COMINGofAGE LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SENIORS
TM
Fall 2015
Voices of Pensacola Seniors in the Workforce Living with Alzheimer’s
The Rat Pack 2015 mcguire martin, lumon may, collier merrill, Charlie switzer
www.coawfla.org www.ballingerpublishing.com
Presented by Council on Aging of West Florida
Now Taking Reservations! 850-434-3232
Amenities and Services Studio/1BR/2BR Apartments Licensed Nurse 24/7 Healthcare Monitoring & Management Spacious Living Areas Assistance with Medications 24-Hour Emergency Response System Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapies Beauty & Barber Salon Private Dining Rooms
Carefree Living for Seniors Summer Vista Assisted Living is a resort style senior living community offering a unique and carefree lifestyle. Our compassionate nurses and staff are committed to serving our residents, giving you piece of mind.
We offer all the comforts of home, without all the work. Cooking, cleaning, laundry and maintenance are all handled by our expert staff, while our residents relax and enjoy their favorite hobbies and activities.
Restaurant-Style Dining Bistro Guest Stay Apartments Scheduled Chauffeured Transportation Expansive Life Enrichment Programs Beautifully Landscaped Courtyards Fitness Center Nature Trail
Summer Vista is currently under construction and several apartments are already reserved. With only 89 apartments available in this beautiful community, we expect to sell out quickly. Our goal is to let you move in early 2016. Give us a call for more details!
For more information or to reserve an apartment, contact: Alan L. Woods, NHA, Executive Director 850-434-3232 • awoods@summervista.com www.summervista.com
3450 Wimbeldon Dr. • Pensacola, FL 32504 Assisted Living Facility License Pending
Open enrollment is here.
7.8600
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At Baptist Medical Group, you’ll love how our primary care physicians go the extra mile to ensure you get the prompt appointments, undivided attention and quality medical care you deserve. But don’t take our word for it. See for yourself. Visit BaptistMedicalGroup.org to: • Search 100+ doctor profiles. • Read patient stories. • Locate an office near you. • Request an appointment. We would love to have the honor of caring for you. North Hill • Nine Mile • Cordova • Perdido • Westside • Gulf Breeze • Navarre • Pace • Century
F rom
the
E ditor
Rachael Cox
Marketing Communications Director and Editor-in-Chief
A whole year. It’s hard to believe, but I am now celebrating my first anniversary as the editor-in-chief of Coming of Age and marketing communications director for Council on Aging of West Florida. What a great ride it has been! Can I just be candid with you… I was really nervous about my new role. Jeff Nall, my predecessor, left a giant footprint that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to fill. But he and the teams at Council on Aging and Ballinger Publishing have made the transition easy. They’ve willingly listened to some of my ideas to freshen up an already stellar publication and have helped me implement a new Coming of Age logo and content layout. We were able to unveil the new design at the 10th anniversary celebration of Coming of Age in June. Make sure to check out some of the photos in the “Were You
Seen” gallery on page 45. Thank you all for your support and encouragement that has helped make my first year with you an incredible journey! Speaking of anniversary celebrations… we are marking the 5th anniversary of the Rat Pack Reunion, our annual fundraising event honoring community leaders. Our development director, AKA Rat Pack guru Brandi Gomez, has worked hard to collect some interesting facts and anecdotes about this year’s honorees that are summed up in this issue’s cover story. Read more about our friends Collier Merrill, Charlie Switzer, Lumon May and McGuire Martin on page 30. We’ve got an “A” team of Rats this year! We hope you’ll join us for all the fun on October 23. More details inside. This issue also features a story
from Council on Aging board member Kathleen Logan, who just released a book titled Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! It’s a must read, and we think you’ll be convinced after you get a glimpse of what she has to share on page 27. Thank you for your faithful readership! We appreciate you all, and hope that you’ll find this issue a good companion on your Thanksgiving travels… yep, it’s that time again too! And as always, if you have comments or suggestions about Coming of Age, please don’t hesitate to call me at (850) 432-1475. We value your opinion! Until next time – Enjoy life. You’ve earned it!
Readers’ Services Subscriptions Your subscription to Coming of Age comes automatically with your membership to Council on Aging of West Florida. If you have questions about your subscription, call Rachael Cox at (850) 432-1475 ext. 130 or email rcox@coawfla.org. Please do not hesitate to contact Rachael with any questions or comments about your service, and thank you.
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Change of Address When calling or emailing us your change of address, please provide Council on Aging of West Florida with both the old and new addresses to expedite the change.
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Back Issues Is there an issue of one of our magazines that you just have to have? Was your relative seen in a recent issue and you lost it? Give Ballinger Publishing a call at (850) 433-1166 ext. 30, and they will find one for you.
Letters Council on Aging of West Florida welcomes your letters and comments. Send letters to Council on Aging c/o Rachael Cox at 875 Royce St., Pensacola, FL 32503, emails to rcox@coawfla.org or contact editor Kelly Oden at Ballinger Publishing, P.O. Box 12665 Pensacola, FL 32591 or kelly@ ballingerpublishing.com.
Writing Opportunities We are always willing to consider freelance writers and article ideas. Please send queries and/or suggestions to Kelly Oden at kelly@ballingerpublishing.com or Rachael Cox at rcox@coawfla.org.
Council on Aging of West Florida 2015 Board of Directors Officers Chair: Caron Sjöberg First Vice Chair: Robert Mills Second Vice Chair: Sonya Daniel Secretary: Councilmember P.C. Wu Treasurer: James M. “Mick” Novota Immediate Past Chair: DeeDee Davis Board Members Lorenzo Aguilar Malcolm Ballinger Rabbi Joel Fleekop Thomas Lampone, M.D. • Lois Lepp Kathleen Logan • Andy Marlette Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May Chaplain Larry Mosley • Thomas Pace, Jr. John Peacock • Tara Peterson Santa Rosa School Board District 1 Diane L. Scott, Ph. D. Monica Sherman • Sue Straughn Edgar M. Turner • Richard M. Tuten Dona Usry • Marie K. Young Members Emeriti Joe Black • Rosemary Bonifay John Brick • Kenneth Kelson Zola Lett • Charles H. Overman, III Malcolm Parker • Ethel Tamburello President/CEO John B. Clark Marketing Communications Director and Coming of Age Editor-in-Chief Rachael Cox Published for Council on Aging of West Florida by Ballinger Publishing 41 N. Jefferson St. Suite 402 • Pensacola, FL 32502 850/433-1166 • Fax 850/435-9174 Publisher Malcolm Ballinger Executive Editor Kelly Oden Editor Josh Newby Art Director Rita Laymon Graphic Designer & Ad Coordinator Guy Stevens Editorial Assistant Dawn Gresko Account Executives Becky Hildebrand • becky@ballingerpublishing.com Paula Rode • paula@ballingerpublishing.com Jennifer Bullock • jennifer@ballingerpublishing.com Disclaimer: Coming of Age magazine is published quarterly by Ballinger Publishing for Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents herein is prohibited. Comments and opinions expressed in this magazine represent the personal views of the individuals to whom they are attributed and/or the person identified as the author of the article, and they are not necessarily those of the publisher or Council of Aging of West Florida, Inc. This magazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. The publisher and Council on Aging of West Florida reserve the right to edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is the responsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in this magazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of any products or services by Ballinger Publishing or Council on Aging of West Florida. © 2015
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What’s inside
Fall 2015
27.
