Mature Lifestyles Jan. 2012 Sarasota/Manatee edition

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VOLUME 23, NUMBER 1 SARASOTA MANATEE JANUARY 2012 Finding Peace Along I-95 Visit our website at: www.seniorconnectionfl.com • Technology: Of Lovers and Liars • It’s On the Tip of My Tongue • Leaving Your Home • He Walked Above the Clouds Take Your Oxygen First Leeza Gibbons

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Monthly magazine for adults 50 and older

Transcript of Mature Lifestyles Jan. 2012 Sarasota/Manatee edition

VOLUME 23, NUMBER 1 SARASOTA • MANATEE JANUARY 2012

�Finding�Peace�Along�I-95�

Visit our w

ebsite at:

www.seniorconnectionfl.com

• Technology: Of Lovers and Liars

• It’s On the Tip of My Tongue

• Leaving Your Home

• He Walked Above the Clouds

Take�Your�Oxygen�First

Leeza Gibbons

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 2

“Well, I finally did it. I finally decided to enter the digital age and get a cell phone.My kids have been bugging me, my book group made fun of me, and the laststraw was when my car broke down, and I was stuck by the highway foran hour before someone stopped to help. But when I went to the cellphone store, I almost changed my mind. The phones are so smallI can’t see the numbers, much less push the right one. They all have cameras, computers and a “global-positioning” somethingor other that’s supposed to spot me from space. Goodness, allI want to do is to be able to talk to my grandkids! The peopleat the store weren’t much help. They couldn’t understand whysomeone wouldn’t want a phone the size of a postage stamp.And the rate plans! They were complicated, confusing, and expensive… and the contract lasted for two years! I’d almostgiven up when a friend told me about her new Jitterbugphone. Now, I have the convenience and safety of being ableto stay in touch… with a phone I can actually use.”

Sometimes I think the people who designed this phone and the rate plans had me in mind. The phone fits easilyin my pocket, and it flips open to reach from my mouthto my ear. The display is large and backlit, so I can actually see who is calling. With a push of a button I can amplify the volume, and if I don’t know a number, I can simply push “0” for a friendly, helpful operator that will look it up and even dial it for me. The Jitterbug also reduces background noise, making the sound loud and clear. There’s even a dial tone, so I know thephone is ready to use.

Affordable plans that I can understand – and no contract to sign! Unlikeother cell phones, Jitterbug has plans that make sense. Why should I pay forminutes I’m never going to use? And if I do talk more than I plan, I won’t find

myself with no minutes like my friend who has a prepaid phone. Best of all,there is no contract to sign – so I’m not locked in for years at a time or subject to termination fees. The U.S.–based customer service is second to none, and the phone gets service virtually anywhere in the country.

Call now and get a FREE gift when you order. Try Jitterbug for 30 days and if you don't love it, just returnit1. Why wait, the Jitterbug comes ready to use right out of the box. If you aren’t as happy with it as I am, you can return it for a refund of the purchase price. Call now, the Jitterbug product experts are ready to answeryour questions.

IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Jitterbug is owned by GreatCall, Inc. Your invoices will come from GreatCall. All rate plans and services require the purchase of a Jitterbug phone and a one-time set up fee of $35. Coverage and service is not available everywhere. Other charges and restrictions may apply. Screenimages simulated. There are no additional fees to call Jitterbug’s 24-hour U.S. Based Customer Service. However, for calls to an Operator in which a service is completed, minutes will be deducted from your monthly balance equal to the length of the call and any call connected by the Operator, plus an additional 5 minutes.Monthly rate plans do not include government taxes or assessment surcharges. Prices and fees subject to change. 1We will refund the full price of the Jitterbug phone if it is returned within 30 days of purchase in like-new condition. We will also refund your first monthly service charge if you have less than 30 minutes of usage.If you have more than 30 minutes of usage, a per minute charge of 35 cents will apply for each minute over 30 minutes. The activation fee and shipping charges are not refundable. Jitterbug is a registered trademark of GreatCall, Inc. Samsung is a registered trademark of Samsung Electronics America, Inc. and/or its related entities. Copyright © 2011 GreatCall, Inc. Copyright © 2011 by firstSTREET for Boomers and Beyond, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 3

You Don’t Have To Struggle With Hearing Loss AnymoreIf you say “huh?” or

“what did you say?” quite frequently, you may want to keep reading this article. If you are having problems with hearing, you may feel uncomfortable when you’re in social situations and convers-ing with others. Not being able to hear clearly can be frustrat-ing, to say the least, as you try to maintain the conversation. Hearing loss can cause social isolation because you may find it easier to withdraw from group activities rather than participate in them. Such behavior might in turn cause people to think of you as timid or disconnected and give up trying to communicate with you. Then again, if you have hearing loss, you have plenty of company. At least 10 percent of America – Americans – 30 million – have some degree of hearing loss, rang-ing from mild to profound.

Older adults are most affected, as hearing tends to deteriorate with age. An estimated 30 percent of Americans age 65 and older, and approximately 50 percent of those over age 75, have a hearing impairment. But hear-ing loss can occur at any age due to factors such as noise exposure,

trauma, genetics and illness. World-wide, the number of people with hear-ing loss is estimated at 500 million. Many people refuse to acknowledge hearing loss. Estimates are that only about one person in four who would benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one. Many choose to persevere without any assistance. According to a study from the National Council on Aging, people with hearing impairment who don’t use hearing aids are more likely to

feel sad or anxious, be less active socially and feel greater emotional insecurity than are those with hearing impairment who do use hearing aids. The study also reported that hearing aid users maintained better relationships with their families. Hearing aids have come a long way since the conspicuous ear trumpets of the 18th and 19th centuries. In fact, astounding improvements in hearing technology have been made in the last few decades. More options for treating hearing loss are available. And some of these options are not even noticeable to onlookers. The key is to find a treatment that fits your needs and lifestyle. My name is Doug Gibson of Gibson’s Hearing Technologies. I wear an Otolens – an invisible hearing aid – and nobody knows. I would like to invite you to change your life. Come in for a FREE hearing test at 2344 Bee Ridge Rd., #101, Sarasota, FL (941) 927-2424.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 4

Dear Readers,

It’s that time of year again. No,

let’s don’t try mak-ing actual resolutions, since we’re old enough to have gone through many stages with the traditional New Year’s Resolutions thing. There were years we were confident we could really change our weight or our income or a behavior. Other years we were so cynical (or so busy) that we didn’t even bother setting a simple goal. All of us have made resolutions which we didn’t keep. So I’ve made a list of, not really resolutions, but ideas I want to keep reconsidering this year. I want to come back to them every so often as remind-ers of the person I want to be. That way I won’t get down on myself if I don’t live up to all of them by March 1 or some other self-serving date. Maybe something here will stir you to join me in looking at others and myself in a new and more humane light in 2012.1. This year I want to take time to remember that, regardless of what I might think when I ponder on the world situation, God is still in control and we are but a “blip on the screen” of His time. My part in that? Psalm 100: 4, 5 says, “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithful-ness continues to all generations.” So I will be more thankful and praise Him. 2. I will try to think about caregivers in my community more and do something for them when I can. After talking with TV personality Leeza Gibbons (see the story about her in this issue), I want to help. For me, at this time, it will be something simple that says, “I care.”

Some years ago I had a friend who loved to read, as I do. She became caregiver for her husband who had Alzheimer’s. I would take bags of books to her periodically. It was always a warm feeling to know my book choices were keeping her company during the long days and nights she sat with her husband. I’m sure there’s another reader out there!3. This year I will think “local” whenever possible in order to boost my hometown economy. I will give gift certificates to locally owned beauty shops, use an independently owned car repair shop and buy my veggies at local produce stands. My home repairs and home improvement work will be done by people who are raising their families within my community.4. I plan to do a little more exercise every week than I have been doing. Doctors tell us that just about anything we do to exercise makes a difference in our physical and emotional well-being. I walk several miles a week now—I’m just going to add a few more times around the block each week.5. This is a hard one, but I will be better off if I cut a few hundred calories a week. 6. Most of all, I will remain flex-ible! Life is short, circumstances that are beyond my control will come up and my priorities will have to change. I can do this.

7. Laugh more! Yes, I want to laugh more in 2012.8. Years ago Ann Landers advised to “Walk tall and smile more. You’ll look 10 years younger.” (10 years younger? Wow!)9. I will say, “I love you” again and again. They are the sweet-est words in the world. Humor Matters And now, just for fun, from the website Humor Matters™, take a look as Steven M. Sultanoff, Ph.D., a Mirthologist and Clinical Psychologist, gives us some just-for-fun “affirmations” for the new year. Read them and laugh with me. And remember, they’re all in good fun—not recommended lifestyle changes!• I assume full responsibility for my actions, except the ones that are someone else’s fault.• My intuition nearly makes up for my lack of wisdom and judgment.• I need not suffer in silence while I can still moan, whimper and complain.• I will strive to live each day as if it were my 50th birthday.• Today I will gladly share my experi-ence and advice, for there are no sweeter words than “I told you so!”• I will no longer waste my time reliving the past; I will spend it worrying about the future.• Before I criticize a man, I will walk a mile in his shoes. That way, if he gets angry, he’s a mile away and barefoot. Now, didn’t it feel good to laugh at how we sometimes think! Our staff wishes you a blessed and happy new year.

