Growing Bolder Digital Digest | FBM August 2021: Catching Waves

Catching waves

DIGITAL DIGEST

WITH CHRIS ROSS

SURF INSTRUCTOR

FE ATURING YOUR AUGUS T MEMBER UPDATE FROM

MEDICARE

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August 2021

CONTENTS

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in every issue 6

YOUR TAKE

7

NOTE FROM THE CEO

9

GROWING BOLDER WITH

10

ORDINARY PEOPLE LIVING EXTRAORDINARY LIVES

A step ahead

12

TRANSLATING TECH

What’s New with Growing Bolder on Twitch

feature 30

CATCHING WAVES

Feeling the stoke, building relationships

florida

30

18

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT

Nature, history and shopping make Orlando's College Park special

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FLORIDA ADVENTURES

Explore all the outdoor activities Florida has to offer

finance 24

HIGH-RISK VOLCANOLOGIST WON’T TAKE

RISKS WITH HER RETIREMENT

Rosaly Lopes fulfills her dream while also preparing for retirement

29

7 TOP RESEARCH FINDINGS SHOW AMERICANS

WANT TO PROTECT THEIR RETIREMENT

Younger investors are turning to annuities at higher rates

heal 14

SAVOR THIS SUMMER CHOWDER

Enjoy Florida's Zellwood corn in this seasonal recipe

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SELF-CARE AS WE RE-ENGAGE

How to take care of your health in the wake of a pandemic

art 26

THE WONDERFUL, WACKY WORLD

OF SUZY TORONTO

Creating cards, calendars, stationary and over 30 books sold around the world

caregiving 22

GREAT-GRANDMOTHER BECOMES CAREGIVER

IN LIFE-CHANGING RESET

Sharon Strickland transitions into her golden years

defy 16

NEW BEGINNINGS

Tips for Older College Students

YOURTAKE What would you say is your greatest source of happiness?

“My dogs. I have 5, all rescues, all loved forever now.”

“My family. Those I inherited by blood and those I've chosen over the last 50 some years.”

—DA Oliver

—Terri Henry

"I am at my happiest when I am with my three sons—doesn’t happen as often as I would like as they live in different parts of the world to me."

“Watching my husband laugh at something I said.”

—Judy Marksteiner

—Helen Rowe

“Riding with my motorcycle and swimming.”

—Silvia Maritsch-Rager

"Sweet children, family, friends, my garden, observing nature and all art forms. Gratitude!"

—Donna Laufer

“Playing music with my friends.”

—Cathy Bourner

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"Fresh air, clear water, a beautiful sky ...the awe of observing the natural world."

“Doing something for someone else... small acts of kindness.”

—Amber Gravitt

—Audrey Clarke

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NOTE FROM THE CEO

Do you have resilience? More than a popular buzzword, resilience is the psychological strength to cope with stress and hardship. It’s critically important as we age because it makes us better able to rebuild our lives after setbacks of any kind. The good news is that we all have the ability to develop resilience. The bad news is that we have to earn it by overcoming challenges.

The road to resilience is paved with hardship.

If you want to continue living an active, engaged life and want to keep having adventures and spending time with those you love­­—doing what you love—resilience is critical. Unfortunately, having resilience doesn't mean you’ll experience less distress, grief, or anxiety. It just means that you have the healthy coping skills that will allow you to not just bounce back but to emerge stronger than ever.

In this issue of the Growing Bolder Digital Digest, Amy Sweezey profiles Chris Ross, a man who originally tried to mask his pain with substance abuse before finding sobriety, a new career, and a new way to make a difference in the lives of others. Ross is a great example of the importance and power of resilience. He’s a great example of Growing Bolder.

The road to resilience is paved with hardship.

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Catch the summer episodes now airing across Florida!

Hosted by award-winning broadcaster Marc Middleton, What’s Next! features a team of well-known Florida broadcasters and personalities, including Secily Wilson, Amy Sweezey, Bill Shafer, and George Diaz, all shining the spotlight on ordinary people living extraordinary lives.

What’s Next! is a jolt of inspiration that helps audiences of all ages believe that it’s never too late to pursue their passions and make a difference in their communities.

Tune in to watch now across Florida, and get ready for a new season that kicks off starting in September!

Check local listings and watch a full episode at

GrowingBolder.com/Whats-Next

GROWING BOLDER WITH

John Stamos 57 Jackie Carlin

For someone long known as a father figure, thanks to his longrunning role as Uncle Jesse on “Full House” and its recent reboot as “Fuller House” on Netflix, it took John Stamos a long time to hit what he calls “the jackpot” – fatherhood.

Stamos always wanted to be a father. He said he just had trouble finding the right woman. That changed several years ago when he met and married model and actress Caitlin McHugh. Now they are the proud parents of 3-yearold William (Billy) Christopher Stamos, named after John’s father.

Stamos said he’s always taken care of his health, but fatherhood has inspired him to slow down and really make sure he’s making the right health and lifestyle decisions.

“I drink the blood of Rob Lowe, that helps,” he said jokingly to Growing Bolder. “Beyond my diet, I do exercise quite a bit. Also, the heart is important to take care of, and I don't just mean with eating nutritiously. I [try] being a good person because the world -- it has changed quite a bit and gotten a little darker. So, put the love out, that's it, put the love out.”

Music also keeps him active and engaged. This summer, Stamos is joining his longtime friends, The Beach Boys, on the road. That included his high-profile performance of “Wouldn’t It Be Nice?” on CNN’s “Fourth in America Special.”

“Boy, did people miss live music!” Stamos said. “That's another exercise that I do because it's two-and-a-half hours on stage. Mike Love just turned 80, and he buries the rest of us on stage. I'm not kidding. He's mad if we try to cut the set, ‘No, no, no. We got to do two-and-a-half hours.’”

