Mature Lifestyles Mar. 2012 Lake/Marion edition

• Travel: Callaway Gardens • Surviving the Unimaginable • Baby, You Can Drive My Car • Help Me Stop Smoking

Tending Our Little Flock— It’s All It’s Cracked Up To Be Dear Readers,

“I

t shouldn’t be this much fun to keep happy healthy chickens in your own backyard… but it is!” (from the online Janice Doyle, blog: Chicken Editor Keeping Secrets) These days if I wonder where Dear Husband is, there’s a good chance he’s out back on a “tour de coup.”

Our mixed-breeds “girls”—hens named Katarina and Ophelia (blacks), Click and Cluck (reds) and Dominique (black and white)—require some sort of checking on five or six times a day.

Reality? Nothing much changes in their coop or attached chicken yard during any 24-hour period. We find it fun, however, to just go out and watch their antics. Or toss them some (quite expensive) cracked corn. Or just stand and talk to or about our girls.

How we became suburban chicken ranchers is one of those marriage things.

I said: “I always loved chickens growing up on a farm.”

DH heard: “Janice wants chickens.”

The new-aluminum-porch-salesman said: “Hauling away the old wood is included in the cost.”

DH heard: “We’re planning to take cedar 4 x 4s and 2 x 8s to the dump! Some of it is past using, but the rest…”

A day later I asked: “What’s your new book?”

DH replied: “Raising Chickens for Dummies.”

And that’s how DH became Facilities and Maintenance Director for our little chicken ranch and I became Acquisitions and Distribution Manager.

His hand sketches and lists of supplies were free. Wire fencing, nails, hinges and locks were definitely not. He was “man, the provider” as Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 2

with the other girls. he flashed his credit To say “sounds like card at Home Depot a bunch of old hens” and wielded his power makes sense as we listen saw on boards stretched to their universal sound over sawhorses. The of braaaaap, braaaap. man and his tools beA good alpha rooster came a thing to behold. tells the world when the And then one day our sun is about to rise and pleasant chicken kingthen crows again when the dom was completed. sun has followed up on Our future girls would the statement. We don’t go in and out from think our neighbors would coop to yard on a clever Katarina enjoy that information, so ladder; their covered there will be no alpha rooster on our yard fence would allow no predators. ranch. That means no fertilized eggs.

A wire floor on the raised coop area I never explained that to Katarina, and offered the Maintenance Director she recently tried to “brood,” sitting on easy cleanup for the anticipated six a nest day and night like a good “mothor seven pounds of manure each er hen.” We didn’t leave her “nest egg” chicken is predicted to provide each under her (lest it become “a bad egg”). year (think flower beds here).

You get the picture. We have We took DH’s credit card and made our way to the Tractor Supply store in fresh eggs which I, as Distribution Manager, figure are now costing us Plant City to shop for supplies. Waabout $5 each considering expenses terer? Check. Feeder? Check. Grower mash? Check. Magazines for backyard to date. Because of the girls’ mixed heritage, one red hen lays dark brown chicken people like us? Check. eggs, the other lays large creamIt was time to find our first girls. colored eggs, and our little black From ads on Craigslist, we finally hens lay small creamy white eggs. chose four babies and settled in to get For us – empty nesters that we connected in a small way to the earth, to the reality of food sources, to nature. are – raising chickens has become a point of conversation, a joint Cliches based on chickens come endeavor we created together. to mind.

The fresh eggs? Well, they’re “Pecking order”: Katarina and really all they’re cracked up to be.

Ophelia were—and still are—at the And, if this makes you homesick top of the pecking order. Guess what? to have chickens, it’s cheaper to They’re just a family of siblings watch a flock live on hencam.com. who’ve had to work out how to I’m not kidding! Someone put a live together, as one writer said. webcam on their backyard flock.

We added Dominique recently We’ll not be doing that. and discovered that our girls didn’t want a stepsister and the pecking became real. She now has her own little coop next to the bigger yard, and Cluck sometimes still rushes the fence trying to henpeck her.

In the ad “Great Senior Events” Ophelia was “mad as a wet hen” that ran in last month’s edition, the when we carelessly left the nest box date for the Senior Fun Fest at the door open and she “flew the coop.” I St. Petersburg Coliseum was incorfound her circling the chicken yard, rectly listed as March 28. The event rushing headlong at the fence every will be held on March 27, 2012. few feet trying desperately to get back

Correction

Lake/Marion & Sumter

Published monthly by News Connection U.S.A., Inc.

General Manager: Dave Tarantul davet@srmagazine.com Publisher/Director of Events & Marketing: Kathy J. Beck kathy@srmagazine.com Editor: Janice Doyle

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ATTENTION READERS: The articles printed in Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. The Senior Connection/ Mature Lifestyles endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Senior Connection/ Mature Lifestyles reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for the April 2012 issue is March 15, 2012.

Magazines are out by the 7th of each month.

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H5427_SNP_ADV2_File and Use_12252011 Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 3

Local Theater Still Putting on Great Country Music Shows

And each weekend ountry singer Garth hundreds of Brooks once said, music lovers “Just keep taking chances go to the and having fun.” That Eustis theater seems to describe what for jammin’ Chuck Eck is doing as he and singing, and his daughter and sonfood and fun. in-law Charlene and Scott The Opry Stewart keep the Florida Theater’s Scott and Charlene Stewart.

Sunshine Opry turning music scene out great shows every weekend. is held together by a local band For more than 10 years now, with Forest Rodgers, lead guitarist. the Florida Sunshine Opry has He says, “The whole band is made been going strong. With some up of long-time professional big name artists coming in and musicians” who love to play and lots of local talent, the Opry sing country music. offers good family entertainWatch for music of the 50s and ment in a clean environment.

60s sometimes, too. That’s when the There’s no smoking and no alcohol house band switches from country allowed at Florida Sunshine Opry. music to rock ‘n roll. Charlene’s The food is simple and good—hot mother used to call them the New York dogs, BBQ and popcorn. That way, Greasers when they made the switch Charlene says, “People can come and the name has stuck. So, if you like enjoy the fun and the music.”

Rock-n-Roll, watch for the Greasers.

BY JANICE DOYLE

C

In winter months, Nashville March Schedule or Branson regulars often at Florida take the stage, and in the Sunshine Opry: summer months, entertainers 8 Johnny Alston’s besides the Opry band are Motown and typically from the local area.

Vondal Moore: $14 “Some of our popular shows are tribute shows—to 10 Tribute show John Denver, Willie Nelson to Willie Nelson and others,” says Charlene, and Waylon so watch for those too.

Jennings (2 and The Opry Band on stage.

