Lifestyles After 50 Tampa Bay, Hillsborough, East Pasco Edition, December 2018

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The Elves Who Flew off the Shelves The Carol Aebersold Story

If you’re having a stroke, this is your mortal enemy.

You’re probably well aware that a stroke is dangerous; a blockage has cut off, or interrupted, the blood flow to your brain. Tick.

Tick. Tick. The blockage needs to be removed, oxygen restored.

And the most important factor in accomplishing this? Time. The faster you get to a hospital, the greater the odds for a full and successful recovery.

BayCare fully believes that, in addition to a highly trained, experienced staff, you need help, and you need it fast. Which is why BayCare is the only health system in Tampa Bay with 11 hospitals that are designated primary stroke centers.

When you or a loved one experiences a stroke, it’s a very serious, life-threatening emergency. However, when it’s treated quickly, the chance of a good recovery increases dramatically. And to more rapidly assist you, our primary stroke centers are spread throughout the greater Tampa Bay area. So no matter where you live in the four counties we serve, you’re never far from a BayCare stroke center. To learn more: BayCareStroke.org

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Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 2

THE GIFT OF TIME

Tampa Bay Edition Published monthly by

News Connection USA, LLC Volume 29, Issue 12

CEO, News Connection USA, LLC Ed Graves Ed@lifestylesafter50.com

Editor

Terri Bryce Reeves Terri@lifestylesafter50.com

Website Coordinator

Allie Shaw Allie@lifestylesafter50.com

W

e at Lifestyles After 50 wish you the merriest of holidays.

Whether you spend these last days of 2018 on a trip to a snowy destination, hanging around and enjoying balmy breezes, or traveling to be with family and friends, we hope your days ahead are filled with joy, peace, blessings and serenity.

One of the best ways you can spend your free time is by giving it to someone else. During the holidays, we tend to focus our efforts on children in need and others less fortunate. We’d like you to consider expanding your generosity to the very vulnerable and often overlooked senior population.

Senior isolation, which can have numerous detrimental effects on an older adult, is a big problem that hits hard when aging folks – often widowed and outliving friends and family members – live alone without a support system in place.

Loneliness and isolation in elders put them at higher risk for depression, more rapid cognitive decline, vulnerability to abuse and scams, impaired mobility and falls, poor eating habits, medication mistakes, ill health and so on.

If you have an elder living in your neighborhood, reach out and offer them transportation to the store, a place of worship, the doctor’s office, a senior center or community event. Invite them to share a meal, take a walk, or play a card game.

Offer to help with some of the more difficult challenges they may face such as climbing ladders to wash windows or removing yard debris.

Consider reaching out to a nearby senior living center and offering to share time with a lonely adult who may enjoy a book, having their nails painted, or an occasional chat.

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Joe Gess Joe@lifestylesafter50.com

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Sometimes just a hug or conversation can do wonders to ward off loneliness and depression.

If you sense an older person has come to the point that they cannot take care of themselves properly anymore, or that they are too isolated and their safety is at risk, call the Florida Department of Elder Affairs Helpline at 1-800-96 ELDER (1800-963-5337). Specialists can provide information about meal programs, volunteer opportunities, fitness classes, and home care services. The Helpline can also screen adults 60 and over for government-funded services.

If you suspect elder abuse or self-neglect, call the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Florida Abuse Hotline at 800-962-2873 (800-96-ABUSE).

By helping out an older person, you may be helping yourself as well. There is nothing quite like the delightful feelings of being appreciated and knowing you’ve changed someone’s life for the better.

See you in January.

Dena Bingham: 813-293-1262 Dena@lifestylesafter50.com John DeNicola: 813 362-2270 John@lifestylesafter50.com Patricia Hincher: 813-580-1879 Patricia@lifestylesafter50.com

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Terri Bryce Reeves Terri Bryce Reeves, Editor

Attention Readers: The articles printed in Lifestyles After 50 do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor or the staff. Lifestyles After 50 endeavors to accept reliable advertising; however, we cannot be held responsible by the public for advertising claims. Lifestyles After 50 reserves the right to refuse or discontinue any advertisement. Our advertising deadline for each issue is the 15th of the previous month. Magazines are out by the 7th of each month. All rights reserved.

As a reader of Lifestyles After 50, you are creating an established relationship with our advertisers. You may be contacted by email, telephone or mail as allowed by law.

Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 3

local events around town • december 2018 Event:

37th Annual Victorian Christmas Stroll Date: Dec. 1 - 23 Time: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Cost: $13 (Discount days 3, 4, 10 & 11 for $10) Place: Henry B. Plant Museum Address: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd Tampa 33606 Phone: 813-254-1891 Web: plantmuseum.com

Event: Date: Time: Cost:

Place: Curtis Hixon Park Address: 600 N Ashley Dr. Tampa 33602 Phone: 813-274-8615 Web: wintervillagetampa.com

Place: Straz Center Address: 1010 N. Macinnes Pl. Tampa 33602 Phone: 813-229-7827 Web: strazcenter.org

Place: Tampa Theatre Address: 711 N Franklin St. Tampa 33602 Phone: 813-274-8981 Web: tampatheatre.org

Event: Date: Time: Cost:

Event:

Event:

Event:

A Christmas Carol Now – Dec. 22 Fri. & Sat. 8 p.m./Sun. 3 p.m. $20

Place: Carrollwood Players Address: 4333 Gunn Highway Tampa 33688 Phone: 813-265-4000 Web: carrollwoodplayers.org

A Christmas Carol Now – Jan. 5 See listing on website FREE

The Wonderland of Lights & Santa’s Village Date: Now – Dec. 29 Time: 6 p.m.

Cost: single day admission per carload $25 Place: Hillsborough County Fairgrounds Address: 215 Sydney Washer Rd., Dover Phone: 800- 377-4625 Web: thewonderlandoflights.com

Event: Date: Time: Cost:

Date: Time: Cost:

Event: Date: Time: Cost:

Holiday Music Concert Dec. 11 7 p.m. $15

29th Annual Holiday in the Park Dec. 14 6 - 9 p.m.

FREE

Place: Apollo Beach Park and Rec Ctr Address: 664 Golf & Sea Blvd.

Tampa 33572 Phone: 813-671-7635 Web: hillsboroughcounty.org

Date: Time: Cost:

It’s a Wonderful Life Dec. 14 - 20 7:30 p.m. online $10

Keystone Holiday Car Show (& Toy Drive) Dec. 15 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Free popcorn & snow cones

Place: Keystone Recreation Center Address: 17928 Gunn Hwy. Odessa 33556 Phone: 813-264-3819 Web: hillsboroughcounty.org

Event: Date: Time: Cost:

Hotel California: A Salute to the Eagles Dec. 18 7 p.m. $34.50 - $55.50

Place: Tampa Theatre Address: 711 N. Franklin St. Tampa 33602 Phone: 813-274-8981 Web: tampatheatre.org Event: Date: Time: Cost:

Cirque Du Soleil - Crystal Dec. 19 varies $51 - $140

Place: Amalie Arena Address: 401 Channelside Dr. Tampa 33602 Phone: 813-301- 6500 Web: cirquedusoleil.com

send your event news to Jenna@lifestylesafter50.com by the 15th of each month for publication in the following month's issue.

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Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 4

Reach out to seniors over the holidays A

bout 28 percent of America’s seniors live alone, and many experience social isolation—lack of regular contact with others. Unfortunately, studies by the National Center on Elder Abuse show a correlation between social isolation and elder abuse as well as a number of health issues, including poor diet, dementia, lack of exercise, high blood pressure, arthritis and depression.

