Lifestyles After 50 Southwest November 2014 edition

www.lifestylesafter50.com • Southwest • FREE

Volume 25 November 2014

• Long Distance Caregiving • Holiday Wine• Spotlight on Small Museums• Turkey Talk

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Giving Thanks

INSIDe THIS ISSUe

Lifestyles After 50 • November 2014 • page 2


Dear Readers,

Fall is my favorite time of year. I

grew up in the forests of North Carolina and one of the things I looked forward to most, from late October to early November, was seeing the leaves change. In grade school one year, our teachers asked us to make a leaf log. This in-volved taking a leaf from a selection of different species of trees once a week for five weeks and pressing them in a notebook next to the date they were gathered. I watched as the days went by and, slowly, green dogwood leaves mottled and turned red, poplars shifted into gold, red maple became a fiery orange and the big sweetgum in our backyard mellowed into a deep purple. As an adult, the fall change serves to remind me that, right before the winter of our lives, we can be the most color-ful, the most bold and the most vibrant version of ourselves—far more so than we ever were in our summer. Aging is a time for fearless self expression. We don’t get much leaf-turning here in Florida, so I satisfy my fall color cravings by going to a local craft store and buying sprigs of faux fall leaf boughs to decorate my house with. It’s shameless, but it helps. While I was there, a thanksgiving craft caught my eye and I thought I would share it with you. It’s a way to make your own leaf log, of sorts. But instead of documenting change, it’s a way to keep track of the things you’re thankful for. Look for the “ThankfulTree” craft column in this issue to learn how to make your own; it’s a great activity to do with the grandkids.

Speaking of Thanks If you have a caregiver in your life, there is much to be thankful for. To celebrate National CaregiversMonth, we are honoring all of the unsung heroes out there—especially the ones who must cope with caring for a loved one over long distances. Here are a few small ways you can say “Thanks” to a caregiver in your life. (Or if it’s you, there’s no harm in passing this anonymously to a friend. Go on, you’ve earned some appreciation!) These 10 tips come from the National Family CaregiverAssociation (caregiver.org).1. Offer a few hours of respite time to a family caregiver so they can spend time with friends, or simply relax.2. Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brightena family caregiver’s day. 3. Encourage local businesses to offer a free service for family caregiv-ers through the month of November.

4. Help a family caregiverdecorate their home for the holidays or offerto address envelopes for their holiday cards. 5. Offer comic relief! Purchase tickets to a local comedy club, give a family caregiver your favorite fun-ny movie to view, or provide them with a book on tape. 6. Find 12 different photos of the caregiver’s family and friends. Have a copy center create a 2015 calendar that the family caregiver can use to keep track of appoint-ments and events.

7. Offer to prepare Thanksgivingdinner for a caregiving family in your community, so they can just relax and enjoy the holiday. 8. Take a few minutes to write a letter. Encourage your faith community to ask for prayers not only for those who are ill, but also those who care for them. 9. Encourage family caregivers to become a part of the National Family Caregiver Story Project (caregiveraction.org/resources/story-project). It’s a great place to not only share but read about others in like situations. 10. Help a family caregiver find new educational materials and support through family caregivingwebsites or by calling local socialservice agencies for help. Thanks for reading our magazine,and happy holidays!

Tracie Schmidt,Editor

Say “Thanks” To A Caregiver This Month

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Tuesday Free Total Body Condition-ing. Increase strength, flexibility.

Free. 5:15 – 6:15 p.m. Veterans Park/Center, Lehigh Acres. 239-369-1521.

Tuesday and Thursday Senior Strength Training. Learn how to

safely use exercise equipment and how to design your own workout. $40/6 week session. 1 – 2 p.m. Wa-Ke Hatchee Rec. Center, Ft. Myers. 239-432-2154.

7 Bromeliads from around the world. Driftwood, plant supplies and

advice available. Free. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Terry Park. Ft. Myers. 239-694-4738.

7 – 16 Agatha Christie’s “And Then There Were None.” A nursery

rhyme tells how each of 10 “soldiers” met his death until “there were none.” $17/$19. 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Cultural Park Theatre, Cape Coral. 239-772-5862.

13 Golden Years Expo, a 50+ Senior Lifestyle Awareness Day. Health

screenings, info on heath, assisted liv-ing, legal and financial services and more. Free. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bell Tower Shops, Fort Myers. 239-489-1221.

14 – 17 Ft. Myers Boat Show. Marine products and services.

$9. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Harborside Event Center, Fort Myers. 239-321-8110.

14 Christian Woman’s Connec-tion Luncheon. Speakers Alan

Dimmitt, CEO Youth Ranch in Bonita Springs and Linda Moore. “Is happilyever after only in fairy tales? “ $22. 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. The Club at Grandezza,Estero. 239-821-5443.

14 New Mini-Facelift. Seminar by Dr. Stephen Prendiville about

“Pre-Life” alternative to a full facelift. Light lunch served. Free; reservation required. 11:30 a.m. Hilton Garden Inn/Fort Myers Airport. 239-437-3900.

15 Horizon Village Holiday Bazaar. Crafts, books, bake sale, Chinese

auction, raffles, breakfast, lunch. Free. 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Horizon Vil-lage, North Fort Myers. 209-656-3050.

15 Gobble It Up Dinner Dance. Entertainment and music. Menu

by Fower Street Grill. Free beer and

wine while it lasts or BYOB. $23/$25. 5:30 p.m. Cape Coral Yacht Club. Reservations required. 239-574-3123

15 Shredding Party. Destroy sensi-tive old papers and documents.

Free, fun, and informative. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Bring up to 3 boxes or bags. Keller & Koczara CPA’s, 4636 SE 9th Place, Cape Coral. 239-945-9111.

15 Wreaths’ Across America Fundraiser. Enjoy professional

ballroom dancers, singers and more while showing support for our fallen heroes with a gift of a wreath. $20. 12 – 5 p.m.. S.W. Florida’s Military Museum, Cape Coral. 239-565-7947.

18 Veterans Day Patriotic Luncheon. Presentation of colors, flag

salute and Disabled Veterans Insurance Careers presentation. $16. Social hour: 11:15 a.m. Lunch/program: 12 p.m. The Helm Club, The Landings, S. Fort Myers. RSVP required: 239-590-6416.

20 Lifestyles After 50 Fun Fest. Free health screenings, free Bin-

go, friendly exhibitors, $1000s in prizes giveaways and more. Lunch available. Free. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Grace Communi-ty Center, N. Fort Myers. 239-822-6150.

20 – Dec. 27. “A Christmas Carol” musical. $37/$60. Tues.

through Sat. evenings with select matinees. Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre, Ft. Myers. 239-278-4422.

21 – Dec 7 Theatre Conspiracy presents “Swell Party.” The

wedding party is ruined when the groom turns up dead. Find out why the truth isn’t as important as a good story. $22/$20. 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. Foulds Theatre, Fort Myers. 239-936-3239.

22 – 23 Bonsai Show. Technique demos, intro classes, sales/raffles

of bonsai and related materials. Free. 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Lee Election Center, Ft. Myers. 239-560-3275 or bonsaiswfl.org.

Send Around Town news to News Connection USA, Inc., P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583; fax 813-651-1989 or email [email protected]. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. November 10 for December event.)

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ine is the perfect complement to any occasion, whether cel-

ebrating with friends or enjoying your favorite meal. With the grape harvest in full swing, now is the perfect time to learn more about wines, flavors and pairing to deepen your enjoyment of this beverage. Here are three ways to get the most out of this exciting season.

Train your senses Wine tasting notes often include descriptions of aromas and flavors, in-cluding many fruits and baking spices. Train your nose and your palate by heading to the grocery store or farmers market. Pick up a variety of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, and then start sniffing and tasting. You’ll soon discover green apple and yellow apple have different scents and flavors, and you’ll start to recognize the distinctions between cinnamon and clove. Then open a bottle of wine and see if you can pick out those sensory characteristics.

Explore new wines Gathering friends for an evening of wine tasting is a great way to discover new favorites. Structure your party by asking each person to bring a bottle of the same varietal, like chardonnay or pinot noir, so you can taste the varied expressions of the same grape. Or, ask everyone to bring a different varietal so you can compare and contrast the wines. Easy Thanksgiving Wine Pairings ºGathering friends and family over a delicious meal is often a highlight of the holiday season. As you start to plan your menu for the big day, remember to consider which wines you’ll offer as perfect pairings for your favorite dishes.