The economy’s downturn 7 p.m.): $15 for the past couple of years 15 Straggard Strait Band: $10 has hit the Florida Sunshine Opry hard, Charlene says. “We’re always happy to 17 Jason D. Williams (Jerry Lee have the snowbirds back in town to enjoy Lewis style performer): $17 the music.” She adds, “We also under22 Gospel Night with Pastor John stand that many of those who attend our and The Logo’s: FREE shows are older people, and they start having health problems and can’t return.” 24 Tribute show to George Jones: $13 But the music goes on. If you feel 31 New York Greasers/ ‘50s like “jamming” every once in a while, and ‘60s music: $12 take advantage of every Friday’s open mic night. You can go the the The Florida Sunshine Opry is at 431 Opry and sing or play onstage with Plaza Dr., Eustis. For information, call the Opry Band. $7 admission.

(352) 357-4448. Online at fsopry.com.

Expert? What Makes an Expert? BOOST® Sampling Tour Coming To You!

T

he following are quotes by those considered “experts” in their fields at one time:

“Everything that can be invented has been invented.” ~ Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.

“The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?” ~ David Sarnoff’s associates in response to his urgings for investment in the radio in the 1920s.

“There is no likelihood man can ever tap the power of the atom.” ~ Robert Millikan, Nobel Prize in Physics, 1923.

“Airplanes are interesting toys but of no military value.” ~ Marechal Ferdinand Foch, Professor of Strategy, Ecole Superieure de Guerre, France.

“640K ought to be enough for anybody.” ~ Bill Gates, 1981.

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 4

“This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.” ~ Western Union internal memo, 1876.

“Drill for oil? You mean drill into the ground to try and find oil?

You’re crazy.” ~ Drillers who Edwin L. Drake tried to enlist to his project to drill for oil in 1859.

“Stocks have reached what looks like a permanently high plateau.” ~ Irving Fisher, Professor of Economics, Yale University, 1929.

“Man will never reach the moon regardless of all future scientific advances.” ~ Dr. Lee DeForest, Father of Radio and Grandfather of Television.

“I’m just glad it’ll be Clark Gable who’s falling on his face and not Gary Cooper.” ~ Gary Cooper on his decision not to take the leading role in “Gone With The Wind.”

P

eople in the U.S. are living longer than ever before. Many seniors live active and healthy lives. But the simple fact is that, as we age, our health and nutrition needs change. To stay fit, it’s important to get the right amount of nutrition in your daily diet.

But even if you know which nutrients you need every day, if you don’t have much of an appetite or if health problems make eating difficult, it’s sometimes hard to fit in the calories, protein, vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy aging.

Complete Nutritional Drinks can help seniors fill the nutritional gap that their meals don’t cover. BOOST® is offering samples of their product at upcoming Senior Fun Fests in St. Petersburg and Port Charlotte.

(Learn more about BOOST Complete Nutritional Drinks at boost.com.)

As part of a 20-week Florida Sampling Tour, a number of expos and events attended by senior communities will be offering samples of different BOOST flavors and formulations.

BOOST is also partnering with Walmart to sample the product at more than 70 stores. Giveaways include coupons, educational materials and a BOOST reusable tote bag. In addition, consumers can try the “Which BOOST is Right for You” iPad app.

“We are pleased to reach out to the Florida senior community through the BOOST Sampling Tour,” said Abigail Buckwalter, Marketing Manager.

“The tour will offer an immersive experience that educates seniors about the benefits of BOOST and inspires them on the road to healthy living.”

Join us for a great opportunity to meet our friends from BOOST at these upcoming Senior Fun Fests. March 27 at the St. Pete Coliseum, 535 Fourth Avenue North, St. Petersburg from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, (727) 892-5202.

Also on April 12 at the Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (941) 625-4175. For more information about the Senior Fun Fests, call 1-888-670-0040.

Around Town

The EASY BOARDING Bicycle by

W H AT ’ S H A P P E N I N G M A R C H 2 0 1 2

T

hrough April 1 “Three from Cuba: The Art of Vicente, Miguel and Sandro—The Fantastic to the Sublime” art exhibit. Appleton Museum, Ocala. (352) 291-4455.

9

and 10 14th Annual Pig on the Pond BBQ Competition & Festival. Waterfront Park, Clermont. $2 admission. (352) 516-5897.

10

Mel Tillis at Orange Blossom Opry, Weirsdale. 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. (352) 821-1201.

13

Minnesota Reunion Picnic for present or former Minnesotans.

Hickory Point Recreational Facility.

9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch at 11:30 a.m.

Bring covered dish to share, personal table service. Info at (352) 771-0151.

15

Bon Tempos play dance music at Tavares Civic Center.

7 to 9 p.m. (352) 742-6305.

Terrace Mobile Home Park, 24 Sunrise Lane, Fruitland Park. 7 p.m.

Admission is $10. (352) 728-8892.

22

Florida Lakes Symphony Orchestra Performance – La Chaim-To Life. 7:30 p.m. “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Schindler’s List,” more. $45/door. St. Patrick Catholic Church, Mount Dora. (352) 589-1500.

23

The Zookeeper, free Movie in the Park. 7:30 p.m. at Jervey Gantt Rec Complex, Ocala.

Details at (352) 368-5517.

23

Debby Boone in concert.

7 p.m. Tickets: $36 to $44.

Circle Square Cultural Center, Ocala.

Call (352) 854-3670 for more info.

23

through April 8 Theatre production of “Grease,” Melon Patch Playhouse, Leesburg.

Tickets and info: (352) 787-3013.

16

31

17

31

Parade of Senior Services from non-profit agencies. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission. Central Florida College, Ewers Century Center, Ocala. (352) 368-5517.

Sun Cycle Center 100 W. Burleigh Blvd.

(Hwy. 441) Tavares, FL 32778

352-343-4181 • Unisex step-through design engineered in Germany • Cross bar is only six inches from the ground, so you can easily step-through the bicycle • Upright seating position for less back pain and clear view of the road

Santos Trailhead Bicycle Shop 8900 S. US Highway 441 Ocala, FL 34480

352-307-2453

• Relaxed arm position for more control

For more dealers contact Biria USA: Tel: 201-461-1980 www.biria.com

Black Bear Festival. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts and crafts, food vendors, Carr cabin tours, black bear tours, more. Cadwell Park, Umatilla. (352) 669-3511.

Ocala’s St. Patrick’s Day Pig Out BBQ Bash competition.

Festival. 4 to 9 p.m. Live music, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Hosted by dancing, food, crafts. Downtown the Junior League of Ocala. Florida Square, Ocala. (352) 368-5517.

Horse Park, Ocala. Information at (352) 368-0993 or visit online: “Great Moments in Opera” juniorleagueofocala.com.

by Central Florida Lyric Opera. 3 p.m. Williams Fine Arts Send Around Town news to Senior Aud., Lake Sumter Community Connection Magazine, 1602 S. Parsons College, Leesburg. (407) 292-2143.

Ave., Seffner, FL 33584; please fax (813) 651-1989. News must be “Mentalmania” by Mark received by the 10th of the month prior Stone, Mentalist, at Lakeside to event (i.e. March 10 for April event.)