With a new role on the Disney+ series “Big Shots,” and a new passion for life, Stamos said the best is yet to come.

He said like most of us, he learned some valuable lessons from the pandemic.

“Things that we thought were so important really aren't, at the end of the day. The silver lining was that I got to spend so much time with my son the last year and a half, which I probably wouldn't be able to do. Also, we have no control. We never had control really, that's the thing that I learned. What we can control is love and being there for other people.”

Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer via Getty Images

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“I have a saying that I follow: 'When things are going well, work harder!'”

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Bill Shafer

Quin Bommelje A STEP AHEAD

It was a magical run, something no one expected. Quin Bommelje, a 71-year-old ballroom dancer made it to the semifinals of the hit NBC-TV show “America’s Got Talent.” But fame is fleeting, and everything comes to an end. After the studio emptied and the lights went out, the Florida dancer figured her moment in the spotlight was over.

Bommelje was proud of her remarkable achievement, especially considering she took her first lesson just 10 years earlier. After a slow, difficult start, dance became her passion.

Step-by-step her body became stronger, her mind became tougher, and she began to excel. The celebrity judges at “America’s Got Talent” watched in disbelief at her ability to defy age and awarded her the coveted Golden Buzzer, which is given to outstanding performances. A fan favorite, 17 million viewers voted week after week to keep Bommelje on the program.

When the season finally ended, much to her surprise the accolades did not.

“I am astounded that so many people keep reaching out,” she said. “I now have new friends and fans all over the globe,” and perhaps none more important than those in Thailand where she was born.

“I visited a few months after the show ended and was given an incredible welcome,” she said. “It was so special to me.”

You might expect that this storybook ending would have been the perfect time for Bommelje to hang up her dancing shoes and ease into a life of leisure, but she has not. Now 74, she is just as motivated and active as ever.

“I have a saying that I follow: 'When things are going well, work harder!'”

Bommelje is expanding her dance repertoire by learning two new styles: international Latin and cabaret.

Photos: Mike Dunn

“Cabaret is an acrobatic form of dance that includes many dangerous lifts and spins,” she said. “I’m working with two incredible partners, and we will be competing in the U.S. Dance Championships in September.”

Bommelje continues to shatter many misconceptions about aging. She is an inspiration to many because her success at this stage of life has come not just from genetics but from hard work, meaning it is possible for anyone.

“My typical day is very different from my friends my age,” she said. “I get up most mornings at 4:30 a.m. to pray, meditate and study. I juice fresh vegetables and ginger, eat a tiny bit of oatmeal and drink hot green tea. I grow most of my own vegetables. I love to garden. Four days a week I either go to the dance studio or the gym. In addition, I run 2.5 miles on the trail and spend an hour stretching.”

And on those mornings where she just doesn’t feel like getting up?

“I know to accomplish my goals I can't lay off,” she said.

“That’s when the magic happens. Because once I walk through the gym door, it all goes away, and I can’t wait to work out. You just can’t give in because where the mind goes the body follows.”

Most people at 74 spend their time looking back.

Bommelje’s eyes are squarely on the future.

“I want to find ways to have a positive impact on others,” she said. “I’m proof it’s never too late to find your passion. That will lead you to your purpose, and that is where you will find your power. At 74, I love my life and cannot get enough of it!”

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TRANSLATING TECH What’s New with Growing Bolder on Twitch Tim Killian

Growing Bolder is livestreaming exclusive content on Twitch every week. You can join along for the fun at Twitch.tv/GrowingBolder. We’re covering just about everything you can imagine, including gaming, music, fitness, crafting, cooking and more, with live interactive demonstrations that you can follow along with at home.

Enjoy this sampling of the latest and greatest from Growing Bolder on Twitch that you may have missed.

Be sure to go to Twitch.tv/GrowingBolder and click “follow” to catch us live every week.

You can also access and watch all our past streamed episodes (like the ones at right) for free!

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Boomer Gaming by Duncanas |

@duncanas

Meet Duncan McLeod, a 55-year-old gamer and streamer who is shattering stereotypes with his skills at the game “Apex Legends.” He is diamond-ranked, competing at the highest 10% skill level of all players regardless of age. His Twitch channel and social media accounts, titled “Boomer Gaming by Duncanas,” have thousands of followers. However, he says his love of gaming is more about the relationships he’s made online than his skills with a controller.

“I met my wife through gaming playing EverQuest back in 2001,” he explained. “The thing I love about gaming, especially when you’re playing a stressful game, is you get to see people at their best and their worst. So, if you’re looking to build real relationships with people, you get to know what they’re really about, because when things go wrong, do they turn into this nasty ugly person who is really toxic, or do they just deal with it and laugh it off? You can build relationships that really matter. If you’re just on a social website, people are always putting on their best front, whereas in gaming you get to see the real person a lot more.”

Tabetai Cooking |

@tabetaicooking

June 17, 2021

June 24, 2021

We shared a live lesson on how to make Gyoza from Graham, a 38-year-old livestreamer from Seattle, who has been hosting his own cooking program on Twitch titled, “Tabetai Cooking,” for over three years. What started as an experiment in learning traditional Japanese cooking methods has grown into a multi-camera cooking program for all ages and an intergenerational community of like-minded foodies.

“We have viewers who are 13 just hoping to go to culinary school someday all the way up to people who are 60 and 70 who just enjoy finding new recipes and have discovered that the internet can be used to help nourish their families a little bit,” he said. “It’s been really cool to see that full spectrum of people enjoying the content.”

