

1. Skip the sugary drinks. About 40

WellFlorida Council.

December 2014

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GOOD GRIEF

The Importance of Grieving Tips To Get You Through The Holidays

by Wanda Curtis

M

ost people are aware of the devastating effects that cancer and heart disease have on individuals and families today. There’s another major contributor to illness and death, however, that’s often ignored.

A former chaplain at the University of Southern California Medical Center Phil Manly has estimated that 1 in 4 patients at any given hospital is there because of unresolved grief.

Manly described “grief” as “the emotion or collection of emotions we experience whenever we lose anyone or anything we care about deeply.”

Loss of a loved one through death or divorce, loss of health, loss of a body part, loss of reputation, loss of material possessions loss of a pet, and loss of a job are just a few of the losses that can precipitate grieving.

Unfortunately, many people today have the false impression that grieving is harmful. Researchers have discovered that just the opposite is true. Studies have demonstrated that persons who don’t work through their grief properly will suffer both physically and emotionally.

Unresolved grief has often been identified as a contributing factor in divorce, suicide, accidents, mental illness and juvenile delinquency. It’s been linked to physical illness such as hypertension, asthma, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and/or duodenal ulcers. It may also exacerbate pre-existing illnesses and may affect the immune system.

Former Harvard professor Dr. Erich Lindemann was one of the first ones to document the necessity of “grief work.” In 1944, he studied 101 individuals that had lost a loved one. He

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December 2014

found they had a need to work through their grief step by step.

Lindemann found that the length of time a person grieved was dependent upon how successfully they completed their “grief work.” One of the biggest obstacles was the person’s avoidance of the intense distress associated with grieving.

Many of the subjects wanted to avoid the expression of emotion so necessary for the completion of grief work.

Although grief work isn’t easy and it can’t be completed overnight, the essential thing is that it is completed. >> Factors That Influence the Grieving Process Researchers today report it can take from one to three years to complete the grieving process. They’ve identified additional factors that can influence the length of time a person grieves and how successfully they complete the grieving process.

Those include the significance of the loss, the physical and emotional health of the grieving individual, the amount of time they had to prepare for the loss, the depth of their religious faith, and the number of supportive relationships available to them.

One factor that hinders grief work is the reluctance of others to allow a person to grieve. Permission to grieve is an important factor in a grieving individual’s recovery. seniortimesmagazine.com

December 2014

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>> How to Work Through the Grieving Process Although grief work isn’t easy and it can’t be completed overnight, the essential thing is that it is completed. If you’ve recently experienced the loss of a loved one, or another type of loss, the following suggestions may assist you in working through your grief.

• Realize not everyone will understand and accept your feelings, especially if they’ve never experienced a similar loss.

Seek out a few close friends, an organized support group, a counselor, or someone else whom you trust. Reach out to them when you need to talk.

• Acknowledge your feelings to them and to yourself. Don’t try to be strong for everyone else. Admit when you feel sad, angry, lonely, or depressed.

• Amy Hillyard Jensen, author of “Healing Grief,” suggests that a person should “deliberately take time to grieve.”

She recommends listening to nostalgic music, looking at old photos, and reviewing mementos. If you’re afraid of being over-whelmed by your feelings, invite someone over who will support you through the grieving process.

• Fill your time with purposeful activities but don’t stay busy all the time. (Many people stay busy to avoid facing their grief.) Maintain a schedule or routine that’s as close to normal as possible.

• If you’re having difficulty working through your grief or if you’re suicidal, seek the assistance of a counselor or another professional trained to assist persons through the grieving process. If you don’t know where to go for help, contact your physician or ask someone you trust to assist you in finding help.

• Realize not everyone in your family will work through their grief at the same rate or in the same manner. Grief affects everyone differently. Be patient.

• Cry when you feel the need. Crying is an important form of release for everyone. It has a relaxing effect on the body.

• If possible, postpone major decisions (such as changing jobs or selling a house) for at least a year. Many grieving individuals make hasty decisions that they later regret.

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December 2014

• Deal with guilt when it arises. Often you may think “if only.”

Learn to forgive yourself and to accept God’s forgiveness.

• Try to eat a balanced diet, even though you may not feel like eating. (It’s not uncommon for grieving persons to experience a poor appetite.) Your body has sustained a shock. Eating a balanced diet will aid the healing process.

• Try to maintain a normal fluid intake. Glen Davidson, author of “Understanding Mourning: A Guide for Those Who Grieve,” reports the thirst drive is suppressed during grief.

He encourages grieving individuals to limit caffeine drinks that can be dehydrating; keeping your body adequately hydrated is another way to aid the healing process.

• Exercise daily if possible. Lack of exercise causes metabolic wastes to build up.

Exercise sometimes helps depression. If your activity has been restricted for medical reasons, consult your physician before making changes.

• Get at least 8 hours of sleep each night and/or rest during the day when possible. Many grieving individuals have difficulty sleeping.

• Use medication only under physician supervision. Excessive use of drugs and alcohol can delay the grieving process.

• Write your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Don’t worry about punctuation and spelling. Just write what you feel.

• Many people find that their grief is intensified during the holiday season. It may help to prepare for that ahead of time. Some people find that a diversion such as taking a trip instead of participating in the traditional holiday activities helps. Others find comfort in keeping everything as much the same as possible.

If you find your grief intensifies this holiday season, reach out to a friend, support group, or counselor for help. Don’t bear your grief alone when there are others who are willing to help. s Wanda Curtis is a Master’s prepared nurse and freelance writer.

seniortimesmagazine.com

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ADVERTISEMENT

‘It’s A Wonderf

ul Life”

I

t’s a Wonderful Life is just an old Frank Capra classic to most people, but to the people of SunState Federal Credit Union, it’s more than just a movie. For these volunteers and employees, the Bailey Building and Loan represents a way of doing business that SunState works hard to emulate every single day. Robert Hart, SunState’s Vice President of Marketing likes to think that it’s not just how they serve their members or the products and services they provide, but it’s more about where their heart is that really sets them apart.

“When people ask me about the

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December 2014

credit union, I always talk about George Bailey in the scene from It’s a Wonderful Life where he says your money is under your neighbor’s roof and his money is in the walls of a neighbor’s house and so on,” explains Hart. “It’s a simple way to explain how a cooperative like a credit union works. When George sums it up for the crowd with, ‘We don’t need the Mr. Potters of the world, we have each other,’ it really hits home.

That’s what SunState is all about.

Our credit union is about thousands of neighbors pooling their resources to help each other without having a Mr. Potter step in and take a cut off

the top. Our members know that, as an institution, we care and they know th l di id l care. thatt our employees as iindividuals If George Bailey really existed and he lived in Gainesville, I think he would consider our employees to have very rich lives, even if they don’t live in the biggest houses in town.”

George Bailey gave his life and career to the Building and Loan. If you ask employment experts today, they will tell you how rare it is these days for employees to stay with one company for very long. It’s different at SunState, where many employees and volunteers have given more than 20, 30, even 40 years of service to the community through their work at the credit union. Of them all, one name stands out, that of the late Marvis B. Roberts, Sr. As the story goes, in 1957, during a visit to Washington, DC, Roberts needed to cash a check and was directed to a credit union. He was impressed with the cooperative-style atmosphere and knewthat it was this innovative idea of people helping people -- rather than souvenirs -- that he would bring home. Upon his return from Washington, Roberts organized fellow employees to start Florida USDA Federal Credit Union. With an initial investment of $5 from each of the original 10 charter members, the credit union was up and running, seniortimesmagazine.com

serving local employees of the USDA. Roberts understood the importance of providing a venue for people to pool their money in order to make loans to each other at the best possible rates. He knew that not only would a group operating cooperatively treat its members better, but also as a non-profit organization they could offer better rates than an outside company or bank that needed to pay out profits to stockholders.

