COMING AGE

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COMING of AGEL I F E S T Y L E M A G A Z I N E F O R S E N I O R S

SUMMER 2014

Presented by Council on Aging of West Florida

TM

An ExclusiveInterview With GavinMacLeod

What’sGoodAboutGrowingOlder?

A ‘Refresher Course’ on Coping with Disaster

A New Senior Park

Ever’man EducationalCenter

6 COMING OF AGE SUMMER 2014

Wow, what a crazy winter and spring – January’s “Great Freeze 0f 2014” and April’sflood. I hope you and your family, pets, homes and businesses fared well — and if not —are on the road to some level of normalcy. Like in any trying situation, a positive attitudegoes a long way. For tips on to how to deal with the emotional toll of disaster, please checkout our article on page 12. Though Mother Nature can be trying at times, please rememberwe do live in paradise – or as the late Mayor Emeritus Vince Whibbs, a loyal friend ofCouncil on Aging of West Florida, used to say, “The western gate to the Sunshine State,where thousands live the way millions wish they could.”

I hope you enjoy our exclusive feature celebrity interview with Gavin MacLeod,probably best remembered for his role as Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler MooreShow and starring role as Captain Stubing on The Love Boat. He has weathered somepersonal storms of his own and I hope you find his interview insightful.

And speaking of captains, this month our very own captain, our president/CEO John B.Clark, celebrates 40 years at the helm of Council on Aging of West Florida. During histenure, he has successfully steered this organization through a myriad of choppy waters andhas remained a committed and passionate advocate for the elderly. We dedicate this issueto his legacy and look forward to many, many more years of his leadership.

In this issue you will also find local author and coach, and Council on Aging of WestFlorida board member, Kathleen Vestal Logan, M.S., M.A.’s very positive feature article“What’s Good about Growing Older?”. Other articles of interest include news of the newfitness area for seniors on Pensacola Beach, an update on our grant from IMPACT 100, andeducational opportunities available from the newly expanded and renovated Ever’man indowntown Pensacola.

As I sign off, I am reminded of the second part of late Mayor Emeritus Vince Whibbs’famous quote – “Where the warmth of our community comes not only from God’s goodsunshine, but from the hearts of the people who live here.” No matter what, the people ofthis area are resilient and step up to help each other when needed. I ran across an Africanproverb several years ago that has stayed with me that I believe is fitting for our citizens —“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” You are all truly skilled sailors and I wish youthe best in all your future voyages.

Let’s hope for a very calm and uneventful H-word season!Until next time - Enjoy life, you’ve earned it!

P.S. – speaking of former Pensacola Mayors, congratulations to Mayor Emeritus John Foggon the publication of his new book, By the Grace of God. It is available direct from thepublisher at www.outskirtspress.com/bookstore or at Amazon.com, which also has a KindleEdition, or via the websites of Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million.

Jeff Nall, M.A., APR, CPRCEditor-in-Chief

COMMUNICATIONS CORNER

SubscriptionsYour subscription to Coming of Agecomes automatically with yourmembership to Council on Aging ofWest Florida. If you have questionsabout your subscription, call Jeff Nallat (850) 432-1475 ext. 130 or [email protected]. Please do nothesitate to contact Jeff with anyquestions or comments about yourservice, and thank you! Change of AddressWhen calling or emailing us yourchange of address, please provideCouncil on Aging of West Floridawith both the old and newaddresses to expedite the change. Back IssuesIs there an issue of one of ourmagazines that you just have tohave? Was your relative seen in arecent issue and you lost it? GiveBallinger Publishing a call at (850)433-1166 ext. 30, and they will findone for you. LettersCouncil on Aging of West Floridawelcomes your letters andcomments. Send letters to Councilon Aging c/o Jeff Nall at 875 RoyceSt., Pensacola, FL 32503, emails [email protected] or contact editorKelly Oden at Ballinger Publishing,P.O. Box 12665 Pensacola, FL 32591or [email protected] OpportunitiesWe are always willing to considerfreelance writers and article ideas.Please send queries and/orsuggestions to Kelly Oden or Jeff Nallat the above addresses.

Readers’ Services

SUMMER 2014 LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR SENIORS 7

Council on Aging of West Florida 2014 Board of Directors

OfficersChair: DeeDee Davis

First Vice Chair: Caron SjöbergSecond Vice Chair: Robert Mills

Secretary: Councilmember P.C. WuTreasurer: James M. “Mick” NovotaImmediate Past Chair: Dona Usry

Board MembersLorenzo Aguilar • Malcolm Ballinger

Jim Barnett, Ed.D.Sonya M. Daniel

Rabbi Joel FleekopThomas Lampone, M.D.

Kathleen Logan • Andy MarletteEscambia County Commissioner Lumon May

Chaplain Larry Mosley John Peacock • Tara Peterson

Santa Rosa School Board District 1 Diane L. Scott, Ph. D.Monica Sherman • Sue Straughn

Edgar M. Turner • Richard M. TutenMarie K. Young

Members EmeritiJoe Black • Rosemary BonifayJohn Brick • Kenneth Kelson

Zola Lett • Charles H. Overman, IIIMalcolm Parker • Ethel Tamburello

President/CEOJohn B. Clark

Vice President/Communication and Development andComing of Age Editor-in-ChiefJeff Nall, M.A., APR, CPRC

Published for Council on Aging of West Florida byBallinger Publishing 41 N. Jefferson St.

Suite 402 • Pensacola, FL 32502 850/433-1166 • Fax 850/435-9174

PublisherMalcolm Ballinger

Executive EditorKelly Oden

EditorEmily Lullo

Art DirectorRita Laymon

Graphic Designer & Ad CoordinatorGuy Stevens II

Business EditorJosh Newby

Editorial InternsMadelyn Mancera • Karianne Payton

Account ExecutivesSharyon Miller • [email protected] Hildebrand • [email protected]

Disclaimer: Coming of Age magazine is published quarterly byBallinger Publishing for Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc.All Rights Reserved. Reproduction or use of the contents hereinis prohibited. Comments and opinions expressed in thismagazine represent the personal views of the individuals towhom they are attributed and/or the person identified as theauthor of the article, and they are not necessarily those of thepublisher or Council of Aging of West Florida, Inc. Thismagazine accepts no responsibility for these opinions. Thepublisher and Council on Aging of West Florida reserve the rightto edit all manuscripts. All advertising information is theresponsibility of the individual advertiser. Appearance in thismagazine does not necessarily reflect endorsement of anyproducts or services by Ballinger Publishing or Council on Agingof West Florida. © 2014


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Advocacy

Mental Health

Giving

Fitness

Do-Gooder

Education

22. What’s Good About Growing Older?

28. An Exclusive Interview With Gavin MacLeod

Departments10.

12.

14.

16.

18.

20.

38. News from Council on Aging of West Florida

40. Out & About

42. Were You Seen?

44. Donor Appreciation

In Every Issue

Council on Aging of West Florida, Inc, is compliant withthe Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance

Standards for Charity Accountability.

Contents

Features

28. 20.16.


John B. Clark,President/CEO,Council on Aging ofWest Florida

I guess thoseof us living inparadise couldbe forgiven ifwe arebeginning tothink we areliving in the“end times.”Certainly wehave takenMotherNature’s best shot over the past year. Last winterwas a record ice storm. Good grief! Who wouldhave thought in Northwest Florida you couldactually ice skate on the highways and byways?Then another blow: a record rainfall, leavinghundreds with destroyed and damaged homesfrom the flooding. Perhaps we need to rememberthat night when someone says, “We sure coulduse some rain.” To top it all off, we now enter thehurricane season. A time when, since Ivan (by theway, did you know that the name Ivan was“retired” from every being used again as the nameof a hurricane?), we all just seem to hold ourcollective breaths for six months. Of course, thisis all on top of our regular weather; you know,violent thunderstorms complete with lots oflightning, tornado watches and warnings; and theoccasional heat wave and cold wave. All that is

missing is anearthquake! Nowthat would be a bitmuch. At least withhurricanes,tornadoes and rain,you do get somewarning and canprepare. Not so withan earthquake.Which brings me tomy topic: exactly

how prepared are you should we have ahurricane, tornado or flood in our area and wheredo you go to get more information on what to doin order to be prepared?