18 22

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 5

Live the Sporting Life for

BY EVELYN MACKEY

“W

hen all is said and done, it’s not the shots that won the championship that you remember, but the friendships you made along the way.”

Seniors universally know that regular exercise, along with a good diet, good medical care, good genes and a bit of luck, can postpone getting to that place called “old.” And today’s seniors are redefining “sports” as they accommodate damaged knees or hips—or as their bodies just plain say “slow it down, buddy.”

The thing is that they want to be outside living the sporting life because they still enjoy competing. An added bonus is that they don’t have to prove anything to anyone anymore as they adapt to less strenuous sports.

Here are some of the sports enjoyed in Florida:

Paddling Kayaking has become the favorite water sport for senior paddlers.

Kayaks are faster, easier to steer (because of the low profile) and easier to manage in strong wind than canoes. SOTs (Sit On Top) kayaks even come with a small wheel mounted under the stern to make it easy for one person to pick up and walk it to or from the water.

Paddle boats are yet another type of kayak propelled by your feet on pedals much like a cyclist would pedal—especially good for those with arm or shoulder problems who can’t wield the conventional paddle.

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 6

Lawn Bowling The sport of lawn bowling takes on the look of a scene straight out of The Great Gatsby with people dressed in white moving gracefully around a green court. It’s a fun lawn or court game where the objective is to roll slightly asymmetric balls so they stop close to a smaller ball (or bowl). Here in Florida it’s an outdoor sport which draws dozens of people who enjoy it as a low impact, therapeutic form of exercise.

Pickleball Pickleball is a court sport, sort of a combination of tennis and ping pong.

It’s played with lightweight paddles and whiffleballs with four players per court. Look around for a local group.

Shuffleboard Now being considered a “retro” sport by a younger generation, shuffleboard is a peaceful sport.

Health Fun and

There’s a soothing, quieting effect to the gentle scraping sound of the pucks on the court. Players use broom-shaped paddles to push weighted pucks down a narrow and elongated court hoping they’ll come to rest within a marked scoring area.

Of interest: The world-famous St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club is experiencing a surge in popularity by turning the club into a complete Friday night experience for all ages. Hundreds attend for food, music, dance and a feeling of acceptance. Trivia: In its heyday of the ‘30s through the ‘60s, the St. Pete club had 110 playing courts and a membership of over 5,000.

Horseshoes Horseshoes is an old sport, historically played most anywhere horses were found. The goal is to throw horseshoes at a stake in the ground with scoring based on how close the horseshoe gets to the stake.

Men and women who love this sport attest to its physical and mental attributes as an aid to staying young.

Physically there’s lots of walking, bending, resistance, etc. The mental workout includes using mental math, thinking for strategy, decision-making skills and much more. Add the social component and it sounds like the perfect sport!

Friendship

Cornhole Toss Cornhole or Corn Toss is a great driveway sport for ages 2 to 102.

It’s similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called platforms and corn bags. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the platform until a contestant reaches the score of 21 points.

This sport is more portable than horseshoes because it doesn’t require sandpits, so once you have your platform it becomes a takealong sport which builds flexibility and balance. It’s also great for those with mobility issues.

Other sports to consider are bocce ball, disc golf, badminton, archery—and good, old, free walking!

Helen Hayes was right when she proclaimed, “Resting is rusting.”

We can’t stop the clock, but we can slow its tick and enjoy life with sports and teammates.

What Is The Radiologist’s Role In Your Care?

Y

our radiologist is often behind the scenes working closely with your primary care physician and/or specialist to aid in the diagnosis, and sometimes the treatment, of the entire spectrum of disease. There is often confusion in the general population with what role your radiologist plays in your medical care.

The term radiologist is used to refer to a physician with residency training and board certification in diagnostic radiology.

A radiologist is also trained to provide imaging guided biopsies and directed therapies such as steroid injections for pain management, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of vascular disease. This is not to be confused with a radiation oncologist, who is a physician primarily trained in internal medicine with further specialization in the treatment of cancers through the use of focused radiation therapy. While there is some “sharing” of the same technologies (CT, nuclear medicine), they are two distinct and separate fields of medicine.

The radiologist uses many forms of imaging to diagnose disease and pathology.

RAO PACS Mature Lifestyles.pdf 2/6/12 The primary modalities at a radiologist’s

disposal include CT, MRI, nuclear medicine/PET, ultrasound, diagnostic “x-ray/ fluoroscopy. The specialty has grown by leaps and bounds with both exciting discoveries in new technology as well as steady, significant improvements in technology that has been around for 100 years.

One common misconception is that the newest, most technologically advanced modalities will always be the “best” for any given situation. For example MRI does NOT have the highest spatial resolution (the ability to distinguish two points as distinct) of all the available modalities. That honor in fact belongs to digital mammography. The strength of MRI lies in its very high contrast resolution. This means it can often distinguish cancer from noncancerous tissue that may have the same density, but will typically have different cellular makeup that can be highlighted and contrasted by MRI. An example of a recent breakthrough would be the use of newer injected contrast agents such as Eovist that are used for MRI imaging of the liver. A 10:05:43 in AM the liver may be cancerous, “lesion”

benign, or somewhere in between. Now more than ever we can make the appropriate decision on whether to biopsy/ treat a lesion in the liver versus, with more confidence, dismiss it as benign.

CT uses x-rays and, with the aid of powerful computer processing, reconstructs the internal anatomy of the human body in striking detail. Recent advances include much lower radiation doses per exam and much faster imaging time. Imaging time with CT may be only a few seconds where as a complete MRI can take as much as 45 minutes or longer. This increase in imaging speed allows us to image structures never before possible, such as the coronary arteries. A “multislice” scanner of 48 or higher can “freeze” an image from a single heart beat to produce a clear image of the coronary arteries similar to that provided with a conventional invasive angiogram.

Another use of CT in the evaluation of the heart includes coronary artery calcium scoring. This specialized exam uses additional computer programming to calculate the amount of calcium deposited in the wall of the coronary

arteries. Calcium in the wall of arteries is an indicator of atherosclerosis but, by itself, is not an accurate predictor of who will have a cardiac event. Therefore it is NOT a replacement for angiography, but aids in risk stratification and guides management decisions. A person with “intermediate” risk factors for heart disease with no calcium deposits will have similar rates of future cardiac events as patients with low risk factors.

High calcium deposits combined with intermediate risk factors are associated with a much higher rate of future cardiac events. Patients may benefit from more aggressive medical management similar to what would be recommended if they had high risk factors. At this time it is not recommended for all patients, but its use in guiding treatment recommendations has been shown recently in medical literature to be increasingly valuable.

Your local radiologist can help answer questions about other advances in radiology, and help you and your doctor decide what test or tests are right for you.

Call (352) 671-4300 for more info.