30.
Features 27. Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! 30. The 2015 Rat Pack
10.
12.
21.
17.
Departments
In Every Issue
10. Advocacy
42. News from Council on Aging of West Florida 44. Out & About 45. Were You Seen? Stay Connected! 46. Members & Donors
12. Success Story 14. Caregiving 17. Workforce 21. Community
On the cover: The Rat Pack 2015 Photographed by Guy Stevens
24. Holidays 8
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Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc, is compliant with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability.
By Samuel P. Verghese, Secretary, Florida Department of Elder Affairs
A dvocacy
Join with us in the
Dementia Care and Cure Initiative The state of Florida currently has more than a half million people living with Alzheimer’s disease, second to only California in the United States. Sunshine State numbers are expected to rise to more than 700,000 in the next ten years—and that number does not even take into account other forms of dementia. Couple this with the reality that Alzheimer’s disease is the fifthleading cause of death in Americans age 65 or older, and you can see the need for urgent intervention on behalf of our seniors. Dementia is a devastating disease, leaving individuals and their families mentally, physically and 10
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financially exhausted. Close family relationships and the important bonds they create slowly wither away, leaving broken hearts and fractured memories. The time to act is now, and we at the Department of Elder Affairs would like your help to do more to make our communities more dementia friendly and improve the quality of life for those affected. In August, as part of the Florida Conference on Aging in Orlando, I announced a DOEA initiative designed to engage everyone in Florida—not just the scientists and doctors actively researching a cure, but every Floridian—in combatting the devastating effects
of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias Ideally, the Dementia Care and Cure Initiative will create entire Caring Communities across the state that are more dementia friendly. It will challenge everyone to become more aware of not only the disease, but of the services and support available to combat it, as well. We envision a state where every community actively supports research to find a cure, while in the meantime providing better care for those affected. Education events will be organized and held throughout the state, local and state media will be utilized, and partnerships will be
established between communities, their stakeholders, and several state agencies. The result will be the development of action-oriented plans, individualized according to each community’s specific needs and assisted by specialized toolkits to enhance the work and promote better care for community members affected by dementia. Is it our desire to lead the nation in response to the increasing incidence of this disease by implementing this statewide effort. After all, Florida is the choice many seniors make when looking for a place to spend the most important years of their life. More than 4.8 million currently live, work, and play in the Sunshine State, and we consider ourselves fortunate that they do. On behalf of everyone at the Department of Elder Affairs, I invite you to join me in this allimportant fight. COA
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S uccess S tory
Senior Companions Lend a Helping Hand
By Matt Daniels, Council on Aging Intern The Senior Companion Program helps out local seniors in our area who need assistance with day-to-day activities they cannot do alone. Ms. Louvene Houston, 92 years of age, is a recipient of this program. Her senior companion, Jackie Weathers, has been assisting her for over a year now.The two have grown very close and get along great. “Ms. Jackie is such a wonderful person and a blessing to have in my life.” Houston says. “She takes me to my doctor’s appointments, helps me run errands like going to the grocery store, and other places that I couldn’t go without the help from my senior companion.”
Louvene Houston and Jackie Weathers
She heard about Council on Aging of West Florida and the Senior Companion Program from one of her neighbors. She has family in town, but they aren’t always able to help her do the things she needs to get done. Without her senior companion, she would not know what to do. “I am able to do some things, but I would have to pay someone to help me,” she says. “I don’t have that much money so not having my companion would be troublesome.” Ms. Houston is one of many clients in our community who receive help from the programs Council on Aging provides. Her life is made better as a result of the Senior Companion Program. “I wouldn’t know what to do without Ms. Jackie,” she said. Senior companions volunteer an average of 20 hours a week assisting with shopping, light housekeeping, cooking and other daily tasks, in addition to alerting doctors and family members to potential health problems. Men and women age 55 and over who live on a limited income are eligible to participate in the program. Senior companions receive a small hourly stipend, supplemental insurance, help with transportation and meal costs, an annual physical examination, and� pre-service and ongoing training. In addition to being 55 or older, applicants must meet the following household income eligibility criteria. Medical expenses may be subtracted from your total income. • Family unit of one: $23,540 • Family of two: $31,860 • Family of three: $40,180 • Family of four: $48,500 Families of five or more may add $8,120 per person. For more information about Council on Aging’s Senior Companion Program, call (850) 432-1475 or visit coawfla.org. COA
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C aregiving
Living with Alzheimer’s: Respite at The Retreat
Blue, purple, yellow and orange— seemingly unrelated, these colors carry immense meaning within the Alzheimer’s and dementia community. Blue, purple, yellow and orange silently relay how a person has been affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia: Blue for those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia, purple for those who lost a loved one to the disease, yellow for those supporting and caring for someone with the disease, and orange for everyone else who supports the cause and vision of a world without Alzheimer’s. It’s important to realize the disease not only affects those living with Alzheimer’s, but those living with and caring for someone who has the disease.The health of family-member caretakers is equally important, since the day-today struggle of caring for someone who has Alzheimer’s requires great responsibility and, on many occasions, a great deal of patience. Without 14
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a doubt, family members who serve as 24/7 caregivers can easily become emotionally and physically overwhelmed. Here’s where The Retreat at Council on Aging of West Florida comes in. The Retreat is an adult day health care center operated by staff who receive on-going training in areas such as Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.The respite services at The Retreat help family members alleviate some of the stress of caregiving by providing a safe haven during the day for those with the disease, allowing caregivers to focus on managing family and jobs, or simply seizing the chance to relax and take part in their own recreational activities.The center is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 am until 5:30 pm, so family members who work may worry less about leaving loved ones at home. There are indoor and outdoor activities for participants at The Retreat, where there are comfortable
By Dawn Gresko
activity and recreation areas, a full kitchen, screened-in porch with ceiling fans and furniture, as well as a private backyard with a pavilion and paths for a stroll outside. At The Retreat, participants not only have the option to attend exercise classes, but may engage in arts and crafts along with table and card games for plenty of mental and social stimulation. Perhaps the greatest benefit participants receive is the chance to interact with old friends, or meet new ones. Other positive outcomes include happier moods, a greater sense of purpose in life, better sleep habits, greater independence and increased motivation. In addition,The Retreat regularly schedules field trips to picnic areas, parks, museums, historical places, area attractions, bowling alleys, movie theatres and more.The wellsupervised trips are fun ventures out, which trigger fond memories and promote greater socialization for people with Alzheimer’s and dementia who can feel alienated in social situations. In fact, for participants with higher
cognitive and physical functioning who can follow directions, have good endurance and are capable of attending events with limited supervision, there’s Day on the Go. It is an exciting off-site experience in which schedules are planned to allow for a day full of activity and extended respite for caregivers. Day on the Go includes an outing, exercise time, as well as a break and lunch. If you are interested in registering a loved one for The Retreat, you may be eligible for government-funded programs that will cover the cost of enrollment. However, there are private pay options for those not eligible for federal assistance, and private pay daily rates are much lower than those charged for in-home care. What’s more, you can make your payments easily online. The welcoming staff at The Retreat understand new participants may need time to adjust to the unfamiliar surroundings. For this reason, you may schedule a tour of the facility with your loved one so you all can meet the staff, familiarize yourself with the grounds, and get to know more about The Retreat. To enroll, all potential participants must complete an assessment with the director of the center.To arrange a tour, sign someone up for Day on the Go, or learn more about private pay pricing or the assessment process, call 850-266-2503 or visit coawfla.org. If you’d like to join Pensacola’s fight against Alzheimer’s you may sign up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s coming to Bayview Park on Oct. 3. Registration is at 8 am and the twomile walk begins at 9:30 am, rain or shine. Help the organization reach their goal of $40,000 by raising at least $100, and you’ll receive a t-shirt showing your additional dedication to the cause. For more information about the event, go to act.alz.org. COA F all 2015
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W orkforce
Experience is Worth the Cost
By Josh Newby
When it comes to being older in the workplace, employees and prospective employees must often overcome a range of negative stereotypes that frame them as unproductive, hesitant to try new things, out of touch with trends and expensive. A new joint study between the AARP and the Society for Human Resource Management, however, has found the exact opposite may actually be true.
