Hoopla, February 2018

hoopla News & Entertainment For

Parker Co. Adults 55+

Grandparents’ Guide To Spring Break

The Ultimate 2-Day Roadtrip For Old-Fashioned Fun • Where To Play • Where To Stay • Where To Eat

Local Postal Customer

2

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2018

March Monday, March 5 Step Up, Scale Down The Texas A&M Extension Service starts a 12-week weight management program that includes goal setting, meal planning, cooking tips and motivational techniques each Monday through May 21. Sessions are from 5:15 to 6 p.m. at the Agricultural Service Center, located at 604 N. Main St. The cost for the 12-week program is $40.

Saturday, March 10

COURTESY PHOTO

Parker County residents Sheri Fergason, Tanya Hodges, Sharon Chisholm, Donna Couch and Gloria Munro enjoyed the Amelia Earhart luncheon hosted recently by Zonta Club of Weatherford. Earhart was a member of Zonta International and is honored each year. Proceeds from the luncheon will benefit the club’s scholarship program. Zonta was able to award fifteen scholarships last year. In May, Zonta will present this year’s scholarship recipients at the Status of Women’s Luncheon.

March for Meals This is the second annual 5K walk raising awareness and funds for the local Meals on Wheels program. Registration is at 9 a.m. at the Parker County Senior Center, 1225 Holland Lake Drive. Cost is $25 per person or $100 for a group of five. The event includes a doggie fashion show, food trucks, live music, vendors and more. To register, call 817-596-4640.

Saturday, March 17 Art in Action

Saturday, March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Party Texas BackRoads Band will perform at R&K Cafe's St. Patrick's Day Party. The event starts at 7 p.m. at the 1802 Santa Fe Drive location.

Saturday-Sunday, March 23 & 24

Watch local artists work at stations around the Weatherford square, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free event. Children’s activities available.

February 2018

The Boomer Ministry of North Side Baptist Church hosts a two-day workshop on how to

Issue 4, Volume 1

To Advertise, Call: 817-894-1822 seniors@hooplamagazine.com Publisher: Cynthia Henry

© Hoopla 2018 All rights reserved.

Hoopla is published monthly and mailed free of charge to select postal routes in Parker County. Free copies are also available at the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce. For guaranteed postal delivery, subscriptions are $12 per year and can be sent to: Hoopla, PO Box 305, Weatherford, Texas 76086.

Saturday, March 24 Bunny Bonanza

Grandparenting Matters Seminar

hoopla

become an intentional Christian grandparent starting at 6:30 p.m. on March 23 and continuing at 12:30 p.m. on March 24, $25 per person includes workbook and snacks. To register, call 817-599-8612.

Bring the grandkids for an afternoon of fun and festivities on the northeast quadrant of Weatherford Square from noon to 5 p.m. There will be egg hunts for all ages. The Easter Bunny will be on the scene, so bring a camera.

Creating communities free of senior isolation and loneliness

February 2018

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

3

n Wise Guys: Two Chuckles, One Winner Challenger One

Challenger Two

A recently retired senior went in for his regularly scheduled doctor visit.

The doctor asked him if he was getting any exercise.

The senior replied, “Oh, yes! I go walking in the woods, hiking up and down hills, wading through streams, and just generally work up a sweat.”

“Wow,” the doctor said. “You are quite an outdoorsman.”

“No,” the gentleman said, “just a bad golfer!”

An avid duck hunter was in the market for a new bird dog. His search ended when he found a dog that could actually walk on water to retrieve a duck.

The hunter decided to show off the dog to a friend of his, a pessimist by nature, inviting him to hunt with him and his new dog.

As they waited by the shore, a flock of ducks flew by. They fired, and a duck fell.

The dog responded, jumping into the water. Rather than swimming, the dog ran across the water to retrieve the bird, never getting more than his paws wet.

The friend saw everything, but did not say a single word. On the drive home, the hunter asked his friend, "Did you notice anything unusual about my new dog?"

"I sure did," responded his friend. "He can't swim.

Dennis Brown

Van Houser

COURTESY PHOTO

COURTESY PHOTO

Vote For Your Favorite!

Go to Hoopla’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hooplareader

Texas Opry Theater presents

Texas Opry Theater presents

NELSON REMEMBERED MAY 5th 2018 • 3pm RICKY Starring Matthew & gunnar nelSon Reflections of Patsy® May 12th, 2018 • 7pM starring

Lisa Layne

Imagine Yourself Stepping Back In Time And Attending A Concert

By The Legendary Queen of Country Music

Patsy Cline

The Texas Opry Theater Productions presents....

World Class Vocalist

MANDY BARNETT

Mandy’s style is rooted in the classic country and pop crooning of iconic singers and enduring sounds.

Mandy starred as Country Music Legend Patsy Cline in the stage show “Always....Patsy Cline” at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Mandy’s voice has been heard on “A Walk On The Moon”, “Traveller”, “Space Cowboys”, “Drop Dead Gorgeous”, “Crazy” and Spongebob Squarepants album “The Best Day Ever”.

Mandy has made multiple appearances with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and others.

a unique Multi-Media entertainMent event featuring the live Music of ricky nelson’s hit songs • Mary lou, travelin’ Man, garden party and Many More perforMed by ricky’s own twin sons Matthew & gunnar and includes never before seen big screen video footage of the nelson faMily with interviews froM celebrities influenced by ricky nelson.

Charlie McCoy Legendary Harmonica Man

Mandy’s legendary Guest artist is none other than Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie McCoy. Charlie has played on dozens of hit records, including work with such legends as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Simon and Garfunkel, George Jones, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and many more.

Lisa Layne as Patsy Cline

Call Us For Group Discounts, Season Tickets & Gift Cards

Lisa Layne is an Authorized Tribute Artist

by The Patsy Cline Estate for the past 3o years.

Lisa Layne is also the voice of the #1 Christmas Song “All I Want For Christmas Is You” with Vince Vance and the Valiants.

www.texasoprytheater.com TEXAS OPRY THEATER

THEATER

319 YORK AVE.• WEATHERFORD, Tx

817-341-1000

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!

$35 • $45 • $50

Call Us For Group Discounts, Season Tickets & Gift Cards

Celebrate The Life Of America’s Original TEEN IDOL!

www.texasoprytheater.com

THEATER

TEXAS OPRY THEATER 319 YORK AVE.• WEATHERFORD, Tx

817-341-1000

MAY 26th, 2018 • 7pm

For Best Seats Get Your Reservations Early!

www.texasoprytheater.com TEXAS OPRY THEATER

Call Us For Group Discounts, Season Tickets & Gift Cards

319 YORK AVE.• WEATHERFORD, Tx

THEATER

817-341-1000

Don’t Miss This Great Show!YouAlways GetYour Entertainment Dollars WorthAtAny Of The Texas Opry Shows In Weatherford!