Roger McGuinn and Matthew K. Heafy |

@matthewkheafy

July 1, 2021

Only Growing Bolder can bring together 79-year-old Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famer Roger McGuinn, the creator of folk rock, country rock and psychedelic rock, with Grammy-nominated heavy metal rock star Matthew K. Heafy. These two icons traded stories about their careers while they played guitar and created music together live. As McGuinn approaches his 80th birthday, we asked him what advice he would give to a younger musician like Heafy.

“Perseverance. That’s it. One time I was out of a record deal and a guy said, ‘Hey Rog, I think it’s your time.’ And my wife said, ‘Even if we have to stand on the corner with an open guitar box, we’re going to keep playing.'

So, it’s perseverance,” McGuinn said. “If you love it, why would you want to stop for any reason?”

Heafy agreed and said, “I’m not going to stop. Look at the legends who are still going. This is something you’re supposed to do forever, and that’s what I love. I found that as life goes on, 22 years in the band isn’t a very long time in comparison with the career (McGuinn) had. I feel like where I’m at now, our band feels more creative, and more synergistic, and more excited to do things than we ever have.”

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Savor

This Summer Chowder Chef Collette Haw

Nothing says summer like an ear of sweet, crunchy corn.

There are so many ways to enjoy Zellwood corn, one of Florida’s most famous agricultural products.

Did you know corn is both a vegetable (in its ear form) and a grain (when the kernels are mature and removed for products like popcorn and flours)? The starchy vegetable has gotten a bit of a bad reputation in recent years thanks to diets, such as Keto and Paleo. But with its healthy amounts of fiber, vitamin C, folate and potassium, it’s still worth including in your regular diet.

In addition to classic boiled corn on the cob, I also love to remove the kernels to use in a variety of ways, including salads, Tex-Mex inspired bowls, or in this hearty, delicious chowder. Packed full of fresh, vibrant ingredients, this easy-to-make chowder will quickly become a favorite of yours, too.

Want more ideas? Visit WellbeingNetwork.org to join me in the kitchen for more fresh recipes!

Chef Collette Haw studied at the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. After training in some of the country’s most honored restaurants, she became a personal chef for celebrities. She then launched her own business, Collette’s Clean Eats, to provide healthy, prepared meals to busy families. Chef Haw is now a restauranteur, partnering with the Winter Park Health Foundation to operate Nourish Coffee Bar + Kitchen in the Center for Health & Wellbeing in Winter Park, Florida.

Photos: Jacob Langston

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Illustration: bortonia via Getty Images

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Zellwood Corn Chowder Yield: 6-8 servings

INGREDIENTS

DIREC TIONS

3 ears corn cut off the cob

1. In a stock pot, on medium heat, sauté the onion, garlic and bell pepper.

1/2 pound baby red potatoes, quartered 2 medium squash, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 4 cloves garlic, grated with a microplane 2 scallions, sliced 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped 1 lemon, zested and juiced 1 daikon radish, small diced

2. Once the onions become translucent, add the potatoes, squash, radish and coconut milk.

3. Allow to simmer until the potatoes become soft.

4. Add the lemon zest and juice, along with the fresh herbs.

5. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking.

2 cans coconut milk 1 onion, diced G R O W I N G B O L D E R / AU G U S T D I G I TA L D I G E S T 2 1

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NEW BEGINNINGS Tips for Older College Students

Amy Sweezey

‘Tis the season for backpack and crayon sales. Teachers are busy navigating through a new post-pandemic year, helping students settle into school and getting back to “normal.”

It’s not just children who are eager to move forward with a new school year. Many adults are going back to college. With online courses and new technology constantly being developed, the opportunities are endless and adults are taking note.

But what is sparking the trend? Even before the pandemic, adults in their 40s, 50s and beyond were returning to school. Each individual has a personal motivation, but there seem to be a few common reasons why older adults return to the classroom:

Starting a new care

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Meeting a lifelong goal It could be for personal fulfillme nt or to inspire others by saying, “I did it,” but some adults return to college to finish what they started or to complete something they alwa ys wanted to do.

Creating opportunities to

learn and grow

jobs and feel secure with Even adults who like their can have a desire to their current employment to school can be a way keep learning. Going back enhance personal to challenge yourself and ideas can provide new development. Learning new at work. perspective and enthusiasm

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Finishing a degree use According to the National Student Clearingho e colleg Research Center (NSC), six out of 10 within students who begin a degree will not finish difficult too it six years. Some start families and find the afford can’t to keep up with their studies. Some more and , tuition. After the children are grown money is available, some adults decide to complete their schooling.

Going back to school later in life may not be the best choice for everyone, but it’s an attractive option as career shifts become more common and the workforce becomes more competitive. If you are one of the adults pursuing higher education, you are not alone.

Tips for returning to school later in life: TA L K TO YO U R LOV E D O N E S .

D O N ’ T S T R E S S OV E R T E S T S .

MAKE A PL AN AND A SCHEDULE A N D S T I C K TO I T.

LO O K FO R F I N A N C I A L A I D .

If you are married, have children, or have other people who depend on you, going back to school will be an adjustment for you and your family. It’s important to communicate from the beginning what this will mean for you and what it means for your loved ones. Explain the long-term benefits to alleviate some of the tension that may arise from changing schedules and financial burdens.

Staying organized will help you and those around you. Make sure everyone knows when you plan to study, work, sleep and eat.

And let them know when you’ll have family time and free time. Including study time in an already busy schedule can add extra stress. If you plan your time, you will be ahead of the game. Juggling everything won’t always be easy; but in the long run, it will be worth it.

Polishing skill

s in a compet

It can be overwhelming if you haven’t been a student for a long time. Homework, projects and tests can feel daunting. Just remember that exams are only meant to ensure you know the material. If you retain the knowledge, you will be fine. Also, remember this time around you are taking courses you WANT to take. The less you stress about it, the better you will be at remembering the information for the tests.