Note to Self: Things to Think About in 2012

Janice Doyle, Editor

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 5

Thursdays and Fridays Historical Herrmann’s Lipizzaner Stallions

training sessions open to the public! 3 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. Donations welcome. No tickets needed. Stal-lions available for viewing any day of the week! 32755 Singletary, Myakka City. For more information, visit: hlipizzans.com or (941) 322-1501.

7 14, 21, 28 Adult Singles Club of Sarasota/Manatee. Open dance

parties with a variety of dance music by bands and intermission DJ. Dona-tion $10 (members $8) 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. BYOB; complimentary snacks. Payne Park Auditorium, 2100 Laurel Street, Sarasota. For more information, call (941) 756-8303.

10 “Love Sung in the Name of Aretha.” Visit with four

women who live together in a Florida apartment building as they musically review their life experiences through the songs made famous by the legend-ary Aretha Franklin. $28. 8 p.m. at Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, 1646 10th Way, Sarasota. (941) 366-1505.

12 – 14 “Music and Magic” Venice Symphony concert.

Selections include: Leroy Ander-son’s The Phantom Regiment, Tchai-kovsky’s Swan Lake Suite, selec-tions from Beauty and the Beast and much more. Church of the Nazarene, 1535 E. Venice Avenue, Venice. Times and tickets: (941) 412-4725.

14 Pioneer Days. Demonstrations and an original play depict the

life of Venice pioneer families during Venice’s 85th Anniversary celebration. Food available for purchase.10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lord-Higel House, 409 Grana-da Ave., Venice. Free. (941) 486-2626.

15 and 16 “Back Home Again, A Tribute to John Denver.”

Featuring Tom Becker, former mem-ber of the New Christy Minstrels. Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. Tickets: $30. (941) 488-1115.

21 New Balance Ringling Bridge Run IX. Four-mile course that

traverses the Ringling Causeway, and a one-mile fun run and post-race free family festival. $25 registration benefits Sarasota YMCA. Register by Jan. 13. Details at (941) 953-3368.

22 “Great Romantic Piano Impressions: From Classics

to Gershwin” by Russian pianist Eleanora Lvov. Free. 4 p.m. at Unitar-ian Universalist Church of Sarasota, 3975 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota. Info at eleonoralvov.com or (941) 358-0235.

24 Hemingway at the Crosley. Ernest Hemingway performs

some of his best-loved works, joined by a few of his literary counterparts and guests from the silent silver screen. 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Powel Crosley Estate, 8374 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. $10 – $25. (941) 929-0066.

27 Native American Indian Fes-tival. Traditional music and

dance, arts, crafts, food and more. $7 adults, $3 children. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sarasota Fairgrounds, 3050 Ring-ling Blvd. Details: (941) 924-2784.

28 9th Annual St. Armands Circle Art Festival. Jewelry, pottery,

paintings, and more. Free. Starts at 10 a.m. Details at (561) 746-6615.

30 – Feb. 5 West Coast Super Senior Tennis Grand Prix. Held

at University Park Country Club, 7671 The Park Blvd., Sarasota. Open to ages 55 – 90. Register by Jan. 24: $75.75 for singles, $48.88 per player for doubles. Details at (941) 359-8888and universitypark-fl.com.

Feb. 4 and 5 Annual Venice Orchid Show and Sale. Exotic plants,

supplies and orchid art will be avail-able from 15 vendors. $4. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat.; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday. Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis Ave., Venice. (941) 484-9606. Send Around Town news to Mature Lifestyles Magazine, 1602 S. Parsons Ave., Seffner, FL 33584; fax (813) 651-1989. News must be received by the 10th of the month prior to event (i.e. January 10 for February event.)

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Practice with a PurposeNext time you come out to the range and practice, keep these thoughts in mind: When you practice have goals in mind. Just don’t go out and hit your bag of range balls in record time. Try and go through your pre-shot routine with each shot; this will make it easier to take your game from the range to the golf course. Work your way through all the clubs in your bag. Hit wedges, short irons, mid-irons, hybrids, fairway woods and driver and be sure mix up your targets

as well. Don’t hit balls without picking out a target or spot in the background to aim at. If you do not have a routine, I would suggest you get one and stick to it. Try these and if they don’t seem to work, contact either myself or your local PGA professional to help you.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 6

High Tech, Long Distance Practices Bring Band Members Together AgainBY JANICE DOYLE

Don’t underestimate technology for dreaming and doing! Here’s

what happened when a retired social worker in Florida, a retired attorney in Arizona and an information technology guru in Maryland put their “bucket lists” together—they brought back 35 years together as a band and recreated themselves as The Boomers, a ‘50s band—ready to rock ‘n roll. Ken Kaplan of Venice brought out his old saxophone four years ago and joined a group of musicians to play for an event at the Venice Golf & Country Club where he lives. He had played a lot—“back in the day.” Ken says, “I’ve played music with two brothers, Bruce and Keith McLen-don, since we formed a band during junior high back in Maryland. Keith plays guitar, Bruce plays keyboard, I play the sax and we all sing.” Along with two other guys, the threesome’s band played at parties all

the way through college. Later, says Ken, “All around the Washington, DC area we were a variety band for weddings, parties and in some of the embassies.” For 35 years, Keith, Bruce and Ken played together. “We went over pretty well in the DC area into the 80s. Then jobs called us in different ways and we disbanded.” Recently, as the men entered their retirement years, Keith’s wife felt Florida audiences would love a ‘50s band. The problem was that they were in three states. No problem. Bruce set up the group to rehearse via Skype on the computer. He took music arrange-ments, put them on the server, and

“from my house I can practice the sax part and then twice a

week we go over songs together

on Skype,” Ken says. In November, they met in Venice and The Boomers band was created. New name, same friends and music. Ken says, “It

really did work! We’ve been surprised at how

the songs came right back to us.” First, they played for a party in Ken’s neighborhood. Then they played at the Saltwater Café in Nokomis, and “that was so successful the owners booked us for Feb. 1.” In late January the three will spend a week in Venice again. They’ll play for events at the Venice Golf & Country Club as well as the

Pelican Point Golf & Country Club and at the Saltwater Cafe. They’re looking for other gigs. Ken says, “I try to tell people we work cheap. We just love to play together. We’re a ‘50s and ‘60s band that plays songs people remember.” As musicians, Ken says, “We love to play ‘Rhythm of the Rain.’ Bruce is really good on the keyboard and the harmony is good. So that’s probably the favorite. Our most asked-for song from early ‘60s is ‘Light my Fire’ by The Doors. People also ask for ‘The Stroll’ a lot and that’s another one we all enjoy doing.” It may be high tech practice, but the real deal for these three men is when, once again, they enjoy the friendship they’ve shared since becoming friends when they were six years old. The music just adds to the fun! For more information, call Ken Kaplan at (941) 492-9245. The Saltwater Café is at 1071 Tamiami Trail N., Nokomis.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 8

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 9

From Leeza Gibbons to Caregivers: Take Your Own Oxygen First

BY JANICE DOYLE

Alzheimer’s disease doesn’t discriminate. It strikes men and

women, rich and poor, famous and ordinary. I talked by phone with TV personality Leeza Gibbons, whose firsthand knowledge of Alzheimer’s Disease motivated her to become an activist for family caregivers. Her grandmother died of the disease at the same time Gibbons’ mother received her own diagnosis. Now, when she is not gracing the airwaves, Gibbons (54) spends her time heading up Leeza’s Place, a place both online and in real life working on behalf of caregivers. “It’s a place for caregivers to get educated, empowered and energized as they care for someone they love.” Gibbons said they teach caregivers to “take your oxygen fi rst, meaning nourish yourself, keep your body strong, take a break and forgive, forgive, forgive…the fi rst steps to caring for your loved one.” I asked her to tell us what shehad learned.

Q: What can caregivers do to “take your own oxygen fi rst”?LG: Walking the path of a caregiver is extraordinarily challenging and depleting at every level—spiritually, emotionally, fi nancially, physically. When we advocate “take your own oxygen fi rst,” the idea is to shift focus from the diagnosed individual to

the caregiver because we know that if we take better care of the caregiver, we will get better outcomes for the receiver. Taking your oxygen fi rst is the really most selfl ess thing to do.

Q: What are some practical ways to do that?LG: We advocate that caregivers take the fi rst

fi ve minutes and the last fi ve minutes of every day for personal refl ection, to do some deep breathing and ask “where are my reserves? How am I do-ing emotionally? Am I feeling angry or resentful? Am I sad? Do I feel guilty?” Acknowledge those feelings. Realize that you need support, that you can’t do this alone. We’re not infi nite resources. People roll their eyes when we say to take even a fi ve-minute walk every day. But it allows you to get out of your environment so you can cope with greater skill. It gives you oxygen to your brain and your heart so that you will have more physical and emotional reserves to draw from.