The saying that “the first 72 is on you” meansthat you cannot expect any “formal” response andaid for at least the first few days. So, asindividuals and as a community, we need to beprepared to “weather” the first 72 hours after astorm. How prepared are you? Do you knowwhat you will need and should plan for duringthis period? Do you have a disaster kit? Wouldyou need to evacuate during a hurricane and doyou know where you would go? If you have a pet,what are your plans for them? Do you have anyspecial medical needs? Do you have adequatewater and non-perishable food for this period oftime? If you “shelter in place” (stay in your

Be PreparedADVOCACY


home) would you know whatsafety precautions to take?Clearly, there is much to knowand do in order to be preparedfor any type of natural disaster.That information is available.The Florida Department ofElder Affairs publishes a specialDisaster Preparedness Guide forElders. It covers everyconceivable event, fromhurricanes to extreme heat,from tornadoes to floods. Itexplains what you would needto protect yourself, whatinsurance you need, how toprotect yourself from scams(such as home repair fraud) andhow to apply for assistance afterthe event and even gives thereader numbers to call in eachcounty of our state. We can mailyou a copy of this guide if youcall us at 850-432-1475 andprovide a mailing address. If youhave access to a computer, youcan get a copy of this guide atthe Department of Elder Affairswebsite:http://elderaffairs.state.fl.us/doea/elder_update.php. Anothergreat on-line resource is the BeReady Escambia website athttp://www.myescambia.com/beready.

Some of these naturaldisasters are the price we payfor “living in paradise.” Weshould not have a gloom anddoom attitude; rather, hope andpray for the best and preparefor the worst understanding thatwe are all in this boat togetherand preparing individually andas a community we can survive.That is something we haveproven time and again.


When it comes to the emotional toll ofdisaster, older people have a secret weapon:experience.

People who are 55 or older already havelearned a thing or two about stress, loss andsurvival. They have lived through life’s storms,setbacks and crises. Research suggests that pastexperiences equip older people with skills thatenable them to better cope with tryingsituations. Psychologists refer to this as the“inoculation hypothesis.”

Nonetheless, while older adults may havespecial resiliency born from experience, they

also have special vulnerabilities that can comewith age. People who are physically frail andthose with psychiatric or medical limitationshave the highest risk for illness or death fromdisaster. The loss of their homes and treasuredpossessions can be especially devastating for thepeople who feel they have lost what has taken alifetime to build.

So even if you are a seasoned veteran of pasthurricanes, floods and man-made calamities, thenext disaster can still challenge your resiliency.These tips can serve as a “refresher course” onhow to cope after a disaster:

A ‘Refresher Course’on Coping with Disaster

MENTAL HEALTH Provided by Lakeview Center


Accept your feelings. It’scommon to feel dazed, anxious,sad or overwhelmed. All ofthese are normal reactions.

Be open about how you feel. Ifyou are depressed, worried orangry, talk about it. Let peopleknow what you are goingthrough.

Direct anger at the righttarget. Anger is a healthyemotion that can move you toaction and provide energy forrecovery. Improperly directed,it can be destructive, divisiveand damaging. Be careful so youdon’t turn your anger towardyour spouse, family and friends.

Allow time for healing. Don’tgive yourself a deadline to “getover it.”

Ask for help. Seek financial,emotional and medicalassistance if you need it.

Take care of yourself. Findtime to relax. Eat right,exercise and get adequate sleep.Seek religious solace if it is partof your beliefs. Keep in touchwith people you care about.

Pitch in, if possible. Participatein community recovery effortsif you are able.

About Lakeview CenterLakeview Center, a network ofbehavioral health programs andfacilities providing psychiatric care,mental health counseling, substanceabuse treatment, developmentaltraining and vocational services. Formore information, visitwww.elakeviewcenter.org/LakeviewCenter.

never be bored

www.downtowncrowd.com


As you know, nonprofits relyon funding from generouspeople like you. Whether thatbe $20 or $1,000, every singlepenny counts — and they addup. The exponential power ofgiving is truly incredible.

Our donors help us providemuch-needed assistance andsupport to over 2,200 seniors,plus their families, in Escambiaand Santa Rosa counties. In2013 alone, our donors helpedus serve 140,062 mealsthrough our Meals on Wheelsprogram, assist 79 participantsat The Retreat and provide inhome services for 701 clients.None of this would be possible

without you! With the vastchanges in technology andhype put around “giving back”and “paying it forward,”donating to nonprofits hasbecome easier than ever.

According to the 2013Charitable Giving Report byBlackbaud, online givingincreased 13.5 percent whileoverall giving only increased4.9 percent. Many nonprofitwebsites, including ours, havethe capability to accept onlinegifts — and enable donors toset up a recurring gift.

Recurring gifts are regularlyscheduled donations, usuallyon a monthly basis, of a

specific amount requested bythe donor that result in moreannual support to the charitywith much less pain to thedonor’s pocketbook. Forexample, $25 dollars a monthadds up to a generous $300 atthe end of a year, $50 meansan annual contribution of$600. Even $10 a month addsup to more than $100 a year.

Recurring gifts are safe,secure and, best of all, easy.We encourage you to considersetting up a recurring gift todonate whatever amount youare comfortable with eachmonth to Council on Aging ofWest Florida. The donation

The Power of GivingGIVING By Brandi Welk, Development Director

They say that “thesmallest things make

the biggestdifference.” In the

world of nonprofits,that’s exactly thetruth. Council on

Aging of West Floridais no exception.


will be charged to the creditcard of your choice on oraround the 15th of everymonth, depending on whichday of the week the 15th falls.Recurring gifts can be cancelledupon request at any time, soyou control the duration. Bysetting up a recurring gift, youdon’t have to continue to giveout your personal or credit cardinformation, you save moneyon postage and you can beassured that your monthlysupport will be received on aconstant basis.

When looking back atCouncil on Aging of WestFlorida’s history, we werereminded again of the loyaltyof our donors. Life-long givingadds up as well. One donor inparticular has been donating for27 years. A large number ofour donors have been donatingfor five or more yearsconsecutively. That’simpressive! When speaking tosome of these donors, mostsaid that the method of arecurring gift was easiest forthem. They didn’t have toworry about forgetting to writea monthly check and couldprovide a constant support tothe agency.

Recurring gifts are becominga trend amongst online giving,but can also be set up by phoneor mail. Whatever works bestfor you, works for us! If youare interested in setting up arecurring gift with Council onAging of West Florida or wantmore information, please visitwww.coawfla.org or call BrandiWelk at 266-2513.


The Senior Park, located on Pensacola Beachat Cowley Park, is no ordinary park. It is gearedtowards seniors and their specific fitness needs.Located near the walking course, tennis court,and basketball court, its main focus is onmobility and loosening up tight muscles.

Although it is geared towards seniors, anyoneover 14 years old is more than welcome to usethe equipment. One of the best things about theSenior Park is its location on Pensacola Beach.Nothing beats a relaxing walk on the beach aftera good workout.

The senior park will even be in good use onceit starts to cool back down. Those who think itis just too hot out right now can wait a couplemonths for fall to start taking advantage of theSenior Park. “It’s a way to encourage some ofthe snow birds, when they’re here to get outand exercise,” said Robbie Schrock, director of

administration of Santa Rosa Island Authority.We all know the importance of staying active

and the benefits of exercise to our health, andthat’s especially true for seniors. Getting enoughexercise reduces risk for cardiovascular disease,type 2 diabetes, cancer, and metabolicsyndrome. It also strengthens bones and musclesalong with improving mood. “We wantedsomething that was specifically geared towardseniors,” said Schrock. “Getting moving andloosening up at their age are definitely thingsthey want to focus on.”