Financial aid isn’t just for first-time college students graduating from high school.

Anyone can qualify, regardless of age. Adults can apply for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and seek scholarships as well as other financial aid.

You won’t know what money is available unless you apply.

TA K E C A R E O F YO U R S E L F: E AT H E A LT H Y, EXERCISE AND SLEEP WELL .

Major life changes can add stress to an already busy and stressful life. It’s easy to forget about taking care of yourself. Getting enough sleep and staying healthy is essential to succeeding as a student, no matter how old or young you are.

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orkforce In numerous fields, it’s easy fo r sk ill sets to becom outdated. Man e y companies choose to hire people rather younger than investin g in retraining current workf their orce. Often ol der adults are disadvantage at a , especially in technology ca Going back to re er s. school is a go od way to deve expertise to st lop ay competitiv e.

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ny people. y is a priority for ma Making more mone se their to school can increa Adults going back a certain level Some jobs require earning potential. or other nagerial positions of education for ma kes turning to school ma leadership roles. Re to better can open the door practical sense if it ies. financial opportunit

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T H E K E R O UAC H O U S E

INFUSION TE A

Since opening its doors in 2004, as Central Florida’s first vegetarian restaurant, Infusion Tea has brewed into an integral part of the community.

Owners Christina and Bard Cowherd not only serve up healthy, flavorful dishes, (don’t miss the vegan pimiento cheese tea sandwich!), and interesting loose-leaf tea, you also can find unique gifts inside and pop-up vendors in the parking lot.

L A K E I VA N H O E PA R K

This 125-acre park is a nature lover’s dream. From its dog-approved lush lawns to its walking paths to its calm waters beloved by paddleboarders, fishers and some tree-swing enthusiasts, there’s something for everyone. Keep your eyes peeled in the early mornings and evenings for the lake’s family of freshwater otters. It also hosts a variety of migrating birds, including a flock of pelicans each winter.

T H E TA P R O O M AT DUBSDREAD

This is not a stuffy country club restaurant. With its wide veranda, perfect for happy hours and milestone celebrations, and its lively bar filled with locals, this is the kind of place where you’ll quickly feel like a regular.

The restaurant overlooks the historic Dubsdread Golf Course, which has hosted everyone from the late Sam Snead to Bubba Watson.

O RL A ND O FLO R IDA

College Park Jackie Carlin

College Park, or 32804 as locals call it, sits just north of downtown Orlando.

Named for its collegiate-inspired street names (Princeton, Yale, Harvard and Vassar, to name a few), this neighborhood is beloved for its many lakes and parks, live oak and Spanishmossed lined brick streets, and its vibrant shopping and restaurant district on Edgewater Drive. It’s also been the stomping grounds of some famous faces, including astronaut John Young and Beat writer Jack Kerouac. The old orange groves were replaced by bungalows in the 1940s and ‘50s, but this community still retains its small-town, Old Florida charm.

In 1957, Jack Kerouac’s “On the Road” was released, forever defining the Beat Generation. At the time, Kerouac was living with his mother in this small bungalow at 1418 ½ Clouser Ave. while writing, “The Dharma Bums.” Today, this 100-year-old home hosts writers for three-month residencies through the Kerouac Project.

T H E G O O D C R OW D

This little shop has it all. With a passion for social justice and flat-out funny gifts and greeting cards, owner Sarah Johnson-Markve curates gifts you won’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s the latest design from Orlando’s own Corkcicle, or a candle homage to Dolly Parton, you’ll find the perfect item you never knew you needed.

EMBELLISH FX

Need a killer costume for a party or cosplay convention? Check out this magical little shop on Edgewater Drive, featuring stage and film-worthy wigs, makeup, costumes and accessories. Co-owner Ben Johansen is also the creator of the Orlando Ribbon Project, a tribute to the 49 killed in the Pulse shooting. Since 2016, more than 1.3 million ribbons have been made and sent to all seven continents and even into space.

Age is irrelevant. Ask me how many sunsets I’ve seen, hearts I’ve loved, trips I’ve taken, or concerts I’ve been to.

That’s how old I am.

FOR MORE DAILY MEME S :

@GrowingBolder FredFroese via Getty Images

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Watch inspirational stories any time of day or night.

Search for Growing Bolder in the app store and download today.

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Great-Grandmother Becomes Caregiver in Life-Changing Reset George Diaz

“Caregiver” for her great-grandchildren was not on Sharon Strickland’s list of aspirations as she transitioned into her golden years.

Strickland was enjoying four-mile walks on the beach, going out and meeting friends for dinner and drinks, doing arts and crafts and refurbishing furniture.

“I felt like that was a good time for me, that I was able to just explore who I was as a person, without children, without a husband, and being single,” she said. “So, it was like, ‘I have plenty of time to do all of those things.’”

But life had other plans. One of her greatgrandchildren needed a loving home, then a sibling needed the same. And Strickland was the best and only option.

It was October 2019, when the first disruptive force came into play.

Carly had been severely beaten and had been in a hospital for about 30 days. She had then been placed in a foster home. Strickland went to work, using her contacts to connect with supervisors and social workers. She wanted Carly in her care and pushed all the right buttons to make it happen.

Two weeks later, a social worker reached out, asking if Strickland could take Carly that night.

“It was joyful,” Strickland said. “I was scared. I wasn't sure if it was the right thing for either one of us, but I knew that she could no longer be in the foster care system. She was going to be placed in another foster care because the person didn't want her because of her behavior, and she was diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD.