Florida’s 11 Area Agencies on Aging urge local residents to take some time to connect with a senior during the holiday season – and beyond if possible.

“During the holidays, we usually reconnect with friends, family, and neighbors,” explains Sherry Young, health and wellness coordinator at the Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida. “But for elders living in social isolation, the holidays can be incredibly lonely. That comes with a lot of risk for them.”

Maintaining connections with our elder loved ones and making new connections with seniors can help to ensure their well-being and protect them from abuse.

Approximately one in ten adults age 60 and over have experienced some form of elder abuse. Isolated elders are not only more likely to fall victim to abuse, but abused

elders are also more likely to be isolated from others, as their abusers attempt to hide the mistreatment.

Self-neglect is closely related to elder abuse, and the AARP estimates that as many as half of the cases reported to Adult Protective Services are related to self-neglect.

Isolated elders may stop maintaining personal hygiene, cease managing their finances, or even avoid seeking

medical attention because they are unwilling or unable to do so on their own.

When visiting with elders this holiday season, the Area Agencies on Aging encourage friends and relatives to be conscious of the risk factors for social isolation. These include loneliness, chronic health problems, lack of transportation, recent changes in residence, and critical life transitions (such as retirement or the loss of a partner). Elders age 80 or over are particularly susceptible to social isolation.

People with concerns about an isolated senior are encouraged to call Florida’s Department of Elder Affairs Helpline at 1-800-96 ELDER (1-800-963-5337). The department partners with the 11 Area Agencies on Aging throughout the state. Helpline specialists can provide information about meal programs, volunteer opportunities, fitness classes, and services that provide home care for seniors. The Helpline can also screen adults 60 and over for government-funded services.

Anyone who suspects elder abuse or self-neglect is urged to call the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Florida Abuse Hotline at 800-962-2873 (800-96-ABUSE).

Source: Area on Aging for Southwest Florida

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Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 5

The Flying-off-the-Shelf Elf

By RANDAL C. HILL

C

arol Aebersold was feeling really low. Her twin daughters and son had grown up and moved out, and she had fallen victim to empty nest syndrome.

One afternoon in 2004, when she was enjoying a cup of tea with her daughter Chanda Bell, Aebersold admitted to her malaise. Bell knew how much her mother enjoyed writing, so she encouraged her to pen a book.

Aebersold responded, “I don’t have any story to tell.”

Bell then noticed the family’s toy elf named Fisbee “watching” from a nearby shelf and suggested that her mother create a story about the family’s smallest member. Aebersold accepted the challenge. “It gave me a purpose,” she said.

The duo decided this would be a book told in rhymes and spent the next six months pulling together a tale of a good-hearted elf who pays attention to children’s thoughts and activities during the day, then shares them with Santa each night.

The result was the oversized hardbound picture book The Elf on the Shelf: A Christmas Tradition. The offering came in a special keepsake box and included a small, soft, brighteyed “Scout Elf.” The pair approached a variety of unenthusiastic publishers who often claimed that people weren’t buying rhyming books. Aebersold says, “We would go to bookstores and look at children’s books, and sometimes it seemed that about 80 percent of them were rhyming. We couldn’t figure what the publishers were talking about.”

Fueled by an unwavering faith in their book, the family decided to dive into the often-risky world of self-publishing. Their endeavor was funded by maxed-out credit cards and depleted 401Ks until her other daughter, QVC host Christa Pitts, came on board full-time and donated the proceeds from her recently sold house. That bought an initial run of 5,000 books.

The women eagerly plunged into the world of craft shows, toy stores and specialty shops to sell the smiling elves which become family members for life. Once adopted, the fantasy fellows or gals show up in a different spot in the house each day, often prompting a “hide and seek” game for the whole family.

By the end of that first year, all 5,000 books and Scout Elves had gone to good homes.

Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 6

The trio opened their own publishing house, produced more books, and pushed further into the retail stores they dubbed “adoption centers.”

Late in 2007, the gods of fortune unexpectedly blessed the hard-working ladies in a big way when a photo of actress Jennifer Garner carrying an Elf on the Shelf book went viral on the Internet. Sales skyrocketed. Over13 million elves have been adopted so far.

An Elf ’s Story, a 30-minute animated feature which has now Photo: From left: The Elf on the Shelf founders Christa Pitts, Carol Aebersold, Chanda Bell. The become a modern-day mother-and-daughters team have created an elfin empire with books, animated movies and even holiday classic, came a music video. Aebersold is a Florida resident. to fruition in 2011 and airs at Christmastime on TBS and the Cartoon Network.

Aebersold calmly rebuts, “Our elf is there to There’s also a sequel: The Elf on the Shelf: watch the good in children, not to emphasize any A Birthday Tradition, as well as a music video. bad behavior.”

A new animated special, Elf Pets: Santa’s St. Over the years, the Scout Elf has evolved.

Bernards Save Christmas, is airing on TBS this “Now the face is rounder, there’s a boy and a girl month. A giant inflatable Scout elf, and you can get them in different skin tones,” Elf has appeared in every Macy’s she said.

Thanksgiving Parade since 2012.

One thing that has never changed is the basic Today the company’s website rule of the child never touching the Scout Elf, (theelfontheshelf.com) offers a which causes its magic to instantly disappear. copious amount of all-things-elf, That same magic is restored if the youthful including books, DVDs, plush offender writes a note to the Scout Elf or Santa, pets, tiny clothing, totes and sprinkles cinnamon near the elf, or sings a more.

Christmas carol.

The Atlanta-based company now boasts over 85 There have been many heartwarming moments over permanent employees, all of whom “work for Santa.” the years, such as the time Aebersold, who now spends most of her time in her a s e c o n d - g r a d e r w i t h home on Florida’s Palm Coast, is essentially retired selective mutism so loved but is still involved with the company. “Sometimes I the book that she read it to show up and smile,” she says. “But my daughters still the classroom. “It was the do the heavy lifting. Right now they’re working 80 to first time the other children 90 hours a week.”

Her son, Brandon, is an investment banker. Sadly, had ever heard her voice,” said her husband Robert, an engineer, died in 2014.

Aebersold.

As for the future for the business?

The delightful creation has also encountered a “There’ll be more about the North Pole few detractors along the way, with one professor opining, “It communicates to children that it’s and more entertainment in general,” Aebersold okay for other people to spy on you, and you’re promises. She says that final product approval, though, always comes from Santa. not entitled to privacy.”

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Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 8

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PaiD aDVErTiSEMENT

Is Pot for Pets?

BY Sarah hilario, DVM

C

annabis, also known as marijuana, has become a hot topic in recent years, especially for medicinal use in humans. It can be used as a chronic pain reliever, for decreasing nausea, and even for reducing seizures or anxiety.

But what about our furry friends? Are there benefits to using marijuana, and of equal importance, can it be harmful to them?

First, what is the difference between medical and recreational cannabis? THC is the main psychotropic component of marijuana, meaning it produces a euphoria when used. CBD, on the other hand, has no psychotropic activity and is used specifically for its medicinal benefits. Even though CBD oil has become a popular treatment for pain in pets, research studies are currently ongoing at several veterinary colleges.

We do not know all the benefits of CBD oil yet, what the best dose is, or what all the potential side effects may be.

Second, can CBD be purchased at the veterinary office for use in pets? The American Veterinary Medical Association states that “Under current federal and state law veterinarians may not administer, dispense, prescribe, or recommend cannabis or its products for animals.” Unless this changes in the future, veterinarians will not be able to prescribe this drug for pets.