Call For Giftcards • Season Ticket Pkg. & Group Rate Discounts • 319 York Ave. • Weatherford • www.texasoprytheater.com • 817-341-1000

4

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2018

Good Eggs Retired educators share love of great outdoors – and a hot breakfast “The Breakfast Boys” sounds like a comedy starring Jack Lemon and Walter Mattheau, but in Weatherford, it’s a group of retired educators who have been meeting for breakfast on Wednesday mornings for nearly a quarter of a century.

Some have known each other since childhood. The men began meeting at a local cafe in the mid-90s.

Friends have come and gone over the years, but the original members of the group were Duane Tabor, Jerry Wilhelm, Ray Don King, Larry Mahan, Leland Harper and Tommy Taylor.

Harper, a retired principal at Travis Elementary School, and Taylor, who retired from the Granbury School District, have passed away. The tradition conby Shirley King tinues for the remaining four.

Feature Writer Breakfast is really just an excuse for the remaining members, along with some of their new friends, to gather each week. Much of the attraction among these men was their similar age and career backgrounds, but they also share a love of the outdoors, particularly fishing. They’ve taken camping trips to Colorado and fishing outings to Graford and Jacksboro.

“We planned them to coincide with the beginning of the school year,” said Tabor, “sort of in celebration that we weren’t going back to work.”

They went to Deer Lake and Bear Lake in Colorado.

Plans for each trip were made at the breakfast meetings with travel arrangements and menus detailed.

But for the last several years, the fishing trips have

Friendly Faces

COURTESY PHOTO

The Breakfast Boys during an early camping trip to Colorado (around 1996). Bottom row, from left, are Larry Mahan, Leland Harper, Ray Don King, Tommy Taylor and Duane Tabor. Jerry Harkins is pictured at top. been to the Tabor’s land near Jacksboro.

“About twice a year, the guys get together out at my place to fish for two or three days. When we aren’t fishing, we just sit around a fire and tell stories. On the last day, the wives come for lunch, and we have a fish fry,” Tabor tells.

The men developed an easy camaraderie that bound them together. They often laugh and share their experiences.

“Once when we were camping in the Colorado mountains, we were warned that a bear might come through the camp,” King remembers. “Sure enough, in the middle of the night, we heard the animal prowling around our campsite.”

The next morning they discussed how each had responded to the threat. Harper crawled down to the bottom of his sleeping bag and curled up. Mahan locked himself in his camper. Tabor sat on a cot with his gun aimed at the door of his tent in case the bear tried to get in. “I asked him why he thought the bear would come in through the door,” said King.

When things get stale, the Breakfast Boys make fun of their own. Mahan revealed that they enjoy playing jokes on one another. “They usually play them on me,” he confessed, “since I don’t get mad about it.”

One time, after a fish fry, the guys were watching a hockey game. King had two remote controls for the television set. He was holding one, and Duane had the second one.

“Larry was always restless, and he got up several times and walked in front of the TV set,” Ray Don recalled. “Every time he walked in front of me, I changed the channel. Every time he passed in front of Duane, he changed the channel back. I said, ‘Larry, you’ve broken my TV! It keeps flipping channels.’”

“Later in the week, I ran into him at Walmart, pricing new TVs to replace my broken one and had to confess,” laughed King.

It is unusual that a group of men will stay in close contact for so long a time, but in a small-town atmosphere, the Breakfast Boys have found friendships that go on and on.

New participants join regularly. The group currently meets at Sunny Street Cafe.

February 2018

Hoopla: News and Entertainment3.5” for Parker County Adults 55+ x 2.5” | Maximum Font Size: 30 pt

Meet the Original Breakfast Boys Duane Tabor

Duane Tabor retired as principal of James Bowie Elementary School after 21 years there. A graduate of Weatherford High School, he received his bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan College and his master’s degree from North Texas University. He began teaching in the Birdville School District; then, he moved to Alaska, where he taught for five years.

“After I retired, I had an antique business for a while, and then we raised and showed longhorns for several years,” Duane remembers. The Tabors live near Peaster on land purchased by his family in 1955. “We also had goats for a while, but I would take about 40 of them to the sale barn and come home to find they had had about 40 more while I was gone.”

Worried about market volatility? Let’s talk.

Mary H McDow Financial Advisor .

1020 Palo Pinto St Weatherford, TX 76086 817-594-5904 www.edwardjones.com

Member SIPC

Ray Don King

Ray Don King became a coach at Shirley Hall Middle School in 1980. Although a native Texan, Ray Don grew up in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He returned to Texas to attend college at Hardin Simmons University. After 24 years of coaching, he became an assistant principal at Hall Middle School and later at Weatherford High.

“I took the job at Perrin-Whitt schools because there was little chance of me moving up in WISD. I was the interim superintendent for a brief time, but was the high school principal for seven years,” Ray Don explained. He later ran an alternative education school for several small area schools that could not afford to maintain their own program.

Ray Don and his wife Shirley now live in Glen Rose.

Larry Mahan

Larry Mahan and Duane Tabor are practically related since Mahan's brother married Tabor’s sister. After graduating from Weatherford High School, Mahan got his teaching degree in math and science from North Texas University, did his student teaching in the Birdville ISD, and remained there for his entire career, teaching middle school.

Mahan was once offered a job in administration by Raymond Curtis, the WISD superintendent at the time; but, Mahan says, “I had seen all that a principal had to put up with and was happy just to be a teacher.”

Jerry Wilhelm

A native of Loving, Texas, Jerry Wilhelm graduated from Graham High School and North Texas State University.

He moved to Weatherford in 1972 and retired from the teaching profession in 1993 as principal of Curtis Elementary School. He had also served as assistant principal at Weatherford High School prior.

“When I retired, I bought the Award Center on South Main. It has since moved to Eureka Street and is run by my daughter, Debra,” Jerry says.

5

911 Emergency 911 Emergency 911 Emergency

When life takes a turn for the worst, is on the way…

• Bases throughout Texas and 37 other states • America’s largest air medical membership network • Highest level care & access for you and your family Membership covers all out of pocket expenses Average $5.41 month, $65.00 yr/family Join America’s Largest Air Medical Membership For Information and applications contact Rhonda Dean • 940-327-7767 www.airmedcarenetwork.com/msm/rhonda-dean

6

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

Q&A

Grenetta Bledsoe, Hoopla’s Gardener of the Month When did you start gardening and why?