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“And she's a very strong-willed little girl, but I said, ‘Nope, I'm going to do this and we're going to make it work.”

And then, shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Carly’s older sister, Savannah, came to live with them. Savannah was living with a great-aunt and great-uncle in Pierson, Florida.

The conditions were deplorable. No plumbing.

She had scars from bed bug bites. At an emergency hearing, Strickland was granted custody of Savanah as well.

Strickland, 65, is not alone. Nearly 6 million children and 1.5 million grandparents live in grandparent-grandchild households, according to caregiver.com.

They have a lot to process beyond the emotional scars of family dysfunction. But Strickland has worked hard to find resources in the system and has since become a strong advocate for other grandparents and greatgrandparents in similar circumstances.

From local food pantries to churches that give away clothing to mental health services, Strickland has leaned on those resources as important allies.

Her struggle continues as she goes through the tedious process of legally adopting Carly, 5, and Savannah, 9. And there have been speed bumps involving paperwork and background checks. But Strickland remains undeterred.

“It’s just been frustrating at times, and you ask yourself ‘Why is all this really happening?’” she said.

“But the bottom line is that I am going to keep on doing what I’m doing. We are moving on, and we’re going to be OK,” she said.

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We are moving on, and we’re going to be OK .

SHARON STRICKL AND

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Is an Official Personal Finance Partner of Growing Bolder

Volcanologist Takes Incredible Risks at Work But Won't With Her Retirement Rosaly Lopes can recall the exact moment when she decided to become a volcanologist. “During my college days, I was taking this class – Geology of the Earth and the Planets – and the professor did not show up,” she explains. Eventually, someone announced to the class that Mount Etna had erupted and the professor was en route to Sicily to study it.

“The volcano erupts and the professor has to go? That’s what I want to do,” she recalls, smiling from ear to ear. From that moment forward, Lopes knew which career path she would follow—even if it was covered with 2,000-degree Fahrenheit lava.

Since then, she’s been to active volcanoes on all seven continents, including Mount Erebus in Antarctica. “Every volcano is a little different,” she explains. “So, you’ve really got to know something about that volcano and know its behavior and its pattern, and then figure out how you’re going to go there.”

As with any profession, it helps if you love what you do.

But in the field of volcanology, you have to love the risk, too.

Dodging lava bombs, avoiding deadly levels of noxious gases and side-stepping lava while conducting field studies are just part of the job.

Despite her appetite for risk in her career, Lopes doesn’t feel the same way when it comes to her money. In fact, she has the opposite view when it comes to her retirement plan.

“I take a lot of risk when I go to volcanoes, but in my personal life, not so much,” she says. “I tend to be more conservative, particularly with my finances.”

Lopes decided to purchase two annuities because they offer her the protection and flexibility she was looking for in retirement. “I want to have the option to help my son and grandkids. I want to have the option to stay home and write

You know some things are pretty risky, but you calculate those risks and still do it.

– R O S A LY LO P E S

books too, if I want to. It’s all about options in retirement.”

And she counted on that protection especially during the pandemic. “With the stock market going up and down, having part of my retirement [savings] in annuities really helps me to feel that I can ride this out feeling secure,” she says.

She likens her annuity to a way out of a dangerous situation on the job. “You know some things are pretty risky, but you calculate those risks and still do it. But you want your basic safety guaranteed. You want to have, let’s say, your escape route if you’re on the volcano.”

Managing risk is nothing new to Lopes. While conducting research on Mount Etna, a crater suddenly erupted, launching volcanic bombs into the air. “You don’t run,” she says. “You stay where you are, look up and if a bomb is coming toward you, you dodge it.”

Like all volcanologists, Lopes wants to know why volcanoes are formed, and studies their eruptive activity to hopefully one day be able to predict future eruptions.

The impact volcanoes have on the Earth and how they affect humans and the environment is something she feels is worth sharing.

“I’m a very big supporter of education and outreach,” she says. “I do a lot of talks in schools. It’s really important to encourage young people to go into STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) subjects.”

When Lopes finally hangs up the seismometer, she wants confidence that her retirement income – especially the income she can count on – can support the lifestyle she envisions for herself.

“I think very much in terms of paycheck and ‘play check.’ You need the check to pay for the basics. Then hopefully you have plenty of money to play as well.”

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The Wonderful, Wacky World of

Suzy Toronto Amy Sweezey

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"I want people to believe that in spite of any hairpin turns on their particular roller coaster, they can live a life worth loving" S U Z Y TO R O N TO

Chances are, if you have perused a beachside shop or wandered through a Cracker Barrell gift shop, you’ve seen the artwork of Suzy Toronto. Her signature “Wonderful Wacky Women” designs decorate cards, calendars, stationery, and a variety of other collectibles. Her charming, colorful products, including more than 30 books, are sold throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Russia and Dubai.

“My hope is that my stories and illustrations make people laugh and encourage them to take themselves less seriously,” Toronto said. “I want people to believe that in spite of any hairpin turns on their particular roller coaster, they can live a life worth loving.”

Toronto was born in Hawaii to a mother who was an artist.

Toronto knew in second grade she had inherited her mother’s (and grandfather’s) artistic talent when she won a school drawing contest.

“I remember looking around and thinking, ‘Oh, I am so going to win this!’” Toronto recalled.

Not only did Toronto’s mother encourage her daughter’s creativity, but she also taught Toronto a valuable life lesson.

“My mother taught me to believe in myself,” Toronto said. “She told me I could do anything, and overcome anything. and accomplish anything I wanted to.”

Photos: Jacob Langston

It was that belief that drove Toronto to self-publish her first book after being rejected by dozens of publishing companies.