Q: What is a practical way to help a caregiver?LG: If someone asks to help, a great fi rst response by the caregiver is to ask them to prepare some veggies or healthy snacks and put them in zip lock bags so when you want to eat, the snacks you grab are healthy ones.

Q: At Leeza’s Place, you recommend scrapbooking. Why?LG: Scrapbooking and memorykeep-ing give us validation. When we take the time to elevate an experience—a trip, a shared hug, a moment in time that was special—it lets us know that our life matters and that’s all any of us wants to know.

When we scrapbook, we suggest that you pull out photos that will make a loved one feel competent and in control of their lives. It can be multigenerational. An 8-year-old and 80-year-old can both cut, add to a page, tell about a moment in time. Working together demystifi es the ex-perience for the child. Kids feel more secure if they have information, and if we make them a part of the process, their fear lessens. And journaling forces you to think about feelings. Sometimes in caregiving, we hurt so much we run from our feelings.

Q: Did you make a scrapbook with your mother?LG: I did. I had a sense of urgency to record her incredible life, to make sure my chil-dren knew how funny she was and how fancy she was and the way she loved to celebrate. It also allowed me to rewind to a time before me, to see her as a girl. Doing it was very healing for me.

Q: What was she like as a grandmother?LG: My mom had been vocal and ex-cited about having grandchildren. One time when she was visiting and my kids were very young, I remember feeling a cross between anger and resentment that my mother wasn’t really “present”

with the kids. I realize now it was the beginning stages of the disease and that she wasn’t comfortable in her own skin. One of her big dreams was to take her grandchildren on a cross-country train trip. She never got to do that, so part of what I scrapbooked was what my mom’s hopes and dreams were about the grandchildren.

Q: Any bittersweet stories you want to share?

LG: When I was a little girl, Mom would say, “When I die, don’t let your dad put me in high heels and pearls. I want to be buried in my pajamas.” I didn’t understand, but I carried that with me into adulthood. We buried her in this comfortable gown and buying it was the last dutiful daughter experience that I did for her what she wanted.

Q: What about your father through all of this?

LG: My dad cared so lovingly for my mom. He’s an example of taking his oxygen. He found buddies that supported him, and I’m so proud of him.

Resources: Leezasplace.comAlzheimersdisease.com

What caregivers can do: Offer up Words of Wisdom

for others who are struggling. Go to Alzheimersdisease.com through Feb. 29 to enter your caregiving tips. The top ten will receive gift certifi cates

and be published on the site.

Leeza Gibbons

Gibbons and her mother.

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 10

“The Time To Talk About Assisted Living”One of the most dif-

ficult conversations an adult child can have with a parent regards moving into an assisted living community. This will involve a lot of financial and emotional strains on all members of the family; but in most cases, it is the best op-tion for your loved one. Approaching the subject is a delicate procedure. Remember to tell your loved one that you are genuinely concerned for their health and, for that reason alone, you think an assisted living community is best. Social activities, round the clock attention and opportunities to make new friends will help reassure your family member that they will still have

their independence and much more. At Summerfield Assisted Living Facility, our caring staff will make every effort to assist all family members with the transition. Families may contact Pam Green at (941) 751-7200 for further information on the benefits of life at Sum-merfield Assisted Living Facility.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 11

Technology—Of Lovers and LiarsTwo stories from the world of tech-

nology caught our eye recently. The first is heartwarming; the second shows that people will be people, no matter what.

Finding Love at Ages 90 and 82 It’s never too late to find love. Just ask 90-year-old Molly Holder and 82-year-old Ed Nisbett who got married in June and hon-eymooned in Jamaica. The newlyweds met last No-vember—on Match.com. Molly joined Match.com “on impulse” and quickly made a digital connection with Ed through their shared interest in reading poetry and drinking scotch. When the Tallahassee, Florida, couple met in person in January, no one could doubt that their chemistry was instant. With no time to waste,

Ed proposed to Molly on Valentine’s Day and they married in June sur-rounded by 25 friends and family.

Liar, Liar, Hard Drive on Fire It’s the face-to-face meeting that makes the difference. A new study finds that commu-nication using computers for instant messaging and email increases lying compared to face-to-face conversations, and that email messages are most likely to contain lies. Underlying this is the con-cept of deindividualization, where as people grow psy-chologically and physically further from the person they are in communication with, there is a higher likelihood of lying, researchers say.

The takeaway: The internet allows people to feel freer, psychologicallyspeaking, to use deception, at least when meeting new people.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 12

BY EVELYN MACKEY

Are you a Baby Boomer contemplating the question,

“What do I want to be when I grow up?” You may want to remain active and engaged, make a contribution to your community or recapture dreams that you let go earlier in your life. If you’re still working, those may just be dreams—how will you turn them into reality? Many paths can lead you to what’s next in pursuing your dreams. Here are a few ideas:

• Take a radical path—become an activist for a cause. Or maybe becoming an entrepreneur or in-novator fits your life better.

• Choose the back-to-school path and kick-start a dream or finish one you put on hold years ago.• Take a sabbatical to work at your dream. Getting away from the work routine can help you prioritize your goals.

• The volunteering path lets you use your skills and can take you next door or around the world.One man’s dream “Ever since I was a child, I wanted

to be a pro golfer,” said Keith Gock-enbach, who retired from a career as an engineer to take his shot at joining the senior tour. “When I finally got to a point in my life when I could take my shot, I did. I learned a lot more about living life than I did about golf.” Gockenbach’s book Inside, Outside and On The Ropes includes some life tips he found on the way to the dream:

• If you don’t enter, you can’t win. It’s easy to be stopped by the daunting odds that face a pro every week, trying to get on the Champions Tour. After shoulder surgery, I passed on entering three qualifiers where I could have qualified with a low round, as I later did at Sarasota. But when I didn’t enter, I eliminated that opportunity.

• The greatest regrets in life are for things you didn’t do, not the things you did and did poorly. People usually regret stopping after only a few piano lessons a lot more than

spending two years on lessons and never becoming very good. And, I’ve certainly had more people say to me, “I admire you for chasing your dream,” than I’ve had say or even imply, “You’re crazy to try.”

• Every stroke counts. I know from playing in the qualifiers that one shot here or there can make the difference between qualifying and going home empty-handed. Life works the same way. When you’re driving a car, focus on safe driving. When you meet someone, take the extra two seconds to learn their name. Give your full at-tention, even if it’s less than a minute. Every interaction in life deserves a positive approach and relaxed focus. It’s a good habit to develop.

So, if there’s a dream in your head, what can you do to start making it come true? As retirement years stretch before the boomers, there are dreams waiting in the wings.

Is It Time to Pursue Your Dreams?

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 13

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 14

Services to Help You Stay at Home

Many older adults prefer to stay at home as they age. It’s natural

to want to stay at home as you grow older. But is this the right choice for you or your loved on? Sometimes small changes are needed to make it possible to age in place—the term for being able to stay in your own home safely and comfortably.What can help me stay at home? You may be used to handling everything for yourself, dividing up duties with your spouse or relying on family members for help. But as circumstances change, it’s good to be aware of all the home care services available that might be of help. What you may need depends on how much support you have, your general health and your financial situation. Think about these factors:Household maintenance Keeping a household running

smoothly takes a lot of work, includ-ing laundry, shopping, gardening, housekeeping and handyman services. Then there are bills as well as finan-cial and healthcare management.Transportation Transportation is a key issue for older adults. Investigating transportation options can help you keep your independence and maintain your social network. Home modifications If your mobility is becoming limited, home modifications may include grab bars in the shower, ramps to avoid or minimize the use of stairs or even installing new, more convenient bathrooms.Personal and health care This can sometimes be done by trained professionals who come to your home for a fee. From helpguide.org.

National Park Service Passes Available by MailLifetime passes to America’s

national parks for senior citizens and Americans with dis-abilities are now available through the mail or at national parks. Many parks have trails, campsites and picnic areas that are accessible to people with limited mobility and to wheelchair users. The Senior ($10) and Access (free and available regard-

less of age for those with permanent disabilities) passes provide admission to federal recreation sites that charge entrance or amenity fees. Both passes require a $10 processing fee to receive by the mail. Download and print applications at nps.gov.passes,complete along with proper documentation and applicable document processing fees.

