YOUR NEIGHBORS A MATCH.COM MADE IN HEAVEN

Walter and Gale Frank are in their 80s and celebrated their first wedding anniversary last month.

LESLEY DWYER STAFF WRITER

Walter and Gale Frank were both married for 53 years, but not to each other.

Gale’s husband had a brain tumor and died after a stroke in 2017; Walter’s wife died in 2019 to emphysema, among other chronic conditions.

“My wife had been in declining health for a number of years, so I recognized the probability was that I was going to outlive her. The prospect of living alone for the rest of your life after you’ve been married 53

Dating Advice From The Franks

The Franks also volunteer at the Education Center. Gale was the director of an education program for homeless and at-risk children for 17 years. She leads a women’s group on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Walter spent a nearly 40-year career as a portfolio manager and financial advisor. He leads a financial roundtable on Wednesdays from 3 to 4:30 p.m.

In this case, their relationship success serves as their expertise, so the Observer asked the sweethearts for some Valentine’s Day dating advice.

Be social. Walter ended up on Match because COVID-19 left everyone stuck at home, but he initially thought he’d meet someone by virtue of how socially active he is.

“I’m involved with temple. I’ve gone to the Education Center. I’m part of the sailing community,” he said. “We’re fortunate because we have good health, but you have a lot of life to live.”

Be realistic. “We have another couple that we’re friendly with through the temple, and they met through Match.com. It does happen,” Walter said, “But you have to be realistic that the odds are not great. You have to use different venues.”

Be careful. “It’s like anything else you do, you have to do a little bit of checking,” Gale said. “There’s nothing wrong with that. You’re not going into their personal bank accounts and stuff like that, it’s just to make sure somebody is legitimate.”

Be present. Once you’ve found that bashert connection, nurture it.

“At five o’clock, we stop everything, no matter what’s going on, and we make a drink. He puts on music. We sit down,” Gale said. “It’s a time just for us. Nothing goes on around us, and we do that every single day.” years wasn’t appealing,” Walter said. “Both of us really respect and honor the marriages we had, and it’s a new chapter for us.” Gale, 82, and Walter, 85, celebrated their one-year anniversary Jan. 16. The wedding was held at Grand Bay, where they reside part of the year.

Thanks to Gale’s encouraging and technologically savvy son, Charles, the Franks met online.

“I had been widowed for threeand-a-half years, and I said to myself ‘I’d like to get my life restarted,’” Gale said. “I wanted to get back to finding someone I could have dinner with and I could go to the movies and the theater and things like that.”

So she asked single, 49-year-old Charles how to meet people, and he told her to go online. Not the answer the self-described private and introverted Gale was hoping for, but she begrudgingly agreed to try it for one month.

Charles refused to write Gale’s profile for her, but he suggested Match.com, walked her through the process and background checked each suitor.

“I met a few very nice men. I have no argument on that part, but I got disappointed, so I decided to scroll down all the pictures instead of having them recommend somebody,”

Gale said.

That’s when she saw Walter with the big smile, who loves to sail, did graduate work at New York University and was looking for intellectual conversation. Gale is originally from Westchester County, New York, so there was one hesitation.

“I thought to myself, ‘He’s New York and he’s looking for intellec- tual conversation.’” Gale said. “Well, New York men who are looking for intellectual conversation usually means that they want to do all the talking.”

Walter quickly translated: “They’re snobs.”

The couple plays off each other like milk and cookies. When Gale told Walter that her maiden name is Frank, he dryly responded, “We might be related.” It took Walter a whole six days to respond to Gale’s first message. He joked that she had “the world’s worst Match picture.” Gale shrugged her shoulders and said, “I took a selfie. I didn’t care.” But Gale fit Walter’s “checklist.”

She was close in age and shared similar interests. Proximity helped too. Walter was in Cincinnati at the time, and Gale was living in Columbus. When she offered to split the hourand-a-half drive with him, her considerate nature caught his attention.

Like teenagers, they shared twoto three-hour telephone calls before that first lunch date. Since then, they’ve done just about everything together, including a month-long cross-country road trip in their Cadillac SUV with their two dogs in the backseat.

The relationship has been fully vetted, and not just in a confined space for 30 days, both families approve and were onboard from the start. Gale’s grandchildren, especially, took an immediate liking to Walter.

The couple have so many things in common that Walter refers to their relationship as “bashert,” which is a Yiddish term meaning a soulmate that’s meant to be.

“My husband had said many times that if anything happened to him, he would not want me to be alone or stay without someone, so I felt very comfortable.” Gale said. “We come from a generation where I think it is expected to mourn, maybe for the rest of your life, I guess.”

Not for this active couple. The Franks are out on the town at least two to three nights a week.

THURSDAY, FEB. 9

CLASSES IN THE GARDEN:

BRUNCH BOARDS

From 10 a.m. to noon at Driftwood Beach Home & Garden, 6838 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Resident chef Tina Anderson demonstrates how to make brunch boards for entertaining. The cost is $65; call 960-0568 to reserve a spot.

FRIDAY, FEB. 10

PARKINSON’S COMBINED

SUPPORT GROUP

From 1-2 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Designed for both people with Parkinson’s and their care partners. Free, walkins welcome. Call 383-6493.

REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS: A

JEWISH PERSPECTIVE

5:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Guest Rabbi Jennifer Singer addresses the timely issue. Singer is a member of the Renewal movement of Judaism, which strives to shape Jewish law into a living way in the modern world. Free and open to the public. Call 383-3428 for information.