“I knew I could help women who were struggling,” she said. “I knew I could inspire and console them. Knowing I could relate to them kept me moving forward no matter what anybody said to me. I believed in what I was doing.”

Toronto’s first 5,000 books sold in a matter of weeks, which is practically unheard of in the self-publishing world.

“I believed that this message needed to get out,” Toronto said.

The message materialized from Toronto’s own life experiences.

“I am surrounded by the most amazing women, and that’s a blessing I don’t take for granted,” she said. “I’ve watched them go through trials and triumphs and find the joy in everything. Girlfriend relationships are priceless, and having a network of a tribe around you is absolutely necessary.”

Toronto’s tribe was there when her step-daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer. After a six-year journey, she passed away in January, 2020, at the age of 50.

“My daughter was fearless in every way, and she attacked cancer the same way,” Toronto said. “She never complained about the effects of the chemo or radiation or the drainage tubes hanging out everywhere. She always saw the joy.

She died a survivor, a survivor of spirit.”

Several years ago, Toronto contracted Lyme Disease and had to persevere through debilitating pain.

“I have bad neuropathy in my hands and feet,” she explained. “There are some days I can’t even type or paint and other days when I can.”

Toronto thinks those limitations have made her a better person.

“When everything is wonderful and going right, you can’t grow,” she said.

“We only grow through adversity and through being pushed to our limits, coming out the other end despite it.”

In 2019, Toronto pushed herself to her limits again when she entered a hula competition in Florida at the age of 61. She took the stage as the oldest contestant.

When her husband asked why she wanted to do it, she said, “I want to show my children you are never too old to make your dreams come true.”

Competing was something she had always wanted to do.

“I looked down on the front row and saw my granddaughter doing the same motions I was doing on stage, and that’s when I knew I didn’t really need to win the contest,” Toronto said. “I had already won. My granddaughter saw her 61-yearold grandmother on the stage dancing the hula at a big competition.”

And even though she didn’t need to win, Toronto did. She took first place.

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Memories made in the summer last for a lifetime.

FOR MORE DAILY MEM E S :

@GrowingBolder AshleyWiley via Getty Images

Here are seven top takeaways from the new PRIP study: Nearly all investors are interested in annuities.

1

More than 90% of investors believe protecting retirement income is important. Those with pensions decline considerably by age, resulting in an even stronger need and desire for protection among younger investors.

Gen X has an even stronger desire for annuities.

2 A vast majority of investors ages 45-54 (71%)

have some interest in purchasing an annuity as part of their overall retirement income plan and 22% are extremely interested.

Gen X is more financially vulnerable for

3 retirement than older populations.

7 Top Research Findings Show Americans Want to Protect Their Retirement

Illustration: Nuthawut Somsuk Via Getty Images

Younger investors are turning to annuities at even higher rates.

Here’s why.

Investors are increasingly eager and interested in protecting their retirement savings plan through annuities, according to a new study by the Alliance for Lifetime Income and CANNEX. With Peak 65 in sight, the inaugural Protected Retirement Income & Planning (PRIP) Study shows that many investors, especially younger ones, are interested in annuities as a source of protected lifetime income they can count on to help supplement Social Security income. The long-tail effects of the pandemic, a challenging fixed-income environment, and historically low savings rates are all converging as retirement looms for millions of Americans. That realization has left many investors scrambling for solutions.

“The pandemic triggered a retirement reset in people's minds, leading to this incredible demand today for the benefits of protected income solutions,” said Jean Statler, CEO of the Alliance for Lifetime Income, a nonprofit consumer education organization.

When included as a key part of a retirement plan, annuities can help protect investors against the ups and downs of the market and guarantee monthly income for as long as they live.

Is an Official Personal Finance Partner of Growing Bolder

Pension ownership stands at 65% for investors ages 65-75 but drops with each younger generation.

Only 48% of retirement investors ages 45-54 have protected income from a pension. The study shows a critical need for protected income from annuities, to fill the gap left by pensions. A large portion of investors (29%) admitted they do not know enough about annuities to be able to identify the benefits.

Younger investors see annuities as

4 a replacement for pensions

More than half of investors under age 55 (58%) embrace annuities as an alternative to pension plans.

A majority of investors with an

5 employer-sponsored retirement plan show interest in annuities.

6

Investors who are protected by an annuity and/or a pension are more confident in their ability to enjoy their retirement years

7

More than half of investors (56%) who have an employer-sponsored retirement savings plan—such as 401(k) and Roth 401(k) plans—are interested in investing in an annuity through that plan.

A whopping 92% of investors who are protected by an annuity, or a pension, feel confident about covering expenses in retirement (versus 79% of the respondents who are not protected.

Investors who have an annuity are more satisfied with their financial professional.

A striking majority (84%) of investors with an annuity are very satisfied with their financial advisor versus those who do not have an annuity (74%).

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Catching waves, feeling the stoke, building relationships

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Story by Amy Sweezey | Photography by Mike Dunn

Surf instructor Chris Ross believes surfing is more than just catching waves.

It’s about relationships—a relationship with the surfboard, the ocean, and with other surfers.

When he started surfing on the East Coast of Florida as a teenager, Ross laid his board on his living room floor and stared at it. He knew the importance of building a relationship with his board right from the start.

“I wanted to learn the mechanics of it,” he said. “I looked at the fins and checked it all out.”

Ross continued, “If you aren’t comfortable with the board and on the board, you’re going to trip and fall. If a child who is a first-time surfer feels nervous, I tell them to build a sandcastle on the surfboard. As long as they are spending time on that board, they’re building their confidence whether anybody knows it or not.”

After a surfer builds a relationship with the board, the next step is getting in the water.

“You have to be comfortable going in the ocean and confident that everything will be OK,” Ross said.