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 7

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 8

Yearning for the Past While Driving into the Future

BY JOHN C. LIBURDI

E

ven though many decades have passed since the Beatles song “Drive My Car” was a hit, Paul McCartney’s words still ring in our collective ears: “Baby you can drive my car.” Given that Paul was to be chauffeuring a lady star of the screen, the car had to be a grand automobile.

Such a car was easy enough to find back then, but a magnificent automobile might be rather difficult to find in this era of advanced technology and futuristic vehicles. My senility notwithstanding, one would have to agree that most of today’s cars look to be cold techno toys, not unlike scary UFOs. Back in the day, cars had real personality and powerful presence.

I yearn for the elegance of the sculptured fenders that graced my postwar Pontiac Torpedo, beautifully flared out with sweeping curves.

Like many other cars of the ‘40s, 50s and ‘60s era, its wheels were

adorned with big silver hubcaps, looking like four huge jewels.

I also miss the art deco hood ornaments that used to be on those cars, gleaming figures of jet aircraft, exotic animals and semi-nude women, all truly inspiring. Then there were those massive, curvy chrome bumpers of yesteryear, each one heavier than a trendy Smart car.

And much like that grouchy old lady at the counter in the burger joint once asked, “Where’s the beef?” I’m asking today’s automakers, “where’s the fins?”

The dramatic evolution of the automobile is clearly evident in today’s advertising hype.

Forget about the car’s mechanical attributes; instead, everyone is excited about how many channels the satellite radio receives, how the navigation system leads the driver by the nose to a given destination, and how upscale cars autonomously maneuver into a parking spot while the stupid humans inside just watch.

Now everyone is suddenly fascinated with those highly innovative push-button starters, like our cars had way back when.

Of course, people who market high tech autos hide the fact that a driver can’t yell at his kids in the back seat anymore; to do so would get the car’s computer all confused about the voice commands he previously screamed into the dashboard.

It’s true that my lingering love for old cars is largely a matter of infatuation, but it’s not that I’m stubbornly stuck in the past. The new cars are just becoming stranger and stranger to me as technology evolves.

I guess some of us are simply destined to suffer from future-shock.

Indeed, the day is coming when cars will travel without a driver at the wheel.

Research engineers are eagerly working to bring that concept into being.

When it happens, we’ll all be relegated to mere passenger status and, sad to say, Paul McCartney won’t be able to drive that big car for his Hollywood diva anymore.

On the bright side however, the two of them will be able to enjoy more time together in the rear seat, just like we did back in the good old days!

(Liburdi lives in the Charlotte, NC metro area. His recent book ItalianAmerican Fusion: Italy’s Influence on the Evolution of America is available at internet bookstores and on the Kindle e-reader.)

The Pontiac Torpedo.

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 9

Veterans Corner

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Ex-POWs: Surviving the Unimaginable and Dealing With It

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just threw my watch in the “Ten-ten AM, trash. I got it as a gift a while Thursday, back—and it was something November 30th, else. It had four different 2011” digital displays, about a dozen buttons, was waterproof to about a thousand feet, and I think it could even tell me the weather. I’ll never know, though, because, like I said, it’s in the trash. Turns out it couldn’t do the one thing I want a watch to do … tell me the correct time. It always ran a little slow, which was bad enough, but there were so many displays and they were so small that I couldn’t easy-to-understand voice. So whether tell the time even if it was accurate. you’re driving to an appointment or When I tried to reset it, I pushed the dining in a candlelit restaurant … you wrong button and set it on military time, are sure to know the exact time. Press and I couldn’t figure out how to switch it the button again and it will even tell you back. That was the last straw. Now, I’ve the day and date if you want. There’s got a great watch. It’s super-accurate, even an automatic hourly chime. easy-to-read, and it will even tell … yes tell … me the time. Best of all, I’ll never Try it for yourself… it’s risk-free. have to set it! This is the watch I’ve The US Atomic Clock cost billions to been waiting for. build and maintain, but you can have the next best thing for less than one Whether you travel or not… this watch is hundred dollars. Thanks to a special a necessity. This Talking Atomic Watch arrangement with the manufacturer, from firstSTREET maintains its we can offer you this watch at a phenomenal accuracy because it is special price with our exclusive designed to receive a signal from home trial. If you are not completely the US Atomic Clock in Fort Collins, amazed by the accuracy and quality Colorado. This clock is the standard of this product, simply return it within for time measurement worldwide… it 90 days for a “No Questions Asked” can go 20 million years without gaining refund of the product purchase price. or losing a second! It never needs to Call now. be set, because it automatically adjusts itself for daylight savings time and leap years.

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POWs He talked about POWs. “Two things dward Dement, 88, is Commander are foremost in the memories of of the Florida Gulf Coast ChapWWII POWs held in Europe: winter’s ter of the American Ex-POWs and cold and the lack of food. The POWs former National Director of were young, but the the group. It is an elite group ones who suffered who have survived the unmost were the men imaginable and lived to talk who had a wife and about it, if not to outsiders, child back home. then at least to each other.

I was assigned to DeMent’s easy smile and deliver mail and I articulate speech make it easy saw their agony.” to forget that, during WWII, Some ex-POWs he and five others parachuted don’t want to join, from a damaged B-24 (part DeMent said, of the 456th Bomb Group) because they don’t in April 1944. He weighed like groups, but he Edward DeMent and 160 pounds that day over feels that as you framed memories of Yugoslavia and remembers get older there’s his POW days. hearing a dog bark as he more locked in landed in a fir tree and fell to the your mind and sharing helps you deal ground, dislocating both kneecaps with it. Men often don’t talk about and suffering many other injuries. their experiences to non-members but The captured men were treated enjoy sharing with other ex-POWs. well for a time in a camp supplied A few years ago, the director of the with food rations by the Red Cross National Prisoner of War Museum and with books and athletic equip(at Andersonville, Georgia) asked ment by the YMCA. (The pilot told DeMent to help them find a way the men to bail out, thinking he to extend the impact of the POW would go down with the plane.)

Museum. DeMent has worked with When Russia closed in to liberate the museum in planning and developthe camp, the men were forced ing a new mobile museum called to leave in twenty below zero “Victory from Within: The American weather, marching toward Stalag Prisoner of War Museum.”

Luft III outside of Munich. When DeMent will be honored later this that camp was liberated by General year at the unveiling of the 1,200 Patton himself on April 29, 1945, square foot traveling exhibit which DeMent weighed only 110 pounds. will introduce the public to the He went back to Chicago, married, prisoner of war story through worked and raised a family. Like present-day experiences. most POWs, Dement experienced Edward DeMent and others who flashbacks. A picture on the wall survived the unimaginable will of his Temple Terrace, Florida, then have a part of their story told apartment shows the crew of nine more widely. Other parts of their who flew over Yugoslavia on the story they talk about only among fateful day in 1944. Dement is the others who, like them, survived. only one still living. Also on the Other Ex POW chapters meet in wall are his Silver Star, three Purple Spring Hill, Port Charlotte, Sarasota Hearts, two Presidential Citations, and Dunnellon. For information, call four Battle Stars and much more.