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EXPERIENCE
WORK ETHIC
Want to increase engagement? Employee engagement has implications for both retention and business results
Take 30 seconds to see
65%
WORKERS 55+
Why hiring “older” is a good idea.
Are engaged
58-60%
WORKERS UNDER 55
Are engaged
What does this mean for your business?
Experienced talent costs less than you think. Recruiting and retaining workers age 50+ may increase labor costs by only 1-2%, yet the value they bring to your business yields net-positive results
5%
$
EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE
COST
M AT URITY
= $ $
ENGAGEMENT
VS
$150 MILLION
3%
=
REVENUE GROWTH
$
ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR A $5 BILLION COMPANY
Lower unexpected turnover = reduced potential turnover cost. Percentage of workers that pose a risk of unplanned turnover
49%
29%
WORKERS UNDER 50
WORKERS 50+
VALUE
Employers ask: Where are all the talented people I need?
40%
78%
U.S. EMPLOYERS
U.S. CEOS
Healthcare costs for younger workers are actually rising faster. 35-39 55-59
I am having difficulty filling jobs
I am concerned about the availability of key skills
8% 5.7%
Smart employers have taken note: the workforce is aging. Percentage of the workforce age 50+
AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE IN CLAIMS COSTS FROM 2003-11
PROJECTED
2012
2002
32.3%
2022
35.4%
Ready to rethink your hiring strategy? Read AARP’s latest report – A Business Case for Workers Age 50+: A Look at the Value of Experience 2015.
24.6%
Download the Full Report
From an employer’s perspective, adding workers age 50+ =
50+ workers are a critical component of successful business. Questions? Contact Sheila Kathi Brown at skbrown@aarp.org or Laura Bos at lbos@aarp.org Source: A Business Case for Workers Age 50+: A Look at the Value of Experience 2015
INCREASED EXPERIENCE
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Want to increase engagement?
STRONGER WORK ETHIC
www.aarp.org/businesscaseforworkers50plus
“There’s this assumption that older workers cost more and bring less to the table,” said Lauran Bos, a financial security manager with AARP. “In fact, the difference in cost between a younger and older worker has shrunk to the point where the value created by the 50-plus crowd far outweighs the incrementally higher cost.” Following the early-2000s trend of hiring young, hip and cheap labor, business leaders are now starting to realize that you get what you pay for. Older workers exhibit highly sought-after traits, such as experience and engagement, professionalism, a strong work ethic, and maturity.These attributes, according to most companies but especially the healthcare and financial services industries, are worth their weight in gold. “And oftentimes, the cost difference is not large at all,” said Bos. “In fact, healthcare costs for older Americans are actually increasing slower than they are for younger citizens.” This is definitely good news for one of the largest growing population segments in the country. In 2022, about 35 percent of the workforce is expected to be older than 50, as opposed to just 25 percent in 2002. And this age group is not exploiting that fact, either. According to the AARP study, 65 percent of workers older than 55 are viewed as engaged, compared to below 60 percent for those under 45. It is estimated that every 5 percent increase in engagement results in a 3 percent revenue growth. But what about technology? In today’s world, computers, tablets and other technology are a routine part of every workday, and most senior citizens are generally averse to technology. Wrong, according to Bos. Older individuals are among those who are most accepting of social media and willing to learn new innovations. “You can absolutely teach an old dog new tricks,” said Bos. “And they want to learn. Once they do, you’ll have a skilled employee who also has all those soft skills necessary to making a business run smoothly.” Older employees work wonders for turnover, too. Turnover rates for the 50-plus crowd are about half that of any other population segment. Managing turnover equates to less HR expenditures and a more robust bottom line. And that drop in turnover is not just because they can’t find work elsewhere or are afraid to leave their job. Just behind needing the money, an enjoyment of work leads the pack for reasons senior citizens want to keep working. And businesses are taking notice, as more and more companies are offering phased
retirement to keep aging workers on longer, and are even accommodating travel schedules. CVS Pharmacy recently won awards for their Snowbird program, which allows workers to work at different branches throughout the year, up north during the summer and down south during the winter. So now that we know how valuable older workers are, how do we keep them on board? Well, 92 percent of workers ages 50 and older just want a chance to use their skills and talents. Ninety-one percent desire a friendly working environment, and 88 percent want the opportunity to do something worthwhile. Older employees also report wanting flexible work options, reduced hours and gradual retirement.
