Living well after 50
Tampa Bay Times | Sunday, March 27, 2022
Learning to
THRIVE Parkinson’s disease doesn’t keep Jon Pawelkop from enjoying his retirement. Pages 4 and 5
CROSSWORD Space Exploration (2), by Merl Reagle ACROSS 1 8 12 16 19 20 21 23 25 26 27 28 30 31 32 34 36 37 38 40 42 46 50 52 53 54 58 59 61 62 63 64 66 68 69 71 74 78 80
Toy that became a chair Daughter (with the petals) in It’s A Wonderful Life They get into habits It means “badly” Douglas of To Die For Green land Cheese party? Part of the new “Living in Manhattan” Barbie? Sex hormone, for example? Shelley wrote them ___ out a victory Small marvel Quiver contents Born Home in Toledo Toast start Brit. tome French dance Rain cats and dogs Ranch sound Grandparent, often A negative Dracula review? Easy Rider actor Hasten Integrity An easy choice, as pies go? Perk up Fall flat, as a joke The Dallas-Denver Super Bowl Got juicier “Aloha Oe” instrument, briefly Witnessed Part of the Panama palindrome Actor Elliott Obi “You look mah-velous”? Overtake Testifier’s words Some contests
81 Benevolent 83 Moody Blues hit, “Go ___” 84 Obeisant 88 Youngster 89 Dispenser candy 90 Grafton’s A 92 Article on Paul coming up in ArtWorld magazine? 95 Rich residences 97 Badly 98 Fry in butter 99 Marks from playing rough? 101 ___ Reckoning 104 Lady of the house 105 Complaint 106 Arctic bird 107 ___ Lanka 109 Plants that draw protests 111 Tale 113 “Water hole” 116 A saint’s laugh 119 Big House 120 Long time 121 Flying prefix 122 Rd. that leads to Muscle Beach? 124 What the cloud formation reminded Tonto of? 128 Response to “O Hero”? 129 Hail ___ 130 Uneven 131 Some advice 132 Lee of baking 133 Does a dog trick 134 The ___ Chapel
DOWN 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Great beasts of the plains Slip past Seascape playwright What’s happening Shearing reaction “Got ___ fives?” (query in Fish, the card game) The Bill in billionaire Farm hand who becomes
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 22 24 29 32 33 34 35 37 39 41 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 55 56 57 60 65 66 67 70 72 73 75 76 77 79 82
the Cowardly Lion Fail or press ending Good insult Bobby of Indy Jazz grp.? ___ Minor Explosive stuff Get mad Fe-line? Sans editing 1980s Ford model The Lord of the Rings hero Giraffe’s relative The Lincoln, for one Rural dwellings Tons Film Grant? Film giant Film porker Without repeat Smell Word in comparisons See 20 Across Demond’s sitcom co-star of the ’70s Pretty good grade Actress Eleniak Is wild about Little Women star Extras Up Branches out April VIP Maligned but ultra-useful plant Death Valley’s county French schools “Relax” The god of sports endorsements Buzzing place Separates Lawyer Louis A Pointer sister AA-approved Noted watchmakers Clamor It made the 280ZX
The crossword puzzle solution is on Page 7
84 Sharp downturn, as on Wall Street 85 First name in scat 86 Put money (on) 87 Grade decider 89 That skunk LePew 91 Want 93 “Crank the wheel!” 94 Applications 96 Rigel, for one 100 “How sweet ___!”
102 103 105 108 110 112 113 114 115 116
Tessie or Milo Shows displeasure “Don’t make fun” 1932 comedy, If ___ Million Skewered meat Pot starters “___ ever tasted!” Yossarian portrayer Rolls’s partner Hawaiian city
117 118 120 121 122 123 125 126 127
Till stack Finished Decreases Body study: abbr. Turf Memorable time Put-on Bi follower Apr. collector
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LIFETIMES
things to do
Sunday 3/27 Tampa Bay AirFest: The gates to MacDill Air Force Base will open to the public with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels as headliners. There will also be parachute jumps, aircraft to tour, vendors and an F-22 demo. Free. VIP seating $40-$600. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday. MacDill Air Force Base, 8208 Hangar Loop Drive, Tampa
Tuesday 4/5 Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox: Postmodern Jukebox bends time by reworking modern hits into vintage genre such as swing and jazz. With more than 4.3 million subscribers, the group is widely known for their weekly YouTube videos. $38.25$73.25. 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400 Zombies: Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent celebrate their induction into The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a new album in the works. $44.50-$89.50. 8 p.m. Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., Clearwater. (727) 791-7400.