Edward DeMent at (813) 985-3783.

BY JANICE DOYLE

E

Avoiding Ruffled Feathers:

Safety And Tech Tips For Snowbirds

I

f you’ve spent the winter here, you’ve joined almost 1 million North American “snowbirds.” With technology has come new considerations for closing up the winter house and heading north. Best tips for leaving a house behind until next winter include: Security and Remote Monitoring Before the bags are packed, you may want to investigate new products that put technology to work while you’re gone. For peace of mind, new services now remotely monitor and control your home’s security and thermostat from a smartphone or computer. You can remotely arm or disarm the alarm system and control lighting, household appliances and the thermostat. With connected cameras, you can monitor the home from anywhere in the worldeven receive instant text messages when doors are opened or closed.

Retirement Living Telecommunications Services David Gregg, of behindthebuy. com, shares the following advice on telephone, cable TV and Internet services: “Instead of making two separate calls, check out cablemover. com for disconnecting your TV, phone and Internet at your current home and reconnecting at your summer address.

And it doesn’t matter if your cable service provider is different in each location. The best part is, once you are ready to return, you can use the same service again to reverse the process.”

Freshen Up! A dormant home will inevitably become stuffy. Keep it return-ready with a new type of air purifier that cleans the air and prevents the spread of allergens such as mold or mildew. Air purifiers with true HEPA filters capture 99.9 percent of particles and impurities. Put the unit on a timer and your air purifier automatically senses air quality levels and neutralizes viruses/ bacteria, keeping your indoor air clean

FREE INFORMATION SERVICE Senior Connection & Mature Lifestyles for information please return completed form to:

News Connection USA, Inc. • P.O. Box 278 • Laurel FL 34272-0278

Name: Address: City: Phone: Don’t Forget the Basics Gizmos are great, but remember to turn off your refrigerator or turn it down to the lowest setting and unplug your electronics. For those items that can’t be unplugged, be sure to use a surge protector. Consider new devices that power down appliances and tech devices that consume phantom power (power you continue to use even after you hit the off button) saving you money on your electric bill.

For more tips and ideas on how to smooth your annual snowbird migration, check out cablemover.com. (NAPSA)

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 11

Y ’all Come. Let’s Go to Callaway Gardens!

New at the Gardens is an adventurous two hours on the TreeTop Adventure.

All four of us are in the very late 60s to mid-70s age range, but there we were lined up in helmets and safety harnesses letting guides get us started on the obstacle ropes and zip line course for all ages. The brochure says you can “leap, swing and whiz” your way through it. We didn’t do any of those specifically, but we took it one challenge at a time, cheered each other on, laughed a lot at ourselves and enjoyed the whole thing immensely.

BY JANICE DOYLE

“Y

’all come.” The words are the Song of the South. It might be an invitation to experience places with a long history, beautiful flowers, long walks on wooded paths and charming cottages amidst pines and azaleas. So, y’all come and meet us at Callaway Gardens!

Travel If you have friends you’d like to relax with—or if you want to just stop on your way to somewhere else—there’s no place like Callaway Gardens. Any time of year is a good time to be there, but the Gardens are especially wonderful in the spring as the azaleas bloom. It’s time to go!

Located on I-85 southwest of Atlanta, it’s a day’s drive from west Florida to Callaway Gardens. My husband and I joined our good friends there. We stayed in one of the two-bedroom, two-bath cottages nestled into the woods, brought our own food, and everywhere we looked for two days, the woods were full of azalea bushes. An inn and villas are also available for lodging, and you’ll find several restaurants on the grounds.

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 12

Cabins at Callaway

Year-round fun Every season provides a great reason to visit Callaway Gardens! Beyond ongoing superb golf and tennis possibilities, there’s a full schedule of things to do. Don’t think it’s all about spring azaleas, by any means.

Robin Lake Beach turns into the center of activity for family activities and festivals. There’s a hot air balloon festival for Labor Day, a Spangled Beach Party for the 4th of July, a Fall Festival and, during the Christmas season, Fantasy in Lights has become an annual tradition for many people.

Winter at the Gardens (January through March) finds programs which connect people socially—think of staying in a cozy cottage with a fireplace by night and enjoying social activities like bridge or tennis by day. Maybe you’d like a class or a Mystery Dinner Weekend. The calendar is packed with possibilities, and many special rates are available throughout the winter.

FDR’s “Little White House”

A don’t-miss side trip Warm Springs, a hidden jewel in central Georgia, is a 15-minute drive from Callaway. Franklin Roosevelt’s Little White House is there. It is where he came to soak in the springs.

You’ll enjoy the history and learn how the Georgia mountain people affected his presidential decisions.

Warm Springs Village is lined with quaint streets and 100-year-old restored buildings—just lovely.

For more information, call 1-800-CALLAWAY (225-5292) or visit callawaygardens.com.

What’s at Callaway Gardens?

You’ll find floral beauty in the 40-acres of azaleas and other garden delights as you drive the roads or hike the trails through the property. Better yet, pick up a bike and follow the 10-mile paved trail that winds through the woods, with stops at all the major attractions.

At the John A Sibley Horticultural Center, it’s easy to spend an hour or more wandering through the five acres of gardens: a tropical rain forest, a Mediterranean garden, a desert plot and much more. We loved the sculptures and the indoor waterfall.

Landscape Photography – Azaleas: March 31 – April 1: $115.

The Gardens include the Virginia Close-up and Macro Photography – Butterfly: April 21 – 22: $115 Hand Callaway Discovery Center, a lovely building full of Herbaceous Plant Propagation: March 10 or March 17: $75 displays and informaPlant Fair and Sale: March 22 – 25, tion. A Backyard Callaway Gardening School: March 22 – 23, Fees vary.

Wildlife Habitat and Vegetable Gardening A to Z: March 30: $55 Birds of Prey program interest the critter Planting your Season Vegetable Garden: April 21: $45 crew in a group.

Spring Watercolor Painting: April 21 – 22: $225 More than 1000 Special 3-Day Plein Air Painting: April 23 – 25: $395 The Butterfly Center butterflies live in Pine Needle Basket Making: April 28: $65 the Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center. After spotting Gemstones & Freshwater Pearls Jewelry Design and Making: May 5: $115 four or five, we slowed our steps Workshop fees include admission to Callaway Gardens. To register, and looked more closely to find the call 1-800-225-5292 or email education@callawaygardens.com. hidden beauties among the plants.

Spring Workshops and Classes at Callaway Gardens

Enjoy a Savory Springtime Brunch W

hen spring is in the air, it’s the perfect time to bring family and friends together for a welcoming brunch.