Bos also recommends mentorship and reversementorship programs to help integrate older and younger workers. “The older folks can pass along their wisdom, ingenuity and work ethic,” said Bos. “The younger generation can also teach those older than them about technology and emerging trends.” For those looking to change jobs and reenter the workforce, soft skills such as hard work, communication and loyalty are valuable in the interview process, too. “Talk about your skills, about your level of professionalism, and offer to serve as mentors,” said Bos. No longer does the American economy and workforce have to be held hostage by outdated notions and mythical stereotypes. By extending employment opportunities to older individuals, businesses can find themselves at ease with talent that is reliable and comes with a lifetime of wisdom. COA
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Make Your
C ommunity
voice
Heard
By Josh Newby
Preserving our story for future generations is one of the foundations of human existence. Passing along knowledge and experience is how we learn, how we evolve, and how we gain an appreciation for what came before us while better understanding where we need to go. Well now, a new partnership between the University of West Florida and Gulf Power Company has created a space for past generations to share their stories and future generations to appreciate them. F all 2015
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museum. “A lot of the features are on wheels for easy transportation,” said Overton. “We have put together an advisory committee who will recommend frequent and relevant updates.” Visitors to Voices of Pensacola are encouraged to add to the living exhibits by marking their hometown on a large map, scrawling a picture or message with chalk, or even recording their own story with audio and video equipment in a small, makeshift studio. The UWF Historic Trust, which manages the Voices of Pensacola center, will retain one copy of The Voices of Pensacola is a place that features artifacts the recording and give one to the creator. Others can and audiovisual displays from Pensacola’s past, as a way of preserving all the important people and stories then come in and watch/listen to previously recorded stories. Overton and his team took a page from the that made us who we are today. But since that story StoryCorps NPR program to inspire people to record continues to be told today, the museum also allows each other’s accounts and learn from them. visitors to record and preserve their own perspective “We encourage people to be forward-thinking and on Pensacola for posterity. record their oral history,” said Jeff Nall, chief community “We want to celebrate our heritage,” said Sandy Sims, community development manager at Gulf Power. officer for UWF Historic Trust. “By doing so, we can capture and retain their people’s collective story from “We can do that through this live, growing exhibit, where visitors can experience culture and diversity, and a particular point in time. You can bring a spouse, child, neighbor or long-time friend and just record the tell their history and stories to others.” conversation between you two. That conversation then Walking in, visitors are immediately greeted by a becomes a part of the archives of the UWF Trust.” historically preserved building and various installations Nall said the recording studio is currently being that tell the history of Pensacola from the perspective used by a lot of people looking to learn more about of different ethnicities that have called this city their family history while furthering their own, so home—Native Americans, African Americans, Europeans, Hispanics and Asians. Oral history labs, a staged lecture space, changing exhibits and the Marketplace—the museum store with meeting space—are featured on the first floor. “The Voices of Pensacola is all about exploring people who have founded and developed Pensacola,” said Dr. Brendan Kelly, vice president of UWF Advancement. “This area is rich in various cultures and this experience is emblematic of that. It helps us celebrate and relive the contributions and input of these people so they are not lost.” Rob Overton, the COO for UWF Historic Trust, said that as Pensacola and the people within Pensacola change, so too will the 22
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making an appointment for that particular aspect of the museum is recommended. The first floor’s walls also feature blown-up black-and-white photos of buildings, civil rights protests, family gatherings and more from the past century. “Art, culture, sports, religion, government—they are all threads in Pensacola’s tapestry, and we welcome them all,” said Overton. “We want to capture all stories, spontaneous and planned.” The Voices of Pensacola’s upstairs is filled with a history enthusiast’s fantasy—aisles and aisles of file cabinets filled with tens of thousands of historic photos, glass prints, city records, deeds, maps and more. Volunteers are working to digitize all the content and eventually make it all available online for the community at large. “Voices of Pensacola is an extension of what UWF strives to be, which is a resource to the community,” said Kelly. “You may not always feel connected to an event, but you always feel connected to a people. We want to provoke thought and conversations around those people. This is a place for people to share their story and that perspective to be captured and retained.” The center is also a popular place for those researching their genealogy. “We see a lot of people going in to the resource center looking for information about their family and family history,” said Nall. “We have property records, genealogy records, and other interesting artifacts of our past.” Entrance to the facility is free. If you wish to assist in research on the second floor, the cost is $6 for the public and $5 for seniors and military. COA
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Courtesy of Family Features
H olidays
A Spirited Holiday With the holidays fast approaching, opportunities for delicious sweets and elegant drinks are bound to be plentiful. Versatile and available year round, California dried figs are naturally sweet, nutrient rich and full of flavor. They also make a great snack during the busy holidays. Because these figs are dried, they partner well with wine and spirits and can be infused with more flavor to create delectable desserts. For recipes using figs throughout the year, visit valleyfig.com.
Chocolate Cheesecakes with Figs and Port Makes: 12 mini-cheesecakes 1/2 cup finely crushed chocolate wafer cookies 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 1/2 cups stemmed Blue Ribbon Orchard Choice or Sun-Maid California figs 1/2 cup port 1/2 cup sugar 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped 2 tablespoons water 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
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1/3 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1/2 cup sour cream 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Adjust oven rack to middle position. Heat oven to 325 F. Line 12 (2 3/4-inch) muffin cups with paper cups. In small bowl, stir together crushed cookies, nuts and butter. Spoon about 1 tablespoon crumb mixture into bottom of each cup, dividing evenly; press into even layer. Bake in middle of oven 5-8 minutes, until fragrant. Cut about 1/2 cup figs into 36 thin,
lengthwise slices. Place in small heatproof container with lid; set aside. In small saucepan, bring port and sugar to a simmer over medium heat and stir for 1 minute to form clear syrup. Pour 1/2 cup syrup over sliced figs. Cool; cover and chill until serving time. Finely chop remaining 1 cup figs and add to saucepan with remaining syrup. Return to heat and simmer, stirring often, until liquid evaporates. Spoon about 1 tablespoon warm fig mixture over crust in each cup, dividing evenly. With back of oiled spoon, press into even layer. Place chocolate and water in
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microwave-safe bowl. Heat in microwave on 50 percent power for 2 minutes or until melted, stirring every 30 seconds. Set aside. With electric mixer in large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy. Gradually beat in granulated sugar. On low speed, beat in eggs, one at a time. Beat in sour cream, cocoa and vanilla. Beat in melted chocolate. Spoon batter over fig layer in cups. Bake in middle of oven 15-20 minutes, until set. Cool in pan on rack. Chill for 6 hours or up to 2 days. To serve, arrange 3 slices of reserved figs in port syrup on each cake and drizzle with about 1/2 teaspoon syrup.
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Women’s
Wisdom pass it on!
