*$0
Community-Owned Medicare Plan That Cares
Get your Medicare coverage from a local leader in health care.
BayCarePlus® Medicare Advantage (HMO) makes it easy for our Medicare community to access high-quality health care, and we help you save money at the same time. Don’t miss your opportunity to take advantage of some of these exciting benefits in 2026.
SAVE up to $1,608 per year on your Part B premium.
GET UP TO $600 a year in over-the-counter (OTC) allowance.
$0 deductible and $0 copay on hundreds of prescription drugs*
COMPREHENSIVE dental coverage includes fillings, root canals, crowns and more, up to $3,000 a year.
LOWER maximum out-of-pocket spend on one plan AND MORE!
Benefits vary by plan. See the Summary of Benefits for more information.
Register to attend a meeting or speak to an advisor: (833) 742-7299 (TTY: 711) Seven days a week, 8am-8pm† BayCare.org/Join Don’t miss out on valuable benefits!
If you’re ready to learn more, attend a small group meeting‡ led by a local health care advisor.
Tuesday, November 4 | 10am
BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel Classroom B
4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Wesley Chapel
Tuesday, November 10 | 1pm
BayCare Hospital Wesley Chapel Classroom A
4501 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Wesley Chapel
Wednesday, November 12 | 10am
Panera Bread Community Room 1908 Fourth St. N. St. Petersburg
Monday, November 17 | 1pm
Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
Classrooms 1 & 2 6600 Madison St. New Port Richey
†You may reach a messaging service on weekends from April 1 through September 30 and holidays. Please leave a message, and your call will be returned the next business day.
‡For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings, call (833) 742-7299 (TTY: 711).
BayCare Select Health Plans is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in BayCare Select Health Plans depends on contract renewal. BayCare Select Health Plans complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.
H2235_26-045_M
Friday, November 21 | 10am
St. Joseph's Hospital
Medical Arts Building, Auditorium 01 3003 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Tampa
Saturday, November 22 | 1pm Pinellas Park Senior Center
Community Room 7625 59th St. N. Pinellas Park
Thanksgiving: the “Superbowl” of Gratitude
Photo by James Patterson
To my mind, the “holiday season” begins with Halloween. That was just a few days ago, and now we’re in the full swing of all the autumn and winter fun.
There is lots to love about November. The first day, All Saints Day, seems somehow like a cleansing from the decadence I personally enjoy in October. That was the month when I indulged my love of horror movies, ate too much candy, and – usually unnecessarily – dragged my winter clothes out of the closet.
Now that November has officially arrived, I’m grateful for a fresh start. The air is cooler, the skies are that amazing shade of blue that only happens in the autumn, and we start heading into soup season – in my humble opinion, the best food season of all!
With the fresh, new start comes a month to focus on gratitude. Although ideally we should be grateful every day, I really remember and focus on it in November. The thanks begin on
Veterans Day, when I think of my late father and my uncle, who were both drafted into the Army during the Vietnam war. Two of my male cousins are Marines (one earned a Purple Heart), and one female cousin joined the Army this summer and has recently graduated from basic training. I salute them all, and all men and women of the armed forces, past and present. Thank you for your service.
At the end of November is the “Superbowl” of gratitude: Thanksgiving. This year my family is going a different route, food-wise. Instead of the traditional turkey and mashed potatoes, each person is going to bring his or her favorite dish and we’re going to enjoy the lot, whether they go well together or not. Who knows? We might end up with seven pumpkin pies and a bag of candy corn! In any case, I am grateful we will be together as a family.
No matter how you celebrate this beautiful month and its beautiful holidays, I wish you fair skies, juicy turkey, and a heart full of love.
Until next time,
Lifestyles After 50 Volume 36, Issue 11
Published by Connected Community Media Group
Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com
Editor
Michele Baker
Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com
Website Editor
Allie Shaw
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Gratitude: A Simple Concept with Large Impact
By Bonnie & Phil Parker
It’s really amazing how much has been written about gratitude. Some examples include: “Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” John F. Kennedy was quoted as saying, “As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.” Eckhart Tolle says that “Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” Charles Schwab said: “The way to develop the best that is in a person is by appreciation and encouragement.”
No doubt you can relate to this and our overflowing gratitude to live in a beautiful setting, with wonderful people, with health, good fortune and freedom. There is no beginning or end to what the we two appreciate. We are grateful to have each other, and for waking up to a new day and whatever unfolds. We have access to social media which allows us to stay in touch with friends and family far away.
Being grateful for what we have opens the door for other possibilities. One of our favorite quotes is by Oprah: “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” Gratitude simply multiplies. The more you acknowledge and appreciate what you have, the more of it shows up.
There are so many ways to express and exhibit gratitude. Speak words of gratitude to those who offer a service. “Thank you,” “I appreciate your help,” “you have no idea the difference you made.” Grateful action is equal in importance. Bonnie loves to send unexpected thank you notes and buy balloons and place them at front doors or attach to mailboxes! She brings chocolate to our next door neighbor (he’s our handyman and we both express and demonstrate gratitude for the many ways he rescues us). Phil loves taking pictures and expanding his photographic efforts. He expresses gratitude every time he does a family photo session. He takes his guy friends out for breakfast to express gratitude for their friendship and companionship. Both know that every expression or act of gratitude returns as our way of showing love toward others.
We count our blessings and freely express love. We know the value of connection. We know no matter what is going on outside of us that is out of our control, we have unlimited opportunities to make a difference. We can impact the lives of those whose lives touch ours. Uncover multiple reasons to express gratitude and your life and others will be enriched. We are grateful to you, our readers! www. BonnieAndPhil.com
DISCOVER THE SUN OUTDOORS LIFESTYLE IN ZEPHYRHILLS, FLORIDA
Looking for your perfect winter escape or a place to call home year-round?
