LifeTimes June 2021

Everyone has a Story to Tell After a year of suspended events, Tampa Bay storyteller guilds are resuming story swaps and live performances.

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Living well after 50 Pam McFarlane, a seasoned teller from Long Island who now lives in Venice, Fla., shares a story at the monthly Night Tales story swap at the Safety Harbor Art and Music Center in 2020. Most storytelling events were suspended in 2021 because of COVID-19.

Tampa Bay Times | Wednesday, June 23, 2021

CROSSWORD Wordtopia, by Merl Reagle ACROSS 1 Math test need, often 13 Send far, far away, maybe 19 Words oft-heard on The Addams Family 21 Forward, in Florence 22 The man who thought he shot Liberty Valance (played by Jimmy Stewart) 24 Mangalore music makers 25 What “there oughta be” 26 Play roulette, e.g.

27 Dryish 29 Concert opening?

30 The Little Rascals’ dog 31 Plastic nickname 33 “___, you magnificent bastard, I read your book!” (George C. Scott in Patton) 34 Water barrier 35 Recipe verb 36 Cone-bearing tree 38 Caustic cleaners 39 Pack rat 40 Driver’s invitation 42 Squad’s concern 44 Crossword constructors (like me) who put long words on top of each other, as in this puzzle 46 Earth tones 48 Theft of a sort 50 Andrew Carnegie, by birth 51 Race-starter’s words 53 More constant 55 Type of tie 59 Hosp. crew 60 Kerala dress 62 Fashion magazine 63 Mother of Calcutta

The crossword puzzle solution is on Page 7.

DOWN 64 67 70 71 73 74 76 77 78 80 83 85 87 88 92 93 94 95 97 99 102 103 105 106 107 108 110 111 112 114 117 118 119 120

A Musketeer Florentine sculptor It’s something to see Really, really sentimental Radius neighbor Ptero ending Actress Scala Gleeful cry Is looking for More like Rapunzel, perhaps With Man, a horse Scourge of the African savanna Judges, at times Ignores Course obstacle West Indies native Had the power Criticize harshly Sleuth Wolfe et al.

PETA people don’t wear them Son of Aphrodite Deceived Stable boy?

Ex-QB Tarkenton Lucy’s pal on The Lucy Show Choral compositions Runner Sebastian Tom Thumb composer Thomas O’Neill title figure Landlord’s last letter Weather-changing current Technology VIP on a newspaper Gardener, at times You’ve heard it a thousand times

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 23 28 32 34 37 39 41 43 45 46 47 48 49 52 54 56 57 58 61 65

Boot loops Skier’s home Managed efficiently Respondents Match ender, briefly Percussion people, at times Certain firefighting guy Golf bag item From ___ Z Advanced degrees Down source It’s a single strand of nucleotides, unlike DNA Pesto base Enthusiastic Name that sounds like a bug Dropping like a rock Walkout participant Snakes, at times Covered with dirt Gangster film women Takes a break Number of tears in a 1960s song TV oldie set in the jungle Trumpeter Al Sports page info First-shot prop Custodian Checking, for one: abbr.

Sweet Rosie of song Fugal or petal prefix Spongelike Screams Wander (about) Connect Meat-free Mexican meal A whiter shade of pale Golden Horde members Small bay Disfavors

66 68 69 72 75 79 81 82

Erupted Knockouts of a sort Possessive pronoun Some votes Buttoned anew Hindu follower?

Knight’s title “What I like about beer is you basically drink it and order more. You don’t

84 86 88 89 90 91 93 96 98

___” (Dave Barry) Apply, as lotion On ___ (sans contract) Movie trailer Heart part Eastern European Arts and crafts need Military rank Poles and Czechs Overly ornate

100 Ill will 101 Scornful 103 Brideshead, for one 104 Ancient Romania 108 Prop for Astaire 109 Flower part 113 Day or night preceder 115 Hero’s follower?

116 ___ on (has too much of, slangily)

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STEP BY STEP

Sally Anderson

WATER WONDERS Want a cool workout or looking for a new fitness challenge? One that will give you a full body workout while putting less stress on joints and muscles? Water fitness is a wonderful way to mix up your traditional gym workout, but with a few bonuses added.