Over the years, the credit union expanded its member base from only Florida USDA employees to anyone who lives, works, worships or attends school in Alachua, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist or Levy counties. So, in 1993, Florida USDA Federal Credit Union changed its name to SunState Federal Credit Union. Today, SunState has grown from a modest organization operating out of a desk drawer to one that serves members from nine locations as well as a robust online

presence. Marvis Roberts passed away in 1999, but his legacy has resulted in an organization that started with initial assets of $50 that have grown to almost $300 million, proving when people work together to help themselves, great things can happen.

One might think that the cost of such growth would be a loss in personal service, but that’s not so.

SunState has one of the highest employee-to-member ratios of any credit union in the country, because they are totally committed to customer service. Hart goes back to It’s a Wonderful Life and points out that Jimmy Stewart’s character, George Bailey, embodies the way SunState strives to operate because, “Who would you rather do business with, someone like Jimmy Stewart’s character George Bailey who cares about you, or the greedy Mr. Potter who cares only about your money and is always looking for a foreclosure?”

While the hearts of staff and management lean more to the ways of the old-fashioned Bailey Building and Loan, the financial services provided by SunState are advanced even for the 21st century, because making life easier for their members is the goal of SunState -- and easier means better.

“We provide so much for our members and want more people to know that they can take advantage of what we have to offer too,” Robert Hart explains. “We want our members to consider SunState not just as a credit union, but as their one trusted financial partner.”

Like George Bailey and his father in It’s a Wonderful Life, Marvis B. Roberts Sr., the founder of SunState, his desire to serve people and better the community lives on in everyone at SunState Federal Credit Union. It’s not about money, it’s about people. It’s not about profit, it’s about service.

Serving residents in the Greater Gainesville area for more than 55 years

352-381-5200

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VISIT SUNSTATE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION AT ANY ONE OF THEIR CONVENIENT LOCATIONS TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN BENEFIT FROM BECOMING A MEMBER. MEMBERSHIP RULES APPLY. December 2014

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Tinseltown Talks And the Oscar Went to… Maureen O’Hara

by Nick Thomas

F

ood, family, and fun are usually part of Christmas Day celebrations for many families. The festivity may also include watching old Christmas movies, with the 1947 version of “Miracle on 34th Street” being a traditional favorite.

In additional to its Christmas message, the film is remembered for its cast,

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December 2014

including Edmund Gwenn who won the Oscar for his role as Kris Kringle, adorable 9-year-old Natalie Wood as Susan, and feisty Maureen O’Hara who played her mother.

Although she starred in other Hollywood classics such as “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939), “How Green Was

My Valley” (1941), and the original “The Parent Trap” (1961), O’Hara was never even nominated for a competitive Oscar.

Last month, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences finally recognized Ms. O’Hara’s lifetime achievement in film when the 94-year-old Irish actress was presented with an Honorary Oscar during the 6th Annual Governors Awards.

“It was very exciting news and I’m so proud to be recognized by my peers,” said O’Hara, from Boise, Idaho, where she has lived with family since 2012.

O’Hara remains one of the most beloved classic film actresses, often playing the lively companion to John Wayne in films such as “McLintock!” (1963), and John Ford’s “Rio Grande” (1950), and “The Quiet Man” (1952).

But her first big role came in “Jamaica Inn,” a 1939 film costarring Charles Laughton and directed by Alfred Hitchcock, his last film before leaving the UK for Hollywood. Though critics slammed it, audiences flocked to theaters.

“It was a tremendous success in Canada, England and the US,” noted O’Hara.

“Hitchcock was fabulous to work with.

But he couldn’t help it. He had the gift of genius from the heavens and gave the world wonderful stories and movies.”

Nor is it difficult to see why Laughton, who “discovered” O’Hara in a screen test, insisted on casting her in the film. She was the epitome of classic Hollywood beauty, yet not the typical helpless heroine or scream queen. seniortimesmagazine.com

In fact, her role as a determined and fearless leading lady in “Jamaica Inn” set the stage for the strong female characters she would play throughout her career.

“It would have been hard for me to be anything else because I am close in character to the women I played,” O’Hara said. “While I love being sentimental, I am a hardheaded woman too!”

Which probably explains why O’Hara was determined to perform many of her own stunts throughout her career.

After being rescued from the gallows by

Charles Laughton in “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” his stunt double lifts her high over his head atop the church tower.

“It scared the hell out of me,” she recalled. “With no protective netting and I would have been killed if I’d fallen. But I’m pretty tough, and probably would have cracked the cement! It was rather silly risking permanent injury or death for the sake of a movie, but there was a thrill in it.”

On November 8, however, Maureen O’Hara received one of her greatest thrills at the Los Angeles Hollywood & Highland

Center when she collected her Oscar, in what was a sentimental journey for all fans of the Golden Age of Hollywood.

“Thank you…thank you,” she replied, when I concluded our conversation by congratulating her on the Oscar.

Thank YOU, Ms. O’Hara. See you on Christmas Day! s Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 450 magazines and newspapers.

Data from energy.gov/energysaver - October 2014 014 4

Make the season bright with savings LED holiday lights use at least 75 percent less energy while remaining much cooler than incandescent bulbs.

Plus, they last 25 times longer.

For more energy-saving tips, visit gru.com.

December 2014

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PURRFECT POTTERY

Ana Varela The Cat’s Meow Story and Photography by Ericka Winterrowd

“I want to be doing this forever. I want to be like Beatrice Wood. She died at the age of 105 with pottery clay in her hands…she’s my hero.”

– ANA VARELA

H

er work is collected worldwide and has been exhibited in hundreds of shows, winning many awards throughout the southeast. She has also been featured in books such as “The Best of Pottery” and “The Contemporary Potter” to name a few. Who knew that such a prolific ceramic artist resides on six acres in Micanopy, Florida — complete with her own magical art studio? Her name is Ana Varela and she really is the cat’s meow.

Born in a little town in Brazil called Ponte Nova, Varela, 61, would make her solo journey to America at the age of 17.

“I came from a big Catholic family — very strict — with eight older brothers, and I was the youngest so I was tied to my mom’s skirt,” Varela said. “When I moved to South Florida I felt so free, like oh my God!” In 1982 Varela moved to Gainesville to attend the University of Florida. She graduated four years later with a B.A. in Ceramics.

“I love UF,” she said. “For me the discipline was very hard. But I got through it and they taught me all kinds of great things and I’m thankful for them.”

She is also thankful for her husband, Doug Dewey, who is a celebrated artist and potter. The two met in Gainesville and married in 1985. She described their relationship as very complimentary.

“He’s such a wonderful potter, and he has a very good engineering mind,” Varela said. “He helps me a lot with the kilns … and the formulas. Every now and then something doesn’t work and he knows exactly what it is.”

Varela said she and Dewey lived in separate houses for the majority of their marriage.

“We couldn’t figure out where we were going to live,” Varela said. “So I said let’s keep separate houses. There’s nothing wrong with this. We have no kids.

So four years ago we decided, well, we’re getting old, maybe it would be nice to live together, so my husband moved here. And it’s been nice. We said, it’s so

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December 2014

Ana Varelaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 18th Annual Holiday Celebration: Saturday, December 13th Micanopy â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Follow signs to 508 SE Tuscawilla Road.

10:00am to 5:00pm for more information: anavarela31@earthlink.net

December 2014

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much fun we should have done this a long time ago,” she said with a chuckle.

Varela has always known she was an artist.

“There are lots of artists in my family on both sides,” she said. “And I always watched my mother and her sister doing beautiful embroideries and things like that.”

Varela has always found inspiration in natural surroundings — especially those in Micanopy, where she moved in 1997.

“Everything about nature inspires me,” Varela said. “And I do a lot of cats because I have cats, but it could have been giraffes or turtles, as long as it’s nature related. I think nature heals and I expect that people will maybe take better care of nature and animals and ourselves.”