“I’ve almost drowned several times, but I still go out.”

Ross emphasized the importance of a healthy fear of the ocean rather than an unhealthy fear.

“To be in fear of the ocean is healthy when you recognize its power and are aware of sharks and wildlife and other real dangers,” he said. “But when you refuse to even go in the ocean because of those things, that’s an unhealthy fear.”

Ross spent much of his time teaching confidence-building techniques during his surf camps for kids. He understood that inserting healthy fear took away their unhealthy fears.

“Kids are actually a lot more teachable than adults,” Ross said. “Kids have no idea what to expect, but adults already have an idea in their mind of what surfing will be like. It’s harder to take an adult’s fear away when they have it embedded in their brain.”

Ross caught his first wave when he was 16 in New Smyrna Beach, just south of Daytona Beach.

“I paddled into a wave, and stood up, and rode it all the way to the beach,” he said, beaming. “I was hooked from there on.”

That was the first time Ross felt the “stoke,” which in surfer terms means “the highest level of excitement.”

“A surfer knows that feeling after you catch a wave and get that stoke,” he said. “You can be stoked at any time, whether you’re surfing or not; but a surfer understands that high level of excitement and remembers it later.”

Building a relationship with the surfboard and the ocean were the first two keys in Ross’ surf instruction, but it was building relationships with other people that he emphasized the most.

It was his relationship with his son that first attracted Ross to teaching surfing. He started with his son, Corey, in 2008, when Corey was just 9 years old. When Corey’s friends showed up for lessons, too, Ross had an unplanned, captive audience. After several years of teaching for fun, to whoever asked, in 2014, Ross turned his surf instruction into a side gig.

“I really enjoyed teaching,” he said. “I got a thrill out

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of sharing the stoke I had and seeing other people have that stoke.”

“I didn’t do it for the money,” Ross said. “I have done landscaping my whole life and surfing was just a side thing.

But once it started growing, I decided to transition from my full-time landscaping business to the one that takes my heart the most—and that is surfing.”

Tragically in 2018, Ross’ son, Corey, was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 19. He had surfed earlier in the day and told his sister it was the “best day he’d ever had.” Ross got a call later that night saying Corey was just 2 miles from home when he died at the scene of the accident.

“He was a really good kid,” Ross said. “Everywhere he went, he made an impact and people loved him.”

Ross reminisced, “Corey was the one who got me started teaching. He was an avid surfer and helped me launch out to other youth. It’s crazy how my son could pass away, and yet I can still celebrate and smile because of all the good times.”

Ross believed his relationship with Corey was stronger because they connected through surfing.

“Every time I give a lesson or teach a camp, I always, always tell my students that surfing is more than just catching waves,” Ross said. “They must feel confident and comfortable with their surfboard. They have to have a healthy – not unhealthy – fear of the ocean. And they should use their love of surfing and feeling the stoke to build relationships with other people.”

“You can be stoked at any time, whether you’re surfing or not; but a surfer understands that high level of excitement and remembers it later."

CHRIS ROSS

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FLORIDA ADVENTURES Florida and adventure are synonymous, depending on your comfort level. We won’t include the big theme parks because they’re too obvious, but we will include experiences that may not be on everyone’s radar screen.

You can swim with manatees or take a dark plunge into the Blue Springs, where the only sound you will hear is the breath you take in and out of your regulator.

No need to wrestle with an alligator, but you will wrestle with so many enticing choices to satisfy your adventurous spirit.

Take the plunge at Blue Springs Orange City |

floridastateparks.org

Located about an hour east of Orlando, Blue Springs State Park has a wonderful view of manatees during the cold weather months. It also has something more appealing for scuba divers—taking a deep plunge in the cave at the springs, which discharges around 100 million gallons of 72-degree water daily. It’s not a dive for newbies or anyone with a touch of claustrophobia.

The maximum depth is 111-120ft/34-37m, and the average visibility is 91-100ft/28-30m. The deeper you go, the darker it gets. You can snorkel as well but it’s obviously a different experience.

There are significant safety restrictions in place, including proof of certification and a mandatory dive buddy.

Please note that the spring run at Blue Spring State Park is closed to all water activities for manatee season until March 31.

Under the Sea Key Largo |

jul.com

Ever thought what it would be like to live in an aquarium?

Grab your scuba gear and head on down to Key Largo, home to Jules’ Undersea Lodge, one of the world’s only underwater hotels. How’s this for a dramatic check-in? You can scuba dive to your room.

It’s only 30-feet deep, so it’s an easy plunge for divers.

“I felt like an 8-year-old coming up from the moon-pool and emerging into the undersea pressurized habitat complete with WiFi,” wrote one reviewer.

They even offer underwater pizza and warm meatball sub deliveries.

So kick back and enjoy the quintessential room with a view.

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Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum Key West |

hemingwayhome.com

Ok, maybe you need to dial it down a bit? (see above).

Take a stroll back in time at the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum in Key West. You not only come to gather more info on one of the greatest American writers of all-time. You come for the cats. Lots of them.

According to the home and museum site, “The cats about the home and grounds are descendants of the cats [Hemingway] kept while he lived in the house, including many extra-toed.”

There are between 40-50 polydactyl (six-toed) cats on the property.

Hemingway house was built in 1851, with Hemingway taking ownership in 1931. He wrote in this space for a decade.

Go Gators Orlando |

gatorland.com

OK, you may want to file this one under “cheesy,” but oh what fun. You don’t have to wrestle an alligator because Gatorland lets the pros do it.

Gatorland—a 110-acre theme park in Central Florida—is home to thousands of alligators and crocodiles and does offer a bit of a thrill ride: a zip line attraction that lets you fly above the alligators and crocs.