I was raised on a farm in Weinert. My mother and brother loved vegetable gardening and could grow anything. I’m sorry to say, I didn’t take advantage of my mother’s knowledge when I had the chance.

I remember when gardening came alive to me. My husband, Phil, and I went to Massachusetts to tour Plimoth Plantation. It’s a living history museum that attempts to replicate the original settlement established in the 17th century by English colonists. Herbs were planted everywhere, so herbs were the first plants I learned to grow.

After retiring from teaching, I took Master Gardener’s training in 2003.

What advice could you give to new gardeners?

Do your research. If you don’t, you’ll end up living with horrible mistakes. For example, I planted bamboo, which was recommended by a nursery in Fort Worth. I didn’t know any better back then. After a few years, the bamboo invaded an entire area in our backyard. Each spring through summer, bamboo remains a pain in the neck to keep contained.

What is your favorite thing to grow?

My favorite thing to grow is Clematis. I now have over 30 different varieties growing in my front and backyard.

What’s the best gardening advice you’ve received?

If a plant is not growing well after three years, don’t be afraid to give it away or trash it. Then, plant something else. I had two Climbing Cecile Bruner roses growing over our large arbor. They bloomed once in the spring, but the foliage didn’t look all that good the rest of the year.

After 10 years, I made a decision to take the bushes up and plant something else. I don’t know why I waited so long.

Clark Gardens seeks volunteers Clark Gardens is looking for volunteers to help with model trains, admissions, greeting visitors and light horticulture. For more information, call Julie at 940-682-4856 or email Carol@clarkgardens.com

February 2018

n Hoopla Exclusive

It’s a busy month for gardeners

Each month I’ll bring you timely tips, featured plants, and answers to common questions of the times, all tailored to the great folks – my friends – who call Parker County home. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

PLANT: • Early March: leaf and root vegetables.

• Mid- to late March: beans, cucumbers, squash, melons, corn, tomatoes, peppers.

• Early March: petunias, geraniums other annuals that can handle cool weather.

• Late March: marigolds, zinnias, celosia, begonias. Wait to plant copper plants, moss rose, periwinkles, caladiums.

• New sod late March. April is better.

Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis)

• Adapted to a wide variety of soil types and depths.

• Early spring flowers range from pale pink to deep burgundy, also including white.

• Leaves are typically matte green, but some types such as the variety ‘Oklahoma’ have glossy foliage.

‘Forest Pansy’ sports maroon leaves, and several have variegated foliage.

• Grows well in sun, but is particularly good in part shade.

PRUNE: • Spring-flowering shrubs, vines immediately after they finish flowering.

• Plants that have suffered cold damage, to remove dead tissues.

• Scalp lawn to remove browned stubble, winter weeds.

FERTILIZE: • Shrub, groundcover beds with high quality, all-nitrogen food. Same product can be used on lawn, but wait until April.

• Annual flowers with highnitrogen, water-soluble plant food weekly.

NEIL SPERRY

FAQ OF THE MONTH “What is the little weedy grass with all the seedheads that keeps popping up in my lawn? More importantly, how can I get rid of it?”

by Neil Sperry Answer: That’s annual blueGardening Expert grass, also widely known by its scientific name of Poa annua.

Your only means of controlling it is to prevent it with a pre-emergent herbicide (same as for grassburs), but in the case of annual bluegrass, the weedkiller granules must be applied the last week of August or the first week of September. There is no second chance. In other words, there is nothing you can apply now. It will die out with the warm weather of late April and May, but those thousands of seeds will start growing next fall unless you take the preventive action of the pre-emergent application.

Timely Tips

ON THE LOOKOUT: • Apply pre-emergent (Team, Dimension or Halts) in first two weeks of March to prevent germination of grassburs, crabgrass. Repeat 90 days later in early June. This is your only way to deal with these weeds, so do not forget!

PLANT OF THE MONTH – REDBUD Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) has a broad native range extending from the eastern half of Texas to the Atlantic Ocean and, as its name would suggest, clear into Canada. Here are some of its features: • Best used as a secondary accent tree, not as the prime shade tree unless you have a very small lot.

Neil Sperry broadcasts statewide to more than 50 radio stations. His Sunday morning program is heard on WBAP 820AM from 8-10 a.m. His newest book Neil Sperry’s Lone Star Gardening is available only from his website www.neilsperry.com.

February 2018

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

7

Stop and prune the roses Many think about roses as a way to show their love in February. Parker County Master Gardeners do as well, but we also think of it as a time to prune. Roses provide colorful, fragrant blooms with minimal care, provided the right varieties are selected.

Many roses, especially hybrid tea roses, are high maintenance plants. They are susceptible to many diseases and do not perform well in the typical homeowner landscape without the frequent application of chemicals, fertilizer, and water. For this reason, roses fell out of favor in the modern landscape as a plant that was just too hard to maintain.

In 1996, the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center in Dallas started a study to evaluate roses in our harsh Texas environment. The roses were planted directly into the native soil, without the addition of soil amendments or fertilizers. The bushes were never treated for pests or diseases. The roses that survived JERRY PARR this study were designated as Earth-Kind® roses. I EarthKind® roses have been studied and proven to thrive in North Texas. have 5 of these in my landscape – The Fairy, Belinda’s they bloom, or you will be cutting off most of next Dream, Mutabilis, Climbing Pinkie and New Dawn.

How to Prune All of these are repeat bloomers. I also have two other year’s flower buds. n Step back and look at your rose before you start antique roses, Lady Banks, and Petite Pink Scotch While Earth-Kind® and antique roses are well pruning.