FITNESS By Karianne Payton

Phot

os b

y G

uy S

teve

ns I

I

Gain Mobilty and Flexibiltyat the Pensacola Beach

Senior Park


There are six types ofexercise equipment available atthe Senior Park. Each station isintended for a different use.There are machines to massageyour back, loosen up hips andshoulders, and also a machinethat focuses on core, latissimusdorsi, and abdominal work. “Ididn’t want to get somethingthat simulated walking becausethat’s what the walking coursewas for,” said Paolo Ghio,director of developmentalservices of Santa Rosa IslandAuthority. “Most of theequipment was intended forupper body work, stretchingand low impact.” According toGhio, a lot of chiropractorsrecommend and encourage themovements this equipmentfacilitates.

The idea came from the2013 Gulf Power Symposium.The Santa Rosa Islandauthorities funded this project100 percent. After researchingequipment and the stylesneeded for the veryunpredictable, harsh Floridaconditions, it only took abouttwo to three months to get thisSenior Park up and running.Fortunately, it opened just intime for summer.

The Senior Park has beenvery well utilized, according toGhio, and the city of GulfBreeze is very interested induplicating it one day.

The Senior Park is locatedbehind the tennis courts at 911Via De Luna. For moreinformation, call 932-2257.


Last year marked the Councilon Aging’s first IMPACT 100grant, and though funds weredispersed just last October, thearea’s senior citizens and theirfamilies are already benefittingfrom the new initiatives.

Started in 2003 by four localwomen, the Pensacola Bay AreaIMPACT 100 has become thelargest Impact group in thecountry. The idea behindIMPACT involves recruiting atleast 100 women to donate$1,000 each and pooling thoseresources into one big grant for aqualifying non-profit. In the 10years since the Pensacola chapterbegan, the women of IMPACT100 have donated a cumulative$5.15 million to local charitiesand non-profit organizations.

The Council on Aging of WestFlorida won the grant in theFamily category for 2013. Just as

promised, the money went tothe completion of two primarygoals. First, the purchase of threemulti-passenger vans, which areable to go to and from seniordining sites, The Retreat - theadult day health care center,medical appointments, grocerystores and other communityactivities.

“According to the UnitedStates Department ofTransportation data, drivers age75 and older rank highest in fatalcrashes by driver age group per100 million miles traveled andfatality rates among drivers age85 and older are higher than anyother age group, including teens,”said Jeff Nall, vice president ofcommunication and developmentfor the Council on Aging. “It isimperative to offer alternativeforms of transportation to seniorsin need to prevent harm to

themselves or others whendriving is no longer anoption. Safe and reliabletransportation options play asignificant role in helping peoplewho no longer drive stayconnected with the community.”

The vans transport AliceLaughery from her house to theBeulah Senior Center and backagain twice a week, where sheenjoys lunch, crafts, bingo andother activities.

“I enjoy going out there somuch,” said Laughery. “I’m sothankful for the vans, because Idon’t drive anymore and am notable to get out a lot. They comeby, put my walker in the van, andtake care of me. It works outreally well.”

The second goal was theinstallation of aluminumhandrails on the walking track atThe Retreat - the adult day

DO-GOODER By Josh Newby

Council on Aging of West Florida’sIMPACT 100 Grant Benefits Seniors


health care center, which will aidseniors with special medicalconditions, gait disturbances andvarious cognitive impairments.

“I really like it. I feel morestable when I am out walking,”said one gentleman who uses thehandrails. “I think it looks goodin the yard. I see a lot of peopleholding on to it so they can walkfarther.”

The handrails are made ofthree horizontal poles, a top onefor those who wish to supportthemselves while walking, amiddle one for those who wishto pull themselves while in awheelchair, and a bottom one toact as a safety bumper for thewheelchairs.

While the benefit to Councilon Aging clientele is obvious, the

advantages extend to families andcaregivers, as well. Many of thesefamily caregivers are adultchildren caring for parents. Whilethey are happy to providewhatever is necessary for theirparents, the children often find itstressful to balance their ownwork and family lives with theneeds of their parents. The newvans help remedy that by pickingup and dropping off seniors sothat they can get out of thehouse and socialize, which allowsfor greater physical andemotional health. The handrailsallow autonomous physicalactivity at the Council on Agingfacility, something that improvesconfidence and health.

“The vans are such a blessing,”said Anna Bagley, whose father,

Charles, has Alzheimer’s andlives with her. “When I firstsigned up for the service, I wasworking eight to nine hours a day,and there was just no way totransport him to places thatprovide socialization. If it weren’tfor this service, he would be in anursing home by now. Thisservice covers so many gaps inboth of our lives. He loves goingevery day.”

The grant has gone to great usehelping our area’s seniors. Often,as they age, they are overlookedfor other pressing needs in thecommunity. It is good to knowthat when it comes to givingseniors the best life possible, thecommunity comes together tomake the extraordinary possible.

Photo by Guy Stevens II


Ever’manCooperative Grocery& Cafe recentlyopened its doors for agrand reopening afterextensive expansionand renovations thatgave the store morespace for new andimproved offerings aswell as more hot andcold bar breakfastand lunch options forhungry shoppers. Butproviding natural choices forgroceries and meals on-the-go isjust one part of the mission ofEver’man, which also includesbeing a source of information andeducation to the community. Onehuge aspect of the recentrenovation included the openingof the Ever’man EducationalCenter, located in the buildingadjacent to the store at the cornerof Garden and DeVilliers streetsin Downtown Pensacola.

With classes and activitiesranging from yoga to cooking tomovie nights, the offerings arevaried and anyone in thecommunity is invited to sign up.Many classes and events other thancooking classes are free and mostare only $5 for Ever’man membersor $7 for non-members. Ever’manmembership is $5 annually forthose over the age of 65.

Before the expansion andrenovation, classes were held in a

Community Room that was inthe same building as the store,but the Educational Centerallows for even more possibilitiesand uses.

“As stated in our EndsStatement, Ever’man believes itshould provide our communitywith education about health,nutrition, and environmentalissues,” says general managerWilliam Rolfs. “We have donethis in a basic way for manyyears, but this center gives us abetter venue to provide thatservice to our community. We notonly teach about wholesomefoods, we teach how to cook it aswell.”

The Center includes a teachingkitchen with audio and visualequipment, modern appliancesand a 70-inch TV to projectmovies, presentations, and eventhe actual chef ’s view of what’scooking during instructionaldemonstrations. While Rolfs says

wholesome andnutritious food iscertainly one of themost dominate topicsof classes at theEver’man EducationalCenter, there aremany other classesthat can educate,enlighten and enlivenon topics like health,wellness and aging.

One class is called“How to Stay Young

at 100.” Led by certifiedchiropractor and acupuncturistSteele Smith, the class focuseson preventative care and spinalmobility for greater quality of lifein later years. Other classes focuson learning skills for sustainablehome projects that can offer anovel activity and even savemoney over the longer term likea series in the summer about theprocess of canning, making yourown soaps, or even, makingfresh, homemade cheese. PatJohnson, who teaches theseclasses in July and August, says itis a joy to teach in theEducational Center with all thespace and comfort necessary forhis hands-on workshops.

Johnson learned thetechniques he teaches on a ruralIndiana farm where he grew upat a time when thesehomesteading techniques wereroutine. He enjoys passing on the

Ever’man Educational Center OffersCommunity, Growth, Fitness & More

EDUCATION By Emily Lullo


information to those that areinterested in learning the basics ofthese simple but useful DIYprojects.

“I teach beginner classesbecause I’m interested in sparkingan interest and showing theease/simplicity of processes thatwere used for generations tosustain us,” he says.

He also teaches beer brewingclasses and instructs onfermenting foods to makehomemade yogurt, sauerkraut,kombucha and more at differenttimes throughout the year.

Other options at theEducational Center focus onhealing, both inside and out. Aweekly Connected Warriors Yogaclass offers yoga techniquesspecifically geared towardveterans, service members, theirfamily members and supportpeople, and is designed to helpstudents manage symptoms ofPTSD. There is also a regulargentle yoga class suited to all levelsheld on Tuesday evenings.

“We have groups like CancerStudy Group, Herb Study Groupand a Celiac Support Group,” saysRolfs. “All of our classes are gearedto meet the needs of ourmembers and patrons.”