She described her house as a little shack, but that’s why she

“I made it without having to work another job, so it’s possible” loves it.

“I didn’t want to do too much work with it and have it lose its essence because I love the way it feels,” she said. “It’s got old wooden floors that are just wonderful.”

Her studio was once a warehouse full of old mattresses without any walls. Varela has since renovated it into the perfect art studio.

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December 2014

“Oh, it’s heaven. It’s heaven on earth, it really is,” she said.

“I do a lot of shows out of town, and in the summer I travel or go see my family, and once I drive up this driveway coming home, it’s like, Ah — it’s incredibly beautiful.”

Varela said she puts in 40 hours a week as a fulltime artist. This includes the time spent going to and from art shows where she sells her work. She also works at the Artisans Guild in Gainesville once a month.

Since graduating with her art degree, Varela has never had to work another job besides being an artist.

“I made it without having to work another job, so it’s possible,” Varela said. “You can’t get rich doing it — not rich rich; I’m very economical. I save money and everything. When I bought my home I saved up so I wouldn’t have to get a mortgage — everything’s paid for. There’s not much I really want, as far as things. Beauty and this place is what I want.”

And it is this place — her studio and home — where Varela creates her one-of-a-kind pieces. The labor-intensive process involves slab construction and/or thrown pieces with a stoneware clay body, followed by brush application of layered slips.

These slips are wet and dry, blended on surface, sometimes including sgraffito drawings.

“It starts with a bag of clay and from there you decide what you want to do,” Varela said. “A slab roller is for the flat pieces.

The open platters and the wheel are for the round pieces. I seniortimesmagazine.com

Ana Varela with one of her many muses and tools of the trade.

“A lot of the poses you see on my pottery I drew from my cats,” Varela said. “When they’re sleeping or I sneak up to them and I take a picture. Afterwards I upload the photo to the computer and draw from it. I think that process makes the drawings on the platters more dynamic and real.”

like slab work much better. It’s faster and you see results really quickly. But throwing is kind of fun too, because certain things, like the mugs and the vases, you just have to use the wheel. So after that, you dry the piece and paint, fire it in the kiln once to stabilize the colors and then you put a clear glaze over it and fire it again to 2,400 degrees, which is pretty sturdy stoneware. It’s all food safe — microwave, dishwasher, that kind of thing.”

Varela said her main intent is to design pieces that bridge art and function. She believes the world needs pottery made by artists in order to enrich the human experience.

“Art matters enormously, especially when integrated in the everyday rhythms of running a home; it intensifies our experiences, helps us be more open-minded to the ‘different,’ and fine-tunes the joy of living,” she said. “I imagine my work as having some real affect in the world, and slightly transforming it through its aesthetic, functionality and humor; spurring fun dinnertime conversations all over our fast-paced world.”

She said the most fulfilling aspect of her career is enriching people’s lives.

“The creativity is wonderful because it reaches into all aspects of your life, into cooking and decorating your house, giving a gift to a friend. Creativity is a great, great reward,” she said. “But enriching people’s lives — even after I’m gone, these pieces are going to be here, you know? I think I did better by

not having children because the children, they’ll pass on, and these pieces, I feel like they’ll be here forever.”

Micanopy resident Helen Suits has known Varela for 25 years. They met in Gainesville, where they were neighbors for 10 years.

“She is my dear good friend and I look up to her,” Suits said in a telephone interview. “She has a certain honesty about her that I really admire and a straightforwardness that I really admire.”

Suits is also a huge fan of Varela’s work.

“Oh, I love it,” she said. “She went to school for ceramics, but the art that she puts on her pottery is really self-taught and what is called naïve, which is another name for folk art.

It’s called naïve art because it’s innocent and comes from the heart. Everything Ana creates has that beautiful feeling.”

Seventeen years ago Varela began hosting an “Annual Holiday Celebration” on her property for her fans. About five to seven other artists also attend, selling their own pieces at the open house.

“We have several artists this time. There’s even a massage booth for chair massages,” Varela said. “There will be pottery, beautiful glass pieces and weavings.”

Gainesville resident JoLee Houlihan has attended Varela’s annual event in the past and said she marks it on her calendar every year.

“Ana’s work is just fabulous. Her cat pieces are so whimsical and charming. The open house is a perfect opportunity to get that unique gift for a loved one right before the holidays. She also offers some great deals too.”

Varela said there would also be food and drinks as well as a music jam.

“So come one, come all — it’s the perfect time to buy some groovy gifts for the holidays,” Varela said. “Don’t you just love art?” s December 2014

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HANDS ON

How to Help Without Leaving Home

by Darla Kinney Scoles

F

or the past year, it has been my privilege to have gone out into the community and spent time serving with a variety of organizations as a new volunteer, so that you — our readers — could find a place and a cause that might inspire you to get involved as well. I hope that you have enjoyed this series of articles and that you have indeed found a good volunteer fit for your life.

Leaving home to serve one’s community is not always an option, however. Knowing this, I felt it appropriate to close this year of service with a variety of options for those who would like to volunteer from the comfort (and flexibility) of home.

>> THE NEED: Many groups and organizations have needs that can easily be met by an off-site or at-home volunteer. A simple Internet search with the words “volunteer from home” will provide many links to causes that need workers who can help their efforts from afar.

Two projects that have caught my attention in the past were the making of heart-shaped pillows for cardiac surgery patients and pillowcase-sewing groups that provide happy and personal welcomes to children battling life-threatening illnesses. These two examples still exist within many organizations and are added to by hundreds — if not thousands — of additional listings for virtual sewing and craft volunteers. Over the years our family has also participated in numerous bird and mosquito counts, letter-writing campaigns, online genealogical programs and phone tree efforts.

There are as many, if not more, opportunities to serve

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December 2014

with compassion in an online or at-home way than there are listings for those who can be involved on-site at a designated location or facility. >> THE WORK: Duties that lend themselves to this type of arrangement include sewing projects (pillowcases for hospitalized youth, turbans for chemo patients, dresses for girls in developing countries, walker caddies for the elderly), genealogical indexing and transcribing, wheelchair accessibility mapping, public and media relations promotions, bird and bee counts, grant writing, hotline staffing, reviewing, editing and writing, translating, mentoring, crafting, greeting card and other correspondence, IT development and design.

Many wish lists are also posted on non-profit websites (or can be obtained by calling the organization) and are another opportunity to purchase goods needed by a cause to which one feels connected. Give Kids the World Village in Central Florida has a wish list that includes more than three dozen easy-to-mail items — from pipe cleaners to rain ponchos — which a volunteer could purchase online and have shipped to the worthy cause.

With micro-volunteering — where off-site workers provide assistance in shorter segments of time — the variety of skills valuable in assisting are practically endless, as well, so finding a good fit is perhaps even easier than with in-person and in-community opportunities. If you have an interest, ability or just 10 minutes of time, you can find a virtual place to use it.

Even the United Nations has need of virtual volunteers! seniortimesmagazine.com

“You make a living by what you get.

You make a life by what you give.”

— WINSTON CHURCHILL

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December 2014

>> THE REWARDS: Since helping a cause online or from home is generally less time and energy intensive than traditional volunteering, it is easy to spread your efforts further and give to more causes, which can help us help the world in as many ways as possible. Those who help tend to want to help more — and this is one way they can.

Often, tasks listed for remote volunteers are those that tend to go undone in many organizations, which will have a negative effect on the running of that program. If you’ve ever been tasked with behind-the-scenes busy work yourself, you know how beneficial it is to have other hands to help you accomplish the less-glamorous chores involved in running any worthy cause.