Sun Outdoors offers 11 welcoming resorts in Zephyrhills, designed with the 50+ lifestyle in mind.
* The Part B Premium Reduction (Giveback) benefit pays part or all your Part B premium, and the amount may change based on the amount you pay for Part B.
† Certain services or medications may require preauthorization.
‡ Limitations and restrictions may apply.
Tampa area. CarePlus is a Medicare Advantage HMO organization and a Special Needs HMO SNP plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in any CarePlus plan depends on contract renewal. CareComplete Platinum (HMO C-SNP): This plan is available to anyone enrolled in Medicare with a diagnosis of diabetes, cardiovascular disorders or chronic heart failure. H1019_ FLHMTPBEN_M
Try These New Thanksgiving Dishes and Enjoy a GrandmaApproved Classic!
By Michele D. Baker
We’ve curated four healthy and delicious new dishes – each ready in just 35 minutes or less –which are sure to become new family favorites at Thanksgiving. We’re also including a vintage classic that’s Grandma-approved. Give them a try and let us know what you think!
CRISPY BUFFALO BRUSSELS SPROUTS
Serves 6
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. Brussels sprouts, cleaned and cut in half lengthwise
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup Buffalo sauce
• 2 Tablespoons ranch dressing
• ½ cup blue cheese crumbles
• 2 green onions, chopped
Method:
Preheat the oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, toss Brussels sprouts with oil. Spread in an even layer on prepared baking sheet and roast for 25 minutes or until slightly browned and crispy.
Return the sprouts to the bowl and toss with Buffalo sauce.
Transfer to serving dish and drizzle with ranch dressing, blue cheese and onions. Serve hot.
Refrigerate leftovers in a tightly covered dish.
SWEET POTATO SAUSAGE BALLS
Makes about 45 one-inch balls
Ingredients:
• 3 cups Bisquick Baking Mix
• 1 lb. sausage, uncooked (mild, spicy, sage, or any other flavor)
• 2 cups shredded sharp white cheddar cheese
• 2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potato
Method:
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl, combine all ingredients; mix well.
Roll into 1” balls and place on baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake 18-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Serve hot with barbecue sauce, mustard sauce, or Ranch dressing. Refrigerate leftovers.
GRANDMA MABEL’S “EZ” PUMPKIN PIE
This is the classic recipe. For more flavor, double the aromatic spices and add ¼ teaspoon cardamom. Serves 8.
Ingredients:
• 9” unbaked deep dish pie crust
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon ground ginger
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 large eggs
• 15 oz. can of Libby® Pure Pumpkin puree
• 12 oz. can of evaporated milk
Method:
Preheat the oven to 425 F.
In a large bowl, combine the sugar with all the spices and the eggs. Beat to combine welL. Mix in the pumpkin. Gradually stir in the evaporated milk.
Pour the batter into the pie shell and bake for 15 minutes.
Reduce temperature to 350 F and continue to bake until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean, about 40-50 more minutes. Cool on a rack to room temp. Serve with freshly whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Refrigerate any leftovers.
WARM APPLE AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD WITH WALNUTS AND GOAT CHEESE
Ingredients:
• 3 oz. sliced prosciutto
• ¾ cup apple juice
• 3 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 shallot, minced
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
Method:
Serves 6
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 heads Romaine lettuce
• 5 oz. baby arugula
• 2 apples (any variety), cored and thinly sliced
• 1 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
• ½ cup goat cheese crumbles
• 2 avocados, sliced
Preheat oven to 375 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Lay prosciutto on prepared baking sheet. Bake until crispy, about 10 minutes. Remove to paper towels to drain, then break into pieces.
Meanwhile, make the hot dressing. In a small saucepan over medium high heat, bring apple juice, vinegar, and shallot to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until mixture is reduced to ½ cup, about 8 minutes. Whisk in the mustard and slowly add olive oil, continuing to whisk until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper.
Arrange Romaine and arugula on salad plates. Fan apple and avocado slices on top, then sprinkle with prosciutto, walnuts and goat cheese crumbles. Drizzle with warm dressing. Serve immediately.
LEMON
& HERB ROASTED BABY RED POTATOES
Serves 6
Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. Baby Red potatoes, washed and cut in half
• 3 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 teaspoons lemon zest
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
Method:
Know your spuds!
Potatoes come in various types, shapes and sizes and with textures ranging from waxy and creamy to starchy and fluffy.
• 2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Preheat oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine potatoes, oil, lemon zest, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and parsley.
Spread the potatoes in an even layer, cut side down, on prepared baking sheet. Roast 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until brown and crispy.
Transfer potatoes to serving dish. Toss gently with feta, lemon juice, and additional parsley.
YUKON GOLD: creamy potatoes that hold their shape while cooking.
BEST FOR scalloped, mashed, roasted, or boiled potato dishes.
RUSSETS: large, brown potatoes with rough skin and starchy flesh.
BEST FOR baked potatoes, mashed potatoes, fries, and crispy latkes.
FINGERLING: small, elongated potatoes in different colors, with a creamy texture.
BEST FOR roasting and boiling.
BABY NEW POTATOES: young, freshly harvested small potatoes have thin skins and waxy flesh.
BEST FOR roasting or boiling with peas. RED POTATOES: the creamy, waxy flesh retains its shape after cooking.
BEST FOR potato salad, roasting, boiling, steaming.