By Kathleen Vestal Logan
“Are you wise?” I asked the four women sitting in my dining room. Beth gave a definite “Yes,” while Gail said, “No, I have no great insight to share with anyone.” For Shelby, “There are times when I feel wise and times when I don’t. The circumstances are different.” For Jean, the criterion was external: “Does anyone come to you and seek your guidance? If so, they recognize your wisdom.” F all 2015
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The women agreed that knowledge and facts don’t comprise wisdom. “It’s more than comprehension or pulling up facts,” said Gail. “You have to analyze. And it seems to come from hard times.” For Jean, “It’s acquired over time, based on our experiences.” Shelby said, “Wisdom is elusive; it’s surprising sometimes where you find it.” Many people think you automatically get wiser as you get older. Not true! Malala Yousafzai who was shot in the head for wanting to attend school, for example, is wise well beyond her eighteen years, while some women my age have sailed superficially through life. Maturity does provide the opportunity to grow wiser, but only if we pay attention along the way. Rest assured, brilliance is not required! Even Socrates kept it simple, saying, “Wisdom begins in wonder,” and its most important component is common sense. Despite what she said, Gail has gained plenty of wisdom during her life, and such “practical wisdom” is within the grasp of each one of us. Every time you’ve said things like, “If I had it to do over, I’d handle that differently,” or, “Next time I’ll ____,” you’re acknowledging what you learned from your experiences, the wisdom you gained. Something happened (action), you had an experience, you reflected on it, 28
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learned from it (wisdom) and behaved differently next time (action). Several people have asked me why I wrote the book Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! It’s certainly not that I feel wiser than other people; in fact, my concern about appearing that way kept me from publishing it sooner. What I finally decided was that, yes, I have had
many experiences—good and bad—and learned a lot from them. With my background in psychology, counseling, teaching, and writing, perhaps I could share some of it in a useful way with
other women struggling with similar issues. Culturally, too, several things have happened which encouraged me to write. Families are smaller than they used to be, so those natural connections are fewer. Also, as I know so well from being a military wife, many of us don’t live near our parents or siblings. We’ve had to build other connections and relationships, leaning on them for help and support as needed. In addition, unfortunately, we simply have fewer close friends than we used to. Altogether, our “people” resources are more limited than they used to be. On top of that, electronic devices interfere with one-on-one communication. And sometimes we’re just reluctant to ask for advice or help, trying instead to “maintain face” or keep up the “I’m perfectly fine” façade. My hope is that the Women’s Wisdom book serves as an extra resource for women, full of information and ideas, as well as reassurance that each of us can deal with life’s problems. Perhaps readers will think “If she can deal with that situation, so can I.” Why should we all have to learn the same lessons the hard way? Why not profit from others’ good judgment and common sense? No one knows everything,
but we all know something, so let’s pool our wisdom. My Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On! web site expands on that idea, inviting women to participate in discussions of whatever topics are brought up there. Collectively, we can help each other think our way through challenges by asking questions, sharing, and building an engaged, supportive community. Where can you buy the book? There are paperback and electronic versions available from any bookstore, Amazon, and Angel’s Garden Gift Shop, 1208 N. 12th Avenue in Pensacola. Or, invite me to your organization or book group for a lively discussion. Together, we can grow our wisdom and our community, then Pass It On!
Kathleen Vestal Logan Kathleen is an inspirational speaker and writer on women’s lives. She is co-author of the 2010 awardwinning book Second Blooming for Women: Growing a Life that Matters after Fifty, which has touched the lives of thousands of women. She is sole author of the 2015 book Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On, which encourages inter-generational sharing of knowledge and wisdom. COA F all 2015
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THE RAT PACK 2015 WRITTEN BY BRANDI GOMEZ Intro photo by guy stevens story photos by carmen jones The days of swanky parties and skinny ties may be behind us, but Pensacola’s hottest gala is bringing it back for one night this fall. The Rat Pack Reunion has quickly become a staple event in Pensacola. Now in its fifth year, the popular event will provide a great night of food, music and entertainment and a chance to celebrate four honorees who have served the local community and business sectors alike. The annual Rat Pack Reunion will return to New World Landing Friday, Oct. 23 from 5:30 to 11 pm for a night of dancing and dining, which will benefit Council on Aging of West Florida. Guests will be wined and dined with an open bar and Italian style dinner accompanied by the familiar sounds of nationally known Sinatra tribute artist, Tom Tiratto, which will have guests dancing the night away. Dress is formal and guests are encouraged to take their fashion cues from the retro Rat Pack era. “It’s a replica of the 1960s Rat Pack era – lots of glamour and style,” says event committee member DeeDee Davis. “Ladies can doll up in 60s style dresses and skinny ties and dinner jackets for the men.” With the event in its fifth year, there will be lots of surprises in store. “We will still keep with the traditional setting, but we are planning to spice up the décor and have some surprising entertainment,” says Rat Pack Décor committee chair Jenn Cole. The highlight of the night will be the roasting and toasting of the four honorees, who have built successful careers and have assisted in giving back tremendously to help build our local community. The 2015 Rat Pack honorees are McGuire Martin, Commissioner Lumon May, Collier Merrill and Charlie Switzer. These four honorees work hard both in business and civic roles and they will be toasted and lightly roasted for the enjoyment of the attendees. This night of fun and community is not to be missed. “Fundraising events that are as big as Rat Pack are only worth it when the beneficiary is something as important as the Council on Aging,” says Davis, “The event has brought together an incredible group of people all committed to giving back to this community.”
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McGuire Martin McGuire Martin is perhaps best known as a saloon keeper for his famous restaurant McGuire’s Irish Pub. In the heart of downtown Pensacola, McGuire’s is a goto restaurant among locals and tourists from all over the United States. With his late wife Molly, they opened McGuire’s Irish Pub in 1977, followed by the openings of Flounder’s Chowder House on Pensacola Beach, McGuire’s Irish Pub of Destin, Crabs on the Beach on Pensacola Beach, Vinny McGuire’s Pizza House in Destin and McGuire’s Sushi Bar in Destin. Martin and his late wife have three children and have five grandchildren. “My biggest accomplishment is having my three children become the fourth generation of saloon keepers and working with me daily,” says Martin. Among his many endeavors, Martin was the first elected member of the Santa Rosa Island Authority, where he served 19 years. In 1990, he was the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce’s “Business Leader of the Year.” Martin is amongst these four honorees because he believes in Pensacola. “My family has been aging with Pensacola since 1977,” says Martin, “We feel the
city is really coming of age in this twentyfirst century.” In Martin’s free time, he enjoys spending time with family, the balmy temperatures of Pensacola, and interacting with guests at his restaurant. He hopes this year’s Rat Pack Reunion will be the most successful yet.
“My biggest accomplishment is having my three children become the fourth generation of saloon keepers and working with me daily,”
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Lumon May Lumon May, born to the late Reverend Theophalis and Mary May, is a lifelong Pensacola native. May attended local schools in Escambia County and attended the University of West Florida where he earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees. May decided to stay and make Pensacola his forever home for his wife Tammie and two children, Armoni and LJ. He followed the model set by his parents and began serving the community from a very young age. “My parents taught me that I could change the world,” said May. Applying that lesson to his life, May has served area youth through sports and academics for more than 25 years. He has also continued the work of his father through May’s Construction Company. Through construction work, youth activities, and his active participation in the church built by his father, he has dedicated his life to improving lives. In 2012 he ran a successful campaign and was elected to the Escambia Board of County Commissioners and served as chairman and vice-chairman. May is strongly committed to under privileged youth and provides support to the less fortunate by working with various organizations throughout the community including Council on Aging of West Florida. “I think because of people like Quint Studer and others,” said May, “we are going in the right direction for development. I believe that we have to bring about new or redevelopment in every section of our community.” Among all of his accomplishments, May is most proud of his family. “My parents always taught me God and then family,” said May, “My wife and children are always there to support me in whatever I attempt to do.”
May is not only generous through his time but also through his personal donations. “I have received a lot of help from Pensacola and enjoy being able to give back to other what was given to me,” says May. His community service includes Southern Youth Sports Association, Community Action Program Committee, Inc., Community Drug and Alcohol Council, Council on Aging of West Florida, Juvenile Justice Council, Sacred Heart Hospital Advisory Board and many more. He was moved when asked to be a 2015 Rat Pack honoree. “I am honored to be selected by the committee,” said May, “My grandmother received assistance from Council on Aging so I know firsthand the great work they do in our community. It is a privilege to be a part of this wonderful event. I am humbled to be one of this year’s Rats with three men that I truly admire and respect because of their dedication and love for the Pensacola community.”