Friday 4/8 Blues Festival: Three days of blues music by headliners including: JJ Grey and Mofro, Samantha Fish, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, Mindi Abair and Jason Ricci (Friday); Jimmie Vaughan, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Eric Gales, Danielle Nicole and Sugar Ray and the Bluetones (Saturday); and Larkin Poe, Ronnie Baker Brooks, The Nick Moss Band, The Bruce Katz Band and Backtrack Blues Band (Sunday). $50-$60 (each day), $140 (three day). 12:30 - 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 1 - 10 p.m. Sunday. Vinoy Park, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg.
$42.75-$78.75. 1 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400.
Saturday 4/16
Tampa Bay Rays Home opener: The Rays face the Baltimore Orioles. Price varies. 3:10 p.m. Tropicana Field, 1 Tropicana Drive, St. Petersburg. (888) 326-7297. Florida Orchestra Pops Series: The orchestra presents Broadway Pops, a collection of pieces exploring Broadway past and present. TBA. 8 p.m. Friday. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. (727) 892-3337. 8 p.m. Saturday. Mahaffey Theater, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. (727) 892-3337.
Tampa Bay Women’s Expo: This ‘Ladies Day Out’ features exhibits, interactive booths and education on a wide range of women’s interests. Whether it’s fashion and travel or beauty and self-care, this Expo has something for everyone. Join us with your girls for a day of pampering, giveaways, and more! Free; 10 a.m. 3 p.m. The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N, St. Petersburg. (727) 893-8134. tampabaywomensexpo.com
Wednesday 4/20 Journey: The diamond-selling Rock & Roll Hall of Famers will take the stage with their catalog of global chart-topping hits,
including Don’t Stop Believin, Any Way You Want It, Faithfully, Lights and more. Toto also appears. $45.75-$125.75. 7:30 p.m. Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-6500. Van Morrison: The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and six-time Grammy® winner brings the hits including Moondance, Brown Eyed Girl and Gloria. $98.75$272.75. 8 p.m. Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 McMullen-Booth Road, Clearwater. (727) 791-7400.
p.m. Free. 4 p.m. Pier 60, 1 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater. (727) 533-0402. Opera Tampa 2022 Season: Opera Tampa returns to Ferguson Hall for Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana. Health screenings, temperature checks and masks required at this time. CDC safety protocols may change as the date nears. TBA. 8 p.m. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. (813) 229-7827.
Friday 4/22 Pier 60 Sugar Sand Festival Earth Day Clean Up: Earth Day cleanup at Clearwater Beach. Meet at sunset to celebrate our beautiful planet and protect the beaches we enjoy year-round. The first 150 volunteers get an ecofriendly gift. Stick around after the cleanup for live music by The Black Honkeys starting at 7:30
Saturday 4/9 Second Saturday ArtWalk: Studios and galleries in five arts districts open new exhibitions and stay open late. Find a map that includes trolley stops on the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance website at stpeteartsalliance.org. Free. 5 - 9 p.m. Various locations in St. Petersburg. stpeteartsalliance.org TASTE at The Straz: Take a seat on the Riverwalk to enjoy live music on multiple stages as you feast on food, craft brews and cocktails from area fine restaurants at this epicurean event. $90, $165 VIP. 7 p.m. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts, 1010 N MacInnes Place, Tampa. (813) 229-7827.
Sunday 4/10 The Golden Boys: The Golden Boys featuring Frankie Avalon, Fabian, and Bobby Rydell. SSP Tampa Bay Times
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Living well with Parkinson’s Disease
April is Parkinson’s Disease Awareness month. Participating in pdLIFE’s outdoor activities provides people with Parkinson’s disease opportunities to exercise and socialize during the pandemic.