As you choose which canes to cut, rememthat only bloom in the spring. adapted to our climate, there are a few simple rules ber that you want to open up the center of the These roses do not require the precise and careto follow if you want maximum performance. First, shrub for good air circulation. That doesn’t mean to ful pruning that is needed by many modern roses. A plant them where they get 6-8 hours of sun. Provide cut all the canes out of the center, though! good rule of thumb is to remove all a heavy layer of mulch and plenty of n Remove crossing and rubbing canes-those areas dead canes and clip back no more room for air circulation. An appliwill create wounds that could let in disease. than ⅓ of the remaining bush, thus cation of fertilizer in the spring will n Cut back blackened, winter-damaged tips, tryencouraging full foliage and heavy reward you with more blooms. And

by Jerry Parr ing to keep all the canes about the same length. bloom without destroying the vigor while these roses are very drought Parker County n Prune old canes back as close to the base as and attractive natural form of the tolerant, they should get some supMaster Gardener possible. plant. plemental water in times of great Everblooming varieties can be lightly trimmed or droughts, such as the summer of 2014. My general choosy. Look for the Earth-Kind® designation on the “tip-pruned” several times a year since they flower rule is to apply one inch of water if it has not rained plant description, or talk to your local nursery proon new growth. Roses that bloom once annually are in a month. best pruned after they have bloomed. Their flowers Though many roses develop problems in wet years, fessional. Then sit back and enjoy the blooms. come from wood that has hardened over winter, so these plants are extremely resistant to fungal diseasGarden Questions? Call a Master Gardener at 817-598-6168 or email early spring pruning will reduce their display. es such as black spot. pcmgaquestions@gmail.com.

The best time to prune roses is in early spring beSo go ahead and splurge, but make it a point to be fore the leaf buds open but after danger of several days of severe cold is past.

Vegetable Garden Tips from Parker County Master Gardeners Do not prune climbing roses until after they bloom.

It’s OK to snip out a branch or a whole cane as neednot plant too early. Vegetables can be planted in conWhen planting, keep in mind that the last average ed during summer, but don’t do extensive pruning tainers several weeks earlier than garden beds, since killing frost date in Parker County is March 17. Killing late in the season. they can be moved and protected from late freezes. frosts can and do occur after this date, but it is good Fertilize pecan trees with high-nitrogen fertilizer early Roses that only bloom once usually bear their flow- indication. this month. Repeat after 30 and 60 days.

Plant warm-season vegetables late this month.

Do ers on year-old wood. Prune these roses right after

Common Ground

8

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2018

n Neighbors We’ll Miss Helen Vaughn, 99 January 22, 2018

Larry Peterson, 66 January 31, 2018

James Svetlay, Jr., 59 February 12, 2018

Orpha Behee, 84 January 23, 2018

Susie Lankford, 99 February 1, 2018

Tommy Hawkins, 68 February 12, 2018

Betty Bailey, 86 January 24, 2018

Jack Lee Gore, 83 February 3, 2018

Thomas Johnson, 83 February 12, 2018

Donna Harper, 82 January 25, 2018

Berniece Baker, 94 February 5, 2018

Rowena Scherer, 75 February 13, 2018

Wanda Davis, 80 January 26, 2018

Floyd Montgomery, 86 February 7, 2018

George Cardenas, 69 February 13, 2018

Lee Bloodworth, 76 January 26, 2018

David Simmons, 77 February 8, 2018

Susan Alland, 78 February 16, 2018

June Cobb, 85 January 27, 2018

Neva Hodge, 87 February 10, 2018

William Harrison, 69 February 16, 2018

Gary Dennis Jerome, 79 January 27, 2018

Gary Jacobs, 60 February 10, 2018

W.L. Trice, 95 February 16, 2018

Terry Benton, 54 January 31, 2018

Joye Horton, 84 February 10, 2018

Cleatus Wright, 85 January 31, 2018

Ellen Doss, 85 February 11, 2018

Sammie Tillery, 76 February 19, 2018

Holmes Gold & Diamond Exchange

We Buy Estate Jewelry • Vintage Men’s Watches • Gold, Silver, Diamonds

817-304-2990 602 S. Main, Suite 300 Weatherford, TX 76086 holmesgoldand diamondexchange.com

913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, TX 76086

913 N. Elm St., Weatherford, TX 76086

817-594-2747 | 800-593-2747 817-594-2747 817-594-2747 || 800-593-2747 800-593-2747

James R. Plowman - jamesplowman@gpfcnet.com James James R. R. Plowman Plowman -- jamesplowman@gpfcnet.com jamesplowman@gpfcnet.com Misty Engel – mistyengel@gpfcnet.com Misty Engel –– mistyengel@gpfcnet.com mistyengel@gpfcnet.com Norma Plowman – normaplowman@gpfcnet.com

Norma Plowman – normaplowman@gpfcnet.com

“Serving every family as part of our ownevery for over 60as “Serving family part “Serving every family asyears” part

of of our our own own for for over over 60 60 years” years”

Our newest Our newest additional location

additional location Galbreaith Pickard Hilltop Chapel

Galbreaith Pickard Galbreaith Pickard 4941 I-20 Frontage Road Hilltop Chapel Willow Park,Chapel TX 76087 Hilltop 4941 I-20 Frontage Road 4941 I-20 Frontage Road Willow Park, TX 76087

Willow Park, TX 76087

February 2018

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

FINALLY a way to fix the PAIN of a BULGING DISC Are you suffering from back pain, arm or leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your arms or legs?

Then it’s likely you’re suffering from a Bulging DISC. That’s when one of your spinal discs are bulging and causing these, sometimes severe, symptoms because of the effect it’s having on your nerve system.

You may have already had this diagnosed on an MRI and thought that there is little that can be done about it.

That’s a major problem: bad information, because in the right hands, a lot can be done for you.

To end the misery caused by Bulging DISCS, you must have the right information. Pay close attention because I’m going to destroy some important myths and give you the facts.

MYTH: Bulging DISC problems will just “go away” with some rest.

FACT: If you are dealing with leg pain, then you must seek help from a Bulging DISC specialist immediately. If left untreated, the problem can lead to permanent nerve damage - and lifelong pain.

MYTH: Pain is the only problem associated with Bulging DISC problems.

FACT: In severe cases, this problem can lead to the inability to control your bowels, bladder and sexual potency - leading to embarrassing situations.

MYTH: You must take pain medications to deal with Bulging DISCs. FACT: Drugs like muscle relaxants, pain killers, narcotics, antidepressants, and anti-seizure medications have serious potential side-effects and do not cure Bulging DISCs. MYTH: “I must have done something wrong to damage my DISC.” FACT: Physical work or simply sitting at a desk for long periods can lead to Bulging DISCs. Accidents and trauma can also be the culprits. Pregnancy can cause damage.

DISC bulges can happen to anyone - including super-fit celebrities like Tiger Woods, Sylvester Stallone, and British Olympic medalist Ian Wynne.

MYTH: Stop exercising and get several weeks of bed rest to let the Bulging DISC recover…

FACT: Staying active can help to relieve the pain and prevent the pain from getting worse. Staying inactive in bed could be the worst advice - based on a recent study in the Netherlands.