The buoyancy of water reduces the “weight” of a person by about ninety percent, which means the stress on weight bearing joints, bones and muscles is also reduced. You’ll notice a greater range of motion and less sore muscles. This doesn’t mean you’re not getting a good workout in the pool, for indeed you are. You’ll get good resistance but without impact. Working out in water strengthens major muscles in your body while boosting your endurance. Flexibility, balance and coordination all share in the many benefits of a water workout. And one more big bonus: you don’t have to worry about falling!

Research has also shown that water exercises can be a safe and effective workout for those with arthritic issues.

And they are a good option if you want to reduce the impact on your knees. I always remember what one of the ladies said in my water aerobics class, “in the water, no pain’’.

Water-based exercise is a very popular activity that is not limited to any age group. No pool? No problem. Many gyms offer water fitness classes. If you have any physical issues that you are concerned about, please consult with your physician before taking the plunge.

Photos by Dan Canoro

Your Move | Demonstrated by Char Rillings PENDULUM WITH ARM SWINGS

A cardio workout that strengthens abdominals, hips, glutes, thighs and stretches shoulder, back and chest muscles.

• Standing tall, abdominals contracted, begin swinging alternate legs side to side.

• You will feel like you are making small jumps when you switch legs.

• Add arm movements by letting arms swing freely side to side in front of you in opposite direction of the swings.

• Repeat 2 sets of 10-15 repetitions.

FROG JUMPS WITH ARM EXTENSIONS A cardio full body exercise.

BICYCLE ON NOODLE A cardio exercise that strengthens leg muscles.

• With noodle wrapped behind your back, rest arms on sides of noodle for support.

• Contracting abdominals, begin to pedal as if you were riding a bicycle.

• Continue for three to five minutes.

Let’s Get Started Two important items to bring to the pool are a pair of water shoes and your water bottle.

Wearing supportive water shoes will help maintain the proper position while doing various movements.

And even while water cools the body, you will lose fluids doing a vigorous water workout.

Check out water equipment if you want to add a little variety. Some suggestions are water weights: pool noodles, kick boards and a jogger aqua belt.

Perform water exercises 3 times a week if you are just being introduced to the water, however for the exercises to become fully effective, eventually increase to 4 or 5 times a week.

Warm up in the pool for about five minutes.

Walking in waist high water is a good way to begin your fun. Swing your arms as when you walk on land. Avoid walking on tiptoes and keep your back straight. Tighten abdominal muscles to avoid leaning too far forward or to the side.

To create cardio movements, add upper body movements while jogging or quick knee lifting or hamstring curling. Try the breast stroke as in swimming, lateral raises (lifting arms up and down to the sides), Jumping Jacks, punches, squats with jumps, skiing movements, alternating legs with arms moving forward and back.

STANDING TREE POSE

• Begin in a mini squat with legs a little wider than shoulder-width apart.

• Arms extended between legs.

• Abdominals contracted.

• As you jump as high as you can, bring legs together while arms are extended shoulder height with shoulders back.

• Return to starting position as you land and repeat frog jumps • Repeat 2 sets of 10-15 times.

Helps build better balance while strengthening legs and core. Stretches thighs, torso, shoulders.

• Standing tall, place feet shoulder-width apart with head facing forward, chin parallel to floor.

• Contract abdominals.

• Place heel of right foot with toes pointed downward on left inner thigh or over left ankle.

• Press hands together in front of chest or raise arms into the air.

• Hold for five breaths.

• If you need support, hold onto side of pool.

• Repeat several times.

Check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program. Sally Anderson is happy to hear from readers but can’t respond to individual inquiries. Contact her at slafit@tampabay.rr.com SSP Tampa Bay Times | Wednesday, June 23, 2021 |

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Develop the storyteller within you

Bay Area storytelling guilds pass down the timeless tradition at story swaps and workshops.

BY AMY SCHERZER LifeTimes correspondent

“Everyone has a story, and every story has a lesson,” declares Ross Tarr, performer, writer, and co-founder of the Storytellers of Old Tampa Bay Guild. The eclectic group of educators, librarians, artists, businesspeople and retirees enjoy and learn from each other at story swaps and workshops.