THE HEALTHY GEEZER
Motion Sickness
Q. What causes motion sickness?
Many people—including me—suffer nausea when traveling by boat, car or airplane. It also happens on rides in amusement parks and playgrounds. The symptoms of motion sickness are caused by conflicting messages arriving at the central nervous system.
Different parts of your body let your brain know where you are and what you’re doing. The inner ears let you know if you’re turning, or moving forward-backward, side-to-side, and up-anddown. The eyes also monitor the directions of motion and where the body is in space, such as upside down. Skin pressure receptors tell you what part of the body is touching the ground. The muscle and joint sensory receptors tell what parts of the body are moving.
If all the signals tell the same story, there are no problems. However, suppose you’re below deck in a heaving sea. Your body is getting information that the boat is moving violently. But your eyes see the unmoving walls of your cabin. If you are susceptible to motion sickness, this below-deck scenario is almost guaranteed to make you look for a porthole to get rid of your last meal.
How about the example of reading in the car? Well, your body is picking up all kinds of cues that you’re in motion, but your eyes see only the unmoving pages of your book.
Here are some tips to avoid motion sickness:
• Always ride where your eyes will see the same motion that your body senses. For example, sit in the front seat of the car and look out the windshield to distant scenery; don’t stare at the rapidly passing telephone poles outside the passenger window. I prefer driving so I am forced to look straight ahead.
• If you’re on a boat, go up on deck and watch the horizon. Request a cabin in the middle of the ship where there is less movement than fore and aft. Get a cabin that has a veranda or
porthole so you can look at the horizon.
• On an airplane, sit by the window and look outside. Also, choose a seat over the wings where there is the least motion. Direct the air vent at your face.
• On a train, take a seat near the front and next to a window. Face forward.
• Minimize head movement.
• Avoid strong odors and spicy or greasy foods immediately before and during your travel. Don’t overeat.
• Don't smoke or sit near smokers.
• Before your travel begins, take motion sickness medicine recommended by your physician. There are over-the-counter drugs. There is also prescription medicine in an adhesive patch or in oral form.
There are other treatments for motion sickness that may benefit some people, but they have not been proven to be consistently effective. High levels of ginger have helped some. There’s an acupuncture point of the wrist that provides relief of nausea during pregnancy and after chemotherapy, but there is contradictory evidence about its effectiveness in treating motion sickness.
All Rights Reserved © 2025 by Fred Cicetti
Send your general health questions to Healthy Geezer with Lifestyles After 50 in the subject line to fred@healthygeezer.com.
Blast to the Past!
“Calypso”
BY: RANDAL C. HILL
After creating musical odes to America’s natural wonders, John Denver selected a new subject for his final million-selling RCA Records release; “Calypso,” though, came about only after a long personal struggle for the singing poet.
Jacques Cousteau inspired an entire generation to take an interest in the world’s oceans. As a youngster, a near-fatal car wreck left him with two broken arms. For his rehabilitation, Jacques swam in the Mediterranean Sea—and quickly became fascinated with all things “ocean.” He later coinvented the Aqua-Lung, in use to this day in SCUBA diving.
Cousteau acquired a mothballed British minesweeper, which he named the Calypso and established as a floating research laboratory and movie studio.
Denver met Cousteau in Belize and was so impressed with what he saw that, on the spot, John felt inspired to write “Calypso.” He picked up his acoustic guitar and quickly created the rousing chorus: Aye, Calypso, the places you’ve been to The things that you’ve shown us, the stories you tell Aye, Calypso, I sing to your spirit
The men who have served you so long and so well
Movie Preview: “Rental Family”
BY RANDAL C. HILL
Here’s what you will not see if you go to a showing of “Rental Family”: CGI explosions. Bulked-up superheroes. Rampaging dinosaurs. Wanton killings. “Rental Family” is just a quiet little family drama, although one guaranteed to pull a few heartstrings.
This feature affords Brendan Fraser a chance to show us a refreshingly new character in the form of Phillip Vandarpleog, a lonely, down-on-his-luck American actor struggling to find roles in Japan. When his agent finally tells Phillip of an available acting gig, Vandarpleog hurries to a Tokyo office, where he is told by the man behind a desk, “We sell emotion.”
“How?” Phillip asks.
“We play roles in the clients’ lives and help them connect to what’s missing,” is the explanation.
Then, nothing. Somehow, the words simply stopped flowing. Discouraged and embarrassed, Denver returned home to Colorado and spent sleepless nights trying to conjure the words that he sought. He always drew a blank. Strangely, the remaining lyrics came to him while he was skiing near his Aspen home. While on the slopes, John felt an electric-like “zap” that demanded his return to his mountain home to bring the rest of “Calypso” to a proper finish. The remaining words flowed easily to him as he drove 25 minutes to his house, and by the time John pulled into the driveway, the uplifting lyrics were in place.
To sail on a dream on a crystal-clear ocean
To ride on the crest of the wild raging storm
To work in the service of life and the living
In search of the answers to questions unknown
To be part of the movement and part of the growing
Part of beginning to understand Denver later declared, “It’s one of the best songs I’ve ever written,” and he often closed later concerts with “Calypso.”
“I’m just an actor,” the American argues. “I don’t know how to help people.”
He is then told that the agency just actually needs a token White guy—and he’s it.
Phillip reluctantly agrees to stand in for some other people’s lives. However, as he learns from the experiences that follow, he’s much more than an actor performing a prescribed role. As he immerses himself in his clients’ worlds, Vandarpleog finds himself unexpectedly forming bonds that will eventually blur the lines between performance and reality as he rediscovers his long-suppressed ability to interact with other people.