Find a Farmers MarketIt’s the perfect time of year to enjoy

the cool weather and take a stroll through your neighborhood fresh mar-ket. You can support local growers, enjoy tasty homemade treats or find a treasure trove of arts and crafts at these farmers markets near you:Downtown Venice Farmers Market Every Saturday morning, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., on the corner of Nokomis and Tampa Avenues. Free.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 15

Veterans CornerA Green Beret in Vietnam: When

We Walked Above the CloudsWriter H. Lee

Barnes lives in Las Vegas and teaches English and Creative Writing at the College of S. Nevada—a far cry from his days on the battlefield as a member of a Special Forces A-team in Vietnam. Typical of many young men in the early ‘60s, Barnes was in college and drifting along as an average student when a letter from his Draft Board made the decision of what he would be doing for the next couple of years of his life. He enlisted in the Army and became, much to his own surprise, a member of the elite Green Beret. There are the legends of the Green Berets and their clandestine, special operations that are celebrated in story and song, and then there’s the reality of one soldier’s experiences. In When We Walked Above The Clouds: A Memoir of Vietnam by H. Lee Barnes, readers share first-hand the day-to-day loss and drudgery that more accurately conveys the daily grind and quiet desperation behind the polished-for-public-con-sumption accounts of military heroics. Barnes tells what it was like to be a Green Beret; first in the Dominican Republic during the civil war of 1965, and then at A-107, Tra Bong, Vietnam, where he eventually came to serve as the advisor to a Combat Recon Platoon which consisted chiefly of Montagnard irregulars. While Barnes sees his months of simply doing what the mission demanded as nothing to get excited over (after all, bad coffee, heat, insects, sickness, killing rats, cleaning guns and building bunkers make up the routine nature of war), he communicates how this predictability makes the

intensity of patrols and attacks all the more menacing, and his book makes for a very sobering read. He recalls a particular routine patrol that had gone wrong and four of his own and a large number of Viet-namese and Montagnard tribesmen were killed. As he lifted a buddy’s

decomposed body off the ground, both a hatred for the enemy and the stupidity of the war emerged and he be-gan his own patrols. He learned to do what few other Americans in his outfit could—climb the treacherous mountains and survive the unforgiving conditions as well as

a native. Learning to trust the jungle and all its dangers, he felt more alive than he had before or ever has since. Barnes’s story is one of loss—of morale lost to alcoholism, teammates lost to friendly fire, of missions that were aborted and those that were endlessly and futilely repeated. As the story advances, so does the attrition—teammates get transferred, innocence is cast off and confidence in leadership dwindles. But against this dark back-ground, Barnes manages to honor these men who nonetheless carried the day. Nearly fifty years later, Barnes writes that “Vietnam is the only thing in my life that isn’t fiction,” and his book stands as a tribute to the contribution the men of this elite group made, both the routine and the brave. Vet H. Lee Barnes today is a hiker and biker who loves to tour the highways of the southwest and occasionally rambles down its inviting back roads...just curious to see what’s around the next corner. For more information on this award-winning author, please visit: hleebarnes.net.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 16

The Healthy Geezer: Hip ReplacementBY FRED CICETTI

Q. I’m considering having a hip replaced. What are the

odds that this operation will work?A: The American Academy of Orthopae-dic Surgeons says joint replacement sur-gery is successful in more than 9 out of 10 people. And replacement of a hip or knee lasts at least 20 years in about 80 percent of those who have the surgery. In the procedure, an arthritic or dam-aged joint is removed and replaced with an artificial joint called a “pros-thesis.” Artificial joints are medical devices that must be cleared or ap-proved by the FDA before they can be marketed in the United States. The goal of surgery is to relieve the pain in the joint caused by the dam-age done to cartilage, the tissue that serves as a protective cushion and allows smooth, low-friction move-ment of the joint. Total joint replace-ment is considered if other treat-ment options will not bring relief.

In an arthritic knee, the damaged ends of the bones and cartilage are replaced with metal and plastic surfaces that are shaped to restore knee function. In an arthritic hip, the damaged ball and socket of this joint are replaced by a metal ball and plastic socket. Several metals are used, including stainless steel, alloys of cobalt and chrome, and titanium. The plastic material is du-rable and wear-resistant polyethylene. The two most common joints requir-ing this form of surgery are the knee and hip, which are weight-bearing. But replacements can also be performed on other joints, including the ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow and fingers. After total hip or knee replacement you will often stand and begin walking the day after surgery. Initially, you will walk with a walker, crutches or a cane. Most patients have some temporary pain in the replaced joint because the surrounding muscles are weak from in-activity and the tissues are healing, but it will end in a few weeks or months.

Exercise is an important part of the recovery process. After your surgery,you may be permitted to play golf, walk and dance. However, more strenuous sports, such as tennis or running, may be discouraged. There can be complications from joint-replacement surgery. These include infection, blood clots, loosening of the prosthesis, dislocation of the joint, excessive wear, prosthetic breakage and nerve injury. There are remedies for all of these complications, but sometimes the correction will take more surgery. Surgeons are refining techniques and developing new ones, such as minimal-incision surgery. There is a surgical alternative to total hip replacement. It’s called hip resurfacing. The primary difference in hip resurfacing is that the surgeon doesn’t remove the ball at the top of the thigh bone. Instead, the damaged ball is reshaped, and then a metal cap is anchored over it. Hip resurfacing, unlike hip replace-ment, preserves enough bone to permit a

total replacement if it is necessary later. Resurfacing is not recommended for pa-tients with osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones porous and vulnerable to fractures. Some healthcare experts ad-vise getting a replacement hip joint, not a resurfacing, if you are older than 65. If you would like to read more columns, you can order a copy of “How to be a Healthy Geezer” at healthygeezer.com. All Rights Reserved © 2011 by Fred Cicetti.

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 17

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Bidding Farewell to Your Home

BY SUE RONNENKAMP

If you’re preparing for your own downsizing, or if you’re right-sizing

for a new stage of life, think about how you might say goodbye and bring closure to leaving your current home. You may not feel that this is a high priority in the midst of everything else you must do related to your move, but it is important. Bringing some level of closure with your current home, and allowing yourself time to grieve this loss, are essential parts of the transition process. Treat endings with as much importance as beginnings and use this opportunity to say goodbye. 1. Make plans for bringing closure with your current home. One way is by recalling your favorite memories of this home—room-by-room, alone or with family or friends. Tears may come with this process, but that’s okay —leaving a place you have called “home” can be very emotional. Maybe plan a party, especially fitting if this is the house where you raised your family. Ask each person to prepare to share a favorite memory of your home. Make sure everyone leaves with your new address and phone number so they can stay in touch after your move.2. Create a memory book for your home, maybe with one of your children or grandchildren. Include current pictures of your home and

some old photos of your home which include favorite memories from your years living here. You will have this book to look through if you become homesick during the adjustment phase in your new home or just as a fun way to remember your current home and your good memories.

3. Consider those who will benefit from the home you are passing on. It may be hard when you’re leaving a long-time residence to consider the value of what you are passing on to the new owner, but this passing on is often the wonderful result of this process. I went back and visited the home where I grew up and saw how much the young family who bought my parents’ house was enjoying it. They have done some wonderful remodeling, and the house and yard look fully lived in again. If you live in a neighborhood where many of the older houses are being torn down or totally remodeled, it may be harder to think of letting go because of your fear that your current home will disappear once you sell it. Remember that you had the wonderful gift of living in the home you created for many years. Once you decide to pass your home on to new owners, please accept that they do have a right to a totally different picture of what they want their own dream home to be.

4. Realize that you can create a new home for yourself. Fully realize that you can create a new home for your-self anywhere you live. What you are leaving is just a house. You are taking your true home with you and can cre-ate it again wherever you are living. Remember: Home is where you are, home is what you create, home is not the physical structure.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 19

Your New Year’s Resolution Should Include Planning Ahead BY ROSEMARIE HURLEY, CSALong-Term Care Insurance Specialist

I recently spoke to a Long-Term Care company administrator

who shared with me some interest-ing numbers. This administrator is responsible each month for paying 5 to 8 million dollars in Long-Term Care policyholder claims. There is a strong misconception that people are simply paying premiums and no one is receiving benefits. But perhaps the misconception has been perceived because people are still denying the reality of need-ing these benefits some day. If you live long enough, you will use a Long-Term Care policy. That’s a true statement. And when you go on claim, all the premiums you have paid to that date will be returned to you because the premiums are far outweighed by the benefi ts. People who buy policies do so to protect the major part of their as-sets—sometimes for another spouse, sometimes for their children and, in some cases, for themselves. The reason for that is that since these poli-cies pay for care at home, in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, if you are rehabilitated from an injury, for example, you will need to protect your assets for yourself once you are well again. If you deplete your assets while you are recovering, the fi nancial lifestyle to which you are accustomed could be drastically changed.

There is much value in a Long-Term Care policy. But oftentimes people wait too long to look into purchasing a plan. Once you need benefi ts, naturally you cannot qualify for insurance. It is necessary to be pro-active and estab-lish a plan for yourself long before you think you’ll need it. Therein lies the problem. People falsely tell themselves that they probably won’t need to think about this. “It won’t happen to me.” With the U.S. Govern-ment publishing statistics stating that one in two people over the age of 65 will have a Long-Term Care claim, I do believe planning ahead is your best fi rst line of defense in protecting your fi nances and your peace of mind. Now that the holidays are here, we spend more time with our families. Talk about the future with them and help them by planning ahead. These plans help your family help you. Now is the time. It is affordable if you plan properly. It really is. Rosemarie Hurley, President of Senior Insurance Solutions, has been a Long-Term Care Insurance Specialist for over 17 years and brokers with only the fi nest insurance companies in the industry. She is a Certifi ed Senior Advisor and Past President of the local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters. She is a member of the Bonita and the Estero Chambers and a Past President of the Rotary Club of Estero. She can be reached at (239) 274-6678 or at her website: longtermcareinsurance-online.com.