When planning your menu, be sure to have plenty of savory dishes on hand to satisfy your guests. And rest easy, you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare your feast.

Using ingredients already full of flavor, such as Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage, lets you create memorable brunch dishes without a lot of work.

Recipe These recipes are simple yet satisfying—and leave you plenty of time to enjoy the company gathered around your table.

For more savory brunch recipes, visit johnsonville.com.

Amazing Muffin Cups

Prep Time: 20 minutes; Cook Time: 25 minutes; Yield: 12 servings.

3 cups refrigerated shredded hash browns 3 tablespoons melted butter 1/8 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon pepper 12 links Johnsonville Original Breakfast Sausage 6 eggs 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper Chopped fresh chives or green onions, for garnish

Place 12 paper liners in a muffin pan; spray liners with cooking spray.

In bowl, combine hash browns, butter, salt and pepper. Press hash brown mixture into the bottom and up the sides of the muffin cups. Bake at 400°F for 12 minutes or until lightly browned.

Meanwhile, cook sausage according to package directions; cut into 1/2-inch pieces.

Divide sausage between muffin cups.

Combine eggs, cheese and bell pepper. Pour over sausage.

Sprinkle with chives. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until set.

Easy Sausage Roll-Ups

Prep Time: 15 minutes; Cook Time: 15 minutes; Yield: 16 roll-ups 1 package (12 ounces) Johnsonville Breakfast Sausage Links 2 containers refrigerated crescent rolls (16 rolls total) 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 2 tablespoons sugar

Prepare sausage according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

Unroll crescent roll dough according to directions on package. Place one cooked sausage onto one end of a dough triangle. Roll dough around sausage according to directions on dough package and place on jelly-roll pan with the seam side down. Repeat with remaining sausage and dough. (You will have 2 extra rolls. Bake and enjoy with jam.)

Mix cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle evenly over roll-ups. Bake according to directions on dough package. Serve hot.

Suggestion: Serve with warm maple syrup, honey or your favorite preserves for dipping. (FamilyFeatures.com)

Stay Connected!

Be Inspired M Find Great Recipes M Read Your Paper Online

Go to: www.seniorconnectionfl.com ENTER OUR TRIVIA CONTEST ONLINE & WIN!

Click on CONTESTS (red bar upper right). Answer Our Trivia Questions & Send Us Your Answers. Correct Answers Will Be Entered for a Drawing on April 1st!

M Places to Go M Things to Do M Contests M Great Local Stories M Great Events Senior Connection and Mature Lifestyles

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and 1602 S. Parsons Ave. Seffner, FL 33584 Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 13

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 14

Y

ou think you’ve tried everything and your question now is: What can I do to stop smoking if the “standard” treatments don’t work for me?

Q. I am an 84-year-old woman who

recently had stents placed in two coronary arteries. The doctors, of course, told me to quit smoking. I told them, as I have told all of my other doctors, that I have tried to quit but just can’t. I have tried the patch and Chantix, but neither worked.

Support groups aren’t for me. I have cut back, but that’s as far as so-called willpower goes. Hearing over and over again that I need to quit leaves me feeling depressed and weak. Is there some news about current or future approaches that might give me and others like me some hope?

A. Before I answer your question,

let me congratulate you for having tried to quit smoking and urge you to try again. It often takes smokers several “tries” before one takes hold.

As you have discovered, nicotine is a highly addictive substance. For most smokers, “willpower” alone is not enough. Fortunately, smokers today have a number of tools to fight tobacco addiction. Quit-smoking aids include nicotine replacement (nicotine patches, gums, lozenges, inhalers, and sprays), bupropion (Zyban, Wellbutrin), varenicline (Chantix), counseling and behavior-change therapy, and social support. None are miracle workers.

You mentioned having tried the nicotine patch. Dr. Nancy Rigotti, director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Center at Harvard-affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital, said that some smokers find success

moking!

by adding to the patch a short-acting nicotine replacement product, like nicotine gum, lozenges or an inhaler to handle breakthrough cravings the patch can’t counteract.

You also mentioned that Chantix didn’t help you. Some people find that Zyban works better for them than Chantix. Researchers are testing whether combining Zyban or Chantix with nicotine replacement is a safe and effective treatment for smoking cessation.

You also said that support groups aren’t for you. You don’t have to join a group to get support. You can get free, helpful support from the comfort of your home by calling the national quit line at 800-QUIT-NOW. For some people, support is the missing piece of the solution, says Dr. Rigotti.

For most smokers, “willpower” alone is not enough. Fortunately, smokers today have a number of tools to fight tobacco addiction.

Several new treatments are under development and investigation. On the medication front, a class of drugs called cannabinoid receptor antagonists may someday be used to help smokers quit. Also in the development pipeline are several anti-nicotine vaccines. They prompt the body to make antibodies to nicotine. When nicotine enters the bloodstream, these antibodies bind to it. If cannabinoid receptor antagonists or vaccines pan out as safe and effective smoking cessation aids—and that is a big if—it will be years before they are on the market.

Please don’t wait for treatments that may never materialize. You have already made a good start by cutting back. Now work with someone who specializes in smoking cessation to figure out a plan tailored for you. I hope this answer doesn’t make you feel weak but that it gives you some hope and power.

—Thomas Lee, M.D., Editor in Chief, Harvard Heart Letter.

What Is It About Coffee? affeine is the most commonly consumed psychoactive drug in the world, and some of its behavioral effects (such as arousal) may resemble those produced by cocaine, amphetamines and other stimulants.

Coffee consumption accounts for about 75 percent of the adult intake of caffeine in the United States, although that might be changing among younger adults with the growing popularity of energy drinks.

Health The caffeine content of coffee varies greatly depending on the beans, how they’re roasted and other factors, but the average for an 8-ounce cup is about 100 milligrams (mg).

Tea has about half as much caffeine as coffee. Decaffeinated coffee has some caffeine, but the 2 to 4 mg in an

8-ounce cup is a smidgen compared with the caffeinated version.

The lethal dose of caffeine is about 10 grams, which is equivalent to the amount of caffeine in 100 cups of coffee.

Caffeine gets absorbed in the stomach and small intestine and then distributed throughout the body, including the brain. The amount circulating in the blood peaks 30 to 45 minutes after it’s ingested and only small amounts are around eight to 10 hours later. In between, the amount circulating declines as caffeine gets metabolized in the liver.

Tobacco and marijuana accelerate caffeine metabolism, which reduces the time caffeine circulates in the body. Oral contraceptives slow it down, so they have the opposite effect.

Researchers have identified genes that influence a person’s natural risk of caffeine metabolism, which might explain why some people are

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200

180

150 exquisitely sensitive to caffeine while others are not.

Caffeine probably has 80** 100 multiple targets in the brain, but the main one seems to be adenosine receptors.

