Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, June 2025

Page 1


Know the Difference: Alzheimer’s vs. Normal Aging

As we age, it's completely normal to notice some changes in how our brains work. Maybe you misplace your keys more often or forget someone’s name for a moment. That’s a normal part of aging. But sometimes, memory problems can be signs of something more serious—like Alzheimer’s disease.

So, how can you tell the difference?

What’s Normal Aging?

With normal aging, you may:

• Forget where you left things but find them later

• Struggle to find the right word now and then

• Miss a monthly bill once in a while

• Feel slower at learning something new

These small lapses don’t interfere with your ability to manage your day-to-day life. You’re still able to carry out your routine, recognize familiar people and places, and make sound decisions. Occasional forgetfulness is part of aging, but it doesn’t stop you from living independently and fully.

What’s Not Normal?

Alzheimer’s affects memory and thinking in a much bigger way. You may notice:

• Forgetting important dates or events and not remembering them later

• Trouble following a recipe or balancing a checkbook

• Getting lost in familiar places

• Struggling to carry on a conversation

• Big changes in mood or personality

Unlike normal aging, these changes make daily life harder and can be alarming to both you and your loved ones.

Common Myth: “Memory Loss Is Just a Part of Getting Old”

Truth: Some memory loss is normal, but serious memory problems that affect daily life are not a normal part of aging.

If you or a loved one is noticing these changes, don’t wait. Early support can make all the difference.

Talk to a VIPcare provider today to schedule a memory check and get personalized care you can trust. Call 941-909-3224 to schedule your appointment.

Happy Father’s Day to Dads Everywhere

June has finally arrived, and with it, the first official day of Summer. Despite the fact that we here in the Deep South have been blessed with summery weather for months now, it’s still nice to celebrate the summer solstice on June 22.

It seems appropriate to celebrate fathers – and grandfathers – everywhere just as the weather is beginning to heat up. When my brother and I were kids, we loved those looong summer days! Dad worked two jobs, but it was still light when he got home about seven, and there was still time to play outside.

At that time, we all played soccer – my position was right wing forward and my brother was a fullback or the goalie – my dad was the coach. At the end of the season, our “Orange Crushers” (complete with terrible fluorescent orange shorts and a white shirt with orange stripes) had lost all nine games, but my teammates all chipped in for a potted cactus which sat on dad’s desk for many years, happier and healthier than his career as a soccer coach.

If you’re not playing outside with the (grand)kids, Father’s Day on June 15 is also the perfect excuse to fire up the grill

and grab a few steaks (see the recipe for Steak Diane). There’s also lots of fresh produce to be had (see the delicious Banana Cake recipe), so go wild with the dessert, too.

If yours is the kind of (grand) dad who loves gifts, the best things we’ve seen lately are monogrammed ice cube molds (available on Amazon and Etsy); a stainless steel grill wok ($40, Sur la Table) or stainless steel roasting basket ($45, Sur la Table); or perhaps splurge on a bottle of Russell’s Reserve 10 Year Old Bourbon (about $50, available at many liquor stores), which scored an impressive 92/100 on VinePair.

If you’d prefer a handmade gift, try completing and framing a pretty pedigree chart – FamilyTree.com has a lovely version that looks like an antique tree with leaves. Bonus points if you use a fountain pen or write in calligraphy!

However you choose to spend your Father’s Day, I wish you fair skies, cool breezes, and hot coals. Enjoy!

Lifestyles After 50

Volume 36, Issue 6

Published by Connected Community Media Group Publisher@lifestylesafter50.com

Editor Michele Baker

Michele.Baker@lifestylesafter50.com

Website Editor Allie Shaw

Allie.Shaw@lifestylesafter50.com

Distribution Distribution@lifestylesafter50.com 813-336-8247

Questions/Customer Service 813-336-8247

Press Releases Editor@lifestylesafter50.com

Advertising Sales Sales: (813) 336-8247 Ext. 2 Sales@lifestylesafter50.com

Nancy Cotto

Nancy.Cotto@lifestylesafter50.com

Joe Gess: 813-817-9855 Joe.Gess@lifestylesafter50.com

Joan Marchand Joan.Marchand@lifestylesafter50.com Bob Hart Bob.Hart@lifestylesafter50.com

Funfest & Event Sales Events@lifestylesafter50.com To

Lifestyles After 50 P.O. Box 638 Seffner, Florida 33583 (Fax) 813-331-2634 www.lifestylesafter50.com Attention Readers:

Photo by James Patterson

Just in Time for Father’s Day: Daddy-O’s

To celebrate Father’s Day, I am creating a new breakfast cereal in memory of my dad. My dad ate the same breakfast every morning. The menu never varied and although my mother was a working executive, she dutifully made and served him his breakfast. Shocking? We didn’t give it a second thought.

What did he eat every morning? Was it cereal? Eggs? Cereal was a minor part in a meal that began with half of a grapefruit, then corn flakes to which he added a tablespoon of wheat germ, then a softboiled egg, toast, and of course coffee.