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or how many syllables it has but are not able to retrieve the entire word. These events are typically not a measure of intelligence, nor are they

evidence of a lack of knowledge, she says. She noted that Rick Perry, as a governor of Texas, is likely to be quite knowledgeable about the Depart-ment of Energy. TOT states are more common for words that are infrequent (like “protractor”) and for proper names. She says such incidents increase as we get older.

When a word is not produced very frequently, Mauner says the connec-tions between its meaning and its sounds may be weak. (Newswise)

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 21

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Seven Ways Grieving Affects Your HealthBY D. KEITH COBB, M.D.

The toll of grief goes beyond an emotional cost. Our mental

struggles also affect our physical health. Don’t hesitate to see your physician for advice and help as you go through this difficult time. Here are seven common symptoms thatmourners experience.

Abdominal pain and “heartache.” The emotional pain recognition site in the brain is located near the region that senses and interprets sensations, including pain, from the stomach and other abdominal organs. When we suffer emotionally,the brain responds by releasing neurochemicals we experience in our body as an intense aching in our upper abdomen and lower chest.

Eating disturbances. The nervous system chemicals that contribute to our emotional state also affect healthy hunger signals. Eating too much (trying to self-comfort using food) and eating too little (loss of appetite) are com-monplace among those who’ve suffered a loss. Fatigue and insomnia. The inability to sleep easily, deeply and through the night is common under these circumstances and may take months or years to improve. Chronic insomnia can lead to chronic fatigue.Mood swings and irritability. Grieving people often feel as if they are going insane. That’s because anxiety is a frequent component of

bereavement, and the neurochemicals that produce it also contrib-ute to irrational mood swings and uncontrol-lable irritability.Functional impair-ment. Anxiety and stress resulting from extreme grief can cause the mourner to experi-ence noticeable impair-ment in concentration, decision making and even physical reaction time, known as psy-chomotor retardation.

It can be hazardous to your health to do any activity—such as driving, skiing, roof work, etc.—when you’re under severe duress from mourning.Sensitivity to aches and pains. Intense grief leads to feelings of de-pression, rejection, despondency and

loneliness. All of these understandable emotions are brought on by a decrease in serotonin and norepinephrine, the compounds that help to relieve pain and boost mood. These “feel-better” chemicals are abnormally low in the brains of grieving and depressed people, so it’s normal for grievers to be more sensitive to aches and pains. Exacerbated medical problems. It is a well-described phenomenon that existing medical problems often worsen and healing slows down when a person is under extreme stress, such as that caused by the profound burden of mourning. This is why people who are in mourning often have chronic medical complaints. D. Keith Cobb M.D. is an internal medicine physician and the author of “The Grief Survival Handbook: A Guide from Heartache to Healing” (Trafford Publishing). Learn more about him at drkeithcobb.com.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 22

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A Low-tech Gal in a Hi-tech WorldBY ANN G. THOMAS

I just received an e-mail from my credit card company ask-

ing me to answer a questionnaire online. “It will only take a few minutes of your time,” they said. They lied. It took a half-hour. They wanted to know what it would take to convince me to handle my account with them online. They offered choices for my reasons, but there was no choice that said because the number of tech things I already deal with has left me exhausted.

Even a clock now needs attention. Clocks no longer work on a spring or even on a battery. They work, according to my grandson, on a chip and apparently part of a chip’s nature in-volves flashing because my clocks flash. The strangest part is that all of these clocks flash 12:00. I wonder why they don’t choose a different number. They could flash a favorite hour—even a clock must have a favorite. I’ve asked several people to explain this preference clocks have for 12 but the only one who even attempts to answer is that same grandson who is now an unemployed dot com person. From the complexity of his answer, I can understand why some dot com stocks got into difficulty. Many of my appliances, I am told, have chips that allow them to start doing whatever they do without my being around. My oven, microwave and bread machine can all be programmed to start themselves at pre-arranged times so I could come home from an afternoon at the movies to find my dinner, complete with freshly

baked bread, warm and waiting for me. I don’t think there is any chip that sets the table, but maybe I’ve just not read that far in the direction book. My children have equipped me with an entertainment center where various buttons ask me to play or program a video or audio tape or disc, pre-record one television show while watching another, burn a CD or do a myriad of other things that are also apparently entertaining. The grandchildren of-fered to buy me one of those “things” where you read books from a screen, but I turned them down. “My local library provides unlimited entertain-ment with no technology involved,” I told them. The next week the library

had installed machines where borrowers check their own books in and out. I recently replaced my heating/ air conditioning system with this new, energy efficient model that func-tions on a keypad, which I’ve pretty well mastered. On the other hand, my security system is a comput-erized nightmare, and I’m seriously thinking of replac-ing it with a Great Dane. My garden is watered by a sprin-kler system that requires

“setting.” My car doors open and lock with a tiny computerized keypad, which is nice except for the little button marked PANIC which is easy to accidentally press. Once pressed, the car will than begin to make a lot of noise, causing the owner, in this case me, to begin to experience PANIC. We are told that all of this is designed to make our life easier, but I don’t find it so. In the old days there was a more direct interaction between the person and the object. And so, Credit Card Company, I will not pay you online. If you want my business, you’ll have to accept my check. Dr. Thomas can be reached online through her website at dr-annthomas.com.

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AUDITIONSJanuary 27, 2012 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 25

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Nutritionally Hot Recipes for OatmealA steaming hot bowl of

oatmeal provides a delicious—and healthy—start to a day. And we’ve all heard that eating oats may help protect against high cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity. Here are three ideas to boost the nutrition further:

• Make oatmeal with calcium-rich milk instead of water. Follow the same directions given for water, just use milk instead.

• Kick the nutrition up another notch by serving oatmeal with antioxidant-rich berries, either fresh or frozen.

• Sprinkle oatmeal with cinnamon for sweetness and possible health benefits.

Baked Banana Raisin Oatmeal3 eggs2 very ripe bananas, mashed3 c. quick or old-fashioned oats1 ½ c. low-fat milk½ c. raisins½ c. honey¼ c. oil1 tsp. baking powder2 tsp. cinnamon1 tsp. vanilla Lightly beat eggs. Add all remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined. Let mixture set at least 10 minutes for oats to absorb some of the liquid.

Stir mixture once more and transfer to an 8 x 8 baking pan that’s been coated generously with cooking spray. (You could also use two small loaf pans.) Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. To serve, cut into squares and drizzle each serving with maple syrup. Recipe from mrbreakfast.com.

Orange Cranberry Slow Cooker Oatmeal1 c. old fashion rolled oats1 c. chopped apple1/2 c. dried cranberries1 tbsp. butter melted1 tbsp. cinnamon1/8 tsp. salt1 c. orange juice1 c. water Spray the inside of slow cooker with non stick cooking spray. Stir all the ingredients together in a bowl. Poor into slow cooker. Cook on very low or warm for 9 hours. Serves 6.

Recipe Ask about the link between diabetes and heart disease and learn how the ABCs of diabetes

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 26

Take the Grandkids—A Day Trip Just for FunBY AMY WITHEROW

We stopped recently in Sebring and spent several hours in

the incredibly wonderful Children’s Museum of the Highlands with Brandon, 4, and Caitlin, 7. Linda Crowder, Museum Director, has spent over 20 years creating exhibits that children will love. There are more than 20 areas of play, and kids can spend hours just enjoying themselves. Parents and grandparents are encouraged to play as well—as I did with some of the more popular exhibits. They include a grocery store, a diner, a model train, a race car, an airplane, a fire truck, a postal truck, a fire tower, a construction area, a television station, a hospital, a theater stage and a bank area (complete with safe deposit boxes).

Each area is well-maintained and the quality of the exhibits speaks highly to the ingenuity of Crowder, who is the museum’s only full-time employee,

serving as everything from di-rector to maintenance person.

Crowder says, “The museum is ideal for children ages 2 – 12, especially 4 – 9 year olds, but even middle schoolers enjoy visiting. Older kids like the optical illusions, which involve more reading than the other exhibits.” Younger siblings can enjoy a toddler-friendly play area in the middle of the

museum, surrounded by padded walls that can double as benches for adults. There are several local lunch options, and the attendant at the front desk will be happy to stamp your hand if you plan on returning after your meal.

Our family went to Dee’s, which was right across the street. Dee’s is family-friendly down-home cooking. If you choose not to return to the museum after lunch, consider spend-ing a couple of hours in the afternoon at the nearby Highlands Hammock State Park. The park has three separate

playgrounds within a 10-minute walk of each other and offers a tram tour, which might be better for older

kids since it requires remaining seated for 75 minutes. The tram

travels into remote areas of the park where visitors

might see alligators, turtles, wading

birds and more. Or, you

can take a walk on the elevated

boardwalk over the cypress swamp.

A day trip to Sebring is well

worth the drive. The grandkids (and their grandparents) are sure to have a great time! The museum is located at 219 N. Ridgewood Dr., Sebring. Open Tuesday through Saturday. Call (863) 385-KIDS (5437) or visit childrensmuseumhighlands.com.

Brandon tries on wigs in the theater.

Caitlin flies the kid-sized airplane.