Whether you’re preparing a traditional feast or planning to fill the table with new harvest-inspired recipes, food writers and wine connoisseurs agree—chardonnay and pinot noir are the ultimate Thanksgiving wines. Versatile chardonnay

One of the primary reasons chardonnay is at the top of a Thanksgiving wine list is

the flexibility inherent in America’s most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay flavor profiles can range from fruit-forward with bright acid-ity to big, rich and opulent. In either case, it’s the right white for the job. If you prefer white meat and lighter fare, choose a lively chardon-nay with notes of citrus, like the La Crema Sonoma Coast

Chardonnay. With aromas of lemon drop, yellow apple and subtle toasted oak, this wine pairs beautifully with breast meat and balances dishes like creamy potatoes or roasted carrots. lf darker meat is your preference, consider a richer style with a lush texture and spicy notes that can hold up to the more intense flavors of the wing and leg meat.Pleasing pinot Pinot noir is the perfect addition to any party because it pleases a lot of palates and doesn’t overwhelm classic Thanks-giving food. Pinot’s inherent earthiness and notes of plums, cherries and spice notes like vanilla and nutmeg are a natu-ral pairing with cranberries, dark meat turkey, stuffing and root vegetables. Like chardonnay, there’s a pinot noir that complements almost any menu. A darker, concentrated pinot noir will hold up to deeper flavors, while a more vibrant, juicy wine such as the La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is a great option for pairing with the variety of flavors of delicious side dishes that a Thanksgiving feast delivers. Not only will it pair well with both dark and light meat, but its sweet spice and classic earthy notes resonate well with the savory herbs often seen in holiday dishes. Serving wines To best showcase the wines you select, it’s important to serve them at the right temperature. With just a few adjustments, you can bring out the best in your favorite wine’s unique

flavor profile, character and bouquet. White wine is best when served between 45 and 50 degrees F. Served too cold, the flavors and aromas will be masked, and served too warm they become flat. Conversely, in

general, red wines should be served a

bit warmer, between 55 and 65 degrees F. A

colder serving temperature will make a red wine seem

excessively acidic, and warmer will bring out an overly alcoholic flavor. Chill room-temperature pinot noir for 10 – 15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

To explore more wine pairing, serving and storage tips, visit

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the flexibility inherent in America’s most popular white wine grape. Chardonnay flavor profiles can range from fruit-forward with bright acid-ity to big, rich and opulent. In either case, it’s the right white for the job. If you prefer white meat and lighter fare, choose a lively chardon-

flavor profile, character and bouquet. White wine is best when served between 45 and 50 degrees F. Served too cold, the flavors and aromas

general, red wines should be served a

bit warmer, between 55 and 65 degrees F. A

colder serving temperature will make a red wine seem

excessively acidic, and warmer will bring out an overly alcoholic flavor. Chill room-temperature pinot noir for 10 – 15 minutes in the refrigerator before serving.

To explore more wine pairing, serving and storage tips, visit

www.lacrema.com. (Family Features)

Retirement Living

tasting is a great way to discover new favorites. Structure your party by

ask everyone to bring a different varietal so you can compare and contrast the wines.

ºGathering friends and family over a delicious meal is often a highlight of the holiday season. As you start to plan your menu for the big day, remember to consider which wines you’ll offer

Whether you’re preparing a traditional feast or planning to fill the table with new harvest-inspired recipes, food writers and wine connoisseurs agree—chardonnay and pinot noir are the ultimate Thanksgiving wines. Versatile chardonnay

One of the primary reasons chardonnay is at the top of a Thanksgiving wine list is


Music, Mangroves and More Events9 The Lee County Community Band

concert, 3 p.m. at Cape Coral High School, featuring spirited and patriotic music by American compos-ers, including a tribute to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. Details: 239-995-2097 or leecountyband.org.

14 Mangrove Mazes of Matlacha Pass Kayak Tour with GAEA

Guides. 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Meet in Mat-lacha. See “Nature’s Cathedrals,” and wildlife. Includes all equipment and a

Florida Master Naturalist guide. $50/person. RSVP needed. 239-694-5513.

15 Southwest Florida Symphony: “A Postcard from Italy.” Bar-

bara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall, Ft. Myers. 8 p.m. Tickets: $22 to $82 at swflso.org or 239-418-1500.

Dec. 13 5K Heart Walk. 8 a.m. at Centennial Park, 2000 West 1st

Street, Fort Myers. Register today at leecountyheartwalk.kintera.org. Info at [email protected] or 239-495-4905.

The Senior Games Are Back!Attention amateur athletes age 50

and over! Registration is now open for the 2014 Florida International Senior Games & State Championships, to be held December 6 – 14 in Lee County and the City of Cape Coral. The games feature 24 sports and events over nine days of competitions,and are a qualifier for the 2015 National Senior Games to be held in Minneapolis/St. Paul/Bloomington, Minnesota in the summer of the 2015. Sports that are open to all athletes

without a qualifying performance at a local Senior Games include: Archery, Bag Toss, Billiards, Bocce, Croquet, Fencing, Powerlifting, Power Walk, Race Walk, Racquetball, Road Race (5K and 10K) and Volleyball. Entry fees begin at $11 per event and vary by sport. Sports with multiple events carry additional charges per event. Team sports have a team entry fee. The deadline for online registration is Nov. 21. Visit flasports.com to reg-ister, or call 1-866-354-2637 for info.

Don’t Give Up Your Favorite Holiday TreatThe holidays are back with all of

their tasty temptations. But you may not have to give up your favorite treat if you’re trying to watch your diet, experts say. All you have to do is combine a little vice with a little virtue. “We suggest a simple…solution that can help consumers who would otherwise choose vice over virtue to simultaneously increase consumption of healthy foods (virtues) and decrease consumption of unhealthy foods (vices) while still fulfilling taste goals—‘vice-virtue bundles,’” says Kelly L. Haws, a Vanderbilt Owen Gradu-ate School of Management marketing professor who studies consumer self control. The idea is to not give up entirely on foods that provide pleasure but aren’t nutritious. Instead, the focus should be on lowering the portion of the “vice” foods and correspondingly raising the portion of a healthy food to replace it. In a series of experiments, Haws and her colleagues found that people have a “taste-health balance point”—a proportion of vice and virtuous foods that make up

one serving—which they find satisfactory. For most, the perfect vice-virtue bundle is made up of a small (1/4) to medium (1/2) portion of vice. So if a vice-virtue bundle was made up of fries and slices of apple, it might take a small or very small serving of fries to satiate the need for the vice food. Over time, this can lead to healthier choic-es without the burnout that comes with completely cutting out your favorite foods. So enjoy that sweet potato casserole this Thanksgiving! But instead of two scoops of it, replace one scoop with a hearty helping of green beans and you’ll be eating your way to better health. Info from Newswise.

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Have you ever said to yourself “I’d love to get a computer, if only I could figure out how to use it.” Well, you’re not alone. Computers were supposed to make our lives simpler, but they’ve gotten so complicated that they are not worth the trouble. With all of the “pointing and clicking” and “dragging and dropping” you’re lucky if you can figure out where you are. Plus, you are constantly worrying about viruses and freeze-ups. If this sounds familiar, we have great news for you. There is finally a computer that’s designed for simplicity and ease of use. It’s the WOW Computer, and it was designed with you in mind. This computer is easy-to-use, worry-free and literally puts the world at your fingertips. From the moment

you open the box, you’ll realize how different the WOW Computer is. The components are all connected; all you do is plug it into an outlet and your high-speed Internet connection Then you’ll see the screen – it’s now 22 inches. This is a completely new touch screen system, without the cluttered look of the normal computer screen. The “buttons” on the screen are easy to see and easy to understand. All you do is touch one of them, from the Web, Email, Calendar to Games– you name it… and a new screen opens up. It’s so easy to use you won’t have to ask your children or grandchildren for help. Until now, the very people who could benefit most from Email and the Internet are the ones that have had the hardest time accessing it. Now, thanks to the WOW Computer, countless older Americans are discovering the wonderful world of the Internet every day. Isn’t it time you took part? Call now, and a patient, knowledgeable product expert will tell you how you can try it in your home

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Offering a Manual for HopeBY TOM CHANG

Estero resident Mara Botonis wrote “When

Caring Takes Courage” not as a memoir, but as an inspiration and guide for caregivers like herself. “One of these things I really heard loudly from caregivers was that there’s an overwhelming amount of information out there,” Botonis said. “I tried to put everything in there that would guide a person from a to z through the disease process with a loved one—from understanding how to get the diagnosis all the way until hospice is involved.” Botonis, who’s been involved with healthcare for over 29 years, found herself caring for her paternal grandfather who was stricken with Alzheimer’s disease.

“He’s been an influence for me

for over 40 years,” she said. “He was really the only dad I ever knew.”When he passed in 2012, Botonis committed herself to write the book. “I tried to be comprehensive (with this book),” she said. “That was important to me. I try to talk about it as

three books in one. I realize I’m writing for people who have to sometimes choose between groceries and medication because they can’t afford both.” Botonis said the book’s format does not require it to be read front to back, but rather as a resource based on whatever situation the caregiver finds him/herself in. “On the one hand, it’s got everything up there, but based on that

other guiding light criteria about being really easy to use, there’s a chapter that’s about three to five pages and everything’s done in bullets,” she said. “Since you have about five to ten minutes to really look at something and you might be going through a lot, we try to make this really easy to use.”

The book has been received by health care professionals and caregiv-ers from all over the country. “We kept it so general that everybody who reads it can recognize the success they’re already having in caregiving and it validates them pretty well,” she said. “It also serves as a guide for those who get stuck when caregiving.” Since its release in May, Botonis said the book’s been in the top 23 on Amazon in three categories: aging parents, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Botonis said research and resources have been limited when it comes to the cure, treatment and prevention of Alzheimer’s and there’s been call for a cure by 2025 from the National Alzheimer’s Project. “I’m just trying to help folks have a better day with those who are living with the disease now, because, unfortunately, a lot of those folks won’t be around by 2025 when these things come to fruition,” she said. For more info, visit facebook.com/whencaringtakescourage. The book is available at amazon.com.

“He’s been an

and medication because they can’t afford both.” Botonis said the book’s format does not require it to be read front to back, but rather as a resource based on whatever situation the caregiver finds him/herself in. “On the one hand, it’s got everything up there, but based on that Mara Botonis


Family Holiday Survival TipsBY LISA M. PETSCHE

The holiday season is a hectic time for many people. Staying sane is even

more of a challenge for those who don’t get along well with their extended family. Every family has dysfunction, of course, because no member is perfect. But some families are prone to more interpersonal tension than others, due to diverse personalities, circumstances, values and lifestyles among members. Read on for some tips on how to cope with the almost inevitable stress inherent when relatives get together for the holidays.

Preparation Make it a point to practice self-care at this time of the year. Eat healthy foods, make time for exercise and get adequate sleep. Allow plenty of time to get ready for a family event, so you’re relaxed and feel your best. Conjure up compassion for relatives who emanate negativity, bearing in mind that they are unhappy individuals. Try to feel pity rather than anger toward them.