“Rental Family” is directed and co-written by USC-educated Hikari Miyazaki, an Osaka-born former actress who came to America at 17 as a foreign exchange student. Hikari (she goes only by her first name professionally) says of her project, “While it’s inspired by a real, and sometimes unusual, business in Japan, it’s ultimately about people longing for connection and discovering the meaning of true friendship in modern Tokyo.”
There’s a growing buzz in Tinseltown that is putting forth Brendan Fraser’s name as a contender for a second Best Actor statue in time for the next Academy Awards ceremony. After winning that honor for 2023’s “The Whale,” Fraser could once again carry away the little golden guy, only this time for a movie that’s light years away from that downbeat release from two years ago.
“Rental Family” opens November 21. See it and love it.
Armchair Adventures: South Dakota: From Silence to Spectacle
By Evelyn Kelly, PhD
TWO DIFFERENT WORLDS: BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK AND WALL DRUG
South Dakota is full of surprises—one minute you’re in a rugged wilderness that feels like another planet, and the next you’re in a bustling, old-fashioned drugstore where tourists line up for free ice water. What fun under those vast, azure skies—two places that couldn’t be more opposite yet together make for one unforgettable adventure. For me and three eager travel companions, it was a journey that swung from prairie dogs to souvenir hunters, from silence to spectacle.
BADLANDS – MARS IN THE MIDWEST
We rolled across land as flat as a pancake when suddenly the earth dropped away. It was as if we had been transported straight to Mars. All we could manage were gasps of “ohhh” and “ahhh” as striped cliffs and jagged peaks stretched across the horizon.
But beauty here is fleeting. Erosion eats away about an inch each year, and in half a million years, this otherworldly landscape may vanish. No wonder the Lakota people called it mako sica (“bad lands”). Farming is nearly impossible here, with blistering summers, frigid winters, and stubborn soil. Yet life persists. Bison lumber across the plains, often blocking the road. Bighorn sheep perform daredevil leaps across cliffs. And best of all, hundreds of prairie dogs pop up from burrows, chattering like gossiping neighbors.
The Badlands are also a fossil treasure trove. Once upon a time, sabertoothed cats, three-toed horses, and giant rhino-like brontotheres roamed this land. Hollywood has roamed here too—the dramatic scenery provided a backdrop for “Dances with Wolves” and “Armageddon.”
Put it all together and you have a geologist’s dream, a movie-maker’s stage, and a traveler’s wonderland. These “bad lands” are, in truth, wonderfully amazing.
ARE YOU READY FOR A CIRCUS? WALL DRUG
After the quiet majesty of the Badlands, we found ourselves on a prairie highway, staring at one hand-painted sign after another: “Wall Drug Store,” “Free Ice Water,” and “Coffee 5 Cents.” The build-up was relentless. By the time we arrived at the massive “Wall Drug Store – Since 1931” sign, we were hooked.
Wall Drug isn’t really a drugstore anymore—it’s an institution. In 1931, Ted Hustead opened it, but business was bleak until his wife, Dorothy, suggested they lure in travelers with a simple offer: free ice water. It worked. Located just north of the Badlands, Wall Drug turned into a phenomenon.
Today, it’s a two-block carnival of cowboy paraphernalia, Western art, and kitschy souvenirs. You can sip that 5-cent coffee, pose with a jackalope (the mythical jackrabbit with antelope horns), or let the kids loose in the backyard with its animatronic T-Rex and playground. At the height of summer, 20,000 visitors might pass through in a single day. People-watching is half the entertainment.
Reactions vary. Some dismiss it as a gaudy tourist trap; others embrace its quirky, old-timey charm. Either way, when you’ve been driving dusty South Dakota highways in July, that free ice water tastes pretty sweet.
Evelyn Kelly and Natalie Kelly are co-authors of “Have a Love Affair with Travel,” now available on Amazon.com.
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.
The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.
november SUDOKU
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.
The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.
Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order.
Each row of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.
Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills. The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square much include all digits 1 through 9 as well. Good luck! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win. Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number and email to:
Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9.
Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for this month. Circle each answer you find and list it in the space provided. Answers can be found in all directions–forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. An example is given to get you started.
Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number and email to:
Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
LAST MONTH'S WINNER: Marsha Roche –Venice
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in
THIS MONTHS' CATEGORY: NAMES FOR GIRLS
Trivia Palooza
How Well Do You Know Our Magazine
Pg 4. Gratitude. In the end, who are Bonnie & Phil grateful for?
Pg 13. The Healthy Geezer. What 4 modes of transportation are referenced?
Pg 19. We Will Remember. What does Connor eventually want to become?
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?
Today's Category: U. S. State
In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?
Mail to: Lifestyles After 50, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL, 33583
David Kurman, The Villages was our November Winner
October Answers: Superman, King Kong/Invisible Man, Abbott & Costello Meet.....
Please enjoy playing our Crossword, Sudoku and Word Search Puzzles. The more puzzles you play & submit, the better chance you have to win!
42. Uncle Ben’s products
43. Lily variety
44. Last of first?
45. Elderly
46. Be at
48. Poet’s contraction
49. Thin metal cable
50. Tower site
53. Item kept afloat by wind
33.
november cROSSWORD puzzle
54. Go public with
Fill in the answers and win great prizes!
57. Scrapes
60. White non-Mexican, to a Mexican
The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win.
62. Cry of woe
63. Eucalyptus, for one
Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number and email to: Lifestyles After 50
64. Coin toss call
65. “Auld Lang __”
66. Tiny beginning
P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583
67. In a __; sort of
LAST MONTH'S WINNER:
Plying My Trade/Trading My Ply
It’s November and hopefully as of this writing, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Why? Because the month is almost over and we are not in the throes nor the aftermath of a hurricane. Fingers crossed!