They include giant white alligators at the White Gator Swamp, which features two of only 12 leucistic alligators known to exist in the world today.

Swim with the Manatees Crystal River |

discovercrystalriverfl.com

Florida has two sweet spots when it comes to swimming with manatees, including the Blue Springs. But the better half is on the Crystal River. Make sure to go when it’s cool (January through March) and you will be treated to the world’s largest population of endangered manatees along King’s Bay Wildlife Refuge.

The area abounds with guided tour operators, including those offering snorkeling tours.

Besides the manatees, you will encounter a rich estuary filled with birds, fish and wildlife.

And it’s a one-of-a-kind adventure: Those two spots are the only places you can legally swim with manatees in Florida.

Light up the waters Mosquito Bay |

adayawaykayaktours.com

“You Can Paddle Through Florida’s Bioluminescent Waters in a See-through Kayak,” reads a headline in Travel + Leisure.

Do we need to say more? That should cover it, but here are the details:

This experience along Florida’s Space Coast is seasonal (summer months only) offers kayakers and paddleboarders the chance to see waters come alive in bright glowing colors.

The word “bioluminescence”—the biochemical emission of light by living organisms such as fireflies and deep-sea fishes—is simply referred to as “nature’s glow sticks.”

The best spots include the Banana River, the Indian River, and Mosquito Lagoon. Added bonuses may include spotting dolphins, manatees and views of the Kennedy Space Center.

Most tours range from one hour to an hour and a half. Several companies run Bioluminescent tours in the area.

Drivers, start your engines Daytona Beach |

nascarracingexperience.com

So you want to be a Speed Racer?

You can experience the exhilarating rush of speed along Daytona International Speedway’s tri-oval with the Richard Petty Driving Experience.

Although The King won’t be there himself to guide you through, qualified professionals are there to take you through every step if you want to get behind the wheel.

There are less “exhilarating” options if you simply sign up for a ride-along.

Either way you’ll get a live look at the famed 2.5-mile tri-oval speedway with 31 degrees of banking in the turns.

You can rev up a 600-pound stock car to go as fast as 145 miles per hour.

#SpeedRush. Buckle up.

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Self-Care as We Re-Engage Dr. Nick Dewan has been vice president of Behavioral Health at Florida Blue since June 2020.

Dr. Dewan checks a number of boxes where his expertise and experience come into play. He’s a national expert in physician-and-healthcare reimbursement and quality improvement. He offers clinical expertise in sports psychiatry and addiction medicine. He has published more than 20 peer-reviewed publications in applied health services research, and he’s a board member of Positive Coaching Alliance in Tampa Bay.

Recently, Dr. Dewan spoke with Growing Bolder’s Bill Shafer about taking care of our health in the wake of dealing with a global pandemic.

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Q

There's always something unexpected to deal with that can set us back and throw everything off. It could even be something like a pandemic, where we discovered a whole new set of problems. You've called it making the transition from isolation to integration. So, what is that all about?

A

Dr. Dewan: We have been through, what I would call, a state of an invisible, constant, unpredictable, and potentially deadly threat for a long time. And so that transition, going from not only what I would call the sense of fear and anxiety, but for some people, a sense of grief, feels like, “Oh, I've climbed this mountain. I can see the sunshine. Now what do I do?” It's like going back into the swimming pool after you've been afraid of the water.

And so, what do you do? Let's wade back into life.

I use the word integration, adaptation. It's a different world. Our inside world is different, and our outside world is different. So, we have to wade in slowly.

Q

I don't think anybody makes it to 60, 70, 80 or more without having learned how to deal with a lot of the things that life throws at us. With that in mind, are there things we should be watching for to begin the reintegration process or to make it as simple as possible?

A

Dr. Dewan: People are emotionally and physically exhausted. As we go back, it's important to rest. Not only rest the body but also rest the mind. The mind has been going like on a racetrack; and people sometimes have felt like they're just not one car on a racetrack, they're like three or four cars on a racetrack.

It's important throughout the day to go to a rest area and just rest the mind. Maybe it's every hour, maybe it's every two hours. Take a couple of breaths, enjoy looking at the grass, enjoy looking at the trees, maybe enjoy looking at the clouds, or the sky, or the water.

A S K AN E XPERT

Q

What is it that has made Florida Blue a leader in this area? How does Florida Blue Medicare support its members’ mental and emotional health?

A

Dr. Dewan: They've always thought that the mind and body go together. But what we've learned now—the science tells us, the data tells us—that if you don't address mental health, physical health gets worse.

And conversely, if we don't address physical health, mental health gets worse. We can be much more targeted in helping individuals due to their unique health-risk factors, life-risk factors, and behavioral-risk factors. We measure all of this so we can give a personalized approach.

Q

What was it in your mind that set Florida Blue apart?

A

Dr. Dewan: When I look at companies, I look at value systems and culture. Values matter. So, when you have a value system that embraces respect, integrity, imagination, courage, excellence, I want to pinpoint two words: imagination and courage. That's what this is all about. That's what Growing Bolder is all about. It's about imagining a different future. It's about being courageous enough to say, “Life is going to be better moving forward. I'm in a different place.”

To Learn more about Florida Blue Medicare go to FloridaBlue.com /Medicare.

Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. We comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. For more information visit floridablue.com/ndnotice. ©️ 2021 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc., DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved.

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64& MEDICARE

Make Medicare an opportunity to live BOLDER.

SO MUCH MORE!

Go to growingbolder.com/Medicare to download your free, easy to understand guide to Medicare.

To speak to a representative call 1-844-396-2579.

Florida Blue and Florida Blue Medicare are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ©️2021 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, Inc. DBA Florida Blue. All rights reserved.

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