Set realistic expectations about family members’ behavior. The narcissist, non-stop talker or chronic complainer is not going to change. Plan to steer clear of them if possible, otherwise limit the amount of time you spend with them. Give yourself a pep talk. Reassure yourself that you are up to the challenge of gracefully handling a few hours with anyone. If you are particularly anxious about a gathering, invite a friend along for support. Aim to cut your visit short as a last resort. Plan something to look forward to afterwards.

During a Gathering: Do’s and Don’ts Avoid consuming alcohol; otherwise, limit yourself to one or two drinks. Disinhibition can cause you to say things you may regret. Practice good listening skills: pay attention, don’t interrupt and ask open-ended questions. Be conscious of your non-verbal language, keeping your posture open (avoid crossing your arms), making eye contact and nodding periodically.

Show courtesy toward everyone. When you can’t manage any more politeness toward a particular indi-vidual, find a reason to excuse yourself and move on. Count to ten and refuse to take the bait when someone tries to one-up you or goad you into an argument. Instead, adopt a “stupid and cheerful” demeanor—signature advice from syndicated radio host and licensed clinical psychologist Dr. Joy Browne. Stay away from contentious topics and change the subject if others raise them. Don’t participate in gossip or put-downs of others, or bring up unpleasant events. Engage relatives positively by remi-niscing about pleasant times or inquiring about something meaningful to them, such as their children or grandchildren, work, a hobby or a recent vacation. Breathe deeply if you find yourself getting stressed. If that doesn’t help, head to the washroom or step outside to compose yourself.

Parting Thoughts If you keep in mind that you can’t change anyone’s behavior except your own, and that it’s always within your power to be civil and, yes, even kind to a certain degree, you will make it through family events, perhaps even better than you anticipated. If things don’t go well in spite of your best efforts to be congenial, plan a vacation over the holidays next year so you can have a guilt-free break from family functions—and other sources of seasonal stress— and thoroughly enjoy yourself. Lisa M. Petsche is a social worker and a freelance writer specializing in intergenerational issues.

Tech Talk: MedCenter System Giveaway!Welcome to

our new Tech Talk column, where we will cover the latest apps, gadgets and websites that make life a little easier. This month, we’re featuring a giveaway for Medcenter Systems—a convenient device designed to make sure you never forget to take medication and/or get confused about the proper dosage and timing. This system emphasizes the date rather than the day of the week. The date is located on each pill box and pill cavity; on the clock’s visual display; and audibly during the alert messages. This helps ensure proper medication compliance, even when the user is un-sure whether it is Monday or Tuesday. The MedCenter System has a sug-gested retail price of $69.95 and can be found at medcentersystems.com/Store.html; amazon.com and most pharmacies and major retailers.

We are offering the productFREE to one lucky winner in this month’s giveaway! Just email [email protected] or snail mail us at:

Attn: MedCenter SystemNews Connection USA, Inc.P.O. Box 638, Seffner, FL 33583 Send us your name, ad-dress and phone number by Nov. 19. The drawing

will be held on Nov. 20, and the winner will be contacted and announced in the December issue of Lifestyles After 50. Look for more giveaways in upcoming editions. Good luck!

Congratulations!

To last month’s winner: Geraldine Hope of Naples, FLWho won a Moneual: Rydis

H68 Pro Hybrid Robot Vacuum Cleaner!

Medicare Open Enrollment

As you read this we are now into the Open Enrollment period of Medi-

care, also known as the Annual Election Period (AEP). In order to be prepared for the AEP it is important to first understand how the AEP works. This AEP is from October 15 to December 7, 2014, and this is the time which you may change your Medicare Advantage plan (Part C) coverage. You may also change your Prescription Drug (Part D) coverage, and/or return to Original Medicare. Also, during the AEP you can enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan or Part D Drug Plan if you do not have one. Each year, Medicare health plans and Part D prescription drug plans can change their premiums, deductibles and benefits. Review your plan’s changes for

2015 carefully; you need to be aware of how your plan may change and prepare accordingly. If you are in a Medicare Advantage and/or Part D drug plan, you should have been mailed an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). Review it carefully since it will have any changes to your current plan such as premium,co-payments, provider network changes,and/or a list of drugs (called a Formulary)that will be covered. It is important that you realize that this is the only time of the year to make changes to your plan unless you qualify for an exception. The decisions you make now regarding enrollment, disenrollment or changes to your Medicare Advantage Plan and/or prescription Drug plan will remain in effect all year. You can make as many changes as you desire during this period, but only your last coverage choice will take effect January 1, 2015. To learn more of the basics of Medicare, visit www.samuelharmon.com,or contact Sam Harmon for a free consultation regarding your senior benefits, and the different options that are available to you, at 239-822-0185, or [email protected].


BY JANICE DOYLE

“Taps”—that haunting melody that invariably brings tears to

the eyes when played at the funeral of a fallen soldier—dates back the Civil War. In 2012—the song’s 150th an-niversary—Leo Murphy of Kissimmee was honored to play Taps in Arlington National Cemetery. Though the event was an honor for Murphy, he consid-ers it an honor any time he is charged with playing Taps to honor a veteran.

Murphy is state director for Bugles Across America (BAA), an organization which provides volunteer buglers for veterans’ funerals at no charge to their families. Tom Day of Illinois, retiree and founder of BAA, says BAA volunteers “play with real breath, from the heart.” Nationwide, BAA has over 7,500 bugler volunteers in all 50 states. They play wherever a veteran’s final service is held—a cemetery, private home, church, funeral home or hall. The Department of Veterans Affairs expects more than half a million veterans’ funerals each year for the next seven years. Taps originally signaled lights out and only later was used for funerals. The military once provided live buglers, but budget cuts have meant the use of recordings unless a family provides a bugler or requests one from BAA. The volunteers are all ages. Murphy’s Florida buglers range from an 11-year-old Boy Scout to an 87-year-old veteran. Murphy started after reading an article about BAA 12 years ago. “I bought a cheap trumpet on eBay and started tak-ing lessons to learn just enough to play the 24 notes for Taps. I learned that,

auditioned and joined Bugles Across America. And I fell in love with the trumpet and am still taking lessons!” Taps is played by 321 buglers in Florida and “very few requests go without being filled.” A family or funeral home makes its request online at buglesacrossamerica.org. That request goes out online to buglers within a 100-mile radius, and the first bugler who commits takes the event. Buglers also play for special events like Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc.

They come from varied musical back-grounds. At a service, they may wear their military uniform, an official BAA uniform, or they may wear just a white shirt with black pants and a black tie. A fee, if one is charged, is set by each bugler. Families may give a tip to cover expenses, but it’s love for their country and those who served that rallies the buglers. Why do it? “This is the last thing that can be done for a comrade.” “This is my thank-you to the men and women who serve our country.” Murphy, a Vietnam veteran, says, “This is my way to give back.” To accomplish their mission, BAA relies on its members, including about 2,000 females. Those who can play a bugle, trumpet or flugelhorn are welcome to join. Beginners can get, free of charge from BAA, materials for learning the instrument. BAA accepts donated bugles (valves or no valves), trumpets or flugelhorns that are no lon-ger being used but can be reconditioned. BAA receives no government funding. Next month: Meet area BAA buglers. For info, see BuglesAcrossAmerica.org.

Veterans CornerBugles Across America

Provide “Taps” for Veterans

Leo Murphy, state director for Bugles Across America.

You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.The benefit information provided is a brief summary, not a complete description of benefits. For more information, contact the plan. Limitations, copayments, and restrictions may apply.Florida Blue is a PPO and RPPO with a Medicare contract. Florida Blue HMO is an HMO plan with a Medi-care contract. Enrollment in Florida Blue or Florida Blue HMO depends on contract renewal.Benefits, formulary, pharmacy network, provider network, premium and/or co-payments/co-insurance may change on January 1 of each year. Health Insurance is offered by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, D/B/A Florida Blue. HMO coverage is offered by Health Options Inc., D/B/A Florida Blue HMO, an HMO subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida. These companies are Independent Licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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BY TRACIE SCHMIDT

They aren’t just photo albums, old videos or scrapbooks: they are

memories. But every day, millions of pieces of family history fall victim to natural disasters or the decay of time. Meanwhile, other memories created with outdated technology might no longer be able to be viewed as com-puter hardware and software advances. To answer this need, personal digital archive services are being established as a way to permanently store and protect “digital estates”—photos, videos, audio, documents, letters, newspapers, paint-ings and more—for future generations. “Imagine the joy on your great-great-great grandchildren’s faces as they browse pictures and videos or hear audio files and read documents about you and your life, and that of your parents and grandparents,” says Peter Schmitt, CEO of Gen-Arc (short for Generational Archiving).

Gen-Arc (gen-arc.com) is one of several secure online private services established to preserve and organize digital legacies. Other services, like Memloom (memloom.com) and StoryWorth (storyworth.com) provide ways for you to upload digital content, build stories and then save and share them with loved ones.

Most of these involve a fee depend-ing on the amount of data you want to preserve. However, free resources like familysearch.org exist as well, providing comparable ways for you to upload and preserve your family history—and even find out about your ancestors —as long as you don’t mind that the public has access to some of the information, too.