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Collier Merrill The third Rat Pack honoree is Collier Merrill. Merrill is most known for his role as the president of Merrill Land Company, a real estate development company, which specializes in condominium development along the Northwestern Gulf Coast. He is also president of Great Southern Restaurants, Inc., who owns and operates popular restaurants like The Fish House, The Atlas Oyster House, Jackson’s Steakhouse, and many more. Merrill is an active participant and advocate for the future of this community. “Merrill Land has had our office downtown at the Seville Tower for over 20 years and is thrilled to see how everything has developed over the 20 years,” says Merrill, “But we have plenty of room for the future.” He is currently serving as chair of the Destination 2020 Strategic Planning Committee and hopes to continue to work on “continued quality growth” for the city. Merrill is such an advocate that he sees Pensacola as his biggest accomplishment.
raise a family, sports, and lots of culture and history.” Merrill is married to Cate, and has three children, Kit, Caroline and Collier. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, exploring other areas of Pensacola and traveling. He says he is excited for the Rat Pack Reunion and looks forward to raising money for such a worthy cause. “All of the honorees have moved mountains for Pensacola and created lasting impacts,” says Merrill. “I’m honored to be in such great company and to give back to our senior population.”
“I decided to root my family here,” says Merrill, “Not because I was born and raised here, but because I think it’s such a great city. It’s got everything you could possibly want. A nice downtown feel and place to
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Charlie Switzer The final honoree for the Rat Pack Reunion, but certainly not the least, is Charlie Switzer. Switzer, a sixth generation Pensacola native, is the son of LCDR John Lamar Switzer and Mary Carroll Brent. After eight years of Naval Service (1970-1978), Charlie graduated from the University of West Florida with a bachelor of arts in economics in 1981. Prior to Charlie’s retirement in 2000, he was an executive with the Shell Oil Company and The Lamar Corporation. Among his many accomplishments, his biggest accomplishment is being married for 42 years to wife Fran and having two fine sons, Jason and Philip. “I’ve just enjoyed the ride hoping and trying to leave the world a little better,” says Switzer on his day-to-day life.
have me as a member is not worth joining.” We can speak on behalf of Switzer and say that we are happy to have him on board. “It’s going to be another great year for the Rat Pack Reunion,” says president/CEO of Council on Aging, John B. Clark, “We have an excellent group of community leaders being honored and the committee has been working tirelessly to make sure this is the best year yet. We hope the community will come out and help us in honoring them and raise money for our local seniors.”
He is constantly making time to serve the community in various arenas including being the trustee for the Switzer Brothers Charitable Foundation, executive board member for the Pensacola State College Foundation and vice president of the Veterans Memorial Park Foundation. “I’ve seen the business cycle in our area over the past 50 years,” said Switzer, “We are in an up cycle. That’s good! The quality of life for many in our area has become better, but we can’t stop caring for the less fortunate. The Council on Aging is one organization that continues to help and make a difference in this community.” He looks forward to being among this group of gentleman to help raise awareness for the needs of our senior population and have some fun while doing it. When asked what he thought about being a Rat Pack honoree, he quoted Groucho Marx: “Any group that would
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about the RAT PACK REUNION Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased through www.ratpackreunion.com or by calling Brandi Gomez at (850) 266-2513. There will also be other ways to support the 2015 Rat Pack Reunion. We will have a raise the paddle at the main event and we are hosting our second annual Rat Race 5K in downtown Pensacola. The second annual Rat Race 5K is perfect for those who are looking to get involved in the community with their family or friends at a more affordable cost. This year, we are switching things up and holding the race in the heart of downtown Pensacola on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 8:30 am. The race will start and finish at William Bartram Memorial Park. A 5K is not just for runners! Walkers and groups are welcomed to participate in the fun event. The race is just the beginning of the excitement. In partnership with The Fish House, Council on Aging of West Florida will host an after party with refreshments, food, entertainment and announce the race winners. There will also be a Kids Zone sponsored by Aylstock, Witkin, Kreis & Overholtz. Early registration is $25 through Sept. 25 and $20 for seniors and military members. Children under 13 are free of charge. Registration includes access to the race and Kids Zone, an awesome t-shirt designed by Ideaworks, and access to the after party at The Fish House. Registration information and sign up can be found at www.ratpackreunion.com or on our Rat Race 5K Facebook page. Proceeds from the Rat Race 5K support Council on Aging’s programs and services. Aging is inevitable and will eventually affect everyone in some capacity. Council on Aging will be there to help in time of need for you or a loved one. Council on Aging of West Florida is a local, independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has served seniors and their families since 1972. Council on Aging helps seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties live healthy, safe and independent lives in their own familiar surroundings by providing community based, in-home programs and services such as Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer’s respite care, which is provided at The Retreat, our adult day health care center. Other programs and services include case management, the Foster Grandparent and Senior Companion programs, caregiver support and training, and the operation of numerous senior dining sites throughout Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.
Facts at a Glance In 2014, Council on Aging of West Florida served: • 152,263 meals in the Meals on Wheels program • 90,054 meals at Senior Dining Sites • 72 participants at The Retreat (Adult Day Health Care Center) • 71, 002 hours in the Foster Grandparent Program • 1,369 social services clients (includes case management, case aaaide service, screening, etc.) With the hefty lineup of entertainment, music, dinner and dancing, the 2015 Rat Pack Reunion will offer an amazing night for attendees while also supporting programs that help the community’s most vulnerable members. To learn more about the Rat Pack Reunion or the programs offered by Council on Aging, please visit www. coawfla.org or call (850) 432-1475. 40 | Coming of Age
golden nugget
$5,000
Teri Levin ann & Jim Neal Bryan & Crystal Spencer Ray & Valerie Russenberger Mcguire management group
The Kugelman foundation
Flamingo Level
$2,500
Gulf Power Company
Hancock Bank Home Instead Senior Care Travis & Tara Peterson Ed & Esther Turner
sands Level
$1,000
John B. Clark Coastal Bank and Trust Capt. Flack and Kathleen Logan (USN Ret) Valley Foods Health First Network Baptist Health Care Shirley and Jim Cronley Carmen Jones Photography Robert Mills Lois B. Lepp, PA, Attorneys at Law John L. Peacock, Jr. CFP, CRPC, Financial Advisor
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Leisure Learning Curiosity never retires. Quality instruction and social engagement designed for people 55 and better.