Sami’s Island Market and CateringCatering

Sami’s Island Market and Catering will provide you with an inspired

culinary experience! Owner Marc Laurin and his team will create flavor-ful masterpieces for business meetings, weddings, corporate functions, intimate dinner parties or life’s most significant occasions. Full service catering, includ-ing party and tent rentals, ice carvings, full service wait and bar staff and personal chefs are available to make your party or gathering spectacular. Gourmet foods at affordable prices are the mainstay of Sami’s catered offer-ings. All items are handmade, in-house. There are three chefs: one who special-izes in vegetarian food, another who cooks traditional dishes, and Marc, who prepares everyone’s gourmet favorites. Sami’s catering provides a full range of exquisite offerings for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and everything in between. For breakfast, try the rasp-berry and cream cheese stuffed French toast or a vegetarian quiche, made

to order. For lunch, enjoy the now Venice-famous tender slow-roasted pot roast with homemade gravy, Swiss cheese and garlic aioli on fresh Kaiser rolls—one of our many sandwich platters—or the Strawberry Fields salad with imported brie wedge and mango-poppy seed vinaigrette. For dinner, try Chicken Chasseur, a bone-less breast of sautéed chicken with Cognac, mushrooms, onions, carrots and fresh herbs with a touch of cream. Top it all off with a generous slice of homemade “fruits of the forest” pie. “Not only is Marc easy to work with, but for the wide array of wonderful food, it was a real steal for our company. Guests of our open house continually praised the food while asking where or who provided it.” —Jeremy Waldrip, Director of Operations, Dimensional Imaging. Please check out our affordable and extensive catering menus at Samisislandmarket.com. We have something special for every occasion.

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 27

Finding PEace on I-95–Road Trip Must-Sees

BY STAN AND SANDRA PHILLIPS

When the Martin Luther King Memorial opened recently on

the Mall in DC, we started thinking about the other amazing statues you can see right off the exits of I-95. You can turn your next trip into a treasure hunt to find these carved jewels.

DC – King of Peace DC Exit 19B: 27 years in the making, a National Memorial to Martin Luther King opened to the public on the 48th anniversary of his “I have a dream” speech. The Mall in Washington, D.C., always a sacred place for monuments dedicated to ex-presidents, now honors King for his accomplishments as well. The sculpture shows King emerging from rough stone with his brow furrowed, arms crossed and looking out over the horizon. Long granite walls fl anking the sides feature 14 of King’s most famous quotes. The Chinese sculptor Lei Yixin wanted to show him deep in thought and named it the Stone of Hope. The words were borrowed from his speech, “From a mountain of despair, a stone of hope.” King proves that one person can truly change a nation. mlkmemorial.org.DE – Lady of Peace DE Rte. 9 Exit: You can’t miss Our Lady Queen of Peace, high on a hill with her arms outstretched in front of Holy Spirit Church, with the sun bouncing off the 33’ high stainless steel statue.

Father Sweeney started the project with the power of prayer. A committee used “Rosary Checks” to record the number of rosaries that an individual

prayed for the building of a statue. The goal was for 500,000. Not only did the number of rosaries prayed exceed this, but unsolicited donations came in before any formal fund raising began. This sculpture by Charles C. Parks is sometimes referred to as “Our Lady of the Highways,” since it sits majestical-ly on the approach to the the Delaware Memorial Bridge. ourlady-de.org.

MD – Disturbing his Peace MD Exit 2A: In the newest city along I-95, National Harbor, see if you can fi nd the giant who appears to be emerging from the sand, struggling to free himself. It’s called “The Awakening,” and kids use him as a playground. Created in 1980 by J. Seward Johnson Jr., the sculpture is actually fi ve separate aluminum pieces buried in the sand. The left hand and right foot barely protrude, while the bent left leg and knee jut into the air. The 17-foot high right arm and hand reach farther out of the earth. The bearded face seems to be yelling as he struggles to emerge from the earth. nationalharbor.com.

NC – End of War – Beginning of Peace NC Exit 150A: Directly off this exit, at the entrance to the Quantico Marine Base, you can see a re-creation of the famous WWII Iwo Jima Statue created by Felix de Weldon. It is majestically lit up at night. In a 35 day fi ght for Iwo Jima, an island that was crucial for U.S. bombing raids on Japan’s main islands, 6,821 marines were killed. On February 23, 1945 U.S. Marines from the 28th Regiment, 5th Division, raised the U.S. fl ag atop Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi. After being cast in Brooklyn, NY, the original statue actually was driven down I-95, headed to Arlington National Cemetery, where you can still see it.NC – Keeping the Peace NC Exit 52B: “The original Iron Mike is a statue that represents all paratroopers in the U.S. Army,” said Paul Galloway of the Airborne and Special Ops Museum foundation. It’s a 15-foot statue depicting the airborne trooper who is always watch-ing, waiting and alert. It has been Fort Bragg’s most prominent symbol since 1961, but was replaced there six

years ago with a bronze replica. Now everyone can see the original standing outside the Airborne and Special Ops Museum in Fayetteville, NC. The statue was the creation of the wife of a former deputy post chaplain. Mike’s stance refl ects an airborne soldier who has completed a combat jump. PFC Michael A. Scambellure, an 82nd Airborne Division soldier who received the Silver Star for his heroic actions in Sicily, originally inspired the statue. Notice his jaw set with determination, the grenade at the ready, the trench knife at the boots and the Thompson 45. asomf.org.

ME – Piece of Chocolate ME Exit 42: If you’ve come north to see a moose, you will not be disap-pointed if you stop here. Lenny the chocolate moose is made of 1,700 lbs. of milk chocolate. He was unveiled on July 1, 1997 after having been sculpted on-site in about four weeks. The shop was opened in 1926 by Len Libby, a master candymaker who was retired but bored. In 1949, Len Libby sold his business to Fernand Hemond, who had apprenticeed here while still in college. Since you can’t eat Lenny, you will have to choose amongst treats like raspberry cream, coconut roll, peanut butter log, molasses chip, chocolate pretzel and more. If that wasn’t enough, they have 18 kinds of truffl es and sugar-free options too. 419 U.S. Route 1. lenlibby.com. For an exit-by-exit guide on lodg-ing, food, gas, fun facts, attractions and more, read “Drive I-95 5th Edition” or visit drivei95.com.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 28

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5. Set at a Catskills resort in 1960, this is the sweetly comic story of Lois and Marge, two friends from Brooklyn in search of good times and romance over one wild Labor Day weekend. The score showcases 18 Neil Sedaka classics, including “Where the Boys Are,” “Sweet Sixteen” and, of course, “Breaking Up is Hard to Do!”

Our 41st season continues with the comeback of Disenchanted: Bitches of the Kingdom. Come see the princesses take over the castle…AGAIN! Disenchanted is a brand new, fun-loving, hilarious musical revue in which the original fairy tale princesses

bemoan the exploitation they’ve suffered in the Disney theme parks and films! Happily ever after can be a royal pain! Playing February 7 – 26! Just Announced—Oliver, March 27 – May 6. Based on the Dickens novel, it will engage you with its pathos and drama while delighting everyone with its outstanding musical numbers. “Food, Glorious Food,” “I’d Do Any-thing,” “Where is Love?” “Consider Yourself,” “As Long As He Needs Me,” “Who Will Buy” and “Review-ing the Situation” are musical theatre classics. Dickens’ characters are brought to life—perhaps larger than life— with all their facets glowing. Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza continues every Friday night. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show is at 8 p.m. Tickets are $5. For tickets: (941) 366-5454 or thegoldenapple.com.

“A Chorus Line” Comes to The Players Theater

BY KAYLENE MCCAW

February will be a singularly sensational

month for Sarasota’s com-munity theatre. The Play-ers will be bringing the musical A Chorus Line to the stage. A strong cast of local actors will sing and dance their way through this beloved story of a Broadway dance audition. The production runs Feb-ruary 15 – 26, 2012. You are invited to attend the “T&A Soiree” on February 20. The event, titled after the unprint-able name of one of the show’s most memorable songs, will feature local celebrity Audrey Landers. Ms. Land-ers starred alongside Michael Douglas in the film version of A Chorus Line,

along with other no-table tv credits includ-ing Dallas and PBS Huggabug Club. Artistic Director Jeffery Kin explains, “We are planning an exciting evening of song, dance, video clips. A pre-show wine and cheese reception begins at 7 p.m.; there will be a live auction during intermission and a champagne reception following the show.”

T&A Soiree tickets are $65 each or two for $100. Sponsorships are avail-able with perks that include media recognition and a private backstage meet and greet with Audrey Landers. To purchase tickets, call The Players box office at (941) 365-2494.

Audrey Landers headlines benefit.

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 31

SPONSORED BY

Rep Season Begins at Asolo Repertory TheatreEveryone is working hard to

kick off the 2011 – 2012 rep season. The first three shows of the rep season, Once In a Lifetime, God of Carnage and Yentl have already begun rehearsals, the sets are being built, the costumes are being built and the actors are to bring one of the best seasons yet to Florida’s premiere professional theatre. The first repertory production, Once In a Lifetime, follows three down-and-out vaudeville performers that abandon their struggling act in New York and head across the country to try their luck in Hollywood. Consid-ered one of the best collaborations by Broadway legends Kaufman and Hart, this screwball comedy showcases the beginning of the modern age of performance as we know it. Directed by Mark Rucker, Associate Artistic Director of San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theatre,

Once In a Lifetime opens on January 6, and previews begin January 4. Tickets can be purchased by calling (941) 351-8000 or at asolorep.org. Also running is God of Carnage (opening January 13) and Director Gordon Greenberg’s new interpreta-tion of Yentl (opening January 20.) Call today to get your tickets now!