So now, we’re scratching our heads and wondering “what am I going to do with all of this plywood?” The horde is made up of everything that I used to cover the windows and all of the unused plywood I have left over. Why? Because I bought extra “just in case.”
I can’t grill food over plywood or burn it in the fireplace. Plywood is manufactured using adhesives, resins and chemicals that release toxic fumes when burned. Yikes!
Now I need to buy new furniture because of what I got rid of to make room to store my plywood. The garage is full; the shed is full! Where am I going to put all this stuff?
I know! I could build the kids a bike ramp or a skateboard ramp. Nah, they’d just get hurt.
PUZZLE
I know! I’ll build them a treehouse like the one I had as a kid. (Or build it for Mom and Dad when they need to get away from the kids.) Nope! Tampa ordinances will not allow the building of a treehouse on your own property. I know, because a friend of mine built a treehouse for his two boys. It was very elaborate and sophisticated with numerous safety features, as well as electric outlets. The City made him take it down and dispose of it. Boo!
I know! I could build a hurricane shelter. Nah! That wouldn’t fly either…er…yes it would, and THAT’S the problem.
I could rent a storage POD and plant the eyesore in the middle of the yard. I could save money and build my own POD. Nah! I’d probably get sued by the POD people. Or I’d fall asleep near the POD, only to learn that the POD people were body snatchers.
What to do, what to do?
Mike is on the horns of a dilemma and can’t seem to find a way out. If you have a solution for his problem, please contact him at micwrighthamo@gmail.com. He’ll be glad you did.
Deborha WillisTampa
Connor Nicol: “We Will Remember, The Memorial Dog Tag Project”
By Kathy Megyeri
When I recently visited the US Army Heritage and Education Center in Carlisle, Penn., I was struck by an exhibit in the lobby entitled “We Will Remember, The Memorial Dog Tag Project” started by Connor Nicol, a 12-year-old who, after looking at pictures from WWII, was impressed by the young soldiers who put their lives on the line to protect America and free Europe from Hitler’s tyranny. Connor was inspired to form “We Will Remember,” a nonprofit that makes and distributes dog tags of the nation’s fallen veterans from the Korean and Vietnam conflicts.
Conner printed up cards of the names and hometowns of the fallen and attached facsimiles of their dog tags because, “I want people to care about those whose names are on the dog tags—to say their names and keep them within their thoughts and prayers.”
Connor, now 15, sends those cards and dog tags to anyone who wants them: individuals, church groups, Scout Troops, schools and veterans’ service organizations.
(a Navy veteran) helped him create an official charitable organization which accepts tax-deductible donations.
Connor was touched particularly by the Korean War because it is known as the “Forgotten War.” Connor uses information from the National Archives and invites people to “adopt” a tag, remember the veteran who sacrificed his or her life, and display the tag where it’s visible.
So far, he’s made over 120,000 tags and 85,000 have been “adopted,” so he’s included all 38,000 who died in the Korean War and 58,000 who died in Vietnam. His tags are free, and his goal is to have every person in the U.S. who wants one to have a dog tag. (Connor asks for a donation so he can continue to fund the project).
In one case, he even made a custom dog tag for an American Legion member who’d lost a best friend. Connor is worried that these days, decades later, many names have been forgotten, especially meaningful to him since so many died so young and never had a change to live and enjoy their lives.
Using his personal embosser, Connor can make 20-30 dog tags per hour and has made more than 50,000 dog tags to honor service members. He started this project small, donating $500 of his “chore money,” but his mother Beth
Connor attained Eagle Scout status in his Scout Troop 177 of Hampton, Virginia. He eventually wants to become an infantry officer with the Marine Corps, but until then, he will continue to create dog tags because it helps people understand the sacrifices that military personnel make and helps people gain a larger sense of patriotism and keep the name of the service member alive.
“Although there are many monuments and memorials, it’s important for every name to be remembered as an individual person too,” says Connor. “No one can remember all the names of those who have died serving our country but everyone can remember one name and, in that way, we will remember everyone.”
Connor can be contacted at connor@wewillremember.us.
Pioneering Partnership with Tampa General Hospital Brings a New Level of Health and Wellness to Babcock Ranch
Babcock Ranch is expanding its commitment to wellness and convenience through an exciting new partnership with Tampa General Hospital (TGH). This collaboration introduces two cutting-edge healthcare facilities to the heart of the community, offering urgent care, primary care, and a variety of specialized services – ensuring residents have easy access to world-class, comprehensive medical care close to home.
COMPREHENSIVE MEDICAL CARE
IMMEDIATE CARE FOR EVERYDAY NEEDS
At the Cypress Parkway entrance, TGH Urgent Care Powered by Fast Track is designed to address residents’ immediate healthcare needs. This 6,000-square-foot facility offers fast, efficient care seven days a week for common illnesses and minor injuries – from cold and flu symptoms to sprained ankles or cuts. The facility will provide high-quality care, ensuring peace of mind for residents who will be able to get the treatment they need quickly and conveniently.
An exciting feature of the facility is the Innovation Hub, designed to elevate the healthcare experience for Babcock Ranch residents. This hub will offer personalized care navigation, including appointment scheduling, specialist referrals within the TGH network, and access to vital community health resources. TGH will also engage with residents through outreach programs and focus groups to better understand local healthcare needs and adapt services over time.
In addition to urgent care, TGH is opening a second facility at The Shoppes at Yellow Pine to provide comprehensive medical services. This 6,000-square-foot center will offer essential healthcare for residents of all ages, right in the heart of Babcock Ranch.