Third, if you are considering CBD oil for your pet, where should you purchase it from? It is not currently regulated by the FDA and studies

have shown that many supplements either have such a low level of CBD in them that they are practically useless or have such a high level that they may be toxic to pets. Visit www.peakvets.com for more detailed information.

Finally, what should you do if your pet has been exposed to marijuana by accident, especially THC? Seek veterinary care immediately and tell your veterinarian truthfully what happened. Veterinarians are not obligated to report drug use to authorities and it will save time and expensive tests if they know what is causing your pet’s illness.

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Livin’ the Dream in Jurassic Park

ike most seniors, I feel much younger on the inside than the outside. I am between 16 and 19 years old to be exact. Therefore, it sometimes surprises me that I am now living in a retirement community.

How did that happen?

In my youth, I called people my age “dinosaurs.” Am I now headed for extinction?

Well then, if I must be an ancient reptile, I want to be a Tyrannosaurus Rex. King of the large lizards. Top of the food chain. A meat-eater who may not be the biggest creature on the block, but certainly one of the mightiest.

T-Rex was a jock, running up to 18 miles an hour, and he possessed the ability to swim.

In my community, I do occasionally don swimwear for a dip in the community pool, taking in the beneficial rays of the sun, as I expose my bronzed, Greek, Adonis-like body to admiring onlookers. I even have lizard-like bumps and spots on my hide, just like T. To maintain excellent muscle tone and lightning-quick reflexes, I plan to speak with the activities coordinator at our retirement community about obtaining a pingpong table as that’s my game, even though I have extremely short forelimbs.

I think T was a happy guy because he was the original wanderer.

As Dion sang, he “roamed around, around, around.” But I’m not sure that is true of the human race, where many our age are not happy campers.

They’ve looked forward to this time of life, but they’re not truly enjoying retirement. They tend to shelter inside their own little communities. I deeply believe the secret to achieving happiness is to have an active, productive life outside one’s gated community, forest or cave.

Scientific evidence suggests that T-Rex was somewhat social and tolerated those of his own kind. Now I enjoy my solitude, but I’m not anti-social and almost always join the populace for coffee and donuts on Saturday mornings. I’m considering partaking in bocce ball and learning tai-chi. However, I adamantly refuse to indulge in the joys of shuffleboard because I know that the moment I pick up the cue-stick, I will officially become prehistoric.

Maybe we could name our little retirement community Jurassic Park.

Then we could charge admission and fund the ping pong table.

Michael Wright’s bones can be dug up in Mulberry, or you can reach him at micwrighthamo@gmail.com

Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 11

Coffee Table Books for the Holidays

Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? Coffee table books – filled with gorgeous art, photography and wisdom – appeal to a wide variety of tastes and make lovely eye candy for the home. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorites published in 2018.

By KATHy MEGyERI

HOUSES BY THE SHORE: At Home with the Water: River, Lake, Sea, by Oscar-Riera Ojeda and Byron Hawes, published by Rizzoli, 336 pp.

Thirty-five spectacular new homes overlooking the sea, lake, river and ocean are selected for their beauty and variety from across the globe. From the modernist homes on the sands of the Gulf of Mexico to the romantic Greek Islands, to South Africa and New Zealand, each demonstrates ways that today’s leading architects and interior designers build tasteful homes and rooms with a view. Both authors are award-winning, worldrenowned writers and designers.

PATTI HANSEN: A Portrait, by Ivan Shaw, published by Abrams Books, 231 pp. you may recognize supermodel Hansen from ‘70s magazines like Vogue and Glamour. This deluxe book catalogs the era of seventies fashion and culture through Hansen, who was discovered at a Staten Island hot dog stand and became the “girl next door,” an all-American beauty standing 5’9” tall. Now 62, Hansen has been married to Rolling Stone’s Keith Richards for 35 years. She’s survived breast and bladder cancer and is an activist for autism. This book was recently launched at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 12

ANIMAL KINGDOM: A Collection of Portraits, by Randal Ford, published by Rizzoli, 176 pp.

These 150 stunning studio portraits of furry and feathered species will thrill those who appreciate the beauty, power and humor of wildlife.

Celebrated photographer Randal Ford, an awardwinning commercial and fine arts photographer, shows each animal’s face, expression, mood and personality in close-up, making each appear natural, confident, and almost human-like.

WWD: Fifty Years of Ralph Lauren, published by Rizzoli,192 pp.

WWD’s first book on an individual designer shares its vast trove of never-seen-before archival photographs and illustrations to reveal the story of Lauren, a preeminent influencer of American fashion. Collections include menswear, womenswear, accessories, fragrances and home decorating items. The award-winning designer is also known for his philanthropic and humanitarian causes.

WHISKEY IN A TEACUP: What Growing Up in The South Taught Me About Life, Love and Baking Biscuits, by Reese Witherspoon, published by Simon and Schuster, 256 pp.

Oscar-winning actress, producer and entrepreneur Witherspoon throws open the front door and invites you into her world in this New York Times bestseller about southern-style food, parties, home décor and traditions. Borrowing words from her grandmother Dorothea, she says southern women are “whiskey in a teacup” – “delicate and ornamental” on the outside, but “strong and fiery” within. She dishes out southern recipes (like her grandmother’s fried chicken), secrets to perfect hot-rolled hairstyles, a guide to frog-catching (if that’s on your bucket list) and the skinny on midnight barn parties, backyard bridal showers, and special Christmas mornings.

WALK THIS WAY: Footwear from the Stuart Weitzman Collection of Historic Shoes, by Edward Maeder, published

by New york Historical Society, 208 pp.

Surprisingly, shoemaking was America’s second largest industry after agriculture in 1850.

Now objects of desire and symbols of sexuality, power and aspiration, shoes have risen above their utilitarian purpose. Photos of over 100 shoes from the shoe designer’s extensive private collection, assembled over 30 years, tell the story of their production, collectability, presentation and consumption. Vintage pieces and fantasy shoes from unusual materials demonstrate the evolution of shoe design.

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No place like The Florida Orchestra for the holidays

by Kelly Smith

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ometimes when friends and family gather for the holidays, you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Live music with The Florida Orchestra can bring peace on earth and good will to all generations, whether it’s through traditional classical music or a classic comedy film concert.

Both Aunt Sue and little Johnny will have a jolly good time.

Mozart & Sibelius (Dec. 7-9 with Sunday matinee): Mozart’s beautiful Sinfonia Concertante will melt your heart, with TFO’s Nancy Chang on violin and Derek Mosloff on viola. Also: Sibelius’ Symphony No. 1. Stuart Malina conducts. Free tickets for kids and teens in advance to this and all Tampa Bay Times Masterworks concerts.

Holiday Pops (Dec. 14-16 with two matinees): Pure holiday magic you can’t buy at the mall, featuring the velvet voice of American Idol star Michael Lynche and Unlimited Gospel Expressions choir. Trevor Pettiford of Bay News 9 narrates The Night Before Christmas. Jeff Tyzik conducts.

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Put these on your list: Keep the holiday cheer alive with tickets to an © 1990 Twentieth Century Fox upcoming concert.

For example, Star Wars Live in Concert: The Empire Strikes Back (Jan. 26) features the full movie with live orchestra music at Ruth Eckerd Hall. An Intimate Evening with Seal (Feb. 9) is an outstanding orchestra concert with the fourtime Grammy winner that you can feel good about: Proceeds support The Florida Orchestra’s community, education and artistic initiatives. Gift certificates also available.