BY AMY SCHERZER Times Correspondent
The pdLIFE support group, organized during Covid-19 and still going strong, offers exercise classes, nature walks and social gatherings to keep the Parkinson’s disease community thriving. 4
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TAMPA — FAA air traffic controller Jon Pawelkop dove into a tailspin when a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease crashed his retirement dreams. A neurodegenerative disorder of unknown cause, Parkinson’s disease (PD) primarily affects the dopamine-producing neurons in a specific area of the brain. Symptoms usually develop slowly, ranging from tremors, gait and balance problems to limb rigidity
and slowness of movement. Numerous clinical trials are progressing toward a future cure; currently treatment includes medication, surgery and physical therapy. “The neurologist said, ‘Here, take some pills and make an appointment to see you again in a year,” recalled Pawelkop who was unaccustomed to feeling so powerless after a 30-year career
in the control tower at Tampa International Airport. A triathlete and avid traveler, Pawelkop is not one to accept bad news sitting down. Especially not after learning that strenuous exercise could delay the progression of the brain disorder. Physically active patients see improved posture, strength, balance and reduced motor and non-motor symptoms. Pawelkop, 64, upped his regular gym workouts and joined a franchised boxing program for men and women living with PD. Every punch knocked out fear and anxiety that PD would halt his ability to participate in life events as a parent of six and Papa Jon to 15 grandchildren. “Everybody’s Parkinson’s experience is different,” he said, “I exercise for myself, but also to make it mean something…to inspire and motivate other PD fighters so hopefully, we’ll be ready when they discover a cure.”
PdLIFE hosted their first Challenge obstacle course event at MacFarlane park. Participants conquered 11 obstacles on over a mile-long course. Tampa Bay Times SSP
Preconceived notions associated with PD lead many to believe that
their lives are going to be over, says Meredith DeFranco, 38, a physical therapist at Potentia Therapeutics in south Tampa. Pawelkop and DeFranco met as patient and therapist at the Fixel Institute for Neurologic Diseases at the University of Florida where DeFranco worked for nearly a decade. When her husband’s career move brought the family to Tampa in 2019, DeFranco reconnected with Pawelkop and his wife Pat. She was thrilled to see he had maintained his tenacity and positive outlook. Then, ka-pow. COVID-19 dealt a resounding blow to all the Parkinson’s programs essential to quelling motor symptoms as well as non-motor symptoms, including apathy, depression, sleeplessness and cognitive impairment, which tend to worsen under stress. “The toll of the forced isolation was substantial,” said DeFranco. “Not only for those impacted by the disease, but also for their caregivers. People were rapidly deteriorating because they lost their social connections. Not just
Find a variety of exercise classes and social activities for the Tampa Bay Parkinson’s community at parkinsonlife.org. Donations are welcome to fund activities, programming and scholarships for those in need.
Meredith DeFranco and Jon Pawelkop motivate and inspire Parkinson’s disease fighters. Parkies. Without social connections, none of us thrive.” Frustrated with virtual therapy sessions, DeFranco organized a “Friendsgiving Walk” in November 2020 on the Saturday after Thanksgiving at Lettuce Lake Park. “When 35 people showed up that day, I knew we had to keep doing this,” said DeFranco, who earned a doctorate in physical therapy at Duke University. Pawelkop was first to help. Within a month, pdLIFE offered a full calendar of outdoor exercise classes, group walks and parties
at park and rec centers in Tampa and St. Petersburg at no cost.
“No food at that time, since this was pre-vaccines,” said DeFranco, crediting Pawelkop’s enthusiasm for growing the group and now, helping people reintegrate post-Covid with museum visits, bowling outings and birthday parties.
Jon Pawelkop pushes Meredith DeFranco in a “sled” to demonstrate a pdLIFE exercise class.
A $25,000 grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation is helping to expand programming. In February, pdLIFE was granted non-profit 5013c status to accept donations to help pay for instructors, refreshments and scholarships for rehab and therapy. “It’s hard not to fall in love with individuals impacted by PD,” said DeFranco. “The disease tends to pick on wonderful humans.”
“Jon’s the dreamer and the visionary driving pdLIFE forward,” she said, “especially connecting with the Young Onset (YOPD) fighters under age 50. We see that people with PD work much harder in groups with like abilities than on their own. There can be a lot of apathy so if there is an excuse not to do it, they’ll take it.”