While it takes time, it may save you money to convert your media to a digital format yourself as long as you have the appropriate gear, such as a scanner (for photos); a VCR and a device that converts VCR analog signals into digital (for video formats like VHS); or RCA adapters and a computer with sound-processing software (for cassette players or LP turntables); and a secure Cloud or portable hard drive for storage. Dummies.com offers free tutorials that can help with the process and tell you where to find the gear you need; just visit their site and search for “digital media conversion.” And if you’re having trouble converting old-er media—think slides, 8mm film or floppy disks—companies like Peggybank (peggy-bank.com) and Retromedia (retromediaonline.com) have the equipment to translate them into a digital format for you—for a price. There are pros and cons to preserving your legacy digitally. It can help you declutter your home while keeping memories safe and accessible for future generations. But you may have to weigh it against the cost of time, equipment and professional services, depending on which options you choose. But if you can take steps to preserve your history now, you ensure that your family’s story will continue for years to come.

Boomers: Preserve Your Family’s Story

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BY PAUL WYNN

If you live more than an hour away from your loved one, then you’re

considered a long-distance care-giver. You’re definitely not alone. There are about 7 million caregiv-ers who fall into this category out of the more than 65 million estimated caregivers in the United States. What exactly do long-distance care-givers do? The responsibilities can vary and don’t necessarily follow any one formula. The care can include helping a loved one with finances, arranging home and medical care, and supporting primary caregivers who may live closer to a family member in need of help. Living away from loved ones as they age is a fact of life for many. There’s a strong urge to move parents closer to family members so they can be watched closely and have someone nearby for emergencies, but many older Americans want to stay in their own homes and close to friends and familiar communities. “There’s a strong and natural tendency to want loved ones nearby as they get older,” says Gary Barg, founder and editor of caregiver.com and the author of The Fearless Caregiver. Based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., Barg explains that all long-distance caregiv-ers deal with a number of questions.

How do you know whether Mom is really eating well? Is Dad taking his medications? What happens if my parents don’t want to move into an assisted living facility? Are they going to their doctor appointments, and what did they find out? How much longer should they drive? Many families struggle with these questions, says Barg, which

become even more pronounced when there are many miles of separation.

Managing guilt One of the biggest challenges of being a long-distance caregiver is dealing with the guilt of not living close by. Day-to-day caregiving is extremely difficult in any circumstance, but Barg—who was a long-distance caregiver to his mom who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease—says people underestimate how emotionally charged caring from a distance can be. Distance creates its own set of prob-lems. For example, caregivers worry about what will happen in emergency situations when they can’t get there right away—and that’s where the guilt arises. “Long-distance caregiving

means constant juggling that often leads to feelings of inadequacy,” says Gail Hunt, president and CEO of the National Alliance for Caregiving, a non-profit group based in Bethesda,

Md. “Most caregivers feel guilty because they think they aren’t doing enough for their loved ones.” As a result, caregivers often ignore their own personal and health needs, which can be detrimental to their own physical and emotional wellbeing. In one survey of caregivers, one-third admitted that managing their own stress is something that they wanted more help with, and a similar number said that they wanted more time to themselves.

The important thing for caregivers to remember, says aging expert Donna Wagner, Ph.D, professor and dean with New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, N.M., is that they are not alone. “Caregivers tend not to take care of themselves so they burn out very easily,” says Wagner. “It’s essential for them to get exercise, take mental breaks, and ask for help.” She adds that caregivers can find it re-warding to share their experiences with others through support groups. Nowa-days, support groups are available not only in community settings; many sites are available online where caregivers support and help one another.

Balancing your own needs Many long-distance caregivers also have to deal with a full- or part-time job while also managing the demands of caregiving—demands that can dic-tate taking time off from work to spend more time with their family members. It’s virtually inevitable that caregivers will miss work to help with doctor visits or meet with paid-care providers. Adjustments to work schedules—com-ing in late, leaving early, telecommuting, and missing days of work to accommo-date caregiving responsibilities—are all commonplace. In one survey, half of all respondents reported making major adjustments at work, with 44% saying that they rearranged their work schedule. A small percentage of caregivers switch from full time to part time to make more time for caregiving; others make accom-modations by turning down work travel. One attorney who lived several states away from his dad in Florida would regularly take Fridays or Mondays off to go to doctor visits and handle the grocery shopping and other chores. Barg visited his mom as much as possible, but he recommends developing a local care team to be the “eyes and ears” on the ground. “Identify friends, neighbors, members of religious and community groups,” says Barg. “They can be helpful in emergency situations, or just provide informal updates on how mom is eating or the state of your parent’s house.” It’s also important to gather information about your loved one’s medical, legal and financial situation. That may include contact phone numbers and email ad-dresses for doctors, lawyers, accountants, insurers and bankers. The goal should be to ask your loved one for this info before there’s an emergency situation. The Fam-ily Caregiver Alliance website (caregiver.org) provides a useful document that summarizes the info you need like wills, power of attorney, insurance policies, among other important paperwork. Paul Wynn has covered health care trends for the past 20 years.

Being a long--distance caregiver is a challenging role,but there are many resources that can help reduce the burden–and guilt.


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The Advantages Of Florida ResidencyHello valued friends

and colleagues! Many snowbirds are now returning to Southwest Florida, and someone in my “Circle of Trust” suggested that it would be a good idea to write about the advantages of Florida residency. To establish Florida as your “primary residence” you need to reside in Florida for a minimum of six months—and this isn’t necessarily contiguous time in the State. There are a few other steps that can be taken to solidify your Florida residency status, which are: • Obtain a Florida driver’s license• Register to vote• File a Declaration of Domicile with

the county Clerk of Courts• File for the Homestead Exemption• Focus one’s major affairs and

relationships in Florida Some financial advantages that you can realize from making the switch to Florida residency are:

1. No state income tax2. No state estate or death tax3. 100% Homestead

protection secured by the Florida Constitution

4. Florida Save Our Home Act which exempts a portion of the homestead from taxes and limits property tax increases to 3% per year

5. Broad asset protection laws such as Tenancies

by the Entirety for married couples As an additional thought, you might want to have your revocable living trusts, powers of attorney and medical advance directives reviewed because these documents may need to be updated for Florida law. Another common issue that arises is making sure that your real property in other states is held or “titled” in your Florida trust in order to avoid the possibility of multiple probates. So I hope this helps you take care of business and enjoy the Florida sunshine! Until next time, friends… —Steven J. Gibbs, Esq.

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Preparing For Joint Replacement SurgeryBY DR. JOHN C. KAGAN, M.D.

Joint replacement surgery can have a great impact on your comfort and

your ability to live a full and active life. Because joint replacement surgery can be scheduled far in advance, there are many things you can do to prepare for surgery to make your recovery as quick and painless as possible. Before you plan the surgery, consider the amount of time it will take to recover. You should plan to either have someone at home to assist you with your day-to-day activities, or plan to move temporarily into a rehabilitation hospital or skilled nursing facility during your recovery, so make sure you can clear your calendar of work or travel plans for several weeks following the surgery. Once you and your surgeon decide to schedule the procedure, ask lots of questions to make sure you understand the risks and benefits. Some questions to ask include:

• How long will I be in the hospital?

• What type of anesthesia will be used?

• What kind of prosthesis or implantwill be used?

• How long will my recovery take?

Because the planning process can be intensive and sometimes overwhelming for patients, it may be a good idea to bring a friend or relative to your appointment to take notes and make sure all of your concerns are addressed. Once you’ve set a date for the surgery, it’s time to prepare your body physi-cally. It’s a good idea to exercise as much as possible ahead of the surgery, which can dramatically speed up the recovery process. If you will need a cane or walker, you may wish to focus on your upper body strength. Also consider your lifestyle choices and how they affect your overall health. If you’re a smoker, it’s a great time to quit. Smoking can prolong the recovery and healing process significantly. If you’re overweight, make an effort to shed some pounds before the surgery in order to reduce the strain on your new knee or hip and reduce the risk of post-operative complications.

Now that you’ve considered your physical health, look around your home and think about how it will affect your recovery. Is there lots of clutter between your bedroom and bathroom, for example, which could pose trip or fall hazards? If you live in a home with stairs, consider setting up a temporary bedroom on the main floor so you won’t have to go up and down stairs during your recovery. You may also want to install safety rails in the bathroom near the shower and toilet to further reduce the risk of falls. And make sure whatever you will need—phones, TV remotes, coffee makers—is within reach before you head to the hospital, so it will be ready and reachable when you return. If you do not currently have a disabled parking permit and will need to drive during your recovery, you may want to apply for one ahead of time. In Florida, your doctor can sign a form requesting a temporary disabled parking permit to cover the duration of your recovery. Forms are available online and at local DMV offices. Finally, since a successful recovery requires physical therapy, talk to your doctor about learning the stretches and exercises you will need to perform before the surgery. Some local hos-pitals now offer pre-surgical physical therapy training for patients planning joint replacement surgery. If you are familiar with what will be expected, the exercises will be easier to perform. With proper preparation, you can recover quickly from joint replace-ment surgery. Once your recovery is complete, you can enjoy all the benefits of increased mobility and reduced pain, and you will be able to live a more active lifestyle for years to come.

With offices in Fort Myers, Cape Coral and Lehigh Acres, Athletic Orthopedic and Reconstructive Center (AORC) is devoted to providing the highest level of quality care and treat-ment of the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and nerves. AORC specializes in total joint replacement, fracture care, sports medicine, hand surgery, neurology, podiatry and general orthopedics. For more info, call 239-936-6778 or visit www.bone-fix.com.


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Diabetic Eye Disease—A Leading Cause Of Blindness And Vision LossBY JONATHAN M. FRANTZ, MD, FACS

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Diabetic Retinopathy, a condition occurring in people with diabe-

tes, causes progressive damage to the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of your eye. It is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. Frantz EyeCare reminds those who have diabetes or are at risk for the disease—especially people with black, Latino, Native American or Pacific Islander heritage—that having an an-nual dilated eye exam is an important step toward protecting your eyes and vision, along with proper medical care, careful glycemic (blood sugar) control, and other lifestyle choices that reduce the health impacts of diabetes. According to Dr. Jonathan Frantz, med-ical director of Frantz EyeCare, “The earlier diabetes is caught and appropriate lifestyle changes and treatment begin, the better the chance of avoiding vision loss and other health consequences.”