The new facility will bring a range of services, including preventative care, adult and pediatric primary care, and on-site lab services. Whether residents need a routine check-up, a wellness exam, or lab work, this comprehensive medical center will provide everything they need under one roof. This addition is part of Babcock Ranch’s growing community hub, which combines healthcare, retail, and daily conveniences to make residents’ lives easier.
MOBILE HEALTHCARE SERVICES
Looking ahead, TGH is planning to bring primary care services directly to Babcock Ranch residents’ homes aboard a mobile health unit, offering an added layer of convenience for those with mobility challenges or busy schedules.
Expected to launch later this year, these mobile services will be an exciting new addition that further strengthens Babcock Ranch’s reputation as a health-focused, communitycentered environment.
BABCOCK RANCH’S HEALTH AND WELLNESS VISION
With TGH Urgent Care and comprehensive medical care facilities, Babcock Ranch continues to enhance its commitment to wellness, community, and quality of life. These healthcare services bring world-class care closer to home, ensuring high-quality medical support is always within reach.
These new facilities and the partnership with TGH are designed to meet the needs of an active, modern community providing fast and essential care when needed, as well as ongoing services for long-term health and wellness. With a focus on sustainability, convenience, and accessible care, Babcock Ranch is setting a new standard for what a community-centered lifestyle can be.
A PARTNERSHIP FOR THE FUTURE
TGH’s urgent care and primary care services enhance
Babcock Ranch’s holistic approach to wellness. With an array of health-focused amenities – from walking trails and fitness centers to sports courts and health-conscious dining – Babcock Ranch is a one-of-a-kind community where residents can nurture their mental, physical, and emotional well-being every day.
Whether it’s a brisk walk on the trails, a friendly game of tennis or pickleball, a centering yoga class, a relaxing spa treatment, or a visit to the TGH Urgent Care Center, Babcock Ranch makes it easy for residents to prioritize their health, stay active and connect with their community. And, as the town continues to grow, so too will the resources available to support a healthy, vibrant lifestyle.
LIVE WELL AT BABCOCK RANCH
From sustainable living to energy-efficient homes, Babcock Ranch is committed to reducing its environmental footprint while promoting a lifestyle where health, nature and community come together in harmony. With abundant opportunities for outdoor recreation, wellness programs, and world-class healthcare, Babcock Ranch continues to be the ideal place to live, work, and thrive.
Join our community today. See first-hand how healthcare has been seamlessly woven into the fabric of a sustainable, active lifestyle. Originally published by Babcock Ranch on babcockranch. com. Reposted with permission.
Seniors getting Together
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
WOMEN SEEKING MEN
4907 - SWF. 59 yo, 5’9”, 160 lbs, smoker, blonde hair, blue eyes. I like shing, movies, traveling, dancing, good food. Seeks SWM who likes the same.
5640 82 YEARS OLD – Looking 40, feeling 30. Very active. Dance, exercise and travel. Seeking a younger man 45 to 65. Athletic fit and willing to take care of all my needs. Tampa
5409 - WRETCHED old hagg seeking miserable old troll. If U respond U obviously have a sense of humor & R adventurous. I’m 76, blonde, petite, earthy, easy to B with. Love singing, dancing, biking, cooking, vintage cars & vintage men. Must have a little class & a lot of character.
5644 PLANT CITY WIDOW – A Plant City widow who misses her longtime husband and best friend. Searching for a white easy-going male in his 70s to meet and start a friendship with and perhaps lead to a longtime companion to share my life with. Plant City
5422 - VERY PRETTY WWF ISO FF. Long blonde hair, youthful 60’s, 5’4”, slim, ND, NS. Fine dining, dancing, theatre, travel. Looking for retired W gentleman, 5’9”, 6575, HWP, SOH. Will speak soon. Send photo & phone.
5653 VENICE, JERSEY, TRUMP, UNVAXED – I value kindness, honest, smart. I like dogs, cars, and fish. 420 friendly – looking for a match for the last chapter. Let’s meet on 41. Healthy. Phone number and picture, please. Sarasota.
5654 PURPLE HEART WIDOW
5436 - TAMPA VETERAN NEEDS COMPANION QUICKLY. SW, 60, looking for healthy, W, 45-65 for LTR. Need compuer operations, applications expert and handy homemaker. Quiet music, parks, swimming, local touring. Veteran literary a plus. Tampa.
dinner, coffee, Café, Moderate height and weight. Tampa
5419 - HAVE A NICE DAY. SWF, 75 yo, 5’5”, slender, brunette, green eyes, adventurous, love walks, parks, outdoors, healthy food. Am happy, loving, kind. LTR, intimacy? Have photo. Tampa.
5624 LOOKING FOR MALE COMPANION – A plant city widow, searching for a white, easy-going male in his 80s to meet and start a friendship with, and perhaps lead to a longtime companion to share my life with. Plant city
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
4119 - Seeking Honest gentleman. Former airline stewardess and model, 5’4”, 104 lbs., slender, white with Ph.D. in healthcare. Fulbright scholar, eats healthy and exercises. Likes sports and animals. WW. Loves the Lord. Florida.
MEN SEEKING WOMEN
5655 RETIRED SWM NS ND – 5’7” 140 pounds. No pets seeking fun gal to share my home and life. Preferably retired. Pleasant, playful, passionate, practically perfect. Pretty, peaceful, quiet area. All answered with photo, phone number and description, please
5411 - BM seeks LTR with 50-65 yr old woman of character. I am 6’0”, 180 lbs, 60 year old. NS. Children are adults. Free to travel. I am a one woman man. Race is not an issuecharacter is!