Photos courtesy of pdLIFE
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STEP BY STEP
Sally Anderson
WHY STRETCH
Stretching is essential for fitness but is often overlooked. Stretching has always been and continues to be a neglected component of a healthy lifestyle. While it is important to strengthen our muscles and perform cardio, it is also important to stretch daily for our mobility, especially as we get older. Stretching helps keep muscles strong and flexible. And flexibility is required to maintain a range of motion in our joints. Without it, muscles can shorten and become tight, causing muscle stiffness, back pain and poor posture. Relieving muscle tension can help relieve stress and reduce feelings of anxiety. Bonus benefit: stretching before bed encourages a better night’s sleep. See Step by Step for four flexibility stretches.
Photos by Dan Canoro
Your Move | Demonstrated by Barbi Bozich Stretching exercises to improve flexibility HIP FLEXORS AND QUAD STRETCH Hip flexors are a group of muscles along the front of your upper thigh and include part of the quadriceps. When they are tight they can cause aches and pains, especially in the lower back. • Begin standing tall with feet • Stretch up as you press into the floor, feeling the stretch in your hips. together, abdominals contracted. • Hold stretch position for 20-30 • Keeping back straight, take a big seconds. step forward with left foot, bending • Release knees to the starting your front knee and extending back position, then repeat the pattern on leg to the back with heel off the the opposite side. floor. • Repeat at least 2-3 times on each • Hips will be squared to the front. side. • Extend arms upward on each side of your head with palms facing each Tip: while holding the stretch position, relax and breathe deeply. other.
LOW BACK FLEXION EXERCISE
How to Stretch Properly Perform dynamic stretches to warm up before working out. Dynamic stretches are stretches with movement. They are much more effective than static stretches for preparing for exercise. Rev up your circulation by increasing the oxygen and blood flow throughout your whole body. It is recommended to warm up for five to ten minutes. • Static stretches, or stretch-and-hold stretches, are recommended for cool downs after a workout or throughout the day. • Avoid holding your breath when stretching. Holding your breath causes muscle tension. • Slow and steady. Move into and out of a static stretch smoothly, avoiding bouncing or jerky movements, which can cause micro tears in your muscle fibers. • Do not aim for pain. You should feel mild tension while stretching but never pain. If it hurts, you have stretched too far. When you feel mild tension hold the stretch. • Hold static stretches for 20-30 seconds. It takes time for the muscle tissue to lengthen safely. • Be consistent. Stretching for a few minutes several times a day will gradually increase range of motion and flexibility.
• Lie on the floor or even a couch with knees bent. • Slowly bring both knees up toward your chest, wrapping your hands around the lower legs. • Hold that position for 20-30 seconds, then release knees to the starting position and repeat 8-10 times. Tip: Avoid holding hands around the knees.
SHOULDER STRETCH Can help relieve tightness and muscle tension in the neck and shoulders. • Standing tall, relax your shoulders and reach left arm across your body at chest level. • Support your left arm by bending right arm, wrapping it under your upper left arm. • Hold stretch for 20 seconds, then repeat the stretch with other arm. • Repeat pattern 2-4 times. Tip: To increase the stretch, use your right arm to bring the left arm closer to your chest.
STANDING SIDE BEND Stretches your back and side muscles, which improves flexibility in the spine and improves posture. • Stand tall with feet and legs together. • Keep chest and head looking forward. • Stretch straight arms overhead as you inhale. • Lower right arm down the side of your body, exhaling as you lengthen the left arm over your head, gently bending your body to the right side. • Inhale as you return arms overhead, and exhale as you repeat the pattern on the other side. • Repeat 8-10 times on each side. Tip: Exhale slowly.
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
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TV word search
CROSSWORD ANSWERS
puzzle page 2
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Pamela Zysk, 71
MY FAVORITE CAR Wimauma
1960 Plymouth Valiant
My first car was a 1960 Valiant named Sabrina, and she had a push-button transmission. Her radio never worked until I went over a bump one day on Route 1. One day we skipped school and
went down to the Jersey shore. There were 9 kids in this car with 3 surfboards on the top and the trunk full of towels and food. Great time!
CALL TO READERS 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
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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.