It has been said that how you start your day is important. Breakfasts are important. They set the tone and the energy level for the day. With that in mind it is time to rescue breakfast from the world of cereal and pop tarts. I plan to create a breakfast cereal that will start each day with a blast and will keep the energy going well past three, four and five p.m. My product will be nutritious, wholesome and I refuse to acquiesce to circles, squares, or flakes. Should I go with mush? No. I love oatmeal but let’s be honest, oatmeal lacks the desired “blast” element. I have it! Mini omelets that come to life when milk is added. Voila! I can work on the recipe later. The important marketing plan comes first.

A successful blast-into-your-day cereal needs a name that will propel it from the shelf to the grocery cart and that name is – drum roll please, or better yet, spoons tapping cereal bowls – Daddy-O’s. Each box of Daddy-O’s will be

packed with a special treat. Each box will have a teeny, tiny book to read while eating the cereal. This is a part of my anti-electronic diversion plan. Too many breakfasts are spent staring at cell phones and scrolling emails for those allimportant messages.

The teeny tiny book will have READ ME on the cover inspired by the classic “Alice in Wonderland” and inside there will be a motivational verse or a thought for the day. Will the thought for the day be a quote from a famous historian or philosopher? A Bible verse, perhaps?

Or perhaps something a little more contemporary. (I’m conservative, but I am open to certain secular ideas that enhance and promote a high level of spiritual reality provided they are not day-to-day trash.) Perhaps a reggae inspired “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” or Alfred E. Newman’s classic “What, Me Worry?” People may ask: “I don’t know Miss Pat, mini-omelets, Bob Marley, Mad Magazine… Why not do something with chocolate? Chocolate is always a winner.”

It may take me awhile to get the cereal into production, so if you cannot find Daddy-O’s on your grocery shelf, I strongly suggest you celebrate Father’s Day with any gift of chocolate. We love you, dads!

Patricia Finn is the author of “Walking With My Foot In My Mouth” available on Amazon Books.

Social Security Q&A

Information from Social Security Administration

Question: I need a benefit verification letter for the County Housing Program, how can I get one?

Answer: Get a benefit letter to show that you receive benefits, have submitted an application, or don’t receive benefits.

This documentation is often needed for loan applications, housing assistance, and other processes that require verification of your income. It may be referred to as a “proof of income letter” or “benefit letter” and is personalized based on the status of your Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, and Medicare coverage.

Sign into your web account or use our automated phone assistance.

Call 800-772-1213 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish). When you hear “How can I help you today?” say “proof of income.” TTY: Call 800-325-0778 if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.

Question: I changed my bank account. How can I update my direct deposit information?

Answer: Edit details about your bank account so we can continue to deposit your monthly benefit check on time.

Sign into your web account and tell us what changed with the bank account you use for direct deposit.

Depending on the benefit type, you may need to call us to complete this task. Call 800-772-1213 (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish). When you hear “How can I help you today?” say “direct deposit.” You will need to provide your current direct deposit routing number and account number to change your information over the phone.

TTY: Call 800-325-0778 if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.

Question: I would like to verify my upcoming and past benefits amounts; how can I check?

Answer: Check the schedule to see your upcoming and past payments.

Sign into your web account. The date you get your benefits every month depends on your birthday and the type of benefits you get. View the timing for your upcoming and past payments.

Or use our automated phone assistance. Call 800-772-1213 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week in English and Spanish). When you hear “How can I help you today?” say “checks.” TTY: Call 800-325-0778 if you’re deaf or hard of hearing.

June Is Here, and With It,

Hurricane Season

Nearly every 2025 hurricane name has been used before, and some have a deadly past. The start of the Atlantic hurricane season is now here, and some forecasters have already warned that it could start with a pre-season tropical depression or even a tropical storm.

Andrea is the first storm name for the 2025 hurricane season, which consists of 20 other names picked years in advance by an international committee called the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Anyone who has lived in a hurricane-prone area may recognize some of the names on the list, which isn’t unusual. The WMO chooses hurricane names from a pool that is rotated every six years.

In fact, it’s more uncommon to see a new name pop up on the list. Hurricane names are occasionally retired, but it takes a pretty substantial hurricane to make it happen. The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season was historic enough to warrant the retirement of Beryl, Helene and Milton. After the infamous 2005 hurricane season, the WMO retired five names: Dennis, Katrina, Rita, Stan and Wilma.

Here’s a look at this year’s hurricane names:

• Andrea

• Barry

• Chantal

• Dexter

• Erin

• Fernand

• Gabrielle

• Humberto

• Imelda

• Jerry

• Karen

• Lorenzo

• Melissa

• Nestor

• Olga

• Pablo

• Rebekah

• Sebastien

• Tanya

• Van

• Wendy

Lights, Camera, Model Trains!

Images courtesy of Gary Baker and Project Roar Publishing

Book: “Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains: A Photo History of an American Icon,” by Roger Carp, Project Roar Publishing

Collecting and running model trains is a cherished tradition in many American households. For many in the 1940s and 50s, it was a quintessential activity that shaped the relationships between children and parents, particularly fathers and sons. A new book, “Lights, Camera, Lionel Trains: A Photo History of an American Icon,” by Roger Carp rides the wave of nostalgia as Lionel trains celebrates 125 years of railroad toys.