The Florida Orchestra: Performs regularly at the Straz Center in Tampa, Mahaffey in St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

The orchestra offers affordably priced tickets to a variety of concerts, though prices vary depending on demand. See floridaorchestra.org or call 727.892.3337 and 1.800.662.7286.

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f you have just gotten divorced, you are probably focused on getting on with your life. But make sure you update your estate planning documents, including banking and financial accounts, in case of your death or incapacity.

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Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 15

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Holly talks up what she sees as positive changes—Ben has gained weight and has even got “sparkle” back in his eyes. At the same time, as she is voicing support, Holly is hiding pills and items of value in the house.

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by Ben Burns, in Ben is Back “Hey, Burns, I thought you were dead,” and Ben draws surprised—no, amazed—looks as certain people pass him by in the crowd.

But will he be?

Ben owes money to some local folks, it seems, and Director and screenwriter Academy Award nominee Holly gives him cash after Ben says, “If I don’t deal Peter Hedges—Lucas’s father—is the main creative with this, then it could be worse next time.”

Later Ponce, the lovable family dog, is kidnapped. force behind Ben is Back, the Roadside Attractions/ Holly and Ben frantically go in search of him and are Black Bear Pictures release opening on December 7th.

Supporting roles are nicely filled out by Courtney drawn down increasingly darker paths as Holly learns B. Vance as Neal, Ben’s disciplinarian stepfather, and just how much Ben has kept from her over the years.

It becomes easy to see how a person such as Ben Kathryn Newton as Ivy, Ben’s younger sister. The focus, Burns can become lost, and just how worthy he is of though, wisely stays on Holly and Ben throughout the film’s cringe-worthy 103 minutes. being saved.

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On another, it’s about the struggles of nineteenyear-old Ben Burns (Academy Award nominee Lucas Hedges), who shows up at his family’s upscale New England home for an unannounced Christmas Eve visit.

Ben, a drug addict, has brought only a vaping pen and no overnight items with him. He claims that his soberliving sponsor has encouraged him to sign himself out and go home for Christmas, even though Ben has spent a mere 77 days at the private facility he now calls home.

The soft-spoken young man will soon test the love of everyone who cares about him.

His mother, Holly (Oscar winner Julia Roberts), is determined to keep the erratic teenager on the narrowest of paths and makes him promise to spend the next 24 hours with her at all times. Reluctantly, Ben agrees.

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Feeling the Holiday Burn

By TERRI BRyCE REEVES

W

e all look forward to holiday parties – guilt-free excuses to indulge in alcohol, fried foods, cheesy appetizers, sweet and chocolaty desserts, and after-dinner peppermints, but remember, they can come back up to haunt us hours later.

For some, occasional heartburn can be a mild inconvenience, but those who experience reflux two or more times a week for a few weeks may have gastrointestinal reflux disease or GERD. It affects around 20 percent of people in the U.S. at some point in their life, according to the National Institutes of Health.

But don’t get queasy, get smart.

There are things you can do.

Choose a small plate. Eat slowly and chew carefully, just like Mom said, giving your stomach time to send signals to your brain you are full.

Vow not to overstuff yourself (you aren’t a turkey

after all). A bloated stomach exerts additional pressure on your innards forcing stomach acid to bubble up into the esophagus.

Make wise food choices and avoid (or cut down on) known heartburn trigger foods like alcohol, caffeine, citrus, tomatoes, and sugary, fatty and spicy foods. Instead, opt for veggie dishes and lean meats and decaffeinated drinks.

Keep moving. One of the worst things you can do after a major meal is to go lie down or settle into the couch to watch a game. The reclining position can put pressure on your stomach and lead to heartburn. Instead, head out the door for a walk, play football with the family, or dance to some Christmas music.

Lose the excess weight. Studies have shown those extra pounds can add additional pressure and may loosen the sphincter muscle that keeps things where they should be. Dr. John Pandolfino, an expert on acid reflux at Northwestern University, suggests that losing 10 to 15 pounds may help. “We can get about a third of people off medication when they lose a little bit of weight. And about 50% experience a dramatic improvement in their symptoms,” he said.

See a healthcare professional if GERD is negatively affecting your health. He or she may recommend a medication such as an antacid, H2 blocker, or proton pump inhibitor (PPI). The PPIs may be very effective if other drugs don’t help control your reflux, but long-term use can cause adverse side effects. Sometimes, the benefits of these medications can outweigh the side effects.

If drugs and lifestyle changes still don’t control GERD, surgery to strengthen the opening between the stomach and esophagus may be an option.

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Source: National Institutes of Health

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Recipe

Bring us some figgy

By JENNA LEE REEVES

pudding

T

his classic Victorian Christmas pudding cake made with figs will make the perfect finale to a juicy roast beef, goose or turkey dinner. Serve warm with whipped cream or hard sauce. Start a holiday tradition as you bring out the dessert by singing, “We Wish You A Merry Christmas,” which includes the line, “Now bring us some figgy pudding.” As your guests bite into the sweet, warm confection they’ll understand the reason carolers refused to leave until they had some. Recipe courtesy www.Californiafigs.com.

Ingredients: Figgy Pudding 2 c. all-purpose flour, unsifted 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp. nutmeg 1 c. firmly packed brown sugar ½ c. butter or margarine, softened 1 c. buttermilk 2 c. chopped dried California figs, stemmed 1 c. chopped walnuts Hard Sauce 1 c. softened butter or margarine 1 c. granulated sugar 2 c. confectioners’ sugar zest of 1 orange ¼ c. orange liqueur

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Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 18

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Directions: In large bowl, mix flour with baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. Add butter and buttermilk; beat until smooth and well blended. Fold in figs and nuts. Spoon mixture into a heavily greased 2-quart pudding mold. Cover the mold with a greased lid or foil. Bake in preheated oven at 350°F for 1½ hours.

Meanwhile, for Hard Sauce, mix butter, sugars, orange zest and liqueur together; beat until soft and fluffy. Chill.

Uncover pudding and let cool in mold for 15 minutes. Tap to loosen pudding and unmold onto a platter. Serve pudding warm with sweetened whipped cream or hard sauce.

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Your company name and website link will be published in all editions of Lifestyles After 50 and on our website: lifestylesafter50.com contact your Account executive today at 813-653-1988 • Toll Free 888-670-0040

Your Maine Destination for the Winter Holidays

By Victor Block

View of frozen Rangeley Lake

P

This time of year, the four-season alm trees and Florida’s white resort area morphs into a picturesque sand beaches can’t be beat, but if winter wonderland. Frozen lakes and warmer temperatures put a damper on ponds are transformed into natureyour holiday spirit, consider a visit to made rinks for ice skating and curling. a tiny, snow-covered village where There’s skiing 30 miles away at Santa can slide down a chimney and Sugarloaf Mountain, Maine’s second not break a sweat. tallest peak.

Rangeley (pronounced range-lee) is a town of about 1,100 year-round residents perched in the mountains of western Maine and surrounded by dense forests, sparkling lakes and rushing rivers.

Tr a d i t i o n r e i g n s h e r e . E a c h December, celebrants gather in the center of town to watch the lighting of the Giving Tree, which is the focus of a gift donation project for children and adults in need. In the annual Walk to Bethlehem, Biblical characters and others pause at churches and Rangeley Inn and Tavern sing carols. The event ends at the Those who wish to experience Church of the Good Shepherd where snowmobiling or cross-country skiing everyone goes inside to enjoy a have a choice of 150 miles of wellholiday pageant. groomed trails, which interconnect Rangeley and its neighboring with other systems that lead throughout communities attract vacationers yearMaine and into Canada.