35* 50 Adenosine is a brain chemical that dampens brain activity. By hogging ad0 8 oz. “short” 8.4 oz. can 8 oz. cup enosine’s receptors, caffeine of Red Bull cup of Starbucks’ of Lipton sets off a chain of events “bold” coffee green tea that affects the activity of single tea bag steeped in 8-ounce cup dopamine, another important *35 mg presumes a**Per 8.4-ounce can brain chemical, and the the physiological and psychological areas of the brain involved effects of physical exertion. But, in arousal, pleasure and thinking. especially in the short term, it also has A part of the brain affected by negative effects that include raising Parkinson’s disease, called the striablood pressure, making arteries stiffer tum, has many adenosine receptors; and increasing levels of homocysteine, by docking on them, caffeine seems insulin, and possibly cholesterol. to have some protective effects.

Habitual use may cause some of these Outside the brain, caffeine effects to wear off. For some conditions, can be a performance enhancer, though, coffee may have some benefit boosting the strength of muscle despite, rather than because of, caffeine. contraction and offsetting some of

Milligrams

C

Caffeine Content

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 15

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 16

When Should You Worry About “Senior Moments?”

E

veryone experiences occasional episodes of forgetfulness. When an older loved one has a few episodes of forgetfulness, friends and family members may wonder whether those misplaced keys or trouble finding the right word in a conversation is the result of normal age-related changes in memory or an early sign of something more serious. The characteristics of these forgetful moments often offer clues as to whether Alzheimer’s disease or another dementia may be the underlying problem. For example: Recognizing and discussing episodes of memory loss. If the person complains about memory loss and can provide details about the episode of forgetfulness, normal aging is more likely. With dementia, it’s common that the person affected will only complain about memory problems if she’s asked about them and won’t be able to recall specific instances.

Worry about memory loss. When dementia occurs, the person affected

Word Search

is often much less concerned about memory loss than her family members are. The reverse is true for normal age-related memory problems.

Losing the way. If your loved one doesn’t get lost in familiar surroundings but does sometimes pause momentarily to remember the way, normal aging is likely. But if she gets lost in familiar territory while walking or driving and takes hours to return, Alzheimer’s or dementia should be a concern.

Word-finding problems.

Occasional trouble finding the right word probably isn’t worth worrying over, but frequent word-finding pauses and substitutions—for example, calling the telephone “the ringer” or “that thing I use to call you”—are typical of dementia.

Changes in abilities and social skills. While it isn’t uncommon for an older adult to be unwilling to operate new devices or to fumble a bit with their cell phone or DVR, it’s a warning sign if the person has trouble operating common appliances like the dishwasher or has trouble using even simple new devices. Also, if the person has lost interest in social activities or if his or her social skills are in decline, it’s worth noting.

Of course, while these tips can help distinguish between normal age-related memory changes and dementia, concerns about memory problems should be brought to the attention of a doctor.

The above is from the book“A Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease,” available for $18 from Harvard Health Publications, online at health.harvard.edu/Alzheimers0112 or by calling 877-649-9457 (toll-free)

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Word Search March 2012

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?

Answers From

February 2012

Veronica Devine is last month’s winner!

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The first correct answers selected from the drawing on March 21 will win.

MYSTERY WIN! WIN! WIN! MYSTERY SENIOR CONNECTION or PRIZE! PRIZE! MATURE LIFESTYLES GREAT PRIZES! 1602 S. PARSONS AVE. SEFFNER, FL 33584 (Puzzles must be received by Mar. 21, 2012.)

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 17

Quick Facts About Aging—100-Year-Old Record Breaker and More An Upsurge in the 90-Plus Population ver the last 30 years, the ranks of Americans 90 and older have tripled, with three women for each man. They now total 1.9 million, and a report from the U.S. Census Bureau says the number could reach 9 million by 2050. Factors fueling the aging boom include the decline in smoking, improved nutrition and public health, diabetes control and fewer strokes. Another factor: a higher educational level, which has been linked to better health. Forty percent of the men in the 90-plus group were married; 80 percent of the women were widows.

“Ranks of people reaching age 90 tripled since 1980: report” Reuters, Nov. 2011

O

Lifestyle Changes May Boost Memory Some basic lifestyle changes may help with age-related memory loss and perhaps more serious cognitive problems, according to a recent study published in the journal Lancet Neurology. Summarizing evidence from hundreds of studies, the findings indicate that up to half of all Alzheimer’s cases are associated with a group of risk factors that people can control including midlife obesity, depression, smoking and a couch-potato body and brain. Experts also point out that occasional memory lapses are rarely signs of incipient Alzheimer’s or dementia. When younger people are forgetful, it’s usually because they’re distracted and not creating memories efficiently.

“Forgetfulness at an early age is rarely a sign of early dementia” The Washington Post, Oct. 2011

Marathon Record-Breaker Is 100 Years Old It took him eight hours, and he came in dead last, but Fauja Singh was smiling when he crossed the finish line at the Toronto marathon. No wonder. At the age of 100, he had become the oldest person to ever complete the 26-mile run. Singh, who was born in rural India and wore a yellow turban for the race, entered his first marathon at age 89. He attributes his good health and longevity to his vegetarian diet, which does not include alcohol or cigarettes, and daily exercise—a walk or run of up to 10 miles a day.

Ed Payne, “Centenarian completes marathon, sets record” CNN, Oct. 2011

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 18

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International Aging Traditionally, younger members of Canadian families have seen to the care of their parents as they aged. In fact, Canadian friends and family provide 80 percent of such caregiving. But according to a new report from the Institute for Research on Public Policy, that arrangement may be threatened for a number of reasons, including an insufficient number of family members available to provide care. It is estimated that by 2031, 25 percent of women aged 65 or older will have no surviving children.

“Caregiver shortage ‘major cause of concern’” The Montreal Gazette, Nov. 2011

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Lake County

Wells Fargo Bank, 5407 SE 111th St., Belleview. Tue., Thu., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (appt. required in person in bank).

8th Ave. Senior Center, Ocala, (352) 629-8545, Mon., Wed., Fri., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Marion Oaks Comm. Center, Ocala, Wed., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Silver Springs Shore Comm. Center, Ocala, Thu., Fri., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Jenkins Auditorium, 691 W. Montrose St., Clermont.

(352) 242-8886. Mon., Tue., Wed., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Rainbowlakes Youth Center, 4010 SW Deepwater Ct., Dunnellon.

Thu., 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Bland Library, Mount Dora, (352) 735-5936, Mon., Wed., Thur., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.; 1 – 5:45 p.m.

Forest Public Library, Ocklawaha, Mon., 12 – 4 p.m.

Lady Lake Library (352) 348-3751 Tue., Thu., 9 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Fruitland Park Library (352) 360-6561, Thu., 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Marion County

Headquarters Library, Ocala, Thu., Sat., 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Leesburg Library (352) 272-9658 Mon., Tue., Wed., Thu., 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

American Legion Post 58, 10730 S. U.S. 41, Dunnellon. Wed, 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Freedom Library, Ocala, Mon., Wed., 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 19

Seniors Getting Together Attention SGTers!