“People can’t help but smile when remembering how, just by pressing a button, they brought to life…a tiny worker who tirelessly pushed shiny cans out of a model refrigerated milk car… or [that] the animation could dump lumber or unload piles of coal,” begins the introduction. “No one can forget the thrills of watching a hefty metal toy locomotive pull brilliantly colored rail cars thanks to the miraculous electrical current dashing through thin wires.”

Over 100 pictorial essays in this lush coffee table book explore the life and career of Joshua Lionel Cowen, creator of the nowfamous toys; model trains’ impact on Hollywood, politics, athletics, and postwar family life; and how Lionel electric trains became an American pop cultural and social icon of the 20th century.

Lionel trains continue to bring families together. Retired Midwest steel executive Gary Baker is passing on the tradition of model railroading to his grandson Cullen in the spacious basement of his Pekin, Illinois home. “Madison was the first completed section of the C&W RR in 2005,” says Baker. “It started with a DVD from Model Railroader Magazine which showed how to build your own HO scale railroad step-by-step. Cullen wanted to build it, so with a little help from [me] the 4’ x 8’ town scene ended up being a prominent destination on the larger C&W Railroad. Before we set the town scene in place, Cullen and I painted the background landscape on the wall.”

“The idea for the [model] railroad was to reproduce my hometown of Lindenwood in scale size,” says Baker. “The centerpiece is a model of Strang Brothers Garage, built in 1911 and run by two half brothers, Charles and Frank Strang. It was the first garage west of Chicago on the IC Trail that did repair work on automobiles as they became popular in the 1920s.”

Baker’s HO-scale C&W (Culpepper and Western) Railroad was named after Cullen’s childhood nickname and habit of drowning his supper with ground pepper. The C&W main line is 225 feet long, the equivalent of about 3.7 miles, and spreads out over 600 square feet of basement. The scale model was built from scratch based on pictures in “Story of a Prairie Town” about Lynnville and Lindenwood, Illinois. Every building is to scale, right down to the number of concrete blocks, which were individually hand made for the real building.

Across the street from the garage is Bearrows Grocery Store, also to scale and built from scratch based on pictures in the same book. “The interior of the upstairs apartment is even completely furnished the way I remember it,” recalls Baker. “Jean and Myrtle Bearrows, who owned the store, lived there and since [my] mom worked at the store, I was in the apartment many times.”

Lindenwood’s claim to fame at the turn of the century was a major sheep shearing operation with wool being shipped as far as England via the Chicago Great Western Railroad that ran through Lindenwood between Olewein, Iowa and Chicago. There were as many as 30,000 sheep at times and the feeding pens were located along the railroad tracks. The water tower in the background is right where it originally was and the windmill kept the water tower and livestock water troughs full.

popular size since it is half the size of the O gauge Lionels (hence “HO”) and you can get more trains in the same space. Due to its popularity, HO also has the largest selection of engines, rolling stock, and to-scale scenic materials.”

Baker’s 16 engines are all equipped with Digital Command Control complete with actual recorded engine sounds, whistles, and bells. All are remotely controlled – and sounds remotely played – via Wi-Fi handheld throttles; with an app, it can also be run by smartphone. It takes five people to operate the layout in a typical fashion, running freight and passenger trains over an enthusiastic two-hour session.

Baker is well on his way to becoming one of the 785 National Model Railroading Association’s Master Model Railroaders worldwide. (The National Model Railroading Association (www. NMRA.org) is celebrating 90 years at its upcoming national conference on July 14-19 in Novi, Michigan.) Seven categories must be completed; he is currently working on the Chief Dispatcher Award for his fifth certificate, and as the current Superintendent of the Illinois Valley Division, will have Certificate #6Association Official, after two more years at the helm.

Interested? There are nearly two dozen model train stores and clubs in central Florida, including:

• Orlando Society of Model Railroaders (Orlando)

• Suncoast Model Railroad Club (Largo)

The multiple-room model railroad passes through holes cut into the sheetrock and painted to look like tunnels. In addition to Lindenwood and Madison, there is a bridge, a steel mill (“Lotsa Iron, Inc.”), Talbott Sawmill, and several passenger trains.

“I model in HO scale which is 1:87,” says Baker. “HO is the most

“I guess railroading is in my blood,” finishes Baker. “When Grandpa [Frank] Strang was living in Byron, Illinois, another stop west of Lindenwood on the CGW Railroad, he and Grandma met, and they started dating. Before he moved to Lindenwood, Grandpa regularly hitched a ride back and forth on the milk train between Byron and Lindenwood… just to court Grandma.”