While doing research for this article, I came across a story that embodies the essence of “doing what you can do” – which is what helping from home is all about. On the Facebook page Pillowcases for Patients I read this: “My name is Erin Kirby and I was in a car accident on July 28th, 2011, and I now have traumatic brain injury. I wasn’t able to go back to school or sports all year and I wanted to do something to

benefit others that need a boost of joy! I know first-hand that being in the hospital stinks and so I wanted to brighten up others’ day, and that is why I started Pillowcases for Patients!! I want to bring joy and smiles to kids in the hospital, and to encourage them, to never, ever give up. I pick out personalized fabric so each child can have a variety to choose from! If you know someone who is fighting in the hospital now, you can contact me by e-mail at info@pillowcasesforpatients.org.”

In two years, Erin has handmade and sent over 2,800 pillowcases around the world. As with all service given, what is gained in return is much, much greater. >> THE FIT: The term “behind the scenes” itself, is one of the reasons off-site volunteering can be a perfect fit for certain individuals. Besides those who cannot physically get out of the house to help there are others who are shy about doing so or uncomfortable stepping into new roles in a public way.

Helping from home is a great fit for the more introverted among us as well as those who are limited in transportation, or physical ability. This type of seniortimesmagazine.com

service is also great for the busiest of folks that might have a snippet of time to give here and there without the confinement of a volunteer commitment schedule.

Many of the websites I visited also encouraged employers to grant their employees an hour each week to do remote volunteer work from their desk or work station, utilizing the same talents they use at work for a different cause.

Variety is definitely a plus in the world of virtual service too, with the roles virtually endless as well. If you don’t find a tailor-made spot as an off-site volunteer, create one! Offer your skills and services to a group that hasn’t yet thought of the role you will fill.

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www.helpfromhome.org www.onlinevolunteering.org www.idealist.org/info/Volunteer/Online www.unv.org/how-to-volunteer/online-volunteers.html www.gktw.org www.conkerrcancer.org/volunteer/sew-pillowcases www.donorschoose.org www.uihealthcare.org/otherservices www.helpfromhome.org (This UK website lists 25 Home Based ‘Do Good’ Actions That You Never Even Knew Existed - Some are only in the UK, but many are world-wide efforts or have similar US counterparts).

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>> HOW TO GET INVOLVED: It is really as easy for you as it was for me. Begin with an Internet search using the same keywords. Or go to the sites for charities or organizations you are interested in and see what virtual volunteer experiences are listed.

For those not Internet connected, simply choose a local organization you care about and call to see what you can do from home. Most will offer several off-site volunteer opportunities.

Even getting involved monetarily is much more personal and varied than it once was. Websites such as DonorsChoose.org (One of my favorites!) allow philanthropists to research and choose a classroom project in a particular school to fund and stay connected to in the future. If making a donation is your favorite way to help, you will find many new ideas online — microloans being one of the most rewarding.

The point is to simply get started. Take that first step and choose a cause. Then find a place where you can make a difference. You will soon find the difference is made within you. s

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December 2014

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COLUMN œ ELLIS AMBURN

Enjoying Act Three Steelyard Blues

P

roducers Julia and Michael Phillips invited me and my roommate Ron Bernstein, a Paramount VP, to a party in their Manhattan apartment around 1970.

Mingling in the crowd, I spotted actor Peter Boyle, who’d be in the Phillips’s first film, “Steelyard Blues.”

A former monk who’d suffered a nervous breakdown in the Navy before scoring the starring role in the counterculture hit “Joe,” Peter was a radical activist who’d become friends with Jane Fonda and Donald Sutherland during anti-war protests.

Fonda became the hottest actress in Hollywood after winning the best-actress Oscar for “Klute,” and when she agreed to star in “Steelyard,” her box-office clout, together with Julia’s steamroller pitch to the studios, got the film green-lighted.

Peter struck me as soft-spoken and sensitive, a far cry from the politically incorrect Frank Barone he’d later portray in “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

At one point that evening I asked Julia, “What exactly does a movie producer do?”

“The biggest thing is holding the package together.”

She and Michael were moving to Los Angeles, but “don’t worry,” she said.

“Come out to LA and stay with us.”

After settling in Trancas, just north of Malibu, Julia and Michael met Ron and me at LAX and drove us to Nicholas Beach Road in a blinding rainstorm.

Upon our arrival at their house, a frantic man sprang from under the sun deck and cried, “Please help me. I’ve just

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December 2014

been stabbed.”

He’d been hitchhiking on the Pacific Coast Highway, and the maniac who picked him up had rigged a dagger to spring from the passenger seat the moment anyone sat down. He managed to escape, but his assailant was still pursuing him down the beach when he hid in the Phillips’s utility shed.

Michael called the police, who shortly arrived with rifles at port arms and carted the poor sucker off.

Suddenly Julia glared at me and hissed, “See what your New York vibes have brought?”

The pressure of wheeling and dealing had obviously turned this once-sweet girl, still in her 20s, into a volatile harridan.

Reverting to her old self the next morning, she prepared a breakfast of huevos rancheros and said, “I’ve missed you guys and New York.”

The following week turned into a round of parties and introductions. Beautiful, dark-haired Tony Bill, the Phillips’s producing partner, had acquired matineeidol status after playing Frank Sinatra’s brother in 1963’s “Come Blow Your Horn.”

A former English major like me, Tony collected first editions and loved anything to do with books. We bonded for life.

At Joan Didion’s Malibu home, her husband John Gregory Dunne was reading a passage from his new book when Julia interjected, “That would make a great first line — ‘in the summer of my nervous breakdown.’”

Joan let a stack of dishes remain in the sink as she whispered verbal gems like “I don’t know what I think before I write it down.”

Julia’s rambling Trancas house formed the nucleus of the New Hollywood. She became den mother to what she called her “gallery of nerds” — Martin Scorsese, Paul Schrader, Brian De Palma and Steven Spielberg — the pioneering filmmakers who’d revolutionize the industry and hasten the decline of the studio system.

The packages Julia was holding together at the dawn of the ‘70s include “The Sting,” “Taxi Driver,” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” but during my stay in Trancas, she, Michael, Tony, and David S. Ward focused on “Steelyard.”

Unfortunately this criminally lame antiestablishment yarn would bring neither profit nor praise to anyone involved.

David would later write “The Sting” and win an Oscar. He was a cool, good-looking dude, elegantly macho in Western boots.

His wife Chris expressed dismay when she learned I was carrying a pistol, something I’d started doing after being mugged in Mayor John Lindsay’s lawless New York.

“Don’t be a jerk,” she said, kindly murmuring the words in a vain appeal to my nonexistent common sense.

One day, after a meal Julia served, she barked at Ron and me, “These dishes aren’t going to wash themselves.”

We pitched in, getting into the spirit of the impoverished New Hollywood.

Julia had risked her life savings, $3,500, to option “Steelyard” and “Sting.” Inflation adjusted, that’s $20,000. No wonder they’d soon be calling her the ballsiest broad in Hollywood. s Ellis Amburn is in the Hall of Excellence at TCU’s Schieffer School of Journalism. Involved daily in volunteer community service, the High Springs resident is the author of biographies of Roy Orbison, Elizabeth Taylor and others. ellis.amburn@gmail.com.

seniortimesmagazine.com

AD VERTISEMEN T

Beating the Holiday Blues CARETENDERS HELPS CLIENTS DETERMINE IS IT THE BLUES OR DEPRESSION?

E

veryone feels blue sometimes.

The holiday season affects people in a variety of ways.

For some it brings about hope and joy, for others it stirs up feelings of loneliness and despair. If you find yourself in the second category, try some of these tips and tricks to beat the holiday blues.

TIPS & TRICKS TO BEAT THE BLUES: Be Realistic – Don’t compare your situation to anyone else. Be kind to yourself and seek support when you need it.

Create New Traditions – Life is ever changing. Don’t hold on to the past so tightly that you can’t make your present enjoyable.

Help Others – You are never too young, too old, or too financially strapped to help others. A kind word, a genuine smile, or a helping hand can go a long way to change someone’s day – including your own!

Grieve – Remember with joy those who are no longer here to celebrate this holiday season with you. Allow yourself time to enjoy, remember, and heal.