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:• Seeing spots or floaters in your

field of vision • Blurred vision • Having a dark or empty spot

in the center of your vision• Difficulty seeing well at night To make an appointment with one of the retina specialists at Frantz EyeCare, visit www.bettervision.netor call 239-418-0999. Jonathan M. Frantz, MD, FACS, is named in The Guide to America’s Top Ophthalmologists. He and his team of doctors at Frantz EyeCare offer a broad spectrum of patient-focused comprehensive care from eye exams and eyewear to bladeless laser cataract surgery, treatment of eye diseases, bladeless iLASIK laser vision correction, and eyelid surgery with office locations in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Punta Gorda, Lehigh Acres, and Naples.

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The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisements. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.


BY RON POLLACKExecutive Director, Families USA

Now that autumn is in full swing, people with Medicare once again

need to consider their options for next year. Even if you like the coverage you have now, you should spend a few minutes making sure it will still meet your needs next year. Here are some key questions you should ask.

When is the enrollment period? Medicare’s open enrollment period is going on now until December 7. During this time, you can make changes in your Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan, or, if you don’t have one, you can select one for the first time.How is this different from the open enrollment period for the health insurance marketplaces? If you have Medicare, the health insur-ance marketplace is not for you. Medi-care coverage and its open enrollment pe-riod are completely different from those of the health insurance marketplaces (which are also known as exchanges). The health insurance marketplace offers coverage and financial assistance for people who do not qualify for Medicare—usually, people under age 65 who do not have permanent disabilities. The market-place open enrollment period starts and ends later than Medicare’s. But if you have friends or loved ones who need coverageand do not qualify for Medicare, encour-age them to check out healthcare.gov.What are my options? During Medicare open enrollment, if you have a Part D prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan, you can change it. You can also join a plan for the first time. If you currently have original Medicare and a supplemental plan (either a private Medigap plan or a plan with a former employer), be very careful before drop-ping your supplemental plan. You may not be able to get that plan back later.How can I prepare for open enrollment? If you have a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, find out how your plan will be changing for 2015. Your current plan should have mailed you an Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) medicareinteractive.org/page2.php?topic=counselor&page=glossary#ANOC and/or an Evidence of Cover-age (EOC) notice in September.

These notices will highlight any changes in the plan’s costs, benefits, and rules for the upcoming year. Use these resources to find out whether your plan will cover the same services, drugs, doctors, hospitals and pharmacies. Are premiums changing? What about copayments? Once you know what your current plan will cover next year, you can start making comparisons. To

compare your current plan to other plans, visit medicare.gov/find-a-plan.If I like my current plan, do I need to do anything? Even if you like your current Part D or Medicare Advantage plan, it could still be changing next year. You should always check to see what your plan will be covering next year and make sure it still fits your needs.

What if someone tells me I must buy a particular plan? You should never believe any high-pressure sales pitch for a Medicare plan. Private plans do sometimes decide to drop out of Medicare or change their cov-erage significantly. If this happens to your plan, take your time to learn about your options and make an informed choice. You will never be left without coverage—you will always have the option of taking original Medicare.

How can I get more information? Find info about your options on the Medicare website, medicare.gov, or by calling 1-800-MEDICARE. But the best way to get personalized help is to get individual counseling from your local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP). Every state has a program, and they offer free, unbiased advice. You can call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for a referral, or go to Medicare.gov and click on “Find someone to talk to.” You can also visit https://shipnpr.shiptalk.org/shipprofile.aspx to find your local SHIP. SHIP offices get very busy during open enrollment, so try to call early to make an appointment.

Making Smart Medicare Choices for 2015

Anyone with Medicare knows that the program

has significant costs. Here are some common costs for 2014:• Medicare Part A, which covers inpatient care, has a $1,216 deductible that you’ll have to pay if you’re unfortunate enough to be hospitalized. • Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care (like doctor visits), has a monthly premium of $104.90.• Doctor visits also come with a 20 percent copay-ment, and so do lab tests.• If you have Part D drug coverage, that’s an additional premium, which averages about $40 a month, plus copayments for your prescriptions. Finally, there are a number of services that Medicare does not cover, like most long-term care. Half of people with Medicare live on incomes below $23,500 a year, so it’s no surprise that a lot of seniors spend a good share of their budget on health care.

What help is available to beneficiaries with low incomes? The Part D “Extra Help” programcan cover all or part of your Part Dpremiums and costs. Each state runs three Medicare Savings Pro-grams. Different states have different names for these programs. All of these programs will cover your Part B premium. Lower-income people can also get their Medicare co-insurance and deductibles covered. Some beneficiaries with low incomes or high health care expenses may qualify for their state’s Medicaid program, which covers a number of services that Medicare does not.How can I qualify? Income limits vary from state to state and are adjusted every year. But they are low. In general, the 2014 income limit for any type of assistance is about $17,500 a year for an individual and $23,600 a year for a couple. Most programs also look at how much you have in assets (bank accounts, retirement, etc.), although the value of your home and car usually don’t count toward asset limits. In 2014, the asset limit is about $7,000 for an individual and $11,000 for a couple.

Finance

Each state runs three Medicare Savings Pro-grams. Different states have different names for these programs. All of these programs

income people can also get their Medicare

How can I get help? You can learn moreabout the Part D Extra Help programand apply through the Social Securitywebsite at socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.Are there other options? Maybe. These are worthinvestigating.• It’s a good idea to explore options in your area. Some states provide ad-ditional help with prescription costs.• If you are a veteran, you may qualify for additional help through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).• Make sure you’re taking full advantage of any help you may get from a former employer. Finally, you may want to explore get-ting a Medicare supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plan. But be careful, because some of these plans can be costly, and others may limit which doctors you can see. A local SHIP coun-selor can help you assess your options.

Getting Help With Medicare Costs When Money Is Tight:


Outdoor Adventure And Old Florida Charm in Charlotte HarborBY TRACIE SCHMIDT

Warm days, cool nights and the

tourists are gone—there’s no better time to enjoy the best of Florida in Charlotte Harbor. With miles of sunny beach and parks that offer choice fishing excursions, kayaking and a chance to connect with the native flora and fauna, it’s a paradise for the outdoor adventure seeker. I spent three days exploring the sights from my home base on Manasota Key atWeston’s WannaB Inn (wannabinn.com).With the beach as its backyard and Stump Pass State Park as its next door neighbor, the newly renovated 80-unit resort was a welcome retreat. “It’s a true reflection of old Florida,” says Bobbie Marquis, manager at the inn. “People come here for fishing, or the beach, to enjoy the outdoors.” On my first night, local fishermen pulled their boats up to the resort for a beer and the latest angling tips from

Chris O’ Neill, a fishing expert from Reel Saltwater Outdoors who often hosts his radio show at the WannaB. Snook, redfish and trout are plentiful in the area and nearby Boca Grande Pass is known as the “Tarpon Capital of the World,” luring sport fishers from across the country. On the next day, I took a tour of Stump Beach Pass State Park with ranger Betty Baust, who showed me the best places to find gopher tortoises, fiddler crabs, wading birds and nesting osprey. Natural mangrove-lined water channels through-out the park invite boaters and kayakers to explore Florida’s unspoiled wild side.

And if you still haven’t gotten enough of the beach, you can take in the sunset drum circle on Englewood beach everySunday; order a seaside massage fromSilhouette Day Spa (mysilhouettespa.com); or charter a catamaran at Smoke and Roses (smokeandroses.com) andsail around the harbor. If you’re planning on staying for more than a week or so, hop on the ferry to Palm Island Resort. They offer vacation rentals, plenty of space for big events and killer cocktails at Rum Bay Restaurant. Not to mention a beach that’s a haven for nesting sea turtles.

If civilization is more your scene, there is plenty of fun shopping and dining to be had at Fishermen’s Village. Lo-cated at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda, this community hub hosts regular concerts and events like their annual “Lighting of the Village” this Nov. 15. And the Military Heritage Museum, with its collection of war memorabilia and personal stories of courage and sacrifice, makes for a must-see this Veterans Day. You’ll find even more quirky shops, cu-rios and art—as well as some of the most beautiful orchids you’ve ever seen—by the Margaret Albritton Gallery in Placida. And don’t forget the food! You can’t go wrong with seafood anywhere in the har-bor, but there’s plenty of variety as well. My top picks: Lock ‘N Key Restaurant on Manasota Key; The Fishery Restaurant next to the Albritton Gallery in Placida; french fare at Cafe Serenity in Englewood; sunset dining at the Gulf View Grill in Englewood; and pirate chic at The Captain’s Table in Fishermen’s Village. Plan a weekend trip and enjoy perfect weather for outdoor fun in Florida’s backyard. For more fun things to do, visit charlotteharbortravel.com.Spend a day at Fishermen’s Village

that’s a haven for nesting sea turtles.

WannaB Inn and Stump Pass State Park

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Unrivaled Service, Luxury Aboard Seabourn Cruises

BY KIT MATHEWSSeabourn Travel Specialist

From the moment you walk on board a Seabourn ship, every crew member

greets you by name. Within minutes of entering your suite, your steward-ess welcomes you with canapés and champagne. She offers choices of bath products and designer soaps by Molton Brown. After the first evening in the Club or Observation Lounge, your bartender knows what you are drinking. Within 30 seconds after sitting down your drink of choice is set down in front of you. If your drink starts to get low, it’s replaced before you have a chance to order.