• Ocala Model Railroaders (Ocala)

• Citrus Model RR Club (Inverness)

• Scale Rails of Southwest Florida (North Fort Myers)

• Gulf Coast Model Railroad (Sarasota)

• West Pasco Model Railroad Association (New Port Richey)

• Model Train Market (Ocala; online only)

• Realrail (Bradenton)

Steak Diane

You can also use filet mignon; this dish is really all about the magnificent sauce! Substitute whiskey for the brandy, or plain beef broth for an alcohol-free version. Recipe adapted from and image courtesy of Pioneer Woman (www.pioneerwoman.com)

Ingredients:

• 2 (8-oz.) strip steaks

• Kosher salt & black pepper, to taste

• 2 Tbsp. salted butter

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil

• 1 small red onion, finely diced

Method:

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced

• 1 tsp. fresh thyme leaves

• 1/2 cup brandy

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 Tbsp. whole-grain mustard

• 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

Heat a large heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat. Season all sides of the steaks generously with salt and pepper.

Heat the butter and oil in the skillet. Add the steaks, and cook to the desired temperature, about 3 minutes per side for medium-rare (130°F internal temperature). Remove the steaks to a cutting board to rest.

Add the onion, garlic, and thyme to the steak drippings in the skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring, to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the skillet from the heat. Add the brandy and stir to combine.

Return to the heat and deglaze the pan, scraping the bottom with a wooden spoon to release all the flavorful bits. Stir in the heavy cream, mustard, and balsamic vinegar, and bring to a simmer. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper, and let cook to thicken, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.

To serve, slice the steaks, spoon the sauce on top and sprinkle with chives.

THE HEALTHY GEEZER

Facts About Fiber

Q. Does fiber in your diet reduce cholesterol?

There are two types of fiber, soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber is acted upon by the normal bacteria in your intestines. Insoluble fiber is not digested by the body and promotes regularity and softens stools. Wheat bran, whole grain products and vegetables are good sources of insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber appears to reduce your body’s absorption of cholesterol from the intestines. Oatmeal contains soluble fiber that reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL), the “bad” cholesterol that can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. This type of fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, brussels sprouts, apples, pears, barley and prunes.

The American Dietetic Association recommends a healthy diet include 20-35 grams of fiber a day, including both soluble and insoluble fiber. (Soluble fiber should make up 5-10 grams of your fiber intake.)

There are other foods that work against cholesterol. Soy protein, found in such products as tofu, soy nuts, soy milk and soy burgers, can help lower blood levels of LDL cholesterol, particularly when it’s substituted for animal protein. Eating 25 to 50 grams of soy protein a day lowers LDL cholesterol by 4-8 percent. People with the highest cholesterol levels seem to benefit the most from soy protein. Women who are at high risk of breast cancer should consult with their doctors before eating soy; it is not clear how plant estrogens might affect them.

Studies have shown that walnuts can significantly reduce cholesterol levels in the blood. Rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, walnuts may also help keep blood vessels healthier and elastic. When walnuts represent 20 percent of the calories in a cholesterol-

lowering diet, they reduce LDL cholesterol by 12 percent. Almonds appear to have a similar effect.

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are noted for lowering triglycerides, another form of fat in your blood. The highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are in mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna and salmon. Other good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil and soybean oil.

Some foods are fortified with plant substances called sterols or stanols, which are similar in structure to cholesterol; this helps them block the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines. Margarines and orange juice that have been fortified with plant sterols can help reduce LDL cholesterol by more than 10 percent.

The American Heart Association recommends that foods containing plant sterols should be reserved for adults requiring lower total and LDL cholesterol levels because they are at high risk of a heart attack.

Of course, if you’re a geezer and you plan to make a change in your habits that could affect your health, it is recommended that you consult your doctor first.

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.

the florida orchestra

the universal language of music.

HOUGH FAMILY FOUNDATION MASTERWORKS

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9

Mozart’s Jupiter Symphony

Strauss’ An Alpine Symphony

Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7

Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 and much more.

RAYMOND JAMES POPS

Bugs Bunny at the Symphony

The Billy Joel Songbook America 250 Troupe Vertigo Defying Gravity

Summer Breeze: Yacht Rock Holiday Pops and much more.

Maximilian Hornung
Michael Francis, Music Director
Jeneba Kanneh-Mason
Lisa Vroman

Music Flashback: “Love Will Keep Us Together”

In early 1975, Toni Tennille and Darryl Dragon sat in the Los Angeles office of A&M Records. Company executive Kip Cohen played them a track from the latest Neil Sedaka album, a bouncy ditty called “Love Will Keep Us Together.” “The minute I heard it,” Tennille remembered later, “I knew we would do a number on it.”

In San Francisco a few years earlier, Tennille had co-written songs for an ecology-based rock musical called “Mother Earth” (the first Earth Day was in 1970). The show was about to move south to Los Angeles, and the troupe’s pianist couldn’t make the move. Tennille ran an ad seeking a replacement keyboardist.

Enter Darryl Dragon, the son of orchestra leader Carmen Dragon. Dragon was known in the industry as “the Captain.” Beach Boy Mike Love had often teased keyboardist Dragon about wearing a yachting cap onstage during tours. “The Captain” was in between gigs, so he

jetted to the Bay Area, met with Tennille and was hired. Neither musician realized that they would spend the rest of their careers together.