Forgive – Offering forgiveness to others is a wonderful holiday gift. You will

more than likely find that the gift is one that also benefits you.

“I wondered if my family could manage all the care I needed after leaving the hospital.”

Love – Love everything! From the silly songs to the twinkling lights, find a way to love this holiday season…and most importantly love yourself!

For many seniors the ideas above will work. However, when the feelings of sadness and “the blues” don’t go away he or she may be clinically depressed. Identifying depression in older adults is not always easy. Many older Americans grew up in a time where depression was not understood as a biological illness. They may fear being labeled as “difficult” or “weak” when they cannot overcome these feelings.

Is your loved one having a hard time finding motivation to get dressed in the morning? Has his or her appetite diminished? Do they appear to have lost the will to live? Are the things that they once looked forward to no longer appealing? If so, Caretenders’ comprehensive behavioral health nursing program might be the answer.

Call today if you feel you or your loved one could benefit from help in managing the troubles listed here.

Remember, depression is a medical illness that will not simply go away, but it can be managed with the help of Caretenders’ senior advocacy team.

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CALENDAR UPCOMING EVENTS IN ALACHUA & MARION

poem reading, plus lots of fun and camaraderie for the quilters and their friends. Guests are welcome. So bring your covered dish for the pot luck and get in on the good times. Beverley Hilton: 352-373-7791, or www.qacdg.org.

HAWTHORNE BOOK CLUB Thursday, December 4

SAVVY CAREGIVER TRAINING Various Dates Times Vary ALACHUA & MARION COUNTY - If you are a caregiver for a family member or friend with a form of progressive dementia this six session training will provide you with helpful information about the disease and new skills to lessen your stress and improve caregiving. The course is free, but limited to 15 in each series. Call Tom at 352-378-6649, ext. 126. Offered in Alachua County on Thursdays from 1:00 – 3:00 pm at the Alachua County Health Department and in Marion County at Top of The World on Tuesdays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm. The series is offered in many other regional locations as well; you can find them all at www.agingresources.org (follow the program link to Savvy Caregiver Training).

ARTWALK GAINESVILLE

is well known in Gainesville for more than 35 years of teaching design. This presentation is just in time for the holidays or for planning any other changes you have in mind. 352-332-6917.

5:30pm – 6:45pm HAWTHORNE - Branch Library. Enjoy discussing fiction books with other readers. All are welcome!

For more information visit “Hawthorne Bookclub Activities” at www.aclib.us/Hawthorne.

MEDICARE MADE EASY SEMINAR

FESTIVAL OF TREES

Wednesday, December 3 10:00am – Noon HAWTHORNE - Branch Library. Join Doug Wheat for an educational seminar designed to help those eligible or about to become eligible for Medicare understand their choices and options.

The discussion will consist of Definitions, Costs, Options and all questions will be answered. NOT sponsored by any insurance carrier.

Visit the Seminar Website: www. floridamedicareseminar.com.

THE MARION CIVIC CHORALE

Last Friday

Thursday, December 4

7:00pm - 10:00pm GAINESVILLE - 104 SE 1st Ave. Free monthly self-guided tour that combines visual art, live performance and events. Held the last Friday of each month with many local galleries, eateries and businesses participating, Artwalk is an exciting, fun way to experience the amazing wealth of creativity the Gainesville community has to offer.

5:00pm OCALA - The Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. The Marion Civic Chorale will perform holiday favorites while guests enjoy refreshments from Mojo Grill. Admission is free for members and $10 for nonmembers. Doors open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 5:30 p.m.

S.H.I.N.E. ON MEDICARE Thursday, December 4

1:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - New Century Woman’s Club, 40 NW 1st Ave. The Lady Gamers meet for fun, friendship and food. Everyone is invited.

Meet old friends and make some new ones.

12:00pm – 2:00pm HAWTHORNE - Branch Library. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offers counseling that is unbiased, confidential and no cost, by trained SHINE Volunteer counselors. The discussion will consist of definitions, costs, options and all questions answered. Please bring with you: Medicare Card and Social Security Card; A printout of medications from pharmacy or bottles; Proof of annual household income to determine whether you qualify for extra help; MUST HAVE driver’s license or photo I.D.; Any letters from Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid which you may have received. Call the Elder Helpline for sites that require appointments: 1-800-963-5337.

PRIMETIME INSTITUTE CLASS

QACDG’S MEETING

Tuesday, December 2

Thursday, December 4

2:30pm - 4:00pm GAINESVILLE - Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd. Adding a New Look to Your Home... for the Holidays and All Year Long Bring your home up to date with ideas for revitalization from an experienced interior designer. Ruth Mansell

9:30am – Noon GAINESVILLE - Senior Recreation Center, 5701 N. W. 34th Blvd. Holiday celebration and end-of-year festivities for Quilters of Alachua County Day Guild with pot-luck luncheon, a big holiday quilt and holiday project sew-and-tell, and quilters’

TIOGA MONDAY MARKET Mondays 4:00pm - 7:00pm JONESVILLE - Tioga Center, 13005 W. Newberry Rd. Market features a selection of vegetables, crafts, organic food, fruits and local specialties.

LADY GAMERS Fridays

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December 2014

Thursday, December 4 7:00pm JONESVILLE - Tioga Town Center, 105 SW 128 St. Festival of Trees is open to the public to view and bid on beautifully decorated Christmas trees.

All proceeds benefit Children’s Miracle Network at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital. During the VIP party on Thursday evening, guests will get first peek at the trees and have the option to ‘buy it now.’ For more information contact Sarah Franz at franzs@shands.ufl.edu. Admission is $5.

CHRISTMAS TREE VILLAGE December 4 - 23 10:00am EARLETON - Greathouse Butterfly Farm, 20329 NE State Road 26. Visit the farm’s annual Christmas Tree Village for a magical holiday experience your family will love!

Fun for all ages with bounce house, train rides, and visits with Santa. Purchase your 6-9 foot Fresh cut, premium Fraser Fir.

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING AND SANTA VISIT Friday, December 5 6:00pm – 8:00pm ALACHUA - City of Alachua Municipal Complex, 15100 NW 142nd Terr. & Main Street.

Santa and his helpers will be visiting and welcoming children for pictures. Free to all.

FIRST FRIDAY ART WALK Friday, December 5 5:00pm OCALA - Downtown Square, SE Watula Ave. Various artists will be setting up easels/ stations and work on arts/crafts throughout the Central Business District with a performance on the Downtown Square. For details, please contact Melissa Townsend at 352-629-8447.

GOLF INVITATIONAL Friday, December 5 Time TBA OCALA - Juliette Falls. Helping Hands is holding its 3rd annual Golf Invitational at Juliette Falls. In addition to a 4-man scramble format, a special

seniortimesmagazine.com

feature this year is The Steve Albright and Berger Warner “Top 10” Shoot Outs. The event proceeds will be used to help innocent women and children overcome abuse, abandonment, and severe hardships … and to build a better life. Info: 352-732-4464 or www.helpinghandsocala.org.

FAMILY DAY Saturday, December 6 10:00am to 5:00pm OCALA - The Appleton Museum of Art, E. Silver Springs Blvd. Guests will enjoy “A Dickens Christmas: The Urban Family Holiday Collection” and create paper ornaments in the ARTSpace.

CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOUR Saturday, December 6 5:00pm – 9:00pm OCALA - Historic Fort King Street. Historic Ocala Preservation Society (HOPS) is pleased to present the 2014 Christmas Candlelight Tour. This year’s event will be homes and businesses on Historic Fort King Street, along with the First Presbyterian Church and Grace Episcopal Church. There will be seasonal music, tasty refreshments and visit with Santa Claus. Tickets are $12 in advance and will be sold at each of the homes on the night of the event for $15. 352-351-1861 or historicocala.org.