Join us today! leisurelearning@uwf.edu | uwf.edu/leisurelearning F all 2015
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News from
Council On Aging of West Florida DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR RECEIVES FPRA AWARDS
Brandi Gomez, Council on Aging of West Florida’s development director, had a busy month racking up awards and recognitions for her participation in the local chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association (FPRA). In August, Brandi was nominated by the FPRA Pensacola Chapter for the Joe Curley Rising Leader award. The award is intended to identify and honor up-and-coming individual FPRA members that demonstrate emerging leadership traits along with dedicated active involvement in FPRA Chapter activities, programs, functions and events. Additionally, at the FPRA Pensacola Chapter’s monthly meeting in August, Brandi received the Brandi Gomez Nominated for Member of the Year award. For the 2014-15 year, FPRA Rising Leader Award Brandi served as vice president of networking, which included planning monthly networking functions and organizing the annual fundraiser. Congrats, Brandi! Council on Brandi Gomez Receives FPRA Aging is grateful to have so much talent on our team! Member of the Year Award
COMMUNITY HELPS SENIORS BEAT THE HEAT
As temperatures began to rise earlier this summer, our compassionate community stepped up to help seniors beat the heat. With the Eddie Mercer Donates AC units help of local media, the community was alerted to the need. Among the generous donors was Eddie Mercer, owner of Eddie Mercer Automotive, who donated 50 A/C units. “All of us at Eddie Mercer Automotive are humbled to help with such a great cause and are honored to know that we were able to make an immediate, lasting difference in the quality of someone’s life,” said Mercer.
Additionally, Central Credit Union donated 40 fans and $200; Evan Bush, a high school student, raised more than $1,700; Association of Monsanto Solutia Retirees donated $1,000; American Legion Post 193 donated five A/C units; and many other individuals and businesses donated A/C units, fans and monetary donations totaling nearly $10,000. We are overwhelmed by your generosity and care for those who need in most… our community’s seniors! Evan Bush Raises Funds THANK YOU. for AC units
BOARD MEMBER HONORED WITH AWARD NAMING
Longtime Council on Aging of West Florida board member P.C. Wu was recently honored with an award named after him. Wu, who is also the city council member for District 1, was the namesake for the Northwest Florida League of Cities annual award for their best government official. The award will be known as the Dr. P.C. Wu Municipal Official of the Year Award. Wu was actually a recipient of the award in 2011, after six years with the Florida League, a statewide consortium of municipalities comprised of more than 400 cities. Congrats from all of us at Council on Aging! 42
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COA BOARD MEMBER WINS STATE FPRA AWARDS
COA OFFERS CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Council on Aging of West Florida is offering businesses the opportunity to support the agency, while getting their name out in Council on Aging marketing materials and platforms. Levels range from $1,000 to $10,000 and provide various incentives accordingly. For more information, please email bgomez@coawfla.org.
Congratulations to our board chair Caron Sjoberg and her wonderful team at Ideaworks for winning three awards at the Florida Public Relations Association’s Golden Image Awards in August. Visit Pensacola’s “Send Your Selfie to Pensacola” campaign received an Award of Distinction, and its social influencer campaign for Pensacola Celebrity Chefs received an Award of Distinction as well as a coveted Judges Award.
COMING OF AGE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS
This year marked the 10th anniversary of Coming of Age magazine and TV. On June 18, we had a special celebration to thank those who helped make it all possible including the Ballinger and Council on Aging of West Florida teams and Coming of Age advertisers. We’d like to say a special thank you to our event sponsors who made the event so wonderful for attendees: Lewis Bear Company, Appetite for Life, Republic National Distributing Company and Buffalo Rock. We are grateful for our community partners!
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COA RECIPIENT OF THREE-YEAR UNITED WAY GRANT
Council on Aging of West Florida joined community organizations and businesses for United Way of Escambia County’s community impact event in June. COA received a threeyear grant (now into our second year) for the Meals on Wheels and Senior Companions programs. Louvene Houston and her Senior Companion, Jackie Weathers, spoke at the event, sharing how they were positively impacted by United Way’s funding. “I hate to see Jackie go home at night,” said Louvene.“We have a really nice time.” COA
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O ut & A bout
CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPS
Milton Caregiver Support Group First Thursday of each month at 6 pm Santa Rosa Health and Rehabilitation, 5686 Broad St. Refreshments and door prizes provided Century Caregiver Support Group Third Thursday of each month at 6 pm� Century Care Center, 6020 Industrial Blvd. Refreshments and door prizes provided Pensacola Caregiver Support Group Last Thursday of each month at 6 pm Council on Aging of West Florida, 875 Royce St. Refreshments and door prizes provided Pensacola Grandparents Raising Grandchildren and other Relatives SecondThursday of each month at 6 pm Homewood Suites by Hilton, 5049 Corporate Woods Dr. FREE dinner beginning at 5:30 pm FREE child care provided on-site Reservations requested to (850) 432-1475 For more information, contact Margaret Jerauld at (850) 432-1475 or email mjerauld@coawfla.org.
AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING: KATHLEEN VESTAL LOGAN Saturday, Oct. 24, 2 pm Barnes & Noble Bookstore, 1200 Airport Blvd., Pensacola
Kathleen is an inspirational speaker and writer on women’s lives. She is co-author of the 2010 award-winning book Second Blooming for Women: Growing a Life that Matters after Fifty which has touched the lives of thousands of women. She is sole author of the 2015 book Women’s Wisdom: Pass It On!, which encourages inter-generational sharing of knowledge and wisdom.
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Get out, Meet people, & Go places
VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS
Third Thursday of each month Council on Aging of West Florida, 875 Royce St. – Conference Room Oct. 15 – 10 am Nov. 19 – 5:30 pm Dec. 17 – 10 am For more information, contact Betty McLeroy at (850) 432-1475 or email bmcleroy@coawfla.org.
The Latest on Prevention and Screening: Updates on Breast and Lung Cancer Thurs., 11:30 am. lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar Presented by Zheng Z. Topp, October M.D., Baptist Medical Group Hematology Oncology Baptist Medical Park Nine Mile 9400 University Pkwy., Azalea Room
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NOVEMBER SEMINARS
BAPTIST HEALTH CARE WELLNESS EVENTS OCTOBER SEMINARS
Beating the Odds: Cancer Survivorship Fri., noon to 1 pm seminar October Presented by David E. Mann Jr., M.D., Baptist Medical Group Hematology Oncology Baptist Medical Park - Navarre 8880 Navarre Pkwy. 2nd Floor Conference Room
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The Latest on Prevention and Screening: Updates on Breast and Lung Cancer Wed., 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar Presented by Sherif Ibrahim, October M.D., Baptist Medical Group Hematology Oncology Baptist Towers Medical Meeting Rooms 1717 North E St. Avery Street Entrance
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The Latest on Prevention and Screening: Updates on Breast and Lung Cancer Thurs., 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar Presented by Nutan October DeJoubner, M.D., Baptist Medical Group Hematology Oncology Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion, 1040 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Conference Room B
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Understanding Shingles Wed., 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar November Presented by Rebecca Hall, DNP, FNP-BC, Primary Care, Baptist Medical Group Primary Care - Perdido Baptist Towers Medical Meeting Rooms, 1717 North E St., Avery Street Entrance
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Top 10 Supplements Thurs, 11:30 am lunch; noon to 1 pm seminar November Presented by Kacey Gibson, D.O., Family Medicine, Baptist Medical Group Tiger Point Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion, 1040 Gulf Breeze Pkwy., Conference Room B. Seminars quickly fill up making it necessary to require reservations. Please call (850) 469-7897 to reserve your seat today!