“Love Will Keep Us Together” hit the top of the Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for four weeks. It became Captain and Tennille’s signature song and was named Record of the Year at the 1976 Grammy Awards ceremony. The remaining days of the 70s brought the hitmaking pair half a dozen more hits.

In 2009, Neil Sedaka recorded a children’s CD which included the track “Lunch Will Keep Us Together.” Funny, huh? Before you laugh, though, be aware that that disc earned a whopping 86% approval rating on Amazon!

Movie Preview: “The Life of Chuck”

Based on a novella from Stephen King’s 2020 book “If It Bleeds,” there’s a touch of the ironic and the supernatural in “The Life of Chuck.” There’s also no denying a “Twilight Zone” vibe that thrums throughout the two-hour tale.

“Chuck” follows a traditional three-act structure, but the tale from King-fan director Mike Flanagan (“Gerald’s Game,” “Doctor Sleep”) unfolds backward, with three boys playing younger versions of the titular character. Surprisingly, Flanagan’s approach works perfectly, as each vignette is improved by the presence of the one before it.

In King’s story, Earth is taking its final gasping breaths, as each passing day brings more tragedies, more heartbreak and more discouragement.

television and radio, and the message becomes more ubiquitous with each passing 24 hours.

The only constant thread here is a mysterious retirement notice that keeps appearing from a local bank, thanking Charles “Chuck” Krantz (English actor Tom Hiddleston: “Loki,” “Midnight in Paris”) for “39 wonderful years.” The peculiar proclamation appears on billboards,

Following the story, we see how Chuck lived his life, from his work as an accountant to his childhood spent with his doting grandparents (Mark Hamill, Heather Langenkamp).

“The Life of Chuck” celebrates beauty and the elements of fabric woven into everyone’s life; a collection of memories that gain meaning in hindsight. What is ordinary becomes extraordinary as Chuck’s story celebrates connections with loved ones, the taste of favorite foods, impromptu dancing, and other small, simple joys that define our existence.

“The universe is large, and it contains multitudes,” proclaims Chuck, “but it also contains…ME.”

The story, in all its heart-warming (if slightly muddled) glory, is the cinematic equivalent of a big bear hug, something we could all use right now.

The Neon Pictures release opens June 6.

Armchair Adventures: Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao: The A-B-C Islands of the Southern Caribbean

Looking for a glimpse of Dutch heritage in the Caribbean? Just off the coast of Venezuela and below the hurricane belt, the “A-B-C” islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao—offer sun-drenched beaches, rich history, and vibrant culture rooted in their Dutch colonial past.

A IS FOR ARUBA

Aruba’s desert-like terrain is dotted with more cacti than you can count. If you’re ever lost, look for the iconic divi-divi tree—nature’s compass, always pointing southwest. Aruba’s capital, Oranjestad, mirrors Amsterdam’s Dutch charm, with pastel buildings featuring gabled roofs topped by ornate flourishes.

Still a Dutch colony, Aruba follows Dutch law—sometimes in surprising ways. Local guides explain that legal quirks here can be unsettling to outsiders. For example, if an intruder enters your home and you harm them, you might be charged with assault. Lock them inside without alerting police within two hours, and you could face kidnapping charges. Drinking and driving? Technically legal. These differences make understanding local law essential.

The mysterious 2005 disappearance of American student Natalie Holloway highlighted the complexities of Aruba’s legal system and brought international scrutiny to the island.

B IS FOR BONAIRE

Of the three islands, Bonaire stands out for its quiet beauty and natural wonders. Though now a special municipality of the Netherlands, its colonial roots run deep. Originally dismissed by the Spanish as uninhabitable, the island later became valuable for livestock and salt production. Today, one of its most popular attractions is a wild donkey sanctuary—remnants of animals once used for labor.

The island’s oldest village, Rincon, was built inland to avoid pirates. Homes here are surrounded by cactus fences—effective and very local. In Bonaire’s capital, Kralendijk, you’ll find pink salt flats that once sustained the island’s economy. These vivid salt pans—colored by high salinity and microorganisms—are still harvested today, and the tiny pink slave huts built for salt workers remain as historical markers.

The native language, Papiamento, is a fascinating blend of African, Portuguese, Dutch, English, and Spanish—a linguistic patchwork reflecting centuries of cultural exchange.

C IS FOR CURAÇAO

Known as “the island of healing,” Curaçao earned its name when abandoned scurvy-ridden sailors recovered by eating local fruits rich in vitamin C. But not all its history is so benevolent.

Curaçao played a central role in the Transatlantic Slave Trade. European ships arrived with weapons, exchanged them for enslaved people in Africa, and traded those captives in the Caribbean for sugar, tobacco, and cocoa—resources sent back to Europe.

Today, Curaçao’s colonial architecture, thriving arts scene, and colorful waterfront make it a popular destination, despite its painful past.

SMART TIP

While these islands are welcoming and beautiful, remember: their legal systems differ from what many travelers expect. Before you visit, take time to learn the local laws and customs. A little preparation goes a long way in ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip.

With her daughter Natalie, Evelyn Kelly, PhD is co-author of the bestselling book “Have a Love Affair with Travel.”