TREE LIGHTING AND PARADE Saturday, December 6 2:00pm – 8:00pm JONESVILLE - Town of Tioga. Celebrate the holiday season with Santa, live music, a holiday parade and the Tioga Town Center tree lighting.

Admission to this event is free, but limited.

Pick up your free admission pass at the Tioga Town Center office between 9am and 6pm.

RUN ON THE PRAIRIE Saturday, December 6 8:00am MICANOPY - 100 Savannah Blvd. Join Alachua County 4-H in its second annual 5k run. The Little Run on the Prairie is a great way to enjoy the outdoor beauty of Paynes Prairie State Park while supporting youth in Alachua County. Proceeds from the run will impact youth through 4-H Clubs, school enrichment programs, and summer camps.

Awards, t-shirt, door prizes, and park admission is all included in your registration fee. Contact Matt Benge at the UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office at 352-955-2402 for registration form.

Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration

YOUTH CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERT

Saturday, December 6

Saturday, December 6

GAINESVILLE - The Historic Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave. The City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs is hosting its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration at the Historic Thomas Center. The free program will run from 6-8 p.m. and will feature caroling and holiday music. Santa will be present and refreshments will be served.

5:00pm GAINESVILLE - Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 NE 1st St. The Gainesville Youth Chorus, Inc. (GYC) presents its Annual Holiday Concert. Celebrating 20 years of success,

6:00pm

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FAMILY BIRDING SERIES Saturday Dec 6 9:00am MICANOPY - Paynes Prairie. 100 Savannah Blvd.

Family Birding for all ages. Enjoy birding fun on the 1st Saturday of every month November through April. Topic and meeting location varies for each session. Children are encouraged to attend but must be accompanied by an adult. Program is free, but Park Admission fees apply. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. Register and learn more about each session at www.prairiefriends.org.

POLAR EXPRESS TRAIN SHOW December 6 & 7

Chocolate & Champagne & Dancing with Stars

Times Vary GAINESVILLE *Matheson Museum, 513 E University Ave. See the Museum transformed into a winter wonderland on Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Polar Express along with many other holiday trains will be on display. Learn about the time when railroads were the lifeblood of North Florida. Experience the meticulous artwork and skillful engineering of these elaborate train sets. There will also be an opportunity to buy Christmas train sets and accessories at the show. This event is sponsored-in-part by the Ocala Model Railroaders Club, which serves to preserve railroad history of Ocala and Marion County. Tickets are $4.00 for an adult and $1.00 for children 12 and under. 352-3782280 or email info@mathesonmuseum.org.

Saturday, December 20

HOMESTEAD HOLIDAYS

8:00pm

Sunday, December 7 GAINESVILLE - UF Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Dance Alive National Ballet presents the event of the season. Dine and dance in high holiday spirits, and have fun voting for your favorite Gainesville celebrity dancer at the spectacular ‘Dancing With the Stars’ competition. Purchase your Holiday gifts at the unique silent auction. TV 20’s Dave Snyder hosts the event, catered by Sweetwater Branch Inn, and featuring Gainesville’s favorite band, Gosia and Ali. Tickets start at $150; $750 for a table of 8.

GYC will be presenting a musical program to delight the heart of every family member.

The concert is free and open to the public.

family ensembles acclaimed for their close harmony, warmth and wide variety of musical styles, presents a phenomenal selection of Christmas favorites. Tickets range $8-11.

MARION CIVIC CHORALE

12:00pm GAINESVILLE - Historic Haile Homestead, 8500 SW Archer Rd. Stroll through the 1856 plantation home decked out in an array of traditional greenery and Victorian finery with a railroad theme. Docents in Victorian costume! See the Homestead’s famous “Talking Walls.” Enjoy live holiday music performed by young violin students! Sip some hot cider as you browse a selection of home-baked goodies, and special holiday ornaments.

HOGTOWN HEELERS CLOGGING

Saturday, December 6

DUDLEY FARM CANE DAY

Tuesday, December 9

3:0pm OCALA - First United Methodist Church.

Sanctuary,1126 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Christmas Concert, Joshua Head, Conductor.

Saturday, December 6

6:30pm GAINESVILLE - Westside Park Recreation Building, 1001 NW 34th St. Clogging for fun and exercise. Tuesdays, 6:30pm – 9:00pm.

All ages, skill levels. Beginners welcome first session free, $5 afterwards.

THE DITCHFIELD FAMILY SINGERS Saturday, December 6 7:00pm OCALA - Circle Square Cultural Center and Commons, 8405 SW 80th St. The Ditchfield Family Singers, one of America’s most versatile

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December 2014

9:00am – 3:00pm NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm Historic State Park. Celebrate the region’s pioneering past by watching some of the areas rural life style. The Park Service commemorates Ms. Myrtle Dudley’s birthday by grinding sugar cane and boiling cane syrup. Farm tours, domestic crafts, children’s activities, music and vendors are featured on this living history day.

Demonstrators will be showcasing Florida’s traditions of yesteryear. 352-472-1142.

DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION Wednesday, December 10 11:00am - 1:00pm GAINESVILLE - Wesley United Methodist Church,

seniortimesmagazine.com

NW 23rd Ave. Gainesville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution meet on the second Wednesday of each month, October through May. gainesvilleDAR@gmail.com.

PRIMETIME INSTITUTE CLASS Thursday, December 11 2:30pm - 4:00pm GAINESVILLE - Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd. Long-Term Care Insurance.

Long-term care covers a broad spectrum of needs, from nursing home care for those with complex needs, to adult day health care, assisted living facilities, and home care.

Clarence Terry, Financial Advisor and Regional Vice-President with Primerica, will share his knowledge of the pros and cons of insurance available to cover these needs. 352-332-6917.

DUDLEY KIDS DAY

MOMMY & ME

Saturday, December 13

Wednesday, December 17

10:00am – 2:00pm NEWBERRY - Dudley Farm Historic State Park.

Mind Your Manners. Come out to the farm on the second Saturday of the month for our Dudley Kids Day. Children and adults alike, ages 5 to 65, can join in the fun! There are hands on demonstrations, crafts, old-fashioned games and even some education. Learn about history, and a farming way of life.

5:00pm GAINESVILLE - UF Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Dance Alive National Ballet presents one of the most special experiences a child can have — being onstage with the dancers right in the middle of a Nutcracker rehearsal. Feel the rush of emotions - the excitement, the joy and the happiness of this very unique moment. Good for children who need to wiggle, find it hard to focus or just need that special added attention. Tickets are $50.

CHRISTMAS PARADE Saturday, December 13 2:00pm – 3:00pm ALACHUA - Downtown. Bring the family to Main Street to enjoy Christmas activities and get in the Christmas spirit. Free to all.

CHRISTMAS PARADE ALACHUA ACOUSTIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL Friday, December 12 6:00pm – 9:00pm ALACHUA - Downtown Alachua, Alan Hitchcock Park. Live Music and art sponsored by Alachua’s Music Junction and The Garden Gallery.

ALACHUA ACOUSTIC & ART Friday, December 12 6:00pm – 9:00pm ALACHUA - Downtown Historic Alachua, NW 141 St. A lovely way to spend a Friday evening strolling along to acoustic music and watching artists at work. Have some dinner, maybe a cocktail, listen to some music, then perhaps a bit of dessert and stop to win a prize.

GOOD FORM RUNNING CLINIC Saturday, December 13 9:00am GAINESVILLE - Lloyd Clarke Sports, 1504 NW 13th St. Good Form Running is about helping people make running a stress-free, more enjoyable, part of their lives. At this clinic, Good Form Running certified staff will work with you on your gait to keep you on the road, running longer, faster, and more comfortably than ever before. This clinic has a small class size to provide more personal interaction and before/after analysis of your gait.

MESSIAH SING ALONG Saturday, December 13 7:30pm GAINESVILLE - Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1521 NW 34th St. The Gainesville Civic Chorus and Philharmonic Orchestra present the Messiah Sing Along where you are the choir with soloists and an orchestra.