Throughout the pandemic, Tarr hosted the guild on Zoom and Facebook, the “Tellers” and “Listeners” continuing to offer feedback on story structure and delivery, “like a bunch of boxers going to a private gym,” he said.

Photo from Marc Berger

Ross Tarr is known as the Old Storyteller of Tampa Bay. He has more than 100 stories in his repertoire.

“Fewer people participated during COVID, but they came from many time zones, from Europe, Canada, India,” Tarr said. His own network expanded globally last year “courtesy of the Internet” when he performed at storytelling festivals in Amsterdam, Singapore and New Delhi.

When the Second Saturday Story Swaps re-

sume in-person, on-stage July 10 at the Skyway Marina Mall in St. Petersburg, Tarr will keep broadcasting on Zoom to maintain those connections.

Tarr remembers being 6 or 7 years old when he calmed down a neighbor kid by telling a story he’d heard that morning on the radio.

Soon he was scaring boy scouts with ghost stories around the campfire. Since then, he has told Irish folklore dressed as a leprechaun; learned Old Norse legends for a Viking festival and enchanted wedding guests with love stories. Christmas stories, especially Russian folk tales told as Father Frost, are a specialty, as the retired hospital comptroller and college educator has been a professional Santa Claus for more than 40 years.

“Look for stories you love, and that’s a story you can tell,” said Tarr, highly recommending Toastmasters training to sharpen timing, inflection and gestures. “If you don’t love it, don’t tell it.”

The Tampa Bay Storytellers Guild formed in 1994 to advance the ancient art with coaching, performance opportunities and festival scholarships.

“They say a certain thing is the oldest profession, but I’m gonna tell you otherwise,” says past president and current organizer Maureen Belote. After a long pandemic hia-

tus, TBSG resumed monthly Story Swaps and potluck suppers in April.

“Stories feed the soul … they teach us and enrich our lives,” said Belote, whose website promises “Truth, Lies and Irish Eyes.”

“Before TV and the Internet, you listened to the radio or read a book, and it was your imagination that took you places. That’s what we do in storytelling,” Belote said. “My witch may not look like your witch, my princess might not look like yours, and that’s the beauty of it. I believe everyone is a storyteller.”

Belote’s talent evolved from high school drama club to Christian clowning, at her pastor’s suggestion. The Dunedin resident dropped the clown costume when she added storytelling to her bag of tricks.

“The wonderful thing about storytelling is that I picture it in my mind like a movie which is a story with pictures. I know where I started, and I know where I have to go, and I take you along with me.”

Belote and Tarr, both former Florida Storytelling Festival board members, look forward to the resumption of two annual events: Tella-bration, held internationally November 20, and the Florida Storytelling Festival, January 27-30 in Mt. Dora.

On average, a story runs seven or eight minutes, up to 20 minutes in a public venue, such as schools, libraries and senior residences.

There are no age or experience requirements for either of the Tampa/St. Petersburg guilds and newcomers are always welcome, to perform or just listen and enjoy. Right now, neither is collecting membership dues.

Photo from the Tampa Bay Storytellers Guild

Maureen Belote, professional storyteller and past president of the Tampa Bay Storytellers’ guilds

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| Wednesday, June 23, 2021 | Tampa Bay Times SSP

my life,” said Belcher. “I didn’t realize how many people were doing it.”

His journalism background is helpful for researching and crafting personal stories, off-beat history and legends. “Although I never wrote fiction as a reporter,” he said.

Belcher tapes himself on Zoom and studies other storytellers on YouTube, NPR’s StoryCorps and themoth.org to improve a repertoire of about 25 stories.

theme to relate to a life skill situation that helps the children visualize and express how to make good choices,” Stuart said.

Darwin the dolphin puppet, for example, teaches bravery, courage and respect.

Stuart has gained confidence and new friends since joining Storytellers of Old Tampa Bay five years ago.

“Storytelling transcends so many experiences important in our world today.

“If you take the time to listen, you know you are not alone.’’

Amy Scherzer can be reached at AmyScherzersDiary@gmail.com

Learn, Practice, Become a Storyteller

Retired Tampa Tribune reporter Walt Belcher tells a story at the 2020 Florida Storytelling Festival.