Whether you’re seeking to learnsomething new, gather withlikeminded individuals or juststretch into a relaxing yoga class,the Educational Center is acomfortable and inviting place tomeet those needs. With classesfocusing on nutrition and cooking,health and fitness, hobbies andeven support groups, all held inthe beautifully renovated space,the center is truly an asset to thecommunity providing educationand much more.



“Freedom. It’s my turn to dowhat I want with my life.” Behonest, isn’t that appealing?When we first becameadults,we took on manyresponsibilities, includingfamily and career. Those werethe “responsible years” whenwe often said, “I need to” or,“I should.” Life begins asubtle shift, however, after 50.Our outlook becomes morepurposeful and we start to say,“I choose to.” Our true selvescan emerge, if we let them.

WHAT’S

ABOUT GROWING

GOOD

OLDER?By Kathleen Vestal Logan, M.S., M.A.


Erik Erikson, noted psychologist, defined theEight Stages of Man in his 1950 ground-breakingbook Childhood and Society. After 50, most of usare in Stage VII: Generativity vs. Stagnation. ForErikson, “Generativity is primarily the interest inestablishing the next generation.”1 At this stage,“doing what I want” often means doing good insome manner for the community or the largerworld. If we do well during these years, we cancelebrate Stage VIII: Ego Integrity vs. Despair witha sense of a life well-lived and our integrity intact.

On a practical level, though, exactly why shouldwe be cheerful as we age? There are manybenefits, often unexpected. I frequently ask thequestion, “What’s good about growing older?” inthe seminars I conduct. Responses are varied andenlightening, and cover several themes:

Freedom. We have more time and fewerresponsibilities. You can understand Rosalie, 75,who raised seven children, saying, “I’m enjoyingfreedom from responsibilities and taking more

time for myself.” Tanya, 71, says that while herdaughters were young, “I worried that I wouldn’tlive to raise my children, that somethingcatastrophic would happen to me. That worry isgone.” We can now plan our own time, choosingactivities that appeal to us. There’s also time totake trips, to hold reunions of family or friends, topursue passions and explore interests often put foryears on the back burner.

Self-confidence. When I asked Michelle, 59, the“What’s good?” question, she replied, “Self-confidence. I’m much more confident about mydecisions now than when I was younger.” We’ve allhad more experiences and gained knowledge overtime, making us feel wiser and more independentin our thinking. We’re clear on our personal valuesand less subject to peer pressure. Tongue-in-cheek,Bob, 69, says, “You can drink box wine and notcare what people think.” We’re also moreconfident about meeting people and taking risks. Icould never have written a book when I was


younger, for example, as I didn’t have the nerve totake the risk.

Family and friends. Those close to us take onadded importance, both in time spent with themand deepening our relationships. Carl, 74, said, “Ihave time to spend with my wife, which wasn’talways possible in my Navy career or my civilianjob.” Mary, 61, finds “great pleasure in family,kids and grandkids, and having an impact onthem.” Ask people what their greatest joy is laterin life and they invariably blurt, “Grandchildren!I can spoil them all I want, then give them backto their parents.”

Learning. After carting around Will Durant’sten-volume History of Civilization for decades,Carl dusted them off and is now on Volume IV.Bob enjoys “continually learning and having thetime to take an interest in new things.” Hugh, 68,who still runs his own manufacturing companybelieves, “With gray hair comes knowledge, if

you’ve been paying attention. I like to convey myknowledge but still be able to learn.” Travel is afavorite of many for expanding their minds;others take classes or experimenting with newhobbies.

Community. With more free time comes theopportunity to invest in the good of thecommunity by volunteering or using skills in newways. In 2005, for instance, I took a short-termbut full-time job at United Way of EscambiaCounty coordinating hurricane recovery efforts, ajob which used my writing, speaking, teaching,counseling, and managerial skills. A retiredteacher, Tanya now volunteers as a Guardian adLitem and at Interfaith Ministries clinic. Manypeople serve as mentors through suchorganizations as Big Brothers Big Sisters or theFoster Grandparent program at Council on Aging.Others serve on Boards of Directors of variousnonprofits. Combined, all of these efforts are ahuge benefit to the well-being of our community.


Focus. Yes, we know our years are numbered, butwe don’t tend to worry much about it. “I don’tworry about death,” Tanya said, “just about takingcare of myself and living with purpose.” Most ofus accept our boundaries and limitations, usingthem as a way to focus, to take action on thethings most important to us. That vague“someday” idea becomes today’s “do it now.”Interesting, too, most of us have learned after allthese years how and when to say “no” toactivities that don’t interest or have value to us.We pare down our list of commitments,concentrating on those which matter to us.

Contentment. Regarding relationships, Sheila, 71,found, “I’ve lost the need to be liked byeveryone. I’m content with myself and choose tobe with people who value me.” Deb, 60, is“enjoying not being the boss anymore.” Hughrelishes his sense of security after years of hardwork. “Having planned well, I now feel secure.”In a similar train of thought, Carl said, “We have

enough money. We worked hard and it appearsthe decisions we made were good ones.” He isalso happy he has “time to give back – to thankthe organizations that helped me over the years.”Nearly everyone relishes the fact, “I don’t have todo-all and be-all for everyone anymore.”

“As a group, those of us over 50 will live longerthan previous generations, are healthier, havemore money, are better educated, can access avirtual world with computers, have built a widevariety of skills, and are accustomed to planningour own lives.”2 We have a gift of years and thebenefits they afford us, so let’s enjoy the journey.Life is good.

1. Erik Erikson, Childhood and Society (New York: W. W.Norton & Company, 1950), 231.2. Kathleen Vestal Logan and E. L. (Betsy) Smith, PhD,Second Blooming for Women: Growing a Life that Mattersafter Fifty (Deadwood, Oregon: Wyatt-MacKenziePublishing, Inc., 2010), 19.

Host Jeff Nall with guest JoAnne Carney, Baptist Home Health Care

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COMING of AGEL I F E S T Y L E T E L E V I S I O N F O R S E N I O R S

Presented by Counci l on Aging of West Flor ida

TM


An Exclusive Interview With Gavin MacLeodBy Kelly Oden

Many people know and love Gavin Macleod for one of his three most notable roles over asix-decade career: Joseph “Happy” Haines on McHale’s Navy, Murray Slaughter on TheMary Tyler Moore Show, and for his lead role as Captain Merrill Stubing on The Love Boat.What many may not know is that Gavin MacLeod was born Allan George See on February28, 1931 in Mount Kisco, New York. Gavin was the older of two children, born to MargaretSee and George See, an electrician who was part Chippewa. Gavin grew up in Pleasantvilleand studied acting at Ithaca College, graduating in 1952. After serving in the Air Force, hemoved to New York City to look for acting work. At about this time he changed his name,drawing “Gavin” from a character in a TV drama, and “MacLeod” from his Ithaca dramacoach, Beatrice MacLeod.

MacLeod’s first movie appearance was a small, uncredited role in The True Story of LynnStuart in 1958. Soon thereafter, he landed a credited role in I Want to Live!, a 1958 prisondrama starring Susan Hayward. He was soon noticed by Blake Edwards, who in 1958 casthim as a nervous harried navy yeoman in Operation Petticoat with Cary Grant and TonyCurtis. Operation Petticoat proved to be an important role for MacLeod, and he was soon castin two other Edwards comedies, High Time with Bing Crosby and The Party with PeterSellers.

MacLeod also appeared as the villain on a variety of TV shows in the late 1950s and early1960s. His first regular TV role came in 1962 as Joseph “Happy” Haines on McHale’s Navy,leaving after two seasons to appear in the motion picture, The Sand Pebbles with SteveMcQueen. MacLeod’s break out role as Murray Slaughter on The Mary Tyler Moore Showwon him lasting fame, and two Golden Globe nominations. His star role as Captain MerrillStubing on The Love Boat was his next TV series, which was broadcast to 90 countriesworldwide between 1977 and 1986. His work on that show earned him three Golden Globenominations.