Photo by Annamae Bafia

Almost, Maine: “Love in the Time of Frostbite”

Over the years, Venice Theatre’s

Pinkerton Stage (the intimate “black box” theater across the lobby from the larger MainStage) has been transformed into just about any locale you can imagine, from a Louisi-ana swamp to the Oval Office. Beginning Jan. 5, it will be home to a tiny town in northern Maine when Venice Theatre presents the romantic comedy Almost, Maine. The script by actor/playwright John Cariani weaves together nine delight-ful vignettes, all set in the remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. On one cold winter night, nine different couples fall in and out of love in unex-pected and often hilarious ways.

New York reviewers compared Almost, Maine’s “offbeat sensibility” to the beloved TV show “Northern Exposure” and said the “whimsical” play was “sweet, poignant and witty”. In 2010, Almost, Maine sur-passed Shakespeare’s “Mid-summer Night’s Dream” as the most-produced play in North American high schools. It has also been well-received in Australia, Mexico and Dubai. And of course theater-goers loved it in Portland, Maine. Venice

Theatre thinks you’ll love it too. This quirky mid-winter night’s dream plays at Venice Theatre January 5 – 22. Get your tickets for Almost, Maine and all the rest of the shows on the season schedule at venicestage.com or (941) 488-1115.

Director Kelly Wynn Woodland chose four

versatile actors to portray the 19 characters in “Almost,

Maine.” Top: Jessica Szempruch and Rebecca

Phippard. Seated: Richard Robertson and Jeremy Guerrero-Heideman.

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 32

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 34

Casino Ahead: Reduced Speed Zone. All Penalties Doubled

BY MARK PILARSKI

Dear Mark: What is the best ap-proach/method when playing black-

jack using the Table Master from Shuffle Master? Table limits are $5 – $200 dol-lars where I play. My sole motivation is to win moderate amounts while playing and it appears to me that basic strategy may be a possible solution. —Myles H. The electronic multiple-player blackjack game you speak of combines the latest interactive technology with the camaraderie of a live table game by using a life-sized video dealer on a large screen—and it can be played for as little as a buck a hand. Herein lies your first problem. Your table minimum of $5 seems a bit steep for the lunchbox flock who enjoy video-based gaming. Yes, I realize you’re in Atlantic City, while I’m in the woods of northern Michigan, but for a video-based machine, $5 seems a bit pricey, especially when all I’m forking over is $1 a pop. Being that the payoffs are effectively the same as those of a live game, yes, basic strategy is the smart way to go against a video dealer, but I’m also led to my second concern, and that is the speed of play. You’ve read it here before. Speed kills in a casino environment. And why do you think casinos love Table Master video games? Because they can offer these games at a fraction of the cost of live tables: they can be placed where live games are not legal; they are dispute- and misplay-free; virtual dealers don’t ask for holidays off and health care; and—here’s the triple-barbed hook, Myles, the one that can really gobble up your gambling funds—Table Master games nearly double the number of hands played per hour. Involving what’s called “incremental game speed,” the more often you are exposed to the built-in house advantage on a Table Master blackjack game (i.e. the more hands you play per hour), the faster the machine can tenderize, barbeque, and swallow your bankroll. The best thing to do here, Myles, is to slow your play against these video game gizmos, and, if the table minimums are the same as on a live game, I would recommend the latter, and

as the columnist always recom-mends, the use of basic strategy.

Dear Mark: Why is it that when losing, so long as I keep playing, casino management is polite and courteous, but once I start winning, and winning big, I feel a change in attitude? —Fred F.

Regrettably, Fred, there are some in casino management that sweat the money as if it were their own pirated loot. Deep down, they know, or at least should know, that your winnings over time usually flow back the casino’s way. Though I no longer toil within the casino walls, there are three facts related to your question that remain givens in gambling: 1. Casino operators realize they will suffer short-term losing streaks. 2. The longer you gamble with the house’s money, the more exposure you have to the casino’s edge. 3. Winners tell losers where they won their money. If the player’s game is on the up-and-up, the casino shouldn’t be hot and bothered when Freddy from Fresno wins a huge sum of money, even if Freddy started with a meager bankroll. It is not all that rare for a player to unleash a $100 bill and run its state of health up to four digits, or even higher. The way the house safeguards against financial ruin during a player’s winning streak is to set table betting limits. It is the “house limit” that protects the casino bankroll against a lucky assault from Fred, Freddy or Frederica. The house knows that the longer Fred gambles, the more exposure he has to the casino’s inescapable casino edge. Your biggest advantage against the house is to quit on your own terms, and not on the casino’s. As for your winning loads of loot and the casino not being so cheery about it, buried within their scowl, they know a few winners will slip past, even if every wager is designed in their favor. More to the point, Fred, is that casinos are retail establishments. If none of the customers had any chance of winning big, how long do you think they would be able to keep their doors open? Heck, they actually prefer a few winners, because winners tell the 90-plus percent who lose where they did the big winning. (SENIOR WIRE)

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A Low-tech Gal in a Hi-tech WorldBY ANN G. THOMAS

I just received an e-mail from my credit card company ask-

ing me to answer a questionnaire online. “It will only take a few minutes of your time,” they said. They lied. It took a half-hour. They wanted to know what it would take to convince me to handle my account with them online. They offered choices for my reasons, but there was no choice that said because the number of tech things I already deal with has left me exhausted.

Even a clock now needs attention. Clocks no longer work on a spring or even on a battery. They work, according to my grandson, on a chip and apparently part of a chip’s nature in-volves flashing because my clocks flash. The strangest part is that all of these clocks flash 12:00. I wonder why they don’t choose a different number. They could flash a favorite hour—even a clock must have a favorite. I’ve asked several people to explain this preference clocks have for 12 but the only one who even attempts to answer is that same grandson who is now an unemployed dot com person. From the complexity of his answer, I can understand why some dot com stocks got into difficulty. Many of my appliances, I am told, have chips that allow them to start doing whatever they do without my being around. My oven, microwave and bread machine can all be programmed to start themselves at pre-arranged times so I could come home from an afternoon at the movies to find my dinner, complete with freshly

baked bread, warm and waiting for me. I don’t think there is any chip that sets the table, but maybe I’ve just not read that far in the direction book. My children have equipped me with an entertainment center where various buttons ask me to play or program a video or audio tape or disc, pre-record one television show while watching another, burn a CD or do a myriad of other things that are also apparently entertaining. The grandchildren of-fered to buy me one of those “things” where you read books from a screen, but I turned them down. “My local library provides unlimited entertain-ment with no technology involved,” I told them. The next week the library

had installed machines where borrowers check their own books in and out. I recently replaced my heating/ air conditioning system with this new, energy efficient model that func-tions on a keypad, which I’ve pretty well mastered. On the other hand, my security system is a comput-erized nightmare, and I’m seriously thinking of replac-ing it with a Great Dane. My garden is watered by a sprin-kler system that requires

“setting.” My car doors open and lock with a tiny computerized keypad, which is nice except for the little button marked PANIC which is easy to accidentally press. Once pressed, the car will than begin to make a lot of noise, causing the owner, in this case me, to begin to experience PANIC. We are told that all of this is designed to make our life easier, but I don’t find it so. In the old days there was a more direct interaction between the person and the object. And so, Credit Card Company, I will not pay you online. If you want my business, you’ll have to accept my check. Dr. Thomas can be reached online through her website at dr-annthomas.com.

Humor

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 35

FinessesAre Easy

BY BRIAN GUNNELL

Of course they are! You just lead towards the AQ or KJ or some

such holding, and, when fate is kind, an extra trick materializes. But, if they can, experienced players will avoid the whims of fate, as in this deal.

West leads the Q♥, and Declarer can see a certain loser in Hearts and another in Diamonds. So, if 4♠ is to make, then Declarer must avoid losing two Clubs. Any ideas? One way to play Clubs (after drawing trumps) is to finesse the Ten, hoping that West has the King and the Queen.

That’s somewhat unlikely (around 25 percent). Another possibility is to finesse the Eight, and later finesse the Ten, hoping that West has K9 or Q9. That’s a 37 percent chance. Or, Declarer might run the Jack, giving himself the extra chance that West might neglect to cover with his honor. Which finesse will you choose?

The correct answer is that you don’t care for any of these finesses, you much prefer the 100 percent method! Draw trumps, cash the red suit winners and exit with a Heart (or a Diamond). The defend-ers can take their Heart and Diamond tricks but now their goose is cooked. If they lead another red card then Declarer pitches a Club loser from one hand and ruffs in the other hand (the so-called

“ruff and sluff”). And if they break open Clubs then Declarer will lose only one trick in the suit. Yes, fi-nesses are easy, especially when you can avoid taking them! Visit acbl.org for more about the fascinating game of bridge or e-mail [email protected]. To find a bridge club in Florida, go to district9acbl.org/D9Clubsmap.htm Bridge article provided courtesyof St. Petersburg Bridge Club; online at stpetebridge.org.