The snowround with a full menu of inviting covered trees and quiet surroundings options. They include world-class fishing for salmon and trout in spring; of forests welcome folks in snowshoes, boating, kayaking, hiking and golf often looking for opportunities to spot throughout summer; and some of an occasional moose.

To escape winter’s chill, seek out the best leaf-peeping to be found roaring fireplaces in restaurants which anywhere during the fall.

range from pizza Alley bowling lanes, and a to posh, or curl up smattering of small stores with a book next and restaurants. Much of to log blazes that the vehicle traffic consists burn in the lobby of of logging trucks creaking the beautifully-realong with heavy loads. stored, 19th centuIt doesn’t take long ry Rangeley Inn. for those who drop by to The Inn is understand that this area but one inviting of Maine is as much a place among many lifestyle as a destination, which relate inone that fits comfortably triguing chapters into the time-honored of the town’s histradition of small-town tory. f r i e n d l i n e s s . T h a t ’s Cross-country skiers among the reasons why Before the first Europeans generation after generation Photo by traveler.rtx.travel arrived, Abnaki Indiof families come back ans set up hunting and fishing camps repeatedly, and why some of them along shorelines of the area’s lakes purchase vacation homes -- “camps” and ponds. The names of some lakes – in the local vernacular – so they may the Cupsuptic, Umbagog, and tongue- enjoy all that Rangeley has to offer, twisting Mooselookmeguntic – attest especially during the holidays. to the Native American influence.

In 1796, an Englishman named James Rangeley Photo by traveler.rtx.travel purchased land on which a town soon evolved.

In the mid-19th century, the village which bore his name gained a reputation as a fishing mecca because of its abundance of Photo by Visit Maine brook trout and landlocked salmon. Well-to-do fishermen from Boston, Snowmobilers’ Paradise New York and further away made the trek to the still primitive destination, and over time grand hotels like the IF YOU GO: Rangeley Inn sprang up to offer them For information about comfortable accommodations. rangeley, Maine call the Today the Inn shares space along chamber of commerce Main Street, a several-block-long at 800-685-2537 or stretch of road without a stop sign check out the website at or traffic light, with frame buildings that house the Lakeside Theater, the www.rangeleymaine.com Alpine Shop, the aptly-named Moose Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 19

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DOWN 15 1. Recreational area: Fr. 18 2. Celebes ox 3. Celebrity21 4. Fools 23 of repetition 5. Marks 6. Middle Easterner 28 29 7. Facts and figures 30 8. Obstacles 35 9. Cesar __ 10. Four __ two is two 39 11. Small green item 42 12. White-tailed eagle 13. Animal enclosure 21. At one’s 45 __; relaxed 22. Misses 25. Put side 49 by side 50 26. Looked closely 52 27. Stranger 28. 60 Quake 59 61 29. Boomboxes 64 30. Dutch export 31. Shoemaker, 67 at times 33. Official 34. Grouchy people 36. Suffer defeat 39. Must 43. Put to flight 45. Fiery speech 47. Is fussy about one’s appearance 50. Bug killer 52. Society of St. __ X 53. Capital city 54. Creative thought 55. Be a breadwinner 56. Uttered 57. Houston and others 58. Porch item 59. Frothy drink 60. Rifkin or Reagan

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(and Other Kooky Christmas Traditions)

DOWN 1. Recreational area: Fr. 2. Celebes ox 3. Celebrity 4. Fools 5. Marks of repetition 6. Middle Easterner 7. Facts and figures

By RANDAL C. HILL 8. Obstacles 9. Cesar __ 10. Four __ two is two 11. Small green item ore than 160 countries around the world celebrate 12. White-tailed eagle Christmas. Overseas and elsewhere, some holiday 13. Animal enclosure 21. At one’s __; relaxed traditions may seem wonderfully weird—and maybe 22. Misses even a bit bizarre. For some chuckles, let’s check out 25. Put side by side 26. Looked closely the yearly happenings in: 27. Stranger Slovakia: During Christmas Eve dinner, 28. Quake 29. Boomboxes the oldest male resident tosses a spoonful of loksa 30. Dutch export pudding (a mixture of sweetened poppy seeds, bread and 31. Shoemaker, at times water) onto the ceiling—the more that sticks, the better his 33. Official business will do during the next year.

34. crops Grouchyor people 36. SufferGuatemala: defeat Each neighborhood 39. Must sweeps dirt into one large pile, then plants 43. Put to flight 45. an Fiery speechof the Devil on top before setting effigy 47. Is fussy about itone’s on fire. appearance 50. Bug killer England: The idea of kissing under 52. Society of St. __ X the mistletoe began here. Refusing a 53. Capital city was said to bring bad luck.

54. smooch Creative thought 55. Be a New breadwinner Zealand: Summertime Santa 56. Uttered 57. often Houstonappears and othersin “jandals” (New Zealand 58. sandals) Porch item and an All Blacks (their national 59. Frothy drink team) shirt. Kids leave beer and 60. rugby Rifkin or Reagan

#5118

CROSSWORD PUZZLE 43

ACROSS 14 47 1. Go by 5. Pops 17 48 49 50 51 9. Things to be learned?

20 14. Prefix for depressant 52 53 54 55 56 57 or histamine 15. Esfahan’s location 58 59 60 61 62 16. Not hidden 17. Meander 63 64 65 18. “See ya!”

34 19. AFL-CIO president 66 67 68 (1955-79) 38 20. Post-Civil War profiteer 41 23. Vientiane resident 24. Mister 25. Military address letters 44 Send your answers for a drawing. First correct answers 28. Locks 48 32. Played a lively way selected from the drawing on the 20th of theinmonth will 34. Box receive $20 cash! Send to: News Connection 35. Barbie orUSA, Ken Inc., 37. 33583 Acted like P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 58 38. Make room changes I want information on: Insurance Personal Health 63 39. Saints’ rings Travel / Cruises Elder Law / Financial 40. Monster movie feature & Fitness 66 tyrant Recreation / Leisure Housing Options 41. 20th-century Home Improvements 42. Musical brothers Entertainment / Events Reverse Mortgages Automobiles 43. One who gets up 44. Lifts 46. Slumbered Name 48. Yrbk. section 49. “__ a Small World” Address 51. Furrow 52. Woman with a business 58. “West Side Story” heroine 61. __ out; endured successfully City State Zip 62. Marks for a whiz 63. Spoken 64. Word of agreement Age Phone 65. Brief haircut 66. Future, for one E-mail 67. Some votes 68. Football positions 44

#5118 Dessert on the Ceiling

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

54

pineapple chunks for Mr. Claus, and 9 10 11 12 13 carrots for his reindeer.

16 Venezuela: Caracas closes streets to all traffic on Christmas Eve because of19the many city dwellers who roller-skate—nobody seems to know why—to 22 late-night Mass.

Norway: are hidden to keep witches from finding them and riding 25 26 Brooms 27 off into the Christmas Eve night.

32 33 Greenland: Folks enjoy holiday treats of mattak (a.k.a. muktuk, 37 whale skin with a strip of blubber inside) and kiviak, the raw flesh 40 of auks (a type of Arctic bird) which have been buried whole in sealskin for seven months until they have reached a certain level 43 of decomposition.

(Seconds, anyone?)

47 Germany: Each December 5th, German children, 51 both good and naughty, leave a shoe outside the 55 56 57 house. They awake to find the shoe stuffed with either62 yummy sweets or a tree branch.