5407 - ISO BF, 50+, slender build who likes to read, go out to eat, movies, laid back, enjoys laughter & is drama free. Look forward to hearing from you. I am a WM, 5’11”, 155 lbs, NS and drama free.
seeking t, attractive, female. Very handsome, very t senior. 5’11”, 175, blue eyes, silver hair. Let’s enjoy life’s pleasures. Dunedin.
tabby cat and a nice condo. In search of a SWF or Asian fun loving, easy going, smiles, NS, Pinellas Park. Please be local. Thank you
5417 - PINELLAS PARK, FUN LOVING SWM, seeking SWW to enjoy sports activities, bridge, dominoes, pinochle and swimming at Mainlands. I’m 88 and very active. Looking for SWW over 70. I’m 6’3”, 235 lbs and a dancer. Pinellas Park.
5667 RETIRED DWM – NS. ND. Debt free. Night owl. Seeking same for passionate LT. 55 to 71. Overweight is OK. I like playing cards and true crime TV. Phone number, please. Brandon
5646 – Do you like the Elks, American Legion, movies, TV, shopping restaurants, happy hour, kissing and holding hands? Great! I am a SWM seventies 5‘6“, NS, ND, SOH. With a black cat and a nice condo. ISO a SWF or Asian fun and easy-going, loving, smiles, NS. Pinellas Park, please be local.
To PLACe An AD: Send your ad, stating what edition(s) you would like it placed in, along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the Lifestyles After 50 address listed below. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue.
To ReSPonD To An AD: Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad # on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: Lifestyles After 50 Seniors Getting Together P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583
CommonLY USeD ABBReViATionS:
– Seeks a companion, not a new husband. Pretty and fun. Love, scuba, boating, real crime and travel, 420 friendly. Kind, smart, single. You could be happy. Picture and Phone, please. Venice.
5427 - SEEKING SINCERE, HONEST GENTLEMAN. I’m 70s, HWP, NS, ND, like to meet SWM with same interest for LTR. Laid back, no drama. Like animals. Hillsborough & Pasco.
5662 SWF – retired P looking for FF. Secure. Seeking SWM. Snowbird OK. I’m in Port Charlotte full-time. Hoping for a partner physically fit, dancing, restaurants, travel, cards, church, lover of holding hands. Sociable NS &ND. Enjoys holidays. Please send phone number and picture.
5425 - SINCERE CHRISTIAN WOMAN desires C-man who really loves God and is active, lives a healthy life, helps his neighbor, enjoys nature (including picnics), canoeing and a friend to all animals. I’m all of the above. I’m a W ,etite lady with long hair and chearful. Age 60’s, Age preferred: Mid 50’s and up. I live in Hillsborough County. Please write me, tell me about yourself.
5431 – LONELY WWF, looking for love & companion. Man should be 70 to 80 yrs old. I am nancially secure, have a car & condo. I live in N. St. Pete.
5663 SHF 64 – Looking for active male 60 to 73 NS. Likes to drive, beach, walk in parks. Watching TV and cuddling on the sofa. Romantic. Friends first, maybe LTR. Send a photo and phone.
5429 - HERE, DURING COVID-19 IN S. FT. MYERS. ISO friendship only with W, widower in early 80’s. SOH, honest, NS. I am W, WW, HWP, attractive & intellgent. Please respond with phone/email. Be safe & well.
5664 THE QUEST – A woman seeking adventure & savoring the moments. SF. Creative, foodie, staying fit, nearing 60yy. If not now, when? SOH. Conversationalist, beach, museums. Dare I suggest dancing? Yes!
5413 - WW ISO BUDDY, FRIEND to pal around with who’s about my age, 80’s, gal or guy with SOH. Good health, nancially secure to have fun & enjoy life. No Trumpers or religious zealots please. Let the good times roll.
5637 SWGF – 70 years young. What the world needs now is…. well, gentlemen, you decide! I’m willing to share my time with you, walking,
5622 HI – A VERY MATURE – W, M, 140 lb., white hair, brown eyes, of reasonable looks, 5’8”. In Tampa. NS, SD only. Shall we meet for coffee, and see? Yes, my parents are of Italian descent, but born in the USA. Seeking H, W, P, lady who is mobile and likes life, but wants more. Trump can offer a better life. Now you know how I think.
5668 – Marine, outdoorsy and Scandinavian descent. Handy, fit, clean, and healthy. Looking for a woman with a couple of these traits in or near Sarasota. Let’s try and grow together in the sunshine!
5415 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, P, FF, likes cards, walks, cooking, travel, fun.
F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WWWidow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old, YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NSNon Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height & Weight Proportional, R-Retired, P-Professional, FF-Friendship First, TLC-Tender Loving Care.
5424 - HI, Lonely guy, WM, 5’8”, 160 lbs, a young mid-seventies, NS, NS, t, active and adventuresome. Seeks lady, mid-sixties to early seventies, HWP, exercises, possible romance, LTR. Let’s be happy and celebrate life.
5638 HELLO. SWM SEEKING – petite relocatable gal to be my companion, best friend, life partner and lover. I’m secure, easy going, loving and romantic. NS, ND. 5’7” 150lbs. Share my life and home. Save that rent. Send photo and phone number please. No pets.
5393 - SWM, 69, 5’11”, AVG. Hair black, thinning, DAV, honest, sincere, relocated Hudson. Retired Leo. ISO WHF, widow preferred, attractive, sm. butt, NS, ND, handy homemaker, intimacy yes, no baggage, drama.
Seniors Getting Together
5642 SWM – Y 71 SOH, open-minded. ISO fun HWP F for ST LT. 33701, W, NS, ND. I'm fun, enjoy dancing, cuddling, affection. Outdoors, walking , holding hands, karaoke, romantic movies, much more. Not into sports.