MacLeod married his current wife Patti in 1974. Both were previously divorced. Thecouple also divorced in 1980, but reconciled and were remarried in 1985. During the mid-1980s, MacLeod and Patti became Evangelical Christians and credit their religion for bringingthem back together.

In 1987, following MacLeod’s conversion and remarriage, he and his wife, Patti, wroteabout their struggles with divorce and alcoholism in Back On Course: The Remarkable Storyof a Divorce That Ended in Remarriage.

In 2013, MacLeod released his memoir, This Is Your Captain Speaking: My FantasticVoyage Through Hollywood, Faith &Life. The book recalls his upbringing inupstate New York during The GreatDepression, as well as his life inHollywood.

COA spoke with Gavin MacLeodabout his journey as an actor, thelifelong friends he has made along theway, his bout with alcoholism, hisdivorce and remarriage, and hisjourney of faith and Christianity.


“I started acting when Iwas in kindergarten.When I was 4 years oldand I had hair.”


COA: How are you?GM: I’m great. How are you today?

COA: I’m great. I understand you’ve been toPensacola before? GM: Yes, I know Pensacola. I did a show thereonce many years ago. It was a play called LoveLetters, with two people—me and MichaelLearned from The Waltons. Well we did a bigtour of that play all over the country and weplayed in Pensacola.

COA: That’s great. I’m so glad that you werehere. I like to start a little bit with your early lifeand your upbringing and if you could just give mea quick synopsis of that and how that pushed youinto your career in acting.GM: I started acting when I was in kindergarten.When I was 4 years old and I had hair. I havesome Swedish blood so I had very blondish hair –a cute little kid. At 4 years old, I did a play andat the end of the play I took a bow and I heard

that applause, and Iremember how I wasaffected by that applause. Isaid, “Gee, I don’t knowwhat this is but they likeme,” and I decided that’swhat I wanted more of.And so in my little town of

Pleasantville, New York, whenever there was aplay, whenever there was any kind of a show on astage, I’d be running right out there to get in it.Eventually when I was in high school, we did theH.M.S Pinafore and I was the captain in thatalso. My kindergarten teacher and my secondgrade teacher played my daughters, which Ithought was a kick.

COA: So then, when you grew up, you joinedthe military, correct?GM: I was in the Air Force, but way before that,I was in every show in college. I got a scholarshipto college. Let me explain that, too. My fatherwas never educated. He had to leave school inthe seventh grade to go to work. My mother hadthe same thing. Consequently, they were notreally tremendously educated, but they wereterrific people, wonderful loving people and allthat. I was never a great student, but I gotthrough. But I loved doing plays, and I did playsand musicals every time I had a chance. And so

From left, Betty White,Valerie Harper, Ed Asner,Mary Tyler Moore, GavinMacLeod, Cloris Leachmanand Georgia Engel, theoriginal cast of the MaryTyler Moore Show.(AP Photo, File)


someone saw me and I got ascholarship to college in upstate NewYork. And that really introduced meto a bigger world, you know? And tothis day, I still have … let me see, wehave five guys who used to hangaround together, there’s only three leftnow. And one’s on his last leg, sothey’ll be two of us left. Timemarches on.

COA: But you still keep in touch withthe people you went to college with?GM: Yes. I spoke at the funeral of one of ourfriends just last year. When you get older, youknow, these things happen. And my father diedwhen he was 39 and I was 13, so that had a biginfluence on me. And then my mom lived to be97 and that was great.

COA: I understand you got your stage namefrom college, correct? You took the name of yourdrama teacher? GM: Well, I took her last name, but that wasway after I left college. When I was in New York,I was going to join the actors union. I was readyto join the union because I had gotten somecredits. My name, Allen See, always bothered mebecause of the way people would make fun of it.They would say, “See this. See what?” I mean it

would go on and on and on. It wasn’t so bad inhigh school, but in college it really got rough.And I said, “Someday I’m going to change that.”So when I joined the union, my friend, actuallythe one that just passed this past year, he and hiswife and I got together and came up with myname. His name was Jan Peters, but he wasoriginally Irwin Podolsky. Everybody I knew inthe theater had changed his or her name. I didtake ‘MacLeod’ from Mrs. Beatrice MacLeod.She was from Yale University. She taught at mycollege, and she was the second in command inthe theatre department. I was crazy about herbecause she was really great to me. I was ascholarship student and she knew I didn’t have alot of money. I’d mow her lawn and clean theirwindows on their house. Her husband was thehead of the psychology department at Cornell.Just wonderful people. So they helped me along

Gavin MacLeod as MurraySlaughter in the Mary TylerMoore Show, 1970.

financially. And she inspired me as a director,too. She was just really, at that time, I’d say themost intellectually brilliant woman I’d ever metin my life. I finally got the chance to see heragain after I left and I made a name for myself.The college wanted me to do thecommencement address and give me anhonorary doctorate. This was in New York and Iwas in California, I said, “Well I’ll do it, if I cansee Mrs. MacLeod and have some time withher.” And so we did. We had a final timetogether, and I remember her saying, “I don’tknow why. I treated you like everybody else.” Isaid, “Well if you did, then you’re the greatestwoman who ever lived because you were justwonderful to me, and inspired me to go on andtake risks, and you’re a part of my life.” Shereally was a major part of my life when youthink back.

COA: I’m sure she was honored thatyou took her name and that she meantso much to you.GM: I guess so. You know, her maidenname was like Macgillacutty orsomething. It was a big Irish name, buther husband’s name was MacLeod, soshe became a MacLeod. And so did I.

COA: So you mentioned yourstruggles with alcohol and that it wentback in your family, and you’ve spokenpretty openly about it. Can you tell

me a little bit about what finally helped youovercome that addiction?GM: Well, it was my wife, Patti – my secondwife. I was courting her and we went to see myfriend Kaye Ballard. I’d done a musical, Gypsy,with Kaye Ballard in San Diego and so Kaye wasgoing to be appearing in Reno, Nevada, and sheinvited Patti and I to go up there. And so wewent up there, and after the show we had acouple of drinks and I could never really hold myliquor. I was never one to be able to drink a lotbecause it just started to show on me. I guess mybrain was very small or something, and so goinghome, Patti said to me, “My first husband was analcoholic and I’m not going to go through thatagain.” So the next morning I said, “I want to tellyou something. You are very special and preciousand important to me and I’m never going to


Gavin and Patti MacLeod


drink again.” And that was1973 and I’ve never had adrink, never wanted adrink, never craved a drink.But that’s how I stopped.

COA: Did you go througha program? GM: No. I stoppedbecause I knew I could doit because my grandfather – my Irishgrandfather—did. I was petrified of him as alittle boy because he would be drunk all thetime. He would be violent toward mygrandmother. And then the second war came upand his youngest son Johnny had to go to Europein the Army. When Johnny came home, mygrandfather stopped drinking and became one ofthe greatest guys I ever knew. I said, “Grandpop,how did you stop all that?” He said, “I’ll tell you,sonny. I made a deal with God that if he wouldbring Johnny home, I would stop drinking.” Andhe did. Consequently, he was the greatest guy Iever knew. He was wonderful and funny and justgreat to be around. And he said, “Don’t start. Iwasted 48 years of my life.” I remember all that.