MYTH: DISC Bulges or herniations require surgery.

FACT: No! There’s been a huge breakthrough in the treatment of Bulging DISCs.

9

MYTH: “There’s nothing anyone can really do. I’m just stuck with this for the rest of my life.”

FACT: With the correct treatment from a healthcare professional who specializes in Bulging DISCs, you can find relief from the core cause - and the symptoms.

MYTH: Getting a Bulging DISC properly diagnosed is expensive.

FACT: Not true. Dr. Carl McAfee in Weatherford is currently offering an initial consultation with one of their specialists for just $29.

Dr. Carl McAfee, D.C. is a Bulging DISC Expert in Weatherford.

This procedure does not require a hospital stay and, in most cases, you’ll be able to continue with your normal daily activities with little interruption. The focus is on finding - and correcting - the original cause of the Bulged DISC. According to Dr. McAfee, “We use a specialized digital x-ray motion study analysis to precisely diagnose the cause or your Bulging DISC. This means superior, longterm results for most people.”

Symptoms:

Because the treatment is non-surgical, safe, and easy, most patients report relief from their pain and associated symptoms early in the process.

Take the Next Step - END the Suffering … Initial Consultation Just $29.

The first step is to secure a thorough examination with Dr. Carl McAfee, DC. Call 817-594-0281 to schedule this article (CODE: 02HOOPLA2018) and they will happily reduce their usual consultation fee of $275 to just $29! Only 100 reader consultations are available at this exclusively discounted rate.

Call them now and get a full and thorough examination to pinpoint the cause of your problem for just $29. The normal cost of such an exam is $275, so you will save $246!

Call them now at 817-594-0281 and cut out or tear out this valuable article and take it to your appointment.

You’ll be on your way to safe, lasting relief ! You can even call on the weekend and leave a message on their answering machine to secure your spot, and they promise to return all calls. During the week, staff can be very busy helping patients, so if they don’t pick up straight away, leave a message. Quote this special discount code: 02HOOPLA2018.

10

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

nSUDOKU Sudoku

SUDOKU

Difficulty: Easy

8

February 2018

Edited by Margie E. Burke Edited by Margie E. Burke

Difficulty: Easy

5 8 5 3 6 4 9 7 2

4 1 3 HOW TO2SOLVE: HOW TO SOLVE: 5 8 Each row must 7 Each row must contain the numberscontain the numbers 1 3 1 to 9; each column 4 1 to 9; each column must contain the must contain the 4 8 6 numbers 1 to 9; andnumbers 1 to 9; and each 5 4 7 5 3 3 2set of 3 by 3 each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain boxes must contain 7 6 3 1 the numbers 5 6 11to 9.the numbers 1 to 9.

8 3 1 9 5 (Answer appears else- (Answer appears elsethis issue) where in this issue) 1 2 9 4 where in 4 2 9 5 6 1

Grandparent’s Guide To Spring Break!

Copyright 2018 by The Puzzle Syndicate Copyright 2017 by The Puzzle Syndicate

Directions: Each row must contain the numbers 1 to 9; each column must also contain the numbers 1 to 9; and each set of 3 by 3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 to 9. (The puzzle solution is located on P. 15.)

One short roadtrip offers two days packed with fun Skip overcrowded amusement parks and shopping malls this spring break and delight the grandkids with some old-fashioned fun.

This 136-mile roadtrip is packed with adventure, so we suggest taking your time and making it a two-day drive.

n Weatherford Whatsit 9 4 3 2 5 7 6 1 8

Solution to Sudoku: Solution to Sudoku:

8 1 2 6 4 9 5 7 3

7 5 6 8 1 3 4 9 2

5 3 4 1 6 8 7 2 9

1 6 9 5 7 2 3 8 4

2 8 7 3 9 4 1 6 5

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

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

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

1 5 6 7 4 3 8 9 2

9 2 3 6 1 8 7 5 4

4 8 7 5 9 2 6 3 1

3 9 8 4 2 5 1 6 7

2 1 5 3 7 6 9 4 8

COURTESY

Look familiar? Where have you seen it? The reveal is on P. 14.

6 7 4 9 8 1 5 2 3

Stop 1: Granbury Take 51 South out of Weatherford and you’ll run smack-dab into the heart of Granbury.

Shops on the historic square are full of vintage finds. There’s also an old jail, built in the 1800s, that’s full of memorabilia. You should also check out some of these attractions: Granbury City Beach The beach is open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

There’s no charge for admission and parking is free at the adjacent convention center.

The nearby marina sells bait and tackle if you brought your rod and reel. Youngsters can run through the splash pad, while older children rent kayaks and paddle boards.

Segway Tour 2 Wheel Tours and Fun offers a Segway tour of Granbury landmarks and historical

sites. It starts with a quick lesson in Segway operation for those who’ve never driven one.

Closed-toe shoes are required. Helmets are provided. Call 817-991-0990 to schedule a time. Rates start at $39.

Brazos Drive-In This is one of the few vintage drive-ins left in Texas. It plays first-run family films. Line up at the front gate on West Pearl Street by dusk -- the lot fills up quickly. Tag, frisbee and other sports can be played on the lawn before the movie starts. Outside food and drink are allowed, but no grilling is permitted. Bring lawn chairs or sit at the concession stand.

The price is $20 per carload.

Granbury Ghosts and Legends Tour Granbury wasn’t always a quiet little town.

Bonnie and Clyde once picnicked on the courthouse lawn; and rumor has it, Jesse James is buried in Granbury Cemetery. In fact, many of the spirits believed to haunt Granbury today were once outlaws. Tours take place every Friday and Saturday night at 7 and 9:15 p.m. Meet outside the Nutt House Hotel on the square. Tickets are $10.

See ROADTRIP, P. 11

February 2018

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

11

ROADTRIP From Page 10

Where To Stay The Hilton Garden Inn is within walking distance of the beach and the historic downtown square if you’re looking to stay the night. The inn has complimentary Wi-Fi, cribs for little ones and a full-service restaurant called The Great American Grill.

Where To Eat Granbury has a variety of restaurants, but the best burgers in town are said to be from Irby’s Burgers & Catfish at 804 E Pearl Street.

Babe’s Chicken Dinner House just off the square serves king-size helpings of chicken and chickenfried steak, and each table receives a variety of sides served family-style.

Stop 2: Glen Rose Head 14 miles down Hwy 144 for monster-size fun.