43. Those who dine on the house

45. Sharpeners

46. Suffix for assist or attend

JUNE

47. Grouch’s problem

48. Deeds

51. Perform for

cROSSWORD puzzle

56. Underground growth

57. Public disturbances

58. Hair color

Fill in the answers and win great prizes! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win.

48. Weapons 49.

60. Horse’s feature

61. Habituate

Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number and email to: Lifestyles After 50

62. Slacken

63. Suffix for mob or gang

64. Desert fruits

LAST MONTH'S WINNER: Mike Underwood, Sun City

65. Snooze

P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

Conquering the Cotton Beast

I’ve finally achieved what most men have not! Throughout most of my adult life this has been an ongoing challenge. But now I’m proud to announce that I have set a new precedent for generations of Wrights to follow.

I feel as though I’ve ascended the peak of Mount Everest and planted a flag to mark my victory. I’ve won the Greek Olympic games and had a laurel wreath crown set atop my head. I’ve danced with the stars and taken home the mirrored disco ball.

I’ve beaten the wicked bundle that once laughed – nay, smirked – at me from the corner of a shelf.

CROSSWORD PUZZLE #5148

CROSSWORD PUZZLE #5148

But not this time. I snatched it from its lofty perch and flung it down with such force that it begged for mercy. Then, as I replayed in my mind the instruction videos I stirred up from the bubbling cauldron of muck they call “Google,” I began the process which enabled me to proudly join the ranks of MWCFAFS: “Men Who Can Fold A Fitted Sheet.”

Afterwards, I stood there gleefully gloating. I did it and I did it well. So well, in fact, that I grabbed a second sheet and did it again.

I patted it down into a flat, tidy bundle and set it on top of its predecessor.

As my insomniac wife lay sleeping, it was all I could do to keep from waking her up to show off my conquest. An hour later, she thanked me profusely for letting her sleep in, then praised my achievement.

Tonight she’s taking me shopping for a new hat, since mine no longer fits.

If you are planning to get rid of any size 8-1/8 (or larger) ballcap, sombrero, beret, fedora, or pork pie hat, please contact Mike at micwrighthamo@gmail.com. He will be ever so grateful.

BOOK REVIEW by Kathy A. Megyeri

“Dad, Did You

Know…..”

“The Little Book of Answers, The How, Where and Why of Stuff You Thought You Knew,”
by Doug Lennox

This small but delightful gift book is especially treasured by trivia buffs and those who want to give Dad a little treat he can enjoy. It is chock full of short descriptions of popular idioms, sayings, and tidbits about our customs and traditions. It covers people and places, pop culture, customs, sports and leisure, trivia, politics and history, war and the military, holidays, animals, words, expressions, beliefs and superstitions. Here are some examples:

Where did the cry “Geronimo” originate from, particularly as sky divers jump from planes?

According to legend, when cornered at a cliff’s edge by the U.S. Calvary, Geronimo screamed his own name as he leaped to his death to escape them.

Where did the 21-gun salute originate?

In 1688, the Royal Navy regulated the guns to be used in saluting different ranks. For a Prime Minister, it was 19 but for royalty or heads of state, it was 21.

was called “taptoe,” meaning “shut off the taps,” a signal for bar owners to cut off beer and wine. After lights out, the signal meant soldiers were safely home.

Where did the saying “the whole nine yards” come from?

In WWII in the South Pacific, American planes’ machine guns were armed on ground with .50 caliber ammunition belts that measured 27 feet (nine yards) in length before being loaded into the fuselage. If the pilot fired all his ammunition at a single target, it was said he’d given it the whole nine yards.

Why is the bugle call known as “taps”?

In the 17th century, the British borrowed the Dutch custom of sounding the drum and bugle to signal troops that it was time to stop socializing and return to the barracks for the night. This

Why do we call people either “hawks or doves”?

In 1798, Thomas Jefferson coined the term “war hawk” for those who sided with the war. In Genesis, Noah sent a dove out to see if the water was receding and it returned with an olive branch indicating land was near. The modern term began with the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Where did the term “paying through the nose” come from?

In Northern Ireland in the 9th century, the British taxed Irish households and if a person didn’t pay, his nose was slit.

Where did he term for dollar become a “buck”?

The Indians taught the Europeans the value of buckskin in trading.

Why is the Los Angeles baseball team called “The Dodgers?”

Before moving to LA, the Dodgers were based in Brooklyn, NY. In the 19th century, pedestrians called themselves “trolley dodgers” because they had to dodge trolleys and carriages on their walk to the game, so the team called themselves Dodgers in their honor. When they moved to LA, they took the name with them.

Many more joyful tidbits are included for Dad’s enjoyment. Happy Father’s Day!

Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.

The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers.

SUDOKU

June 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

Trivia Palooza

June Hurricane's. What year?

Audrey, a Category 5 hurricane, caused significant damage and loss of life along the Louisiana coast. What year?

Beryl became the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record in June. What year?___________________________

Camille, a Category 5 hurricane, made landfall in Mississippi with devastating consequences. What year?