“A lot of people don’t realize it’s more than bedtime stories for kids,” said retired journalist Walt Belcher. The former Tampa Tribune television critic participates frequently with both local guilds and “Zooms” with the Georgia Mountain Storytellers; the Doc Moore Storytelling Guild out of Austin, Texas; the Montreal Storytellers Guild; and the biggest, an English-speaking group session on Sundays in Amsterdam.

“You have to tell it like you’re naturally talking to someone, memorizing does not work. I write it down for organizational purposes, but it changes every time you tell it, according to how the audience reacts.”

Wanda Stuart, a prevention specialist at Operation PAR in St. Petersburg, relies on fiction and non-fiction to address substance misuse with kids ages 5 to 18.

“I wish I had known about it earlier in

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Storytellers of Old Tampa Bay Guild

Tampa Bay Storytellers’ Guild

In-person monthly Second Saturday Story Swaps begin July 10, on-stage at the Skyway Marina Mall, 4301 34th St. S; St. Petersburg, simulcast on Zoom for at-home participants.

Presenting local story swaps, statewide events and national talent to help find, develop and improve the storyteller within you to perform for family or a large audience. Contact Maureen Belote at genimo@verizon.net or storytellermaureenb.com or call 727-736-6466 for more information.

Beginning July 7, free youth training programs and adult workshops are scheduled Wednesday through Sunday in the guild office, room 13, at the Skyway Marina Mall.

Teller-to-Teller Peer Review Workshops held via Zoom every Friday at 10:30 a.m. will include in-person tellers at the guild’s office, beginning July 2.

Email Ross Tarr at rosstarr@aol.com or call (727) 418-5578 for more information.

40th Annual Tampa-Hillsborough County Storytelling Festival Now through August 5, Friends of Storytelling of Tampa-Hillsborough County present a free, online Storytelling Festival featuring live performances and workshops.

Visit https://hcplc.org/StorytellingFestival or call (813) 273-3652 for schedule.

MY FAVORITE CAR Bobby Crouch, 82, Largo

1955 Chevy In 1955, I was a sophomore in High School and worked after school at Buds Auto Body Shop in Indianapolis. My buddy totaled his ’55 Chevy in the front end. My boss bought it from the insurance company. Down the highway, my boss’ Dad owned a junk yard with a ’55 Chevy 4dr that was wrecked in the rear.

We cut both cars in half and made this beautiful car.

It was a 4 barrel V8 with a four speed and Deck Dual Hollywood mufflers. I kept it original with 1956 Olds spinner hubcaps with whitewall tires. I enjoyed this car so much and to this day wish I still had it.

SSP Tampa Bay Times | Wednesday, June 23, 2021 |

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Wayne Boudreaux, 53

MY FAVORITE CAR St. Petersburg

1967 Austin-Healey 3000 MK |||

My favorite car is my Austin-Healey 3000 MK III. I first fell in love with this model car when I was a teenager and had the opportunity to purchase one. My father talked me out of it, which was definitely the right decision at the time, but years later I found myself still longing to get behind the wheel of one.

Years later, with the kids grown and out of the house, I finally convinced my wife to let me go on the hunt for this beautiful car. I found this 1967 Austin-Healey 3000 in Ft. Lauderdale in 2013 and spent about three years getting it to be mechanically reliable. My wife and I are now active members of the Tampa Bay Austin-Healey Club. We’ve driven our car all over the Southeast, attending car shows and classic car gatherings. We’ve also had it at the Festivals of Speed in St. Petersburg the past two years.

Tell us your love story What’s the story behind your favorite or first car? We’d like to share it. Please send: • Your name, city where you live and your age (with your date of birth).

• The year, make and model of the car, with a description of

the car and why you love it.

• A high-resolution photo or a scanned image. (Must be of the actual car.)

• Send to drive@tampabay. com and put My Favorite Car or My First Car in the subject line.

ASTRONOMY Daryl L. Schrader

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TV word search

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CROSSWORD ANSWERS puzzle page 2

SSP Tampa Bay Times | Wednesday, June 23, 2021 |

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| Wednesday, June 23, 2021 | Tampa Bay Times SSP