BRIDGE BITESFrom The

American ContractBridge League

New BooksFiction Into the Wilderness by Deborah Lee Luskin is a love story set in Vermont in 1964. It tells the story of Rose Mayer, a sixty-four-year-old Jewish widow from New York, who buries her second husband and wonders what she’s going to do with the rest of her life. Reluctantly, she visits a son in Vermont, in a town where there are neither sidewalks, Democrats nor other Jews. There, she meets Percy Mendell, a born and bred Vermonter who has never married, never voted for a Democrat and never left the state. When they meet, sparks fly.

Pursuing Happiness…One More Time is a witty novel about life and love in an adult community by Mary Lou Peters Schram. This fun book doesn’t guarantee a fulfillment of all the women’s dreams, but it’s a fun read.

Let the Rain Fall by Rachel Norby takes on the question of “Does true love exist?” Is it possible to convince someone spited by love to give it a second chance? These are some of the questions that Katherine, now age 75, addresses as she tells her story to the three eccentric sisters at New Horizons Assisted Living.

Nonfiction “In sickness and in health” some-times means years with Alzheimer’s. In My Life with Rita, The Love of My Life James Booksh takes readers into his 58-year marriage, from post-WWII days to his wife’s eight-year struggle with Alzheimer’s. Bookish said, “I wrote the book in memory of and to praise Rita, in thanks for a wonderful 58 years,” he says. “We lived as one, even when she had Alzheimer’s.”

Leonard Szymc-zak’s book, The Roadmap Home, blends the author’s thirty-five years as a therapist with his own personal life challenges. From a violent childhood filled with abuse to following a quest to find “home”—and his journey showed him that “home” is within us—he shows others how to get there. Another “roadmap” book is The Road-map to 100 by Walter M. Bortz, M.D. (who ran the Boston Marathon last year at age 80). The right lifestyle choices al-low anyone, he claims, to take control of their own health as they age and live lon-ger, healthier and more fulfilling lives.

If you’re con-cerned about the quality of the food you eat, read The Safe Food Hand-book, How to Make Smart Choices About Risky Food. It gives a balanced and comprehensive look at which food risks we should worry about, which old precautions are now outdated and how consumers can proactively protect themselves.

If you qualify, you may be entitled to double your existing IRA, annuity, or bank CD value to use for qualified, healthcare expenses, TAX FREE!

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 36

Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 37

‘50s and ‘60s Hits Performed LiveJan. 22 and 23 The Diamonds.

Don’t miss this blast-from-the-past celebration featuring ‘60s hits like “Why Do Fools Fall in Love,” “The Stroll” and “Silhouettes.” 22 at 8 p.m., 23 at 3 p.m. Tickets: $37.

Feb. 3 and 4 “The Legends of Doo Wop.” Featuring Tony

Passalaqua of the Archies, Tommy Mara of the Crests, Frank Mancuso of the Imaginations and Steve Horn

of the 5 Sharks. 3 at 8 p.m. and 4 at3 p.m. Tickets: $37.

Feb. 6 “The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters.”

Kim Kollar is joined by Cathy Baudrit, Michelle Pryun and trumpet virtuoso Charly Raymond. One show only at 8 p.m. Tickets: $32.

Shows at Venice Theatre, 140 W. Tampa Ave., Venice. (941) 488-1115.

Forks and Corks FestivalRaise a glass and

toast to the New Year! The 5th annual Forks and Corks Festival has returned to Sarasota. This four-day culinary festival, held Jan. 27 – 30, features wine maker events at area restaurants, interactive food, wine and beer seminars and The Grand Tasting—a dining event featur-

ing signature dishes from the area’s top chefs along with a vast array of wines and beers from guest vint-ners and breweries, held at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Courtyard on Jan. 29.

Tickets go quickly; for more infor-mation, call (941) 955-3663 or visit freshoriginals.com/forksandcorks.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 38

2012 Florida State Fair—So Much to See and Do!The theme for the 2012 Florida

State Fair, held Feb. 9 – 20, is “The Best Time of the Year!” With returning favorites and exciting new attractions, there’s sure to be something for everybody.New Thrills New at the 2012 Fair! Thrill seekers, get ready to ride the Zip-line! This exhilarating ride will have you zipping across one of the fairgrounds’ lakes. You can also catch heart-pounding action at the Xtreme Sports Show! (Dates and times online.) Feel the need for “mow” speed? Lawnmower races presented by the USLMRA will be providing some serious fun on Feb. 18 and 19 in the Bob Thomas Equestrian Center.Fair Favorites Visit the Arts and Crafts Showcase in the Charles M. Davis Special Events Center for unique items and crafty ideas, or shop till you drop in the Expo Hall and get a foot massage before you leave. Don’t forget to stop

by Alessi’s Bakery for their famous Strawberry Shortcake and more! At Cracker Country, take a stroll back in time and experience the sights, sounds and smells of Florida’s history. Sit a spell and enjoy the Bluegrass music, dozens of performances, dem-onstrations, crafts and other activities.

Entertainment The Florida State Fair is host to several free daily shows and special attractions, as well as live performances on the International Stage. Highlights include: Blues Brothers, Dennis Lee Show, Spanish Lyric Theater, Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, Kachunga the Alligator Show, Circus Hollywood, Racing Pigs, Yesterdaze Show, Cheer

and Dance Competitions, Chris MacArthur and the Florida Cracker Boys and the Elvis Extravaganza.Save the DateFeb. 9, 13, 14, 15 and 16: Five After Five. Come to the Fair after 5 p.m. and admission is only $5.

Feb. 14 – 16: Senior Days. Admission for ages 55+ is only $6 for advance tickets (purchased through Feb. 8) or $8 for tickets purchased at the gate.

Feb. 15: Country Gold Tour—Leroy Van Dyke, Lynn Anderson, Gene Wat-son, Janie Frickie, and T.G. Sheppard perform from noon to 4 p.m. Cost: $10 (does not include fair admission).

Feb. 20: National Salute to Veterans Day. Free admission for everyone after 4 p.m. To purchase Fair admission tickets and ride armbands, or for more information about showtimes and attractions, visit FloridaStateFair.com or call 1-800-345-FAIR (3247). Shows are subject to change or cancellation.

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Mature Lifestyles • January 2012 • page 39

Collectors, Rejoice!If your hobby is shell or stamp collecting,

you’re in for a treat. Appraise your collec-tion or find new treasures at these events:

Sarasota Shell Club Monthly Meeting Held on the second Thurs. of each month, each meeting includes a guest speaker, raf-fle, door prizes, business meeting, refresh-ments, and a whole lot of shell talk. Jan. 12, 7 p.m. at Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota. (941) 492-5296

Sarasota National Stamp Exhibition Visit stamp exhibits by more than 36 dealers from across the country. Bring your stamps for sale. Free appraisals, silent auction, learning center, door prizes, free admission and parking. 10 to 6 on Fri.; 10 to 5:30 on Sat. and 10 to 3 on Sun. at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium, 801 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. (941) 922-7191.

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Call for an Appointment in Our Office or at Your Home.

Ask About Our Locations Nearest You.

Serving Manatee & Sarasota County

www.allearshearingservices.com

FREENew Technology

Hearing Aid Demo TRY the Latest

Digital Technology Find out for yourself

how the New Digital Hearing Aids

Help YOU Mark Selis30 years experience

Board Certified Hearing Instrument Science

Owner All Ears Hearing

HEARING LOSS? It May Be Just Earwax Build Up

By Appointment At Our Office or With the Ears Mobile Office TO YOUR HOME FREE

SARASOTA OFFICE2727 S. Tamiami Trail #4

Between Webber And Grove St.Across From Southside School

ALL EARS Hearing Services

941-320-2122

Video Ear Inspection Camera REVEALS Earwax INSTANTLY.See For Yourself if Earwax is Limiting your HearingPlease call now. Make sure hearing loss isn’t preventing you from enjoying your life to its fullest...

Free Ear Wax Removal and Free Counseling.

All Ears announces Dr. Jill W. Cardinal has joined their hearing care team.

Dr. Cardinal has served as an Audiologist for 25 years and has worked in the Sarasota – Bradenton area since 1997. She obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, her graduate degree from University of South Florida and her Doctor of Audiology from the University of Florida.

“I am excited to join Mark Selis and All Ears because we offer a full service location and convenient care with the EARSMOBILE for elderly patients who are best served right at home. I look forward to serving you.”

– Dr. Jill Cardinal, Doctor of Audiology

Uses Natural Ear shapeCombines your natural ear shape and state-of-the-art technology.

Hands Free OperationThere are no volume control adjustments for ease of handling.

Just Place It In Your Ear and Hear

SATISFACTION GUARANTEED

Small...Discreet...and Comfortable“Better Hearing” means Better Quality of life.

$750 Digital Hearing Aids

Starting at

per aid