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:

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 backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in

Nancy Erickson, Cape Coral

THIS MONTHS' CATEGORY: MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

WORD SEARCH

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?

Category:

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 Brittany Orwin, Clearwater was our May winner!

May Answers: May 2-4, 1946, May 10, 1872, May 15, 1905, May 23, 1934

Please enjoy playing our Crossword, Sudoku and Word Search Puzzles. The more puzzles you play & submit, the better chance you have to win!

Tracey Flowers, Brandon

How a Falling Market Can Help Cut Taxes in Retirement

With the ongoing market uncertainty, fueled by trade tensions, inflation concerns, and looming fears of an economic slowdown, many investors are understandably on edge. However, periods of market volatility can present unique financial planning opportunities. One such opportunity to consider during this market pullback would be a Roth conversion.

A Roth conversion involves transferring funds from a pre-tax retirement account, such as a traditional IRA or 401(k), into a Roth IRA. Although the amount converted is subject to income tax in the year of the transaction, the key benefit is that once in a Roth IRA, the assets grow tax-free, and qualified withdrawals in retirement are also taxfree.

During a market downturn, retirement accounts may temporarily decline in value. This presents a timely opportunity by converting more shares for the same tax cost, positioning your Roth IRA for greater potential tax-free growth when the market recovers. Essentially, you’re “buying low” within your own retirement account, with future gains shielded from taxes.

A Roth conversion isn’t right for everyone. Before initiating one, consider the following factors:

• Future Tax Rates: If you anticipate being in a higher tax bracket in retirement, a Roth conversion now, at lower tax rates, may be advantageous. With the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to sunset soon, future tax rates are uncertain, adding urgency to the decision.

• Impact on Your Current Tax Bracket: Conversions are taxable as ordinary income. A large conversion could push you into a higher bracket, reducing the net benefit. It’s often wise to convert only enough to stay within your current bracket.

• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs): Roth IRAs are not subject to RMDs during the original account holder's lifetime, unlike traditional IRAs and 401(k)s. Converting can help you reduce or eliminate future mandatory withdrawals.

• How to pay the taxes: With a Roth conversion, you can either pay the taxes separately or have the taxes withheld when you perform the conversion. Ideally, taxes on the conversion would be paid from sources outside the retirement account. Doing so allows the full pre-tax amount to enter the Roth, maximizing future tax-free growth.

Rather than converting your entire account balance in a single year, it may be more tax-efficient to spread the conversion over several years. This approach helps avoid bumping you into a higher tax bracket and gives you more control over the tax impact.

Before proceeding with a Roth conversion, it’s essential to consult a qualified financial advisor or tax professional. They can help you evaluate whether this strategy aligns with your overall financial goals, assess the tax implications, and guide you through the process.

While market volatility can be unsettling, it also creates opportunities for proactive planning. A well-timed Roth conversion could be one of the most impactful steps you take toward building a more secure, tax-free retirement.

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.

5635 SWF RETIRED, SECURE, 80YY – ISO trustworthy, honest man NS-ND. Enjoy quiet times, pleasant conversation, dining out, social gatherings and listening to music. I share piano music as a pianist. Friendly and fun. Sarasota area.

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.

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

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.

5643 SWCF. VERY LONELY. – ISO N/S man who can slow dance. I go to Elks, Moose and Eagles. I have a condo near Bay Pines. I’m 85 years old 5’6” tall and enjoys day trips. Leave a message. St Pete.

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.

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

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.

5651 FS 70YY HWP – Greenlight. Spirit filled woman. Medical career. Retired. Enjoys friends, planting flowers, music, movies, reading and fishing. Peace. Send me a note. Tampa.

retired. Pleasant, playful, passionate, practically perfect. Pretty, peaceful, quiet area. All answered with photo, phone number and description, please

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.

5656 – Do you like the Elks, American Legion, movies, TV, shopping, kissing, holding hands? Also, restaurants and happy hour? Great! I am a SWM, 70s, 5‘6“. NS, ND, SOH with a black tabby cat and a great condo. In search of SWF or Asian. Fun, easy-going, smiles NS. Pinellas Park. Please be local.

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

seeking t, attractive, female. Very handsome, very t senior. 5’11”, 175, blue eyes, silver hair. Let’s enjoy life’s pleasures. Dunedin.

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.

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.

5660 LOVER OF GREAT LITERATURE –Want to read to an interested woman one of two novels by Janet Taylor Caldwell, Glory In The Light, Dear and Glorious Physician, Abstinence senior in Sarasota, in search of a woman.

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.

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.

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.

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.

5654 PURPLE HEART WIDOW – 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.

5657 LOOKING FOR A MAN –

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.

Physically fit 35 -75 with hair. Would love to go to Vegas for NFR and FL. Likes NASCAR and a plus if you like Paso Finos and beach. Reply with phone and location. Bradenton

MEN SEEKING WOMEN

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.

5655 RETIRED SWM NS ND – 5’7” 140 pounds. No pets seeking fun gal to share my home and life. Preferably

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.

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.