COA: Now I understand that you and Pattidivorced and then went on to reconcile andremarry?GM: Yes. That came about because of the Lord,because of God. I’ll tell you what happened. We

were married and then I was doing the The LoveBoat. I had things out of order, mixed up and Iwas the head cat on this show, you know. I wasthe captain and I had a lot of responsibility. AndI just took that to heart, and that became theonly thing I was doing right. So I didn’t feelmarriage was correct, in the very selfish kind ofplace I was but I felt that I had to give my all tomy work. And so we got divorced and for threeyears I hadn’t thought about her very much. Youknow, I was traveling all over the world with theshow. So one day, I went down to Santa Monicato see a play. After that play, I started to thinkabout Patti. I wondered how she was because weused to live there. Just before that happened, thesame day – we researched all this – Jerry Lewis’first wife, she was Patti too. She took my Patti toBeverly Hills where a group of ladies were sittingaround praying and one lady said to her, “Wouldyou like to pray for anything?” And my Patti said,“Yes, I’d like to have my husband back.” And shesays, “Well you can have him back.” They startedpraying for me in the afternoon. That night,

Top: Gavin MacLeod, EdAsner and Ted Knight;Bottom: Betty White,Mary Tyler Moore andGeorgia Engel


while I was down inSanta Monica seeingthe play, I startedthinking about her andI drove around where we used to live to see ifthe lights were on, you know. The next morning,they had an operation on my mother’s brain.She had a cyst the size of a baseball in her brain.And the doctor said, “We don’t know whatcould happen to her. She could be better; shecould be worse; she could be a vegetable.” Iprayed to Jesus, I said, “Lord, if you give mymother more time, I’ll turn my life over to you.I don’t care if I act anymore. Just please give hermore time, and I’m yours.” And right after that,something told me to call Patti. I called and Isaid, “This is Gavin.” She said, “I was justthinking about you.” And then I said, “Can webe friends? And she said, “That’s all I’ve everwanted.” And then I said, “When can I seeyou?” And she said, “I will be home nextMonday if you want to come down for dinner.”I didn’t tell a soul at work and next Monday Igo down there and I knock on the door and

there’s no answer. Iknock on the dooragain, there’s no answer.I said, “Uh oh. She’s

standing me up, and I don’t blame her.” Iknocked once more and the door opened andshe was standing there. And we looked at eachother and hugged and she says,” I’m sorry,Gavin, your dinner is cold. It’s been waiting forthree years.” And then I said, “Patti, how areyou?” She said, “I’m feeling so much better. Youknow, I’ve become born again.” I said, “Whatdoes that mean?” And she explained and I said,“I want that. That’s really what I want.” Wespent that whole night talking and the nextweek I went to the church and dedicatedmyself. And then we eventually got marriedagain. And this time we got married in front of agroup in Omaha, Nebraska. And Pat Boone andShirley Boone, they flew up, they were our bestman and our matron of honor. And that was thebeginning of us getting back, but now realizethat we have a marriage with three people. It’snot just Patti and I. It’s Jesus in the center of it.

Cast of Love Boat: Fred Grandy, Ted Lange, JillWhelan, Gavin MacLeod, Lauren Tewes andBernie Kopell.


And as a result, we havea confidence; we have asecurity. We knowwe’re never going toleave each other again,and Jesus isn’t going to leave us. He’s alwayshere, 24/7. And we’re here for each other.That’s the truth about how we got backtogether.

COA: Speaking of big celebrities, one of thethings everyone loved about The Love Boat wasthe array of celebrities that appeared on theshow. Do you have a favorite?GM: Honestly, everybody was so happy to beworking because it was such a hot show at thetime. Everybody watched it and then we werein 90 countries. But I really think my favoritewas, and you may laugh at this, my wife. WhenCindy [Lauren] Tewes, Julie McCoy on TheLove Boat, got married, we went to thewedding. It was at the Bel Air Hotel, and Pattiand I sat right in back of Aaron Spelling and hiswife, Candy. So we’re just sitting there waiting

for it to start and Aaronturned around and said,“Patti, I’ve got a greatpart for you nextweek.” Wow, what a

surprise that was. And so she did it and she heldher own. She was absolutely wonderful.Consequently, she did four or five more.

COA: Both The Love Boat and The Mary TylerMoore Show involve an ensemble type of cast,what do you feel is the secret to making thatwork and letting each character have theirmoment in the spotlight?GM: Well I think you’ve got to have goodwriting and good actors. You can’t do it if it’snot in the script, you know? And if it’s in thescript, it gives you something as an actor toreally work on. Don’t forget, most everybodyfrom The Mary Tyler Moore Show was from thetheater. We had all done theater. That’s wherewe started. We were theater people, so you’reused to a certain kind of discipline, you know?And some of those scripts were just the best

Gavin MacLeod, Betty White, George Burns,Patti MacLeod, and David Wayne.Photo from "THIS IS YOUR CAPTAINSPEAKING"


things we’d ever read in our lives, and to be apart of it was quite an honor.

COA: And I’m sure that the friendships youformed helped create that feeling that the casthad. I know you and Ted Knight had aparticularly long and close friendship. Can youshare some of those memories?GM: Ted Knight and I were friends from thefirst day I got to California in 1957. We had thesame agent. He was my best friend. He was likean older brother to me. We had a great time andour kids used to play together and things likethat and we’d go to movies together. He is agreat dramatic actor and just a handful will everknow that—the ones that got to see him do hiswork on the stage. He was just an incredibleactor. The last moment I had with him was whenI brought him to the Lord, when he was ready to

die. The Love Boat had just ended andMarion Ross and Patti and I were going togo on the road with a play, and before Ileft I knew Ted wasn’t feeling well. Iknew he’d been through a lot of stuff andI called and said, “I’m leaving. Can I seeyou before?” He said, “Sure, come onover.” So I went over Sunday after churchand he said, “Look at you two. You’re sohappy and everything, what’s going on?” Isaid, “We’re born again.” He said, “Whatdoes that mean?” I explained everything.He said, “Well what do I have to do?” Isaid, “You just have to acknowledge thatJesus is the Son of God. It’s that simple.So then you say a little prayer. I can giveyou a prayer to say. You can even repeatthe words after me and then you’re homefree.” I said, “So what do you think aboutthat?” He said, “You know, I think Iwaited long enough.” So we all heldhands. I had a prayer written down therebecause I didn’t want to make anymistakes. And we all said it. He said it.And that was the best gift I could give myfriend. … The girls left and he said,“Gavin, can you take me to thebathroom?” He was on a cane like myfather was near the end of his life. And,it’s funny. I was a little boy then and here

I was an older man, doing the same thing. So hewas standing at the door, waving goodbye as weleft, and I said, “Patti, we’ll never see him again.”And she says, “Yes we will.” I said, “What do youmean?” She says, “Oh we’ll see him in heaven.”Oh boy, it gets me. I’m sorry.

COA: I understand. Thank you for telling me thestory. It’s very moving. GM: Well, he did die three weeks after that. Iwent from Colorado and then went to Cape Codand was playing there. And I had a note, that hiswife wanted me to do the eulogy. I couldn’t makeit home, but I sent it back. And David Lloyd, whonow isn’t here anymore either … he read what Iwrote. And that was a great honor. Mary wasthere and a lot of people who loved Ted, youknow? He was so wonderful.

McHale’s Navy cast - Top: Edson Stroll, GavinMacLeod, Ernest Borgnine and Billy Sands.Bottom: John Wright, Gary Vinson, Tim Conway, CarlBallantine and Yoshio Yoda.


COA: Tell me about the movie The Secrets ofJonathan Sperry.GM: Well, I’m more proud of that than anythingI’ve done. And I just did it about maybe fouryears ago. And the story, it’s a very simple storyabout a guy whose wife has died in a little smalltown, and he introduces these boys to the Bible,and he teaches them the Bible. There’s a townbully he has to deal with; there’s a boy who’slost his father. All this kind of stuff that’s goingon. It’s a beautiful, beautiful movie. And as aresult, it’s brought a lot of people to Jesus. AndI keep getting mail from all over constantly. Imean I’ve traveled all over the world and I’veworked with all those big stars, but this movie Ithink is the most significant thing—certainly themost rewarding thing—I’ve ever done. And Ithink it’s the last I’m going to make. They keepcoming up with more things for me to do, but Ijust don’t want to do them.

COA: You’re also a spokesperson for PrincessCruises. How did that come about?GM: Well, continuing from when I left Ted andwe played Colorado and then we went to CapeCod, I came home and there was a call fromMax Hall, the head of Public Relations atPrincess Cruises. They had two small ships. Hesaid, “Gavin, this is Max. We just had a meeting.We want to expand, and what do you thinkabout being the spokesperson for PrincessCruises?” I said, “Boy that’s a beautiful marriage.I think that’s great.” Cruising was in its infancyat that time. And so I said, I don’t even have totalk to Patti about this. And so that was 1986.We had two small ships. Where are we now?2014? We have 17 mega-ships. We have anotherone coming out next year. I think it’s the bestway to go. I mean it’s a great vacation to have.You have less responsibility. You don’t have toshare a car or anything. You just have a great,great time.