PALAFOX WINE WALK Oct. 3, 3 pm – 7 pm Downtown Pensacola
Palafox Wine Walk is a one of a kind event featuring extremely knowledgeable wine distributors showcasing their world class wines in wonderful ambiance of Downtown Pensacola’s finest retailers and art venues. 50 percent of proceeds benefit Council on Aging of Weat Florida. Venues include: Jewelers Trade Shop, Blue Morning Gallery, Urban Objects, Mainline, Susan Campbell Jewelry, Indigeaux Denim Bar & Boutique, Marty
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W ere Y ou S een ?
Campbell Gallery, Pure Barre and Between. Every wine featured will be available for purchase after the event and conveniently delivered to Pot Roast & Pinot for pick up. Tickets are $40 and available at www.PalafoxWineWalk.com. Must be 21 to attend. ID is required. For any additional information email info@potroastpinot.com.
RAT RACE 5K
Oct. 10, 8:30 am William Bartram Memorial Park Council on Aging of West Florida would like to invite you to participate in the second annual Rat Race 5K. In association with our annual fundraiser, the Rat Pack Reunion, the Rat Race will encourage our local community to develop a healthy lifestyle through exercise and inform them on the effects of aging. The Rat Race will enable Council on Aging to encourage families and individuals of all ages to participate in a community event and inform them on our programs and services for seniors. Following the race will be an after party at The Fish House to distribute awards and celebrate. For more information email bgomez@coawfla.org.
Coming of Age 10th anniversary unveiling
COA staff attends FCOA conference
RAT PACK REUNION Oct. 23, 5:30 pm New World Landing
Please join us for a retro-fabulous good time as we honor our very own 2015 Rat Pack and raise much needed funds to help the elderly in our community. This year’s honorees, all outstanding individuals who lead the way in business, and show tremendous leadership with their service to our local community are McGuire Martin, Commissioner Lumon May, Collier Merrill and Charlie Switzer. Tickets are $100 each and sponsorship opportunities are available. For more information email bgomez@coawfla.org. COA
Chief of Police David Alexander and his sister Velma Franklin, COA’s Foster Grandparent Supervisor, at Chief Alexander’s installation. F all 2015
Former COA board member Donna Jacobi wins the door prize at the annual volunteer appreciation luncheon
Lois Lepp and Jason Waddell at the Coming of Age Celebration L ifestyle M agazine F or S eniors
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Thank You.
Many thanks to our donors. We appreciate your generous support. Gifts received from May 22, 2015 through September 8, 2015. Mr. and Mrs. Archie Agerton Mr. and Mrs. John Amoss Mr. and Mrs. John Ard Eleanor Aspliden Association of Monsanto Solutia Retirees Beard Equipment Company Mary Birch Catherin C. Bordelon Joy Borland Helen Born Estate Mr. and Mrs. S.L. Brantley Rainey Brown Brown Barge Middle School Adrienne Bush Cynthia Bush Evan Bush Melvin Bush Lisa Marie Cantner Carestaff Carpenter’s Campers Central Credit Union of Florida Mary Chadwick Charity Chapel CID Corry Station Chapel John B. Clark Clear Title of Northwest Florida Coastal Bank & Trust Judy Coe Community Mortgage Mr. and Mrs. Jim Cronley Doretha Davison Tracy Day Cathy Demetreon-Mazo
Nancy Dunn Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Edwards Mr. and Mrs. Chuck Emling St. Monica’s Episcopal Church Family-Funeral Cremation First United Methodist Church of Pace Herman L. Franklin Mr. and Mrs. John Franz Cynthis Gibbs-Olney Gulf Power Company Hancock Bank Mr. and Mrs. Bill Hanvey Vernester Harris Mr. and Mrs. David Harvell Pauline Hestand Mr. and Mrs. William Hofferbert, Jr. Kenny Holt Home Instead Senior Care Connie Huff International Paper Foundation Evelyn Jackson Stacy Jacobi Mr. and Mrs. Allan Jacques Jewelers Trade Shop John the Baptist Church Joseph Kelly Knights of Columbus The Kugelman Foundation Lois B. Lepp Teri Levin Levin Rinke Resort Realty Capt. Flack and Mrs. Kathleen Logan Ronald Maddax
Myra Marler Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Maygarden McDonald, Fleming, and Moorhead McMahon Hadder Insurance Parmelie McManamy Janice Miller Mr. and Mrs. Robert Mills William Mixson Mr. and Mrs. Elbery Montgomery Pete Moore Automotive Chaplain and Mrs. Larry Mosley Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Murphy Jeff Nall Mr. and Mrs. Jim Neal Laurie Neeb Joyce Nobles W.J. Noonan, III Northeast Pensacola Sertoma Club J.M. Mick Novota Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie O’Neal Mr. and Mrs. Charles Painter Mr. and Mrs. James Patton Julia Pearsall Najeema Randall Pamela Raybourn Lauren Robinson Rotary Club of Pensacola Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Sacks Rosa Sakalarios George Scarborough Jean Sheehan Ship-N-Shape Edna Shuford
Mr. and Mrs. Mason Simmons Caron Sjoberg Kyle Solt Steadham Enterprises Studer Foundation Lt. Col. and Mrs. Albert Stumpe Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Tait Milton Tastee Freez Maria L. Townshend Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Turner Richard M. Tuten United Way of Santa Rosa County Frankie Van Horn Harris Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Vandelplanck Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vinson Vinyl Music Hall Mr. and Mrs. Edward Wasdin Mr. and Mrs. Richie Wood Marlene Young In memory of Helen Brinza By Linda Burke In memory of Harold “Pete” Foster By John B. Clark Betty McLeroy In memory of Jacob Riesberg By Denise Myers Linda Skytte Barbara Wyrosdick
Council on Aging of West Florida is a local independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has served seniors and their families since 1972. Council on Aging of West Florida helps seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties live healthy, safe and independent lives in their own familiar surroundings by providing community-based, in-home programs and services such as Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer’s respite care. For more information, call 432-1475 or visit www.coawfla.org. A COPY OF THE OFFICAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7532 TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE REGISTRATION NUMBER ASSIGNED TO COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA, INC BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND COSUMER SERVICES IS CH817. COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA DOES NOT USE A PROFESSIONAL SOLICITOR OR PROFESSIONAL FUND RAISNG CONSULTANT FOR THE PURPOSES OF SOLICITING FUNDS. 100% OF DONATIONS GO TO COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA, INC.
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LSF Guardianship Services Helping protect vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. For 25 years, thousands of people’s lives have been transformed through Lutheran Services Florida’s guardianship program. The program serves some of our community’s most vulnerable citizens, including those who cannot handle their own affairs due to injury, illness or disability. LSF is dedicated to protecting incapacitated individuals from abuse, neglect and exploitation while ensuring that they live their lives with dignity and respect.
LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA changing lives daily
4600 Mobile Hwy. #9-343 Pensacola, FL 32506 Phone: (850) 469-4600 Fax: (850) 469-4692
To learn more about this program and how you can help, please call 813-676-9474 or visit www.lsfnet.org.