Canada: Kids are encouraged to send Santa 65 letters at the address HOHOHO. All letters received 68 are answered by thousands of volunteers who donate their time.

Czech Republic: Some folks fast on Christmas Eve in the hope that they will visualize a golden pig—a sign of good luck—appearing on a wall before dinner.

South Africa: After residents enjoy a traditional Christmas Day meal, they eagerly dig into after-dinner treats of plump, fuzzy caterpillars that have been fried in oil.

Makes you wonder if some of our own Christmas traditions might seem strange to others, as well?

Sudoku #293

SUDOKU

Solution #292

Last Month’s Answers Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.

2 1 November Sudoku The object of the game is to fill all the 8 blank squares with the correct Carol Hammar, Longboat Key numbers. 5 is last month’s winner!

Each row of 9 numbers must include all 7 digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Congratulations!

4 Each column of 9 numbers must include 6 all digits 1 through 9 in any order.

Good Each 3 subsection 9 by 9 3 Win3 by Great Prizes! of theLuck! square mustselected includeeach all digits New winner month1 through 9.9 SUDOKU

Sudoku

#292

Sudoku requires no arithmet ic skills.

The object blank squaresof the game with the is to fill all the correct numbers Each row . of 9 numbers digits 1 must include through Each column 9 in any all all digits of 9 numbers order. must include 1 through Each 3 by 3 subsecti 9 in any order. square must on of the include 9 by 9 all digits 1 through 9.

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#292

2 3 5 8 7 9 4 6 1 1 4 9 2 5 6 8 3 7 8 7 6 3 1 4 9 5 2 5 6 3 9 4 1 2 7 8 7 1 2 6 3 8 5 9 4 4 9 8 7 2 5 3 1 6 6 5 4 1 8 3 7 2 9 3 2 1 4 9 7 6 8 5 9 8 7 5 6 2 1 4 3

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3 4 7 6 1 9 5 2 8

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5 9 6 3 2 8 4 1 7

8 2 3 9 6 7 1 4 5

7 5 1 4 3 2 8 9 6

9 6 4 1 8 5 3 7 2

4 8 9 2 5 3 7 6 1

6 3 5 7 9 1 2 8 4

1 7 2 8 4 6 9 5 3

TriviaPalooza!

Play & WIN!

QuestIoN: WHAt Is tHe NAMe oF GeoRGe BAILeY’s GuARDIAN ANGeL IN tHe FILM It’s A WoNDeRFuL LIFe? ANsWeR:____________________________________________

Answer This Trivia Question To WIN a Prize!

December Sudoku 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 must include all digits 1 through 9 as well.

Good luck! The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th will win.

Play each week to be entered in a drawing to win a prize each month!

Deadline for entries: December 20th

Name Address City

State

Email

Phone

Send your answers along with your name, address, telephone number & email to:

Mail to: Lifestyles After 50, P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL, 33583

Joseph Brocato, Fort Myers was our last months winner!

Previous answer: I Got You Babe.

Lifestyles After 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

4

Zip

The more you play the better chance you have to win!

WIN GREAT PRIZES! Sudoku muST bE REcEIvEd by ThE 20Th of ThE moNTh.

Go to LifestylesAfter50.com and click on the Trivia Palooza icon to play each week.

# 294

december WORDWord SEARCHSearch Word

In the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for

# 293

Word Search

Search Solution: 11. Nile (River)

In the today. grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. each Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at 1.Circle Aegean (Sea) answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid.

Answers can the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions -- forwards, be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally.

An backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An example is#293 given to Solution 2.

Arctic (Ocean) example is given to get you started.

Cantwenty you find the twenty answers in this puzzle? get you started.

Can you find the answers in this puzzle?

7 6 M 9 C S4 A2 N1 T 5 I 3 A 8 G

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Send your answers along with your name, address, email and telephone number to: LIFESTYLES AFTER 50 P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583

16.

17.

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20.

____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________ ____________________

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on the 20th of the month will win.

Mystery Prize!

WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

Mystery Prize!

G A E B U N A D

D E N

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H R K D T C Y

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12. (Lake) Ontario

8 4 6 2 3.

3 Atlantic 1 9 (Ocean) 5 13. Pacific (Ocean) 11. ____________________ 2Dublin 9 5 4.

8 Bering 4 3 (Sea) 7 14. Red (Sea) 2. ____________________ 53. ____________________ 3 7 4 5.

1 Black 8 6 (Sea) 2 Answers 15.

Rhine to (River) 4. ____________________ 35. ____________________ 8 5 1 6.

7 Danube 9 2 6(River) 16. (Lake) Superior noVeMBer seArch 6. ____________________ 77. ____________________ 9 4 3 6 5 8 1 17. (Lake) Tahoe 7. (Lake) Erie 68.9. ____________________ 5 2 8 9 7 4 3 ____________________ 18. Solution: Thames (River) 8. (Lake) HuronWord Search 10. ____________________ 4 6 8 7 2 3 1 9 11. Nile (River) 1.

Aegean (Sea) 11. ____________________ 19.

Volga (River) 9. Indian (Ocean) 12. ____________________ 12. (Lake) Ontario 2. Arctic (Ocean) 9 7 1 6 4 2 5 8 13. ____________________ 13. Pacific (Ocean) 3. Atlantic20.

(Ocean) Yellow (Sea) 10. (Lake) Michigan 14. ____________________ 4 2 1 3 9 5 6 7 15. ____________________ 14. Red (Sea) 4. Bering (Sea)

Today's Category: Capitals of Foreign Nations

M V O L

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# 293

S C N U S T T H A M E S K L RG AG E IB UB N EA DR MDV O

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5. Black (Sea)

15. Rhine (River)

6. Danube (River)

16. (Lake) Superior

7. (Lake) Erie

17. (Lake) Tahoe

S C N U S T T H A M E S

8. (Lake) Huron

18. Thames (River)

D K R G I

9. Indian (Ocean)

19. Volga (River)

F O G C Y C

10. (Lake) Michigan 20. Yellow (Sea)

A E E

Joanne I I O’Connell, H R S N N WMarco Island A A C HisDlast C Hmonth’s D T S G winner!

A L E H N

Congratulations!

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(Puzzles must be received by the 20th of the month)

Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 21

New Year’s Un-Resolutions

S

Save your energy and focus on the important things in life.

Let the energy experts at Tampa Electric show you how to save on energy costs.

When you participate in our free Home Energy Audit, one of our energy analysts will visit your home and identify areas where you can save valuable energy.

You’ll also learn about our other energy-saving programs including Energy Planner, Ductwork and more.

Visit tampaelectric.com/save to schedule your free Home Energy Audit today or call 813-275-3909.

Stop at our table on January 16th, 2019 to be held at the Zephyrhills Moose Lodge, 3211 Gall Blvd., Zephyrhills, FL 33541 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Bring this ad and receive a free energy-saving kit, made available through Tampa Electric’s Energy Education Outreach program.

o, folks, here we are again. It’s December, and soon the baby in the top hat, sash, and diaper will once more kick the old geezer out of the way, as the number on the calendar changes to 2019. And with another birthday pending, I hope this image will not become a metaphor for my life.

I’m sure for all of you, 2018 has had its ups and downs, but overall, I hope you emerged at the top. And as much as we might tell ourselves that New Year’s Eve is no big deal – just another night, and that Tuesday will follow Monday – as in any other week, there is a sense of closure and a new beginning.