My last Seabourn cruise was on a segment of the Sojourn’s World Cruise. I boarded in Hong Kong and cruised to our first port, Halong Bay, Vietnam. While visiting this UNESCO World heritage Site, I cruised around mystical rock formations on a Chinese Junk with bright red sails. Another worthwhile Seabourn experience is the “Beach BBQ.” Ours was held at Ko Kood, Thailand. After anchoring offshore, staff transports

equipment and food by Zodiacs to the beach. When you arrive at the beach the crew welcome you with refresh-ments. Dining tables are set with white linen table cloths, napkins and sterling silver flatware. The linen covered banquet tables are stretched out with the most incredible buffet. Everything from grilled lobster, crab claws, steaks, chicken and even hot dogs and hamburgers to salads, sides and a table of incredible desserts can be found. Another Seabourn Experience not to be missed is “Caviar in the Surf.” Crew members serve large tins of caviar with all the trimmings on a surfboard floating in the water. The champagne is poured by crew members wading waist deep. After lunch, the water toys come out from the marina on the ship. Complimentary banana boats, water skiing and paddle boats are available for everyone’s enjoyment. It’s the best beach barbecue ever!

A popular gathering place onboard the Sojourn, Odyssey and Quest is Sea-

bourn Square. The wonderful coffee bar there serves up a wide variety of coffee drinks along with crois-sants and pastries in the morning and sandwiches in the afternoon. Nearby is the extensive library with daily newspapers from around the world and computers for guest use. Be sure to experience an afternoon at the pool. Every 15 minutes the staff offers drinks, cold towels for your face, sunscreen, frozen

melon on a stick and even eyeglass cleaner for your sunglasses. They want to ensure you have everything you could possibly need or want. After a full day of touring, lounging by the pool, attending lectures and cooking demonstrations, watching movies on demand on sea days and enjoying gourmet meals, your suite becomes a restful haven at night, complete with a rose on your pillow. Seabourn truly offers unrivaled service!

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Create Your Own “Thankful Tree”

What are you thankful for?Here’s a fun craft you

can do with others that is perfect for this time of year. Create your own “Thankful Tree” by decorating branches with notes about the things you are thankful for. Build a tree with the grandkids or make a centerpiece for Thanksgiving dinner by asking each guest to contribute a note to hang on the tree. Here’s what you’ll need:

Branches (real or fake)Spray paint (optional)Any type of vase or jar

Any vase fillerPaper/cardstock

Scissors or die cut machine

Pen, pencil or markerHole punch

Twine or string

1. Outdoors, or in a well-ventilated space, spray paint the branches if desired. Let dry com-pletely and then arrange in a vase with filler.2. Take a decorative or plain piece of paper or cardstock (make sure it has a blank side that you can write on) and cut five or more squares or other shapes out of it. These shapes should be large enough to write a few words or sentences on.

If desired, use a die cut machine or stencils and an exacto knife to create more intricate shapes, such as leaves. Gift tags will also work.3. Punch a hole out of one end of each cardstock shape using the hole punch.4. On each piece of cardstock, write down a word or sentence describing something you are thankful for.5. Cut a piece of twine or string for each note you have created. Loop the twine through the hole in each note, tie it off and attach it to one of the tree branches (see picture).

Child Advocate Volunteer Orientations Announced!Wednesday, November 5th @ Noon - 1 pm

or Wednesday, December 10th @ Noon - 1 pmWho speaks up for abused, abandoned and neglected children living in our area? Guardian ad Litem volunteers, supported by staff, advocate for our most vulnerable children in court, the child welfare

system and the community. If you are a Florida resident, at least 21 years old, with 8-10 hours monthly to volunteer, you’re invited! The exact duties and time required will be discussed and all of your questions

answered on Wednesday, November 5th @ Noon - 1 pm or Wednesday, December 10th @ Noon - 1 pm at the Guardian ad Litem Office - 2075 West First Street, Suite 300, Fort Myers. For more information

and to reserve your orientation spot, please contact Suzanne Flinn at [email protected] or 239-357-9889. To make an online inquiry, please visit www.VoicesForKids.org.


BY JANICE DOYLE

It’s been 25 years since Kevin Costner lit up movie screens with his baseball

fantasy “Field of Dreams.” His character hears a voice in an Iowa cornfield that says, “If you build it, they will come.” Across America collectors have heard something of the same voice and opened their collections to the public. Small museums showcase the inventiveness, passions and the life stories of private individuals. Try these out on your travels.

1. The National Mustard Museum is home to the world’s largest collection of mustards and mustard memorabilia. The website is great fun to read; visiting the free museum is worth the trip to Middleton, Wisconsin! Barry Levenson, founder and curator, has more than 5,676 mustards from all 50 states and more than 70 countries. Learn mustard history and see antique and vintage mustard pots, advertisements, etc. An online store never closes, and their on-site gift shop is a rare treat. mustardmuseum.com

2. Seattle Pinball Museum—go and play your history on over 50 machines from seven decades of pinball machines.

That’s enough to make your hands hurt. Enjoy vintage style soft drinks and bottled beers as well! The All Day Pass means no need for quarters but lots of childhood memories. Hey, have fun and don’t tilt! seattlepinballmuseum.com

3. The Bonniebrook Historical Societyand Kewpie Museum is not only interesting but also a beautiful place to visit just north of Branson, Missouri. It’s where one of America’s first female illustrators, Rose O’Neill, lived when she created the Kewpie doll in 1909. Beware: you can fall in love with those cute pixie faces, even if you hadno intention of doing so. roseoneill.org

4. Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum makes San Antonio rock! Owner Barney Smith, in his 90s, is a retired master plumber who reasoned that used toilet seat lids were free and began making art on them in his garage—the same garage that is now home to the nearly 1,100-lid Toilet Seat Art Museum. He’s the tour guide and you need to call ahead to visit and see lids remembering JFK, Mount St. Helens, the Challenger, Michael Jackson and occupa-tions such as dentistry and more. (Bemis Co., the world’s largest manufacturer of toi-let seats, wants to move the museum to its headquarters in Sheboygan Falls, Wiscon-sin, when Barney passes on.) Call Barney to make an appointment. 210-824-7791.

5. The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, brings back childhood memories and lots of smiles. 20,000 pairs of shakers from a variety of countries, cultures and time periods were collected and categorized by one woman. There is a fun gift shop as well. thesaltandpeppershakermuseum.com7. Kidd’s Toy Museum displays Frank Kidd’s 10,000-plus collection of banks and toys that date to the mid-1800s. (Roadside America says the museum is “Not for the easily-offended.”) Kidd’s daughter takes you on a tour of the Port-land, Oregon museum. 503-233-7807.8. Tinkertown USA shows off what ev-ery genuine “tinkerer” wishes he could do. The museum, run by tinkerer Ross Ward’s family, is an unusual place full of junk made into interesting things by Ward over a 40-year span of carving, collecting and constructing. See olde world circus tents and people, Wild West scenes, 50,000 glass bottles in the walls and horseshoes in the floor. It’s wacky and wonderful at the same time.

If you went every day for a year, you’d see something different each time. Sandia Park, New Mexico (on the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway) or tinkertown.com These museums prove that if you collect it and build around it, they will still come and enjoy.

Travel

Middle row photos, L to R: The National Mustard Museum, Wisconsin; Seattle Pinball Museum, Washington;The Bonniebrook Historical Society

and Kewpie Museum, Missouri; Barney Smith shows off one of his

infamous pieces at the Toilet Seat Art Museum, Texas; The Salt and Pepper

Shaker Museum, Tennessee.

See antique toys at Kidd’s Toy Museum in Oregon.

Tinkertown USA in New Mexico asks visitors: Is it junk, or art?


Last Month’s Answers October Sudoku

Robert Boone is last month’s winner! Congratulations!

November Sudoku Sudoku requires no arithmetic skills.The object of the game is to fill all the blank squares with the correct numbers. Each row and each column of 9 numbers must include all digits 1 through 9 in any order. Each 3 by 3 subsection of the 9 by 9 square must include all digits 1 through 9 as well. The first correct answers selected from the drawing on Nov. 19 will win. Good luck!

Mystery Prize!

Send your answers along with your name, address and telephone number to: NEWS CONNECTION USA, INC

P.O. BOX 638, SEFFNER, FL 33583WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

(Sudoku must be received by November 19, 2014.)

Word Search Answers

From October

Wade Gurianis last month’s winner!

Congratulations!

Word Search NovemberIn the grid below, twenty answers can be found that fit the category for today. Circle each answer that you find and list it in the space provided at the right of the grid. Answers can be found in all directions – forwards, backwards, horizontally, vertically and diagonally. An

example is given to get you started. Can you find the twenty answers in this puzzle?

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

News CoNNeCtioN UsA, iNC. P.o. BoX 638, seFFNeR, FL 33583

The first correct answers selected from the drawing on November 19 will win.WIN! WIN! WIN! GREAT PRIZES!

(Puzzles must be received by November 19, 2014.)

Mystery Prize!

Mystery Prize!


Hearing Loss Changes a Family Forever

BY MICHELE AHLMAN

In the late ’60s, my dad was a 23-year-old tank commander for

the 3rd Battalion 68th Armor stationed in Mannheim. I’ve always known my dad lost a lot of his hearing while serving in the military. But we never talked about it, or the impact it had, until recently. Apparently, during a live fire tank gunnery exercise in 1967, one of the tanks misfired. And at the time, hearing protection was not standard-issue equipment.

It was Dad’s responsibility to remove the misfire. “I got into the tank and opened the breach to remove the misfired round,” he says. “But the round was swollen due to overheating.I couldn’t get it out or close the breach. As I moved quickly to evacuate through the tank hatch, the round exploded, sending me 20 feet in the air.” He was knocked unconscious. “When I came to, all I could see were the faces of my men—I heard nothing. No sounds, no ringing—just silence. I had a concussion,” he says. “Over the course of the next few days my hearing slowly returned, but it was muffled and fuzzy. I had little damage to my body but continued to struggle to hear. At the time, I did not perceive this as an overly traumatic event. It was part of my job—my service.” My dad’s exposure to dangerously loud noise continued throughout his military career. No one thought about the conse-quences. Certainly my dad never did.