(First 4 Words)
5428 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, R, TLC, 70’s. Likes sharing many activities together, quiet evenings; be adventurous.
5426 - EASY GOING MAN. I’m 69, 140 lbs, 5’7”, widower, lives alone. Seeking other gentlemen for friendship, to get together and enjoy each other’s company. Will answer alll.
5648 SBM, 73 – Happy holidays! Enjoy Florida and all it has to offer. Would luv to meet single lady, (race unimportant) to have a great time with. “Old skool” kind of guy. Riverview.
5369 – Looking For Ms Right. Retired New York Attorney, former New York Police O cer, looking for loving relationship with kind and sincere, self-caring lady. 65 – 75. Widow preferred. Clearwater area.
5665 – Wanted men and ladies who love to sing. No previous knowledge required. It’s fun for all ages. If you’re too busy to sing, you’re to busy. Venice Gondoliers Singers.
5412 - LOOKING FOR ADVENTEROUS WOMAN. SWM, NS, healthy, retired, enjoys country music, home cooking, day trips to scenic attractions, sun rises, sunsets, movies, walks in the park. For more info, write me. Pinellas County.
(No Charge)
Email: If more room is needed, please use separate sheet. Mail this form along with $6 for each ad per month (add $4 for each additional edition/market in the same month). We cannot accept your ad without it. This information is confidential.
5416 - LOOKING FOR COMPANION. SWM
5666 –Do you like the Elks, American Legion, movies, TV, shopping, kissing and holding hands? Great! Also, restaurants and HAPPY HOUR? I am a SWM, 5’6”, 175lb, 79yy, NS, ND, SOH with a black
Social Security Q&A
Information from Social Security Administration
Question: How much can I receive if I qualify for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits?
Answer:
The amount of your SSI benefit depends on where you live and how much income you have. The maximum SSI payment varies nationwide. For 2025, the maximum federal SSI payment for an eligible individual is $967 a month and $1450 a month for an eligible couple. However, many states add money to the basic payment. For more information, go to www.ssa.gov/ssi.
AROUND TOWN
NOVEMBER 6: THOMAS DOLBY
Mt. Dora Music Hall, 530 N. Baker St., Mt. Dora
NOVEMBER 7: EVENING WITH EMERSON, LAKE, & PALMER
Mt. Dora Music Hall, 530 N. Baker St., Mt. Dora
NOVEMBER 7: DAVID OLIVER WILLIS
Uncorked, 120 N. Bay St., Eustis
NOVEMBER 8: VETERAN’S DAY PARADE
Towne Square, 500 W. Main St., Leesburg
NOVEMBER 8: VINTAGE MARKET
Question: I served in the military, and I’ll receive a military pension when I retire. Will that affect my Social Security benefits?
Answer:
You can get both Social Security retirement benefits and military retirement at the same time. Generally, we don’t reduce your Social Security benefits because of your military benefits. When you’re ready to apply for Social Security retirement benefits, go to www.ssa.gov/applyonline. This is the fastest and easiest way to apply. For your convenience, you can always save your progress during your application and complete it later. We thank you for your military service!
Question: My neighbor became mentally disabled as a result of an accident. Does Social Security have a special program for people who are obviously physically or mentally disabled?
Answer:
Social Security is committed to providing benefits quickly to applicants who are severely disabled. Through our Compassionate Allowances program, we can quickly identify diseases and other medical conditions that qualify, based on minimal objective medical information, and that allow us to make payments much sooner than the usual review process allows. Compassionate Allowances is not a separate program from the Social Security disability insurance or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs. People who don’t meet the Compassionate Allowances criteria will still have their medical conditions reviewed by Social Security. Learn more about our Compassionate Allowances at www.ssa.gov/ compassionateallowances
Ocala Citizen’s Circle, SE Osceola Ave, Ocala
NOVEMBER 8: FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL
Circle Square Commons, 8405 SW 80th St., Ocala
NOVEMBER 9: OCALI COUNTRY DAYS FESTIVAL
Silver River Museum, 1445 NE 58th Ave., Ocala
NOVEMBER 9: ART IN THE PARK
Wooton Park, 100 E. Ruby St., Tavares
NOVEMBER 13: ZEN AWAKENING FESTIVAL
Windy Acres Camp, 1350 Miller Blvd., Fruitland
NOVEMBER 14: SECOND FRIDAY
E.L. Puryear Building, 243 S. Lake Ave., Groveland
NOVEMBER 14: QUILT SHOW
The Venetian Center, 1 Dozier Cir., Leesburg
NOVEMBER 14-15: HOLIDAY CRAFT SHOW
World Equestrian Center, 1750 NW 80th Ave., Ocala
NOVEMBER 15: KAYAK & PADDLE BOARDING
E.L. Puryear Building, 243 S. Lake Ave., Groveland
NOVEMBER 15: A MAN NAMED CASH
Sharon L Morse Performing Arts Center, 1051 Main St., The Villages
NOVEMBER 21: DAVID OLIVER WILLIS
Marmaduke’s Lodge, 215 W. Main St., Leesburg
NOVEMBER 22: CRUISE-IN
Ferran Park, 250 Ferran Park Dr., Eustis
NOVEMBER 23: GEEK FEST
Ocala Downtown Market, 403 SE Osceola Ave., Ocala
NOVEMBER 27: LIVE MUSIC
Eden Abbey Brewing Community, 405 S. Highland St., Mt. Dora
NOVEMBER 29: TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL
Spanish Springs Town Square, 1120 Main St., The Villages
NOVEMBER 30: HOWEY ARTISAN MARKET
Mission Resort and Club, 10400 FL-48, Howey-in-the- Hills