Do you still consider making New Year’s resolutions? Even if you don’t write them down, do you think about them? I’ve long ago given up making promises that I will never keep. If I want to feel bad about myself for being a weakling, I already have sufficient items from prior years to draw upon.

So this year, instead of trying to reconfigure bad habits, I’ve decided to embrace them. Below I present my Top 10 year-end wrap-up of personal reforms that will definitely not happen in 2019.

I vow not to: 1. Give up Cool Whip.

2. Floss more.

3. Shop less.

4. Always hang up my clothes before going to bed.

5. Complete a London Times crossword puzzle.

6. Solve even one clue of a London Times crossword puzzle.

7. Have a neat desk.

8. Wear a bikini where anyone can see me.

9. Stop wasting time watching Law and Order reruns.

10. Never write another critical essay about my husband.

I hope this list has provided at least a small measure of inspiration for creating your own inventory of bad habits with which you are reluctant to part. And, whether you’ll be celebrating the big night in finery, jeans, or PJs, I want to wish you all a happy, and above all, healthy New Year. Jokes aside, it is a clean page in a new book, and we should all try to make the most of it.

Finally, I want to thank you for your readership this past year. My husband also thanks you. The time I spend writing is time spent not shopping.

Susan Goldfein holds a doctorate in Communication Disorders from Teachers College, Columbia University, and enjoyed a successful career as a clinician, teacher, and consultant. For more essays filled with wit, wisdom and irony, visit Susan’s blog, www.susansunfilteredwit.com. Her book, How Old Am I in Dog Years? may be purchased on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 22

Seniors getting Together Women Seeking men 4864 - SWF Seeking SWm. I’m 5’, 110 lbs. Enjoy country, movies and different activities. NS, ND. Please write.

4867 - DAmSeL in DiSTReSS. Still looking! 74 YO, WF, 5’7”, attractive, slim, blonde, grey eyes, romantic, physically fit. ISO SWM, Brandon/Tampa areas for LTR and companionship. I am romantic and openly affectionate. Enjoy social and quiet times.

4868 - Looking FioR one SPeCiAL mAn. Attractive SWF, 70, 5’8”, physically fit. Easy going. Enjoy outdoors, beach, travel, laughter. ISO SWM, 55-75 who enjoys the same. Healthy, active. St. Pete, Seminole 4858 - TAmPA. SF, 60, Seeking Sm FoR LTR. FF and TLC are important. Love movies, day trips, dining and picnics by the water.

4861 - ATTRACTiVe BLACk LADY. Seeking LTR and companionship. Age 63, 5’6”, 130 pounds. D, NS, SD. Race not important. Likes dining out, travel, both quiet and social times. Dunedin 4844 - WAnTeD! Fun, cheerful, kind, romantic, active man for easy-going, fit, 5’2”, slender 72 year young at heart. NS, WWF. Likes walking, nature, day trips, romance, music, home life and more. Palm Harbor, Clearwater, Dunedin, Largo.

4846 - ReADY FoR LoVe. I’m a WWF, NS, ND, 70’s. I’m active, caring, looking for an honest SOH, NS, ND, HWP healthy man who likes taking walks and loves to dance to country music and the 50’s & 60’s. Likes sports, have fun getting to know each other. Hopefully becomes a LTR. NPR & Hudson areas. Send phone number.

4851 - SWF, HWP, 70. Would like to meet a SWM around my age for a FF relationship. Someone like myself who is honest and lives by the golden rule.

Hillsborough County.

4814 - SWF. 70’S. BLonDe, gReen eYeS. HWP, nD, nS, physically fit. I enjoy life but would love someone special to share it with. Are you a kindhearted

gentleman? Then contact me. Let’s enjoy life together. Dunedin/Clearwater.

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 4865 - PASCo PRinCe! WWm, 70’s, 5’10”, 198 lbs., active, attractive and fun.

I am a caring & sharing man. Love the outdoors, dining, dancing and travel.

Come and join me in lifes adventure.

Phone and picture. New Port Richey 4857 - WWm. 65. SLim, HeALTHY, noT FAT oR BALD. I hope to meet a lady, 40-70 that would enjoy a live in situation. Maybe marriage in the future.

I have a comfortable little home in N. Tampa, decent car, etc. You don’t have a lot of “baggage” and absolutely no drugs at all. Alcohol ok if not abused. We can do movies, comedy clubs, karaoke, a little traveling, etc. I love to cook my own meals and do my own laundry. I don’t mind if you smoke. No pets. Tell me all about you so we can get this new fun journey started soon. I’m hoping for very long term, but if you need short term, tell me. Write today.

4863 - ReCenTLY LoST mY TRAVeL mATe. SWm, nS, nD, tall HWP, well groomed. ISO, WWF that likes to travel. I drive insured A/C vehicle. Cross state or cross country. Scenic sites or visit your family. St. Pete area.

4862 - TALL, THin, BASiC gUY. W, young, single, M, 56, looking for a older woman for affectionate relationship.

We can start with talking and see if we have a connection. Cougars welcome. N. Tampa.

4847 - Seeking ReTiReD WiDoW. Widowed WM, young 70’s, NS, ND, NDrg, loves RV lifestyle, exercise, country music, theater, moves & sports. Looking for retired lady with similar interests. Plant City.

4852 - WHiTe nS/nD CHRiSTiAn WiDoWeR. Lost wife. Exceptional inner beauty. ISO WC/WW, 70’s, same qualities.

Romantic music, lover, collector, DJ. Not wealthy. ISO LTR for best friend. The best things in life are free. Sun City Center.

4853 - HeLLo. My name is Gary. W, S, M, age 70. Honest and secure. Seeking similar female to share 2 br/2 bath townhouse in North Lakeland.

4855 - HeY, SPRing HiLL ReSiDenT with lively interest in ballroom dancing and extensive business experience. We danced at the Rhapsody Ballroom in Tampa. Let’s re-connect. Please write.

4808 - eASY To geT ALong WiTH. Attractive, DWM, NS, 70’s, 5’10”, 170lbs, romantic, honest. Likes travel, exercise, movies, concerts, dining out. Looking for an attractive, good hearted lady for LTR. Dunedin.

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 News Connection USA, Inc. address listed below. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue.

To ReSPonD To An AD: Write a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped envelope and write the ad # on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another envelope and address it to: News Connection USA 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.

Seniors Getting Together

Personal Ad Placement only $6 per month!

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

MArk The edITIOn(s) YOu WOuLd LIke TO run YOur Ad In: ❍ Tampa Bay & Suncoast (Hillsborough/Pinellas/Pasco) ❍ Lake/Marion/Sumter ❍ Southwest & Sarasota (Lee, Charlotte/Manatee)

Ad Copy ••• PLeAse PrInT neATLY ••• 30 Word Limit TITLE:

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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.

Name: Address: City: Phone:

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MAIL TO: ATTN. / SENIORS GETTING TOGETHER NEWS CONNECTION, USA, INC. • PO BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583 Lifestyles After 50 • Tampa Bay • December 2018 • page 23

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WEATHER TITE WINDOWS Named byREMODELING Magazine to its 2018 REMODELING 550 List of America’s Biggest Remodelers

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Tampa, Florida (5/29/2018) – WEATHER TITE WINDOWS ranks 25th on the 2018 roughly 100,000 remodeling firms in this country with REMODELING 550 list of the nation’s biggest remodelers, payrolls, so it’s great to know that we’re among the top 0.5% announced today. in the nation.”