As the years passed, my dad’s hearing deteriorated. Looking back, there were many situations where it was obvious, but at the time, it was easy to rationalize. People started to speak up or to repeat themselves. When it was too hard for my dad to understand what people were saying, he would just leave the room. That’s when hearing loss becomes dangerous. Hearing loss is not harmless. It can tear apart relationships, damage careers, and lend to depression and isolation. It isn’t just about the person who can’t hear well. It has an impact on everyone that person cares about. My dad does wear hearing aids but he still needs help on the phone. My dad uses the ClearSounds CSC500 Amplified Phone, making our conversations effortless. The CSC500 has made a big difference for him.

It is estimated over three million Floridians are currently experiencing some degree of hearing loss. Did you know that the ClearSounds CSC500 is available to residents of Florida at no cost through Florida’s specialized telecommunications equipment distribution program? Citizens of Florida who are hard of hearing can obtain the CSC500 from Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. (FTRI), a statewide nonprofit 501(c)3. Contact FTRI today for more information and, like my dad, enjoy effortless conversations with your family. Permanent Florida residents who are certified as having a hearing loss can easily obtain the CSC500 phone by completing an application and visiting one of FTRI’s 24 conveniently located distribution centers throughout the state. For more information, call FTRI at 1-800-222-3448 or visit www.ftri.org/Clearsounds1#KeepFloridaConnected Tell us you saw this in the Lifestyles After 50 magazine!

“When I came to, all I could see were the faces of my men—I heard nothing. No sounds, no ringing—

just silence...”

Take The Path To WellnessRegistration is now open for walkers

and runners to participate in the Fourth Annual Path to Wellness 5K Run/Walk planned for Saturday, Nov. 8,at the Fort Myers campus of Florida SouthWestern State College at 8:30 a.m. The event will benefit SalusCare, the region’s leading provider for treatment of mental health and substance use disorders for children and adults, which plans to use the proceeds to provide treatment for individuals who cannot otherwise afford care.

Registration is $20 for walkers and $25 for runners and may be made online at www.active.com through Nov. 7. Same day registration is available at Florida SouthWestern State College for an additional $5. T-shirts are guaranteed to the first 200 registrants. Awards will be given to the top three finishers in each age division for both males and females. For more information, please contact Todd Cordisco at 239-791-1575 or [email protected].

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Seniors Getting TogetherMEN SEEKING WOMEN

4340 APPRECIATE, F, FREE, SELF,conscious, bliss, being, non state, NS. WM 65, youthful, 6” 165 lbs., long brown hair, short beard. Organic gardener, canoeist, bicyclist, movies, art, music, yoga, swim, friend, partner, abide synchronicity.4382 MAN SEEKING WOMAN I’m 66 yrs. old – looking for LTR. R, I, like to dance and sing, sports, open-minded, love and romance possible. ISO lady 5’ to 5’5”, tall, slender, fun-loving, CF. Please write. Ft. Myers.4398 ISO LITERATE, SPIRITUAL NS/ND/NDrg/SOH, organic fl extarian, non dual, able to transcend positionality, appreciates Tao Zen, all modalities. Enjoys nature, art, movies, music, animals, exploration, capable, independent, SWM, 6’ HWP, walks, gardener, acreage, dogs, creator, no doer, bicycle, swim, canoe, sensitive, attractive, non judgmental, quirky, soft. Want unpre-tentious, sensuality, subject secure in the wisdom of insecurity. N. Fort Myers area.4303 79 ½ YO, 200 POUNDS, owns house in Lehigh Acres. Masters Degree, NYU. Widower. Fun but no marriage. Wants calm woman, travel and movies. Fort Myers area.

WOMEN SEEKING MEN

4356 READY FOR LASTING LOVE. Intelligent, beautiful Christian lady would like a faithful, marriage minded, dependable Christian gentleman, 39 – 72, to love me. Write me. Please send recent photo.4372 SEEKING FRIENDSHIP FIRST Single 5’4”, 110 lbs., 58 YO lady looking to meet gentleman for FF, possible LTR and/or marriage later. I am a NS, SD, sports fan, enjoy movies, cooking, dining out, power walking, art, good company. Fort Myers.4383 ATTRACTIVE, WF, 5’1”, 117 LBS. blond, looks good, well dressed, smart, ISO attractive, athletic, healthy, P, NS, SD who is sincere, smart, likes animals, SOH, loves music, dancing, or will learn. HWP, 68 – 78 and fi nancially secure and fun.4408 KIND LADY, told I am attractive and fun. Enjoy togetherness and various activities. Petite, green eyes. Call if you like. If not, smile. Life treats you better.4419 FRIENDSHIP. 5’5” W, WIDOW ISO W, widower, R, P, in late 70s – 80. I am R, P, NS, SD. Enjoy music, art, dancing, walking. Have good SOH. I am a sports fan, dress well and still get 2nd glances! Estero/Bonita Springs area.

4420 WWM SEEKING COMPANION. Please write and send photo. 5’10”, 160 lbs., fi t, youthful, 62, retired. Like music, dancing, dining out, movies, cooking occasionally, nature walks, garden, tennis, golf. Naples area.4421 ATTRACTIVE, IN SHAPE, 57YO, athletic build, good values, good listener, fi -nancially secure, conscientious and consider-ate. I enjoy travel, adventure, sports, movies, music and fun. ISO lady with similar interests.

TO RESPOND TO AN ADWrite a letter to the person you want to contact. Place that letter in a stamped

envelope and write the ad number on the bottom left hand side of the envelope. Place your stamped, numbered envelope(s), along with $2 for each letter enclosed, into another

envelope and address it to:News Connection USA, Inc.

Seniors Getting TogetherP.O. Box 638,Seffner, FL 33584

TO PLACE AN ADSend your ad, stating what category you

would like it placed in, your edition(s), along with a $6 fee for 30 words (25¢ for each additional word, abbreviations not charged) to the News Connection USA, Inc. address listed above. Ads received by the 15th of the month will appear in the following issue. No more than three ads will be accepted each month per person. The editor reserves the right

to edit any ads for space or content. In order to protect our readers’ privacy, we will not include phone numbers, e-mail or home addresses in the ad copy. City

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Commonly Used Abbreviations:F-Female, M-Male, S-Single, D-Divorced, WW-Widow, A-Asian, B-Black, H-Hispanic, I-Indian, W-White, C-Christian, J-Jewish, YO-Years Old,

YY-Years Young, ISO-In Search Of, SOH-Sense Of Humor, SM-Smokes, S-Light Smoker,

NS-Non Smoker, ND-Non Drinker, SD-Social (Light) Drinker, DR-Drinks, NDrg- No Drugs, LTR-Long Term Relationship, HWP-Height &

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Fun Brain Games

CheesesFind the name of the cheeses from the ending letters:

1. ___ dar2. ___ lone3. ___ fort4. ___ ster5. ___ zola

The Name GameFill in the names and words that are homophones (sound the same): 1. _____ liked to use a hand-held

_____ while making a speech.2. _____ had just two days to learn a

new Christmas _____ 3. _____ learned the difference

between et cetera and et _____4. _____ took his grandkids to an

_____ museum.5. _____ was once a lawyer who

would _____ people.

1. Cheddar2. Provolone3. Roquefort4. Muenster5. Gorgonzola

Answers:

Answers:

1. Mike liked to use a hand-held mike while making a speech.2. Carol had just two days to learn a new Christmas carol.3. Al learned the difference between et cetera and et al.4. Art took his grandkids to an art museum.5. Sue was once a lawyer who would sue people.

What’s in a name? How

well do you know your cheeses and your homophones? Try these fun brain games: By Alan Stillson: stillsonworks.com.


Enter To Win!

Last Month’s Answers

Senior Connection • June 2005 • page 36

LEARN HOW TO PLAN FOR YOUR PETS IN AN EMERGENCY

The SPCA’s brochure "Our Best Friends Deserve Better Plans" has allthe latest information on Estate Planning for Pets and Florida's PetTrust Law and it is FREE! This brochure helps pet owners plan for theirpets in case of an emergency or in case their pets outlive them. Use thisorder form to order your free materials.

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Dinner and “A Christmas Carol”On December 4, the Southwest

Florida Symphony Society will host a reproduction of Charles Dickens original “A Christmas Carol” at the Cape Coral Yacht Club. Wine and appetizers start at 5 p.m.; dinner will be served at 6. Menu: roast beef with mushroom sauce, red baked potatoes, chef’s choice vegetable, and bread pudding with rum sauce. At 7, all will be treated to a performance by J. Mitchell Haley. Few people know that, in 1867, when

Charles Dickens brought “A Christmas Carol” to the United States, he pro-duced it as a one man show. Mr. Haley will be doing a reproduction of that inaugural performance in full custom. In addition, a chorus from the North Fort Myers Academy for the Arts will be performing holiday songs and traditional Christmas carols. The Yacht Club is located at 5815 Driftwood Parkway, Cape Coral. Price is $50. Reservations can be made by calling Mae Jean at 239-590-0217.