COURTESY PHOTO

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center This conservation facility is home to over 1,000 animals from 50 species. Drive through or take a guided tour. Spring break is a busy time at Fossil Rim, so be prepared to wait in line. Book in advance to guarantee entrance at www.fossilrim.org or call 254-8972960. Tickets for ages 3-and-up range from $16-$26.

Seniors get a 10% discount. Children under 3 are free. There’s a play area as well as a restaurant on site.

Dinosaur World This museum is a little off the beaten path, but once you make the turn off the main road, you won’t miss it thanks to 150 life-size dinosaur models, including the T-Rex that serves as the official greeter. Daily rates are $12.75 for adults and 10.75 for senior adults (60+). Tickets for children 3-12 are $9.75 each. There’s a fossil dig for children under 12, which costs $2.

Dinosaur Valley State Park Hike or bike to see real dinosaur footprints in the riverbed when Mother Nature allows. You can even access mapping tools on your smartphone to learn more about the beasts that once roamed the area.

Tickets are $7. Children under 12 enter for free.

Where To Eat Loco-Coyote Grill may look like a biker bar, but it’s actually a kid-friendly restaurant that’s a favorite of locals and out-of-towners alike. The outdoor pavilion provides a view of the lawn, where children can play football, basketball, catch and tag. Menu favorites include burgers, barbecue, fried pickles, onion rings and cheese fries. Loco-Coyote is about 6 miles west of Glen Rose at 1795 County Road 1004.

If you’re only looking for a sweet treat, check out Shoo-Fly Soda Shop, an adorable old-fashioned soda fountain on the Glen Rose square.

Stop 3: Hico It’s less than a 30-minute drive from Glen Rose to Hico, and it’s well worth the trip. If Mother Nature cooperates, you should see loads of wildflowers as you wind your way to the place “Where Everybody Is Somebody.”

Wiseman House Chocolates It’s hard to miss this gorgeous, historic home on Grubbs Street, but it’s what’s inside that’s truly spectacular. Wiseman House is known for making worldfamous truffles and caramels, so go ahead and endulge. It’s okay if it makes the kids want to climb the walls -- Siloville is right down the road.

COURTESY PHOTO

Siloville Kids ages 4 to 70 will enjoy climbing the inside of this 66-foot grain silo.

There’s a low ropes course to work on balance before attempting the silo wall or the challenging Ninja Warrior Obstacle Course, which is intended for strong adults. Before you go, download a waiver at COURTESY PHOTO www.siloville.com or have one mailed to you by calling 254-340-0737. A parent must sign for any climber under the age of 18. Also, be sure to bring gym shoes.

Billy the Kid Museum Hico is home to a unique museum dedicated to Billy the Kid. One of the largest exhibits is an old Hico jail cell, where we can only assume many outlaws spent a night or two. Most history books say Billy the Kid was executed in New Mexico, but many Hico residents believe he was pardoned and spent the next 17 years living in their hometown as “Brushy Bill” Roberts. The museum, which is located on the main strip in Hico, has no admission fee.

One last tip...

Don’t overdo it. You’ll be tempted to do and see everything on each stop, but adhering to a regularly scheduled naptime curtails a mid-afternoon meltdown. Sometimes, the kids need a nap as well.

12

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2018

What does conservative investing mean to older investors?

If you’re a certain age, or getting close Money to it, you might hear something like this: “Now that you’re older, you need to Matters invest more conservatively.” But what

exactly does this mean?

For starters, it’s useful to understand that your investment preferences and needs will indeed change over time.

When you’re first starting out in your career, and even for a long time afterward, you can afford to invest somewhat aggressively, in stocks and stockbased investments; because you have time to overcome the inevitable shortterm market drops. At this stage of your life, your primary concern is growth – you want your portfolio to grow enough to provide you with the resources you’ll need to meet your long-term goals, such as a comfortable retirement.

But when you finally do retire, and perhaps for a few years before that, your investment focus likely will have shifted from accumulation to preservation.

And this certainly makes some sense.

Even though you may spend two, or even three, decades in retirement, you actually have many shorter time frames for withdrawing money – that is, selling investments – from your retirement accounts, such as your 401(k) and IRA. In fact, you may be taking withdrawals every month – and you don’t want to be forced to sell investments when their price is down. Consequently, you’ll want a portfolio that’s less susceptible to market downturns. This means that you may need to reduce the percentage of stocks in your investment mix and increase your holdings in investments that have less growth potential but offer greater stability of principal, such as bonds.

If you follow this formula, you will have become a more conservative investor. But this evolution – from aggressive to conservative – isn’t that simple, or at least it shouldn’t be. If, as mentioned above, you are retired for two or three decades, you will have to deal with

by Mary H. McDow Edward Jones Advisor

inflation. And even at a relatively mild 3 percent annual inflation rate, your purchasing power will decline by about half in just 25 years. This is a real threat to retirees, who, unlike active employees, can’t count on increases in earned income to overcome increasing costs of living.

Given this reality, you will have to find your sources of rising income in your investment portfolio. One possibility: Dividend-paying stocks, some of which have increased their dividends for many years in a row. Still, like all stocks, these dividend payers can lose value from year to year, and they can also reduce, or even eliminate, dividends at any time. In other words, they aren’t risk-free – which brings us back to the question of how “conservative” of an investor you can really afford to be when you’re retired.

In the final analysis, there’s no simple answer. On one hand, you probably shouldn’t be as aggressive an investor as you were when you were much younger and still working. On the other hand, if you were to primarily own certificates of deposit and U.S. Treasury securities, you might face the prospect of outliving your money. Ultimately, you’ll need to maintain a balanced portfolio that helps you control risk today while providing you with growth opportunities for tomorrow.

Complimentary copies of Hoopla are sent to select postal routes in Parker County and placed in many businesses, assisted living facilities, medical offices and waiting areas.

Free copies are also available at the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce.

For guaranteed delivery to your mailbox, subscriptions are available for $12 per year.

hoopla

Name Street Address City and ZIP

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Mary H. McDow, 1020 Palo Pinto St. Call 817-594-5904.

Member SPIC

Phone (we do not share subscriber info) Total: $12.00

Make Checks Payable to: Hoopla, P.O. Box 305, Weatherford, Texas 76086

February 2018

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

nThe Crossword Puzzle Crossword ACROSS 1 Peter I, for one 5 Border plant 10 Call to a mate 14 Altar locale 15 Gibson garnish 16 Ice cream treat 17 Quarterback's option 18 Girder material 19 Comedienne Imogene 20 "Halt!"