The REMODELING 550 brings together the nation’s 550 REMODELING, published by Hanley Wood, is the leading biggest full-service remodelers, replacement contractor / publicationinthehomeimprovementindustry.REMODELING home improvement firms, insurance restoration firms, and editor-in-chief CraigWebb noted there’s a high turnover rate franchisors. Because the full-service and replacement firms in remodeling, with roughly one-sixth of the firms going operate so differently, the REMODELING 550 lists and ranks out of business annually. “In contrast, the bigger firms have them separately. a failure rate of less than 2%,” he said. “Thus, become a “We are honored to receive this distinction,” said Michael REMODELING 550 company indicates that you have quality Hollander, President, of Weather Tite Windows. “There are and staying power—two traits that customers value most.”

WEATHER TITE WILL EARN YOUR TRUST.

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NO DOWN PAYMENT 100 REBATE 200 REBATE 500 REBATE PER WINDOW 100 REBATE5200 REBATE 500 REBATE NO INTEREST FOR YEARS PER WINDOW $

LIMITED NUMBER OF REBATES$REMAIN $

$PER GLASS DOOR PANEL $FOR WHOLE HOME PER GLASS DOOR PANEL FOR WHOLE HOME

$

Cannot be combined with prior sales or previous offers.

LIMITED NUMBER OF REBATES REMAIN WEATHER TITE WILL EARN YOUR TRUST.

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100 REBATE $200 REBATE $500 REBATE

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PER GLASS DOOR PANEL

FOR WHOLE HOME

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ã²ésa /ìQ n[á ᪠Èì@ |þ ¥ [Óne á @»»Óªû@ Á ¥ánÓn×á @[[Óìn× eìÓ ¥ á n »Óª ªá ª¥@ »nÓ ªe Qìá @ ¥ánÓn×á × ü@ ûne | á n »ìÓ[ @×n @ ªì¥á × »@ e ¥ |ì ü á ¥ ²é ª¥á ×Á ¥@¥[ ¥ |ªÓ Ónn¥/ þÕ [ª¥×ì nÓ [Óne á »Óª Ó@ × × »Óªû ene Qþ |nenÓ@ þ ¥×ìÓneb |nenÓ@ @¥e ×á@án [ @ÓánÓne }¥@¥[ @ ¥×á áìá ª¥× ü á ªìá Ón @Óe ᪠Ó@[nb [ª ªÓb Ón ª¥b ¥@á ª¥@ ªÓ ¥b ×ný ªÓ |@ @ ×á@áì×Á

677823-1

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ÜĄÜĄa /ìQ n[á ᪠[Óne á @»»Óªû@ Á ýne ,. ª| ĄÁĄĄÀ |ªÓ Ü ª¥á ×Á ªÓ n@[ k²bĄĄĄ }¥@¥[neb ª¥á × ª| kĄÁĄĄ »@þ n¥á× |ª ªüne Qþ ÜĄ @ ªÓá Ăne »@þ n¥á× ª| k²ÜÁÜÛÁ ¥@¥[ ¥ |ªÓ Ónn¥/ þÕ [ª¥×ì nÓ [Óne á »Óª Ó@ × × »Óªû ene Qþ |nenÓ@ þ ¥×ìÓneb |nenÓ@ @¥e ×á@án [ @ÓánÓne }¥@¥[ @ ¥×á áìá ª¥× ü á ªìá Ón @Óe ᪠Ó@[nb [ª ªÓb Ón ª¥b ¥@á ª¥@ ªÓ ¥b ×ný ªÓ |@ @ ×á@áì×Á 677823-1

n@ nÓ ¥ á n !@á ª¥

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n@ nÓ ¥ á n !@á ª¥

ã²ésa /ìQ n[á ᪠Èì@ |þ ¥ [Óne á @»»Óªû@ Á ¥ánÓn×á @[[Óìn× eìÓ ¥ á n »Óª ªá ª¥@ »nÓ ªe Qìá @ ¥ánÓn×á × ü@ ûne | á n »ìÓ[ @×n @ ªì¥á × »@ e ¥ |ì ü á ¥ ²é ª¥á ×Á ¥@¥[ ¥ |ªÓ Ónn¥/ þÕ [ª¥×ì nÓ [Óne á »Óª Ó@ × × »Óªû ene Qþ |nenÓ@ þ ¥×ìÓneb |nenÓ@ @¥e ×á@án [ @ÓánÓne }¥@¥[ @ ¥×á áìá ª¥× ü á ªìá Ón @Óe ᪠Ó@[nb [ª ªÓb Ón ª¥b ¥@á ª¥@ ªÓ ¥b ×ný ªÓ |@ @ ×á@áì×Á ÜĄÜĄa /ìQ n[á ᪠[Óne á @»»Óªû@ Á ýne ,. ª| ĄÁĄĄÀ |ªÓ Ü ª¥á ×Á ªÓ n@[ k²bĄĄĄ }¥@¥[neb ª¥á × ª| kĄÁĄĄ »@þ n¥á× |ª ªüne Qþ ÜĄ @ ªÓá Ăne »@þ n¥á× ª| k²ÜÁÜÛÁ ¥@¥[ ¥ |ªÓ Ónn¥/ þÕ [ª¥×ì nÓ [Óne á »Óª Ó@ × × »Óªû ene Qþ |nenÓ@ þ ¥×ìÓneb |nenÓ@ @¥e ×á@án [ @ÓánÓne }¥@¥[ @ ¥×á áìá ª¥× ü á ªìá Ón @Óe ᪠Ó@[nb [ª ªÓb Ón ª¥b ¥@á ª¥@ ªÓ ¥b ×ný ªÓ |@ @ ×á@áì×Á 677823-1

ã²ésa /ìQ n[á ᪠Èì@ |þ ¥ [Óne á @»»Óªû@ Á ¥ánÓn×á @[[Óìn× eìÓ ¥ á n »Óª ªá ª¥@ »nÓ ªe Qìá @ ¥ánÓn×á × ü@ ûne | á n »ìÓ[ @×n @ ªì¥á × »@ e ¥ |ì ü á ¥ ²é ª¥á ×Á ¥@¥[ ¥ |ªÓ Ónn¥/ þÕ [ª¥×ì nÓ [Óne á »Óª Ó@ × × »Óªû ene Qþ |nenÓ@ þ ¥×ìÓneb |nenÓ@ @¥e ×á@án [ @ÓánÓne }¥@¥[ @ ¥×á áìá ª¥× ü á ªìá Ón @Óe ᪠Ó@[nb [ª ªÓb Ón ª¥b ¥@á ª¥@ ªÓ ¥b ×ný ªÓ |@ @ ×á@áì×Á ÜĄÜĄa /ìQ n[á ᪠[Óne á @»»Óªû@ Á ýne ,. ª| ĄÁĄĄÀ |ªÓ Ü ª¥á ×Á ªÓ n@[ k²bĄĄĄ }¥@¥[neb ª¥á × ª| kĄÁĄĄ »@þ n¥á× |ª ªüne Qþ ÜĄ @ ªÓá Ăne »@þ n¥á× ª| k²ÜÁÜÛÁ ¥@¥[ ¥ |ªÓ Ónn¥/ þÕ [ª¥×ì nÓ [Óne á »Óª Ó@ × × »Óªû ene Qþ |nenÓ@ þ ¥×ìÓneb |nenÓ@ @¥e ×á@án [ @ÓánÓne }¥@¥[ @ ¥×á áìá ª¥× ü á ªìá Ón @Óe ᪠Ó@[nb [ª ªÓb Ón ª¥b ¥@á ª¥@ ªÓ ¥b ×ný ªÓ |@ @ ×á@áì×Á 677823-1