SATURDAY, FEB. 11

ROOTS OF RHYTHM:

DRUMMING AND DRUM CIRCLE

ACTIVITIES

From 1-2:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. An interactive percussion experience, no experience necessary and the instruments are provided. $20 for members and $25 for others. Call 383-8222.

TUESDAY, FEB. 14

ROBERT FROST, HIS OWN WAY OF FOOLING

From 3-4:30 p.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. This lecture presented by Michael Lasser looks at Robert Frost’s life and poetry to illuminate the man and his work. $15 for members and $20 for others. Call 383-8222.

Recurring Events

WEEKDAYS

LONGBOAT LIBRARY

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday, 555 Bay Isles Road. On Wednesdays, most books are

BEST BET SUNDAY, FEB. 12

Dancing Through The Decades

From 4-7 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Dress up in clothes from your favorite decade and dance the night away at the annual fundraiser. Cash bar and Harry’s Continental Kitchens is catering. Tickets cost between $80 and $100 depending on drink tickets. Call 383-6493.

on sale for $1 or less. Call 3832011.

MONDAYS GENTLE CHAIR YOGA

From 9 to 10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve flexibility, strength and overall physical functioning while stabilized in a chair. Eight sessions through Feb. 27, $95 for members and $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

STRETCH AND STRENGTHEN

From 10 to 11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Focus is on strength training and flexibility for balance. Suzy Brenner leads the class. Fee is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

THINKING OUT LOUD: TIMELY

TOPICS WITH MIKE KARP

From 1 to 2:30 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Topics will include U.S. and world current affairs, popular culture and topics relevant to seniors. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

MOVING FREE YOGA STRETCH & STRENGTH

From 11:15 a.m to 12:15 p.m. at

Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Strength training and body sculpting with weights, resistance bands and towels. Instructor is Mirabai Holland. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call (201) 956-1466.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND FRIDAYS

PUMPING THE PRIME

From 10 to 11 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Low-impact cardio and strength exercises to boost metabolism, strengthen muscles and bones. Instructor is Mirabai Holland. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call (201) 956-1466.

MONDAYS, WEDNESDAYS AND SATURDAYS

LORD’S WAREHOUSE THRIFT STORE

The thrift store will be open 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 6140 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Donations are accepted during business hours. Call 383-4738.

TUESDAYS

QI GONG FOR HEALTH AND VITALITY

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Improve balance and flexibility, plus loosen joints and relax. Eight sessions from Jan.

10 to Feb. 28, $95 for members and $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

QI GONG

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Qi gong is a mind-body-spirit practice designed to improve mental and physical health. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

YOGA

From 11:15-12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Debbie Debile of Feel Good Yoga & Massage leads a gentle yoga class that can be done on a mat or in a chair. Cost is $15, free for members. Call 383-6493.

MAH JONGG

From 1-3 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Fun time for experienced players. To check availability at the tables, email MaryAnnBrady@TheParadiseCenter.org.

ROTARY CLUB

Meets at 5 p.m. on first and third Tuesdays in All Angels Parish Hall, 563 Bay Isles Road. To learn more, call Nancy Rozance at 203-6054066 or email Info@LongboatKeyRotary.org.

TUESDAYS AND THURSDAYS

BREATH BALANCE AND BLISS

YOGA

From 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Bayfront Park Recreation Center, 4052 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Cost is $10 for members, $15 for others. Call 3616411 ext. 2212.

WEDNESDAYS YOGA POTPOURRI

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. A gentle, slowpaced blend of simple yoga postures focusing on balance, alignment, strength, breathwork, flexibility and relaxation. Eight sessions from Jan. 4 to Feb. 22, $70 for members and $80 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 3838222.

BEGINNER TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise

Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Class is outdoors, weather permitting. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

MARIACHI MUSIC

From 5-8 p.m. at La Villa Mexican Grill, 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive. Enjoy dinner and a serenade by Mariachi Contemporaneo. Call 383-8033.

THURSDAYS

KIWANIS CLUB OF LONGBOAT

KEY

At 8:30 a.m. at Lazy Lobster, 5350 Gulf of Mexico Drive. This service organization meets every first and third Thursday of the month for breakfast and a speaker. Breakfast is $10. Email Lynn Larson at lynnlarson@comcast.net to register.

SLOW FLOW YOGA

From 9-10 a.m. at the Education Center at Temple Beth Israel, 567 Bay Isles Road. Simple yoga routines incorporating a range of several hatha yoga styles for all fitness levels. Eight sessions through Feb. 23, $95 for members and $110 for others. Pay as you go available. Call 383-8222.

ZUMBA AND MAT PILATES FOR SENIORS

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. The class, designed for active seniors, starts with Zumba and shifts to all-level mat Pilates at 10:30 a.m. Come for 30 minutes or the full hour. Cost is $15. Walk-ins welcome. Call 383-6493.

FRIDAYS INTERMEDIATE TAI CHI

From 10-11 a.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road. Reuben Fernandez teaches the class outdoors, weather permitting. Free for members, $15 for others. Walkins welcome. Call 383-6493.

QI GONG AND MEDITATION

From 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at The Paradise Center, 546 Bay Isles Road, take qi gong and meditation with Sandi Love. Free for members, $15 for others. Call 383-6493.

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