Turkey Talk: Take Leftovers Beyond a SandwichAfter spending hours roasting your

turkey to perfection, it (and you) deserves more than a sandwich the day after. With a little creative pre-shopping and stocking of refrigerators and cup-boards, you can take your day-two turkey from boring to amazing—and nutritious. When planning for the big harvest meal (and the day-after dishes to follow), you can rely on tools such as the NuVal Nutritional Scoring System. Many grocery retailers now provide these scores on the shelf tag to help shoppers find more nutritious food choices. Based on a scale of 1 to 100, foods and beverages are scored based on their nutritional content, with the most nutritious choices scoring highest. Here are some healthy and flavorfulideas for day-two turkey:

Spice it: Pair reheated turkey with baked spiced apples. Core and slice fresh apples (NuVal 100) and combine with raisins (NuVal 88), chopped pe-cans (NuVal 71), cinnamon and lemon.

Roast for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. No need to add sugar. The apples provide all the sweetness you need.

Wrap it: For a lighter take on the traditional leftover turkey sandwich, chop cold turkey in small pieces and layer with raw vegetables, avocado (NuVal 88), mustard, Romaine lettuce (NuVal 100), tomatoes (NuVal 100), sliced red or green bell peppers (NuVal 100), shredded carrots (NuVal 100) and cucumbers (NuVal 100) in a tortilla wrap.

Curry it: Need a quick 30-minute post-Thanksgiving meal that is both savory and sweet? NuVal’s pick is Curried Turkey with Raisins and Mushrooms. The recipe works really well with leftover turkey and it’s simple to make. The meal combines protein-rich turkey with the earthy flavors of mushrooms and the sweet, spicy tones of raisins and curry.

Find more recipes and ideas for nutrient-rich ingredients to spice up your holiday dishes at www.nuval.com.

1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil (NuVal 18)

12 ounces boneless, skinless turkey breast diced into one-inch cubes (NuVal 57)

2 cups fresh white mush-rooms (NuVal 100)

2 cups sliced cremini mushrooms (NuVal 100)

1/ 2 medium red or green bell peppers, chopped into squares (NuVal 100)

2 cups chicken or turkey broth

1 cup raisins (NuVal 88)2 cups instant whole grain

rice (NuVal 91)1 1/2 tablespoons curry powderB asil leaves, chopped (NuVal 100) Heat extra virgin olive oil in large saute pan. With heat on medium high, heat up leftover turkey in pan. If turkey is raw, cook turkey strips at least five minutes.

Add mushrooms and peppers and cook for three to four minutes. Add broth. Mix in raisins, rice and curry powder. Bring to boil then reduce heat and cover. Simmer until rice is done. Fluff with fork, remove from heat. Let sit three to five minutes and garnish with basil before serving.(Family Features) Photo by Getty Images.

Recipe

Curried Turkey with Raisinsand Mushrooms

Turkey Triage on ThanksgivingWhether you are a novice or expe-

rienced cook, Thanksgiving can be stressful. That’s why holiday cooks and hosts all across the country tune in every year to The Splendid Table’s “Turkey Confidential” radio and web show on Thanksgiving morning. A holiday tradition in kitchens across the country, the show gives cooks an open line to Lynne Rossetto Kasper and her culinary guest stars, providing “turkey triage” by answering calls and emails live on Nov. 27, 11 a.m.

to 1 p.m., ET on public radio stationsnationwide and online. The show will also be streamed live on The Splendid Table website (splendidtable.publicradio.org). Not sure where to listen? Check this list of stations that carry The Splendid Table: (apmstations.org/standard/tools/station_listings.php?pgm_id=27). To contact Lynne and the team during the show, ask questions on Facebook and Twitter, send an email (splendidtable.org/contact) or call 800-537-5252.

Bing Crosby RediscoveredThe new documentary “American Mas-

ters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered” pre-mieres nationwide on Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. on PBS (check local listings) and is available same day on DVD from PBS Distribution. Narrated by Stanley Tucci, the film explores Crosby’s life and legend with unprecedented access to his archives, including never-before-seen footage, and reveals a man far more complex than his public persona. A holiday encore presentation airs on Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. on PBS (check local listings).

For music fans, American Masters: Bing Crosby Rediscovered—The Soundtrack features songs heard in the documentary, including 16 previously unreleased recordings, and is available Nov. 25 via Bing Crosby Archive and Universal Music Enterprises. This year is also the 60th anniversary of the film White Christmas. For more info on these and other new Crosby holiday releases, visit: bingcrosby.com/a-colossal-crosby-celebration.

Senior Chef Creates Helpful AppAward-winning chef David Nugent,

80, has just released an app called “Precision Cuisine, Celebrity Chef Des-serts.” Chef David claims his precision-based recipes “are delicious and will never fail.” The goal is to give confidence to beginning cooks, with more than 160 desserts and these helpful features:

1. Servings and Ingredient Weights: Users can change the number of serv-ings or the weight of one ingredient and the other weights will self-adjust.

3. Shopping List: Email or print; lets youcheck off items you add to your cart.4. Ingredient Search: Search for all recipes containing a certain ingredient.5. As You Cook: Put a check mark by each ingredient as it is added to the bowl. 6. Settings: Lets you deactivate the sleep timer on your iPad/iPhone so you don’t have to restart it while following a recipe. The app includes a timer, metric option and more. $4.99 on the iTunes store.


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Lifestyles After 50 Is Your Connection To The Seniors Of Charlotte County

November 2014

Charlotte County!

15 Lighting of the Village. 5:30 p.m.

ribbon cuting, followed by parade by Lee County Pipes and Drums. Food, family fun, Dickens Carolers, meet Santa and more. Admis-sion: one canned good.

18 Holiday Jazzercise. Dance and have

fun burning off calories. 6 to 7 p.m., center court.

20 Fletcher Music Piano Christmas Program. 5 to 8 p.m.

22 “The Doo-Wop Crew.” 5 to 9 p.m., center court.

29 Hot Flashz Dancers perform to holiday tunes in the center court. 2 to 3 p.m.

Fishermen’s Village is on the waterfront in Punta Gorda. Call 941-639-8721 for details.

11 Dinner (5:30 p.m.)and show (7

p.m.) - “The Goldtones” doo-wop group. $30 for both. $13 show only.

14 – 16 Christmas Bazaar. Arts &

crafts, gifts, farmers market, music and pictures with Santa.

20 21 and 22 “the Sunshine Boys” by

Neil Simon. 7:30 p.m.: 20 and 21; 2 p.m. on 22. $18.

27 Day Trip with Happy Travelers to

see “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Mu-sical.” $76. Call 941-625-4175 ext. 204 for details.

All events at Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. Tickets, times and info: 941-625-4175.

888-670-0040

Advertise your event or service on this page! Call for Special Rates and Marketing Packages for the Best of Charlotte County!

• Festival of Lights and Salvation Army Tree, Nov. 16 – Dec. 31. (Angel Tree is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 18). View over one million

lights and themed decorations throughout the Village daily. Give a gift to a needy child by visiting the Salvation Army Angel Tree located in Center Court. Choose the name of a child and bring an unwrapped gift to Beneath The Sea in Fishermen’s Village, collection point for the

Angel Tree. 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-8721

• 16th Annual Turkey Trot 5k Run/Walk, Nov. 27. Chase the bicycle riding turkey around FSW’s scenic Punta Gorda campus.

Awards for top finishers in all categories. Entry: $25 until Nov. 24; $30 on race day. Proceeds benefit Habitat For Humanity. 7:30 a.m. at 26300 Airport Rd., Punta Gorda. Register/info at 941-639-3162

• Veteran Motor Car Club Of America Car Show, Nov. 11. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t miss this wide selection of vintage cars on

display. Fishermen’s Village Parking Lot at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. 941-639-8721. For more infor, call 941-639-8721

Helping Hands• R.S.V.P. (Retired & Senior Volunteer Program): 941-613-2299.

• Meals on Wheels/Friendship Cafe Dining Sites: 941-255-0723.• Elder Helpline of Southwest Florida: 1-800-398-4233.

Senior Centers and Resources• Senior Friendship Centers: 941-255-0723 or friendshipcenters.org.

• Senior Choices of Southwest Florida: 1-866-413-5337 or www.aaaswfl.org.• O.C.E.A.N. (Our Charlotte Elder Affairs Network): 941-235-4500 or ocean-fl.org.

display. Fishermen’s Village Parking Lot at 1200 W. Retta Esplanade,

FEATURED EVENTS

Join Us For Our Dec. 2014

Edition:

(Angel Tree is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Dec. 18). View over one million

8 Parkside Music & Food Festival – “A

Salute to Veterans.” An all-American day of fun, food, crafts and more. Admission: $1. Free for veterans with military ID. Aaron Street behind the Promenades Mall, Port Charlotte. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 941-661-6118.

16 “The Dream is America”

concert with the Charlotte County Concert Band. Enjoy patriotic selections lauding our military and wonderful country. Tickets are $13. Concert begins at 2 p.m. at the Cultural Center of Char-lotte County, 2280 Aaron Street, Port Charlotte. 941-625-4175 ext. 254.

Staying Connected

Salute Our

VeteranS

Expires 11-30-14. Expires 11-30-14. Expires 11-30-14. Expires 11-30-14.

THE PATIENT AND ANY OTHER PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYMENT HAS A RIGHT TO REFUSE TO PAY, CANCEL PAYMENT OR BE REIMBURSED FOR PAYMENT FOR ANY OTHER SERVICE, EXAM OR TREATMENT WHICH IS PERFORMED AS A RESULT OF AND WITHIN 72 HOURS OF RESPONDING TO THE ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE FREE, DISCOUNTED, REDUCED FEE SERVICE, EXAMINATION OR TREATMENT. LIC# DN12560

(941) 444-1089 (941) 375-4099 (941) 623-9353

Expires 11-30-14. Expires 11-30-14. Expires 11-30-14. Expires 11-30-14.Expires 12-31-14 Expires 12-31-14 Expires 12-31-14 Expires 12-31-14

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Lifestyles After 50 Southwest November 2014 edition