21 Verse of four measures 23 Show fear 25 Dead letters?

26 Kind of cord 28 Chill out 33 Unrefined 34 Energize (with "up") 35 Block 36 Hourly charge 37 Stake 38 Look after 39 Chowed down 40 Neglected boy 41 Abstain 42 From the age of chivalry 44 Plow's trail 45 "Gosh!"

46 Heart line 47 Smelly pranks 52 Desire 55 Designer Chanel 56 Circa 57 Showy flower 58 Unpleasant emanation 59 Hangman's knot

1

2

3

by Margie E. Burke

(Puzzle solution is on P. 15.)

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21 23

26

28

33

30

32

53

54

38

40

41 44

43

48

31

35

45 47

29

37

46

49

50

51

52

55

56

57

58

59

60

61

62

63

Copyright 2018 by The Puzzle Syndicate

60 Air show stunt 61 Strengthen, with "up" 62 Dissuade 63 Kitty starter DOWN 1 Last call?

2 Cross words 3 Kind of press 4 Answer 5 Cheap lodging 6 Script direction 7 South Beach, for one 8 Suffix with theater

9 Darkroom apparatus 10 Click the OK button 11 Knee-slapper 12 Enough, for some 13 Academic period 22 Personal air 24 Is no longer 26 "Beat it!"

27 Go on and on 28 Watch 29 Square 30 Mental lapse 31 Ballroom dance 32 Fund

Win free tickets to The Passover Experience in Poolville

34

42

13

25

27

39

12

22

24

36

11

13

34 Buddhist leader 37 Range of frequencies 38 Tex-Mex staple 40 Nerdy one 41 PETA peeve 43 Slight, in a way 44 Encourage 46 Bullying, e.g.

47 Kilt wearer 48 Type of list 49 Desktop feature 50 Double-reed instrument 51 Kind of court 53 Congeal 54 Hoopla

Take an unforgettable journey through the Old Testament at The Passover Experience. It's an interactive production bringing to life the story of the first Passover in the Old Testament all the way through to the last supper with Jesus and his disciples as told in the New Testament.

The production takes place March 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Capernaum Village in Poolville.

Guests will become part of the story as actors welcome them into the first century village to witness the celebrations and preparations for Passover. Members of the Jerusalem village will welcome you into their home and allow you to hear about the traditions of this Biblical feast.

The village tour takes guests up close to the betrayal of Jesus by one of his trusted friends, as you take a seat at the table with Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper.

Other attractions in the Passover Experience include a chance to experience Seder, where guests participate in the tasting of a Passover meal while learning the meaning and importance of this 3,000-year-old tradition.

All attractions are outdoors, so dress accordingly. The area is paved, so guests with walkers or wheelchairs can easily manuever through the village.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $20 for seniors and children, but you have a chance to win a set of four tickets by sharing your favorite Mother's Day memory with our readers. Send your memory to: Hoopla, PO Box 305, Weatherford, TX 76086 or e-mail seniors@hooplamagazine.com. A winner will be drawn at random on March 12. Be certain to include a phone number, so we can call if you win.

For more information on The Passover Experience or to purchase tickets, visit www.CapernaumVillage.com or call 800489-1950.

14

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2018

Retirement

The end of your career, the beginning of an exciting new chapter My friend, Larry Link, recommendOn a ed a book recently, titled “Never Stop Starting,” by Dr. Peter James Flamming. mission In it, Dr. Flamming wrestles with an important question we all must tackle as we age. What are we going to do and who are we going to be in the late summer and the fall seasons of our lives?

Unlike other times in life, our retirement years are not defined. There are a lot of freedoms and possibilities. We all know there’s going to be health and relational changes. He doesn’t skirt those issues, rather, he chooses to view them from a different perspective. As he views these and other issues from a spiritual dimension, he offers the fact that they can play a key role in leading a healthier and more productive later life.

In each of the 12 chapters, there is a focus on a character (or characters) and their story as told in scripture.

From each character, James offers a lesson that can be applied to our own lives. It’s a good read!

Recently, I heard about a man whose family asked what he was doing in his retirement. He answered, “Well, sometimes I rock and think, but other times I just rock.”

In those years, I want to take time to enjoy life, but I also want my life to make a difference in the lives of others, in my life and in the Kingdom of God. Today people are living longer and they

by Donnie O’Fallon

North Side Baptist Church Boomer Life Pastor

want to live more purposefully. They are remaining active and intentional toward the challenges and opportunities that lay before them in serving God and others.

As I read and studied the book, and considered how some of these principles and precepts can be incorporated into my own life and service, I began to think of teaching it to others as well.

One of the first things I’ve discovered in this book is this: In God’s economy, there is a foundational principle of life in the way He operates in the world and in our individual lives. That principle is, when something stops, something else starts. In God’s grace, every ending is also a new beginning. Isn't that exciting to consider? For instance, as we look at the Biblical character of Moses, we discover that Moses packed his bags with a purpose in mind.

I have begun teaching this class at North Side Baptist Church every first and third Sunday afternoon through April. If you’re not a part of a Bible study group come and join us in Never Stop Starting.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Weatherford Whatsit on P. 10 is an old Santa Fe caboose that sits outside the Weatherford Chamber of Commerce on Fort Worth Highway.

Campers on a Mission plans first outing at Lake Murray Campers on Mission is looking to fill its ranks with believers desiring to spread the gospel.

The group is open to anyone interested in camping, having fun, Christian fellowship and service. You don’t have to own an RN or camper to join the fun.

Member Jerry Childress said, “Our mission is to do Christian service

work coupled with travel/camping; ultimately, striving to fulfill our obligation to the great commission as well as Christian service to believers and non-believers alike.”

For details on joining Campers on a Mission for a three day fellowship March 8-10 in Lake Murray, Oklahoma, text/phone 817-565-4078 or email donnie@nsbcweatherford.

n Hidden Object Contest

Janet Outlaw wins last month’s contest

Janet Outlaw of Weatherford has won two tickets to the Texas Opry.

She found the hidden cupid in a photo on P. 3. Many participated, and we invite you to enter this month’s contest.

Don’t miss your opportunity to see a show at the Texas Opry. To enter this month’s contest by searching for an Easter egg in this issue (like the one pictured at right). Once you find

it, submit your name, address, phone number, and a brief description of where you saw the hidden egg to Hoopla, P.O. Box 305, Weatherford, Texas 76086 or e-mail seniors@hooplamagazine.com.

The drawing will be held on March.

15.