Screen respondents carefully. Always meet in public places and have your own transportation. Don’t divulge your home address. Be sure to provide a way for your correspondent to respond to you – phone number, e-mail address or Post Office Box address. Contact the authorities if you feel threatened or harassed by an individual. Be patient and careful – a good relationship and your personal safety are worth the wait!

WOMEN SEEKING MEN 4083 SERIOUS AND LOVEABLE WSF, 81 YO, 5’4”, 120 lbs., blonde, excellent health, NS, ND, NDrg and don’t drive.

Love dogs, no cats. Don’t care to cruise or go to Vegas. Like NFL, NBA, reading, TV. Love to cook and need someone to cook for. Prefer Villages or nearby. Reply with photo and phone number. No games—life is too short.

4093 CHRISTIAN WWBF, 63, ATTRACTIVE, honest, sincere, who loves the Lord. ISO a true Christian black gen-

tleman who believes in the same. Love good home cooking, sports, fishing. A good SOH. 55 – 72. FF, write. Tampa.

4097 SINGLE WHITE FEMALE 50’S looking for Mr. Right. Age 50 to late 70’s. A gentleman, white, romantic, senior, trusting, faithful, loving, caring. I’m looking for long term relationship. Fruitland, Pk. 4099 SEEKING COMPANIONSHIP WITH GUY for an intelligent, pretty Christian lady who likes Christian gentlemen. NS, ND, NDrg for long term relationship with me. 77 YY and under. Please send recent photo.

4101 “WHERE ARE YOU?” You are a “special” gentleman, “sweet as candy” who likes to live, love and laugh. 60 to 70 YY who enjoys music, dancing, concerts and travel. I am a 72 YY petite lady who loves life. Lake/Marion.

4108 WIDOWED SINGLE WHITE FEMALE, 50’s, who enjoys 70’s Rock ‘N Roll music, movies, fairs and festivals, looking for age 55 or younger WM, nice man with SOH for FF. NS, ND and NDrg. Please send recent photo. Leesburg.

RUN YOUR AD FOR ONLY $6 A MONTH

SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER Personal Ad Placement

Deadline for ads is the 15th of the month prior to placement.

Only $6 to place an ad!

Mark The Edition(s) You Would Like To Run Your Ad In: Hillsborough & Suncoast (Pinellas/Pasco) Lake/Marion Counties Southwest/Charlotte (Fort Myers/Port Charlotte)

Ad Copy • Please Print Neatly • 30 Word Limit Title (First 4 Words):

City (No Charge):

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).

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Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 20

4114 LETS DO DUTCH LUNCH SWF, 67, slim, petite, nice person, SOH, educated, likes dancing, cooking, beaches, ISO SWM 65 – 75 who will treat me as a lady for LTR. Marion County.

MEN SEEKING WOMEN 4111 SEEKING RETIRED WOMAN any age. Should be willing to relocate to better living in Leesburg/Tavares area. I am recent widower. Retired, good health, pleasant nature.

Credit good. NS, SD, FF.

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, SOHSense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker, NS-Non 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.

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 number 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: News Connection USA, Inc. Seniors Getting Together 1602 S. Parsons Ave.,Seffner, FL. 33584 TO PLACE AN AD

Send your ad, stating what category you would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed above. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City or area included at no charge.

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Social Media Explained

BY YVONNE CURLEY

I

t’s hard to keep up with new technology since today’s technological world requires conveying a message in several styles and methods, depending on which social media you’re using. Let me try to explain.

We’ll start with something we understand: an old fashioned, handwritten (in perfect cursive penmanship!) touristy postcard to Aunt Suzy.

Dear Aunt Suzy, I’m back in Iowa visiting the old hometown. Since Mom died, the house here has sold and the new owners have painted it a horrible blue color. A few changes in town – Main St. Donut Shop is long gone. I’m sitting in a Dunkin’ Donuts next to the super WalMart north of town on the new bypass. See you in June. —Love, Betty

Mature Lifestyles • March 2012 • page 22

Here’s the way that it’s done in social media: Twitter: I’m eating a donut.

Facebook: I like donuts.

Foursquare: This is where I eat donuts.

Instagram: This is a vintage photo of where I eat donuts.

YouTube: Here I am eating a donut.

LinkedIn: My skills include eating donuts.

Pinterest: Here’s a donut recipe.

Last FM: Listening to “Donuts.”

G+: I’m a Google employee who eats donuts.

Whew! Now the world knows!

To start with, please locate a sheet of paper or your morning slice of toast (marmalade side facing up). Place it diagonally across the diagram, so that only the West and North hands are showing. As West, your opening lead is the ♣A on which Partner plays the Seven and Declarer the Nine. Next, you cash the ♣K (everyone following the suit), then the ♥A. You’ve cashed your three winners, where’s the setting trick? A Diamond ruff? No, Partner

A Couple Of Upper-Cuts had two Clubs, and can hardly have more than two Spades. He cannot have 2=9=0=2 distribution, with that shape he would surely have pushed on to 5♥. The only other possibility is a trump trick. Yes, indeed! The magic card here, amazingly enough, is the Spade Six! You lead another Club, and if East ruffs with the Six he forces Declarer to overruff with an honor, promoting a trick for your ♠J! This form of trump promotion is known as an upper-cut, and East must ruff with the Smashing Six to deliver the knock-out blow. Ruffing with the Feeble Four would be no more than a tickle under Declarer’s chin.

A Second Upper-Cut! Next, imagine that East is Declarer, playing in 4♥. South cashes the ♠A, ♠K, and leads a third Spade, which North ruffs with the ♥J. Another upper-cut, promoting South’s ♥T? No, Declarer simply pitches away his Diamond loser and makes his contract. Let’s have a do over. After cashing the top two Spades, South cashes the ♦K, and then leads the third Spade.

Now Declarer really is done for, this time the upper-cut sets the contract.

Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or email marketing@acbl.org.

To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org/D9Clubsmap.htm.

Bridge article provided courtesy of St. Petersburg Bridge Club: stpetebridge.org.

Entertainment at The Villages

At the Savannah Center:

7 Branson Gold Show. 6 and 8:30 p.m.

11 Andy Cooney’s Forever

Irish Sopranos, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

19 The Mickey Finn Show, banjo and comedian, 7 p.m.

27 Taylor’s Traditional Irish Cabaret, 6 and 8:30 p.m.

At Church on the Square:

9 and 10 New Horizons Spring Concert.

11 Those Were the Days (spirit and folklore of the ‘60’s) 14 – 18 42nd Street, a Village Resident Group performance.

15 Great Moments in Opera. 5 and 7:30 p.m.

24 The Villages Wind Ensemble.

Info and tickets: (352) 753-3229.

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