5630 LOOKING FOR FEMALE COMPANION – I’m 80, YY, SD, SM, LTR, FF, TLC. I like fishing, golf, going to the beach, spending time with family, watching TV, watching movies cuddling on sofa. Romantic. She should like the same, plus some of her own. Lehigh Acres

5415 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, P, FF, likes cards, walks, cooking, travel, fun.

5659 HELLO, MY BEST FRIEND –Sensual, eager, caring, intelligent, pleasure, fun, lighthearted, optimistic, warm hearted, peaceful, flexible, understanding, generous, happy, shy, modest, sentimental. Backgammon. You: Vital ageless, sensible. Man seeking woman. Sewing? Sarasota

5658 - IT ALWAYS GETS EASIER – Confident, great looking male seeking great looking companion for fun and shenanigans female. 40 - 65 I like anything outdoors, beach, hiking, water skiing, maybe stargazing. N/S, SO, LTR, FUN. Punta Gorda.

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:

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.

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.

5629 – WANT TO TAKE A TRIP TO ALASKA? Fly there and back, motorhome camping & Jeep waiting for us there, sightseeing & fishing. I am 86 YY, WM,WW, C,NS, 5’9” 165 lbs, SOH. Excellent health, very active. Southern country gentleman. I'm looking for a long-term companion to finish our life's journey. I've been a home & business owner in Tampa for over 60 yrs . I am an active and healthy person looking for similar qualities in a partner. I have all my own teeth and hair too. Give me a call and maybe we can have some fun. Marvin

5428 - M, WW, NS, SD, HWP, R, TLC, 70’s. Likes sharing many activities together, quiet evenings; be adventurous.

(First 4 Words)

Seniors Getting Together

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.

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.

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.

5624 SEARCHING FOR LTR – N/S. I enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Looking for someone to share it all with. Age and looks are not important. Will answer all. Palmetto

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)

Name: Address:

Phone: 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

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.

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

This vintage cake recipe is adapted from Grandma’s church picnic cookbook, updated slightly using modern methods. Let’s bring back this well-loved treasure from another era and remember why it’s a classic!

Ingredients for the cake:

• 2/3 cup shortening

• 1-1/2 cups sugar

• 2 large eggs, separated, room temperature

• 2 cups mashed bananas (about 4 medium)

Ingredients for the frosting:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

• 1/4 cup butter, softened

• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°.

AROUND TOWN

• 1 cup 2% milk

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking powder

• 1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• Dash salt

• Sliced banana, optional

In a chilled bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Set it aside.

In another bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add bananas and milk; mix just until combined.

Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture and mix just until blended.

Gently fold beaten egg whites into batter.

Pour into a greased 9” x 13” baking pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 30-35 minutes. Cool completely on a wire rack. Meanwhile, make the cream cheese icing:

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until fluffy. Add the confectioners’ sugar, vanilla and salt; beat until smooth. Spread over cooled cake. Store in the refrigerator. If desired, serve with sliced bananas.

NOTE: Avoid overmixing banana cake. Stirring too much will create more gluten, which will lead to a dense cake. For a soft and light cake, stir just until the ingredients are combined.

JUNE – JULY: ROOKERY BAY BOAT AND KAYAK ECO-TOURS

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd. Naples

JUNE 8: NATIONAL BEST FRIENDS DAY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL

Laishley Park, 200 Laishley Ct., Punta Gorda

JUNE 12: JUST GETTING STARTED TOUR

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, FSW 13350 FSW Parkway, Ft. Myers

JUNE 13: COMEDY THEATER

Visani Italian Steakhouse, 2400 Kings Hwy, Port Charlotte

JUNE 14: LUKE BRYAN: COUNTRY SONG

Jetblue Park, Power Alley, Ft. Myers

JUNE 14: SWFL SPACECON

German American Social Club, 2101 SW Pine Island Rd, Cape Coral

JUNE 14: TALKIN’ TENNESSEE – CHASE AND LEGREE

Bar 17, 3149 Duncan Rd., Punta Gorda

JUNE 19: CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, FSW 13350 FSW Parkway, Ft. Myers

JUNE 19: COMMOTION: A TRIBUTE TO CCR

Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, FSW 13350 FSW Parkway, Ft. Myers

JUNE 21: ESSENTIALS OF DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

Rookery Bay Environmental Learning Center, 300 Tower Rd. Naples

JUNE 21: DAVID KOECHNER

Off the Hook Comedy Club, 2500 Vanderbilt Beach Rd. #1100, Naples

JUNE 22: ALEJANDRO FERNANDEZ

Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero

JUNE 25: HEART

Hertz Arena, 11000 Everblades Pkwy, Estero

JUNE 27: TRU PHONIC

Celtic Ray Public House, 145 E. Marion Ave., Punta Gorda

JUNE 28: QUEEN VS ABBA

Music & Arts Community Learning Center, 13411 Shire Ln., Ft. Myers

JUNE 28: GUNS AND ROSES TRIBUTE

Budda Live,12701 McGregor Blvd., Ft. Myers

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Lifestyles After 50 Southwest Edition, June 2025 by Lifestyles After 50 Magazine - Issuu