Bring your own music or borrow a copy.

Saturday, December 13 6:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - Downtown.

Twilight Christmas Parade.

HOLIDAY TRADITIONS: A MUSICAL CELEBRATION Sunday, December 14 4:00pm GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Stop Children’s Cancer Presents Holiday Traditions: A Musical Celebration. General Admission: $12; Children 12 and under: $6.

LESSONS & CAROLS SERVICE Sunday, December 14 11:00am & 7:00pm GAINESVILLE - United Church of Gainesville.

Spend some time reveling in the beauty of traditional and non-traditional Christmas music offered by instrumentalists and adult, youth and children’s choirs interspersed with the heartwarming story of Jesus’ birth. 352-378-3500.

HOLIDAY CONCERT Tuesday, December 16 7:30pm GAINESVILLE - The Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave. Musica Vera is a fifteen-member early music ensemble specializing in performing medieval, Renaissance and Baroque music. They perform in costume on historical reproductions of the instruments of the times, and include informal comments to explain music that is so old that it is new to most people.

WINTER HOLIDAY CONCERT Tuesday, December 16 7:00pm - 8:00pm JONESVILLE - Town of Tioga. Free annual Winter Holiday Concert featuring the Chorus ensembles of two local elementary schools: Meadowbrook & Kimball Wiles Elementary.

GAWN Wednesday, December 17 11:30am – 1:00pm GAINESVILLE - Sweetwater Branch Inn, 625 E University Ave. The Gainesville Area Women’s Network luncheon — third Wednesday each month. Attend for great networking and a hot lunch. Register: GAWN.org.

GAINESVILLE NETWORKING CHALLENGE Wednesday, December 17 5:30pm – 7:00pm JONESVILLE - Sabore Restaurant, 13005 SW 1st Rd. Come network with business professionals in a casual setting on the third Wednesday of each month. Invite your friends! Enjoy complimentary delicious hors d’oeuvres.

GALLERY TOURS Thursday, December 18 Times Vary OCALA - The Appleton Museum of Art, 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd. Join a themed, docentled tour of the galleries. The December tour highlights work by artists who are also in the permanent collections of worldrenowned museums such as the Louvre, The Getty and the National Gallery of Art.

PRIMETIME INSTITUTE CLASS Thursday, December 18 2:30pm - 4:00pm GAINESVILLE - Senior Recreation Center, 5701 NW 34th Blvd. The Science of Washing Dishes to Burn Off that Breakfast Donut.

Todd Manini, Ph.D., UF Assistant Professor, will present this month’s research topic from the Institute on Aging. 352-332-6917.

THE NUTCRACKER December 19-21 2:00pm GAINESVILLE - UF Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Dance Alive National Ballet presents the all-time family favorite. NUTCRACKER returns with more beauty, more joy, and more thrills than ever before. The classic tale has been a holiday tradition for over 49 years in Gainesville. Don’t miss this holiday treat! Tickets range $15-40.

December 2014

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SUGAR PLUM TEA December 20 – 21 4:00pm GAINESVILLE - Phillips Center, Fackler Foyer East. Dance Alive National Ballet Presents Sugar Plum Tea. Join the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court in a very special experience following the performance of ‘The Nutcracker’. The perfect ending to the perfect day. Meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Court; touch a snowflake, tease a mouse. Enjoy a tea that only a Sugar Plum Fairy could present. Have your holiday photos taken by Johnston Photography at a special “Sugar Plum Tea” rate. General Admission $15.

HIGH SPRINGS MUSIC IN THE PARK SERIES Sunday, December 21 2:00pm HIGH SPRINGS - James Paul Park, 200 N. Main St. Music in the Park Series happens every third Sunday of the month from 2pm4pm at James Paul Park located behind City Hall. Featuring local musicians/talent! BYO blankets, lawn chairs and refreshments. Enjoy our beautiful downtown area with your family and friends and “Enjoy Our Good Nature.”

SHEN YUN PERFORMING ARTS Tuesday, December 30 7:30pm GAINESVILE - UF Phillips Center, 3201 Hull Rd. Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey to the lost land of the ancient Middle Kingdom. Discover classical Chinese dance, one of the most rigorous and athletic, yet exquisitely beautiful art forms in the world. Feel the joy as ethnic and folk dances fill the stage with color and energy. Experience the new sound of an orchestra that combines East and West like no other. Tickets range $54-154.

the park’s major plant communities. Sturdy hiking shoes and winter-appropriate clothing are highly recommended for this moderately easy hike in a nature trail setting. Pets are allowed on the trails on six-foot, hand-held leashes only. This ranger-led hike is open for all ages. Entrance fee is $6 per vehicle.

GAINESVILLE HARMONY SHOW CHORUS Thursday, January 1 7:00pm – 9:30pm GAINESVILLE - Grace Presbyterian Church, 3146 NW 13th St. Interested in learning and singing Women’s A Cappella Barbershop Harmony Music? Gainesville Harmony Show Chorus, of Sweet Adelines International, holds rehearsals Thursdays. For more information, call Beckie: 352-318-1281.

ICHE NIPPY DIP DAY Saturday, January 3 9:30am – 11:00am FORT WHITE - Ichetucknee Springs State Park, North Entrance, 8294 SW Elim Church Rd. Become and Iche Nippy Dipper! Start your New Year with a “dip” in the Head Spring.

Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. with the dip at 10 a.m. Follow an old tradition or start a new one with special guest Bellamy Beaver. After dipping, participate in the bathrobe contest then

warm up with coffee, hot chocolate, and light refreshments. Event is free with regular park admission ($6 per vehicle). 386-497-4690.

CAMELLIA SHOW January 3-4 Times Vary GAINESVILLE - Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Dr. This two-day event features prize-winning camellias of all sizes, shapes, and colors. There will be judged exhibits of japonicas, reticulatas, hybrids and species. In addition to their outstanding winter beauty, some of the varieties are fragrant. This show is geared toward educating the public about the care, culture and appreciation of camellias, both in the greenhouse and in the landscape.

Regular admission price for non-members; members are admitted free of charge.

If you would like us to publicize an event in Alachua or Marion counties, send information by the 13th day of the month prior.

All submissions will be reviewed and every effort will be made to run qualified submissions if page space is available.

352-416-0175 (fax) or email: editor@towerpublications.com

Advertise Here for as little as $479 per month!

NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION December 31 9:00pm - 12:30am GAINESVILLE - Bo Diddley Community Plaza.

“Downtown Countdown” New Year’s Eve Celebration. Come ring in the near year beginning with a free concert at 9:30pm, hosted by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs.

FIRST DAY HIKE Wednesday, January 1 9:00am – 11:30am FORT WHITE - Ichetucknee Springs State Park, 8294 Elim Church Rd. Ring in the New Year with a refreshing journey of renewal: an invigorating winter hike along the Ichetucknee River. Hike begins at the Ichetucknee Head Spring and follows its course adjacent the Trestle Point Trail. This two-mile hike promises a wonderful variety of wildlife through a cross-section of

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December 2014

To request more information and a copy of the rate card, please contact us through our website or call 352-372-5468.

www.seniortimesmagazine.com seniortimesmagazine.com

THEATRE Acrosstown Repertory Theatre.....................619 S. Main Street, Gainesville Curtis M. Phillips Center ........................................... 315 Hull Road, Gainesville Fine Arts Hall Theatre - SFC ........................... 3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville Gainesville Community Playhouse ....... 4039 N.W. 16th Blvd., Gainesville Hippodrome State Theatre................................. 25 SE 2nd Place, Gainesville UF Constans Theatre ................................................. Museum Road, Gainesville Nadine McGuire Blackbox Theatre ................... Museum Road, Gainesville Actors’ Warehouse .............................................. 608 N. Main Street, Gainesville Ocala Civic Theatre ..................................4337 East Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala High Springs Community Theater .......... 130 NE 1st Avenue, High Springs

352-371-1234 352-392-ARTS 352-395-4181 352-376-4949 352-375-4477 352-273-0526 352-392-1653 352-222-3699 352-236-2274 386-454-3525

CURTIS M. PHILLIPS CENTER

HIPPODROME STATE THEATRE

Dance Alive National Ballet The Nutcracker December 19 - 21

Winter Wonderettes November 28 - December 21

Become entranced by the beauty of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her dazzling Court, enchanted by the swirling snowflakes and breathtaking snow, and cheer for the tiny toy soldiers and their leader, the handsome Nutcracker Prince. A sparkling production with beautiful costumes and sets, this is truly ‘the all-time family favorite’.