1 February 2018

1 Solution to Crossword: 2 2 9 5

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Adults 55+

Learn how to start an embroidery business Looking for a way to turn your embroidery hobby into a thriving business? Sewing World of Weatherford is hosting a lecture on the topic Friday, March 2 at 2201 Fort Worth Highway.

Starting a small business is a great way for Baby Boomers to supplement retirement pensions while keeping a flexible schedule for travel and other hobbies.

This 3.5-hour lecture will include the finer points of starting your own embroidery business, plus a demonstration of one of Brother’s newest machines. A Brother educator will also be on site to explain the benefits of using Brother’s PE Design software.

In December, Hoopla published an article about Sonja Davis, who came out of retirement to start her own embroidery business. She is only one of several local crafters utilizing this technology.

Limited seating is available at the demonstration, so call 817-599-6643 to sign up today.

COURTESY OF THE PORTAL TO TEXAS HISTORY

Now & Then Charles White and Sons Charles White and Sons Automotive Services was a busy place when this photo was taken in November of 1975. Charles’ son, Morris, worked with his dad at the garage and now owns Texas Butane with his wife Judy. The building that once housed the garage was located at 201 N. Main Street. It is now home to Yesterdays Sandwich Shop. After Charles closed the station, the building was rebuilt. Judy says the family is impressed by similarities the two structures share.

SEWING WORLD Personal Customer Service

CYNTHIA HENRY | HOOPLA

T S A R H E D G E A H A P S E O N I O N C O P A S 2018 S T Puzzle E E Syndicate L C O Copyright byS The S T O P T E T R A M E T C O W E R R I P S P I N A L V E G E T A C R A S S L I V E N B R A T E W A G E R T E A T E G A M I N F O R F U R R M E D I E V A L G E E A O R T A S T I N K B O M B S I T A B O U T L I C O C O N O O S E L O O D O R D E T E R A N T O N E

8 1 2 6 4 9 5 7 3

7 5 6 8 1 3 4 9 2

Handpainted Treasures & Apparel

by Sherry O’

SALES, SERVICES & ACCESSORIES Sewing • Quilting • Embroidery • Serger Machines

$

15 OFF

A Complete Service Of Your Sewing, Embroidery Or Serger Machine

817-599-6643

2201 FT. WORTH HWY. , WEATHERFORD TUES.-FRI. 9:30 A.M. - 6 P.M. • SAT. 9:30 A.M.-5 P.M. WWW.SEWINGWORLDINC.COM

“A stitch above the rest.”

Boutique

126-B York Ave. Weatherford

817-599-0294

O N C E

Y E A R

T A N G O

E N D O W

C L O T

H Y P E

Solution to Sudoku:

9 4 3 2 5 7 6 1 8

ssspc@sbcglobal.net

Hours: Monday-Friday 10-5, Saturday 10-4, Closed Mondays

5 3 4 1 6 8 7 2 9

1 6 9 5 7 2 3 8 4

2 8 7 3 9 4 1 6 5

6 7 8 4 2 5 9 3 1

4 2 1 9 3 6 8 5 7

15

3 9 5 7 8 1 2 4 6

16

Hoopla: News and Entertainment for Parker County Residents 55+

February 2018

Dowlings rave about their time in Marathon, Florida After a day on Fort Lauderdale beach soaking in the sun, shopping and eating,we decided to drive to Key West. We got there early enough to take pictures and to watch the breathtaking sun set light up the sky with pinks, blues and gold.

From there, we drove the RV 45 miles back down the keys to the Key named Marathon. We had rented a cabin there so we could Roam explore the rest of the island the next Sweet Roam day.

by Charles and We found a place close by named Nancy Dowling Sombrero Beach. It was a slice of Travel Correspondents heaven! It was a very small beach that stretched out about ¼ to ½ mile. It had beautiful white, flour-like sand and turquoise water. It was very quiet with only a scattering of people.

After a few hours of splashing and getting sunburned, we ended up at the Sunset Grill. The most unique thing about the restaurant was the large swimming pool that was built right in the middle. Of course, we had to take a pre-lunch swim. It was fabulous, and this day in Marathon was our favorite day out of our entire trip.

After lunch, we headed farther down the road. I was disappointed in the other Keys. There’s really not a lot

there. I was most anxious to see Key Largo, the largest of the keys, but hotels and resorts lined the roads in front in front of the beach making it beautiful but impossible to find public access.

The next day we headed back to the Ft. Lauderdale and, again, found our way to the beach. We rented an umbrella and chairs and spent the day. Be prepared to pay a pretty penny for the rentals, food and drinks.

Miami was the next stop. Traffic was worse than in Los Angeles, and it will cost you $20 to $30 to park for the afternoon. We boarded a double decker tour bus we had booked the night before. We chose the “Beach Route,” however, you can’t see the beach from the bus unless you can find a little bit of it between the extremely tall hotels.

South Beach was beautiful but extremely crowded.

We later took a sunset cruise, which was the highlight of the day. It was a 90-minute tour of the bay where the rich and famous live. The bus tour and sunset cruise were only $29 total. Very affordable.

My take on Ft. Lauderdale, Miami and the Keys is this: They are way too big and congested for our lik-

COURTESY PHOTO

NANCY DOWLING

Charles and Nancy Dowling (above) love hitting the open road.

In Marathon, they enjoyed eating at the Sunset Grill (left).

ing. We loved the beautiful water and beaches but the crowds, traffic, parking and the cost of everything was too much. The quiet, laid back and free day we had at Marathon Key is how we prefer our days.

CRUISE & TRAVEL $SPECIAL$

Don’t miss out!

(Personally escorted by Tom & Rita Paul - for “seamless” travel and guaranteed fun!)

For color flyers/details, visit www.PaulsCruises.com - or email at Info@PaulsCruises.com

ALASKA

VIPP Adventure 7 night Tour & 7 night Cruise

CANADA

New England Fall Foliage Deluxe 11 nt.

June 3 or July 8

The best of land and sea (Personally escorted by “Mr. & Mrs. Alaska”)

from

2499 pp

$

AUSTRALIA • Tasmania • New Zealand

Feb. 18, 2019

Oct. 13-24 Cruise up the St. Lawrence River, down the Atlantic Seaboard - rt. from Ft. Lauderdale

from

1659 pp

$

12 nts from SYDNEY AUCKLAND, N.Z. Great route!

PaulsCruises.com Hurst 817-589-7447

Arlington 817-572-7285

Nationwide 800-327-3533

from

1989 pp

$

Voted BEST Travel Agency (FtWorthy.com)