COA: We are a magazine for mature adults, sowhat are your secrets to staying healthy andaging well?GM: It’s God. It’s simply God. There’s no otherreason. I could’ve died. I had a bypass surgery. Ihave stints in my groin. I have two discs that

have been replaced. I have a thing in the leftatrium in my heart. I got all these things going,but I’m still here. And I’m here for a reason: tosay Jesus is Lord.

COA: Do you eat any special diet or exerciseregularly?GM: Well I belong to the gym at the hospitalhere. We have a wonderful gym. My cardiacdoctor got me in there. And my wife and Iboth go there. We try to eat less carbs, and Ilove carbs, everybody does. It’s a comfort food.But we always make sure we have at least agreen vegetable a day. We’re just really aware ofall of that.

COA: I also wanted to ask about the process ofwriting a book. What made you want to write abook, and how did you enjoy the process?GM: Well people came after us that wanted toknow the story about Patti and I, like I told youearlier. They wanted to know that story. So thefirst book is about that story: how our lives wereindividually and then when we met and thenhow we got back together. The other book camebecause one day I was talking to my wife saying,“You know, I just realized my whole living wasmade by speaking and playing what somebodyelse has written. And so nobody really knows thereal me.” And I said, “Why don’t I write abook?” My manager thought it was a great idea.Patti really was for it. And that was thebeginning of the book. And I got a guy to workwith me, and so it’s been very successful.

COA: Well that’s great. Are there any otheracting gigs in the works that we should keep oureyes open for?GM: No, not that I want to talk about. There issomething they’re talking to me about, but Idon’t want to get that going out yet.

COA: OK. Thank you so much for the time. It’sbeen a pleasureGM: Thank you, Kelly. Thank you so much.Bless your day. Bye bye.


News from Council On Aging of West Florida

Celebrating 40 Years of Service

Our President & CEO John B. Clark recentlycelebrated 40 years at the helm of ourorganization. Under his leadership, Council onAging of West Florida has experienced significantgrowth in home and community-based servicesto the older population of Escambia and SantaRosa counties. Today the agency administersprograms such as case management, SeniorCompanions, Foster Grandparents, Meals onWheels, adult day health care, 17 Senior DiningSites, two rural Senior Centers and much moreto more than 2,200 elders and their caregiverseach year.

Clark is a well-recognized leader and championfor the elderly, both locally and throughout thestate. He was appointed by former GovernorLawton Chiles in 1991 to serve on the originalwork group responsible for providingrecommendations on the administrative structurefor the State of Florida Department of ElderAffairs.

Currently, he holds numerous positions in localand state organizations including president of theFlorida Association of Aging Services Providers;board member of the Consumer CreditCounseling Service, vice president of theEscambia/Santa Rosa Partnership for a HealthyCommunity, board member of the City ofPensacola Veteran’s Memorial Park Foundation,member of the Escambia County United Way211 Advisory Committee, member of theEscambia County Transportation DisadvantagedCoordinating Board; member of the Escambia

County United Way Directors’ Association(UWADA) and Paul Harris Fellow in thePensacola Rotary Club.

He is a former president of the FloridaCouncil on Aging and in 1997, and again in 2013,received the Dr. Carter Osterbind OutstandingFlorida Council on Aging Member of the YearAward. Clark is a 1987 graduate of LeadershipPensacola (LeaP). He has an undergraduatedegree from St. Michael’s College in Vermontand a master’s degree in counseling from TroyState University. He served five years on activeduty as an officer in the Air Force.

Sponsored Links Available onwww.coawfla.orgDo you have a business that you would like topromote on our website? We have expandedour Resources page to include sponsored links,which consist of your business name linkeddirectly to your website. The cost for a 12-month sponsored link is $200. To sign up or getmore information, contact Brandi Welk at(850) 266-2513 or [email protected].

Rat Pack Reunion 2014 – Save the Date! Calling All RatPackers! It’s thattime of year again:when we gather tohave a retro-fabulous time,honor outstandingcommunity leadersand—most importantly—raise much neededfunds to provide assistance to Escambia and SantaRosa county seniors in need.

This year’s event, completed withentertainment by crowd-favorite Sinatra tributeartist Tom Tiratto and his amazing orchestra, afine Italian dinner and open bar, will be held atNew World Landing on Friday, Oct. 24th from5:30-11 pm and promises to be every bit as funas a night at the Sands would have been withthe original Rat Pack! Though the original Rat


Packers like Frank, Dean and Sammy won’t bewith us, we are confident that our local GulfCoast crew can carry on their tradition withoutmissing a beat!

In addition, we will be celebrating four of ourarea’s most outstanding individuals—who notonly lead the way in business, but who also showtremendous leadership with their service to ourlocal community. Please join us in honoring ourvery own 2014 Rat Pack (drum roll please!....):

Larry “Moose” Morris Jack Nobles Tom Pace, Jr. Jim Rigsbee

Don’t miss out on the best party of the year!Please mark your calendar and show your supportfor area seniors. For up to the minute details,sponsorship information and tickets, please visitratpackreunion.com or contact Brandi Welk [email protected] or 850-266-2513. Please helpus continue to make a real difference!

And….. the Rat Race – NEW!!! Save the Date!Thought the onlyway you could bepart of the Rat PackReunion was todance the nightaway? Think again…How about a 5K?Get out yoursneakers (skinny ties and bling still welcome) andhead over to Pensacola Beach on Saturday,October 11 at 9 am to participate in this newaddition to the Rat Pack fundraising tradition. If a5K is not quite your style, a one-mile “walk and

roll” option is also part of the festivities. Eitherway, we’ll celebrate afterwards with music andbeverages at Paradise Bar and Grill. Forregistration and race sponsorship information,contact Brandi Welk at [email protected] or850-266-2513.

Day on the Go Day on the Go is aprogram of TheRetreat, our adultday health carecenter, for higherfunctioningparticipants who canfollow directions, have good endurance and areable to attend area attractions and events withlimited supervision. Schedules are planned to allowfor a full day of activity for the participants as wellas extended respite for caregivers. Each Day on theGo includes breakfast, exercise time, an outing andlunch. The cost is $65. For more information,contact Sandie Holtry at 432-1475 ext 180.Upcoming Outings:Friday, July 11 - Bingo at Shoreline ParkFriday, July 18 - Air Force Armament Museum

at EglinFriday, August 1 - Gulf Shores MuseumFriday, August 22 - Oops Alley BowlingFriday, September 5 - Weeks Bay Nature TrailsFriday, September 19 - Gulf Shores Zoo

Volunteer RecognitionOur dedicated and much appreciatedvolunteers were recently recognized at a specialluncheon for the valuable and selflesscontributions to our mission. Special guestPensacola Mayor Ashton Hayward III andDeeDee Davis, chair of our board of directors,joined John B. Clark and Betty McLeroy, ourvolunteer manager, in expressing appreciationto volunteers for all they do. The luncheon,themed “COA Volunteers are Worth TheirWeight in Gold” was sponsored again this yearby Humana. Thank you Humana—and thankyou volunteers!!!


OUT & ABOUT

Hee Haw Live!September 18-21Imogene Theatre6866 Caroline Street, MiltonEvenings at 7 pm, Sunday Matinee at 2 pmTickets - Special “Low-Dough” Shows: Thursday, September 18 only – Adults $9, Children - $7Tickets for all other shows – Adults $12, Children -$7Seats are limited. For reservations, please call 850-221-7599Panhandle Community Theatre & Santa Rosa HistoricalSociety present this comedy variety show in the traditionof true variety show. Join all your favorite Hee Haw castmembers as well as some new ones dripping with comedy,sangin’, dancin’, magic, cornfields and stuff you ain’t neverseen before. Moonshine may or may not be served, butlaughs will be aplenty.