SUGAR PLUM TEA December 20 - 21 Join the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court in a very special experience following the performance of ‘The Nutcracker’. Enjoy a tea that only a Sugar Plum Fairy could present! Have your holiday photos taken

by Johnston Photography at a special “Sugar Plum Tea” rate.

Shen Yun December 30 at 7:30 pm Shen Yun takes you on an extraordinary journey to the lost land of the ancient Middle Kingdom. Discover classical Chinese dance – one of the most rigorous and athletic, yet exquisitely beautiful art forms in the world. Feel the joy as ethnic and folk dances fill the stage with color and energy. Experience the new sound of an orchestra that combines East and West like no other. Stunning animated backdrops and exquisite costumes transport you to another world.

The holidays are meant for music and singing, and this year the Hipp has brought back The Marvelous Wonderettes for a toe-tapping, heartwarming holiday celebration! Featuring beloved holiday classics including “Santa Claus Is Comin’ to Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Run, Rudolph, Run,” and “Winter Wonderland,” this production will be, of course, marvelous! An energetic and glittering holiday package is guaranteed to delight audiences of all ages.

A Christmas Carol November 29 - December 20 Enjoy a new adaptation of this holiday classic! Infused with popular Christmas carols and a subtle twist of contemporary humor, the famous Ebenezer Scrooge is once again alive with holiday spirit.

ACTOR’S WAREHOUSE

Black Nativity December 11 - 21 This gospel “song play” is a joyful retelling of story of the birth of Christ in dialogue, narrative, pantomime, gospel song and folk spirituals. The first half retells the Nativity story in the down-home verse of the black poet Langston Hughes, in familiar carols like “Joy to the World,” in beloved black spirituals like “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” and through interpretive modern dance.

GAINESVILLE COMMUNITY PLAYHOUSE

GI Holiday Jukebox November 28 – December 21 Set during WWII, reminiscent of the days of the USO show, as an audience member you will be turned into one of “the boys at the front.” Let the Hollywood stars entertain you with a string of 1940s hits and Christmas music filled with great standards, holiday music, and comedy.

The cast sings some of the best music of the 20th century, including tributes to The Andrews Sisters, Bing Crosby, Spike Jones, and many more. Bring the whole family to this one, a great way to spend a night during the Holiday season.

ACROSSTOWN REPERTORY THEATRE

Jacob Marley’s Christmas Carol November 28 - December 21 Back for its second year! Welcome to the real story behind Dickens’ A Christmas Carol — Marley’s heroic behind-thescenes efforts to save old Scrooge’s soul, while in the process, saving his own. Marley is not alone, however; he is aided by the Bogle, an irreverent little sprite with an agenda all his own. In this fast-paced, hilarious and deeply moving soon-tobe Christmas classic, four actors bring dozens of Dickens’s characters to life and take you on a fantastic journey certain to put you in the Christmas spirit.

HIGH SPRINGS PLAYHOUSE

The Best Little Christmas Pageant Ever December 5 – 21 In this hilarious Christmas classic, a couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids — probably the most inventively awful kids in history. You won’t believe the fun and mayhem when the Herdmans collide with the Christmas story head on! This delightful comedy with Christmas carols has become a holiday staple across the U.S.

OCALA CIVIC THEATRE

The Nutcracker December 12 -14, 18 -21 Marion Ballet Theatre invites you to celebrate the 34th annual time-honored Ocala Christmas tradition for the entire family! This season debuts dazzling new sets and costumes presenting the most magical version of “The Nutcracker” yet!

See it again for the first time, as you won’t believe your eyes.

December 2014

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www.facebook.com/seniortimesmagazine CORRECTLY COMPLETE THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE AND MAIL IT TO US FOR YOUR CHANCE TO $

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BOOK REVIEW BY

TERRI SCHLICHENMEYER

Unretirement: How Baby Boomers Are Changing the Way We Think about Work, Comminity, and the Good Life

BY CHRIS FARRELL c.2014, Bloomsbury $26.00 / $30.00 Canada; 256 pages

F

or much of your employed life, you dreamed about not having to work.

Retirement would be great. It would stretch out for years, a horizon with no

alarm clock and no deadlines. What will you do with it?

Chances are, says author Chris Farrell, believe it or not, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll go to work.

And in his new book â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unretirement,â&#x20AC;? he says youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll do it because you want to, not because you have to.

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a statistic that has some politicians very worried: within the next 15 years, say demographers, the 65-plus population of America will be nearly equivalent to the current population of New York, California, and Texas combined. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a lot of retirees, and a fortune paid out in beneďŹ ts.

For quite some time, though, economists and pessimists have expressed doubts that Social Security will even be around then. Others bemoan the amount of retirement savings that many Baby Boomers (the age group retired or soon retiring) donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have. According to Farrell, however, these fears ignore the fact that most Boomers are re-thinking the way retirement will work for them.

He says that Boomersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;last third of life is being reimagined and reinvented into â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;unretirement.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? They are, for instance, looking at Social Security as a supplement, rather than a sole income â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and even then, theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re putting off collecting it. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the way it should be, says Farrell: Social Security is sound â&#x20AC;&#x201D; it only needs â&#x20AC;&#x153;some tweaks to shore up its ďŹ nances for the long haulâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but because

of longer lifespans and better health, retirees should be encouraged to ďŹ le later, unless they absolutely canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait.

And those late ďŹ lers? Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re seeing work in a whole different way: the rate of senior entrepreneurship is up, and so is gradual retirement. Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re staying on the job longer, are ďŹ nding second (or even third) careers, or are volunteering. And despite that age discrimination can be a real issue, many workplaces have ďŹ nally recognized the experience and reliability of older workers who are, in many cases, perfectly happy with part-time jobs. In short, Boomers have been â&#x20AC;&#x153;behind many changes in the workplace over the past four decades,â&#x20AC;? and theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re deďŹ nitely not done.

Your IRA is fat and you like it that way. But how, when the time comes, will you use it? Read â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unretirement,â&#x20AC;? and you might have a different answer to that question.

With intriguing statistics and a thoughtful tone, author Chris Farrell pooh-poohs pundits who decry the viability of Social Security and avow the belief that retirement-resistant Seniors take jobs from younger workers by showing that doom-and-gloom prophesies and myths arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t warranted or true. Along the way, he examines healthcare and the ACA, aging, home ownership, mentorship with (and from) younger workers, the history of retirement itself, and how other countries perceive their â&#x20AC;&#x153;gray revolution.â&#x20AC;?

While Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d say that this book is absolutely for Boomers, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also, surprisingly, something that Gen Xâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ers should check out, too. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve already retired, are about to, or have worked all your life so you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to work someday, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unretirementâ&#x20AC;? is unmissable. s

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Uh, Oh.

Sometimes, even the Gingerbread Man gets caught by holiday emergencies.

We hope your holidays are ďŹ lled with family, friends, great food and fun.

But if a health emergency happens to you or your loved ones this season, our ER staff are ready 24/7. As always, we are committed to quality care and getting you back home as quickly as possible.

From all of us at North Florida Regional Healthcare, enjoy this holiday season.

www.NFRMC.com/ER

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December 2014

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