Rat Race 2014Saturday, October 11Casino Beach, PensacolaBeach9 amRegistration – fees vary Get out your sneakers(skinny ties and bling stillwelcome) and head over toPensacola Beach to participate in this new addition to theRat Pack fundraising tradition. We’ll celebrate afterwardsmusic and beverages at Paradise Bar and Grill. Forregistration and race sponsorship information, contactBrandi Welk at [email protected] or 850-266-2513.

The Panhandle Charitable Open Thursday, Sept. 25 - FORE!Charity Tee Off Par-Tee & SilentAuctionFriday, Sept. 26 and Saturday, Sept. 27 – Two-day, two-person best ball format tournamentThe Panhandle Charitable Openhas grown into a major player inphilanthropy in our area, raising over $400,000 for localcharities including a record $95,000 in 2013. Because ofthe amazing success of the PCO, changes have been madeto the format to improve the pace of play and also allowfor additional participation. Also new for 2014 is theFORE! Charity Tee-Off Par-Tee, a dinner event onThursday evening at Sanders Beach Corrine JonesCommunity Center from 6-10 pm. The event, whichreplaces the usual Friday evening party at Marcus Pointeand allows non-golfers greater ability to join in the fun andfundraising, will feature both silent and live auctions aswell as live music form the local band Mass Kunfuzion. Fordetails, including a complete schedule, how to register toplay and sponsorship information, please visitwww.pcogolf.org.

Soulmate CentralJuly 17-20, 24-27Woodbine Theatre4646 Woodbine Road, PaceEvenings at 7:30 pm, SundayMatinee at 2:30 pmAdult tickets - Special “Low-Dough” Shows: Thursdays July 17 and 24 - $9Adult tickets for all other shows - $12Seats are limited. For reservations, please call 850-221-7599Panhandle Community Theatre presents the hilariousspoof of a dating service and the people who have foundthat life is pretty weird. The owner is on parole. One ofhis employees is a former stripper. The other employeedoesn’t believe that true love exists, much less soulmates.The entire show prances misfits and direlicts across thestage with wit and side-hurting humor. Note: This showcontains language and adult scenarios that are not suitedfor children.

Reception: “Quayside Art Gallery’s 40th Anniversary”June 13Quayside Gallery, 17 E. Zaragossa, Pensacola2 - 4 pmFREEFor more information, please call 850-438-2363 Since 1973, Quayside Art Gallery has offered acumulative art opportunity and experience as possibly theoldest co-operative gallery in the southeast. Quayside ArtGallery was established and is maintained by PensacolaArtists, Inc.!, a cooperative organization of more than 200artists and associate members. The public is invited to joinin the celebration as they recognize the gallery’s heritage,host charter members artwork alongside current members,June 10, 2014 - July 21, 2014, and enjoy all that 40 yearsrepresents.

Rat Pack Reunion 2014Friday, October 245:30 pm untilNew World LandingTickets: $100 per personSponsorships and tickets nowavailable for the biggest party ofthe year! Entertainment bynationally known Sinatra tribute entertainer Tom Tiratto.Please join us for a retro-fabulous good time as we honorour very own 2014 Rat Pack and raise much needed fundsto help the elderly in our local community. This year’shonorees, all outstanding individual who lead the way inbusiness, and but show tremendous leadership with theirservice to our local community are Larry “Moose” Morris,Jack Nobles, Tom Pace, Jr. and Jim Rigsbee. For ticketsand sponsorship information as well as up-to-the-minuteRat Pack Reunion 2014 news and trivia, visitwww.RatPackReunion.com or contact Brandi Welk at 850-266-2513 or [email protected].


DON’T MISS COA TV

Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 7pm Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 am onWUWF-TV, Cox Cable Channel 4...and at your convenience atwww.youtube.com/coawfla

Host Jeff Nall with guest JoAnneCarney, Baptist Home Health Care

COA TV is sponsored by


WERE YOU SEEN?

Rat Pack 2014 VIP Photoshoot PartySpecial thanks to Mike Papantonio for hosting aboard The Nyhaven

Jenn Cole, Marilyn Herefordand Eric Gleaton

Kathleen and Flack Logan withTerry Cole

Brandi Welk, Greg Gomez, Jeff Nall and Jenn Cole

Marilyn Hereford and Eric Gleaton

John Clark with Kathleen andFlack Logan

Jenn Cole, Angela Moore, Terry Cole, Glenys Ballinger, Celeste Southard, Amy Miller and Pete Moore

Terry and Jenn Cole

Brian Spencer and Teri Levin


Thank You

A COPY OF THE OFFICAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING 1-800-435-7532 TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. THE REGISTRATIONNUMBER ASSIGNED TO COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA, INC BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL AND COSUMER SERVICES IS CH817.COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA DOES NOT USE A PROFESSIONAL SOLICITOR OR PROFESSIONAL FUND RAISNG CONSULTANT FOR THE PURPOSES OFSOLICITING FUNDS. 100% OF DONATIONS GO TO COUNCIL ON AGING OF WEST FLORIDA, INC.

Council on Aging of West Florida is a local independent 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that has served seniors and their families since 1972. Council on Aging ofWest Florida helps seniors in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties live healthy, safe and independent lives in their own familiar surroundings by providing community-based, in-home programs and services such as Meals on Wheels and Alzheimer’s respite care. For more information, call 432-1475 or visit www.coawfla.org.

for supporting Council on Aging of West Florida

Many thanks to our donors. We appreciate your generous support. Gifts received from February 4, 2014 through June 4, 2014.Assisting Seniors LLCBaptist Health CareJames R. Barnett, Ed.D.Bayview Fisher Pou ChapelBBVA Compass CharityCareMinders Home CareCarestaffMr. and Mrs. William CarneyCharity ChapelChastain & CompanyChrist Church ParishJohn B. ClarkBessie DawsonMr. and Mrs. Philip DuryeaEscambia County Employees

AssociationFamily-Funeral & CremationFirst United Methodist ChurchHerman L. FranklinCynthia Gibbs-OlneyGrace HealthcareGranny NanniesBay Breeze Nursing &

Retirement CenterKenny HoltHome Instead Senior CareHomestead VillageMr. and Mrs. Dave Hoxeng

HumanaInternational Paper FoundationSusan JasonDawn JohnMichael JohnsonMr. and Mrs. Jim LeathLutheran Church of The

ResurrectionSirena MartinMr. and Mrs. Matthew MazeikaMcMahon-Hadder InsuranceMerrill Land CompanyMr. and Mrs. Terry MeyerMr. and Mrs. Robert MillsTina MooreMr. and Mrs. Alan MooreMyrtle Grove Women’s ClubJeff NallLouise NowlinMr. and Mrs. Jimmie O’NealMr. and Mrs. Mark O’BrienMr. and Mrs. Wayne PeacockWorld of BeerCaron SjöbergSonshine Companion CareSt. Christopher’s Episcopal ChurchTLC CaregiversAdmiral and Mrs. Paul Tobin

United Way of Santa Rosa CountyWestwood Christian ChurchMr. and Mrs. John Yelverton

MemorialsIn memory of James DavisBy Louise Davis

In memory of Emily EddinsBy John B. Clark

In memory of Sarah HudsonBy John B. ClarkRosa Sakalarios

In memory of Rodney KendigBy John B. Clark

In memory of Margaret PoppellBy Sherry BrantleyJohn B. ClarkJeff Nall

HonorariumsIn honor of Lois LeppBy Nancy Forshaw


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Yes!


Thank you for your advocacy on behalf ofFlorida’s Seniors.

We are pleased to report that the Governor and legislatureapproved ALL of the budget priorities of aging advocates! Thisincluded a $5 million Increase for the Community Care for theElderly and a $4 million Increase for Alzheimer’s Respite Careprograms. Both of these programs support services such as homedelivered meals, adult day care, respite care, and other home andcommunity based services which help elders remain independentin their own homes. While these are state wide increases and weare not sure what the local increase will be at this time; there is nodoubt that any increase will help to serve those elders who are ona waiting list.

We thank the Governor and all of our legislators for theirsupport of these critical programs. We also thank all of you whocontacted these officials to add your voice of support.



Documents

COMING AGE